Misha the Beast Tamer.

The meeting approached, It was the last class of the day. I was a bundle of nerves as I made my way to the prison. As organised, a guard was waiting for me at the gate. He greeted me with a slight bow and in a gruff, heavily accented voice he said,

“Afternoon, Princess. My name is Wesco. I will take you straight to him. Follow me, please.”

I followed closely behind him. Even though the halls were empty and there were no prisoners in sight, the prison reeked of fear, suffering, and helplessness.

There was also something else that made my body shudder, it hung around us like a black cloud. It was evil, suffocating, and empty. I don’t know if it was an otherworldly presence or that the prison had held so much evil things in its history that it has become tainted by them. I don’t remember feeling this way the last time I had visited the prison, something had changed and not for the better.

These feelings did not help my nerves, whatsoever.

I was led to Emrick’s cell, he was shackled and staring at the floor as he usually was. Before I opened my mouth, Emrick cut in.

“So, you’ve come to help me Princess?” He whispered

“Yes.” I replied.

There was a pause, before he continued.

“But there is a catch. I must look at you before you will give me that piece of paper hiding in your dress. You want to look into my eyes and see if what I tell you about no longer needing blood is the truth.”

“Yes.” I replied again.

Emrick sighed.

“I will try my best Princess, but your virgin blood is mouthwatering. Just a warning princess, I might not be able to control my inner predator and he will show his true face. You’ve been warned.”

I started to think, was his true face ugly or frightening and that’s why he was ashamed of it. My question was answered yet again by Emrick.

“Actually, it’s the opposite Princess. My true face is alluring, you’ll be instantly drawn to it and you’ll find yourself willing to do anything to keep it exposed. That’s why I am a perfect predator. Your Highness. But if it means I will finally get out of here. I will look you in the eye and tell you that all i’ve said is the truth.”

He took in a deep breath and looked straight at me.

“I promise you Princess, that all i’ve told you about Ronin, and myself has been the truth. I no longer require human blood to survive, but my body does not forget its cravings so easily. So it reacts just as it would when I still required blood to survive. This happens mostly when I get a scent of virgin blood.”

I looked deeply into his golden eyes and took in his handsome features. The only thing that was any bit of a resemblance to a beast was his wet lips and the drips of venom or drool forming at the corner of his mouth.

My face burnt as I ripped my eyes away from his and handed him the paper and charcol pencil. Our hands touched for a second and it was like his hand had spread his icyness to mine or had drained the warmth from them.

I continued looking down as I heard scratching of pencil to paper. There was a clank of shackles, a rustle of paper as the letter was handed back to me.

" I hate having to communicate with Ronin by human means. If it wasn’t for these silver shackles, thick walls, magic spells and charms that are used as a barrier to keep us in and no chance of communication getting out, I would’ve commanded Ronin to help me.

As creator’s we can do this to our creations and they have no choice but to obey. Anyway, Back on topic, send this to the healer Arioch Green of Newcara, he will see that Ronin gets this.

Also, the change of atmosphere in the prison, has not gone unnoticed by us, the prisoner’s.

However, human’s don’t seem to sense or notice it, only us beasts.

It seems, that so far you’re the only human who has noticed. I suggest you look into that, Princess, you could be a beast or even a human beast hybrid. You could be the first ever, beast “Beast tamer” or human-beast hybrid “beast tamer.” The first of your kind.....Interesting.

You should go Princess, Im finding it hard to control my inner beast. Thank -you, I Hope to see you soon Princess. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed, farewell.”

I left as Emrick had requested. I held the hastily written note close as I walked straight out of the prison like nothing was amiss. I managed to send the letter away without any problems. I just hoped that Arioch would do as Emrick requested.

It was only a few more days until the end of the first term at the academy. In a matter of days I would see Stefan again. My heart nearly burst from my chest in pure happiness. I didn’t know how much I missed my family until now.

As I reveled in excitement, my mind wandered back to Emrick at the prison. I wondered If he was doing okay. I wish I could see him one more time, just to check on him. I crossed my finger’s in hope that Arioch did forward the letter to Ronin and that Ronin will sweep in and break Emrick free from his silver shackles and they can be together once again. I hoped that Emrick mentioned that spells and charms were used as well as physical barriers to keep prisoners in and other’s out.

I woke up exhausted on the morning that Stefan was due to arrive. I was so excited to see Stefan that I hardly slept the previous night. The academy was at least still half full of students. Aqila remained at the academy too, she had no-one scheduled to visit. I felt sad for her. Aqila never talked of her family, I never questioned her about them either. I felt we weren’t close enough for me to ask such direct and personal questions.

