Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Chanirra ❯ Chapter 2

The mansion that the crows had mentioned was enormous. The building was constructed of red stone carved from some faraway location for there were no mountains looming over the surrounding countryside. There had to be at least three chimneys topping the palatial estate Chanirra observed as he gazed at it in awe. This was not the first wealthy home he had seen but it was the first he had seen in such a remote area. Nobles generally had their homes closer to cities or kingdoms but this one seemed out of place in the middle of a deciduous forest whose town had been forgotten over time. He watched Harold perch on a tree limb, spread his wings and began cleaning them as Chanirra gazed at all the windows.

 

“So what room is he in?” Chanirra inquired and Harold glanced sideways at him.

 

“Who?” he asked and Chanirra sighed.

 

“The man I'm looking for.”

 

“Oh. I don't know. There's a lot of rooms. There is absolutely no way to check them all.”

 

“Not as a bird there isn't. Which chimney is closest to us, do you think?”

 

“Um, that one over there. Are you sure you want to do this? They might be thinking about lighting a fire in that one and you'd get your feathers burned off. You can't fly without feathers.”

 

“I don't have a choice. I have to make sure this sorcerer is the one I've been searching for. Wouldn't you like to fly freely over this place?”

 

“The skies are endless. I can go anywhere I want.”

 

“What if your food gets destroyed?”

 

“Why would it be destroyed?”

 

Chanirra shook his head as he spread his wings and flew over to the mansion. That was the problem with birds. Their minds were so tiny that they couldn't understand complex thought. The ability to talk with animals was not always as exciting as it sounded. A lot of animals were not the conversationalists one would think them to be. He circled around the chimney Harold had pointed out a few times then flew down it, coughing slightly as he went. The chimney had obviously not been cleaned in awhile. He could hear voices from inside the room as he tried to make a soft landing in the cinders.

 

“Well this stranger apparently just walked into town. He asked questions and Sayorr took him to the inn so I could do him in without the townspeople knowing. However by the time I got there, the stranger was gone,” Roekler said and Turath folded his arms.

 

“What did this stranger look like?” he inquired as he leaned back into his seat. Roekler shrugged his shoulders and Turath frowned.

 

“Sayorr found him. When I got there, all that was left were his gloves. I trust Sayorr gave them to you?” Roekler inquired and Turath nodded his head.

 

“He did but his explanation made no sense. That's why I sent for you. I was hoping that you could shed some light on this situation,” Turath replied and Roekler sighed.

 

“Like I said, apparently he just walked right into town.”

 

“How did he manage to find the road?”

 

“I don't know. Where is Sayorr? I have no answer to the questions you ask.”

 

“I sent him to the kitchen. He was babbling so I thought some ale might calm him down. You may talk with him if you wish. Perhaps you can make sense of his ramblings.”

 

“I'll try but do you think it's safe to let this stranger run about unchecked?” Roekler inquired and Turath sighed.

 

“What purpose does it serve to chase after someone we know nothing about?” he asked.

 

“You have a point there. We shouldn't have any problems finding him. Everyone in town knows there's an outsider about.”

 

Chanirra poked his head around the hearth and watched Roekler walk out of the room. He then turned his attention to Turath. Turath was a tall, noble looking man with long jet black hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. He had the look of a fighter, Chanirra observed as he tried to get a better look at his possible advisory. Turath walked in front of the fireplace and Chanirra drew back out of caution. It was too soon to tell whether or not Turath was a sorcerer let alone the man he was looking for.

 

There was one sure-fire way to find out the truth but Chanirra did not want to risk it. If he transformed into another animal, a true sorcerer would be able to sense his aura for just a flicker of a second. If Turath could sense it, then he would immediately be in trouble. He watched Turath move away from the fireplace and Chanirra took the opportunity to hop out of the fireplace to hide underneath a nearby desk. He heard a door open and took the opportunity to transform into a mouse. A smaller form would make it much easier to search the mansion. The door slammed shut and Chanirra scurried for shelter. Turath had not left the room as Chanirra had suspected and if he was found, he would be in big trouble.

 

“Well now,” Turath said as he glanced around the room. “I seem to have an intruder in my midst. We have a magic user in the area. Obviously it is someone who chose to ignore the sign outside of town. I thought my location was unreachable. I guess not. At least I've made enough measures to stop an intruder. Don't worry my friend. I will find you eventually and when I do, you're dead.”

