This is a story I started working on. *sighs* I know I have like 50 million stories started and none finished. Sorry. I'll finish one, one day. And to Beth, I'll try and write more of PRDT, but I'm having a major writers block. I actually wrote this awhile ago and I'm just now putting it up. Enjoy. ~~~~~~~~~ A blonde-haired girl looked over a young seal pup. At her side stood a young black dragon she had named Drajah, and a snow-white tiger she had named Leiko. The merchants warned her not to buy young demons, but the older ones; however, she had persisted and each merchant had caved, selling her the little mongrels. When she had first laid eyes on Leiko, she could tell the young cub was special; he had been eager to earn her glance. Drajah, however, had been hidden behind his mother and didn’t want to leave. He didn’t seem to like humans and one that was going to separate him from his mother well he wouldn’t have it. Snap, every time she looked at his luminous blue orbs he would snap his jaws. However, she had convinced him he wasn’t going to be harmed and he went, though mother wasn’t happy. She looked up from the seal pup as it squeaked in her arms and shook her head. She handed it back to the trader and thanked him for his time. “No problem, Teigra,” he replied, placing the pup with its mother. She simply snapped her fingers and the young animals followed her to the next trader. As she came upon the last boat that was docked, she noticed only a single cage. She was about to leave when her gut told her otherwise and she realized she had better check it out. The cage had a large blanket draped over it. She stopped just short of the cage as ragged breathing reached her ears. As she grasped the blanket, the trader raced up to her. “I’m sorry ma’am. He’s not for sale.” “I just want a look,” Teigra replied, pulling at the blanket. “Ma’am, he is vicious. He killed two of my men.” But that didn’t stop her as she jerked the covering away. Inside the cage lay a medium-sized wolf, but she knew it wasn’t a wolf but a relative. The ears stopped and curved back, the fangs curved over the lower jaw, and its front legs were more deadly than a dragon’s talons. The creature was a Garular, a swift and deadly predator. She was surprised the captain hadn’t lost more men capturing it. Looking closely at its side, she realized why its breathing was shallow; a small shaft was plunged into its ribs, probably penetrating the lung. She looked at the captain. “How much?” “I said-“ “How much?” “He is all ready sold.” “To who?” “That is classi-“ “Who? And how much?” “Cargan, for 20,000 Egas. He said he would pick the beast up later.” The captain grabbed the cloth from her and made to cover the cage. “This Garular is injured. There is a shaft in its side.” She grabbed the large, gray cloth and threw it to the ground. “Or are you blind?” The captain didn’t answer, but looked at the ground. “I will pay you double for this creature.” The man looked up shocked but shook his head, no. “He needs treatment.” “I’m sorry, but he is not mine to sell. You must see Cargan.” “When would he be back?” “Mid-day. At Noon. Before our departure.” “Don’t let him leave till I-“ “Let who leave,” asked a man in his thirties. His brown hair gleamed in the sun as he stopped before them. “Cargan,” she whispered, looking at him. “How much for this Garular?” “Oh. I’m sorry, he’s-“ “How much?” He shook his head, sighing. “Don’t make me ask again.” She glared at him, the young creatures at her sides growling. “Intimidation won’t work. That Garular is mine. No amount will-“ “50,000 Egas. I won’t take no for an answer.” She placed her hands before her as if she were going to pray. He opened his mouth to reply, but stopped as clouds covered the sun. He looked around confused, then glanced down at the Garular and back to Teigra. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get my Garular inside before it rains.” He snapped his fingers and 3 men prepared to move the Garular. She threw her hands down in frustration and blocked his path. “This Garular is hurt, or do you not see?” “Well, that is to be exp-“ No! If you had known he was hurt before you paid and left this morning, you would have had him treated.” The clouds overhead began to rumble with thunder. The Garular lifted his head slightly, looking up, and then over to Teigra and Cargan. “He is going to be treated,” Cargan replied, hoping it would calm the girl. “After we have him moved inside.” “He needs to be treated here,” she yelled, jabbing her finger towards the ground. Drajah and Leiko cowered at her side, startled by the thunder and their mistress’ anger. “Moving him could make the injury worse.” “Injury or not, he is mine. What I do with him is my business. Now get lost before I have you deported.” Cargan’s