Landing in a field near the outskirts of Myrdor, Cassius shook the dirt and grime from his scales before shifting into human form. The acreage purely for livestock graze, there was none to see him so near to dusk.
Conscious not to let the villagers see him, Cassius cut across the fields and through the tall grass of the unused pastures. Strangers not common in the area, he did not wish to encounter any humans, who might find his appearance suspicious as he trudged towards their parish church. Its structure rudimentary, the church was not remarkable in anyway, save for its inhabitants.
Rounding the side of the rectory, Cassius stopped near a tap attached to its wall. Used by the members of Barnibus's flock to wash their face and hands before prayer, it was only a modest rusty spout. The crossed knob squeaking in protestation, Cassius turned it prompting water to trickle into the thick rectangular stone basin beneath. Staring at his reflection, as it appeared amongst the gradually forming pool, he frowned. Blood painted across his face in horrific splatters, they clearly indicated the violent nature of business outside of the village that day.
"You shouldn't let her see you like that." Stated a man's voice. Appearing from the doorway beside him, Barnibus leaned against its stone casually, his manners towards Cassius unwelcoming as usual.
"I wasn't intending to." Cassius grumbled. Plunging his hands into the frigid water. He cupped them, as be began to splash over his face to remove the blood.
"How goes the cull anyway, dragon?" Barnibus asked, unmoving from his position. Water still dripping from Cassius's chin, he did not turn to regard the priest as he replied, "Most in the immediate area are taken care of." Then, looking at the water now died red from the gore of his battles, Cassius continued grimly. "The monsters' numbers are greater than I had initially thought and can only strengthen once their mating season begins this spring." He stated.
Sighing, exhausted by his efforts to rid the land around them of an unwarranted quantity of monsters, Cassius only hoped it would be enough to keep Fawn from falling into immediate danger. Although, unnatural for dragons to intervene in the activities or patterns of other monsters. Cassius had seen it a necessary precaution once they had left the capital for the exposed countryside. Whilst, removing Fawn from the dangers of the city, this remote environment was also not ideal in Cassius's opinion. Rife with magical creatures that were so easily charmed by her and left vulnerable to attacks from other monsters, it presented new threats from that of Valletta.
Culling monsters traditionally had been the responsibility of the nobles of the land. Cassius could not help but feel somewhat resentful at being forced to clean up their mess now. Their numbers growing so insurmountable in size, it was apparent that the duty had long since been neglected for generations. "It's unheard of that they should come this far south." Barnibus remarked. Also seeming suspicious towards the monsters' deviation from their usual patterns, the priest's mouth twisted into a gravely pensive expression.
Rolling up his sleeves, Cassius scrubbed at his hands. More fastidious than he would otherwise be inclined, he washed the evidence thoroughly out from under his nails.
"They are bolder and more aggressive than they were in the past, since their population has been left unchecked for so long." He confirmed.
"Will they also be attracted to Aribelle's magic?" the priest questioned concerned.
"They will." Cassius answered, the troubling thought causing him to pass a wet hand through his dark hair.
Existing within the region prior to their arrival, the monster's presence in the area was not particularly Fawn's fault. However, if allowed close enough to detect her, they would certainly go to great lengths in order to devour her. Exhaling deeply, Cassius attempted to rid his mind of these fears, before they compelled him to hunt monsters for the third time that day.
Turning off the tap, he clutched the rim of sink firmly. Never suffering these emotions of longing and constant agony over a person's wellbeing before, each new feeling that came to him was barely distinguishable from the tangled mess inside of him now. Not always having been left to wander the earth alone, Cassius of course had other dragon kin and a brother in the past. Almost all gone now, none were as precious to him nor as fragile as Fawn.
His anxiety not subsiding, Cassius frustratedly growled again at Barnibus, "I'm taking care of it, Priest. You better keep up your end of the bargain and make sure Fawn's safe when I'm not here." Crossing his arms over his chest indignantly at the suggested underrating of his abilities, Barnibus glared at Cassius. The mention of their shared interest, leading Cassius to wonder towards her current whereabouts, he glanced around, asking, "Where is Fawn anyway?" Still disgruntled by Cassius's earlier comment Barnibus replied begrudgingly, "Ari went to get herbs, she should be back soon."
"Herbs? But the sun has nearly set." He said, an inflection of concern in his tone. A pregnant pause passing between the two men, their unspoken fears seemed to slowly manifest as the sun sunk further beneath the horizon.
Springing to attention from his relaxed position in the doorway, Barnibus asked frantically, "Can you sense her?"
"In the forest, her presence is fading though." Cassius answered, already stepping in the direction of the thinning trail. Quickening his pace, Cassius barked instructions for Barnibus to "Wait here." Before racing onwards.
Crashing through the branches, Cassius followed the diminishing scent of Fawn's magic. The traces beginning to scatter like dandelion seeds on the breeze, he hastened before they could drift off completely. Running deeper into the forest, he eventually entered into a small cropping of meager plants. The trail completely disappearing at this point, Cassius halted abruptly.
Retrieving a cloth napkin strewn with flowers from the ground, he held it near to his face. Recognizing the pragmatic but delicate stitching, Cassius regarded a tiny daisy in the corner with growing anxiety. Something that Aribelle had always stitched absentmindedly when she mended an item. He compared it to the one on the cuff of his shirt with a sinking feeling in his stomach. Cassius's breathing becoming unsteady as though the wind was knocked from him, he squeezed the cloth tightly in his hand.
Looking around rapidly, Cassius searched desperately for its owner. His frustration mounting as he felt the last vestiges of Fawn's magic slipping away. It grew into a hot rage as he realized that her disappearance could only be explained by Fawn having been spirited away into the Otherworld. Most likely enticed there by one of their tricks, there was no way for Cassius to enter the fairy realm if not invited. This possibility unlikely, as there were none within who might welcome a dragon.
Cassius could only hope that they might surrender Fawn willingly; if the adequate amount of force was applied.