A Fishy Night. (XXII)
Chapter XXII - Begin of Part II
A Fishy Night. (XXII) The High-dawn wind brushed against Korvi's hide as she sat, her tears having finally dried up. Having just lost Shaol, her hatchling childhood friend, she felt almost purposeless now, as if there was nothing more to live for. As the hours went by, people walked past, none were taking interest in Korvi, only finding it greatly amusing to mock her She felt useless, what if she was really what the humans call her? A beast... a monster... unlike normal creatures... What was normal exactly? She was still too young to grasp it all, and now she doesn't even have her mum to guide her or teach her... Korvi had to shift the thought away from her mum quickly, almost causing her eyes to water again. At this point, it started to hurt to cry, she didn't want to cry anymore, though her feelings were so hurt, she just didn't know what to do! All she knew... was that she had no choice now but to abide by the human creatures wishes... even though they don't seem more greater and important then her, she knew defeat as if a natural instinct, and to survive... she has to give in to them. High-dawn turned to dawn-rest, as Korvi stayed pegged and chained to the plant form, staring at her paws, with occasional glances around at the surroundings, though she held no interest of anything. She wasn't aware how much time was passing, though she did not care anymore, for she felt as if she was nothing but a vessel that was fully dead inside. Not even the people cared or felt pity for little Korvi as she silently cried, where if her mum was with her, she'd be smothered in love and compassion, not mocked by humans who think her as nothing but a dumb beast. "Come on we've a delicacy here of the rarest type of dragon for offers for as little as twenty silver coins! This is a deal of a life-time people!" Gelant proclaimed out to the public, trying his best to captivate their interests into wanting to make offers for Korvi, though it appears that renowned skill of persuasion is having no effect on these people. "Rarity? More like an over-emotional cursed little monster!"A passing female nearby spoke out in a shrill voice as she heard Gelant advertise out. "Maybe find a dragon young that isn't a freak of nature, and then I might consider buying!"A man laughed as he spoke while continuing to walk away, having nothing more to say. Gelant grit his teeth in annoyance before he sighed deeply, looking up at the sky, the Fire-star was setting in the horizon, the moons rising slowly as Star-fall approached, while all the merchants in the market area were closing for the night as people returned to their homes. "Sorry girl... Hopefully tomorrow we can find you a good home. Rest well." Gelant spoke low toned gentle, giving Korvi's head a slight rub, having gained some compassion for the young dragon as he understood that she must be hurting from the names and taunts and her losses. Korvi didn't react to Gelant's touch, as she tried so hard to keep from breaking down again, mostly because it started to hurt when she cried, presuming to herself that for all she cried, her tears were enough to fill the Meadow's lake. Backing away slowly, Gelant takes his leave; only five Valblade soldiers remained around to make sure that Korvi stayed where she was. The rest of the Valblades, including Jarshal and Carshan, have broken rank for the night to enjoy themselves until next dawn, as they are to return to the capital city of Taelna to report back to King Valreth to tell tale of the victory. When Gelant was out of sight, Korvi lowered her head against the wood platform, closing her eyes to try to sleep, to escape the sorrow and boredom of staring at the wooden platform. Only minutes of silence and peace went by before an object was thrown, thrumming through the air following a messy Splat. Some object just splattered against Korvi's snout. "AIIEEESS!" Korvi squeaked out loudly, eyes snapping open, her heart racing as she sees red stuff dripping down, almost taking it for her blood until a now splattered tomato dripped off the side of her snout, giving it a slight sniff to it, finding that it did not smell like blood which brought relief to Korvi as it was only a plump tomato. She glanced towards the soldiers, all five of them were close near each other, seeming fully casual while one of them was whistling innocently, and another had a quiet wide grin. Shaking her head to get the rest of the tomato juice off her, she lowers her head once more to try to sleep.
