Yo, yo, this is something I started writing as a kid (based a bit off of a roleplay) but never seriously wrote down until recently uwu
Please, let me know what you think!! It is the first draft, so it may be wonky haha
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The sun was starting to set when a young man leaped out of the highest window of a looming castle. He glided over the high walls protecting the building, landing just inside of the woods beyond. He turned its head to look at the wall, amazed that his plan worked. He wore a cape with the hood hiding his face, the frills on his tan shirt rustling in the wind. He walked further in the woods, following a dim light in the distance. A town he always wanted to visit, people he never got to meet before.

The light steadily got brighter, larger, as he arrived in the town. Many stalls were set up, many people buying and selling goods. Ears flickered, showing joy or displeasure, tails flicked in annoyance or wagged in excitement. Children ran around with their make-shift toys and annoyed their caregivers. The cloaked man roamed around the town. One booth caught his eye.

A cat hybrid sat behind the booth, one elbow on the booth with his hand holding up his head. He had short, ruffled, burgundy hair and wore a simple short-sleeved shirt with yarn tying up the breast. His eyes lit up and his ears perked when he saw the cloaked figure approaching.

Would you like to play? He asked, waving his hand over the three playing cards on his wooden booth. A Queen of Diamonds, and two Aces; one of Clubs and one of Spades.

What is it? The figure asked.

A card game, of course! The cat said matter-of-factly, Have you never played it?

The figure was quiet for a moment before shaking his head.

Well, The cat began, I will flip these cards over and move them around, then you need to pick out the Queen.

Sounds easy enough, Ill play

The cat looked the figure up and down, his smile turning into a frown, Do you have gold?

The figure reached to a small pouch attached to his pants with yarn, pulling out two gold pieces and setting them on the cats booth. The cat pulled out two of his own and put them beside the other two.

You win, you get all four, I win and I get all four. Got it?

The figure nodded. The cat flipped the cards upside down and swapped them around. He was slow enough that the figure could keep his eye on the queen flawlessly. Once the cat stopped swapping the cards, the figure pointed to the leftmost card. The cat flipped it to reveal the Queen of Diamonds. The figure reached for the four gold pieces when the cat put his hand over the top of them, looking up at the figure with a mischievous grin.

Wait, I have another challenge for you.

The figure pulled his hand away.

Lets play again, this time Ill throw in this. The cat pulled a locket off from around his neck and added it with the gold pieces, You win, you get all of it. However, if I win, you will come with me, prince Lamien.

The figure froze, fear pulsing through him. How did this cat find out?

I guess I could just take you with me without giving you a chance. The cat whispered to the prince, But Im merciful.

Lamien stared down at the cards, the cat flipped the queen back over and swapped the cards around, faster this time. When he stopped moving them, Lamien didnt move, just stared at the cards as the cat tapped the booth impatiently, Staring at them isnt gonna show what they are. He muttered.

Lamien reached out and tapped the card in the middle. The cat flipped it to show an Ace of Spades. Lamien went still, dumbfounded, he swore that was the right card. The cat stood and stretched.

Welp, we should get going, my boss would like to meet ya.

Lamien quickly grabbed the gould pieces and locket off of the booth and went to pull off his cape. The cat roughly grasped the princes shoulder. He leaned in close to the prince's ear.

Id suggest you make this easy.

Lamien looked around, but didnt see an escape. His wings were trapped under his cloak and everyone in town was busy talking to each other or putting their booths away. The cat pushed the prince slightly to get him to follow. They walked to a carriage just out of the town, away from any prying eyes. Lamien was led into the carriage, the cat sitting across from him.

I know your name, but you dont know mine, the cat gave Lamien a toothy grin, I am Darix, kidnapper extraordinaire.

Darix reached out a hand for Lamien to shake, but was only met with a glare.

Not much of a talker, are ya? Darix frowned, moving to stick his hand out of the carriage and tap the side.

The wagon jerked as it started moving, Lamien continued to stare at Darix as nothing but the sound of hooves clacking on stones echoed through the air.

You must be getting hot in that cloak, why not take it off? Darix leaned forward to take Lamiens hood off. The prince shoved his hand away.

Leave your grimy paws off. He growled.

The bird speaks! Darix exclaimed, And just to make fun of little ol me, what have I done to deserve such grace?

Lamien rolled his eyes and looked out the carriage window, watching the scenery go by. It felt like years passed when the carriage finally stopped. Lamien cautiously looked towards Darix, then back outside. It was too dark to make out anything. Darix hopped out of the carriage and opened Lamiens door.

Your majesty. He grinned, Lamien carefully put his feet to the ground. His legs felt like jelly.

Darix grabbed Lamiens shoulder once again and led him to a building, slightly illuminated by a lantern hanging next to the door. Trees all around the shack made Lamien feel lost. Lamien heard the carriage leave as they approached the building, it looked like one touch would make it collapse. Darix opened the creaky, wooden, door.

Ah, home sweet home. He closed the door behind them and walked over to a lantern inside.

The Light showed that they stood in a small kitchen, to his right Lamien saw a small living room with a chair next to an old bookcase that contained books, they looked ruined.

May I get that locket and gold back from you? Darix asked.

Lamien forgot he even had them. He handed the items back to Darix. Darix put everything in his pocket before heading to a fireplace.

You hungry? He asked, looking at Lamien.

Lamien shook his head stubbornly. Darix shrugged and grabbed a can off of a shelf next to the fireplace, it looked like a black goo as Darix poured it into a pot.

Well, if you get hungry, there should be some of this left, He said, lighting a fire under the pot, Oh and dont think about trying to leave, you dont even know where we are.

The cat stirred the goo in the pot. After it began to bubble, Darix poured some into two bowls. Lamiens stomach growled, making Darix chuckle. He sat down at a table next to the fireplace. Darix set a bowl of the goo in front of him. Lamiens nose wrinkled at the sight of the disgusting liquid, but it smelled amazing, almost like the roast hog his chef made occasionally. Darix sat across from him.

Do I need to spoon feed you? Darix questioned the prince.

Lamien glared at Darix before finally pulling off the hood of his cloak. The prince was pale, looking sickly compared to Darixs tan. His blonde hair was ruffled by the cloak and grey eyes reflected his irritability.Darix picked his own bowl up and took a sip from it. Lamien watched in disgust.

You dont have any utensils? He questioned. Darix laughed.

We arent all as rich as you, kid.

Lamien glared, Im not a kid.

You act like one

Lamien picked up the steaming goo and threw it at Darix. The cat lept out of his chair, trying to pull off his shirt quickly.

Ow, ow, ow, ow Darix repeated until he got his shirt off. He had a large red mark on his stomach. Lamien was proud of himself.

It was Darixs turn to glare, That really hurts, ya know!

Im sure that will be a cakewalk compared to what my parents will do to you. Lamien muttered.

Darix had grabbed a towel off of a shelf above many cans of goo. He patted his stomach down.

Arent they supposed to be retired by now? Darix muttered as he tried to look at the red spot on his stomach, Youre, like, nineteen, right? Arent ya supposed to be married and ruling the kingdom? What happened there?

Lamien was quiet for a sec before muttering, Its not your business, youre just some filthy criminal.

Is that all ya got to call me? Where are all the creative insults? Darix sighed and set the towel down on the table, Well, after all of that, Id say we head to sleep.

Darix stretched, his long, thin tail curling behind him.

Imma be nice, Ill let you sleep in my bed, Ill sleep in the chair. Darix motioned to a doorway next to the chair.

Ill sleep here. Lamien muttered.

Darix shrugged, Suit yourself. He said before heading to the chair and sitting down, he was snoring the moment he got comfortable. Lamien folded his arms on the table and rested his head on top of them, staring at the crumbling stone wall. His mind ran with many questions before his eyelids fell and he drifted off.



