586

Strangely, having a female acting as an anchor seemed to lead him astray beyond the Thistle Kingdom. But he knew which greater purpose he would like to serve now, and it gave a new sense of improved clarity; calming and thrilling all at once. How unique she made him feel, the flawed male, no longer a boy she should have been able to tie to her soundless will so easily. But the crippled pixie hadn’t demanded anything of him. She didn’t have to though, for he would remain content while guessing ways to lure a smile out of her. Her visual beauty had changed during long periods of cold and lack of nutrition, but it didn’t mean she was less beautiful to the blonde hybrid’s flawed eyes. It was but a shallow shell holding so much more, and harsh weather and scarce meals hadn’t stolen her spirit away from him, though it was plain to see that she was changed. But all he desired was a smile, and he would know a fuller version of what he had thought to be happiness.

His trip to Halifax had not been for naught, but it hadn’t proven to be as fruitful as he had wished it to be. But he supposed optimism had gotten the better of him, and didn’t waste time wishing the result had been more successful. There was nothing to do about it now, and another day, another day would be searched to find the treasures he so desired. On his trek back, he failed to follow the most direct route back to the Salsolan land. No pressing matters waited home, and as long as the light remained in the sky, he could survive with the thought of a pretty face for a little longer. The ache in his chest was lovely in its own way, and anticipation would only make the moment he longed for sweeter.

A lonesome silhouette was discovered against the setting sun, on top of a dune. It was easy to determine the gender by shape alone. It wasn’t in his nature to seek out such a figure, but a simple warning would do before he was on his way. It was not necessary to cross Salsolan lines to be in danger, here. Itachi knew not exactly how dangerous the Salsolans were considered, for he was one. But slaves were not pulled out of thin air, and there was no easier way to obtain free workforce than to steal careless wanderers away. The dishonoured Protégé’s failure had shown Sirius how easy it was to fail. Or, perhaps his misfortune had only served to prove his inability to follow orders flawlessly. Itachi’s intention had been to please his Salsolan master and come home from a successful trade in Freetown, but instead he had come short, and delivered a healthy slave, a crippled slave, and the tail of a dead slave. And he was the only one that could be blamed.

Halting a good amount of feet behind her, the young Lykoi let his voice interrupt the stillness. ”I advise you against lingering here for too long. The nearby pack do not appreciate strangers, and you are closer to the their lands than what is wise.”. Nimble fingers dug into the hidden pocked within his coat by his chest, and traced the precious few stones he had managed to harvest from the looted city of Halifax.