FSE

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The evening's festivities were in good spirits. The evening sky started to darken, the glow of lanterns keeping most of the village square illuminated. Small groups were gathered, some partaking in the large feast, others conversing, while others, especially the children, ran around enjoying some revelry. Posted around the village guards kept watch, stepping in if someone was getting too rowdy but otherwise just quietly observing. Frequent change outs made sure even the guards got to partake in the festivities.

One such guard, a brown and black furred husky shifted a bit as he scanned the crowd, spotting a group of huskies gathered at a table sat a bit higher up on a stage, many other guests stopping by the table. A solemn look on his snout as he blinked, attention quickly brought back to gently scan the crowd spotting a figure approaching. “'Loux, you're set for the day. Go get some food and enjoy your evening." The figure spoke, stepping up to the husky. The lion's mane is neatly trimmed, more gray than auburn, his uniform showing signs of age similar to the feline.

“Hal, I'm still good for a couple more hours at least."

“You've already done more than double your post," the lion sighed, “go spend time with your family, eat, do whatever it is young canines get up to in their free time."

“You of all people should know there's no place set for me at that table," The husky said, not moving from where he stood.

“Shale, I don't care about your anger at your father. I'm giving you an order to take the rest of the evening off. Find some of your friends. Go hide in the barracks, just take the evening off."

“Yes, Sir." The husky said, his gaze falling to the ground at the mention of his father. Quietly stepping away, glancing back towards the table filled with the huskies, before picking up his pace back to the barracks.

After changing out of his uniform, the husky found the barracks rather peaceful. A few candles lit to keep the place illuminated, but devoid of any life, Shale grabbed his back and padded over to one of the windows. Glancing out at what he could of the festival, tail swaying slightly as he thought back a few years when he'd be happily moving amongst the crowds. Pulling a chair over, he pulled a book out of his back, quietly settling down to read, occasionally glancing out at the village.

As the evening progressed and guard posts changed, most who went through the barracks didn't notice the husky quietly reading in the corner. Though heavy hoof falls did alert the canine to someone approaching. “Brought you a plate, Shale."

Looking up from his book, a soft smile on the canines snout as he took the offered plate. “Thanks, Conor."

“Saw you come back here, since I hadn't seen you around I figured you'd probably found a nook to hide in." The hooved figure spoke, the chestnut colored stallion pulling himself a chair over to sit with Shale. “Surprised you didn't just go home."

“Rather have as little interaction with family as I can right now." Shale spoke between nibbles of his food. “I can't exactly get home without walking right by them."

“So what's the reading this week?"

“More of the usual."

“Dragons, huh?" Conor chuckled as he looked over the husky. “Not sure why you've such an interest. Stallions are much better looking, and right in front of you." The canine chuckled at that. “Plus they'll just trap you."

“Huh?" Shale looked up from his book, ears falling back as the world faded from around him. “Conor?"

“Trapped." The voice repeated. “You're trapped."

“No!" Shale shouted out, sitting up in his bed, looking around as his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit cave. Wiping his eyes, he felt the dampness of tears, those last words still seeming to echo in his mind. Getting up, he quickly started making his way through the caves. “Talluk?"

Adjusting to life in the caves had gone relatively smoothly for the canine, finding himself accustomed to the darker, damper atmosphere, the hardest part was telling how much time had passed. Talluk had told him it had been a few months, and Shale could only believe that. This was the longest time that the dragon had been gone since Shale's entry into his life, and the canine was quickly getting worried.

Having had much more practice with it, he was able to open the door to the main cave without much strain. Glancing around, seeing no signs of the dragon, Shale made his way towards the mouth of the cave. Finding the large entrance closed, his ears lowered as thoughts of Talluk being hurt filled his head. Running to grab some clothes, slipping them on as he made his way back to the cave entrance, he took a deep breath. “I'm coming Talluk."

Focusing on the sealed entry, he spoke the same he did for the other hidden doorways “Open" Shale commanded. Feeling a large rush flow through him as the cave shuddered a bit, before the entryway opened, Shale staggered lightly as he stepped forward. Sunlight quickly lit up the cave, cool air gently blowing in. Shivering lightly, the canine stepped forward, slowly making his way out of the cave.