Lammien was woken by Darix, though he pretended to sleep to avoid dealing with the cat. Darix walked up to Lamien, the prince heard a small chuckle before he felt the cat pick him up and walk him to the bedroom. Darix laid Lamien in the bed and left, pulling the door to be just slightly ajar. Lamien heard clanking and assumed Darix was cleaning the mess from the night before. He then heard the squeaking of the wooden door opening.

Hey, boss! Darix said cheerfully, Youre here earlier than I expected!

Lamien heard heavy footsteps enter the shack, multiple pairs.

Did you do it? A gruff voice asked.

Yup! I finally got the prince! Lamien heard Darix move stuff around, Only took ten tries, remember that other blonde kid? The cat chuckled.

Lamien quietly got from the bed and sneaked to the door, looking out of the small crack Darix left. The cat was blocked by a wall, but his boss stood in the living room, looking in the direction of the kitchen. He was huge and muscular, light brown hair barely hiding the tips of bear ears. Two others stood behind him, probably bodyguards

Plans have been changed, his voice boomed, youre gonna kill him.

Lamiens eyes widened and his mouth felt dry as panic set in. Whatever Darix was doing, he stopped. Silence spread across the shack for a moment.

What..? Darix said quietly. The bear pulled a gun from a holster, holding it to Darix.The cat slowly took it, hands shaking.

Youve killed before, whats gonna stop you now?

H-hes just a kid, I draw a line somewhere.

The bear glared at Darix, Either kill him, or Ill kill you.

Lamien took off of his cloak, stretching his white wings a bit, wondering if he could make it out the door before the boss caught him. Darix walked into view, the bear backed up. It was now or never. Lamien dashed from his hiding spot, grabbed Darixs wrist and ran to the door. He gasped as he felt a hand rip out a feather, but he made it out. There was shouting behind them as Lamien wrapped his arms around Darixs torso and took to the sky. Lamien felt Darix grab onto his arm with his free hand, the gun in his other, and a small squeak of surprise as they went into the air. Lamien grunted.

Struggle more and Ill drop you. He snapped.

Darix immediately stopped wiggling, Please dont. You should know that his friends are all over the forest, though.

AS Darix voiced his warning, a gunshot rang out. Lamien almost dropped the cat in surprise. He held onto Darix tighter, trying to move faster but the air wouldnt let him.

There's a village close to here, go right. Darix Shouted above the wind currents.

Lamien followed his instructions, shifting to the right. Another gunshot sounded below them, Lamien felt the bullet graze past his wingtip. Lamien saw smoke over the horizon.

Is that the village?

Yeah, get closer to the ground.

Lamien looked at Darix like he was crazy, even though the cat couldnt see it.

Why would I do that?

Well lose them in the trees.

Lamien began to descend, when they reached the top of the tree canopy, another gunshot rang out. Lamien let out a scream as pain exploded from his leg. Darix reached his arms to the back of Lamiens neck, pulling him into Darixs arms and landing on a tree branch. Lamien was breathing heavily, trying to reach his leg to hold the wounded area.

Shush Darix growled, ears perked. Lamien held his breath, feeling blood slide to soak the top of his socks.

Darix Jumped off of the tree limb and landed on the forest floor, he leaned Lamien against a tree. Lamien groaned from the movement, feeling light headed. Darix pulled a knife from his shoe and cut into the princes pants. He tried to complain, but didnt have the energy. Darix rolled his eyes.

You didnt lose that much blood, youre fine. He muttered and took the torn-off piece, tying it tightly around the wound to stop the bleeding.

Lamien put his head back against the tree, Cat, I feel sick.

Darix sighed, Youll be fine, Ill get you to the village.

Darix picked Lamien up and carried him through the forest. Lamien watched the tree branches above them, feeling his wingtips against the ground.

I cant feel my leg. He muttered

Its just shock, were almost there.

The trees began to thin out and Lamien saw the open sky. Darix rested Lamien against a tree, just outside of the village.

Why are we here? We should get to the village. Lamien muttered

We need to hide your wings. Darix said, and I need a shirt.

Darix reached into his pocket and pulled out gold coins, You stay here, Im going to see if there is a clothier.

Lamien nodded tiredly, Ill just take a nap.

Darix nodded and headed into the village. Lamien dozed off.

first draft of chapter 2 haha
It's gonna be completely re-drafted!
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Lamiens wings were uncomfortable as Darix squeezed them into the shirt he already was wearing.

"Just need to get your wings in this shirt, then I got another shirt for you to make sure they are hidden." Darix smiled.

Once Lamien felt like his wings were crumpled paper, Darix put another shirt on him.

"There." He said, "Now lets get your leg fixed."

Darix moved to the side of Lamiens wound and helped him stand. He slowly helped Lamien limp to the village.

"So," Darix started, "why did you decide to bring me with ya?"

"Like you said, I have no idea where we are or how to get back home."

"Ah." Darix replied. As they entered the town, Lamiens leg brought attention to them. A group of people rushed over to them.

"The doctor is getting ready, lets get him there to rest." Someone supported Lamiens other side, and another led them to a hut. Inside it looked like a normal home, similar to Darixs, but the door opened into the living room rather than the kitchen.

A raccoon was inside, already cleaning instruments, "Hello there." he smiled.

They helped Lamien onto a tall chair, and the doctor bent down to examine the wound on the princes lower leg. He removed the make-shift bandage.

"Oh wow." He muttered, "Did you get shot by those thieves?"

"Yup." Darix answered for Lamien. The prince glared at Darix before watching the doctor suspiciously. The doctor stood and got a soaked towel, he moved back to Lamien and bent down to clean the wound. Lamien yelped when the rag touched him.

"Does it hurt?" He questioned.

"Of course it does!" Lamien snapped, "you and your fri-."

Darix cut him off, "Sorry, my companion here is pretty sensitive."

Lamien glared at the cat, the doctor whipped blood off from around the wound and stared at it.

"Well, the bullet missed the bone, thats good.." He muttered and put his fingers on otherside of the wound, pushing to get a closer look inside.

Lamien gasped and grabbed the sides of the chair, Darix smiled and curled his tail happily.

"Remember the bowl of Goo you threw at me?"

"That stuff is actually called Goo?" Lamien looked at Darix in shock, he had only guessed.

The raccoon stood up and grabbed something off of a table next to him, it looked like scissors, but more dull.

"Whats that for?" Lamien questioned.

"We gotta get the bullet out." The doctor shrugged and went to his knees, looking at the wound once more, "What did you guys do to get on the thieves' bad side?" he asked.

Lamien jerked his leg away from the doctor, who grabbed his leg roughly and started fishing through the wound, making the prince scream. Darix put his hand over Lamiens mouth to quiet him and talk to the doctor.

"We tried to get here," He chuckled, "heard that the job market is good."

Lamien stopped screaming, feeling the pain but not being able to react to it. He almost felt numb everywhere but the wound. Darix and the doctors voices sounded like they were underwater. Lamien felt Darix pick him up and leave the hut. The cat was saying something, Lamien just couldnt understand him. Slowly he regained his senses, they were in a room with two beds and a nightstand in between and a lantern on top. Lamien was laid on one of the beds, Darix sat on the other. Lamien sat up, holding his head with a groan.

"Where are we?" He asked.

"They gave us an open room, thanks to your mishap."

"My mishap?" Lamien glared.

"Well, you did decide to fly off with me, you could have gone faster without the extra weight." Darix shrugged.

"Then what would I have done? I dont know how to get home!"

"Someone wouldve helped ya."

"Someone wouldve killed me!"

Darix smiled, "How do you know I wont kill you still?"

