Legends of Belariath
Mozenwrathe
Way of Will - Babysitting Furry Monsters
Looking around her, she could not believe her eyes. Before that, she could not believe her ears. As it was, she could not believe her luck. Disbelief was quickly becoming her word of the day. Beneath the woman's gaze, there were seven bundles of fur moving at high speeds throughout the room. If one's eye was not focused, one would think they were a random gathering of different coloured wolf cubs in human clothing.
They were not. They were wolven. Little wolven pups. This could not be right.
Somehow, her employer must have given her the wrong assignment. Here she was, a woman of integrity and talent, babysitting like some housemaid? Certainly there had been a mistake, some kind of error. Her partner for the day, however, informed her otherwise. And she made to do it in no uncertain terminology for her taller companion to wheedle her way out of it.
”Reyjka,” began Zuleika, a rather adorable and sprightly half-dwarf (the other half, actually, being wild elf), “you do remember the deal with the Liege. We do this, we get a bonus for every hour we spend watching over the little weaveshredders. Seven children, watched over and protected for the duration of the sunlight, until their parents come back to the merchant hall for them. He chose us because next to that bitterbutt Tophet, we he trusts with more sensitive jobs like this. That, and no-one has SEEN Tophet in days, so he couldn't get him in. Besides, they are all weaned, so the worse they can do is bite us. And I know your teeth are sharper than theirs...”
Reyjka turned upon her partner with a scowl upon her darkly beautiful face. Tapping her thigh with a longknife stained with blue oils at forging, she breathed in deeply, exhaling with a sigh of frustration so tragic it almost made Zuleika giggle. Almost, except for the fact Reyjka's sheer impressiveness would awe anyone out of idle mirth. Reyjka was Reyjka Tintoreda of House Tintoreda, a woman whose measurements would remind goddesses of any insecurities they may have had. Her legs were longer than most men's were, as she did clear seven feet easily without heeled boots. Skin reminiscent of ink coated her lovely form, and hair which cascaded down her back always had four braids within, a remnant of her past. For not only was Reyjka lethally voluptuous, she was straight up lethal.
Reyjka was a dark elf.
No, she reminded herself at this point, Reyjka was a dark elf - babysitting. That galled her immensely, no matter what benefits and special incentives her employer had given her and her comrade. To be trapped observing whelps scurry around like the mischievous things they were was as far beneath her as they children themselves. Why, she mused to herself while maintaining the scowl on her visage, would her employer believe a trained bodyguard and a cleric would be needed to watch over a furry playpen? Her employer had been very adamant they take this particular assignment, going so far as to offer extra incentives over their normal contracts - not a common sight indeed.
She found out exact thirty-one seconds after finishing the thought. She knew that, for she had originally intended to count off the hours incrementally in order to spend the time faster. Reyjka had faced wolven in combat before, and was never surprised at their speed and strength. From their bodies, one could see the leg muscles bulging, their arms rippling with power. She had not counted on that strength and speed starting at five winters...
”Reyjka, watch out!” screamed Zuleika in complete amazement. “Dakarii is getting loose!”
”Dakarii” was the smallest of the seven, as Reyjka was soon to discover. Dakarii was a tawny brown colour, mottled with small splotches of grey and witch hazel. Dakarii just happened to be proficient in the ancient science of “outrun your parents” as well, providing Zuleika with a full seventeen minutes of amusement as she watched Reyjka hunt Dakarii's minuscule self throughout the anteroom of the merchant hall. The pup was creative, Zuleika granted him that. Throughout the entire chase, he use manoeuvers that if she saw a fully grown adult wolven used, fainting dead away in shock would have been appropriate. He lunged over chairs, tumbled with perfect rolls under tables, even one time running behind and between some of the normal merchant hall servants. Reyjka was determined, however, to catch this upstart cub without any damage to the merchant hall itself, even if it meant using weaponry... or subterfuge. With sudden inspiration, Reyjka made a mad dash towards him, running with her legs apparently wide enough for Dakarii to dive through. The little wolven should have known it was a trick, as his beautiful attempt to run through her long legs ended with his capture and subsequent being carried back by the scruff of his neck.
Zuleika was tempted to applaud Reyjka's efforts, but she knew far better. One should see it in the dark elf's body language. Reyjka had not broken a sweat with the stalking of the pup, but her temper was close to peaking - and they had not even gotten past the first half-hour yet. Reyjka looked up at the ceiling, silently cursing Tophet for his unscheduled absence. This, without a doubt, was going to be a long day.
