Chapter 15 - Fourteen (1/2)
My brother has finally calmed down and was fast asleep on Aeglos lap. He was happy, truly happy with the name and, well, I wouldn't admit it myself, but I was a little cheerful with it too. Thilgon… My name was Thilgon…
It would take some time to remember the full name though. What the hell is wrong with the elves and their huge and full of meanings names?
”Aeglos?” I call. His eyes meet mine as he keeps patting my brothers head.
”Hum?”
”Can I ask why… why they were hunting us? They didn't intend to kill us, but capture, even more when they notice I could talk. Why?”
He gets more comfy, his back against the wall, as my sleepy brother gets closer to him, seeking his warm… I need to teach him some manners later on it seems.
”There are many thinkable reasons, but probably because of contracted beasts.”
”How so?”
”Well, every magical being has an element, humans, elves, beasts, even some animals that may evolve. The point is, the humans may be able to train, but they have their weakness; they age far quicker them the elves to be able to evolve naturally nor the beasts facility to gain new skills, though they are the most insistent and hardworking group for the lack of natural talent.
But still greed is in their nature, so they created a way to bound magical creatures to their wishes; and depending on the type of contract they can even order the death of it using mere words.”
”That sounds… horrible.”
”Indeed.”
”But why I was more valuable to them? And us in general?”
”Well, they prefer creatures that would obey naturally, and hounds, even more younger pups, are easier to train, as it seems. Well, of course you are an exception.”
”And… been able to talk in such young age and having a unlike evolution shows how smart and unique you are going to be. It would be… an investment, you may say.”
”And there is a way to fight back? To break the bound?”
It gave me a twist on the stomach to even think about it, how we almost ended up as someone's pet, without will, without freedom, our fates in the hands of… someone else, like a mindless toy.
”Not that I know off. But one thing I learned is that is there no magic that cannot be created, only the ones who await to be made. I'm sure you will find a way if you insist.”
Well, sure as hell that didn't help with anything, but I could try, I would try, not even doing so would give the same results that I had now, so perhaps learning about the contracts could at least protect us against it, who knows.
I kept chatting with him, a few things from the Reincarnation, others about this world, but eventually we fell asleep as well.
~~~~
I woke up to the sound of my brother playing with Aeglos, who throw a stick that my brother happily brought back. Well, at least he seemed better, stronger, and now I don't even know if is a bad idea or not to pretend to be a normal hound like him.
Well, technically he isn't a normal hound anymore, but will always be a dog in my opinion, at least mentally.
We ate breakfast and the elves companions of Aeglos appeared midmorning wanting to check on us.
”We are doing fine, Aeglos, no need to hold you back anymore.” He nods, still petting my brother that has been following him around, putting his snout on the curve off his palm. I want pats to… I mean, I must say good bye to them, hum.
”I know that you guys will be alright on your own, but at least let me present you with a safe heaven, a place with friends that will help you if you need anything. And of course you can visit us nonetheless.”
He touched my brother forehead for a few seconds and let go, going in my direction. Very smoothly and slow he touched my crystal with the tips of his long fingers and images overflowed my thoughts, of a beautiful place full of waterfalls and big trees and flowers, truly a heaven place indeed.
”I passed the location in your mind, now you will be able to get there if you want too.”
Them, after briefs good byes and whining from my brother, they left, the cave suddenly appearing very quiet and empty.
I still couldn't believe when he said that elves are very cold and harsh creatures, only loving and caring for the forest and its creatures. How could that people full of warm smiles be cold? One of the few things I wish to never find out.
I turned back only to see my brother looking down to the floor, ears dropped and a sad look in his eyes.
”What is it? Do you miss them already?”
He nods. Such a good boy.
”We can visit them later.” Much later. ”But for now we need to leave and become strong, we already have big targets behind our backs. The news of smart pups hounds will travel far… are you listening?”
”We… we could always stay with him them.”
”We are not pets, we won't stay as someone dog... But we can visit?” I say the last part softer.
”But why? Pass the danger of been alone again, having to hunt…”
”But you are not alone, I'm here, hum? Don't you trust me? I'll protect you.”
”I know brother, I've never doubted you, is just that… they felt like family again.”