His eye opened slightly getting the feeling, of heat approaching his face, the feeling of eyes staring intensely at him. A child's face was inches away from his staring curiously at him. Quickly jumping back to the other side of the wagon. Placing a paw upon the boards pushing himself up with a groan. "Hey kid.. Where am I?" Asking with a grumble from the exhaustion of everything has happened so far. Being physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted trying to do as little thinking as he could. Staring at the child in front of him, vision blurred still as he closed his eyes. Lifting his paws up on his face with a groan, his whole body felt it was on fire. "Ugh.. Too.. soon" Opening up his eyes once more before passing out once again from the pain, his body falling back onto the floor.
His eyes were still changing as his eyes looked as if they were on fire small flames glowing along his eyeball. Once his eyes closed the sparks stopped, staring at him the child smacked his head with a club. His body jolted some to the hit, 'Holy shi-- What has happened to this place? Has everyone gone mad?!' He laid in the back of the wagon as the child held the club close, while staring at him the whole ride only to wonder off at the mention of food being hunted. A roar came out each wagon's hunter was hopping out of their wagons as the others continued on finding a place to rest for the meal. Opening up his eyes feeling the wagon slowing down, looking around before lifting his head up to look around outside of the wagon. His eye sight was blurry still as he couldn't see much of anything, his paws touching along the wagon. 'Uh.. still not ready, I guess..'
Leaning back touching his forehead feeling around along his body. 'I can at least feel how I look.. somewhat.' Feeling around his body touching the warmth of his fur around his body. 'Oh this will suck during heat seasons and areas.' He chuckled to himself, feeling his face a bit. 'What is this?.. two ears,.. long ears huh? okay well a nose... some eyes.. not done apparently but hopefully soon..' Touching along his rags taring off his sleeve. Feeling along the ground in front of him laying them long ways. Using his fingers to touch along the fabric folding it a few times. Taking both ends and placed them over his eyes tying it behind his head. 'Heal.. heal completly.. focus.' Taking a few deep breaths in trying to focus hearing the sounds around camp being made. People talking, walking around some carrying items to the middle area where. The lead large female was giving orders to both male and females.
He couldn't help but smile some hearing peoples voices again they were only feet away he could talk with them interact with them. He sat by himself and shook his head lowering his head down. 'I .. don't belong here..' These people were the first group of people he had been around for a long time. Gulping some dry saliva down his throat, "I'm in all your debt.." He said in a faint whisper, "HEY IT'S AWAKE!" A child cried out before running off, his head tilted to the side. 'Oh.. uh please be kind.. I mean none of you any harm.' His paws felt around touching the wagon some looking for the opening. His tail slithered along behind him before wrapping around his legs which made him jump a bit. "Oh.. my tail.. my tail.." Gripping his own tail with shaking paws, 'I'mma have to really check this body in quick. I need time to recover.' His paws touching over his tail feeling the texture of the fur along his tail. The texture was rough but soft at the same time, something to lay on but not to rub against.
There was a rush of footsteps on the ground coming towards him. Spinning around in the wagon as he moved his paws around the floor, looking for the exit. Finding a cornered edge to open the gate as his arm was soon caught by a much larger paw. A heavy voice spoke, "You here to cause trouble? Or you here to do good?" He froze some looking around having a blindfold over his eyes. "I.. I wish no harm to anybody.. Thank you for your kindness, but I must take my leave.." A large dark brown bat like creature with dark brown eyes reached out one of his arms as his wings tucked in against his back. He lifted his arm up pulling him from the gate slightly looking at his skinny body, "With these puny things? You are no trouble here. Eat with us if not then you can leave now if you want, simple." His arm was let go, sitting up a bit more holding his arm with his paw, unsure where to have his head looking.
