A Beast of Lon: Pt. 5
A short story
I feel there is needs to be a little commentary after I finish this story. But there is to be commentary.
When Vedra woke, she didn’t feel nearly as terrible. She was able to wear a loose-fitting shirt and move around without too much pain. However, she discovered something she a bit of pause. Her arms were weak as well as her grip strength. Her left hand was worse off than right. She tried to pass the time working on her notes, however, her hands ached to the point she was forced to take breaks and rest.
Luppa was with her for part of the day. She helped her with drinking the tea that was given to her and food. She left and was replaced with the majordomo who glided in and bowed to her.
“I am sorry for the lack of protection that was provided for you as an honored guest,” she said, and handed her a small painted wooden box with the Gao flag on it.
Vedra took and the box almost slid out of her hands.
“Take this as our gift to you as proof that your attack has been avenged.”
Vedra opened the box and there, lined in silk, was a wyvern claw. Given how fresh it looked, it was likely from the one that attacked her. “Oh...um thank you. No hard feelings. I understand wyverns are a threat to all who live in this mountain range.”
“That is no excuse. This should not have happened,” she said, rising. Then she smirked. “The crags are being purged of their eggs and they are to be shot down on sight if we even see one on the ridge. They will learn with blood they aren’t rulers of these mountains.”
Vedra, while chilled by that declaration, understood the Gao took great offense to what had happened. She offered the only thanks that would be appropriate.
“Blessing to your warriors. May they be victorious,” she said.
The majordomo smiled with approval. “Is there anything you require?”
“If there is no trouble. Can I see Ri’gel? He did save my life.”
“Of course.”
Vedra expected to be taken to the caves. Instead, she was taken to a chamber that opened to the gardens. There all the dons sat. Well, save the prime don. He was out with the De Mora hunting.
They were all sitting on cushions, idle. In the center of them lay Ri’gel. He looked terrible.
His portions of his fur along his shoulder and mane along the back of his neck had been shaved where the skin was stitched. The swiped marks along the top of his muzzle was the place left to scab over.
Vedra walked tentatively to the group. They perked up with ears forward. The largest one of them there, covered in brown and tan fur, spoke.
“Ri’gel, you have a visitor.”
His eyes opened. She expected his eyes to look foggy, lifeless, and wondering. Instead, his were still just as bright as fireflies.
“Ah Miss,” he said. “I’m gracious to see that you are alive. My humble apologies for what occurred. That I, as someone who is supposed to serve the De Mora as she sees fit. Stepped out of my role and causing you needless dis—”
One of the other dons beside cut him off with a shove with his body.
“Oh stop it,” said the brown and tan beast. “The Prime and our Mora aren’t here. You can stop with the smarm.”
Ri’gel sighed. “I am only following the instructions left by our wise and beautiful de Mora. May her hunting today be successful and our enemy’s blood stains the earth.”
The one who snorted jammed his nose into Ri’gel shoulder. Vedra thought she was about to see a fight when Ri’gel yelped and bared his teeth at the brown and tan. The one who spoke snarled back. The other beast’s tails started lashing as their ears perked up.
“Don’t push him Saiph, he’s not afraid to fight,” rumbled another one.
“Don’t listen. I want to see him scrap. He killed that wyvern by himself,” said one in the back.
Saiph lowered his lips and then licked his paws. “And he’s in trouble for it.”
Vedra’s jaw slacked. “Wait, you killed that wyvern.”
Ri’gel held his head up proudly. “I’m only responsible for the first one. Technically, the other wyvern that joined, killed it. I may have changed positions so that the momentum from its own kind finished it. I would be an escort if I allowed my charged to be further injured.”
“And the De Mora is mad at your for that,” she asked.
Saiph rumbled out a chuckle and spoke. “When is she not mad this coal furred menace?”
“I do vex our glorious Mora needlessly,” admitted Ri’gel.