 

Chanirra ran alongside the wall until he found an opening and ducked inside. He cowered in a corner as he heard Turath moving furniture in search of him then let out a frightened squeak when something poked his side.

 

“Hey who are you? I've never seen you before,” a high-pitched voice said and Chanirra turned around.

 

“I'm sorry. I didn't know this hole was occupied. I just needed a place to hide,” Chanirra said as the mouse poked its nose out of the hole.

 

“Oh never get in his way. He is very mean. He brings in nasty traps to kill us with. He doesn't like us. He even has one of those in the cellar.”

 

“One of what? Why do you stay here if it's so dangerous?”

 

“The food is good.”

 

“Is there a way outside?”

 

“You can't go out now. It's too dangerous. Owls live around here and they just love to eat us.”

 

“But I have to get out. He's after me,” Chanirra said and the mouse looked at him.

 

“Why does that matter? We all look alike to him,” it replied and Chanirra frowned.

 

“That's true. I don't believe he's likely to destroy this entire building just to find me.”

 

“What did you do? Did you get on the table and eat his cheese? He really hates that.”

 

“Truthfully I'm not really a mouse. I'm a member of the Noyu tribe. We can take on the form of animals.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Why? Because we can. Actually our true form is closer to that of a wolf. We use our transformation ability in many ways. We can easily track down thieves, killers, and sorcerers without anyone suspecting us.”

 

“Sorcerers? Like the man out there?”

 

“Yes. Do you know what he's up to?” Chanirra asked and the mouse shook its head.

 

“No but there are some very strange things down in the cellar aside from that...thing. We stay away from there,” it replied and Chanirra looked confused.

 

“What thing?”

 

“A cat. A large cat. The kitchen mice have lost six of their friends because of it.”

 

“Why didn't you tell me that before?”

 

“I tried but you got me all confused with your funny words. I can't show you now anyway. It's time to sleep. I'm off to bed. Goodnight,” the mouse said and scurried off. Chanirra grumbled as he poked his nose out of the hole. He should have expected as much from a mouse.

 

He sniffed the air for Turath's scent but found that he had left the room. He would still have to be extremely cautious for Turath had sensed his aura when he had transformed. Chanirra had to be certain that Turath was indeed his target before he jeopardized himself any further. The town of Lirista seemed to only be a front for something more sinister. And what of Sayorr and Roekler, Chanirra wondered as he scurried up a table leg. Were they true townspeople or some of Turath's minions?

 

He reached the top of the table, panting slightly and took a moment to rest. He had not used a rodent form in quite some time and he had forgotten just how strenuous running was on their tiny frames. He than glanced in front of him with interest. Sitting on the table directly before him was a large tome. Chanirra took a cautious step forward to investigate. The text in the book was the same style of text used in the sign at the entrance of Lirista. It was a script that bore similarities to elven script and the writing of his own people. What did it mean?

 

“My the rodents have been quite curious lately,” a voice purred and Chanirra's tail curled up in shock. Where had the cat come from? He hadn't sensed its presence. “Don't worry little mousy I won't let you suffer too much.”

 

“Wait a second!” Chanirra cried and the cat paused, its ebony tail twitching impatiently. “I'm not a mouse.”

 

“Don't tell me you're some sort of enchanted prince. I used to work for a witch. She had a habit of turning all the local nobles into mice. I always got punished whenever I ate one.”

 

“I am a member of the Noyu tribe and I am on a mission. What is your master up to in the basement?”

 

The cat stood up and snootily stuck her head up in the air as she turned away from the table.

 

“I am a cat. I have no need for a master,” she said then began circling the table. “Besides, this guy is no master. At least the witch would pet me from time to time. I get nothing from him.”

 

“Why do you stay?” Chanirra inquired as the cat licked a paw.

 

“Because he's up to something and I'm curious. Cats are naturally curious you know. Plus, there's a lot of mice here and I loove mice.”

 

She opened her mouth to show off her teeth and Chanirra sighed. That was the risk of transforming into an animal of prey. Very few predators understood his explanation. In fact a few of them thought he was just some sort of suicidal prey and attempted to deal with him the only way they knew how. They tried to eat him only to experience a nasty shock.

 

“Listen. Help me out and I'll get you something better than mice,” Chanirra said and the cat looked hopeful.