"Can.. I leave after I eat?.. If not." Laughter came from the crowd that walking around hearing that the stranger had woken up. Gathered close-by peeking around to look at the one in the wagon being curious, "Fine.. Oh great creature of the forest.. you can leave after you eat.. but allow us safe passage through your domain." His head tilted to the side some a smirk crossing his face. "Safe passage.. for a good meal, I accept." Reaching out his paw slowly moving it around in the air to seal the deal. The large bat male looked at him once more before laughing grabbed his paw in a pawshake, "Aye, it's a deal creature of the forest for safe passage we will give you a good meal." Gripping his paw tightly, "Deal!" A red and ebony chains wrapped around both of their arms, for a moment binding them together. "What the no no no!!! I.. I didn't mean it hey!" The bat was pulling back with all his strength, the chains tightened their grip in a pawshake, not letting either party move.
Lifting his head a bit looking straight into the bat's eyes. "Safe passage for a good meal is the deal and now." A small scroll and parchment floated above symbols grew along the parchment. Rolling up and placed onto the chains were they both freed. "Approved" The large bat arm was let go. "A deal is a deal, I will hold my end of the bargain if you hold up yours. Are you a man of your word or not?" There was silence, he slowly backed away deep into the wagon, 'Crap.. Why does this always happen?! Why'd it have to be a deal?' The footsteps were slow at first but each one ran off in a rush, listening to everyone running away. 'They'll probably try and poison me or try to do something to try and kill me.' His head lowered and shook his head covering his ears with his paws. 'I don't want to have to kill them all, this sucks. Why do I always get set up with this shit! I just got back. I don't want to kill the first people I meet.. They've been so nice up till now.' He continued talking in his mind while outside the people were rushing around the kids were taken to the back wagons with food to eat. 'Oh please, oh please. Don't break our deal. Don't do something stupid.'
He could smell the food, his ear's were heavy as he tried lifting them with the strength in his ears. Reaching up with his paw lifting his ear some. 'I'll have to get used to this body.' listening to everything he could around him. Clearing his mind, with each sound that he could hear made his ear twitched towards it. 'Got the kids away, with some of the smaller males and females... More of the larger females and males are coming closer now. So ambush attack then? Poison the food or drink whatever you want me to eat or consume. I don't hear much weaponry.' His ear twitched to the side a small commotion of who was going to come get him. The large male still rubbing his arm some standing by the burning flames of one of the fire pits, "Monster of the forest!.. What curse did you put on me?!" A elderly couple were examining his arm. 'Monster?.. I'm a monster?.. but I help people.. I I'm a good person. Well... we did make a deal.' "You wished safe passage through my lands.. You made a deal in exchange for a good meal you will have safe passage in my lands. That was the deal." The elderly couple began chanting spell after spell they could think of for freeing his arm. Time seemed to continue on while resting in the back of the wagon listening, watching the couple try time after time to take the chains off.
The bat held his arm after four of the spells didn't work, began walking towards the wagon. "AND if we refuse?!" his arm raised up showing him the chains that flowed along his arm. "If we accept and do as you say... will everyone be safe?" He took a slow deep breath holding his arm in his paw staring at him with a flame in his eyes, "Breaking the deal we made nobody's safety would be a issue as they will all die along with yourself.. that is the punishment for the deal you made there is no negotiation... Be careful who you make deals with." There was silence as a large amount of people began making more food. Others stood there in shock, "You lie!" One shouted out from the crowd. Once the larger male stopped at the end of the wagon. "M-monster.. If the food is not good.. What will happen? Is there no other way to make up for it?" The Bat reached up with his arm that was bond in chains, touched the wagons gate pulling a bolt from the gate letting it slide down to open.
"We.. have females.. or m-males if that is more your tas-." His head lifted up staring at the bats face reaching out to touch him but pulled his own paw back, hesitant for a moment "Would you lay your own life and soul on the line if the meal is not good?" He crossed his paws in front of him as he moved around sitting on his legs with his tail coiled up beside him. "If you put all those things on the line. I will only come after you and everyone else may have a safe passage." The large male stared at his blindfolded eyes shaking in terror at the sudden feeling throughout his body. "M-h.. Yes, I agree.. If that will grant them safe passage.. Will I have to make the deal again if we come back through?" Reaching out his paw as the red and ebony chain slowly moved to the large males arm once more. "Then a exchange has been granted.. If the meal is not good you will be the only one that will be torn apart. And your soul will be mine."