Standing at the mouth, he glanced out over the forest below. Spotting a village in the distance, he smiled lightly, seeing just how vast the Vale truly was. Glancing around, seeing no signs of Talluk, he stepped out of the cave into some fresh powdery snow. Eyes moving upward, to the snow covered peak of the mountain before moving out to the sky, searching for signs of the dragon.

Stepping further away from the cave, a faint voice in his head made him think of just going back to the cave and waiting. Shaking his head, he started wandering away from the cave. Watching his footing and glancing around for fresh signs of life. Shale's ears flicked as a dull throb started to grow the further he got from the cave. That voice seemed louder in his head, telling him to return. Shaking his head, he pressed on “Need to find Talluk." Shale growled as he continued his search.

As the husky made his way from the cave, occasionally calling out for Talluk, he didn't pay much mind to the dull throb in his head, or the sluggishness to his movements the longer he was away. Nearly tripping over himself as his eyes suddenly glazed over, the throb shifting to a commanding voice, a familiar voice. “Return to the cave, be safe in the cave." Shale's body seemed to move on its own, his mind blank as those words echoed through his entire being.

“What?" Shale groggily asked, his mind clearing up, the dull throb no longer in the back of his head, watching the cave entrance close, cloaking him in complete darkness. As he looked around, Talluk's voice filled his head.

“Stay here, stay safe." That voice echoed as the husky shivered, realizing he didn't remember returning to the cave.

“Trapped." Shale's voice was faint, trembling as he started walking back into the cave. “Trapped here." His mind thinking back to his dream, then back to the foggy memory of Talluk telling him to return to the cave, feet moving on their own. Opening one of the hidden doors, the canine slowly made his way through the winding tunnels to the one he'd seen Talluk destroying things in.

Silently wandering the room, noting it was in the same state it was last time he was there, he found a relatively dark corner and sat. Paws gently rubbing his head, his mind focusing on what little he could remember. Going to check on Shale, that voice, then nothing until he was back in the cave. Curling his legs in as he slowly laid on his side, tail tucked tightly, the husky wept.

“Shale?" A deep, rumbling yet panicked voice called out, before silence.

Not realizing he had fallen asleep, Shale woke with a start when his name, shivering as he almost felt fear. Sitting up slowly and looking around, he was where he was before, no sign of the dragon. “Talluk?" Slowly standing up, he quietly made his way out of the cave.

“Where are you?" That familiar voice echoed down the path, deeper into the cave.

“Talluk?" Shale called out. “I'm down here." He could hear heavy footfalls quickly approaching, the canine bracing himself some, eyes down at the ground as he just heard that voice in his head, telling him to turn back. Strong arms enveloped him, pulling him against a large, scaled form.

“Was getting worried. Are you ok?" Talluk spoke softly, gently nuzzling between the husky's ears. As the rush of excitement of seeing the canine faded the dragon blinked, noticing that the canine's fur was bristled against him, those ears pinned back. Gently setting the canine down, and stepping back, concern on his snout. “Shale are you ok?"

“Yeah," Shale said, nodding some as he looked up at Talluk, eyes avoiding the dragon's. “Yes, sir. Just waking up from a bad dream."

“Sir?" The dragon chuckled some as he looked over the canine.

“Sorry. My head's not alright."

“Well, whatever it is, I'm here, I'll keep you safe." Noticing Shale still rather tense, he gently scooped him up in his arms. “You want to talk about it?"

“No, I'll be ok."

“Do you want to be alone?" Talluk asked. Seeing the sheepish nod, he held Shale close, giving soft rumbles as he walked. Turning to one of the caves deeper down this path, the sound of bubbling water filled their ears. “I always find the springs help after a bad dream." Gently setting the canine on his feet, he leaned in to gently kiss his forehead. “I'm going to make some food. I'll check on you when it's ready." Stepping back towards the entry, glancing at the canine, before leaving.

Watching Talluk leave, Shale let out a long sigh, feeling tears welling in his eyes he looked around the room. Going to one of the smaller springs, he sat at the edge, gently dipping his legs in. Staring at his reflection in the water his mind wandered, thinking back to life back home. As his mind drifted back to how things had been since he'd been brought to the caves, he let out a long sigh.

Getting his legs out of the spring, Shale slowly stood up and made his way out of the cave. Searching for Talluk, he quickly found him getting some food prepared. “I have a question, Talluk. The others, before me. What happened to them?" He asked before second guessing himself. Watching the dragon chop up some vegetables, avoiding eye contact.