The pups, after having seeing the giant dark elf in action, came to one mind about what they thought of her: she moves, therefore she may give us all piggyback rides. The eldest there, a girl known by Priyal, was more jackal-like than wolven. Easily understood, for the tribe of her parent's ancestry came from closer to the Great Desert of Lejzon. They had adapted to the harsh weather in their own way, but none could mistake them for any other race. Priyal, a very spoiled little wolven, was also used to getting her own way at home or abroad. She had no idea what she was up against when she demanded her rightful piggyback ride from Reyjka.
”No.”
One word, one motion, and one calm dismissal all in the solitary action. Reyjka had long mastered that - over twenty decades of dealing with males from at least five different races had long made her immune to people requesting things of her she did not feel like granting. In the House where she belonged, men and children could be dismissed with the same disdain. She had successfully used the same attitude with the majority of the males she had faced when reaching the surface, mainly from the reputation of the drow and her titanesque physique. Only Tophet and her employer got the “softer” side of her regularly, but she looked upon Tophet like a younger brother in any case. And even he would never be so stupid as this girl pup had been.
”No? NO? -NO?!?-“ Priyal was known by the other pups to be high strung, and capable of going from normal to tantrum within seconds. The twin wolven cubs, Castryl and Pyllox, began to shy away from where Reyjka and Priyal were, the little black and silver boys hiding behind Zuleika's shapely legs as defense. They wanted none of this, to be sure. Every time Priyal -got- her way, the other cubs tended to get the end of the stick for it. In other words, nothing good could possibly come of this for them.
Priyal went into a raging fury, leaping at Reyjka to try to bite her with milky white teeth. None had ever DARED tell her she could not have something, and she was not going to stand for it. Not from any guardian, not from an elf, and certainly not from something no better than a chew toy. Her sharp baby claws were all ready to rend a hole in Reyjka's pant leg, cutting a hole for which she could actually do some damage. Priyal's snarl was impressive - if were a squirrel or some tiny herbivore. Zuleika knew where this was going, and she was almost tempted to stop her comrade, but sometimes children have to learn whom not to mess with.
That day, that would be Reyjka, for she was having none of this nonsense. Without flinching, the unyielding dark elf's hand snatched Priyal out of the air and hung her upside down in front of the other cubs. Then, five sharp and successive strikes connected with Priyal's tender butt. Her first spanking in her life, and from someone whom knew how durable the average wolven was, so they were nothing close to soft. Placing her on the ground without pomp and ceremony, Reyjka loomed over her like a monolith, her arms corded with feminine fierceness at her side, one legs standing in arrogant poise in front of the other. She at that moment would have made a great public representative for “today's modern drow,” but her stare was solely for Priyal. Priyal was completely stunned, for none had ever spanked her before. None dared, for her parents were influential wolven indeed. So she did as many other spoiled brats do when denied her rightful revenge on their “oppressors:” she cried.
And cry she did, for a good half-hour. The other cubs could not make heads or tales of it. Dakarii had been spanked many times before, so he was an old hand at recovering from them. Then again, he had no inclination to go over and face Reyjka again, and he never did like Priyal to begin with. The twin wolven cubs were quite fine behind Zuleika, for the half-dwarf was very soft and warm and pleasant to hang on to. As well, they had not done anything and were not eager to earn themselves a spanking from the mean-looking and very intimidating dark elven warrior. They knew whom the “good babysitter” and the “bad babysitter” were, and they were happy exactly where they were.
Still, the rest of the wolven cubs circled around Reyjka and Zuleika in a wide circle, trying to made heads or tails of the pair. The three other wolven cubs were girls. Gryth-Mai - of the sable-colouring, with the raccoon eyes - was also the tallest of the wolven cubs. Wulquija - the lightest of the cubs, being more from the colder climes - had “kitten's curse” (better known to most races as curiosity). Odiznuay was the middle cub in just about every way, except for her behaviour. Out of the lot, she was most moderate and the shyest. All of them had been previous playmates with Priyal, and did not like seeing her spanked. This was not out of any sort of loyalty, but if SHE got spanked, then what was in store for them?
