Titan's Secret

Seeing through the opening, he discovered he was in a large market. 'Finally'! He cogitated.

Slowly, he crawled out and walked amongst the people. His shirt was large covering his claws and the amulet around his neck was hidden in the large shirt. As he walked through the crowd, he had his head bowed this was the first time he would ever see so many people. And these people's mode of dressing was a lot different from the dressing style he knew.

He had never visited the market before; he only heard Leah's story about the great market with hundreds of people from different homes gather to buying and selling beautiful items, food, items of clothing, and various things one could think of.

He saw a shop where tofu, noodles, and chicken were sold. The food in this clan was different from that of his clan where grains were their major food but he didn't mind eating anything at this time. Having grown up in a caged life, he had no idea that he needed money to eat. He was used to getting food whenever he wanted; even though his father disliked him, he never lacked food because of Leah.

He walked in long strides to the shop and began to eat the noodles. The shop owner was unaware of what was going on at the entrance of the shop because he was busy at the other end making more food. He felt relaxed leaving all the food on the counter to cool because this clan was known for their honesty and anyone who was found stealing would be locked up in the palace dungeon. So naturally, he thought his food was safe.

Zagan ate to his full and felt full of life again. He rubbed his tummy with his covered hands in satisfaction. 'Ahh... This clan has a lot of delicious meals' he thought.

A lot of people selling and passers-by stared at him with puzzlement clear in their eyes and began to murmur.

"Why was he eating so quickly?"

"Who is he? I've never seen him before."

"His clothes are so dirty."

"He must be a beggar but last I checked our clan is very prosperous and we have no beggers so who is this boy."

"How's he even able to afford master Lee's food?"

He stood up and began to walk through the market, lost by the scenery then he heard someone shouting from behind "Thief!!!" a man with an apron hollered.

He turned to see who the thief was but couldn't find anyone. Then someone whispered something into the shop owner's ear and everyone's attention turned to Zagan.

Rage was clear in the shop owner's eyes as he walked in long strides towards Zagan.

"You...!" He caterwauled, pointing in Zagan's direction. Zagan instinctively turned his head to look at whom the shop owner was referring to but when he saw everyone's gaze that was full of disgust on him, he felt uncomfortable. He checked if his claws were revealing but they were properly covered. 'Then why are these people staring at me in the same way my father used to look at me.' He pondered.

"You... I'm talking to you. Why did you take the food I kept on the counter? You do know that thieves when caught in this clan are beaten up and sent to the dungeon where poisonous rodents live right?"

He looked around and saw everyone nodding in agreement. This was strange why would taking food be considered theft he wondered.

Seeing his confused expression with no response, master Lee's face turned red in anger.

"You... I'm talking to you. You must have a lot of money to have eaten so much but I'll tell you this; If you have no money, be prepared to get beaten up."

No word left Zagan's mouth he just stood rooted on the same spot. Master Lee almost puked blood due to anger. Suddenly someone amongst the crowd howled. "What are you all waiting for grab your sticks."

***

Back at the castle, the little Titan's condition worsened and now the king called for Maria. Standing outside the little Titan's room, the king inquired from Maria about the queen's location but Maria didn't seem to have any idea.

He couldn't just let Maria in; not with that thing inside the room. Noticing the stress on king Zhelang's face, Maria asked, "Your highness, Did something bad happen to Titan?"

The king had sweat beads all over his forehead. "He has a fever," he answered shortly.

"Then I must attend to him at once." She whimpered.

Before she could go in, the king locked the door, cleared his throat, and asserted. "Don't just stand there, get the queen."

Maria was disturbed but who was she to defile the king's words? She could only bow and leave in search of the queen.

On returning into the room, the dragon-like creature was gone. 'Where did it go' he wondered. He scanned the room to make sure the dragon was gone for sure and would not show up out of the blue again. When he was sure, he shrugged his shoulders, walked towards Titan's bed, and sat on the stool next to him. He looked at the little child lying on the bed lifeless and sighed.

All his efforts seemed to worsen Titan's fever so he could only wait for his wife. He adjusted the pillow and held the Titan's tiny hands in his big palm. Seeing his son's purple face, tears almost rolled down his eyes but he stayed strong.

"What's that sound." The king bleated.

The sound of something crawling in the walls was heard by the king. He took a sword and pointed it to the window and walked gently towards it. Just as he approached the window, he was taken aback when his wife jumped in.

"What are you doing? How....? You could have been hurt."

With a glare from the queen, he knew it was useless to talk so he just moved aside. When queen Mica saw her precious Titan in this state, she almost collapsed. She ran to his private lavatory, took a bowl of cold water and a clean towel but as she was about to use it on him, the king held her by her hands.

With a stern look, she chided, "What are you doing? Why are you stopping me?"

The king knew that she was still crossed with him for shutting her out. So he didn't say anything. He just shook his head and pointed to the bowl of water and towel which he used earlier.

Realizing that he had tried but it didn't work, she began to tug his robe apprehensively. "What do we do now? Do we call the imperial doctor?"

"If we do that, they'll find out little Titan's secret." he lethargically spoke. He was worn out.

Still tugging his robe, queen Mica cried out, "Then what do we do? We can't just watch Titan suffer like this. I don't care about this secrete anymore Zhelang. Please let's call the doctor. This is the only child we've got."

He complained, with strong uncertainty in his eyes "Are you listening to what you're saying? This secret is bigger than us both and if revealed, the entire clan would be thrown into chaos. Imagine what would happen to Titan."

"But it was your idea to keep it a secret." She retorted. Splendid! Now she was putting all the blame on him.

"My idea? Have you forgotten that it was both our idea? You can't just turn the tables around on me whenever things get tough."

In the heated moment of their argument, a knock came from the door.