Hunting Death- Being Drawn
#10 of Hunting Death
Being Drawn
After that first day and night things are pretty quiet. Beyond the needs of travel we don't really talk all that much. I also only needed to knock out that beast that one night as he doesn't transform on any of the subsequent days. He claims the reason for it is that he only changes at a certain time of the month. When we are our last day of approach to the town according to Hashal I do not think I could have gone somewhere else even if I wanted to, the pull being that strong. It's not quite yet to the point where it would drive me crazy if I was doing anything that was not heading towards the town though it is certainly starting to get close at this point. If I had to guess if I don't arrive at that town by some time tonight it'll be too late.
Just outside of town I can feel the presence of someone using magic to detect the presence of anyone nearby. And since I am using the exact same passive spell they'll know exactly where I am too. Though I could very easily try to stay away from whatever it is, the relief of being close enough that that pulling sensation has stopped has put me in a good mood. As a result I feel I can at least go and see who it is there.
When I get close enough I pause but understand instantly, my only concern switching to what Hashal will be able to figure out about us now that I'm actually approaching another of my kind right near where there's probably going to be a lot of death soon. I can tell that as soon as the other one sees me they calm as well since they turn back towards facing the town instead of me. I head immediately towards meeting up with this other member of my own kind, who nods their head at me when I get close. The thought of spreading out doesn't even cross my mind, so engrossed by a strange notion of safety in numbers.
"I'm called MigeYeFoxe," I comment, bowing slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"ReiMoAsteir," the other one comments back, not bothering to turn to face me but instead facing the town.
When I sit down next to Rei I turn to look at the town and instantly understand.
"Oh," I comment, not really deliberately speaking out.
"Yeah," Rei responds.
"So how many do you think?"
"All of them I'd imagine."
"What's going on?" Hashal asks. "Why aren't we heading into town?"
"He one of yours?" Rei asks, inclining a head towards Hashal.
"Oddly, no."
"And yet you brought him here?"
"Well I have an arrangement with him and couldn't think of any way to get out of it. I need him to take me to the next town so that I can try to find some of mine. What was I supposed to say?"
"Well I told mine that I had important business that I needed to see to in this town and that they should wait up for me about a half day's journey to the south. But I suppose so long as he is no threat to me and gives the proper respect for the event he can stay."
"What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing, we're going to stay here tonight," I comment.
"What? Why aren't we going into town?"
"Because it isn't safe for us down there. If we were down there we would likely die like the rest of them," Rei replies flatly.
"How would you-- wait, don't tell me that you. You're Draaknei?" he exclaims staggering quite a bit at the realization.
"If you call me that again I will kill you," Rei growls, standing up and facing him for the first time; causing Hashal to recoil a few steps. "How would you like it if we called you all by the name of the first one of us that killed you human?"
"Um," Hashal recoils further, having expected for Rei to be more defensive rather than threatening to kill him over their species name. "But that's what every record of you calls you."
"Do I look like I fucking care? Just try calling me that again, I dare you. You aren't one of either of ours so I don't care the slightest bit if you die here with all of them."
"What do you mean by one of yours?" Hashal asks, confused at the statement and trying to not anger the Rei even more.
"That's why we leave our homes. We know when we have a year left to live and to stop our deaths we have to try and find as many of the ones that will play a vital role on if we live or die as possible. Preferably getting only those that will keep us alive. If we get enough then they should be able to prevent our death," I inform, letting the exact nature of what I'm searching for be known since he already knows what we are.
"And since you aren't either of ours you have no impact on whether or not either of us live or die," Rei adds.
"Then why are you two here specifically? Obviously there isn't going to be anyone you can claim down there if they're going to die. Are you here just to revel in their deaths?"
"We came to observe their deaths, yes," I comment.
"At this rate it might just be better to kill him," Rei remarks, slightly annoyed at the accusation.
"Nah, that wouldn't be necessary. If need be I can just knock him out until after morning. I still need him to take me to the next town after all."
"Knock him out? You mean you know a spell that can do that easily?" Rei asks while turning towards me as their ears perk up.
"Unfortunately no, but my Anaelin is really good at knocking people out without injuring them."
"How neat," Rei replies, "My Oosk can only turn water to ice."
"If you're trying to stop your own deaths and all these people are going to die shouldn't it be your duty to try and save these people or at least warn them? What if some of yours are down there?"
"Wouldn't help in this instance," Rei retorts. "Are you going to keep arguing at us all night?"
"Well then I don't care about you two but I'm going to warn them. I at least have the decency to do that."
"Hashal stop," I order, standing up and taking a few steps towards him. "I can't allow you to do that. I will knock you out if need be but I cannot allow you to warn them. Not this time."
Hashal stares at me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to disobey me anyway but gives his answer as he gives a pouting hmph and sits down, making his discontent very well known. Satisfied for the moment I go to sit next to Rei again.
"So how much do you know of the Raance Neuh spell?" Rei asks once I'm sitting again.