"If you kill me, you wont get the prize money." Lamien rolled his eyes, "What was the original plan anyway?"

"Original plan?" Darix asked, confused.

"Your boss said there was a change in plans, what was the first plan?"

"Oh!" Darix stood up, "Pretty much what is happening now, kidnap ya and return ya once the prize money was revealed, we were gonna be rich!"

"How did it change?"

"I-I dont know." Darix muttered, then stretched, "Im gonna go get some food, are ya hungry?"

Lamien hesitated before nodding, "Just dont get any of that Goo stuff"

"That may be the only thing here." Darix shrugged, "You rest, Ill be back, we will head back out tomorrow."

Before Lamien could say anything else, Darix was out the door. The prince rested his head against the headboard of the bed. He slowly fell asleep.


He was woken by Darix frantically shaking him, "They know." He said in a panic.

"Know what?" Lamien groaned.

"Your picture is everywhere, we gotta get out of here."

Lamien sat up, eyes wide, he tried hopping out of the bed, but his leg was still in pain. That sound of footsteps outside the room put them both into a panic, and Darix grabbed Lamien and leaped out of the closest window. Lamien struggled to take off both of his shirts, once his wings were finally freed, Lamien stretched his wings and flew, grabbing Darix as he took off.

"How are you so strong?" Darix questioned as Lamien flew, pulling the cat into his arms.

"My father believes all kings should be strong, mentally and physically."

"Sooooooo You lift weights?"

"More or less."

Lamien flew until his wings got tired and the sun began to set, they landed in an open field, Lamien laid on his back, wings spread out.

"That shirt was worth more than that entire village." Lamien muttered.

"Would you rather save a shirt or be kidnapped again?"

Lamien rolled his eyes and Darix laid next to his wing. They watched as stars began appearing in the sky.

"How far are we from the castle?" Lamien asked.

"Uhhh" Darix sat up and looked around, "We should be back tomorrow."

Darix laid back down and faced Lamien,"You never get to leave the castle, do ya?"

Lamien looked back at him, "Of course not, my parents always say I might get kidnapped, and who would want that?" a small smile tugged at his lips.

Darix sat up, "Ooooo, is that a bit of a joke I sense there?"

Lamien looked back to the sky, "Im not going to change anything no matter what I say, so may as well make a joke about it."

"Finally, you see it my way!"

Lamien rolled his eyes.

"Keep rolling your eyes and theyll get stuck that way."

"Keep running your mouth and It will get stuck that way."

Darix laughed, "Im pretty sure it already has!"

Darix laid back down next to Lamien, "Do you normally go without food? We haven't eaten all day, Im starved."

"Not normally, but there is more to worry about than being hungry."

"True" Darix yawned, "I do know that Im tired, and we can definitely fix that, goodnight."

And like that, Darix was snoring away. Lamien continued to stare at the stars, his wings sore and chest cold. He rolled to his side and wrapped his wings around himself, watching the grass dance in the wind before finally falling asleep.


The rising sun woke Lamien. He squinted at the light before sitting up and stretching. He yawned and looked around. Darix was gone. Lamien stood up, leg still aching but starting to feel better.

"Cat?" He shouted, looking around.

"My names Darix, ya know."

Lamien jumped and turned, Darix was walking up with two dead rabbits in his hand, "Hungry?"

Lamien wrinkled his nose, "No."

"Have you never seen a dead rabbit before? Im sure youve eaten it before."

Darix was right, Lamien had eaten rabbit before, but seeing the creatures dangling from the cats hand made the prince nauseous.

"How did you even get them?" Lamien asked.

Darix was grabbing grass, sticks, and rocks from all around them, putting them in a pile.

"You can make an easy rabbit trap with some long grass tied together, and I still have the gun" He smiled, "Can make an easy campfire too."

Darix found a patch of dirt in the field and lined it with the rocks, he then put the grass and sticks inside the circle. Lamien watched curiously as Darix set the biggest stick in the center and rubbed a small stick against it quickly, creating a fire. As the fire started up within the circle of rocks, he put the rabbits next to the campfire.

"You may not wanna watch this part." He chuckled as he grabbed one of the rabbits and pulled out a knife.

Lamien turned around and cringed at the ripping sounds Darix created with the animals.

"Im gonna go look for some water." The prince announced, walking away from the gross sounds.

He walked across the field, limping slightly and listening for the sounds of a river or the smell of water. Eventually, he found one. He turned around and the campfire was nothing but a speck in the horizon, sending slightly visible smoke into the air. He sat next to the river and cupped his hands, getting a drink from the river. It tasted musky and strange compared to what he normally drinks, but it quenched his thirst. After getting a drink, he stood up and whipped off his ruined pants. He turned and began the long trek back to Darix. His limp got worse as he walked, eventually settling on flying low to the ground. Darix looked up as Lamien arrived, both sat next to the campfire.

"Now are you hungry?" Darix asked, holding out a cooked rabbit on a stick.

Lamien wanted to say no, but his stomach growled and he reluctantly took the meat. Darix bit into the other rabbit and Lamien followed suit. It was cooked well, but didnt have much flavor due to the lack of spices. However, to Lamien it was amazing. Lack of food made the rabbit the best thing hes eaten in three days, literally. The prince devoured the meal, Darix watched him in surprise, barely getting through half of his when Lamien finished. Lamien whipped his mouth on his arm.

"I knew you were hungry." Darix smiled.

"Shut up." Lamien muttered.

As Darix finished his meal, he put the small fire out, almost on cue there was shouting behind them. The pair turned and saw a group looking around. They all spotted each other at the same time. Lamien jumped up, gasping as pain shot through his leg, and Darix hopped up as well, grabbing Lamiens arm and beginning to run. Lamien was half-dragged across the field to another forested area. Lamien spread his wings to avoid being dragged, but they just got caught on low branches. Darix slowed down and looked behind them.

"You think we lost em?" He gasped, trying to catch his breath.

"We just entered the forest, Im sure theyre following." Lamien growled, looking around, "Which way to the castle?"

"Heh, good question, got turned around running for our lives."

Lamien rolled his eyes, "Let's fly up and look."

"Thatll just bring more attention."

"I can fly faster than they can run." Lamien said matter-of-factly.

Darix sighed, giving up on the fight. Lamien grabbed the cat and flew up, Darix looked around and pointed to the left, "That way."

Lamien nodded and flew. It didnt take long for the castle to come into view, "There it is." He said, sounding exhausted.

Darix gripped his arm, "Let's walk the rest of the way."

"No way, we are almost there." Lamien said as he descended to the tree tops.

He didnt mean to move down, his wings felt like theyd fall off at any moment. When they landed, Darix got on Lamiens wounded side, ready to prop him up. Lamien glared at the cat.

"I dont need help, Im fine." After he spoke, he stumbled. Darix caught the prince before he fell.

"Mhmm, just like we are gonna fly all the way to the castle, right?"

Lamien rolled his eyes irritably, "shut up, cat, we are almost there and then you can get out of my hair."

Darix chuckled, "Yup, we can both go back to our boring lives."

Lamien was silent. Darixs life didnt seem boring, especially if he did stuff like this everyday. All he did was sit in a room, waiting for his next lesson or meal for the day. The two stumbled through the forest, Lamien getting irritated with each step.

"At this point, we wont be there until tomorrow." He muttered.

"Well, Ill look for more rabbits."

Lamien sighed in defeat, "Let me just fly up and see how far away we are." He muttered, not waiting for Darix to answer before flying above the trees. From the sky, the castle was so close it seemed like he could touch it, and the sun was still high in the sky. He dropped back down to Darix.

"We are gonna make it today." He muttered, walking as fast as he could with his hurt leg.

"Ya know, you can just fly there and leave me behind." Darix muttered.