They decided not to wait around to find out, and made a mad dash for the antechamber of the merchant hall. Their flight was far more erratic and less acrobatic than Dakarii's, but far more... damaging. Crashing into tables and chairs, they knocked over pitchers of glass and vases of ceramic alike. The three girls, especially Gryth-Mai were in full fox flight, not even looking where they were going. Servants screamed in horror, raving about how many Mends they were going to have to cast because of a pack of chaosbringers. Reyjka, snarling at the other cubs to “remain put or else,” chased after the three girls. This new hunt was aided by the servants using their bodies (and angry gestures, but never harsh words in front of the cubs - they knew better) to direct the three little cubs into a corner. Without another word, Reyjka scooped them all up in her arms with one sweep, whispering to their tiny ears if they made another move they were all getting sent to bed EARLY after a proper scrubbing and tongue lashing. Plopping them back down in the room, Reyjka slammed the door shut and scowled at them all.
Reyjka turned her chartreuse-coloured eyes to Zuleika. Zuleika, knowing what this meant, shrugged and sighed. Apparently she, being the nicer of the two, was going to have to set the rules for behaviour for the children. Reyjka, because of her traditional upbringing, had no clue as to how surface races would let their whelps behave, so Zuleika would have to set the tone for the rest of the day. That, or Reyjka might be handing out spankings until even her arms began to ache with overuse, her hand throbbing with calluses. Zuleika turned to the cubs as one, tapping the twin boys on the shoulder to go to a predetermined point in the room. Priyal was the last to make it there, still holding her sore bottom, her tail no longer wagging.
Zuleika knew she had to make this count, for even as she thought out her words, she could hear the sounds of servants casting Clean and Mend incantations, brooms and trays used to remove some of the finer particles. The trio of cubs had laid waste to a main room like a group of drunken centaurs holding a bucking contest, but without the stale smell of sweat after it. If she did not get through to them the first time, it could be another mess after this much larger she and Reyjka would have to fix up themselves. And Zuleika was not having any of that...
”Okay, children, listen to me well. As you all know, Reyjka and I here have been assigned to keep you all safe and sound until your parents return. Your mothers and fathers would be Very Upset if you were bad little cubs all day, acting just like little catgirls. So if you be good little wolven, you'll be in for treats and games all day. If you are not, however, we'll scold you like the kittens you want to be, and feed you milk from a bowl.”
Now this jibe worked, for as everyone knows a wolven HATES to be even intimated to be like one of the feline races, especially their women. (Of course, very few had ever faced the Lily Jade Walkers in combat, or they would be singing a different song entirely - if their throats were not torn from their bodies.) From the youngest to the oldest. the wolven cubs all sobered up quick, a gleam of fury and puppy's courage in their eyes, determined to prove they were better than “any dumb cat.” Zuleika smiled down at the group of seven, certain now Reyjka would not go off the deep end trying to watch them. Reyjka caught the smile from her friend yet did not return it, for she remembered quite well there were more hours left in the day.
About an hour later, the cubs were fully acquainted with what they could and could not get away with. Dakarii had made another mad dash for freedom, as it seemed it was in his nature. Reyjka volunteered t o catch him this time, using some rope and trickery to tie his legs together within the first five minutes of his run. The lasso was then used to pull the boy off his feet as he was strolled back to the “play area” like a smoked ham. Reyjka's self-satisfied smirk was picturesque, for Zuleika could remember her doing that to a particularly annoying orc one night at the merchant hall. One of the girls, Wulquija, finally got up the courage to walk over to Reyjka. Actually, it was not courage that gave her strength, it was something more primal, more basic than any emotion.
”Reyjka, Miss? I needs to goes to the outsides. I needs to goes badly.”
Ah yes, the first bathroom break had been requested. Zuleika stayed silent, as she felt her erstwhile companion could learn about how to handle this situation from experience. Besides, thought Zuleika, if someone has to do it, why not the drow with legs longer than halflings? Keeping her thoughts to herself, she idly picked up Dakarii and walked with him to one of the windows, showing him the fields outside. Still, her dwarven sense of disturbance, meshed with the hearing of the wild elves keep her in contact with the rest of the cubs. Always a good thing, in case they decided to go wandering.
”Outside?” The statuesque woman was a little surprised at that. “We have a room here you may do your business in. Come with me... cub... and I will show you where. Of course, on the way there, you may feel free to fill me in on the names of your miniature packmates, okay? As I do not know whom any of you are, it would make me feel better than calling you all `patchy cub' or `playful cub' all the time.”
”Well,” said the adorable Wulquija, a smile broader than any human child could ever muster, “MY name is Wulquija, and my mommy says it means `conquering by cuteness!' And my mommy is so smart and tall and brave and...”
Zuleika chuckled to herself hearing Wulquija ranting about how perfect her mother was all the way down the hall to the indoor facilities. Reyjka had just made a new friend, whether she wanted one or not. Oh, when Tophet finally made it back, he was going to have a field day with this knowledge - if he payed her enough for it. After all, a girl had to make a profit in order to live life to the fullest, right? And it was not like he did not earn enough to feed an army to begin with.
