Chapter Two

Leanunya sighed as she walked in the dark forest remembering that day six years ago. She was now sixteen and had just about broken every law in the land. She had the largest bounty on her head and was on the run. One thing Leanunya liked about her bounty was that they had said a silver eyed Cattrina had done the deed and not a cattagon. It would prevent more hate to be pointed at the cattagon. 

    Leanunya continued to walk in the forest. She was headed east and even though it was so dark she could still tell where she was going by the red emblem star it always pointed east. There were also the purple, blue and green emblem stars each one pointing in a direction. Leanunya sighed as she followed the Red emblem star. She kept her ears perked for both followers and predators, that might think her an easy meal. She quickened her pace and made her way into the dark forest. 

    Leanunya walked in the dark forest until she saw a light ahead. She paused before slowly and quietly creeping towards where the light was in a small clearing. Once she was close enough she looked into the camp and nearly cursed out loud. It was wolferan. 

  He had gotten ahead of her and he was now sitting in his camp for the night half asleep. Leanunya watched him for a while before she carefully and skillfully moved past him unseen and unheard. Leanunya continued to walk for a few more miles quietly before she finally relaxed and sighed letting some of the tension in her shoulders go. 

    Leanunya knew she needed to put some distance between herself and wolferan before dawn. She had had a few close encounters like this before. The first time she had unwittingly walked right into his camp and was almost caught. If not for the badger den she crawled into she would have been caught that night. 

  Leanunya marched on the whole night not stopping once. She couldn’t afford to slow down or stop. She yawned as the sun started to rise. It was dawn already and she hadn’t rested all night. . 

Leanunya continued to walk even though she was dead tired. Finally she stopped. Well more like she tripped and stayed there. She laid there on the ground not moving for a long while. She suddenly rolled next to a tree and rolled to her feet looking up. She had seen a shadow pass overhead. 

It was wolferan; he was passing overhead of her. She noted he didn’t circle back so she sighed leaning up against the tree. She needed some rest before she could continue on. She was soon sleeping lightly leaning against the tree. 

     Leanunya woke a few hours later and sighed, getting to her feet to continue walking. She kept an eye open on the sky but never saw anything above her other than a bird here and there. It was soon getting close to noon, she could tell by the two suns positions and she stopped to eat lunch. She had last eaten yesterday close to this time of day and was famished. 

     Leanunya ate all of the rolls she had bought and sighed she was still hungry but she had no more food to eat. She often went hungry like this even when she was a child. She had never had a good childhood. She had been abandoned on an older woman’s doorstep. Leanunya huffed, shaking the thought from her head. She had no time to reminisce about the past. 

  Leanunya stood up and started to walk again. She continued to walk until dark. She stopped and made a quick camp and went to sleep. She didn’t wake up all night, she slept through the whole night which wasn’t normal but she was glad for it as she needed the rest. 

       Leanunya woke up just before dawn and she broke camp and was now marching on once again. She didn’t stop till around noon and only then did she just rest for a moment. She marched on once more, then before dark she spotted the town of Rynion. She smiled and made camp for the night. She never went into a town just before dark, too much bad luck. 

     Dawn rose quickly the next morning and Leanunya was up with it. She broke camp and made her way to the road. Once back on the road she walked towards the town of Rynion. The guards stopped her before she could enter. 

The guard to the right of the city gate called out to her “pay your fee before you enter!” Leanunya frowned “what fee?” she asked, walking closer. 

The guard answered “the visitors fee” Leanunya smiled “oh but I don’t plan on just visiting I plan on staying for quite some time” she saw the guard paused then he nodded “still need to pay the fee though.” She frowned slightly before paying him and he spoke again “don’t cause any trouble Cattrina” Leanunya nodded slightly “I'll try not to” 

       Leanunya walked past the guards entering the town of Rynion. She looked around as she walked. It was crowded and the town was made on the river making it smell of fish. She walked down a street and followed along it. A large grizzled man walked up to her after a time. She had noticed him following her for a while now. Leanunya paused, taking him in. 