The bats eyes stared at his arm as it shook, turning his attention to the ground. Taking a large gulp as he climbed into the back of the wagon. "...You heard him.. make a good meal!" He yelled out his body shook, sitting close to the gate. No words were spoken as the bat sat with his arm shaking. the wait seemed like a eternity, staring at the floor. "What's your name? Why lay your life on the line for these people?" He asked as the bat rubbed his arm nervously, "They call me 'Zeke' These are my people, I must protect them no matter what." Glancing up at him before looking back down at the floor. "Who or what. I'm not sure, how good you can hunt but protection and feeding are my main concerns for them all."
Zeke took a deep breath before moving from the chair to the floor of the wagon. Outside there were people rushing around as fires were crackling as everyone ate. While the children were eating, the adults began singing and dance like it was their last night. Games were made up between families while they ate and music began playing from those that could play. Zeke could only stare down at the floor hearing all the sounds. He closed his eyes and began picturing everyone singing and dancing, a tear came to his eye before smiling. "*You don't know, what you have until. It's gone.* It's a saying from a place, I know of.."
Zeke froze slowly opening up his eyes looking up at him. "It means don't take your loved one's, your victories surviving another day for granted. They may be here today but who knows what tomorrow will bring." Zeke nodded his head some looking off at the games and music being played, meals being eaten. Their laughter and music was filling the air, the elderly couple were dancing around each other singing a song. "These are my people.. We may not look the same. But I will give my life for them over and over again until I know they are safe.." Zeke took a deep breath his chest fur began to stick up. "Making another deal already?" Zeke quickly let out his breath coughing as he choked on some of his own saliva. He watched and frowned slightly, "Breathe. Everything will be fine, I was making a joke." Zeke nervously laughed a bit sitting up the scent of food drew near. A large plate of food was brought to the wagon, Zeke looked over seeing who was bringing the food.
Zekes eyes went wide as his forehead began to get warm. "Ayame?" Whispering to himself, Ayame one of the experienced travelers recently had a child. Her body curved looking as she did while carrying. Her green eyes shined with her black short fur, having very little to covering her body. "Ayame.. I can't do it, Please help me." A younger female held onto the other side of the plate shaking, Ayame held her side of the plate. "Ruby.. shh. This is for the best for us all." Ruby stared at Ayame her red eyes quivering as she froze in place. Her grip on the plate started slipping her long ears shot straight up. Her lapine frame was covered by a large fabric, with a few pieces of black fur lining the coat.
"Ruby.. stop staring, look at the ground watch your step" Ayame tried to reassure her, as they made their way to the wagon. Ayame noticed Zeke, trying to smile a bit as Zeke stared before looking away nodding a bit. The females were carrying the large plate together, Ruby's eyes couldn't help but to stare in terror. Their grip on the plate was shaky being extra careful not to even spill or fumble a piece of food. They were chosen as they were shaking in fear, Zeke stared at them. Ayame tried holding her head high as her tail was quivering behind her against her leg. Zeke couldn't help but stare at Ayame before getting up undoing the gate and lowering down to move out of the way. Zeke and helping the girls into the back of the wagon. "The.. foods here.. and our gi-gift to you for tonight." Ayame was posing herself trying to cover Ruby's body and to keep his attention on her. Her tail lifting up covering Ruby as Ayame slowly picked up the plate by herself.
"...Thank you.." Zeke looked away and tried to use his wing to slowly move Ruby further away. "Why?! Why am I being punished?" Ruby holding her clothing blurted out almost in tears. "Punished?" His head tilted around as his ear turned to listen to the female. "I was the on that found you.. And you turned out to be so mean!" Ruby sniffled with her lip quivering, shaking as she clinging against the other female. Zeke and Ayame both frozen in shock unsure what to do. Zeke wrapped his arms around them both and jumped out of the wagon wrapping his wings around them just incase. Sitting there in the back of the wagon, reaching up and gave a clap. "Very nice.." Zeke unwrapped his arms, wings from around them.