men made for the cage but were stopped when the latch on the cage suddenly dropped away. Teigra looked at them, eyes glowing as the latch fell. Glancing at Cargan, he was flung back by a gust of wind and she passed him, heading towards the cage. Reaching the cage, her eyes stopped glowing and she entered slowly. Kneeling beside the Garular, she laid her hand upon his side, her other hand gripping the shaft. He growled as she pulled the shaft out, ripping some of his skin away. He looked at her with soulful, amethyst eyes as she threw the shaft aside. “It’s all right,” she said, rubbing his side. “You’re going to be all right.” She rubbed his back softly as she pulled a cloth from a pocket insider her cloak. Setting the cloth aside, she checked his wound. “A lot of blood loss,” she said, mostly to herself, “but no serious injury.” She looked up at Cargan, then at Drajah and Leiko. “Get me some water, Drajah.” The little dragon raced off, Leiko following. “Now that he’s been treated, will you leave?” Cargan asked crossing his scrawny arms. Teigra simply shook her head and watched for Drajah and Leiko. The young creatures came racing back, a waterskin in Leiko’s jaws. Leiko stopped short of the cage, tossing the water inside the cage. “Thank you,” she replied, reaching for the waterskin. Wrapping her fingers around it, she ripped the cap off and flushed the wound. Capping the waterskin, she set it aside. She grabbed the cloth, and with Garular standing, tied it around his chest. “What will it take to make you leave?” Cargan asked, finally brushing the dirt off his slacks. “Give Garular to me. Otherwise you come and handle him.” She sat beside the young Garular, her hands in her lap. The Garular’s tongue was hanging out slightly and he seemed to be perfectly fine now. “Well, are you going to or not?” Cargan looked at her, then walked forward slowly. “Catching a Garular is a marvelous feet, but to gain their trust is the ultimate prize.” He stopped just outside the cage as the Garular stood, growling. “And this one has clearly chosen who his friend is.” She stood and he silenced, allowing her to pass. She pulled a pouch from her belt and handed it to him. “A pleasure.” He made to stop the Garular from leaving, but thought otherwise at the size of his teeth. Cargan looked up the road to Teigra as she climbed atop a donkey with paws, instead of hooves. He watched as she rode out of sight Leiko, Drajah, and the young Garular following slightly behind. Chapter 1 Growth Spurt Drajah stood a league from the camp, his bat-like wings folded at his side. Large prints lead back to camp, the snow settling in them. He lifted his large head towards the sky, stars sparkling in his blue eyes. There was no moon, but the stars provided all the light he needed. Flakes of snow fell around his face, melting as they landed upon his broad, black body. The sound of paws running towards him made him uneasy. Snapping his head in the direction of the sound he saw Leiko making his way towards him, following his tracks. Drajah snorted and glanced back at the moonless sky. He heard Leiko stop running and walking to his side. “What is it, brother?” he asked, his voice gruff and deep. Leiko didn’t answer right away, but sat at his side and watched the stars. Drajah grumbled, looking back at the stars. “Teigra is resting. I was wondering where you had gone.” Leiko’s voice was soft and innocent sounding. His words were always light and airy. He looked at Drajah and asked, “What is our purpose? Why are we here?” “You’re asking me,” Drajah asked, his deep voice rumbling into laughter. “You’ve always been the smart one, Leiko. What makes you think I would know?” “I’m not as bright as you think, Drajah.” Leiko sighed, glancing at the ground. “I’m smart because I appear to be. You’re smarter because you think before you speak. I thought you might have thought about our purpose.” “Leiko, our purpose his hidden, but sometimes it’s open to us. Our purpose here and now… to protect Teigra. Next year… we won’t know until then.” Drajah looked back to the stars. “Do you know why I come out here by myself?” Leiko shook his head and glanced at the stars. “It gives me a chance to think about things and imagine all the possibilities… and get away from you.” Leiko growled, shoving him playfully. “Come on.” Leiko turned from his brother and headed back to camp. Drajah sat up slowly and watched him leave. He sighed, looked at the moonless sky, and stood to follow Leiko’s small paw prints. Teigra sat atop her Jehonk, her long blonde hair draping down her back and hanging slightly over her shoulder. The young white tiger cub stood, wavering beside the old Jehonk. The cub’s eyes drooped slightly, snapping open when the Jehonk’s tail slapped into the side of his neck.