Yautto looked upon Wraithvine, Kevin, Gikka, and, Abundance, and Venin, never having had seen such kindness in their lives before. They were grateful, but nervous, as they went on the adventure. Would these people remain friends, or would they chase Yautto out, too, eventually?
@internutter/challenge-03357-i069-surprise-guest
@internutter/challenge-03360-i072-hello-all-over-again
@internutter/challenge-03336-i048-youve-been-mothered -- Anon Guest
[AN: While I don't always pay attention to continuity in these works (10-minute limit on Wiki Walks) I try to maintain something close. Gikka belongs to a different time]
The sun warmed them, and so too did a vestment of rainbow hues that Ma Oxbrydl had seemingly knitted at impossible speeds. With a full belly and a warm back, they could focus on things. Like... the names of the meat. Hotbloods. People.
Wraithvine, Yautto knew from ancient legends. Their people called them the god-Elf, owing to what happened at the Lost City[1]. Ze was the last person Yautto would attempt to eat.
It might end the world.
There was also Ma Oxbrydl, who could look through Yautto's flesh and into their spirit. She said she understood the need to steal because of starvation, but stealing people is wrong. Kevin, the former theft, was her first baby, and therefore untouchable.
Yautto had learned. Thoroughly and well.
Venin was a Goblin. Usually recognised as a food source by Yautto's tribe[2], this one had an unhealthy interest in anything venomous, poisonous, or otherwise hazardous. She had already acquired a vial of Yautto's venom, and cackled over it when analysing drops of it in her portable laboratory.
Were it not for the torpor of night's chill, Yautto would lie awake about that.
Then there was the devilborn named Abundance. The devilborn amongst Yautto's tribe were creatures of great power and influence. The spiked tails, the horns, the power over the weather and the abundance of their farms... it was hard not to bow and scrape in Abundance's direction.
Which he took for taking the piss. "Can you not?"
"You create food from dead sstick. You are blessssed by hot ones."
"I have never; in my life; had it referred to as a blessing. People used to kick me for begging in the streets."
This was an affront to every one of Yautto's morals. "Sshow them me. I will devour them sslowly."
"No," said Wraithvine and Ma Oxbrydl together. "Don't."
"It's ancient history anyway," grumped Abundance. "They don't remember me and I don't remember them. I just remember the boots."
There was a quiet moment in which many of the Adventurers shared a sympathetic gaze, and contemplated the nature of the world. Wraithvine, who had sworn to make the world a better place, still had so much work to do.
[1] Big damn crater, possibility of glow-in-the-dark landscape, and greybeards reciting things like, "And this... is what Man in his hubris, did to the flying city of Wah-Shing-Ton." You know the deal. For the record, Wraithvine tried to warn them.
[2] The last thing reptilian species are is picky about their food.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / MarkAmy]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
Send me a prompt [59 remaining prompts!]