"Get over here don't go off saying stuff like that.." Ayame was stunned for a moment laying in Zekes arms staring up at him with sadness in her eyes, "Get Ruby out of here you want his meal to be ruined?! And everything everyone's done will go wrong." She whispered to him, quickly got back onto her feet climbed back into the back of the wagon. "I.. I'm sorry.. we-we got in-interrupted." She returned to his side sitting along with the plate of food. Her paws were a little shaky, his paw reached out gripping her arm. Sighing out softly, "Your na?" His head hung low his nose twitching leaning over and smelling the food.
"Oh.. foods here..." Ayame's arm was shaking even more her voice had left her only for a few seconds, "Ye-yes s-sir let me food.. feed you.." His grip on her arm loosened before letting go. "Thank you, but I would like to feed myself now go.. enjoy the food and drinks games and songs.." Ayame gulped with a quivering lip, "Then.. le-let me be of s-service for you tonight." Zeke covered Ruby's eyes and began escorting Ruby away. "Come on.. let's go eat." Ruby looked up at Zeke. "What about.." Zeke covered her mouth. "She'll be fine, lets go quietly." he whispered to her.
Ayame had glanced back to see they had left only to turn back around and his face was inches away from hers. His ragged blindfold covering his eyes, "Ah.. ah." Ayame tried to smile softly. "S-sir.. Is everything to.. Your liking?" Her paws shook touching along his thighs, "Leave.. I will eat this food which was part of the deal I will not be bribed or cheated... Now go." His voice changed to a soft tone. "Go eat.. dance, sing, enjoy the time." His paws touched hers lifting her up to her feet slightly and gestured to the sounds. "Go.." Ayame stood there in front of him slowly making her way out of the wagon.
She grabbed her clothing and quickly clothed herself running back to get something to eat, stopping next to her mate and her child. His stomach growled deeply, using his claws as he began scooping up what he could, eating every bit on the plate. He lifted up the plate and began drinking the juices from the plate licking it all up. "Oh that was good.." Sighing softly and smiled happily rubbing his belly. Looking at his wrist with a smirk, turning the red to a soft green glowing along Zeke's arm. "AH!" he screamed out holding out his arm shaking as everyone stared. A moment went by as everyone looked around the glowing soon dissolved Zeke's arm was back to normal again. A cheer and laughter yelled out before silence when they all stared at the wagon.
"MONS-.. Creature of the forest.. you gave us safe passage, right?" He sat in the wagon in thought, 'What should my name be here?.. Although monster of the forest does sound kind a' cool. I'll need to pick a name soon let's see. How about we go down the list...' It wasn't long before the child from before was running along the wagons jumping a crossing one wagon into the back of his. A large club smacking into his forehead, 'It's that little mother-fu' The club cracked along the wood grain. There was a long pause as everyone was staring terrified at what just happened. Flicking his head up sending the child up into the air before slamming his head into their stomach sending them out of the wagon. "Stop, picking fights or you're going to end up dead kid!"
The adults stood their jaws dropped at what was going on, unsure what to do before the leading female stomped over taking the child in her arms. Her loving caring smile quickly turned to a face filled with rage. She threw the child to its parents loudly barking at them, before turning back around with a warm and friendly face staring at him. "Please forgive our children.. they are.. wild sometimes.. you- you know how kids are." She chuckled nervously, "That was a good meal, you all are safe while in my territory. I will stay in here until it is needed for me to come out of here."
The leading female looked around some, then to the two that were still close. "The meal was good everyone.. we have safe passage." A heavy sigh of relief came from them all, the leading female looked up at him and nodded. "Thank you.. please if you need any." She would glance at the two before looking back at him. "I want to make another deal." She held out her paw standing firm, "What are you doing?! Your going to get us all killed?" His ears twitched as his head looked directly at the lead female. "What is the deal?" He asked tilting his head slightly.
".. Will you join us? protect us and in return we feed you.. If you fail to protect us you will not be fed ever from any of us." Sitting there staring at the large female extending out her paw to him firmly leaning her paw towards him fully, her side was leaning against the wagons gate. "I will not protect you from death when it is your time.. You will die in time like your family lines.. But remember this deal will only be where my territory begins and ends."
