~Burdon~

And it took four days to get to land; on a dragon it would've taken one day to get to land. When we finally got to actual land, we were all tired.
    "Why did you make us swim all the way here?" complained Malhaw and I, dragging ourselves onto the beach.
    "Because you two need the exercise, and we have to swim all the way here because we have no boats. The boats that are there are for the non-werewolves," explained Father, already on land and standing up. "Now, where we are going is where non-werewolves live, so don't say you are a werewolf. Except for the ones we have in hiding, we are the only werewolves on the main land. There are two hundred and fifty five werewolves in hiding." I saw Leahna swoop down next my father and say something to him. "Make that two hundred and fifty four; one just died."
    "Great. We are going where people kill werewolves. Yay, I'm so happy," said Malhaw sarcastically.
    "Okay, we have one hundred and forty five in the Empire. One hundred and nine in the Varden."
    "Why so many in the Empire and so few in the Varden?" I asked.
    "The Varden are a lot less than the Empire because we have spies to watch over them, not to spy on them. The Varden have someone that knows a, kinda, lot about werewolves-that's a another reason why we don't have so many people in the Varden as we do in the Empire. He's dangerous stay away from him."
    "I can take him," said Malhaw, confidently.
    "He's dangerous even to you, Malhaw. He knows what can kill us."
    "So... What do we do?" I asked.
    "We change our names. We are from Pak Island, not Alaëa Island. Your name is Aeri. Malhaw's name is Malo. Mine is Kar. Let's go, Aeri and Malo."

