Alone

My name is Alza of Flintwood. And I am no one.

I knew where I needed to go, to the Malatein rogues.

The problem was getting there. On horse, it would only be a four day ride. But on foot... that was a different story, I could attempt to use my Azurain Nature and change to any animal I wanted. Except, I would only be able to hold that form for more than two or three hours, before I would be completely exhausted. And with no weapons and being alone, that was dangerous. I wouldn't be able to even speed run, for that would be the same result.

Though if I choose to join the rogues, I would have to learn how to hold the change for longer. The thing about the rogues they have a deal with the King of Suden.

Protect the border and the kingdom and your allowed to stay. But no Azurain, unless they are a rogue, is allowed to see you in human form.

But I had no choice, it was join the rogues or spend the rest of my life running, trying not to die or worse become enslaved. And I wasn't about to let happen.

So there I was with about a week to make it to the rogues. I decided to use my Azurain Nature for an hour, rest, run for about an hour, use my nature for two hours, run for an an hour, and rest. Then repeat. At night I would only sleep for three hours. I had to outrun the Talusismen, and my only hope was that I was far enough ahead, before word got to them.

*********

"Who are the Talusismen?" I asked at dinner.

All nine guards, four severs, my father, and my siblings stopped what they were doing and tensed

up. It was like I had told them I was in love with a boy, and they were all waiting for father to explode.

It was my father who spoke first, he cleared his throat, he cleared out the severs and the guards. Then he asked "What do you want to know?"

"I overheard your conversation with General Orteza, about how they were coming here to speak with you."

"Father?? Why are they coming here?" asked James

Father put down his cup. "You did not overhear, you eased dropped. That I will deal with later. They are coming because they want information on a denied Azurain."

"From where?" asked Benji.

"From the Moonlet Kingdom, it's a small kingdom, who's king is quite controlling. For a nice way of putting it."

"They must have tracked the Azurain a long way, if she's from the Moonlet Kingdom" said my sister, Scarlett.

"Yes. Now. Cata, I believe you are old enough to know about the Talusismen" said father.

"You really think so father? She's so young and innocent!" Benji said with a worried look on his face.

"Yes. It's time. I should have told all of you much sooner now please no more interruptions."

"Yes. Father." We all said.

"Now these Talusismen. Are ruthless, murdering, enslaving machines. Animals. They hunt down denied Azurains. It's what they were born to do. They can sense when one of us have been denied, and they are some of the best hunters in the world. While we can tell them about denied Azurains, it tends to be that we don't, simply because no Azurains wishes a gruesome death or worse enslavement on another Azurain. The kingdoms, only for sometime, are safe haven, but the rogues are always safe."

"Wait. Father? I don't understand if we are immortal, how can we die? And why would enslavement be worse then a gruesome death?" I asked.

"Hmm very good questions. Well child, just because we are immortal doesn't mean we can't be killed, it's just so much harder. And never forget child, we are animals, we are not meant to be slaves. But you won't ever have to worry about the Talusismen, you will always be safe from them, they only hunt denied Azurains. Now let's eat!"

*****

I chuckled to myself oh how the King of Suden was wrong about that. I was only 3 days away from the Suden castle. But I suddenly stopped, I was being hunted, I could hear the rustling in the bushes. And the footsteps. I smelled the air, it was not a smell I knew. So that means they found me. Then I suddenly remembered I had no weapons. Oh well, I was trained for this, there was no need for panicking.

Within seconds they were upon me. There were at least five of them. Boy they underestimated me. Or at least I hoped they did, they were supposed to be the best hunters in the world.

Out from behind me a giant man with a heavy axe jumped out from behind the bush coming straight at me. I went right at the last second.

Lesson 1: Big guys can't turn fast

He turned around let out a yell and charged again.

I was ready for him, then I heard an arrow flying past me. And he fell. Ok... that's weird. I didn't have time to think because next thing I knew, I was slammed into the ground by another attacker. I yelped. When my head hit the nearest tree. I though I was a goner. But then a cloaked figure came out of know where and sliced his throat. He turned to me and threw me a sword.

"Let's finish this!" Two more arrows flew by killing another.

Who was this guy? And he's not alone, someone is firing those arrows. Where is he at, ughh no time we have two more.

I ran and pushed myself off the ground and up into the air a foot away from the second to last attacker slicing his throat. I pushed off of him as he fell and turned to where the last attacker was. But I only saw him fall, the strange man already killed him. As he turned I walked towards him, I put my sword to his neck.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"Relax, we mean no harm" said a voice behind me.

"We are like you, Azurains." said the man who threw me the sword. "And we are on our way to the Malatein rogues, like you."