Chapter 1
The Pet
Running. He was running. He didn’t care where to. He just needed to go.
The Moss was cold with dew on his bare feet, but it felt freeing. The wind blew through his long black hair, it’s harrowing lul rang in his ears. He had cut his face on a passing by branch and could feel the warm blood fall down his pale porcelain cheek. It reminded him of that day when he was found. Or taken. He only could remember it in flashes. The fire rising from the huts, the smell of burnt straw. The smoke in his green eyes. The vague image of a symbol through the flames upon a flag or was it a curtain? His memory was hazed. He was so young.
At only aged five his entire village destroyed by the very men who took him in as a slave, branding him with a new name. His old one forgotten. He was Callaris and that was all he knew.
Callaris was not completely alone, however. He was placed into training with another slave boy whom they named Leo due to his blond hair and deep hazel eyes.
Leo was sent to work for the Aristocratic family of Lord Optimus. He was an unkindly and unappealing light elf with a short temper, blond unkempt hair, golden skin and harsh wrinkles.
Callaris was sent to the high Lord of the city, Lord Dominicus. A tall fair skinned man, long features and black hair with gray brushing through it.
The young boys would laugh and play together when they had the chance to in between chores. Growing together in slavery kept them from losing their spirit. Leo would tell stories of the places he saw before he was taken. He was a few years older than Callaris and was raised by gypsies who traveled all over the world. He spoke of a waterfall that opened like a door, a city covered in pearls and chrome, and large statue he once saw in the middle of an overgrown forest. The statue was of a hand reaching into the ground. He said the locals used to say a spirit of a woman lived in the forest and if you listened carefully at night you could hear her singing and dancing. But Leo never heard her. They were just traveling through when the village was being attacked by Lord Dominicus.
Leo would speak of freedom often and always smiled gently.
Fifteen years passed this way and it was a difficult existence, but the two young men persevered together. Once a week they would see one another when their masters would have their weekend visit.
However, over time Leo started to look withered and tired. His once golden skin was now pale and sickly. Callaris would ask, Leo would only smile as he always did and reassure his friend he was alright. This evening began as any other, but as Leo stepped foot out of his master’s carriage he looked even worse. Callaris could see his eyes were bloodshot and almost sunken in. His knees seemed to shake as he walked and his knuckles were purple with bruises. Once the masters left the room Callaris grabbed his friend by his shoulder.
“Leo, what’s happened to you?”
Leo just looked up and smiled “I assure you, my friend, I am alright! Let’s just hope tonight is a calm one, eh?”
Callaris could see such pain in his eyes. He tried not to press the matter as they prepared the tables for the Master’s dinner. Every time another member of the kitchen staff would walk near Leo he would flinch and tremble for a moment. Callaris kept sharp eyes on his distressed friend. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. Just as he was to ask once more they heard a shout from the dining hall.
The two young men burst in through the door. Lord Optimus screamed “Aha! They are here now! Now we shall see! My boy will defeat yours just like the others!”
Leo’s eye grew wide, he began to shake his head viciously “No, my Lord! I beg of you! Not this ti-”
“Silence! You will do as I say, boy!” Lord Optimus demanded.
Lord Dominicus chuckled “Are you quite sure you wish to do this, my friend? Do you forget what my pet is?”
Optimus scoffed “You have no proof!”
“Then I suppose we shall have it your way! Gentlemen begin. I thank you for your service.” said Lord Dominicus
Optimus looked pleased. Callaris did not understand, he glanced at Leo and his master confused. Leo was trembling, he gazed at his master “Please, do not make me do this…” he begged.
“Fight!” Optimus screamed
Callaris’s eyes widened ‘they couldn’t possibly mean’ he thought. “Fight? My lord?” Callaris questioned.
Optimus rolled his eyes “To the death. You against Leo!”
“I will not do this!” Callaris demanded, but Leo lunged in attack. Callaris jolted back and dodged.
He was in such shock by this betrayal. Leo struck Callaris across the jaw, grabbed his shoulder and pulled him in.
“Fight me!” Leo exclaimed in his ear.
Callaris dodged Leo’s next strike and protested. Leo kept laying down blow after blow... Finally, Callaris defended himself, punching Leo across the face.
Leo spit blood from his lip. With tears streaming down his face mixing with his sweat.
“Fight me, Callaris!”
Callaris could not fathom what he witnessing. What was happening to his dear friend?
Leo kept his advances striking Callaris hard enough to knock him off of his feet and into the wall shredding parts of the emerald green wallpaper. “Try not to destroy my house, pets.” said Dominicus with a chuckle and having a sip of wine. Optimus sat at the edge of his seat, his fists in front of his chest and his mouth full of pastry. Callaris snapped. His eyes went from green to yellow like fire. His teeth shot further from his gums, like large fangs that of a serpent. Claws as sharp as knives drew from his fingertips. He then began to strike Leo slash! Slash! Slash! Finally, he sank his teeth into Leo’s throat. He could then feel it. Leo’s fear, his despair and his ending relief. Leo smiled “Castus” he spat with his last breath. His eyes closed. He was gone.
“No!” Lord Optimus shouted. Callaris looked up at the masters.
“I can’t believe you have one! You cheated!” he continued
“Careful, sir. I am not afraid to turn my wonderful pet on you, too.” Dominicus scoffed
“Fine! Fair is fair! Here is your money.” Optimus said as he handed Dominicus a small leather pouch of gold.
Callaris’s eyes were pouring out sorrows as he held his friend’s lifeless body. He watched as Dominicus counted each coin casually as if he just bought a cow after the slaughter.
“Mr. Brutus. Take our pet to his cage, won’t you?” Dominicus said placing the coins back into their bag.
Brutus was Dominicus’s henchmen, a small unkempt dwarf who always smelled of alcohol. But what was normally a mischievous grin had sunk down into a disgusted expression, almost lifeless as he nodded. Dominicus put his hand up “Wait. Get Callaris a reward. A nice steak dinner. You did well, Callaris. Very well.” the Lord smiled. Callaris kept his head down, his eyes still wide and full of tears. Brutus placed Callaris’s chained back on his neck and wrists and escorted him back to his cell.
