While the owl wasn't capable of speech, she had survived many, many winters. She had seen the humans come every time the fruit started to bloom. She was the strongest, fastest of her kind until the trees went flat. She had watched the foxes come a few nights ago… watching, waiting, hunting, foraging, deciding… she often ate foxes, even wolves and small bears had been her meals.
But… there was something about this little male fox… he had burrowed under her nest since arriving in the forest. Each morning when she returned, he would be sitting beside his burrow, bowing upon her return. Then he would hide under her tree during the days only to join the large fox or white fox during the nights. For the first time since the little male had made his burrow… he was not waiting under her tree when she returned before first light. When the earth had moved, and the trees shaken she had gone out in search of the little male.
She had found him with his kin, and the humans. She watched from the trees silently, then when the small male followed the larger foxes into the forest, she silently followed. The small fox dug up roots, then the roots would disappear. She watched as he returned to the white fox, then came back out looking for more. She decided to see what the other foxes were doing, when she returned to the dirty faced fox, she scooped him up midflight and brought him to her favorite berry bush.
She might not eat the berries, but many smaller pray would eat here, so she could often find easy food if she waited. The fox circled the bush several times, nonsensical barks and yips aplenty, then he burrowed under the leaves as he started to dig. Since she didn't know what he wanted the roots or plants for, so she waited. She was very good at waiting.
When the bush disappeared, she extended her open talon. The fox curled up beneath her talon, wrapping its tail around her leg. She easily took flight, then returned to the white fox. After three more trips the fox seemed content. At least until the fox saw humans riding their horses into the forest.
The fox jumped up repeatedly while yipping, she extended her talon and he quickly curled up for her. She then silently followed the humans, the male fox watched with his tail curling and uncurling around her leg. Soon the humans arrived at her fishing spot, she landed silently on the cliff as the fox gave a soft bark. She watched as the small fox sculked into the bushes, then she waited. He would come back, she was sure of it.
The fox stalked toward the humans as silent as death, moving only when the waterfall was louder from the blowing winds. In his mouth was a mana crystal used to record, while he wasn't the strongest of his kin, he was the best thief, even managing to sneak food and treats from Talvi. His ability to erase his presence was second to only father himself. He dug out a small burrow beneath a bush with soft wet soil, cast earth mana to hide himself, and listened.
The humans were only a few feet away, their dispersal ward only a dome over the ground… so as he listened just inches beneath the earth, he heard everything. Soon, father would give him sweet meats. He would share with his new friend; she often dropped half her meal in the mornings. He was able to hunt of course, but who turned down a free meal?
Caius opened one eye as the owl returned with his kin, his offspring came bounding over tail high. Soon a mana crystal was dropped in front of his nose as littlest sat. The owl had landed a few feet back. A deliberate show as it walked to stand beside the littlest. After a brief moment of eye contact, it ruffled its wings before settling down.
Aiya… perhaps I should take lessons from littlest… he'd have to ask later how he'd managed to woo such a pretty birdie. Caius didn't dwell on the matter as he accepted the crystal. Then he nodded to Talvi. Littlest bounded over to accept his rewards.
Talvi gave a light smile as she pulled out a bag of dried sweet meat jerky larger than Littlest. She was mildly surprised when the owl swooped up to land on the bag, then held a talon out. Littlest pounced onto the bag, then curled up. The female owl was large, maybe five feet tall but her wingspan was easily over 6 feet, maybe closer to eight.
The female owl had no trouble carrying both the little male fox, and the bag back to her tree. This time she decided to just bring the fox into her tree hole nest. She had only found this tree two winters ago, but she could almost fully extend her wings inside. So, there was plenty of room for the little male fox and the bag. She ruffled her feathers then lay down to sleep, it was rare for her to be up during the day.
The fox took his time examining every inch of the nest, there were feathers between the twigs and branches. It appeared the female owl took great care to clean her nest since there wasn't a single bone or dropping found. The fox pushed the bag up against the opening, so it blocked most of the light coming in from the hole, then burrowed under the owl's wing. When she didn't protest, he curled up to sleep.
Caius crushed the mana crystal after watching the contents, Aiya, Asturias was so predictable. Asturias was also cautious or should he say… diligent. Aiya, Asturias had taken so much effort to calm Zane, that was the name. Hmm… should Caius play along… or keep the little prince on his toes.
Caius shifted the Little Snack sleeping in his tails again, just enough to keep the Little Snack from getting stiff or sore. Aiya, so adorable, his little red feathers in disorder from being tossed and turned. Caius enjoyed seeing the red feathers mixing with his red fur, red, silver and gold… what nice colors. Caius wanted to sigh though, poor Little Snack was so haggard… letting him eat and sleep is best; but how would he entice the Little Snack if he was constantly sleeping…
Ashton woke up with a stretch, then rolled over to rub his face in the fur with a small groan. He could finally understand why so many didn't want to get out of bed. It was so warm… so soft, he felt the tail lift and shift so Ashton wrapped his arms around the tail refusing to lift his head.
