*Kudiya* ‘Merna has already left!’ My father’s voice echoed in my head. I was stuck chasing after the red-headed mutt, what did I do to deserve this task? Nothing! I stormed around my domain gathering what I would need as I slammed it into my bag. We are at the break of battle and I am FOLLOWING a mutt. An impure manipulative little human born. Dath was waiting for me outside of my chamber door, “Let’s go father has already told me that the rabbit has already left.” Dath was one of the best trackers, assassin and hunter. If Ashur is not available, Dath is the only one that I would trust to cover my back. When I was a wee lad, it was Dath who had been Ashur and my trainer. Bugbear by species … one hell of a fighter! ‘The assignment is simple, the rabbit is not to see that we are following. Only if it looks like the rabbit is in trouble do we come out of hiding.’ I informed Dath of our assignment. ‘Your father already informed me of what I needed to know!’ Dath glanced over at me while we left for the location we needed to portal out of here. ‘This assignment does not sound all that hard. Where is the rabbit?’ I huffed out loudly, ‘Somewhere in the universe!’ Dath tilted his head, ‘that's a joke right?’ ‘I wish I were!’ If looks could kill, several hunters who glanced our way would have been dead. We took a portal to Pinapancam’s domain first, father mentioned that Merna would go there first. If anyone could tell us what direction to go first it would be the little rabbit's dear creator. Stepping out of the portal Pinapancam was waiting for us as if she already knew to expect us. “Kudiya what brings you here?” She said with a smile. “Father sent us to follow the rabbit to make sure she stays out of trouble. She has no idea how dangerous these realms can be.” I used my father's words to explain what I was doing here. Pinapancam glanced at Dath and then at me, “At least your father is thinking of Merna’s safety. But you are too late, Merna left a while ago. She had a few places she was going to check out, that I know!” Pinapancam kept her smile. Dath stepped forward, “Do you know where?” He did not smile nor was he harsh with his inquiry. Nodding her head once, “One of Chaos’s domain’s, try the void. There were a few spots that caught Merna’s attention.”Smiling, “Much appreciated!” Dath was being polite. Pinapancam shot her head in my direction, “Kudiya, before you go … if you harm my daughter … I will kill you before your father finds out what you have done!” Her smile had changed to malicious. “Merna is very important to me … you may hate her based on childish emotions … but she is worth more to me than you are!” Dath started to chuckle, understanding the paternal need to protect his young. After all, he had 30 offspring himself. I on the other hand had none! “That is why my Master sent me!” Dath gave us a toothy grin. “I understand the importance Merna is to him!” “As his consort?” Pirapancam spoke slowly. Dath had a wide smile on his face, “yes!” He said slowly, “as his consort!” I was getting mixed messages as I read Dath and Pirapancam’s body language. Bringing her hands together, she spoke “it took long enough, but I approve!” Motioning with her hands, “the portal is ready! Take care of my creation!” We were stepping towards the entrance of a portal heading to Father’s domain. ‘The rabbit is Pirapancam’s daughter?’ Dath linked me! ‘Yes father’s consort! Despicable thing … as far as I am concerned it should never have been created!’ Dath gave me a dirty glare, ‘Oh this assignment is getting better with every new piece that is revealed.’ I huffed, ‘There is not anything about it that is interesting!’ Snorting, “I have been around long enough to pick up on the slightest of unspoken information.” He glanced at me, “I thought I had taught you better, young one!” I did not further the conversation. I was tired of being compared to my brother. I already know that I will never meet up to my father's standards, but that does not mean I was not useless. I just needed the chance to prove that I was worthy just like Ashur. Instead, I was sent on a trail that was to follow my father's little pet. Stepping out of the portal, we landed on Father's land. Dath sniffed the surrounding atmosphere. Getting the slight hint of a female present. “She was here!” Sniffing again, “I would surmise that she stepped here only to make a new portal. She is making sure that she can’t be followed easily.” Dath started to chuckle, “what strong cubs she would have created if given the chance!” Leading me to the area where the little rabbit had opened a new portal. Dath sprinkled dust on the ground. Dath started to roar with laughter, “it has been a while since I have had a challenge, your father, has truly a gem in his possession.” “What is that to mean?” I glanced at the ground. “It means this child is very gifted! She can prevent others from following her. But she has never gone up against a Bugbear before …” Dath readied himself to combine his skills as a beast and fae. Sprinkling the dust again and uttering words in his mother's tongue a portal emerged. “I like our consort already!” A huge smile was on his face. “She will serve the people well!” Before the portal closed we strolled through. Stepping foot onto the next place. Crouching down, observing the location, “Do you know where we are?” I inquired. “Have my teachings gone amiss, boy?” He glared at me! ‘For an individual that is nothing Merna seems to be able to move around the realm with ease.’ Dath muttered in my mind. ‘If I am not mistaken, zeta terrain!’ Dath did as he had done before in my father's domain. ‘She repeated herself. This little pet of your fathers knows how to shake any predator off her trail.’ Dath got up and moved forward a bit, again repeating himself as before. ‘Our consort is the best I have seen yet!’ ‘Focus and lets get this over with. The sooner the better.’ I told myself as Dath was getting to work. ‘I only have to do this until her next blood moon!’ Indeed the little rabbit had found a prison, we found her at the entrance of the prison. The prisoner had been asking her for her name. It was obvious to me that she did not understand the language of the originals. It also appeared like the prisoner was going to grab her and do something that would cause her pain. Dath nudged me forward, not allowing the scene to progress. Not that the thought of her demise bothered me, explaining to my father why his pet was killed. That was not something that I wanted to tell him. Making my presence known, she gave me a nasty look and told me that she didn’t need anyone's help and that she worked alone.