 

“Birds?” she asked and Chanirra shook his head.

 

“Steak. Real gourmet meat.”

 

The cat fell onto her back as she began laughing and Chanirra waited for her to catch her breath. She soon caught it and gazed up at Chanirra in amusement. She stroked her whiskers then licked her nose.

 

“And just how are you going to manage that little mousy?” she asked and Chanirra sat up on his hind legs.

 

“I am not really a mouse,” he replied and the cat made a mock bow.

 

“Ah yes. I forgot, your highness.”

 

“I am not a prince. I am a warrior of the Noyu tribe. In reality, I am about the same size as Turath.”

 

“Well even if you're not, you're certainly the most imaginative mouse around here.”

 

“Why would I make all this up?”

 

“Why not? Prey will do anything in order to get away. Come on, show me one of your transformations.”

 

“Where is Turath?”

 

“He went downstairs. I heard him mention mice so I came up in hopes of finding a snack,” the cat replied and Chanirra sighed.

 

“I guess I can change then. He shouldn't be able to sense my aura from down there. I have to be careful, you see. He knows I'm here and I don't want to lose my advantage,” Chanirra said and closed his eyes. The cat cried out in shock as he form changed into something more feline. He then stretched his paws and wiggled his cat ears.

 

“Well this certainly proves that you're no mouse,” the cat said as Chanirra jumped onto the floor.

 

“That's right and if you had persisted in trying to eat me, I would have changed into something most unappetizing.”

 

“You're quite handsome for a cat. I wouldn't mind if you stayed like this forever.”

 

“Please. I do not mean to offend you but this is by no means my preferred form. I'm afraid my instincts are a bit more...canine,” Chanirra said and the cat looked shocked.

 

“You're actually a dog? Oh come on. You're only slightly bigger than the length of my paw. You can't possibly be a dog. They don't come that small,” she said and Chanirra forced a smile.

 

“My true beast form as some call it is a wolf. There are other tribes that can change in to large cats but they live in a land far to the east.”

 

“Do you eat cats?”

 

“No. I have never harmed any of the creatures that have helped me in my work. I do eat meat, just as you do but I hunt it. In that respect, we are not that much different. You go after mice and small birds and I go after rabbits and other large game. Now back to Turath. How do we get down to the cellar?” Chanirra inquired as the cat pushed opened a door.

 

“There are many ways but lets go down to the kitchen first. I saw one of his helpers putting out some milk for me and I'd like to get it before the mice do. You must be hungry as well. Even wolves need to eat. We might be able to get some fish if we're adorable enough. I like fish even more than mice and birds,” she said as she walked down the hallway.

 

“Fish? I don't think my ancestors have ever eaten fish. Even though I am in feline form, my instincts are strong. I prefer warm blooded animals.”

 

“Then I'll eat your share. I'm not picky.”

 

“Do you have a name?” Chanirra inquired and the cat blinked its emerald eyes in thought.

 

“A name? Oh you mean what humans call me? I had a name when I lived with the witch. She called me Midnight. I guess it was because of my color. Why do people name animals?” the cat asked as she jumped down the stairs.

 

“To make them a part of a family I suppose.”

 

“Cats don't need a family. We can do just fine without help from anyone unlike dogs.”

 

“Wild cats from what I've heard travel in packs just like dogs. The species really aren't all that much different.”

 

“So why did you come after this sorcerer? What has he done?” the cat inquired.

 

“Well according to my contract he has stolen an amulet that, with the right potion and incantation, can summon a demon capable of destroying the world,” Chanirra replied and Midnight looked confused.

 

“Demon? What's that?”

 

“A demon is a enormous evil creature. It would go after anything as prey even humans. This forest and this town would lie in ruin if the demon is summoned. There would be no more mice, no more birds, and no more fish.”

 

“No fish?!” Midnight hissed as she bounded down the stairs. “I'll scratch his eyes out! I'll bite his hand! I'll...”

 

“You will do no such thing. If there is to be any fighting, I'll take care of it. After all, that is why I'm here,” Chanirra said as he jumped onto the floor. He yelped in surprise as his paws slipped on the floor and skidded into the wall.

 

“The floor is slippery. I forgot to mention it.”

 

“I figured that out when I fell. Now where is the cellar door?”

 

“Food first. You can't fight on an empty tummy.”

 

“All right but there'd better be something else to eat than fish.”