"Youve gotten me this far, you should be the one to get the reward money." Lamien muttered.

The trees thinned and another village came into view. Lamien stopped, seeing the "missing" posters on every wall of the village.

"We need to go around, otherwise theyll catch us."

Darix nodded in agreement, swooping Lamien up in his arms.

"Were close enough that I can carry you there!" He announced as he began running around the village and to the castle.

Lamien tried to complain, but it was drowned out in the wind. Darix stopped when the castle walls came into view.

"How do we get in?"

Lamien raised an eyebrow, "The front gate?"

"Are you sure itll be that easy?"

"Why wouldnt it be?"

Darix shrugged and followed Lamien around the wall to the front gate. Two guards stoon on either side of the gate, and both of their eyes widened when they saw Lamien and Darix approach.

"Prince Lamien!" One of the guards said, sounding shocked, he and his partner rushed to unlock and open the gate. Other guards had stopped their training in the courtyard to watch as the prince and a stranger entered the castle.

Darix nervously looked around, smiling shyly as Lamien walked confidently to his home, hiding his limp. As the door guards opened the large wooden doors, Lamiens parents were standing in the foyer, their backs to the door. Hearing it open, the king and queen turned to the doorway. Lamiens mom gasped and ran to her son.

"Where have you been?" She snapped before hugging him, "We were so worried!"

"Im fine." Lamien mumbled against her chest, Darix stood rigid next to the two, when the queen pulled away from Lamien, he saw what made Darix stiff.

Next to the king stood a large, muscular bear. He gave Darix a smirk.

"I told you theyd come together." His voice boomed.

Lamien saw his father give a guard a subtle nod and the guard grabbed Darix but both of his arms. Another guard grabbed Lamien, pulling them to either side of the doorway. The queen looked to both of them, then back to the king and the bear. Lamien tried to pull himself away from the guard, while Darix stood still. The queen reluctantly walked back to the boss and the king. The boss scoffed.

"He even shot the kid in the leg, what a shame." The bear motioned to Lamiens leg. His mom gasped at the sight.

Lamien glared at the bear, "That's not true!" He snapped, "Your guards did it!"

The bear looked shocked, "Why would they ever do that? Your majesty, we respect you, it takes just one rogue to cause damage to our reputation."

Lamien suddenly realized. Hes seen the bear before. He came to the castle and talked to his parents many times, bringing in other thieves and killers, making his parents believe that the world was more dangerous than it was. Hes the reason Lamien was sheltered his whole life, why he decided to escape.

"Darix helped me get home!" Lamien growled, Darix lifted his head at his name being said.

The king looked at Lamien from head to toe, "Why do you defend this kidnapper?"

The queen nodded, "You have a gunshot to your leg, a missing feather, and no shirt. Hes done more harm than good." She glared at Darix, he seemed to shrink under her gaze.

Lamien panicked, he looked from his dad, to his mother, then to Darix.

"Because I love him."

Darixs eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something, but the bear spoke first.

"The monster brainwashed him! The prince isnt making any sense!"

The king nodded, "Take Lamien to his room, and his kidnapper to the dungeons."

The guards followed orders, Lamien struggled as much as he could, but the guard was stronger. Darix didnt struggle, just followed the guard and stared at Lamien. Lamien made eye-contact with him and quickly turned his head away as they were led separate directions.

Had to cut it into 2 messages!
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The sun was starting to set when a young man leaped out of the highest window of a looming castle. He glided over the high walls protecting the building, brown feathers from wingtips peeking out of the edges of a cape he wore. He landed just inside of the woods beyond the grey, stone walls. He turned his head to look at the high walls, amazed that his plan worked. The cape he wore had a hood to hide his face, the frills on his tan shirt rustling in the wind. He walked further in the woods, following a dim light in the distance. A town he always wanted to visit, people he never got to meet before.

The light steadily got brighter, larger, as he arrived in the town. Many stalls were set up, with people buying and selling goods. Ears flickered, showing joy or displeasure, tails flicked in annoyance or wagged in excitement. Children ran around with their make-shift toys and annoyed their caregivers as they begged for treats. Others showed off their magical abilities to one another. The cloaked man roamed around the town, holding his cloak close to keep his wings hidden. He had always been told to never leave the castle, that it would be dangerous. He could be kidnapped, or worse, killed. However, after nineteen years of his life being spent in a large, dusty castle, he needed to explore. Needed to see what was going on outside the cold castle walls. One booth caught his eye, it was at the edge of the market and instead of wares on the table, it had three playing cards.

A cat hybrid sat behind the booth, one elbow on the table with his hand holding up his head and a finger tapping on his cheek in boredom. He had short, ruffled, burgundy hair and wore a simple short-sleeved, tan, shirt with rope tying up the breast. His eyes lit up and his ears perked when he saw the cloaked figure approaching.

"Would you like to play?" He asked, waving his hand over the three playing cards on his wooden booth, Tail twitching excitedly in the air. The was a Queen of Diamonds, and two Aces; one of Clubs and one of Spades.

"What is it?" The figure asked.

"A card game, of course!" The cat said matter-of-factly, "Have you ever played it?"

The figure was quiet for a moment, staring at the cards, before shaking his head.

"Well," The cat began, "I will flip these cards over and move them around, then you need to pick out the Queen."

"Sounds easy enough, I'll play"

The cat looked the figure up and down, his smile turning into a frown, "Do you have gold?"

The figure reached to a small pouch that was attached to his pants with yarn, pulling out two gold pieces and setting them on the cat's booth. The cat pulled out two of his own and put them beside the others.

"You win, you get all four, I win and I get all four. Got it?"

The figure nodded. The cat flipped the cards upside down and moved them around, replacing each card with the one next to it. He was slow enough that the figure could keep his eye on the queen flawlessly. Once the cat stopped Moving the cards, the figure tapped on the leftmost card. The cat flipped it to reveal the Queen of Diamonds. The figure reached for the four gold pieces when the cat put his hand over the top of them, looking up at the figure with a mischievous grin.

"Wait, I have another challenge for you."

The figure pulled his hand away.

"Let's play again, this time I'll throw in this." The cat pulled a golden, heart-shaped, locket off from around his neck and set it on top of the gold pieces, "You win, you get all of it. However, if I win, you will come with me; Prince Lamien."

The figure froze, fear pulsing through him. How did this cat find out? Lamien took a step backwards, the cat frowned, "Are you gonna try to run? That's a pretty bad idea." He chuckled, "You see, all around the town are others who work with me, and they know who you are, and they want to capture you as much as I do. They won't even give you the chance to get away, while I will, and I can call them off. Well, that's if you win, of course"

Lamien looked around, every glance in their direction, every whisper, made him feel like he was caught in a web. The cat straightened up and smoothed out his shirt, "Well, what cha' say? Play a game with me and try to leave, or get caught by someone else, and most likely die?"

Lamien stared down at the cards, the cat took this as a que, and flipped the queen back over and switched the cards around, faster this time. When he stopped moving them, Lamien didn't move, just stared at the cards as the cat tapped the booth impatiently, "Staring at them isn't gonna show what they are." He muttered.

Lamien reached out and hesitantly tapped the card in the middle. The cat flipped it with a mischievous grin to reveal an ace of spades. Lamien went still, dumbfounded, he swore that was the right card. The cat stretched with a yawn.

"Welp, we should get going, my boss would like to meet ya'."

Lamien quickly grabbed the gold pieces and locket off of the booth and went to pull off his cape. The cat jumped over the booth and roughly grasped the Prince's shoulder. He leaned in close to the Prince's ear.

"I'd suggest ya' make this easy." The cat chuckled, "Remember, I have friends."