“The others?" Talluk asked, “the previous sacrifices?" Seeing the nod from the canine, he let out a soft sigh and a chuckle. “Most are living quite pleasant lives." Setting his knife down, he went over to the canine, giving him a gentle hug. “Some stayed for a few weeks, or a few months, but eventually they all wanted to leave."

“I haven't heard of any coming home," Shale commented as he shivered from the embrace.

“It's too dangerous for them to go home."

“Dangerous? Back home with their loved ones?"

“They go home, they don't get to live a normal life. No matter that the memory of me, this place is gone, the people of the Vale will not give them a normal life. They will do anything to get that information." Gently squeezing the canine, before stepping back. “Why do you ask? Was it your nightmare?"

“I…" Shale trailed off, remaining quiet for a while. “You said their memories were gone? How do you know they have good lives?"

Talluk took a moment to think, eyes closing as he leaned back some. “I got rid of their memories of me, here, and their past lives. I took them to places outside the vale, with money and supplies, and new memories for a new life." Looking down at Shale, concern in his eyes. “That's where I was the last few days, just checking on them." Letting out a heavy sigh. “It wasn't a nightmare was it? You want out." Talluk's shoulders dropped as he turned, going back to preparing food. “After dinner, we can discuss," a gentle paw on his tail stopped him, glancing back his eyes met Shales, the fear in those eyes making him turn back around.

“Can you remove my memories prior to here?" Shale asked. “At least, the good ones. I just want to know this place is safe, and I know to never leave."

“Shale?" Pulling the canine back into a warm embrace, feeling the dampness of tears against his chest. “Shale, what happened while I was away?" Gently tightening his embrace, moving down to kiss the canine's head gently. Hands moving to gently pet over the quietly sobbing canine, softly rumbling, doing his best to comfort him.

Shale trembled in that embrace, glancing up some before he sighed. “You were gone for so long. I was worried and went looking for you. Then I woke up back in the cave, and I don't remember coming back." Quietly he waited for the dragon's response, waiting a while in silence, he spoke again. “I'm sorry, Talluk." Waiting for a response, Shale quietly pulled free of the embrace. Seeing the solemn look the dragon held, he turned, giving another quick “I'm sorry."

Leaving the cave, Shale started wandering, his mind spinning in emotion. Eventually finding a cave he'd never been in, the pitch black cave seeming devoid of the luminous crystals. Gently following the wall, he found a spot to sit down, sobbing in earnest as he did.

“Shale? Can I join you?" A shadow lingered in the faint light at the entry to the cave.

“Yes," a weak voice responded. Throat dry, long sense done crying, the canine coughed some. Pulling his legs up close to his chest, hugging them gently as he watched the golden dragon step into the cave. Seeing those golden eyes shimmering as they looked around the cave, before footsteps slowly approached. Feeling the scaled form sitting down next to him, Shale shivered some, waiting for the worst.

“Her name was Purna." A small light dimly came to life in the dragon's hand, gently illuminating the two. “She was, like you, very agreeable to the idea of helping the Vale." With a heavy sigh, Talluk held a small cloth object up, looking at it. “She was out exploring and gathering some herbs, when they took her. They tortured her, she wouldn't tell them where I was, so they killed her."

Shale watched Talluk close, afraid to say anything. Glancing to see what the object in his hand was, thinking it appeared to be a stuffed doll of some sort.

“Ever since, I've put triggers in every sacrifice's mind. I should have told you, I meant to tell you." Closing his eyes, he pulled the doll in close. “Ever since Purna, I've done everything to keep you all safe. Being up here puts you all in more danger than me. I'll defend myself. Those are your friends and family, I can't expect you all to hurt them to keep me safe." Letting out a soft sigh. “I'm sorry for scaring you, hurting you, and lying to you." Turning to Shale, he leans down, placing a small kiss on his forehead. “I don't want you to go. But if you don't trust me, if there isn't a chance of forgiveness, then I will do what you ask."

Shale felt the small doll placed into his paw, before watching Talluk stand up. Wanting to say something, but finding himself unable to, he let out a soft whine.

“Food will be ready soon, I'll bring you some," the dragon spoke, leaving the cave.

The small faint light of the crystal leaving Shale illuminated, as he looked down at the small cloth rabbit in his paw. Giving it a light hug, he wondered how it helped him feel a little less alone.