"Nice throw there Pauleo! It got her right in the face!" A tall soldier with a short beard spoke out, grinning. "Seems the runt shook it off too easily though... Hrm, well anyways, 'Ere, give me your apple Jackek." The rather large sized soldier said to his grinning comrade, seeing his grin turn into a frown, as he was mere moments from taking the first bite out of the hard fresh apple, assuming Pauleo wanted to eat it on him. "D'aaw but Pauleo, I just bought it not too long ago... Why can't ya go buy yer own?" Pauleo rolled his eyes. "Just give it here Jackek." After a few moments of hesitation, Jackek reluctantly gave up his apple, handing it to Pauleo whom grinned as he gripped it. "Now watch the magic." Pauleo spoke with a mischievous tone, turning to face Korvi, before rearing his arm back and in a quick moment, uses all his strength to hurl the apple hard. With a loud 'Smack', the apple impacted roughly on Korvi's muzzle, shattering apart in all directions. Feeling the sudden jolt of pain from being hit, little Korvi awoke with a start then started to cry quite loudly with maw agape and tears streaming down her face. "WAHHHHHAAAAA...!" All five soldiers cringed at the pitched loud wailing growls, Jackek glared to Pauleo angrily. "Now look at what ya did you idiot! Ya wasted my apple and had to make her cry!" Pauleo grimaced with annoyance; Korvi's wailing showed no signs of letting up. "My fault?! She's the weakling who can't take a hit! Beasts shouldn't even be able to cry!" Jackek's frown grew deeper, responding with an angered tone. "Well she IS only a young so no doubt she'd cry when hurt! How'd ya like a face-whipped apple? It'd hurt!" Jackek was feeling guilt and pity inside surprisingly for Korvi, walking over to her; he then kneeled down beside her, taking a big risk to his mind for she'd be easily able to bite at him. "Hey there... please stop crying?" Jackek tried asking nicely, his head starting to ring with the echoes of her wail. Korvi didn't cease, finally letting out all that pent up pain and sorrow of her emotion, not caring that a soldier was right beside her, she was too sad then hurt by the apple to just simply stop crying, while also being hungry having not been fed for a while nor properly. Jackek groaned, feeling a splitting headache growing in his head with each passing second. "Jackek you moron get away from her before the dumb beast kills you!" Jackek looked to him; a sudden thought crossed his mind, responding quickly, he calls out over the noise, keeping sat where he was. "I... got an idea! Toss me the raw Katha fish!" With an annoyed tone, Pauleo whines out in objection, "Why the heck should I?! I spent a whole silver coin on it!" The throbbing headache continued to grow, feeling like hammers banging to Jackek's skull. "ARGH just give it! Ya caused this damned mess 'ere so hand over the fish! Or do I have to tell High-commander what ya did?!" A sudden cold glare crossed Pauleo's expression as he fumbles through his pack to extract the preserved pink-rose scaled fish, still fresh yet dead. Standing up with the fish in hand, Pauleo swears into his beard under his breath as he took a few steps closer to Jackek, before tossing it at him. "There! I'm not coming any closer to that damned creature!" Pauleo said with a grumble as he retreats back to safety. Reaching out to grab the fish, Jackek speaks out to Korvi despite the throbbing headache. "Young dragon, please! If I give you this 'ere fish, could ya stop crying? I'm sorry he hurt ya!" He then placed the fish slowly against her forepaw, making no movements for in fear of being attacked. Korvi suddenly stopped crying as she smelled the fish that was at her paws, looking to the fish then to the soldier with watery eyes, tilting her head as she was confused at the kindness. "It is okay, your fish." Jackek said in a low soft tone, hoping she understands what he meant, mostly relieved that the loud pitched wailing has finally ceased. Pauleo along with the two other soldiers watched with interest, as the third was on his side passed out in slumber, the two awake were silently making bets at which part of Jackek may be ripped off first. Korvi stared at Jackek for a short time, her bright azure eyes penetrated deeply into his eyes, as if wondering; 'why he be kind to me?' Little Korvi didn't know... but she felt grateful as her gaze switched to the fish along her paws, then with sudden vigor of her hunger, bites and snaps at the fish, tearing the meaty pink flesh off the fishes side, then gobbled what she tore off down her throat. Jackek sat still like a rooted tree, shocked by how fast the fish went, for in a matter of minutes, the fish was gone, bone and all. With the fish done, Korvi licked her lips before smiling faintly, for the fish actually tasted quite good! Looking back up to the kind soldier that fed her, Korvi stood up, the chain pegged to the platform prevented her from moving around far though she had enough to walk slightly towards the soldiers lap. Jackek held himself stone-still, stiffing as he felt her weight; the weight as of a large dog, stepping upon him. Korvi raised herself a little to level her snout to his face, still looking into his eyes with her azure ones. ~"So this is it... this is how I die, by being kind to a dragon..."~ Jackek thought as he felt the yearlings warm moist breath, only a bite away from the throat... that bite never came though, instead, Korvi opened her maw, then gave a slow wet lick to his cheek before then stepping off him to curl back up, slowly and at ease now drifting off to sleep. Jackek felt as if his heart was about to explode from within his chest, for he truly thought he was going to die! His fears though were false which brought him relief, while it also stunned him with awe, for the spread tales of the dragons told how even the young were ruthless, savage and emotionless beasts whom lived wild, and yet... from what he had just seen from Korvi, the rumors apparently seemed as lies. ~"Emotionless cruel beast? Bah, and my father was a wealthy fat plump pig... She just showed appreciation!"~ Jackek thought sarcastically while rolling his eyes, standing up, Korvi was fast asleep and at ease for once. "Hey Jackek very nice work! You managed to get the stupid whiny beast to sleep and didn't lose your face! You should be promoted!" Pauleo called out with a short laugh. Jackek walked back over towards him at a slow pace, feeling a surge of anger towards him. "Pauleo, do ya know what it felt like to the dragon to be hit in the face nice and hard?" Pauleo raised a brow in slight confusion by the question. "Na, why would I? It's just a damne--" Before Pauleo could complete his sentence, Jackek swung hard and solid, packing a good punch to Pauleo's face with his metal gauntlet covered hand. The impact struck hard, knocking him off his feet while taking him out cold. "Tell me then how it feels in the early dawn then eh? I'm sure it's a pleasant feeling... Anyways can't disturb ya now so have a good rest Pauleo!" Jackek said with sarcasm and in a mocked tone, leaving Pauleo out cold on the stage while he walked off to sit down along the other side of the platform. The two other soldiers were watching the whole thing, while the third snored beside them. "Argh my head... we need a vacation after returning back to Taelna..." The one soldier complained as he face-palmed, resting his head on his gauntlet before letting out a sigh. "That we do Zal...That we do..." Mumbled the other one in agreement as he idly slumped across the sleeping comrade beside him.