Lamien looked around, but he didn't know who he could trust not to attack him. His wings were trapped under his cloak, so he couldn't just fly away without struggling with the fabric. Plenty of others in the town were busy talking to each other or putting their booths away. The cat pushed the Prince's shoulder slightly to get him to follow. They walked to a carriage just around the corner of the cat's booth, away from prying eyes. Lamien was shoved into the carriage, the cat climbed in as well and sat across from him.

"I know your name, but you don't know mine," the cat gave Lamien a toothy grin, "I am Darix, kidnapper extraordinaire."

Darix reached out a hand for Lamien to shake, but was only met with a glare.

"Not much of a talker, are ya?" Darix frowned and moved his hand to tap the carriage roof, just above his head.

The wagon jerked as it started moving, Lamien continued to stare at Darix as nothing but the sound of hooves clacking on stones echoed through the air.

"You must be getting hot in that cloak, why not take it off?" Darix leaned forward to take Lamien's hood off. The Prince shoved his hand away.

"Leave your grimy paws off." He growled.

"The bird speaks!" Darix exclaimed, "And just to make fun of little 'ol me, what have I done to deserve such grace?"

Lamien rolled his eyes and looked out the carriage window, watching the scenery go by.

Darix pouted, "I'm kind of surprised you walked up to me," He began, "All of the Hawk kingdom knows not to talk to a cat, so why did you do so?"

Lamien remained silent. He'd never been told to stay away from cats, only to stay away from everyone. The sun was long gone before the carriage turned off the road onto the bumpy forest ground. Lamien cautiously looked towards Darix, who was staring boredly at the roof, then moved his attention back outside. When the carriage finally stopped, it was too dark to tell where they were, even the moon seemed to have abandoned the Prince. Darix hopped out of the carriage and opened the door for Lamien.

"Your majesty." He said mockingly with a huge grin that seemed to never leave his face, Lamien carefully put his feet to the spongy ground. His legs were shaking and wings ached after the long ride.
Darix gripped Lamien's shoulder tightly once again and led him to a small, wooden shack; it was almost impossible to see it in the dark. Trees all around it made Lamien feel even more lost than he already was. He heard the clop of hooves on the soggy ground as the carriage left. As they approached the shack it looked as if it would collapse. Any small breeze made the walls creak and moan. Darix opened the wooden door and it made a loud groan that echoed through the forest.

"Ah, home sweet home." He pushed Lamien ahead of him, inside the building and closed the door behind them. Darix turned on a lamp that hung next to the door, it let out enough light to see inside what the cat called a 'home'.

The dim light showed that the shack was made up of two rooms - a room the door opened up into; with just a cushioned chair, bookcase, fireplace, and stained wooden table with three chairs. The door to the other room was next to the cushioned chair, but it was too dark to see inside. The cushioned chair had tears exposing stuffing and mysterious stains of various colors, it was impossible to tell what color the cushions were before. The bookcase next to it was, just like almost everything else, wooden, close to collapsing, and stained. All the books inside had either exposed bindings or looked tattered. Sealed cans with no labels sat next to the bookshelf. The fireplace was stone with a couple of metal rods inside that were shaped like 'Y's. Above the fireplace were various cooking supplies; a ladle, a cauldron, and a thin straight metal rod. The table was just a short distance from the fireplace and was against the wall with a small window right above it. The three chairs were stained as well with pillows in the seats. The pillows didn't match.

"May I get that locket and gold back from ya'?" Darix asked.

Lamien forgot he even had them. He pulled the gold and locket from his pocket and handed them back to Darix, who put everything in his own pocket. The cat, who still had a hand on Lamien's shoulder, pushed him to sit on one of the chairs before letting him go. The pillow didn't help the chair be more comfortable, it - somehow - made it worse.

"Ya' hungry?" He asked, looking down at Lamien.

Lamien shook his head stubbornly. Darix shrugged and grabbed the caudron, metal rod, and one of the unmarked cans off of the bookshelf. He pulled a tab off of the can and poured it in the cauldron, it was pitch black, and the only way to explain the sound was 'thick'. Darix threaded the metal rod through the cauldron's handle and set it in the crooks on the rods inside the fireplace. He grabbed one of the wooden chairs and pulled it to the fireplace before sitting in it.

"Well, if ya' get hungry, there should be some of this left," He said, lighting a fire under the pot, "Oh and don't think about trying to leave, I doubt you even know where we are."

Lamien hated that he was right. He had never left the castle before, afterall, though it was peculiar that his first venture would end up with him being kidnapped. The cat stirred the black goo with the ladle until it began to boil. He grabbed the pillow from under him and used it to pull the cauldron, with the rod, out of the fireplace. Darix let the rod tumble to the ground and he set the cauldron on the table with the pillow under it. The smell was surprisingly good, almost like something Lamien's chef would have made. His stomach growled uncontrollably, making Darix chuckle, and the Prince shot him a glare. The cat pulled the chair from the fireplace to the table across from Lamien. He then moved back to the fireplace and grabbed shallow bowls off of a higher shelf above the cooking supplies on the fireplace. Lamien hadn't noticed it before, however the shelf seemed to just have those two bowls and nothing else. He poured the, now thicker, goo into each bowl. He looked at Lamien expectantly.

"Do I need to spoon feed you?" Darix questioned the Prince.

Lamien glared at Darix before finally pulling off the hood of his cloak. The Prince was pale, looking sickly compared to Darix's tan. His blonde hair was ruffled by the hood and grey eyes reflected his irritability. The bowl in front of him looked like bubbling tar, even though it smelt good, he decided that it couldn't be editable. Darix picked his own bowl up and took a sip from it. Lamien watched in disgust.

"You don't have any utensils?" He questioned. Darix laughed.

"We aren't all as rich as you, kid."

Lamien glared, "I'm not a kid."

"You act like one"

Lamien picked up the bowl of steaming goo and threw it at Darix. It landed just below the cat's chest. He leapt out of his chair, trying to pull off his shirt quickly as the black tar soaked it.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow" Darix repeated until he got his shirt off. He had a large burn mark on part of his chest and his stomach. Lamien was proud of himself.

It was Darix's turn to glare, "That really hurts, ya know!"

"I'm sure that will be a cakewalk compared to what my parents will do to you." Lamien muttered.

Darix grumbled to himself and grabbed the pillow off of the extra chair and pressed it to the burn.

"Aren't they supposed to be retired by now?" Darix growled as he pulled the pillow away for a moment to look at the growing red spot, "You're, like, nineteen, right? Aren't ya' supposed to be married and ruling the kingdom? What happened there?"

Lamien was quiet for a sec before muttering, "It's not your business, you're just some filthy criminal."

"Is that all ya got to call me? Where are all the creative insults?" Darix sighed "I've been called so much worse by lesser people, and all you can think of is about attacking my hygiene?"

"Who could be lesser than you?"

Darix feigned looking offended, "Oh wow, that hurts more than the burn." He said sarcastically. After making sure the burn wasn't serious and setting the pillow back on the chair, Darix stretched with a yawn, "Well, after that excitement, maybe it would be best to sleep everything off? You're probably going to be here for a few days, so I'll be nice and let ya sleep in my bed." The cat motioned to the doorway next to the cushioned chair.

Lamien only glared at the cat, not moving.

Darix shrugged, "Suit yourself." He said before heading to the chair, when he turned, Lamien noticed scars on the cat's back. The biggest one was between his shoulder blades. It was wide, tinted red, and had various bumps and ridges. Before Lamien could get a better look, the cat flopped down in the chair.

