Negasis- Chapter 4

Over a matter of weeks the little creature managed to teach itself to walk and talk a bit. Bacardie had her work cut out for her. She couldn’t turn her back for a matter of moments before the fuzz ball would tare through a room. While Bacardie tried to clean up after its messes, Rini and Nate would bring it to the woods and teach it to fend for itself. This was always the most interesting task. Especially when Geni decided she wanted to help.

Rini: Geni, not so hard with that!
Geni: Why do you always make me go easy on the little beast?

Nate had noticed that when Geni and the fur ball got together for spar time that Geni wasn’t practicing. She seemed to want to fight, or to hurt the new family member. Finally one day Rini wanted to test this theory. She sent the little one into the woods by herself with the job of gathering some herbs for Bacardie. Rini followed, unseen, watching it’s every move. She was surprised when she noticed Geni following, bearing her sword.

Geni ran up behind it and took a swing for its head. Rini came out from hiding and sent Geni back against a tree with a blast of energy. She stalked up to her pinned daughter, glaring hard. Geni struggled, trying to get free. The little creature ran and hid behind a bush.

Rini: Nate Chan was right… You have been trying to kill it. What’s wrong with you?
Geni: It deserves to die! Its not one of us! Look at how it looks… It’s a monster and will grow up to kill us all!
Rini: And when did you get the sudden fore seeing abilities? You are not one to judge the thing. You yourself are just as much of a monster. I trained you and brought you up better than this. Return to the castle, now. When you return we’ll see what to do with you…

Geni growled under her breath, still struggling to get away from the tree. Rini let her down, and she fell to the ground. Rini raised a hand; Geni’s sword appeared suddenly in it. She turned and went to get the creature. Lifting it up carefully, she headed back to castle.

When Rini entered the castle, Nate met her. He took the creature from her and watched as she went to the living room. He followed slowly, letting the creature down. It ran to find Bacardie with a hand full of leaves and grass. He walked into the living room and sat down next to Rini. She was laying face down on the enormous couch.

Nate: So?
Rini: She’s out of control. There’s no reason for her to be attacking people or animals like that.
Nate: Maybe she’s jealous… She used to be the only one getting attention for the longest time.
Rini: If she’s jealous, this is a problem. It’s more like rage. She was ready to take its little head off.
Nate: What will you do with her?
Rini: I won’t do anything. I don’t sense her coming this way at all. She’s heading away from the castle.
Nate: Let’s hope she doesn’t try what she did in the woods on anyone else…

Rini just stood, sighed, and left the room. She went to her garden and sat down by the fountain. Her favorite place to be when she needed to think. A small breeze blew by her. She groaned, running her hand through her hair.

Rini: Why now? What do you want from me?

The breeze died in silence. She didn’t have to turn to see who it was. She knew the angel was standing behind her.

Raylin: You know what I want. Why even ask that?
Rini: A name…
Raylin: What?
Rini: A name for the creature. She’s ½ yours. Pick something so I don’t have to keep calling it Creature. Or take it… Your choice.

He stood there, a look of thought on his face. Rini just watched him, waiting for him to say something.

Raylin: Random.
Rini: Random what?
Raylin: Random, the name. Name her Random.
Rini: And for my name, she gets Makura. Can’t have it all your name, can we?
Raylin: As you wish… And, you’re trying to get me to forget why I came here.
Rini: Why did you come here? Are you still mad that I almost beat you?

Rini smiled sweetly, in a sarcastic way towards Raylin, who didn’t look amused at all. After a few moments of quiet staring the angel started to pace in front of her, hand on his sword. He turned and looked back to Rini. He walked up to her, face a few inches from hers.

Raylin: I was sent here to finish a job. Either I have the wrong person, or something isn’t right about you.
Rini: I don’t know what you’re looking for here. I haven’t done a thing to anyone.
Raylin: And you’re completely sure about this? You never killed someone for coming to the castle, never killed someone just for the fun of it?
Rini: Well… There was that guy who wouldn’t leave. He wouldn’t take ‘I don’t need any more help here’ as an answer.

