I can't breathe!
Dandeline is cuddling me tight for her very first thing in the morning. And it's a bone-breaking trial to push her face with my tiny paws. "Cute morning to you, Hessuel~" she greets like a little girl. I resist no more to maintain that innocence with her. Even though it's teasing, I like it, especially when she rubs my chin. "You look pissed. Did I ruin your sleep? How about this?"
["Dan, I may look like a pup but I'm different from their nature... and... please keep on doing that."] I can't ignore the tickling feeling even if she's treating me inhumanely! She giggles then rubs my head longer.
"Hessuel, thanks for the escort last night. I can still remember everything until I feel sleepy. The memory of those insecure looks of ladies makes me laugh!"
I had a mini heart attack when she said she remembers everything! When I look at Acro, who's sitting on top of the headboard, she's glaring at me up to my very soul—the bird who knows my dirty secrets. I divert my attention. ["W-Why? What's so funny about that?"]
"It's because they're jealous. They want a charming gentleman to escort them."
I raise my ears and tilt my head. ["Do you like it, too?"]
"For the sake of bragging about something to people who degrade me, yes. I hope that slaps Zithri's mother so that I'm not drooling and chasing his son here."
I shifted into a human and sat on the side of the bed.
She informs me, "Prepare yourself. This ship is landing soon."
"Already?"
"By the way, your mate must be lucky. She has a mindful mate like you."
My face slumped, and I couldn't agree. I'm bound for someone else. This journey is to seek her. But now it seems like I'm seeking what I already have. I'm staring at her through the mirror while she's focused on combing her hair. After what I did to her last night, I don't think I can see her as a friend, or anything less than that. However, those are my limits. I met Acro's intense glare again and she's been doing that to me ever since I woke up this morning!
I pretend I didn't see her until Dandeline asks, "Hey, it looks like your owl is in a bad mood."
"Aha-ha, don't mind her! Maybe she's hungry."
☪ ✧ ✧
All the passengers with their luggage were waiting in the hall as the airship started to land vertically. I watch the city through the glass wall beside the children again while going down. The city is as neat as Plandreas but not as colorful as that. Dandeline said that the government here is ruled by humans, and it's as bustling as Lanbarc metropolis. The announcers said that this land is called Cardozen.
"Excuse me, Dandeline." It wasn't my name but when the familiar voice mentioned it, I turned my face as well. Zithri is politely standing next to Dandeline and I keep watch. "I apologize about my mother. It's not appropriate to talk with you here, so I hope you'll accept my words in this." He gives a letter with a golden seal to Dandeline then she takes it without saying anything. Zithri left, while Dandeline thoughtlessly hides the letter without reading it.
Passengers unloaded the ride as the airship lands. Dandeline is clinging to my arm until we ride in a queued wagon. We're going to the village where the other Moon Priestess lives, but my mind is occupied with curiosity about the message contained in the letter. Or it is a wrong thought to work my brain! My purpose isn't inclined with Dandeline's personal life.
The coachman took us beside the snowy road that leads to an isolated village before he ended his service. I wear my hood as we pass the road. There's a carved sign of Cardozen Vil. The village is quiet, the old and fragile houses tell me how mysterious this village is, but the chattering of the villagers isn't as dull as the place.
People are welcoming by lending us help with the directions but Dandeline knows the paths we should cross. We ended up in front of a two-floored old house. Dandeline initiates knocking on the door but with my senses, no one might open it. "Dan, I don't smell anyone inside. Not even a sound of movement."
"No one is home? Maybe she did an errand in the market." She saw an old gaunt man in the neighborhood planting lettuce in his front yard despite the weather. Dandeline approaches him and I'm just tailing. "Excuse me. Where's the one living there?" She points at the house.
"The caretaker? He's working at the bar near the capital," the man gestures in the direction leading to that bar, "he only visits that house once a day. You can meet him there if it's urgent."
"Thank you but not the answer I expected..."
"Hm? What is it then, young lady?"
"I'm looking for Lanasia."
"Ah! I see. Unfortunately, she can no longer be found on the surface of the land... ever since... three years ago...? But the house is kept by the caretaker. You can ask him for better clarifications."
"S-She's dead?" I stammer.
"Thank you once again," Dandeline concludes the conversation. Without saying anything, she walks the path according to the old man's direction to the bar. She's extra quiet since she received a letter from Zithri compared to her energy this morning. Yet we have a problem I should prioritize for thinking. After asking for further directions from the villagers, we found the Otakwen Bar.
Patrons are coming in and out, which reminds me of the old days of being a merchant. Everything inside is made of thick wood; walls, tables, and counters. A female waiter provides an empty table for two and a menu. But Dandeline's motive is transparent when she asks, "Do you know someone taking a part-time caretaker? May I talk to him?"