“Vex her like a thorn in her side. This cub here isn’t happy with anything. He gets to sit here looking pretty, and it’s not enough. Has this entire palace to himself in the winter. Warm and toasty with people to feed him. He gets to sit in a corner and tell stories to cubs all day. Sheltered, protected, and fed.”
“It’s insulting,” muttered Ri’gel softly.
“Say it louder,” said the large beast.
“It’s insulting,” he snapped. “If I must live this life, can I live at least a life without begin the don to my aunt! Everyone is afraid of angering her. And I understand it was my mora’s request if she died, however, I didn’t agree to it. She tried sheltered me in life and then leashed me in death. And don’t call me a cub. I’m older than you!”
Vedra knew she was right. He sounded so frustrated. She then settled on her knees in front of him. At least she could make it clear, he committed no wrong with her.
“Well, I’m glad that you were disobedient enough that we could meet. And thank your for saving me.”
Ri’gel’s tail wagged. He leaned forward and licked Vedra on the check. She wasn’t certain how to respond to that sort of gesture. In fact, she knew very little about the gestures of the Beasts of Lon.
“Better not let the De Mora catch you doing that,” said Saiph who then became stiff. All the beasts did, except Ri’gel. In fact, the beast looked her in the eye and said softly. “I’m sorry to use you like this.”
Vedra heard a deep growl was heard behind her. She twisted around and stared into the chest of the De Mora. Her impressively large and muscular body was no longer covered in jewelry. Instead, she wore leather and metal armored plates that traveled down the length of her neck all the way to her tail. A plate was strapped to her chest. And on her head, a helmet.
She regarded Vedra as might one would have something of very little interest. However, her golden eyes burned at the don sitting on the cushion before her. Ri’gel eyes burned with a defiance.
“Why are you staring at me with such distaste, my De Mora. Is it the scars? Am I not fit for being on display? We fight. That is known. Why not show the might of our kind in that even the most pathetic of us all can show strength? Or is that not withing the duty you assigned me?”
Saiph was right to call his tone smarmy. He didn’t even hide the taunt in his tone. Again, she expected a fight. Or for the De Mora to lash out at him. Instead, she tore her gaze from him. Her ears flat against her helmet.
“You are the Chev Vedra,” she asked.
“I am.”
“I see you are able to walk. What about your limbs?”
“They feel weak, especially my hands. Gripping things is difficult.”
“Our people dine on wyvern. As well as the Gaolians. As soon as their children can stomach meat, they are fed their meat. It is to protect them against their toxin. It is present in their claws and saliva, and blood that causes weakness. You have not gone through this process. I have disabled you.”
Vedra looked down at her arms and squeezed her hands. She didn’t know how to take that.
“However, I served you that fate as I grew impatient with fear for my cubs and pack. I thought my strike would be seen as a warning and not a catalyst for war. It is a tradition that I pay you back with a gift. I feel the claw of the one that tried to kill you is not nearly enough.”
Vedra didn’t know if she could deny the De Mora gifting her with anything else. The claw was more than enough. “I don’t need anything else,” she said.
“No, you deserve to be paid back. We will sent you the tea made from the dried claws of wyverns back with you. Maybe you will regain your strength. However, I will give you someone who can aid you for as long as you live.”
Before Vedra register what was going on. The De Mora turned to Ri’gel.
“Since you have proven yourself strong and capable of protecting. Then that is what you will do. You shall aid this Chev named Vedra for as long as she lives. You follower her wherever she goes. If she needs hunting, you hunt. If she needs you to carry her possession like a beast of burden, then you be that beast of burden. Only in her death and her children’s deaths are you released from this duty. Do you understand?”
Ri’gel bowed his head. “Yes, my De Mora.”
“You leave when she leaves. You may spend your last days here saying your goodbyes. Saiph and Tak, escort me to the Empress. I wish to speak with you. I have news.”
Two of the largest dons left. The others looked stunned. However, if a beast could smile, Ri’gel was smiling then.