"If you change your mind, I'll just sleep here, in the uncomfortable, stinky chair." He was snoring the moment he got comfortable. Lamien leaned back in the chair, looking up at the roof. Darix shifted in his chair, startling Lamien and making him. Eventually, his neck and back got tired and he folded his arms on the table before resting his chin on them, still staring at Darix. His eyelids were steadily getting heavier, threatening to close. However, he was wide awake moments later when the lantern went out, leaving him in the darkness. He kept listening for the cat to move, to leave his chair, but all he heard was snoring and the occasional shifting around. He kept his eyes open for as long as they allowed, only falling asleep when pale light came in through the window above the table.

Lamien was woken by Darix shaking him lightly. Lamien opened one eye, shooting Darix a glare. He chuckled.

"Wait, wait, I know what you're gonna say," He stood up straight and cleared his throat, trying, and failing, to mimic Lamien's voice, "'Get your grimy paws off of me.'"

Lamien sat up in the chair, feeling sore all over as well as exhausted. Darix looked at him curiously.

"You still look pretty tired." He muttered, "Ya' sure you don't wanna go lay down on my bed?"

Lamien sat quietly for a moment before he cautiously stood from the chair, "Fine," he grumbled, turning to Darix with a glare, "but if-."

He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Lamien jumped in surprise, Darix looked to the door curiously.

"That was quick" He muttered and walked to the door, Lamien rushed to the other room, it was empty other than the bed. Lamien closed the door a little behind him, keeping it open just enough to peek out into the other room.

"Heya, boss!" Darix said cheerfully when he opened the door, "You're here earlier than I expected!"

Lamien saw a muscular, bulky shape enter the shack, along with two others, however they were shorter. The one Darix called 'boss' was around the same height as the cat. When the door closed and Lamien's eyes adjusted to the light, he noticed the boss, who had short and rounded bear ears, looked oddly familiar to him. The group sat down at the table. Darix seemed to have just noticed Lamien had rushed to the other room, he looked behind him to the bedroom door, but his attention snapped back to the bear when he started speaking.

"Mink mentioned you were, finally, able to capture the Prince, is this true?"

Darix bounced on his feet a little, "Yup!" He said excitedly, "Only took ten tries, but I actually did it!" Darix reached to the floor, grabbing his shirt that had been left there the night before and slipped it on, black stain and all.

"Well," The boss shifted in his chair and pulled something from his pocket to hand to Darix, but the cat blocked the way from seeing what it was, "the reward for his return was already announced, but I got a better deal taking his body elsewhere."

Lamien felt his heart pound in his throat, 'body'? Did he hear this bear correctly? Darix fiddled with the item his boss handed him. Lamien grabbed the ties of his cloak, tugging the bow loose and pulling it off. He let it quietly fall to the ground and he flexed his wings. The soft and delicate feathers were white from the top and faded to brown at the bottom edges.

Darix looked back to his boss, "He's just a kid" he muttered.

"He's not much older than you." The boss glared up at Darix, leaning back in his chair and making it creak, "You've killed plenty, age shouldn't stop you."

Lamien was eyeing the main door to the shack through the crack of the bedroom door. He knew he'd have to take Darix with him if he was to make it home.

The bear was getting agitated, "It's either you kill him, or I kill you both."

Darix's ears flipped back and he took a deep breath. Lamien decided that it was now or never. He swung the door open and dashed out the room, grabbing Darix's arm and pulling the cat with him. The bear and his guards had leapt out of the chair, but it was too late. The pair were out of the front door. Lamien pulled Darix to his chest, spread out his wings, and flew. He heard the bear shouting behind them as they took off. Darix held a gun to his chest with one hand, and his other was gripping Lamien's shirt ruffles.

"Is this a bad time to tell ya' I'm afraid of heights?" Darix said in panic.

"Don't look down." Lamien said matter-of-factly.

"Easier said than done!" Darix snapped.

The shocking sound of a gun going off under them made Lamien panic and beat his wings through the air faster. Two more went off, he felt the bullets just barely miss his wings. Another 'bang' echoed through the air, and this time Lamien felt pain shoot through his leg. Lamien let out a short scream, reflexively letting go of Darix and folded his wings. Lamien pulled his leg to his chest to see where the bullet hit him exactly as the pair fell. The ankle of his pants were torn and blood soaked into the fabric. Darix reached up and grabbed Lamien's arm, pure fear in his expression. Lamien unfolded his wings when Darix grabbed him, allowing them to glide safely to the ground. Lamien put his legs out to land on his feet, but he stumbled and fell with a gasp, before sitting up and looking at the wound once more. Darix paced behind him.

"Never do that again," He growled, "from now on, we are walking on foot."

"I don't think that'll be possible." Lamien muttered, tentatively touching around his wound with a shaking hand. As he did, pain shot through his leg. Lamien stopped touching it and tightly closed his eyes as he kept back tears. Darix kneeled next to him.

"There's a village nearby, we can see if there's a doctor."

Lamien shook his head, "We can't." His voice shook a little.

"Why not?"

"Well, I'm sure my face is plastered everywhere."

"That's a good thing," Darix chuckled, "Someone else can get ya' to the castle faster than I can."

Lamien opened his eyes and hugged his knees, staring ahead at a tree. Someone could get him home faster, but

Darix tilted his head, "Wait, do you want to go on an adventure?" He asked, almost too excitedly, "You've been kidnapped and shot in the leg, but you want more?"

Lamien bit the inside of his lip lightly, he wanted to go home. Once he got there, though, then what? He'd be locked up more, more guarded. Yes, his leg was in more pain than anything the Prince had ever experienced, but it was kind of exciting. Darix's ears perked up and he looked behind them.

"You think you can run?" Darix asked, still staring behind them.

"I don't think I can stand." Lamien replied.

"Carrying it is then!"

"What-."

Before Lamien could finish his question, Darix stood up, picked up Lamien and ran through the trees. Lamien gasped in surprise and grabbed Darix's shirt. They ran through the forest, weaving through the trees and taking random turns. When Darix stopped running, the trees had started to thin out and a small village was noticeable between the trunks. Darix set Lamien on the ground next to a tree, breathing heavily and looking back into the woods with his ears perked. After a moment, he sat down next to Lamien with a sigh and leaned against the tree.

"What happened to the gun you had?" Lamien asked, looking at Darix while leaning forward..

"It fell when we did," He chuckled, "didn't really have the chance to look for it."

Lamien sighed, guns were hard to find in the Hawk kingdom, Darix being just handed one may have helped them.

Darix motioned to the town, "Well, did you want to find someone to get ya' home?"

Laming looked down at his hands. What would be the safer option?

Lamien looked up when Darix pulled out a pocket knife, "Either way, we gotta get that bullet out of your leg, and I'm sure those special doctors at the castle could make it less painful than this knife."

Lamien looked to the town, watching the people talk with each other and generally live their lives. Someone out there wanted him dead and so far the cat had shown he didn't want to kill, but how long would that last?

2nd chapter! I re-wrote it so many times :x
I was trying to go for a more chaotic writing style this time, I hoped it worked haha! There's so much I like, yet so much i dont :,)
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Darix twirled the knife in his hand, waiting for Lamien's answer. He had a good feeling he knew what the prince was going to say next. The village ahead of them was trustworthy, Lamien could get home pretty quick with one of them. However, he hadn't talked to anyone in the village in many years, they may have changed. Darix was ready to stand up and go home, though he'd probably be dead before he got anywhere near the cottage. Warin, the bear, wasn't going to let Darix get away with this.

"I'm going to stay with you." Lamien finally said. The cat stopped twirling his knife and stared at Lamien, who kept his gaze locked on the village ahead of them.

"Really?" The cat said. He leaned forward to catch Lamien's eye, the prince glanced at him before looking back.

"You've shown that you don't want to kill me," He said, "and someone out there wants me dead, whoever it is could be in that village."

