Chapter 4 - Qye (2)

The Witches of Fussyorl, a land situated further east on the mainland, where witches with cunning and resourceful minds reside, those with principle and pride upon their beliefs.

The Western House of Ertellib, a place full of fairy and nymphs who think alike with talent and reserved personality choose to live, where they preserve and hold onto thousand years old rules and tradition, thrive in both wealth and prosperous families gathered.

The Kingdom of Suttern, mighty among others, the northern Kingdom. The one that has now allowed the entrance of other creatures. The place where Werewolves populated the spacious land and held onto the highest power of the mainland. Suttern used to have strict and tight rules of giving permission to other creatures as their residents, though it had become lenient nowadays, residents inside Suttern are still in the middle of adjusting and changing. Raiene didn't know the reason why they changed the rule.

The Land of South Qye on the other hand, has always been open towards any kind of creatures. Although it is free for people to roam and live, it also has a structure and rules that were approved and agreed by other creatures.

A truly harmonious place. A place she had dreamed to visit and basked every pore of hers with its air, drowning in its freedom and gulping every possibility living as a freak.

Ruby also laughs with her. She shoved the girl above her, standing up and smiling down at her. 

"Come on! We should be going. We have to arrive at the cottage before sunset."

Raiene nodded her head eagerly, her lit up orbs staring into Ruby, a face who can't hide its excitement. Ruby laughs once again, grabbing two dark leather bags and shoves one towards Raiene, she takes two large steps towards the door afterwards. Raiene easily follows behind. 

Upon a  single swish of Ruby's finger, the door to her hut quickly moved and locked itself, a thick strong barrier rose up from the ground and covered her entire hut, turning the visible space into empty grassland, created to protect her shelves full of herbs and potion.

They started to walk through the forest, towards the sea.

Raiene had been wondering, what could possibly bring them across the sea?

The distance between Wasteland and the Land of Qye would at least take up to a day of sailing and approximately half a day horse riding from shoreline to reach the entrance of the capital of Qye, the City of Ivarny. Although her mother had mentioned that Ruby managed to arrange everything, so they could arrive faster, Raiene still couldn't fathom what type of transportation could reduce such a great amount of time.

Biting her lower lips, she decided to voice out her thoughts.

"Crion had once told me that it takes a day to sail across the sea," Raiene examines the rocky road that Ruby chose to take, carefully picking the humid soil over the sharp pebbles, before she looked up and found Ruby walking with ease without having to observe each step she took. 

She continued, "He also happened to inform me that horse riding is probably the worst for a first timer and it takes half a day to reach Qye. Is that true?" Raiene asked, eyebrows pulled up in question.

Ruby chuckled heartily, hearing the stories about this human named Crion that had always shown off in front of Raiene about Qye.

At first Ruby hates that boy, he always tries to make Raiene upset with his stories, but then Ruby realises, it actually pumps Raiene's determination to visit Qye further, making her wish for it every single time.

Well, that is good, right?

"Who said we will sail or go horse riding?" Ruby eyes lit up with something that Raiene couldn't decipher. A tinge of excitement flashed across her ruby-like eyes, gaining a pout from Raiene that had confused her even more.

If not sailing or horse riding, then what?

A loud roar of a creature startled Raiene instantly. Her step falters and she stills. Eyes frantically searching around for the sources of the sound, only to find nothing.

She tries to get an explanation from Ruby when suddenly her eyes fall upon a giant creature, spreading its mighty wide white wings standing by the shoreline, eyes the colour of golden sun shining with majestic aura and charismatic stance, those orbs have deeply penetrated Raiene, even from a distance.

"That-"

Her eyes widened from shock. She couldn't believe the sight that she happened to witness with her own eyes, the magnificent and powerful creature that she was only able to read in books, had sent shivers all over her body.

A smile slowly took over her face, fully showing her dimples.

Ruby snicker at the girl, satisfied with her reaction.

Her blazing orbs flash for a moment, "We go by dragon," Ruby exclaimed.

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

The serene dusk taking over the silence of the forest, nothing could be heard besides her heartbeat that quickens with anticipation. 

Step as light as feathers, breath as low as wind, she gulps down her saliva without a single sound.

Afraid it will scare away her prey.

Indeed, she needs that deer quenches its thirst by the lake, the one that's not aware of its surroundings yet.

A smile begins to creep up on her face.

Focus! She reprimands herself.

It's your chance!

If she could hunt down a deer that size, she could easily win over Alin's heart. Alin will no longer belittle her existence.

She calms her heart, takes a deep breath and tightens her grip around her bow. With absolute confidence, she pulls the string ever so slightly, aiming the arrow right at its heart while also testing the direction of the wind. Eyes focusing on the prey that wasn't possibly aware of its imminent death.

Now!

The slick thin and sharp arrow flies straight towards its prey, the sound of audible swishing comes from the rushing bow. She was sure of taking down her victim, eyes lit up smiling from ear to ear, proudly showing her prominent dimple.

But the whimper and howl of a wolf causes her to squint her eyes towards the direction of that arrow, the sharp end stab deep into the wolf's left side of its front paw.

The wolf turns around, eyes bloodshot with killing intent. Roaring at her.

Damn it!

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Werewolves.

Traits : Bloodshot eyes when triggered.

Physical Appearance : Twice the size of a normal wolf. Sharper canines, uncontrollable.

Things to be aware of : Has incredible power and speed. So it is useless to run. Has an amazing sense of smell and sight. So definitely don't run. Possessed great memory. Certainly able to remember you if you happen to run. Aggressive plus act on impulse. Will definitely hunt you down without batting an eye if you run.

Love : It's mate.

If Encountered : Play Dead. I sincerely wish you luck. Do send a letter, if you have successfully escaped.

Although, my experience with werewolves is limited (never even met one). Through my keen ability to observe (source: books of creatures) and thoroughly study, I concluded that werewolves are one of creatures you shouldn't ever meet in your entire life.

Better yet, just stay home. Hidden inside your cocoon, forever. Safe and sound.

However, if you must go out, then I hope the spirits will be with you.

Writer Address : Red Clay Hut no.10, Black Hill, Two Mountain, Qye.

In case you successfully run and are willing to spread the word of you being alive, send me a letter. I will send you my homemade candies and autograph.

- Excerpt from The Essential Book of Human Survival

Jonathan Lorth.