∞

We walk all to the Varden—from the beach to the swamplands, to the desert and the barren grounds. It's hot in the desert that I swear I'm going to die! It's even hotter now that we are surrounded by people.
    My Father seems to know where he's going, so Mahaw and I-also know as Malo and Aeri-followed him. Father zigzagged past many tents, people, animals, and lots of other stuff. And walked to a big, red tent, where there was a young women sitting behind a desk, with us tagging behind him.
    She has beautiful dark skin, dark curly brown hair, and chocolate brown eyes.
    "Kar, how nice to see you," she said, smiling politely.
    "Nice to see you too, Nasha," said my Father.
    "Who are these handsome," asked Nasha, thinking 'and cute,' "young men are behind you?"
    "These are my two sons," said my Father, gesturing to Malhaw and I.
    "Oh. I didn't know you got married," Nasha said, surprised.
    "I did get married actually," said my Father, gesturing to Malhaw and I. "This is my eldest son, Malo, and my youngest son, Aeri."
    "Aeri and Malo. Nice names," said Nasha, more to herself than to us. Addressing Malhaw and I, she said, "I'm the leader of the Varden."
    Leader of the Varden? Impressive. I wouldn't have thought that the Varden would give one so young the position, 'Leader of the Varden.' Maybe she's just a puppet. Well, judging by the way she holds herself I don't think she would let anyone boss her around. Or make her someone's else puppet.
    Malhaw-Malo, I got to get use to calling him that-and I nod our heads, saying, hello.
    "How are you two doing?"
    "Fine," said Malhaw-Malo-and I.
    "Do you have a place to stay?" asked Nasha.
    "We're staying at my wife's brother's home with his son," said my Father, 'butting' into the conversation.
    "Okay. If you need anything, just send for me and I'll get you the supplies you need."
    "We will."
    After that we were dismissed by Lady Nasha, and walked out of the tent. We walked right past a man with a bunch of silver knifes and silver swords around his waist. He has 'werewolf hunter' written all across his forehead-not literally, of course. It was so obvious that he was a werewolf hunter, that I wonder how he managed to capture any werewolves.
    "Hey. It's Kar, right?" asked the werewolf hunter as we passed him.
    "Yes," said my Father, as taut as a bowstring.
    "I thought it was Kar, or something like that," said the werewolf hunter. Who was clearly wasn't going to leave us alone that easily.
    "It's Kar. Now, good bye, Eucer," said my Father, who was trying to move away from the man-he looked around fifty years old; already has grey hair-as quick as possible.
    But not quick enough, because the werewolf hunter said, "Wait, before you leave can you tell me the names of these charming young men are?"
    "No," my Father flat out said.
    "But I-"
    "No!" yelled my Father. "Now, good bye."
    "Eucer," said Nasha, suddenly, from behind us.
    "Yes, Lady Nahsa?" asked Eucer. But it didn't sound like a question, it sounded like he knew what she was going to say.
    "Did you find anymore of those werewolves? Remember, if you see one, tell me, and we'll kill it."
I don't like Lady Nasha anymore. Even less by the minute. At first, I was beginning to like her. But now, not so much. Not so much anymore. Why does she want to kill us? Or torture us? Or scourge us? Probably because of the werewolf hunter. The werewolf hunter filled her mind with fear, now she hates us. I hate werewolf hunters, I thought.
    "Of course, my Lady," said Eucer, with a smile. Facing my Father now, he said, "See you later, Kar." Eucer had said it with a smirk on his face. One that said'I know something you don't know.'
    Oh, I would do almost anything to wipe that smirk off his face.
    "Bye, Eucer," said Nasha, and Eucer left. Now facing us, she said, "Bye, Kar, have a good day," said Nasha.
    "Good bye, Nasha," said my Father, finally able to walk away from there.
    When they were out of earshot, I asked, "They kill us for being a werewolf?!"
    "Yes, they do only because of what lies he tells them about us. He says that we attack people, and eat them."
    "That's so not true! We only eat animals, and whatever isn't forbidden. And people are very forbidden."
    "I know. But that's what he tells them and they believe it," said my Father in a matter-of-fact tone.
    "Why does he lies about us?"
    "Because he hates us."
    "Why?"
    "I don't know." My Father-for some reason, that I don't know... yet-sighed.
    "What?!" Malhaw and I asked. Whenever my Father sighs, he usually is about to deliver difficult news. That, or he's just tired. Or disappointed-which I didn't think so.
    "There's a secret I been keeping from everyone, especially you, Burdon," said my Father.
    "What?!" I asked, surprised.
    "I just thought you might be disappointed if you out found what your mother is."
    What? That makes no sense whatsoever. What is my mother? I thought she was a werewolf. She's a werewolf... isn't she? I wondered. "What's my mother?" It can't be that bad, can it?
    "Your mother is a human."
    Both Malhaw and I gasped in shock. It was so surprising. My mother is a human?! I never would've thought that she was one. "A human?!" I asked, in shock.
    "Yes, a human."
    "Why didn't you say my mother was a human?!" I demanded.
    "Because humans don't get along together very well with us," said my Father, as if that explained everything. "And I thought that people will make fun of you."
    "I had a right to know who, and what, she is!" I yelled.
    "I'm so sorry, Burdon. I was going to tell you, but time past to quickly and I didn't get the time to tell you until now."
    "Why didn't you find the time to tell me? Why didn't find time to tell me sooner?! Father, why didn't you?!" I yelled, disappointed-and a bit betrayed that he didn't tell me sooner.
    "I tried to make time to tell you, but I couldn't find the time to tell you." He paused. I know he did. I can tell when he does, and he just did. "There's only one person who knew."
    "Who?" asked Malhaw and I.
    "Elimelech was the only person who knew."
    "Elimelech? Our eight-great-time grandfather?" I asked, making sure we were thinking of the same people. Because I thought I that my mother wasn't human, and I was wrong, and he didn't tell me that.
    "That's the one," said my Father, as if I just figured out the answer to a really hard question. Instead of figuring out that my Father and eight-time-great-grandfather were keeping a secret from me. "Also Leahna knew, but I told her not to tell you guys."
    "What?!" demanded Malhaw, speaking to Leahna. "You knew?! You knew, and you didn't tell us?! You didn't tell me, your own rider?!" Leahna nudged Malhaw in a comforting, soothing way. Communicating with her mind, but not letting my Father and I in on the conversation. While I waited for their conversation to end, I played with my ring.
    Finally, after a few minutes, they let my Father in on the conversation. Directed towards our Father, Malhaw asked, "Why did you have Leahna not tell me? I can keep a secret."
