7 A Talent for Taming (2/2)
Surprised by the sudden attack from the child under its claws, the beast accidentally let go. Despite the level of attack being no more than a tickle to the beast, it was actually stunned since it was an action it had never expected.
None of its preys had ever fought back.
With this, its previous hostility to Casimir had turned into rabid interest so, in order to not let this interesting creature go, the beast directly laid down on Casimir who was just about to escape.
Its head was on top of Casimir's belly with its chest pinning down the boy's legs in a way that would prevent the boy from moving without harming him.
”Again?! Stupid beast, get away!” With his hands as the only parts of his body which he could move freely, Casimir tried to push the beast away with all his might. ”You're too heavy!”
To Casimir's attempts, the beast just sniffed the hands that were pushing its head away and licked it, trying to imprint the smell and taste of the boy in its head.
It licked my hands! Is it trying to have a taste of its meal before consuming me whole?! Casimir suddenly had a terrifying thought.
From the corner of his eyes, Casimir finally spotted Edgar who was just standing in front of the stable's gate, staring at them with a blank expression.
”Ack! Mr. Edgar! A little help here please!” As if being woken up from his reverie, Edgar shook his head and hastily unlocked the gate, attracting the attention of the Skaduwee.
Seeing an unfamiliar man entering its stables, the beast growled lowly, warning the man to not go further in its territory or else it would attack.
Edgar paused his steps, aware of the beast's meaning, having been dealing with different kinds of beasts for more than twenty years already. But, since the son of the manor's lord might be in danger, Edgar couldn't help but grit his teeth and throw caution to the wind.
He discretely grabbed his wand from the pocket of his trousers and braced himself for what was about to come. He hesitantly took a step forwards.
Unfortunately, the beast didn't take his actions too kindly.
With a loud roar, the Skaduwee stood up and charged towards Edgar, its teeth bared and ready to rip the man to shreds.
”Stop!”
That sudden shout was like a single drop of water in the ocean amidst heavy rains; so insignificant. Yet, it was that exact shout which caused the beast to halt its actions and look behind towards the young boy who was just getting up from the ground.
”Stupid beast.”
...
”Have you heard?”
”Heard what?”
”The young master! Have you heard?”
”Of course! Who hasn't?!”
”I've asked around the stablehands! They said the young master fell into the cage of a newly arrived beast and within ten minutes, the beast was tamed!”
”Ten minutes? I heard it was five!”
”So insane! He must have been born with a great talent for taming!”