Arranged Marriage

Kowalsk had always been a brave person, and few situations had left him as scared as he was now. The fear he felt was not just of being devoured by the beast with hatred in its eyes and powerful teeth. The greatest fear was leaving behind those he had met just recently but who had already captured his affection. Although, at times, those companions could be annoying, without them, his life would be less fun and very lonely.

So, he had to keep bluffing: — What do you want here, ugly beast? Was what happened here not enough for you? If we defeated your superiors, the small Dragons, who are not small at all, what do you think you can do to me? Do you really think you can win?

Kowalsk seemed not to be in his normal mental faculties. The dreikis just stared at him and, despite the growling, did not move an inch. Kowalsk was so tired that he was no longer sure what he was doing. But the beast's immobility in the face of his bravado gave the impression that it was working. — So, you ugly beast, what are you waiting for? An invitation from me?

Suddenly, Kowalsk heard a groan. It was Thilláila, who seemed to be slowly recovering from that battle. — Mr. Kowalsk, please stop provoking this dreikis. He understands almost everything you're saying and knows it's not good for him. He's only standing still because, in his animalistic mind, he's thinking of a painful way to reduce your body to a small piece of ground meat.

That was not encouraging. Kowalsk, however, seemed unconcerned, despite being terrified inside that these might be his last moments of life. — Thilláila, learn one thing: in war, you have to know how to read the enemy, and when you know exactly what he wants to do, you can turn the tide. — But, Mr. Kowalsk, neither I nor you are in a position to fight this dreikis. So why do you keep provoking him, even after what I told you? — Thilláila, I hope you can give me a good answer to what I'm about to ask you.

Meanwhile, the furious dreikis seemed ready to jump at Kowalsk's neck. — What percentage of your mental power can you use on this creature now? — I'm sorry, Mr. Kowalsk, but as an attack, only one percent, which is not enough to even make him blink hard. — All right, Thilláila. I don't need him to close his eyes, but just to remember the deal made between us and his race. Can you do that? — Yes, Mr. Kowalsk, I believe so. But I need you to irritate him a bit more to break his mental defense. — Are you sure about this, Thilláila? — asked the old soldier, a little more apprehensive. — It's the only way to make him remember the deal. If he doesn't remember, I'll need to review that information mentally, but the choice is yours, sir. — So, you furball, have you decided how you want your dish, or are you waiting for the menu?

Thilláila knew Kowalsk had to irritate that dreikis, but he was exaggerating. The beast, blinded by fury and the old soldier's provocations, lunged, ready to jump at his neck. Kowalsk, however, didn't take his eyes off his adversary for a second. It was when Thilláila's power came into action. In an instant, she broke the beast's mental barrier, advanced into its thoughts, and regressed its memory. The beast didn't remember the deal, and being out of control from Kowalsk's provocations, Thilláila attacked. Kowalsk's mind was also sensitive because Thilláila had invaded it a few minutes earlier, and when Thilláila mentally attacked the dreikis, the old soldier fell right in front of it.

The two stood facing each other. Kowalsk had long since passed the fear phase and now felt ashamed to be on all fours confronting his opponent's gaze. That was all the old soldier could do, as he didn't have the strength to move. Meanwhile, the beast advanced a bit more until it was a few inches from his face and, opening its enormous mouth, projected a sticky tongue that slobbered all over Kowalsk's face, knocking him down. And lying sprawled on the ground, being licked in the face without stopping, the old soldier, more relieved, said: — Tell me exactly what you did, Thilláila. — I performed a procedure that will make this beast never forget that it owes you total obedience. — And how did you do that? — I made its memory regress to the moment of the accepted deal. However, that memory didn't exist. I recreated a new memory and made it stick in a way that it can't attack you, betray you, or forget you. — Are you saying you just arranged a marriage between me and this beast?

Forgetting all the difficulties they had just gone through with their companions, Thilláila smiled as she replied: — It's almost that. — Ah, all right! But make it stop licking me.