Caius chortled, while a few of the human groups had returned, Zane had not, nor had the tribal queen. Caius glanced up; it was still roughly two hours before dusk, so Caius wasn't in a hurry. He pulled out the basket of foraged foods and selected a large fragrant mushroom. The head was larger than the Little Snack's torso and had absorbed the most mana.
Ashton turned his head just enough to see the mushroom, breakfast in bed was an acceptable compromise. Ashton slowly, almost egregiously turned over while the tail shifted so he was sitting up. The tails arranged themselves so he had a table and blanket again, then the large turkey tail mushroom was dropped onto his table.
Caius watched his Little Snack pick off the hand sized tails to eat, while Caius enjoyed a variety of foods… raw mushrooms was not one. The texture was just… nhe. Though if they were cooked and in something he found them tolerable.
Ashton couldn't stop the smile when he saw the fox crinkle his nose with Ashton's every bite. The fox even stuck his tongue out as if he were trying to scrape something off. Ashton wasn't sure the fox was being deliberately dramatic… or unconsciously horrified at the thought of eating mushrooms. Either way the giant scrunched up face was hilarious.
Caius decided to look away, Aiya… brave was the first being to eat a mushroom. Who would even look at that and think… yes, that. I will put that in my mouth. Then after they put it in their mouth… they chewed, then after chewing they swallowed… truly… those who survive desperation are brave.
Caius then glanced back at the baby bird… or maybe… when a baby didn't die after stuffing something in its mouth that item would be added to their menu… Humans were weird and negligent after all. Perhaps hundreds of babies had been set free in the wild.
Caius just imagined the scene, then discarded it to see the Adarians slowly returning. Aiya, they looked so… hesitant. Caius smiled, maybe he wouldn't eat them… maybe he would just make them test possible foods for his Little Snack. Between the two beasts of sin… it would be very hard for humans to die without permission.
Zane shuddered as Caius watched them return, the mages had broken away so it wasn't so obvious that they had contacted Asturias and his father King Cecil Navor Wasser Adar. While no other country would have been able to have a conversation in real time with someone thousands of miles away, better to be safe than sorry.
Rommel hesitated… but didn't place himself between Caius and Zane… they couldn't afford to offend him any further. The crown prince had pointed out just how many times they had inadvertently offended the Beast of Lust.
First, they had not conveyed the appropriate amount of information about an ascending beast of Pride, they had also added their personal bias and speculation as if it were facts. They should have been grateful the beast of pride had not punished them for Lord Caius's unprovoked attack.
Second, they had still not apologized which may have made Lord Caius seem weak in front of another beast. Not even in Adar, when beast of sin or virtue visited the palace, were they so disrespected. Alaina always personally checked over the accommodations and offerings from the noble families of the beasts visiting prior to their arrival. Yet not only was Lord Caius disgraced in front of a younger beast, but disgraced in front of the beast he had been hoping to woo.
Third, Lord Caius had made it painfully clear, with the deaths of more than a dozen, that he wanted to be alone with the younger beast. Yet while Lord Caius's followers were making hunting difficult for Zane, they had not once harmed him. In spite of such obvious intentions, Zane returned while Lord Caius was courting the young beast.
His father had asked Zane point blank if he was looking to die, or if he was trying to cause conflict between Lord Caius and Young Song. Zane had been reprimanded until his face was so red he looked as if he'd been slapped. When they put it like that… he was lucky Young Song hadn't considered his actions as a deliberate attempt on his life. It was clear the only reason they hadn't been eaten was because of Young Song's continued protection.
While his father and older brother had been mildly concerned with the sudden cooperation between the foxes and birds, it had only been a day. It made sense that the birds would bring offerings to their young king, and the foxes were foraging food for their lord's potential mate. It should have been something Zane expected when he first thought of informing Lord Caius.
Now if bears or beast under another beast of sin started acting with the birds, that would be cause for concern. But his father likened the situation to two nations having a marriage alliance, of course the citizens would be expected to put down grudges and possibly work together. There might even be marriages between "nobles" of said nations to further promote peace and strengthen ties.
Fourth, that even after Lord Caius had been informing Alaina and Adar for several decades, he intended to find a soul mate, not a temporary mate they prepared a paramour… truly, if Zane or Rommel wished for death, they both had swords. Surely lopping their own heads off would be better than being eaten or burned alive.
King Cecil had even recommended they might lop each other's heads off at the same time to save Adar from the trouble their stupidity had already caused. Lord Caius was not known for being magnanimous on the best of days. Surely today's grievances would be addressed.
His father had ordered him to make amends before he returned to Adar, otherwise Lord Caius might eat him as soon as he crossed their borders.
Now… Zane had to make amends… to a very upset beast.
Rommel had also been indirectly chastised for not considering the implications before reaching out to Lord Caius. Not to mention… not immediately preparing an alternative offering upon learning that Caius was coming to court someone…
In hindsight… it all did seem rather obvious. Perhaps being in the empire really did drain one's intelligence.