"Caretaker? I'm not certain if someone among us takes that but I'll inquire for you," that's what she said then left. I'm looking at the menu and I want to order everything!
"Maybe we can take our lunch here as well," I suggested.
"I haven't made myself clear. I'm looking for a specific person, not just someone part-time as a caretaker."
"To make it easy, we should have addressed the name but we don't have that credential let alone the fact that he's a caretaker."
"Precisely!"
"But I believe we're under that same roof as that guy for now. Let's unwind first."
"... Hessuel," she pulls down the menu I'm holding with a finger, "this search is about your past that may lead us to your mate. You seem composed."
I made a chuckle. "Maybe because you're helping me. Therefore, suggesting to eat will make you composed, too. Right, Acro?" I perch her on the table beside me. Dandeline took the menu from me as a sign of approval. I propped up my chin before my right palm whilst looking around the bar. Trying my best to divert my thoughts is like rubbing my hand on the cold ice, it's getting harder when taking longer. And I do not have enough audacity to ask first. "Dan, I remembered something when I encountered a fellow werewolf in the airship."
"You did? What is it?"
"They said they're not allowed to talk to me... like they were told to—" I was interrupted when a fleet thief took Acro away and ran! "Hey!" Patrons are startled. The young man is running towards the exit when Dandeline blocks the door with her enchantment. However, the young man deactivated the magic and managed to escape.
"What!?" She almost slams the table.
Without a second thought, I chase after the unordinary young man. He disappeared from my sight when I made it outside the bar, my sense of smell doesn't help for his scent is unknown to me, but when I heard Acro's noise I found them on the roof of the bar. I have no time to analyze how that young man reached that top in a blink, I have to think about saving my precious—strict—guardian.
"Hessuel, don't try to do anything—" I climb on the wall through leaping and claws, "...inhuman!" she commanded but I already did after her sentence.
The young man is hopping from roof to roof and when I'm catching up with his speed, he jumps down to the ground while I cling my claws on top of a house after a hop. The young man is running towards a house when I leap higher and land on him, yet he parries me with his thin but sturdy enchanted shield.
I jumped backward and tackled him again and he did the same to parry my hand. I slash it into pieces and was about to get Acro from his bind when I was suddenly immobilized by chains that appeared underground to shackle me! It's getting tighter and thicker while the young man is laughing in front of me.
"Dude! You're too easy to catch!"
I howled at him then he lost control of his own body as swift as fire. He's enchanting himself to cancel the effect. Acro flies toward me to untangle the chain until a tough force binds my neck and instantly pulls me from the choking chains, on the other hand, the young man is hanging within a man's arm. I'm almost the same with Dandeline's arm which is around my neck. She's chasing her breath while pointing a finger gun at the two persons in front of us.
"Don't you dare harm my dog!" she warned.
"Let go of me!" The young man insisted.
"Hahaha! I'm really sorry about my son," said the man wearing an apron.
"That owl has the essence of an Eldar! It can be profitable for my talent!"
"But this isn't the right way to borrow the bird, and it's not yours."
"He's a silver wolf!"
Acro lands on top of my head. I tap Dandeline's arm to free me because my back is suffering! The man handled the situation and all agreed to consider. He's the owner of the bar and that's where they live. We came back there but the seat prepared for us is exclusive for free. It's still made of wood but neat and smooth. In retrospect, I almost killed the young man no matter how outcast it was among my intentions.
The man serves us two special viands for free. "This is to aid the inconvenience my son caused. I'm really sorry about that," he said, then takes the seat in front of us. He's around 30 years old. Smaller than me, not Dandeline. Moderate body and... smells like fur. Dandeline carefully picks the juicy meat with a fork, then tastes it.
"Alright, apology accepted but not entirely unless your son apologizes personally," she responded, aligned with her judgment of the food. Then keep digging.
"Leave the lecturing to me. By the way, where did you two come from?"
"Plandreas."
"Lanbarc."
We answered at the same time.
"Whoa. That's too distant. I heard you're looking for a part-time caretaker and that's probably me. Call me Matheo. What can I help?"
Dandeline takes the spot. "You know Lanasia, the Moon Priestess who lived here? We came here for her but the neighbor told us she's dead. Are you the caretaker of the house?"
"You're on the right track."
"..."
"... Uhh, nothing else to say?" I asked reluctantly.
"It's true that she's dead."
"Why wasn't I informed!" Dandeline complained. "I'm a fellow Moon Priestess and she's my friend. Ever since she lived here, her life is full of secrecy."
"That's true, and that's because of me. Zaeramil, the young man, is our son."
"What!?"
"Your impression is perfect for someone uninvited!" Matheo teases and I laugh with that, too. "But I prefer everything to be confidential for now."
"What caused her death?"
"She was slaughtered by the werewolves five years ago. Elibur, the Beta of Vengeance Pack."