     He was taller than her by roughly three feet. He was slightly plump but not overly so. She watched as the man stepped up to her. Leanunya narrowed her eyes at him, her tail flicking irritably. Humans normally couldn’t read the movements of a Cattrina or herself.

     The man said in a husky harsh voice “I wouldn’t cause any trouble here might call attention to yourself” Leanunya huffed “I can take care of myself thank you” 

    The man smiled, “Well that’s good so what’s your hand craft?” Leanunya flicked her tail “anything and everything” was all she said. The man smiled “even better. You should be careful of the guild though they aren’t so fond of strangers” Leanunya nodded “so what’s this guild?” The man quickly glanced around “the thieves guild”

     Leanunya perked her ears “so how do I find this guild?” The man paused “Find the man Bardok he should be at the market place. You'll know him when you see him. He's got black hair and a scar across the eye. He should be able to help you” Leanunya nodded “thanks” The man nodded and stepped away walking off. 

       Leanunya headed for the marketplace. It was easy enough to find all she had to do was follow the noise and crowd. Once at the market Leanunya swiped a few rolls and then sat on the side of the marketplace watching the people while she ate what she had. She soon noticed someone come up behind her but made no move. 

     “You look like someone who has never made an honest day's reputation.” Leanunya flicked her ear hearing the gruff voice.  “So I’ve been told”, she responded and heard the person behind her shift on his feet “you're not a normal one are you?” Leanunya turned around to face the man standing on the porch behind her, “I’ve also been told that.” The man smiled “you knew I was there when I snuck up on you, uh?” Leanunya nodded. 

     The man had jet black hair and a scar across an eye, it was Bardok. 

    Bardok smiled “you interested in a deal?” leanunya paused “sure” Bardok smiled even more “ok here’s the deal I get you in the guild and you do a job for me now got to make sure just no one gets in you know” she smiled “well then you’ve got a deal. What’s the job?”

    Bardok paused looking around, “see that elf over there. I want you to steal his golden watch from his stand and put it with that man there” Leanunya nodded seeing the people he was indicating to “ok easy enough I’ll be back”

       Leanunya walked over to the elf's stand and leaned over the counter “hello could you help me find my Father? He's a Cattrina with really large ears and golden fur” The elf looked at her “get lost kid I don’t have time to help you find your daddy now scram” Leanunya grabbed the watch without the elf noticing “ok mister but thank you anyway” 

    She walked off and went to a few more stands, keeping up her act of a little child looking for her daddy. She continues to a few more before going to the stand of the man Bardok had pointed out. 

    Leanunya continues her act “Hello could you help me find my father? He's a Cattrina with really large ears and golden fur” The man looked at her “scram, you brat!” 

    Leanunya quickly left the watch with the man before leaving and played her act a few more times before walking back over to Bardok without others' noticing.

     Bardok had a grin on his face as she walked up. Leanunya smiled “done so what now?” Bardok broke out laughing “man kid your good for a second you even had me fooled thinking you were like 10 or something” Leanunya shrugged “I’m really not that young but people think me young so I play it off like I am” Bardok nodded “ok well follow me.” 

     He led her away from the marketplace and stopped at an alley that led to the sewers “ok well if you can make it to the rusted Hinge a tavern down there we will see you soon” Bardok then disappeared walking into the crowds. 

    Leanunya yawned as she walked down into the sewers. She walked around them for a long while exploring them before she went to the Rusted hinge tavern. The sewers may have smelled like rotten fish but to her they were a valued asset to know in case of emergencies. 

      Leanunya walked over to the entrance of the tavern and heard a loud shrill voice “you sure she'll show?” another silvery voice added, “yeah it's been almost an hour you must say the Cattrina are dying in their craft.” she then heard Bardok’s gruff voice, “she's coming just wait a little longer.” 

     Leanunya walked in like she hadn’t heard a thing. Bardok was at a table with two other men and he looked at them pointedly before walking over.

    “You made it.” Leanunya shrugged, “no big deal.” 