"Good point." Darix stood up, "Well then, lets get that bullet out of ya."

"Do you have too?" Lamien muttered.

Darix walked in front of Lamien's view, "It's either that, or infection."

Lamien glared up at the cat, "I'll take my chances."

"Chances on losing a foot?"

Lamien was silent for a moment before sighing, "Fine, get it out."

"Glad ya see it my way! Now let's get ya away from the village and pry it out." He put his knife in his pocket and held a hand out to Lamien. The prince stared at Darix's hand, for a moment it looked like he was actually going to accept the help. Then the prince spread out his wings and with one beat of their muscles was too his feet. Darix shielded his face as dirt pelted him.

"You could've warned me." He grumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Lamien folded his arms across his chest and kept his weight on his uninjured leg, "Where are we going?"

Darix, still rubbing one eye, turned to the village. He tried to picture a map - behind them was his cottage, in front was a village. So to the right had to be the road to-

"Are you going to answer?"

"You don't have any patience, hu?" Darix sighed, turning to his left, "This way!"

"Are you certain?"

"What makes you think I'm not?" Darix turned to Lamien, it's not as if he'd ever been there before.

Lamien shrugged, "It doesn't feel right."

He then began limping in the direction Darix faced. Lamien didn't seem to show any pain aside from the limp. His wings occasionally opened to aid in balance. Darix was fascinated by the prince's wings. How could a bunch of feathers lift anyone? Lamien stopped after a few steps and looked over his shoulder at the cat.

"Well?"

Darix jogged a little to catch up.

"How do your wings work?" He asked as they began walking, Darix forcing himself to stick to the agonizingly slow pace the prince set.

"How does your tail work?"

Darix chuckled lightly and walked a few paces ahead of Lamien. He turned and walked backwards, "No, seriously, how can all of those feathers just pick you up?"

There was a hint of amusement in Lamien's gaze, "There's a lot of them."

"Yes, but-." Darix cut himself off with a groan, "you don't get what I'm sayin'."

"Oh, I do, but why would I answer?"

"Why would I help ya home?"

"The prize money."

Darix threw his head back, a growl rumbling in his throat. That was a very good incentive. He looked back at Lamien after a moment.

"Is it a secret or somethin'?"

Lamien shook his head, instead of a glare his gaze was soft and amused. Almost like he was talking to a child. Was that a slight smile Darix saw? Before he could tease the prince, Darix's back hit against bark and Lamien stopped walking.

"Do you think we are far enough out?" Lamien's soft expression turned to one of indifference.

Darix looked around, ears perked. All he saw were trees and all he heard were trees.

"I think so." He nodded after a moment of listening, Lamien immediately turned his back to a tree next to him and sat down with a sigh

Darix searched around the forest floor. He needed to make sure the prince could be quiet when he got the bullet out, and a stick may help with that. He looked up at the trees, maybe one of them had a branch close enough to break off?

"What are you looking for, cat?" Lamien asked.

"A stick." Darix replied, enjoying the irritation that radiated from Lamien when he offered no explanation.

"Why?" Lamien asked after a moment.

"Well, as I said before, it's gonna hurt getting that bullet out of your leg, so I need ya to bite down on a stick instead of scream." He reached up to a branch on an adjacent tree, but no matter how much Darix pulled, it was very attached. Darix huffed.

"I doubt It'll hurt that much." Lamien muttered. Darix looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

"ya think so?"

Lamien nodded, "It hurt hitting me, I can't hurt that much getting taken out."

"Ah." Darix grinned, "Well, if that's the case, I'll get it out, but you gotta be sure not to make a sound."

Lamien nodded. Darix pulled his pocket knife out and sat down across from Lamien. He pulled the prince's leg into his lap. Lamien wrinkled his nose in disgust. Darix decided that he was going to make sure it hurt - hurt a lot. This little know-it-all will regret not having the perfect silencer. Lamien looked away when Darix flipped open the blade of his knife. The cat leaned to the side to look at the wound and pushed the cold blade inside. He had to hold Lamien's leg still when the prince tried to jerk away with a gasp. Darix felt the bullet immediately and got the knife next to it. Before he pushed the bullet out, he decided the prince didn't seem to really feel the pain. He jerked the knife in the opposite direction. Lamien took a deep breath and held it, tensing up and his wings spread out on either side.

"You shouldn't have thrown that bowl at me, hu?" He looked at Lamien with a grin, the prince had a hand around his mouth and tears rolling down his cheeks, but his eyes shone with pure hatred.

"You. piece. of-." Darix cut Lamien off by pushing out the bullet and pulling out the knife in one smooth motion. He set the knife next to him and held the wound tightly. Lamien sat against the tree for a moment, his wings slowly folding against his back.

"Oh come on, I thought it wouldn't hurt that bad!"

Lamien glared at Darix, eyes watery. He moved his hand from his mouth and took a deep, shaky, breath before wiping his face on the sleeve of his tan shirt. Darix looked at the coin pouch still attached to Lamien's waist.

"Gimme that." He said, nodding to it. Lamien looked at him suspiciously.

"Why?"

Darix huffed, "Is right now the best time to worry? Imma use it to keep ya from bleeding all over the forest."

Lamien reluctantly pulled the pouch off and handed it to Darix. It felt heavier than he expected. Darix cautiously pulled his hand away from Lamien's wound. It still bled, but there was time to get it wrapped. Darix opened the pouch, inside was one more gold coin. He pulled it out with an amused smile.

"Let me get this straight," Darix put the coin in his pocket with the others, "you, a Prince, with all the money you could bring with you, brought three coins?" He grabbed either side of the pouch and pulled it apart, making it into one long strip of fabric.

Lamien shrugged, "It was all I could find."

Darix lifted Lamien's leg a little and wrapped the strip around the wound, tying it as tight as the fabric would allow and let Lamien pull his leg away.

"One slice of bread," Darix started, holding up a finger, "just one, costs ten coins. What did you think you could get with three?"

Lamien shrugged, "How am I supposed to know how many coins to bring with me?"

Darix picked up his knife and shifted backwards until his back hit the tree behind him. He stretched his legs out next to Lamien's.

"Your father sets everything, you've gotta know somethin'."

The prince looked away from Darix. This guy was supposed to rule the kingdom, but he knew nothing about it? Something wasn't adding up.

"Let's play a game." Darix said. Whether Lamien realized it or not, the cat was going to get answers.

"All you can think of are games?" Lamien replied. He looked to the ground and picked up a rock, looking it over like he'd never seen one before. Though, it was a very shiny rock.

"Just when there's nothing else to do - my friends and I called it twenty questions."

"You had friends?" Lamien put the rock down and gave Darix a doubtful look.

"At one point," Darix grinned, "We're gonna be stuck together for a few days, we may as well-."

Lamien cut Darix off, "That carriage ride didn't take a few days."

"But we can't use the roads, they're too dangerous, so weaving around the trees is our best shot."

Lamien rested his head against the tree with a sigh. The forest was much darker than before, summoning the crickets to scream and the fireflies to glow. Darix stood up and stretched out his muscles, his stomach groaning.

"Just think about the game, Imma go see if five coins will get us anythin' to eat."

"What if the bear finds me?"

"Oh, he won't find you. One of his friends might."

Lamien rolled his eyes, "And what if they do?"

Darix walked up to Lamien's side and turned to face the same direction as the prince, "You fly, straight ahead, I'd imagine it's impossible to miss the castle from the sky." Darix walked a few paces towards the village, "But be careful of the bullets if ya do!"

