It Started with Slime - Part 1

Chapter 76 - Is Talk Overrated?

Haemish looked like he was about to faint, and honestly, Aarav didn't blame him. The whole situation was ridiculous. First off, four flying gryphons, with one fat man and this three stooges and then one talking ball of slop, he would have laughed if the situation wasn't so dire. Would they harvest him for parts? It seemed like a possibility.

"Yes, Haemish. I can speak, and I request that you do not kill me and that you do not harvest my body and you do not PUT ME IN THAT METAL THING!" Aarav's voice rose at that last, even he wasn't sure if it was assertion or panic, though.

"Very well, are you going to promise not to leave? I do not make a habit of killing sentient beings, you know." disbelief was written all over the man's face. The whole situation could be some elaborate hallucination. He hadn't taken any drugs that he knew of recently but who knew? He turned to the other three and mouthed, are you all seeing this? Three decisive nods confirmed his assesment. "I will need your promise."

"I won't escape, I promise!" What was it to Aarav? He didn't have any problems with promising and then reneging. It was his survival at stake here. I agreed too fast, damn it! He is going to be suspicious of me now. Stupid, should have waited and pretended to think about it.

"Very...well, I will have to put you in a Mana sleeve. Perfectly safe, we use it for people as well, I am sure you understand. Since we have just met, that some, precautions need to be taken."

Aarav nodded his body since he didn't have ahead. He had been in cells before, more times than he cared to count. What was one more? As long as he didn't need to get into that metal tin, hopefully, he could find a way to eat his way out of it.

"Sir, are you sure this is wise?" That was Marteen, right? He was the fourth guy riding a little way off. "Do you think we should stop at the cottage and check it out a little more before bringing it to the palace? It might not be a good idea to take it close to the King...."

"Marteen, that is what we're here for! I'll put it in its place if needed. I don't care if it can speak every language under the sun. It is not getting anywhere near the royal family. I'll make sure of it!" The look Haemish directed at him should have carve a hole though the Slime and Aarav shivered and retreat into himself a little. Why did he have these kinds of involuntary reactions!? I need to control that a lot better. But the man's eyes were scary, reminding him of every look he received before receiving a very harsh beating. Come on, Aarav, no need to since back into old ways of thinking. The Way Forward is...Forward came to his rescue again, and he could relax. Just a little, but it was the most he could expect with the other man's eyes trained on him.

"Fascinating! A truly unprecedented find, Master! Quite incredible! Is this the creature Mr McCray found? Is it mimicking words it has heard before, or is it speaking? Also, what is it?" Aarav took in the skinny man as he brought his mount closer, the wind blowing fiercely some of his words away, so he sounded like an analogue radio. The gryphon meanwhile, continued to soar, cutting through the wind as though if it had no purchase on their wings.

Now they flew over the river. The chase leading to his capture had taken them downriver from the village, so now heading back, the scenery consisted of the river and forest and fields, with the mountains looming in the distance. Aarav could still enjoy the colours bleeding into his vision after so much time being in a fifties movie.

"So...what's the plan with me?" Aarav couldn't help but ask as they approached the village.

"Well, we want to understand you. What you are and where you came from. Then we can see how we can help you as well!" Haemish was being cautious, holding back. Aarav had seen it a million times.