Raylin just stood there looking at the demoness in front of him. Either she was lying to his face, or she wasn’t the one he was after. He sighed, annoyance building up inside him.

Raylin: I’ll be keeping an eye on you. If I so much as see you put your hands on anyone, kill a thing, and I’ll be back.

He hadn’t even finished his sentence and he was already off the ground. Rini shielded her eyes from the rising dust. When she looked from behind her arms, he was gone. She turned to see Bacardie standing in the garden’s doorway. Rini motioned for her to come out into the garden. No one was aloud in the garden without her permission.

Bacardie: My Lady, as you know I’ve been here probably longer than you have. I know a lot of the creatures that live in the lands surrounding this one. I think I may have found what she may be.
Rini: Beautiful job as always Bacardie. Come inside, we’ll see what we can do with this knowledge of yours.

They walked back into the castle and headed to the main hall and sat around the end of the huge table. Nate joined in a few minuets later with the newly named Random. Almost an hour went by. Finally they had all come up with a decision. Rini and Nate would bring Random to Mt. Arlea. It was almost 2 days ride to the north of the castle. There, they would talk to the ruler of a race called the Saviorai. They were were-creatures that almost never left the mountain top. Rini and Nate went to pack their things and get their horses ready. They wanted to get some of the ride over with before dark set in. The sooner they could find out what Random was the better.

By mid day, 2 days later, they made it to the gates of the city. Nate helped Rini and Random from Rini’s horse. They walked their horses with them up to the gates. Two almost human looking men stopped them, asking what they wanted with the Saviorai.

Rini: I rode from the nearest town to the south to find out if a certain creature I came to own was one of yours.

Nate picked up Random and showed her to the two men. The taller of the two gave a long hard look at the little furry creature. He motioned for the other to follow him. Rini watched them huddle over by the gate, talking. Finally they came back and nodded. The shorter opened the gates and allowed them through.

Rini got on her horse, followed by Nate and Random on the 2nd horse and went through the gates thanking the were-men for letting them in. They headed down the main street of the city, towards what looked to be the castle of it. They could feel eyes on them from every where. Random seemed excited enough. Nate had to hold her in place or she’d of fallen off the horse. They finally made it to the castle doors and dismounted. Two more were-people, this time two females, came up and took their horses for them. Arms full of carrots and hay. Nate set Random on her own two feet and let her walk between them.

Just inside the doors they were greeted by the tallest were-being they had seen all day. He had long blonde hair and deep red eyes. He bowed deeply to Rini. She returned the gesture slowly, trying to keep him in her sights.

Bowden: Welcome to Mt. Arlea, My Lady. We hear that you have something to show us. My name is Bowden, and I will be guiding you today.
Rini: And I’m Rini, Mistress of Negasis. This is Nathan; he’s my assistant and counselor. And this is Random Makura.

Nate let Random take her quick little steps, almost a run, around his legs and up to Bowden’s. When she ran into his legs she fell backwards onto her bottom. She tried to look up at what she hit, but his height knocked her on her back. Bowden just looked down at the furry thing at his feet. Random sat up and made a small growling sound towards him. Rini bent down to lift her up, but Random jumped up and latched her teeth into Bowden’s leg. Rini pulled her back and up into her arms hold.

Rini: Sir, I’m so sorry. She’s never acted like this towards anyone.
Bowden: It is fine, Lady. Come, we cannot leave my master waiting.

He led Rini and Nate into a large room. At the head of it sat a large grey marble thrown. In the chair was a smaller were-man. He stood and came down from his thrown. Bowden let Rini and Nate pass and head up to meet the new person. When they got up to him Nate took Random from Rini. She gave a perfectly royal bow to the man. In return he lifted her hand and gave it a light kiss.