The moon was peeking over the trees when Darix arrived at the village. He stood at one of the trees at the edge, he stood here a lot after he moved to the cottage. Lights beamed through the windows of the tavern and the sounds of drunken singing and excited chatter echoed through the forest. It had always been the centerpiece of the village, with cabins laid out in two neat rows on either side. Even the one he stayed at when he was sixteen, when he tried to get away from Warin, still stood at the end of the left row. Did Agustus still bake cranberry pie? Was Uncle John still winning brawls? Darix took a deep breath and walked through the village, between the rows of homes, heading to the Tavern. His ears were pressed to his head and his tail drooped as he rested a hand on the Tavern door. Did Sadie's blood still stain the floor of his old home? He shook away the thought, he found an excuse to come back and didn't want to think about why he left. He pushed open the door, heart pounding in his chest. The tavern was just as lively as Darix remembered with the same stench of alcohol. people sang off-tune, others cheered as Uncle John won another arm wrestle, and the rest were passed out in chairs with full beer steins in their fists. The back of the tavern had the bar with stools that were almost never used. The only sober person in the tavern also served the drinks, they switched out nightly with a draw from a hat. Behind the bar tonight was River - a red husky, and the only person who could beat Uncle John in a fight. No one noticed Darix enter, they all were too busy with their own things. He walked up to the bar where River had her back to everyone and sat on one of the stools. River's tail lazily shifted side to side as she cleaned and filled steins, humming a tune to herself.

"You should be sure to keep your fur away from those, dog hair isn't the best flavor."

River went still for a moment, her floppy ears as perked up as they could be. She turned to Darix, eyes wide and her tail steadily starting to wag faster.

"Why, isn't it Darix Sucio!" She grinned, "How long has it been now? Eight years?"

Darix shrugged, "More or less."

"And you never even sent Uncle John a postcard from the Dove Kingdom, he was really looking forward to that, ya know." She teased, grabbing a stein and handing it to the cat. Darix waved his tail happily as he took a drink.

"I never made it that far." He said, setting the stein down in front of him. The taste was never his favorite, but he'd never pass up a drink.

"Oh really? Where have ya been then?" She asked, bending over to rest her elbows on the bar and head in her hands.

"Here and there," Darix said, quickly switching topics, "Do ya think I can grab something to eat? I don't have much but-."

"Of course!" River stood back up, "I don't need your gold, seeing you around is payment enough!"

Oh, if only she knew how close he's really been, "Great! I left a friend out in the woods, we were both gettin' pretty hungry."

River had turned and was shuffling around some cabinets. She pulled out a loaf of bread and set it infront of Darix, "It's not much, but it's all we got right now."

"Anything helps." He said, setting a hand on the bread. Just by touch, it was obviously stale. Lamien wasn't going to be happy, but he'd have to deal with it.

"Why didn't you bring your friend with ya? We all could've had a beer and caught up."

Darix shook his head, "He got shot by one of those bandits in the woods... and he's not the nicest person you could meet."

"Aww, I bet Gus's pie would change that."

"He is still making it, then!" Darix grinned, "I gotta get some soon."

"How'd ya find your friend?"

Before Darix could reply, Uncle John sat next to him. The man's bulky reptile tail tapping Darix's back.

"Have ya seen your old cabin?" He asked. River handed him a stein to which he picked up and just held in his hands, staring at the foam.

"I saw the outside, looks like yall have been keeping it nice."

He nodded, looking at Darix "We've been keepin' the maintenance. You can come back, ya know? It's still empty."

Darix ran a finger along the brim of his stein, staring at his own reflection in the yellowed liquid. He couldn't come back.

"Did you get Sadie's blood out?" He asked after a moment. The white fox was the first one to greet him when he moved to the village. She was Agustus's daughter, she taught Darix how to cook no matter where he was. They had moved into the cabin together and were never seen apart for the year he spent in the village. One day he went out to help Agustus forage for the pies and when he came home Sadie was on the ground with a knife through her throat and a letter on her chest telling Darix he could never escape Warin. No one saw that letter, no one here knew Darix's past. He'd prefer to keep it that way.

"Gus and I replaced all the flooring." Uncle John replied, "It's like nothing ever happened."

Darix nodded before picking up his cup and chugging the rest of the beer. He slammed the stoneware on the bar and grabbed the loaf of bread.

"I should get back to my friend." He stood from the stool.

"You're not going to say hi to Gus?" River asked with a frown, "He'd love to see ya."

"Maybe next time," Really, Darix didn't want to see Agustus, he was afraid the fox would blame him, "For now I gotta get the Prince back home."

River laughed, "Say, if you ever do find that scrap, be sure to bring back some of that gold back for us."

"Of course." Darix grinned. He left the tavern. He didn't think they'd actually remembered him, but he was glad they did.

He walked back to Lamien,.who now had a small pile of rocks stacked up next to him.

"How'd ya find all of those?" He asked with a chuckle, breaking the bread in half.

Lamien shrugged, "They were all around here, stacking them was the only thing keeping me awake."

Darix handed one half of the bread to Lamien and took a bite of the other. Lamien took it and stared at the pale inside. Darix sat down against the tree across from Lamien, taking another bite. Lamien pulled a crumbly bit out of the center and put it in his mouth.

"It's stale."

"It's all they had, and it was free." Darix replied with a full mouth. By the time he finished his half, Lamien still had a rather large bit left.

"You gonna finish that?" Darix questioned, staring at the chunk of flavorless, yet delicious, bread.

Lamien shrugged and handed it to the cat, who devoured it quickly.

"So, have you thought about my game?" He asked, swallowing the last bite.

Lamien nodded, "What even is it? You never told me how to play."

"Well, we both get twenty questions to ask each other, and no matter what the question is you have to answer."

"Have to?" Lamien muttered, "What if I don't answer?"

"Then the game would be boring."

Lamien rolled his eyes, "It could be interesting, however we should be able to skip questions."

Darix sighed irritably, "Fine, but if you skip a question you have to answer one that's similar."

Lamien nodded, "Alright, who asks first?"

"You just did." Darix answered with a grin. Lamien glared at him.

"That doesn't count!"

"Oooooo, but who makes the rules?"

"Then that one counts too!"

"No it doesn't, because I say what counts and what doesn't."

Lamien rolled his eyes, "You're being childish."

"And you have too, this whole time."

Lamien bit his lip lightly, his eyebrows furrowed, "Can you do magic?" He asked after a moment.

"Ah! Your second question is actually a useful one!" Darix said, only to be hit with another glare. He kinda missed the more relaxed tone back at the tavern. He snapped his fingers, igniting a small fire that danced above his thumb. Lamien's irritation was forgotten, replaced by wide eyes as he stared at the flame.

"Wanna see the coolest part?" Darix asked, Lamien slowly nodded, looking like a child who just learned about magic. Darix rested the flame on the forest floor, catching the debris on fire. Lamien tensed up and pushed his body up against the tree with his uninjured leg, ready to get away from the flames. However, they stayed in one spot. Darix blew out the small flame on his thumb.

"Relax, it's not going anywhere." He chuckled, snapping his fingers once more and the flames were gone, leaving nothing but a small patch of scorched earth. Lamien stared at the dark spot, slowly sliding back down the tree until he was sitting once more.

"That's a very dangerous trick." He said.

"I can control it just fine, there's nothing to worry about."

Lamien hummed in reply, still staring at the scorched ground. Was he waiting for it to just catch fire again?


"So, you have eighteen questions left and I still have all twenty." Darix grinned, "It's getting late, though, you should rest."

"Rest? In the middle of a forest?"

"Where else are you going to sleep?" Darix questioned, but was suddenly reminded of the cabin he left behind Was the bed still there?

Lamien grumbled to himself and laid to his side of the ground. It must have been comfortable, though, as the prince was asleep moments later. Darix kept his ears pricked, listening for anything that may be dangerous. The only sounds that echoed through him were crickets and the soft buzz of firefly wings.