    Bardok smiled and led her to an empty table. Leanunya sat down, her back turned to the crooks in the room. Bardok just raised an eyebrow before sitting down. 

     “Before we can let you in fully, we’ve got to make sure your interests are in the same place as ours.” Leanunya nodded. Bardok smiled, “well this is what you’ve got to do; you’ve got to get us our money. A man named Zauk he works at the local tavern, take care of that and your in.” Leanunya nodded, “ok see you soon then.” 

     Leanunya made her way out of the sewers then looked around for the tavern. Leanunya saw the tavern and stepped in walking over to a man serving a cup of beer to another man at the counter. The man walked away with the cup after getting it. Leanunya sat down and the man asked her, “what'd you like, kid?”

     Leanunya answered, “I'm looking for a man named Zauk.” The man narrowed his eyes, “you're looking at him.” She smiled, “well Zauk I’ve been told you’ve skipped out on your payment to the guild this month so unless you want trouble I would pay up.” 

    Leanunya was leaning forward looking cute and innocent. Zauk growled “make me child” he turned his back to her

      Leanunya yawned causally, “so I guess I can call her?” Zauk looked at her, eyes narrowed, “who?” Leanunya smiled sweetly, “why the silver eyed demon of course.” Zauk gasped leaning close, “don’t say that out loud, you're going to chase everyone out, that name is cursed.” Leanunya leaned in close, “I know that but I’m good friends with her and I called her and she would come and kill all your friends and family for me.” 

    Zauk growled, “no one knows her.” Leanunya smiled, “oh so you don’t mind me telling you her name? It's Le…” “no, no stop I’ll pay just don’t say her name I believe you; I don’t want any trouble.” Zauk quickly cut me off as he reached under the counter and then put a sack of coins on the counter. “There, now go.” Leanunya nodded, taking the sack then left. 

    Leanunya headed back into the sewers headed straight for the rusted hinge tavern there. She soon reached the tavern and listened, pausing at the entrance hearing Bardok speaking, “I don’t think she fears anything, see how she had turned her back to all of us? That’s not normal. I tried sneaking up on her in the town but.. When I spoke she just flicked her ear, not even reacting.” She heard another voice, “yeah but it could be she is just too trusting?” 

    Leanunya entered, cutting off all the talk of her. Bardok smiled and walked over from a table with another man, “So?” 

   Leanunya pulled out the sack of coins and dropped it into the open hand of Bardok. Bardok then smiled. 

    “Very good, ok now follow me”, he turned on his heel and started walking into a side room that held several people who were working. 

    A young man with blonde hair ran in and pulled Bardok over so I couldn’t hear although I still heard. They spoke in hushed and rushed voices; the young man informing Bardok of what I had done to get the money. Bardok then turned from the young man and turned to Leanunya looking pissed.

    “What the hell!? We don’t use that name ever! Do you have no dignity?!” Leanunya looked at him calmly “I very well have dignity” 

     Bardok growled, stepping close to her, “you don’t ever use that name ever again!” She narrowed her eyes, “I use what name I want,” her tail flicked dangerously. Bardok growled, “oh hell no you don’t! you can never use that name!” She growled, taking him by the collar, “I can and I will.” Leanunya’s ears were pinned to her head in anger; she had taken enough of his talk. 

   Bardok growled “no one even knows her so how the hell do you get off by using her name?!” She growled, letting him go and pushing him away so she wouldn’t be tempted to kill him. “You know me! Wolferan knows me! So don’t you tell me no one knows me!”

   Bardok stood up straight, his eyes wide. Leanunya was frustrated that people always treated me like some curse but then refused to acknowledge her existence. The room was deathly quiet as everyone listened in. Everyone was curious about why they were arguing. 