Rini: You’re Highness, thank you again for allowing us here to see you. I’m sorry for such short notice on this, but it was an almost urgent matter.
Wulf: Of course My Lady. Now, where is this little creature?

Nate stepped up and held out Random to him. Wulfrham took a single look at her and laughed. Rini just stood there watching him. He took Random and looked her over.

Wulf: She’s surely not born pure blooded to us. But she is one of us. How did you come across something like her?
Rini: It’s a long story. But to make it short, she was an accident. I and an angel were fighting and in the end of it all, she was lying there.
Wulf: And her name, where did she get it? Did she tell you it was such?
Rini: No, the angel said to call her Random. She’s called Random Makura in full though.

Wulf took a second to watch the girl. Random had managed to get out of his hold and down to the ground. She was running around all their feet. She stopped in front of the steps to Wulf’s throne. In a blur of speed, she ran up the stairs and plunked down in it. Rini went to tell her to get down from there, but was stopped.

Wulf: Leave her here with us for a few weeks. I want to see more of this girl. We’ll send word to you on how she comes along.
Rini: Who will take care of her whiles she’s here?
Wulf: Bowden will watch her carefully. No worries, My Lady. She will be in good hands.

With that, Rini and Nate took their leave. Random wa tched from the thrown as they left, with an almost abandoned look to her face.

Two days later they rode into the castle gates. They were welcomed home by Trust, Bacardie and Aura. Trust took the horses reins from the rider’s; Aura helped Rini down from her horse.

Aura: I hear tell you rode up to Mt. Arlea with that little fur ball. How did that go?
Rini: Not too bad. They asked to keep her for a while, to watch her and see how she acts. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll train her a bit.
Aura: Training from them is like being trained to be a professional assassin.
Nate: You should’ve seen what she did. She ran up and bit one of them in the leg.

Nate and aura started laughing, Rini just ignored it. Luckily for them that guard didn’t take it personally. Who knows what kind of trouble they’d of been in if he wanted to have Random punished for attacking him.

They all made their way into the castle. Nate and Aura went right to the kitchen with Bacardie. Nate had been complaining most of the trip that he was hungry, so it was understandable. Rini went to her room to change. She went from a stuffy, more formal riding gown to one of her more comfortable ones. In her favorite color and fabric, black made of velvet with a low back. She took off the riding shoes and put on a pair of matching black slipper shoes. She walked out onto her balcony over looking the gardens and leaned against the railing. No sooner did she set foot on the balcony she felt eyes on her again. This was becoming a permanent part of her days now. She looked up and around her, but there wasn’t anyone there.

Rini: I know you’re hiding up there somewhere. Why don’t you just come out? If you want to watch me so much, then do it where I can see you. Give me that much.

She turned to go into her room but there was someone in her door way. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him.

Rini: What? Are you hiding in my closet or something? And don’t do that whole appear out of no where thing. It bothers me.
Raylin: You asked me out here, I’ll come as I please.
Rini: Who do you think I am? What are you trying to find?

The question caught Raylin off guard. Rini pushed by him into her room, leaving him stand there on the balcony. She noticed that he wasn’t following her, so she motioned him into the room. He just sort of stood there, looking at her like asking if she was serious. This made Rini laugh.

Rini: Such a polite stalker. You can come in here, but only when I’m here and if I say to. I should just introduce you to everyone and tell them to watch for you. I’m guessing you’ll be here a long time, ne?

Raylin walked slowly into the room, looking around. He had a very curious look on his face, like he’d never seen a bedroom before.