    "I know you can. You kept plenty of secrets too."
    "Oh yeah, which one are you talking about?" It really didn't sound like a question at all, more like a challenge.
    "Like... the one where you have two...."
    Malhaw seemed to know what Father was saying-considering his eyebrows went up as soon as Father said that. But I was so confused and wondering what Father and Malhaw were talking about. Besides, two what? They seemed to be having a conversation with their minds, and not letting me know what they were talking about. I'm the one who is left out of the conversation, yet again!
    "Father, Malhaw, what are you talking about?" I asked.
    My Father looked at Malhaw and saids, "Malhaw would you care to explain?"
    Malhaw sighs. "You know those two females you see around home a lot?" asked Malhaw. I nodded, still confused. "Well, Those two females are my half-sisters. Technically, they're your half-sisters too-since we share the same father, after all."
    "Really?!" I asked. Malhaw sighs and nods. "Wow." Apparently I have two half-sisters now.
    "Let me show you who he's talking about," said my Father.
    "That's okay, I can show him father." Werewolves of Anjustlia have the ability to send images of things to each other through our minds, so telepathy.
    "No, that's not necessary, Malhaw," said my Father.
    "But...."
    My Father reached into his shirt and pulls out a locket. Don't see that on men a lot. He shows me a picture of them and other people. Malhaw, who looks younger in the picture, was not clear in the picture, which is expected since he's half day-vampire. "Those two are Malhaw's half-sisters," explained my Father, pointing to the two young women who looks older than Malhaw-but who knew, Malhaw might be the older one.
    "Who are they; how old are they?" I asked.
    "They're both eighty six years old, but in the picture they're seven," explained my Father. "Even though that's younger than Malhaw by nine years; they look older in the picture only because of Malhaw being half vampire."
    I looked at the photo again, and asked, "Who is she?" I asked, pointing to one of the females. "Who's the mother?"
    "Actually there is two in the photo, but you can't see the other one. The one by Priyoisi and Rosea-yours and Malhaw's half-sisters-is their mother, Aussa. The one who's supposed to be behind Malhaw is Maisha, his.... mother."
    "Father, don't talk about my mother, please," complained Malhaw. 
Why doesn't he want to talk about his mother? Was it because she's a day-vampire-a full day-vampire? I wondered. "Why not talk about your mother, Malhaw?" I asked, curious.
    "Well, you and my mother do not have a good history together. Not at all," said Malhaw, shaking his head, as if ashamed because of it.
    "Really?" I asked, surprised. The topic of Malhaw's mother was usually 'out of discussion.' Especially around me; like everything else. So I wanted every juicy bit. I've been left in the shadows far too long.
    "Sadly, yes," said my Father, rather sadly.
    "What happened?" I asked. Father and Malhaw looked at each other and sighed. Then Father's head went up, then back down.
    "Well, that cover one part," said Malhaw. "That you don't remember what happened." 
    "It's a good thing that he doesn't remember what happened, Malhaw."
    "I'll say; I wish I could forget that day when it happened."
    Right now it feels like I'm an actor in a play and I forgot my lines. But, everyone else knows theirs. I feel that confused right now. "Okay. Please, someone, tell me what you two are talking about."
    Malhaw complained to my Father, saying he didn't want Father to tell me. Instead of agreeing with Malhaw, my Father sighed and said, "Well. Uhh.. How do I start...? Well... when you were born, Maisha, Malhaw's mother, was jealous of you. She was jealous-and angry-because she thought her, also known as our son, was the rightful heir to the throne. She probably thought if she kills you, she can get her son in the throne. But it didn't go exactly as she planned. Hint: you're still alive."
    "How old was I when it happened?"
    "You were just a baby at the time," explained, surprisingly, Malhaw.
    "So, how did she almost kill me?" I asked.
    "She bit you."
    "Wait. Did she attempt to bite, or did she actually bit me?" I asked.
    "She actually bit you," said Malhaw in a matter-of-fact tone.
    "Then, how am I still alive today? Shouldn't I be dead?"
    "Well," said Malhaw, as if he found something funny about the situation. "You wouldn't be dead exactly-just your human side would be a day-vampire, and your werewolf side would be a wolf. Ha-ha, you would have been a blood sucking wolf!"
    "Well, you're already a blood sucking werewolf."
    "Actually, I'm a tomato juice drinker werewolf, I don't drink blood."
    "Great. How many don't drink blood, like any blood?"
    Thinking, Malhaw said, "So far only two."
    'Wow. That's more than I expected. I thought he was going to say that he was the only one.' "Who's the second one?"
    "A female named Delilah. She's very pretty and really kind." Both my Father and I smiled. "What?" asked Malhaw. "Why are you smiling like that?"
    "Do you like her?" asked our Father.
    "What? You don't need to know about my love life," said Malhaw, before he realize how that sound. Both my Father and I smiled even bigger. "No, no, and no! I didn't mean it like that!" Then Malhaw sighed. "Just explain to him why, and how, he survived getting bitten."
    "Okay. But you and me are going to have a talk about you and Delilah." Malhaw sighs.
    You really can't get out of a talking about your love life with our father. He's like a father and like a mother in the same person. It's kinda creepy sometimes.
    Turning to me, he said, "So, how you survived is Malhaw sucked the venom out of you. And when that happened it bonded you two like a rider and his, or her, dragon. You feel each other pain, and each other feelings. Oh, wait one more thing I have to tell you: that's if Malhaw dies, a few minutes later you will to, but that doesn't happen if you die."
    "So my life is saved because of him?"
    "Yes."
    "So, be nice to me, or I might kill myself so I won't have to deal with you anymore. Ok?" joked Malhaw.
    "Ok," I said, but it was more of a question.
    "So. Is anyone else keeping secrets they would like to share with the group?" asked my Father, in a teasing tone.
    "I have a question," I said. "How come I'm not a dragonrider?"
    "That's a very good question. I say let's find out if you become a dragonrider, or not."
    "Ok. Who's my uncle and cousin?"
    "Their names are Breg and Jev. Breg is your uncle and Jev is your cousin. Come on, let's get going-we're almost there."

A/N: Isn't editing so much fun? 

#2 of what I owe you guys

Question(s) of the chapter:
Besides reading(and writing), what else do you guys like to do? Soccer? Baseball? Football? Running? Art and crafts? Politics? DIY(Do It Yourself)s? Leave a comment down below. I like running, but I don't always have time for it. I also like doing DIYs.

SC ©

End of A/N