I rushed through breakfast, Stefan was due to arrive mid morning which was two long hours away. I couldn’t sit still, I walked around the academy grounds. I walked through the library and explored the halls of the academy that I had not yet used and probably would never get the chance.

When it was too much for me to handle I made my way to the grand entrance, there was already a group of people, like me, waiting excitedly for their families. Every carriage that clattered its way along the road, we all raised our hands to our faces to shield our eyes from the sun and stood on our tip toes to see if the carriage belonged to our visitor’s.

The crowd gradually thinned out as their families arrived. Excited yells, cuddles and kisses surrounded me. As the crowd thinned even more. My excitement changed to anxiety, disappointment, and fear. Soon there was only me left. I felt sick as I sat on the top step leading to the entrance to the academy. What if something happened to Stefan? What if he forgot about me? What if something happened to my father, Zac, David, or even my Mother and Stefan was delayed because of it?

I remained on the step, chewing my nails, tapping my feet, fiddling with my hands, scratching and picking at my skin. It was two hours after Stefan was supposed to arrive. It was lunch time now and my stomach rumbled. I stood from the step, defeated and heartbroken. Stefan had forgotten me.

As I reached for the door knob, there was a faint rumble of hooves and the clatter of wheels in the distance. My heart skipped a beat, could it be? The clattering and rumbling got louder and closer. I waited, excitement built up inside once again. The carriage and horses came into view, I couldn’t recognise the horses or the carriage as they were a blurry dot surrounded by dust. But as it got closer, the style of carriage matched the carriages my father owned. I caught a glimpse of the side and there it was, my father’s royal crest. I raced over to where I’d expect them to stop. My cheeks hurt from the smile that adorned my face. Before the carriage had stopped completely, I opened the door, Stefan was still sitting down as I threw my arms around him.

“You made it, Stefan! You made it.” I squealed barely able to contain the happiness and excitement rushing through my body.

“Yes, Misha of course I made it. Why would I let my only daughter down? Oh, how Ive missed you.” Stefan whispered as his arms tightened around me.

“I’m so happy to see you. I have a bag full of gifts, from your Dad, Brother, Mum, Zac and myself. I can’t wait to give them to you.” He continued.

The driver took the horse’s and carriage to the stable with some of Stefan’s belongings. We had to report to the headmaster, so that he could give Stefan a room to sleep in for the four days he was staying as a guest at the academy.

I led Stefan to the area where his room was located. We chatted the entire time. The driver brought the remainder of Stefan’s belongings to his room.

It was a small room, there was one bed, a rickety old wardrobe, a tired scratched old vanity and a chipped chamber pot discreetly hidden under his bed. The bed groaned under our weight as we sat on it. We talked for what seemed like hours. Stefan was excited to meet my teacher’s that had chosen to stay. They were mostly those whose family lived too far away, or those that had no immediate family and lived on the academy grounds permanently. During the holiday’s they would sit in their classroom and meet with parent’s and guardian’s who were interested in their child’s progress. It was only for a couple of hours in the afternoon and only from Monday to Friday and not everyday. I knew that Erik was holding meetings that day, so I encouraged Stefan to go and see him. Stefan eagerly agreed.

We waited outside the classroom as Erik was talking with someone. When the door creaked open and that person walked out, we went in.

Erik seemed happy to see me, Stefan enthusiastically introduced himself and they started to chat. They got along instantly, It almost felt as If my presence had been forgotten. Erik told Stefan how well I was doing and if I continued to perform this well, I’d make an excellent tracker and would become a successful beast tamer.

After we left, Stefan gave me a big hug and a kiss on the forehead.

“I’m so proud of you Misha, you’re flourishing here. I believe you’ve made the right choice. Your Dad is going to be so proud of you. On another note, Erik is quite a handsome man don’t you think?” He gushed.

My face warmed,

“Yeah....he is.” In a desperate attempt to change the subject I asked him,

“We have time to meet another teacher, would you like to go and meet her? Then after that, I’ll introduce you to Aqila”

Stefan rested his hand on my shoulder,

" Yes, why not? Lead the way.” He answered in an enthusiastic voice that trilled around us.

The second meeting went as well as the first. I received the same positive feedback and encouragement. Stefan’s face beamed with Pride and happiness. I was happy to see him that way, I hoped my Father would be as proud of me as Stefan was when he was told of my success in my classes so far.