Fan Fiction ❯ Stormy Conscience ❯ Chapter 1: Hunting with a Lion ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1: Hunting with a Lion

I lent down slowly and attentively prodded the hard ground at the edge of the murky water. Someone had stood here a few day ago, or a week at the most. Maybe our… their quarry. It's not mine; I shall never let it be mine. I would never fall that low to chase and kill a man whose reason for a crime is so unclear. How could anyone kill that amount of people with out a reason? Why kill friends who you hold dear? It is not human there must be trickery behind it; he would never do such a thing.

"Dragon? Anything there?" the husky voice broke my concentration.

"I don't know. A man stood here it could be him, but I can't tell. Who ever it is they`re close." I replied meekly I returned my gaze to the grimy lake. So still, yet so full of life, frogs, dragonflies, beetles, pond skaters…

"Should we follow the tracks? Though if it is not him he could get farther away and we would be on a wild goose chase." The older man seeking for advice which he was sure not to find.

This man was slowly beginning to annoy me; he interrupted my thoughts and troubled me with queries which were not my problem. I ignored his questions and continued to watch the dragonfly which was hovering 4 or 5 inches over the top of the lake. The old man, realising he was going to get no answer returned back to the group, probably to argue some more with his men whether to follow the man who stood by the lake or not. Mortal men can never decide anything together, they always bicker and squabble. Then they normal reach an idea in-between, which none of them want. Maybe I could just leave them in the woods they'd find their way somehow, but then where would that leave me, I am bound to them. I can't change that… The same as I can not change the past or predict the future as much as I want or try. That is for the Gods to decide or the own person's decision. The one thing I can predict is that, unless you are very powerful indeed, every person shall die, even I. What happens after, though recantation, life after death, heaven or hell? It's not worth thinking about, most people in this land will suffer and greatly. That is the truth yet they are afraid of the truth and will kill people who say it. It's nicer knowing a lie, I guess and blame other people.

I stare more intently at the water, a wolf had drunk here last. It had just finished a hunt, it was average size and weight by the look of its paw prints. We were in no trouble with a well fed wolf. Other things maybe…

"Oi dreamer, we `ead south-east after this man of da lake. So get a move on and ya `ead outa the clouds." A younger man this time broke my thoughts, a bounty hunter. Thinks the world of him-self and understands nothing of the power of nature. This makes him a rather pathetic bounty hunter, as his tracking skills are useless. He seems to think that I live my life in a day-dream, little does he grasp that I'm in deep deliberation about the environment around us. This makes me a brilliant tracker and him not.

"Triks one day you shall wake up and realise what an idiot you are and find out how to really track." I snap impatiently at him. "That will be the day when you learn the ways and tricks of the world around you."

Triks glared at me, but held his tongue, he knew he couldn't risk agitating me. Thou nothing would save me from them if they knew how well I knew the prey of this hunt. Their anger and frustration are so great against him, even ones of the lion clan can make mistakes and fall. I do not want to see one of my own clan fall… but I will not lie and deceive those who I travel with. Bad things happen to those who lie or misuse their powers. Its so true many have died through lies and that dishonour makes them lower then any other creature. But if you die through the truth, then you truly are great. That is what I wish for then I shall be rewarded for my greatness by the Gods they may even place me with the stars, to watch over the ones I care for. To protect them.

I turn to return to the group, mounting my dark chestnut horse, its coat glimmers as the sun rays hit it from the shattered canopy of leaves. I dislike riding other creatures; it makes them seem that they are lower then me unworthy to others. I ruin my fingers between the long coarse hairs of its midnight mane and click at it to start the slow easy pace of it's trot. The lichen covered trees we pass each tell it's tale to its neighbour as it creaks in the wind. We have travelled like this for weeks maybe months each time we get closer and closer to him, it won't be long now I can sense it. I can feel his presences, as he can feel mine. I just hope he doesn't slow or wait for me, it would be his downfall.

"Why do you not use your powers to help us in our search for Driane? We would find him much quicker. Do you not want to see a guilty man brought to justice?" The older man was on a black stallion by my side.

"It has nothing to do with me. It's not my problem." I replied sternly to him.

"But he killed so many I thought lions stood for righteousness and benevolence. Yet you don't care that so many lives were stolen by this man." The older man gave me a disbelieving look of disgust.

I turned my gaze from him to the muddy track on which we travelled on. "I don't know… maybe…" `What's wrong with me? I've never been this unsure before. But he is innocent.' "There's no proof."

"What are you talking people saw him do it." The older man shook his head and laughed, "Some times I don't understand you at all."

I hum my respond. `They are losing trust in me in me, if we don't find Driane soon. Then it's my head on the block as well as his.' I chew my lip nervously, `Blade where are you when I need you.'