Turai's Return

"How could she just disappear!?" Turai demanded of the forest as he spread his arms and wings in frustration. They had searched the forest thoroughly nearby and were now perched on a collection of boulders level with the tree tops.

"I have no idea. Not even a good scent trail.," Ryoichi said innocently. He had placed a dangerous bet on the night before on Turai not being able to smell well while covered in so much blood. "At least she isn't dead..." he trailed off and his ears went askew. "I think."

"No," Turai agreed. He sat down and propped an arm on his knee. "We'd have found blood, a body, both, or just something. Anything."

"Give her time. When's she's ready, she'll return," Ryoichi said lazily as he stretched.

"That's not a bad idea," Turai said softly.

"About time you listened to me. Cats always know best," Ryoichi said proudly. "In fact, we wouldn't even be out here with who-knows-how-many thieves and thugs wanting revenge on us for killing some of their friends if you'd listened to me several times over."

"No, not that," Turai said. He was relaxed. His wings were by his side, he sat cross-legged and gripped his ankles like a cub, and looked to the sky hopefully. "'Return'. I'm going home."

"What home? You turned on the only ones who would give you a home," Ryoichi demanded with his head ducked and ears askew. "Give or take a few gully hens."

"In the Nyre forest across the plains. My exile ended years ago," Turai said as he stood and stretched. "It's time to go home and start over."

"Exile?" Ryoichi asked.

"It's a long story," Turai said swung his arms a few times to ease the soreness in them from yesterday. "She's in a situation similar to mine. And she'll do the same when the time is right."

"There had better be some fish for me in this," Ryoichi grumbled and followed a cheerful Turai off the boulders and into the forest.

Turai strode cheerfully through the forest with Ryoichi padding quietly along beside him. There was a tension and ache in his muscles from the exertion the day before, but overall he felt like his life had taken a turn for the better. He was finally back on land for good, under the trees and in the dirt where he belonged. Although there's no telling how long it'll take to get the salt out of me! He chuckled. Will my parents recognize me?

Off in the distance, the cat and kurach were being watched. A ranger had tracked him this far and was preparing to finish his hunt. For all the crimes and horrors committed at sea and on land, he would make this kurach pay. He slipped silently through the trees and waited for his chance.

Later that evening, Turai began to settle down at the intersection of two fallen trees. They were well positioned to keep the wind off his back. He scratched up some of the surrounding leaves to make a warm nest for himself. Ryoichi simply perched on the logs and curled up.

Night settled over the forest. All was quiet and still, except for one creature stirring.

Rhett readied his dagger and prepared to end the life of the one he had stalked. Slowly, quietly, he crept to where Turai slept among the leaves. He poised his dagger as he took his final step to where the accursed kurach slept.

"Riaow!" came a piercing scream that caught him off guard. The cat had awoken! Rhett recoiled and took several steps back.

"Who goes?" Turai demanded as he jumped to his feet.

Cursing under his breath, Rhett turned to run. He didn't make it far before he was knocked to the ground. Ryoichi picked Rhett's dagger up with his mouth and tossed it a few paces away. Rhett struggled to get loose, but the cat was heavy and sitting square on his back.

"What have you got there, R'ichi?" Turai asked as he strode over to the cat.

"A hunter, methinks," Ryoichi cocked his head to the side and sniffed the back of Rhett's head. "He was after you."

"Was he now?" Turai asked curiously, and squatted before Rhett. "What did you want with me?"

Rhett growled and said nothing.

"Alright, then," Turai said. "Do you even know who I am?"

"A dog of the Brelland Seacat," Rhett snarled.

"Good, good, you know me then. But I don't know you. Who are you?" Turai grinned maliciously. "I'll promise to make it quick."

"Rhett Talbot," Rhett growled.

"Rhett Talbot?" Turai asked in surprise. He gestured for Ryoichi to get off of him. Turai held a hand out to to him to help him up. "My niece has spoke highly of you!"

Rhett knocked his hand away and stood. "Niece?"

"You remember, don't you? Little Ravenwing!" Turai grinned.

"I remember," Rhett glared at Turai, loath to hear the name he had given her during happier times. "Little demon became a pirate."

"Now, don't blame her for that, that was my doing," Turai said quickly.

"Nonetheless, she must answer for her crimes," Rhett stated firmly.

"My, you are as surly as she said," Turai muttered.

"What was that?" Rhett snapped.

"Ah, nothing," Turai chuckled. "Look, I mean you no harm, and I hope you mean none toward me any longer."

Rhett continued to glare at him.

"Maybe you do..." Turai shrugged. "I'm still willing to let you go. Unless you want to travel with me back to the Nyre."

Rhett raised a wary eyebrow at him. "And what then? To plunder more cities?"

"Nope, my plundering days are done! In fact, I think I have much penance to make," Turai said sheepishly. Then his face lit up. "Say, you wouldn't need a hand keeping an eye on the forest, would you?"

"What?" Rhett asked in surprise.

"Shanku told me you made it your job to watch over the Nyre back behind Port Tephras. I have no guarantee my clan would let me back in anyway, and I'm not sure how I'd find my place with them if they did. I could help you keep the port out of mischief."

"You do realize he just tried to kill you a few moments ago and you're bound to have several bounties on your head in places like Port Tephras, right?" Ryoichi asked dubiously.

"I must agree with the cat," Rhett said slowly. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Not a bit," Turai laughed. He scooped up Rhett's discarded dagger and held it back out to him. "What do you say? Partners?"

Rhett took his dagger back slowly. He held it for a moment, obviously weighing his next decision. Kill the kurach or not? Was it a ruse? After a long, unblinking stare, Rhett sheathed his dagger.

"I must be out of my mind," Rhett shook his head.

"I have to agree," Ryoichi said incredulously.

"What is this, 'pick on Turai' night?" Turai harrumphed.

"So, you said you're Shanku's uncle?" Rhett asked.

"The one and only! Well, one of two. I have a brother back home," Turai stated. "Do you have family?"

"No," Rhett said curtly.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

"No."

"Just as well, I guess. Let's get some sleep, it's a long way back to my old stomping grounds," Turai laughed.

Rhett disappeared back into the woods a bit to make his own camp. Despite his camaraderie, Turai was quite suspicious of Rhett and slept fitfully, half expecting Rhett to return and finish the job he started. Neither slept well, each suspecting trouble during the night. Ryoichi also slept light, having felt it his duty to watch over the kurach. Their fears proved unfounded, for as they travelled together over the following weeks, Turai was true to his word about helping lost stragglers and Rhett did not make another attempt on his life.

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