A Song of Solitude: Part Three

by Kakosenas

The two soon became fast friends, despite their differences. Kakosenas however denied their friendship to anyone that inquired. Her stubbornness kept her from admitting her true feelings to her new found 'friend'. She thought of friends as being a weakness in a person. The more friends the being had, the weaker they were. In truth this was the opposite, but not in the mind of Kakos. Friends were a weakness Kakosenas was determined never to have.

She vowed this to herself once when she was young. Xeromai was becoming an exception to this vow though, which made Kakosenas think differently and begin to feel uncomfortable. She pushed all of those feelings away and grew fond of Xeromai, trying to be subtle about it. Xeromai understood this, for he knew Kakosenas's true feelings for himself. But fate had to intervene again. Maybe this love wasn't meant to last. The beginning of the end was upon them.

***

Xeromai had just finished a Kau hunt. He sat hunched over his quarry, his beak and talons bloodied. No sooner had he taken a bite, he sensed a presence behind himself. Xeromai whirled to face the stranger, wings flared. An old Lupe stood directly in front of him, its head low. Its fur was dark and grizzled, hinting that it was once a rich black, but now only a fading gray. Its orange eyes were narrowed and intense. Telling Xeromai that this fellow meant business. Without warning the Lupe leapt at Xeromai. Xeromai pulled a wing in front to shield himself from the attack, talons ready. Nothing happened. Xeromai peered out from behind his wing and drew back in surprise. The Lupe was just a few inches from the Eyrie's face. The Lupe chuckled, his wizened eyes swirling with a quiet type of laughter. Stepping away from Xeromai the Lupe straightened himself up and ceased his laughing.

"Enough of that foolishness now. I'll stop toying with you." The Lupe said, speaking in a gruff voice, "Now tell me, are you Xeromai?" He asked. Xeromai hissed and narrowed his eyes, surprised that this fellow knew his name.

"Who want's to know?!" Xeromai demanded.

"Ah...just as I thought. Well Xeromai, I'm Solace, a Lupe of many trades." Said the Lupe, now known as Solace. Xeromai looked at the Lupe, not trusting him.

"You're not Solace. You're too..." Xeromai began.

"Too what?" Solace inquired.

The Lupe smiled, revealing row upon row of glistening ivory fangs. "Enough of these foolish questions. I've sought after you long enough. You are the one with the evil one aren't you?"

"Evil one? We're all evil in this forest! Minus the few that are good which we drive out immediately." Xeromai snorted.

"Perhaps I will rephrase that then. You are the one with Kakos Enas? Am I correct?"

"Kakosenas? Yes...I am. What about her?" Xeromai asked, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

"Hm. Well it seems she hasn't been entirely truthful about herself to you. Has she ever told you about her past? Has she mentioned where she came from? Anything about her family? She's evil Xeromai. And I fear that she may destroy you if you don't take action soon," Solace said.

"Destroy me?! My Kakosenas?! My love?!" Xeromai yelled, enraged by the old Lupe's words, "How dare you talk about her like that!!!" he hissed.

"I warned you Xeromai. It's up to you to listen to my warning," Solace said again, trying to get the point across.

Xeromai growled and slashed at Solace, who easily ducked his attack. The old Lupe chuckled and began to return in the direction in which he came. Xeromai sat, his head whirling with thoughts, moving so fast in his head that they seemed to collide. Xeromai flared his wings and took to the skies, intent on getting some truthful answers.

To be continued...