Raylin: I was brought up better than to just waltz into a lady’s quarters. And to answer your question, I’m looking for a demon.
Rini: You’ll find a lot of those around here. If you haven’t noticed, most of the creatures here in this very castle are what you’re looking for. What made me catch your eyes?
Raylin: You matched what I was told to look for. You matched too well. Why do you care anyways?
Rini: Because if you’re going to watch my every move, Id like to know why I’m being watched. You don’t see me stalking around trying to find where you are, do you?
Raylin: I wouldn’t try sounding so innocent there. I watched you go see those beasts with Random and your young friend. You kept looking around like you were waiting for something to show up.
Rini: I was watching for… Bears… You don’t know what could be in those woods.
Raylin: Watching for bears when one of those monsters could’ve done worse to you. Why does that not sound right?
Rini: Listen here angel…

She was cut off by the sound of knocking at her door. Rini jumped and looked around. Where was she supposed to hide an angel? She grabbed his hand and jerked him down to the ground.

Raylin: Bloody Hell woman! What are you doing?!
Rini: Just get under there! There’s enough room if you lay on your stomach…

There was another knock at her door and Aura’s voice following it. Rini kicked the angel in the shoulder, trying to get him under faster.

Rini: Hold on one second!
Aura: What’s going on in there? I wanted to come in and talk for a bit. Is it ok if I come in now?

Rini looked down. Raylin had managed to squeeze under the bed, but she could hear him cursing softly. She bent down and told him to shut up till Aura left. He just glared at her. As she stood up, the door swung open and Aura walked in followed by Nate. They gave her a funny look. Rini quickly invited them in. When Nate tried to sit on her bed she grabbed his arm and dragged him over to her love seat and put him there. Aura was going to sit on the floor, but Rini insisted that she sit with Nate.

Rini: So what did you want to talk about?

Rini sat down on the foot of the bed and smiled. Nate and Aura sat there looking at her. Finally Nate broke the silence after a few moments.

Nate: We just wanted to ask how long you planned on leaving Random up with the Savs. You don’t know what they may teach her.
Aura: They could teach the poor girl to be a complete killer. You’ve already got a problem with Geni running ramped who knows where?
Rini: I don’t know how long she’ll be up there. I’m pretty sure they won’t make her a killer. When was the last time you heard of one of them coming down and terrorizing a village or something?
Aura: You’re lucky if you ever see them in your life, but still. And what if that angel found out you brought her up there? How do you know he won’t just lash out and demand you bring her back?

Rini coughed and looked around the room.

Rini: What in the world makes you think that stupid angel will come back?

Raylin pinched the back of her calf making her jump and gasp. She was about to scream at the hiding angel but noticed Aura and Nate looking at her oddly.

Rini: I mean, he did leave her to stay with me, so doesn’t that give me all rights to do as I wish with her?
Aura: That’s true enough…
Nate: We just don’t want him trying to barge in and do anything stupid.
Rini: I don’t think we have to worry.
Nate: Well, Aura and I are going to go for a ride in the woods for a bit. Did you want to come with us?

Nate and Aura stood and started for the door. Rini followed them.

Rini: No, thanks. I’m going to stay here. Maybe get some sleep. I’ll talk to you both later.

The two left her at the door and went on their way. As soon as they were out of sight she shut the door and sighed. When she looked up Raylin was standing on the balcony already. She walked out and stood on the other side of the balcony from him.

Rini: You know I can’t keep hiding you under my bed, right?
Raylin: And I don’t plan to hide under there again, so no matter.

((Out in the woods)) Aura and Nate rode slowly up a path in silence. Aura broke it with laughter. Nate looked over to her and raised an eye brow.

Nate: What’s that about?
Aura: You didn’t notice she was hiding something?
Nate: Hiding what?

Aura stopped her horse, followed by Nate. She leaned over and grinned. She motioned Nate to come closer.

Aura: The angel was under her bed. Didn’t you see the feathers next to her bed and on the balcony?

Nate’s mouth just hung open a bit.

Nate: Why would she hide him?
Aura: This is our big bad Rini here. Do you think she wants to get caught talking to someone like him? It’d be like a wolf being nice to its prey.

Nate laughed. The thought of Rini hiding something that she forbade in her own bedroom was funny. He and Aura started back on their way into the forest, laughing and joking about everything.