Gael sat on railing of a wobbly porch, unafraid that it might break from his weight. He watched as the Ryders they brought along inspected the vicinity. Some of them were treating the injured red Drae a distance away from the porch. His eyes soon darted around the rotting wooden cottage, wondering why the boy they captured even lived here. He tightened his fur coat around him, as clouds of mist formed in the air every time he exhaled.
"Can't we go inside?" his companion said. Gael lifted his gaze toward him and gave the man a glassy-eyed stare that answered his question.
"I don't know about you but, I don't want to freeze my rear out here," the man said. He proved his point as he rubbed his gloved hand over his coat-covered arms, as if it would give him warmth. His face scrunched when he moved his injured shoulder as he did so.
"This is your own fault Kreis. You said you wanted to interrogate him," Gael said, as his gaze trailed to the young man that they tied on a chair on one corner of the porch. "I already told you that he isn't the one we are looking for, judging by the color of his eyes alone. Yet, you insisted in interrogating him."
"Just being thorough. The red drae we've been tracking is with him. He's also a skilled fighter like the thief you met at the academy. The thief could've altered his appearance or may be accomplices with this kid," Kreis said. "This kid is suspicious." Gael had to pause and stare at him.
"It is nice to see you have matured over the years. If this was in the past, you would be doing this just to be petty. You would've disliked this kid for being skilled enough to hurt you."
"Thank...," Kreis paused. "Wait a minute! I am not that petty!"
"So, you admit that you're still petty?"
"Gael Fenrin!"
Gael had to suppress his laughter. Kreis was starting to turn into a tomato. It would be best to stop before he ruined his friend's image in front of his subordinates. Reputation and image were useful for being a battalion commander for the Ryders.
"Being a commander for the Ryders definitely helped you."
"This job should've been yours. You're the one with the best leadership, fighting skills, and love for battle," Kreis grumbled.
"I love teaching more," Gael said. Besides, I wanted to be far away from Cetrulis Skyland as much as possible.
Before they could continue, their heads whipped towards the direction of their captive. Gael had just enough time to tilt his body and avoid the knife coming for his stomach. Kreis and his subordinates pounced on the young man, pinning him down in the wooden flooring.
"Drae's shit! Let me go!" the young man shouted from beneath the pile. "What did you do to the drae?!"
"How on earth did he get free from his ropes!" Kreis shouted. "Tie him up again."
There were shouts and grunts as two of Kreis subordinates placed the young man back on the chair and tied him up. Curses flew from the kid's mouth the entire time. The iciest light blue eyes he had ever seen glared at him.
He probably freed himself while Kreis and I were talking. He recognized that I'm the strongest and aimed his knife at me to take me down first. But he was so angry that his narrowed vision did not take note of the Ryders. If he had been calm, he would've put up more of a fight. If it was just me and Kreis here...
"Scary kid," Gael muttered. However, his lips were trying to stretch into a wide grin. He stopped himself though. It would be unbecoming of him. How can a grown man like him want to fight a kid? Even if said kid could probably fight well enough to stand his ground against him. He walked up to the young man, who was tied up once more.
"Calm down. Your drae is fine. He's being treated over there," he said, pointing a finger to the Ryders treating an unconscious drae.
"You injure him, then treat him?" the young man said. "What kind of sick bastards are you?"
Gael's face scrunched up, and his eyes narrowed into a glare directed at his companion. He saw Kreis squirm, before he huffed out an air of annoyance.
"All I said was, 'If I did?'" he said. "That doesn't necessarily mean I actually attacked that Drae. You just jumped to conclusions."
Gael turned back to look at Alec, only to find him staring at the Drae a few feet outside his porch. It was like he didn't even hear Kreis' explanation, as the flames of anger continued to burn in his eyes. Gael sighed, and ran a hand through his hair.
"We didn't hurt him, okay?" he said, causing the young man to turn his attention to him. "We found him like that, with a sword buried on his shoulder. When we were about to help, Kreis pulled me aside when he saw you approaching.
"He thought you were the person we were looking for, when you came to the Drae with a worried look in your eyes," he said.
"So, you're saying that somebody tried to kill him?" Alec said. One side of his lip tilted up as he grimaced. "Why would somebody even try to kill a wild Drae?"
Gael and Kreis met eyes, coming to an understanding. Gael reached for the green stone hanging from a chain around his neck. A moment later, the light green stone had darkened. Thoughts of the people around him started to enter his mind, but he filtered them all until the only mind left was the young man's.
"Wild drae? You're not a Draeyer?"
The kid hesitated for a moment before answering. "We're not Bonded. He stole some of my game two weeks ago. And for some reason, he decided to make himself at home. He hasn't left ever since."
'I hope he stays, though.'
Gael stopped himself from flinching at the inner thought. He hated intruding on people's minds, even if it was necessary.
"Did you see anyone in the forest? A man about your height. Green eyes."
"No. I'm the only human living in this area."
'Nobody dares to come here.'
"Have you left Gelun the last month?"
"No."
'Where would I even go?'
Gael immediately reached for the green stone and sealed away his power. He resisted the urge to sigh in relief. He did not like prying at all.
Still, he couldn't resist looking back at the kid. His icy blue eyes hid his loneliness so well that no one would easily notice. Gael released an inner groan. Resist the urge to give this kid a hug. You might get killed if you do.
"It's not him," he said to Kreis. "Let him go." The Ryders reached to untie the rope, but stopped.
"No need," the kid said. Once more, the ropes around his body fell to his lap. The ones on his wrist soon followed. The entire time, he had a nonchalant look in his face that left the others dumbfounded. What a scary child, he thought once more.
"I am Commander Kreis Hildegen. We apologize for our drastic measures," Kreis said. "We are looking for someone and are pressed for time."
"I am Gael Fenrin of Draeyer Academy. I apologize, too."
"Just leave," the young man, voice as cold as the climate. He then left the porch and ran towards where the injured red drae was. Kreis and Gael ignored his words and followed him towards the drae.
Once there, they watched as the young man fussed over the now awakened creature. The drae's large head had settled on the young man's lap and had let out a contented purr. Gael could see a small smile flitting to the young man's face. He decided to crouch down and pet the creature's neck.
"My name is Gael. What's yours?" he asked the creature.
The young man gave him a look. Gael did not need his sentiral power to know that the young man probably found him weird. He also took note of his hunched shoulders and the wariness in his eyes. The young man's body was slightly hunched protectively around the creature. His body was small compared to the drae though, so it only made him adorable to look at. Gael waited, smiling and patting the drae.
"He doesn't have a name yet," the young man answered after a while. "I'm still thinking of some. I want him to choose what he likes best."
"I see. Then what is your name?"
A pause. The drae nudge the young man, like it was asking him to speak. The young man sighed.
"Alec. My name is Alec Arden."
---------
I feel you Gael. I want to hug Alec too. Our baby is precious.
I wrote this on my phone so there are a lot of typos. Let me known if you pick up any.