When they returned, Zuleika noticed two changes - one in Reyjka, the other in Wulquija. Okay, make that two changes in Reyjka, for she was not only smiling - the first for her day - but she was carrying Wulquija on her shoulders as well, giving the little wolven a taste of how tall she might be when she was fully grown. Wulquija had changed as well, for before was she spouting off about how great her mother was, now she was coating Reyjka's ears with the supreme prowess of her grandmother in battle, with a few mentions about her father's talent for armor working and other metallurgical aspects, but never about him in battle. Odd to be sure, but some wolven were known not to fight by choice, or due to infirm body or mind. She gleamed from this constant torrent of information it was her father's choice not to engage in battle, most likely to give his girl a surviving parent if her mother passed away. A hard one for any male to do, especially in the wolven race.
Putting Dakarii down finally, Zuleika sauntered over to Reyjka, whom had set Wuquija back with her friends to play with some of the toys they had been left by their parents. Motioning to the kitchen, Zuleika tugged her much taller friend towards it, intending on getting the cubs something to eat early. Reyjka, rolling her eyes at the insistence, just went along with her half-dwarven ally, in no hurry at all. While in the kitchen, they both kept an ear out for any signs of danger.. or dead silence. The kitchen staff would have shooed them out, but as they knew Reyjka would simply drop the cubs in here and let THEM deal with the aftermath, they merely worked alongside the dark elf and the half-dwarf in sync, wanting them out of The Cook's Domain as quickly as possible.
Returning with a platter filled with meats and breads, with a bowl of vegetables for Reyjka and Zuleika themselves to enjoy with a fresh dip of onions, sour cream, and many wonderful and zesty spices. The cubs gorged themselves on the meats and breads, until their little stomachs were close to bursting. Only timid Odiznuay did not rush to the food, instead waiting for the others to finish before picking at the scraps. A more pitiful sight could one not have seen, as apparently the little cub was used to scrounging after the leavings because of her shyness. Reyjka, to the utter astonishment of Zuleika, had foreseen such and event, pulling out from the bottom of the rather large bowl a few solid slices of beef and hams, handing them to Odiznuay surreptitiously, tossing the cub a friendly smile with it. The tears of thankfulness welled in the cub's eyes, and after she finished she licked Reyjka's fingers clean, then curled up in her lap and went to sleep.
Not a word from Zuleika, just a solemn nod, pointing out the rest of the cubs had already gone to sleep as well. Then again, as the previously bratty Priyal had humbly chosen Zuleika's lap to sleep on, and the cubs were huddled with each other again either on Zulieka's legs or Reyjka's, there was not really much to say. Talking softly, the pair went over how best to ask their employer for a raise, for there was never a babysitting clause in their contracts. And they were very sure they had earned one from all the hard work thus far. Smiling to themselves, they began some small calculations on how best to spend this new money - if they managed to squeeze it out of their employer, that is.
When the cubs awoke, they all wanted to do two things: go to the “outsides” and then go outside and play. Reyjka took one cub after the other to the facilities, making sure they all washed up in a basin afterward. The rest of the beautiful autumn day was spent outside around the merchant hall. Racing around it, Zuleika learned her body could reach new speeds when trying to catch up with little furry monsters whom were giggling maniacally around her. Reyjka for her part had strapped on her weapons before exiting the hall, as none were going to lay finger upon her friend or her charges without her say so and keep that hand. She might not have maternal instincts, but she had enough to feel responsibility towards those whom placed innocent faith in her. Of course, slaying a foe might be difficult with a young wolven sitting on your shoulders singing at the top of his little lungs, but at least Pyllox could stay in tune - for a wolven of six summers. It made her smile a little, thinking once Tophet was also this young, wondering what he would have turned out like if it was not for -
There. In the distance. She could hear their baleful howls from at least a quarter-league away. The children all perked their ears at the noise, yipping happily. Their parents were coming back from their hunt, and with that tone in their howl it must have been successful. This meant only one thing: lots of meat tonight for everyone. Rushing inside, they went to get themselves cleaned up, splashing cold water all over the place in their haste. By the time they were cleaned and dried, the adult wolven were at the door, asking about them.
”Were they any trouble at all? I know we have all raised gorgeous little monsters...”
”Oh no,” said Reyjka, with a soft smile on her face. “No trouble whatsoever.”