"Once you are out of that area all of your safety is not my concern, only to you and four others within you all.. so choose wisely what four will go on safely with you. and who will be left behind when their time is come?" Staring at her as she opened her mouth as everyone began walking over to the wagon. "Four only four?!" "We want to make a deal, too!" "Why can't we all have safe passage?" More and more people began to hold out their arms wanting to make a deal. "Silence all of you.." everyone's voices left them as they were moving their mouths. "One at a time.. each of you will have to decide who will be saved and who will be left behind. I will not negotiate this.. talk amongst yourselves.. pick straws.. but four is the limit I am willing to do. For your kindness and for the food this is a generous offer." The adults looked at themselves then to the children playing with each other.
The large female was in shock as she was whispering to herself, "Me.. four.. four others?" Staring at him, "Do you get to pick or can we pick?" He nodded. "You choose four of you and those four will be safe along with you. I will not take any other deals for now." His ear twitched a bit leaning around, hearing the whispers of who should be one of the four. The lead females paw was soon shaking paws with him. "The four have been selected and I accept this.. from now on I will accompany these wagons and protect those upon it as agreed.. So everyone rest easy tonight the deal is made and now.. You will be safe."
A red chain sunk into both of their paws as she closed her eyes looking away. Her arm held his paw for a moment before slowly letting go seeing the chains sink into her fur before disappearing. "Now.. I must rest, so rest easy you will be safe here." Laying back down in the wagon, as he stared up at the top of the wagon saddened by he had to do, wanting to fall asleep quickly. The lead female stood there looking at her arm, touching along where the chains were. "Okay, we will be safe now." Everyone crowded around her looking at her arm. "Does it hurt? are you okay? who did you pick?" Their questions were hushed as his voice rang out from the wagon.
"Next person that asks who was picked will be killed and eaten on the spot in front of everybody... This will not affect the deal I have now. This is your one and only warning." Looking up at the ceiling with his arms out wide almost in prayer. '... Please just agree, You seem like actually nice people.' It was silent as whispers started to rise above the sound of a breeze passing by. One of the large females burst into flames screaming in horror as she kept asking. The moment only lasted a few seconds before her body was dust in the wind before dissolving into the ground. "Wh-what happened?" The crowd scattered after seeing one of their own was burned alive from the inside out. "What have you done?" The lead female stared up at the sight of the female only a few steps away from her had burst into flames. "If you leave. Your safety will not be guaranteed."
He yelled out as two families continued to run grabbing their things and children taking off back from where they were leaving. Lifting his head up some as he looked from the back of his wagon, "Please spare them!" The lead female stood in shock shaking in her legs nobody needs to know who would be safe. She turned her attention back to him and held her arm up in view. "Allow them to leave.. please! I'll come up with a good trade for their safety." She began taking off her gloves placing them down on the ground. Her throat pulled at every bit of her saliva she could muster. "You must be weary.. please s-sir.." Her shirt was already gone her eyes were closed leaning against the gate. "Trade their lives.. for.. my body for as long as you guard these people.."
She said whispering her offer to him as her paws began touching along her hips slowly pushing down her pants. His attention went to her seeing the look on her face he shook his head. "They can leave.. anyone can.. but I won't look after their safety.. They will be safe once back with us till the end of my territory otherwise.. I will not help unless they make a deal within the next few days. As agreed I will protect these wagons and those in them till the end of my territory." Resting his head back down on the wagon as his tail gently pushed her shirt back towards her, "Your offer has been declined." She put her shirt back on and then the rest of her clothing. His tail slithered over locking the gate closed, before slithering back away from the opening of the wagon. The lead female hopped up onto the wagons railing, pulled a piece of fabric that rolled down closing off the open end of the wagon.
"As I said before you are all safe, I will not go against my part of the deal." Closing his eyes once more with the cloth hanging off his face some. The lead female looked around to see who had noticed what she was doing, glancing at her arm. "Deal's a deal." she whispered to herself shakily before gesturing to those that were coming towards her. "We are safe.. If you want to go ahead.. but if not then we continue on without them." The word was getting around the wagons as the adults and adolescent's were all restless. only the children, elderly seemed to sleep carefree.
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