    Leanunya was flicking her tail angrily. Finally Bardok stuttered, “y-you’re the Silver Eyed Demon?” Leanunya nodded “yeah I am so what?” she could smell the scent of fear coming from everyone around her as they understood. Bardok ran a hand through his hair, “uh ..well I didn’t know. This has never happened…” 

   Leanunya nodded, “well if you still want me you'll find me at an inn in town.” she turned and left her tail flicking sadly behind her. She sighed knowing that soon she would be headed to another town. She had been wanting to stay in Rynion longer than her normal stays in places. She left the sewers and went to find an inn to stay at for the night. 

     Leanunya was laying on her back in the inn's bedroom given to her, on the small hay stuffed bed. She had found the inn “The nomads inn” on the main street. She had paid only one copper coin for a one night stay. She was thinking of what happened in the sewer. She sighed looking up at the ceiling, her tail twitching. 

     She was starting to doze off to sleep when she heard a knock on the door. She rolled to her feet reaching for her dagger on her hip, her tail flicking alert.

   Until she heard from behind the door, “hey its me, Bardok.” She sighed relaxingly and opened the door, “hi didn’t expect you.” Bardok smiled nervously, “yeah well I came to tell you the others won’t let you in but if I had a choice I would have you in the guild.” 

    Leanunya paused, twitching her tail, hearing honesty in his voice, no hint of lies. “I figured they wouldn’t. So, why did you come here?” Bardok paused, “well…” he ran his hand through his hair, “would you take my son and protect him?” 

     Leanunya was shocked and didn’t say anything for a while when she did finally find her voice she asked, “why? Why entrust me with the life of your son?” Bardok paused, “his mother is dying and I won't be able to protect him. People want me to feel pain and if they killed him I wouldn’t be able to stand myself anymore. I know you could protect him and teach him how to fight and defend himself please, I'm begging you.” 

     Leanunya sighed, “I don’t know…” Bardok got on his knees, “please I beg you take him and keep him safe.” Leanunya sighed, embarrassed by his actions. 

    She kneeled down and put a hand on his shoulder making him look up, “no more begging. I'll talk to the boy's mother then decide.” Bardok smiled weakly, “thank you. Thank you. bless you,” he had tears in his eyes. 

     Leanunya stood back up followed by Bardok. Leanunya watched him flicking her tail. He seemed desperate. So desperate that he was willing to even ask her for help. Bardok ran his hand through his hair, “I’ll take you to her now,” he started for the door. 

     Leanunya followed him out onto the streets where he led her through a maze of streets and alleys. Bardok soon stopped at the door of a small home; although it would be better to call it a rotten wooden shack. Bardok opened the door and quickly entered, inviting her in. Leanunya entered and looked around, seeing a small room at the back with curtains for a door. The main room had a table and kitchen basin with a few chairs. Not much to look at. 

     Bardok led her to the room at the back and she saw a young boy with red hair and a bed with a sickly woman in it. She smelled of death to Leanunya. The young boy looked up then smiled, running over and wrapping his arms around Bardok crying out, “daddy!” The woman in the bed opened her eyes and smiled weakly. 

    Bardok patted the boy's head and went over to the woman saying softly, “I brought someone here to see you. She may be willing to take our son and keep him safe.” The woman smiled, “come here please I want to meet you,” she said weakly to Leanunya. Leanunya walked over, flicking her tail. The woman smiled sadly, “please take my son; I can no longer protect him” 

     Leanunya took the woman's hand as she reached out for her and she nodded “ok I’ll take him. I’ll come in the morning and take him with me.” The woman smiled, “thank you, thank you.” 

     Leanunya let go of the woman's hand and stood fully. Bardok smiled and kissed the woman’s forehead before leading leanunya out of the room. 

     Bardok smiled at her, “thank you very much you have no idea how much I appreciate this.'' Leanunya flicked her tail in response. “The boy's name is Nagos. He's only four please take care of him.” Leanunya nodded, “ok I will in the morning I will get him and leave town.” Bardok nodded, “of course, thank you.”

     Leanunya nodded then left the home and went to the inn she was staying at. She got ready to go in the morning and made sure to pack extra food she bought from the inn. She then laid down on her hay stuffed bed and went to sleep. A dreamless sleep.