Staring at the human named Marcus seems to make him very nervous the longer I did it. So, choosing to stare at the carriage and oxen behind him makes both our lives easier.
"So Marcus, you said you were traveling to the nearby town... why?"
"We are going to sell some excess supplies and buy some better tools to make next year easier on all of us."
"Oh, I've not seen a human town yet... I'd like to come with you."
Marcus's face seems to go slack-jawed upon hearing this. A strange look for one who was well composed upon first seeing me.
"You want to travel with us? To see a human town? WITH US?"
Is what I said that strange? Why wouldn't I want to see a human town. I've been living in the forest for a good many months now... I think it would be interesting to see something new so I explain as much to him.
"Are you just a pup after all?" Marcus seems to ponder aloud. "If that's the case you better go make sure with your parents, I wouldn't want an even bigger angrier version of you coming after us thinking we stole ya or somethin."
I blink for a moment at this simple bit of logic before nodding to him then turning back the way I came. "Wait here Marcus, please. I will return within 2 hours." Then set off towards home.
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As he watches the wolf leave, Marcus can only think about 2 things. 1. How did we find a spirit beast so intelligent to be able to speak the human tongue? and 2. What in the 9 realms is an hour?!
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The trip home took only 30 minutes by my best estimates. Upon jogging back into the den clearing, I find Mom just sitting in the center, turning to look at me when I arrive. Before I can utter a single sentence she bounds over to me and nuzzles my face and sides affectionately.
"Where have you been little moon? I didn't see you when I got back from hunting, why must you make me worry like this?" Not knowing exactly what to say considering I didn't even think to tell them I wanted to go exploring, I just start telling the truth.
"Mom, when I woke up I was curious about what is around so I went exploring, I found some humans out by the river and talked to them about what they were doing."
She just stared at me for a moment "You can understand their speech?"
"Yes... Is that not normal?"
"No. It takes a long time to learn the human speech, and even Talloe only knows a few phrases and how to tell them to leave."
I'll assume Talloe is my fathers name... "Oh...." Great response. "Well, I was hoping to go see what the humans are doing and where this town is. Can I go?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Humans can't be trusted."
"Why?"
"Most lie and steal as soon as you aren't paying attention, plus they could hurt you."
"These ones seem nice. They are just villagers, wanting to sell their stuff for different stuff in a nearby town."
".... You aren't going with them, little moon."
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"Pleeeaaassseee?"
With a long suffering look and a sigh Mom says something that gives me a bit of hope. "Go ask your Dad, if you can get him to agree, We all can go and you can be the one to speak to the humans. Only way to be safe about it."
At that news I start to go find Dad when I realize she said "We All" ....
"You'd come with me?"
"Yes"
"Why?"
"To keep you safe. You were going to go either way, at least this way your Dad, Siblings, and I can keep you out of trouble."
"Oh... wait, when have I ever caused you trouble?"
"All the time little moon, all the time...."
Seeing the wolfish grin on her face makes me think this was a joke so I just mentally shrug it off and go to find Dad. "Mom, Where's Dad?"
"He went to do a check of our borders, he will be back soon then you can ask him. For now, let's go catch some lunch. sound good?"
Upon hearing lunch my stomach decides to make it's decision known for me and I happily follow along with Mom to see what we can find.
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Getting back to the clearing after a bit of rabbit and boar, We find Dad lazing around on the rocks by the corner of the clearing. He looks a little less intimidating and a lot more majestic while sitting in the sunbeams. Sprinting over to him I start to ask a question before Mom interrupts me. "Hey Talloe, your son wants to do something highly dangerous and dumb."
His gaze turns to look at me before looking back at Mom. "What did he want to do now? Channel his Qi through his legs to make himself able to jump to the moon?" Being said with what can only be described as wolf laughter is quite embarrassing for me to hear.
"Hey, I only wanted to see how high I could jump if I really tried, how was I to know that landing is difficult when you fling yourself 50 ft in the air!" This seems to make them both laugh to my shame.
"That aside, what is this idea our trouble maker has come up with this time, Nasha?"
"Oh nothing too serious, he wants to travel with some humans he found to go see one of their dens called a "town"."
This seems to make my Dad really tense for some reason. Then I hear a sigh followed by a defeated sounding chuckle. "Are you surprised Nasha?"
"Not really, everything he seems to want to do is troublesome."
"So" His gaze turns to me "Dranau, Why do you want to do something so ..... wait, you can understand the humans?"
"Yes, I thought that was normal. Then Mom said otherwise..."
"Trouble will follow you no matter what you try to do huh...?"
"What's that supposed to mean?! I don't do anything to cause problems on purpose!" Getting a little embarrassed, I defend myself as best I can to mixed laughter and blank looks that seem to deny my statements existence entirely.
"Son, You ONLY cause trouble. I mean this in the nicest way but you are too curious for your own good. Knowing how you are, you were going to do this without asking us first right?"
"Nooooo.......... ok, maybe I didn't think to ask first."
"Knew it... We will go. Lets tell your siblings that we are going to travel with you to make sure you stay out of trouble, at least they will be good while we are gone."
Bouncing around with apparent joy is something I didn't know came with being a wolf but is definitely fun. I can understand why dogs did all the happy movements when they were excited in the other world. I suddenly stop when I realize, My name is Dranau.... What was my human name...? Does it even matter now?
These thoughts dampen my excitement a bit before remembering I get to see what these humans live like and get excited all over again. "Hey Dad, Mom says humans are dangerous, but these ones said fighting back would be useless, Why do you and them have different ideas of how dangerous they are?"
"The humans have different levels of strength depending on their spiritual level. We are born with a level of strength, and grow stronger over time and by eating the cores of other beasts. It is much easier to get stronger for us Spirit Beasts, but humans have to do a lot more complex things to become stronger. The humans you interacted with seem to be their weakest kind."
"Oh, what's their strongest kind, and where do you stand on their measurements?"
"From the few I have spoken with, they have a large range of strength but they have an order to them. The humans you talked to might be able to tell you more. I am quite strong by their standards but I know I cant match their "Emperor" or his "Death Guard". My Dad told me that looking at the Emperor is almost like staring up at mountains. You want to reach the top but it seems so far away."
"That is strangely terrifying, Dad."
"I know."
Seemingly had enough of the questions, Dad goes and informs my siblings we will be going away for a bit. Upon returning he asks me to lead the way back to the humans I met. I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize I am bringing Mom and Dad with me! They will probably be thrilled to have more of us come along. This will be so much fun.
Scurrying along as fast as my happy wiggling and bouncing body can go, I lead Mom and Dad back to the humans, who have waited for me it seems.
"Hello Humans, I am able to come with you, Dad and Mom are joining me though, isn't this great!?"
Marcus looks over and sees me, almost seeming okay until Mom and Dad come out from the forest behind me, Mom slightly taller than me, and Dad almost double my size. "Oh..... OH Sh...."
