• “After him,” shouted Rendent.

    Aiyo grinned at the sound of pursuing hoof beats.

    The people on the streets of Tolium quickly jumped out of the streets, fearing being trampled.

    “C’mon Eb! We have to beat them to the gates,” Ayio said to the black mare he rode. “No problem,” assured Ebony. “ This is the most fun we’ve had for months!”

    “That’s’ why we can’t get caught! If we do then – never mind I don’t want to think about it.”
    chuckled the Young Master.

    Aiyo peered over his shoulder and saw two Shayabiki had joined the four guards. His gold eyes widened in fear.

    “Can you shift into something else? You know that may be able to fly?” “You know I can’t do that yet Aiyo!” Ebony exclaimed. “I have to think about it for awhile and imagine how it is to fly as a larger bird.”

    “Shoot,” Sensing Aiyo’s dismay Ebony added, “We’re almost to the gates though.”Aiyo sighed in relief.

    Just as the gates were coming into view, Aiyo felt something latch onto his shirt and yank him off Ebony.

    Aiyo fell onto the ground, to shocked to respond. When the boy opened his eyes he saw that the four horses and the Shayabiki surrounded him. Aiyo felt a knot in his stomach tighten.

    Aiyo lay still a moment longer, closing his eyes. Feeling a shadow fall over him Aiyo tensed his body, preparing to spring. When he felt that the person was close enough he brought his legs up to his chest and kicked at the figure. They went sprawling back, surprised. Using his kick to get to his feet Aiyo surveyed the ones who remained.

    As it turned out there were only the two Shayabiki left. Confused Aiyo looked for what happened to the other three guards. The Young Master saw Ebony, now a small griffin, sitting atop Rendent’s chest preening herself.

    A horrible, whispering screech reached both of their ears.

    Aiyo turned to see the Shayabiki gliding towards him. Fear took hold of his stomach once again and Aiyo tore off running.

    He felt a claw grab his shirt collar and turned in anger. He would not go back to the palace now. But Ebony pounced on the awful creature before he could do anything.

    Unfortunately the Shayabiki reached out and made to grab the Shifter (you don't want to be touched by one of these things.That would be bad) Ebony screeched and flew away.

    “Aiyo go to Mel’s! They probably won’t find you there,” Ebony shouted in his head.

    Aiyo nodded and dove into the closest store. “One good thing about being the Young Master is that you can do whatever you want” thought Aiyo as he ran throughout several stores.

    Aiyo paused in an alleyway to catch his breath and was happy to find that the Shayabiki were no longer chasing him. “Ebony where are you?” asked Aiyo.

    “I’m already at Mel’s. Where are you Mr. Slowpoke?” answered Ebony.

    Aiyo chuckled quietly to himself. “I am only a few buildings away. I’ll be there soon.”

    “Well hurry up. Who knows where those Shayabiki went.”

    Aiyo took a deep breath and walked calmly out onto the streets.
    He turned his eyes to the ground in hopes that none of the towns people would recognize him for who he was.

    Luckily, only one man gave the scrawny boy a curious glance before he had disappeared into a closed shop, a black ferret siting on his shoulder.

    "Mel Mel Mel Mel Mel Mel Mel Mel Mel Mel," Aiyo seemed to sing out load as he searched for the shop keeper.

    "You are so odd Aiyo," chuckled Ebony.

    Aiyo flashed her a stunning grin.

    "Well thank you Ebony. Now can that keen nose of yours tell if Mel has been here today or not? Wait. Do ferrets even have keen noses?"

    Ebony laughed. "Well it is better then a humans I'm sure. You have a terrible sense of smell really. But yes. She's been here quite recently actually."

    As if on cue an old, plump woman stepped into the main room. She had her iron grey hair tied back in a brown bandana and her warm hazel eyes held menace in them. But that soon disappeared when she saw who was in her shop. Mel's face broke out into a huge smile and she spread her arms wide.

    Aiyo met the old woman's embrace happily as did Ebony to her best ability.

    "How in the world did you get here Aiyo? Your supposed to be in the palace or at least escorted by guards. Plus That door was locked tight," wondered Mel curiously.

    Aiyo flashed her the same grin that he did Ebony only a moment before.

    Mel knew that smile all to well.

    "Well let's just say I declared that rule obsoleet," (Screw it!)

    Mel wiped a hand across her face. She seemed suddenly weary. But just one look at how happy the two looked washed it away.

    "Just as long as I don't get killed for it I'll bear with it," she smiled, as did the young pair.

    "C'mon back here. That way anyone searching for you won't see you right away," ordered Mel holding aside a curtain.

    Even though Aiyo was Young Master of Ashibion, he didn't mind taking orders from people for the most part. Except for his father.

    When Aiyo entered the room he made his way to the counter and sat on it. Ebony jumped from his shoulder and began to play with all the knick nacks on the floor.

    Aiyo watched her for a moment before asking, "Where's Noko at?"

    Mel rolled her eyes and answered, "That worthless son of mine has gone back to the forest for God only knows why."

    Aiyo licked the succor he had stole from behind the counter before saying, "Do you know the rumors going around about him?"

    Mel chuckled. "What kind of a mother would I be if I didn't?"

    At the sound of 'mother' Aiyo froze and Mel regreted ever saying it. It was a touchy word for him.

    "Sorry Dear," she apologized before continuing, "Most of them are to outrageous to believe for the most part. I mean who would believe that my Noko would be a robber of men on the highway? Certainly not me,"

    "Nor I," chimed Ebony."Though he very well could be taking care of a little elf girl for all we know,"

    "But why would an elf need taking care of in the forest? That is their element. I highly doubt that that's the case," argued Aiyo.

    Ebony seemed to shrug. "You never really know now do you?"

    Aiyo opened his mouth to retort to her remark but someone interupted him.

    "This is Riku of the palace guard! I demand that you open this door imediately! We know the Young Master is hiding in there!"

    "Aww mud," cursed Aiyo.

    "One momment please," called Mel as she took Aiyo to a hidden room. "I've already made them suspicious so you must remain as silent as possible," whispered the shop keeper through her teeth. Aiyo nodded absently as he moved into the small space.

    Mel closed the door as quickly and quietly as she could and went to the door.

    Mel barely had the door open before a large and scarred guard barged into her shop. He took one quick, careful look around the room stopping at Mel. " Where is he?" he barked.

    "Who?" asked a confused Mel.

    The guard struck her.

    "You know very well who you worthless shop keeper," Riku growled. "Now," Said Riku drawing his sword and pressing it against Mel's stomach, "are going to tell me where Aiyo is?"

    Mel gulped, her face set. " I already told you I don't know the where abouts of the Young Master. That's your job."


    "Yes!" Aiyo whispered.

    He admired Mel even more now for her courage she was showing. 'What's going on now Eb?' 'Mel just pulled the sword from her stomache and offerd to show Riku around her shop if he so wishes. No more talking Aiyo. He's in the room.'

    Aiyo stopped his fidgeting and listened, a smile on his face.

    He loved that Shifter so much!

    "What is this room?" demanded Riku. "This, sir, is were the purchases are bought, wrapped and some are even up for sale," remarked Mel coldly.

    Aiyo couldn't help but laugh slightly at that.

    He could just picture Mel, her arms crossed and her face empty of all emotion except for great disliking.

    "What was that?" Aiyo heard Riku ask.

    He imeadiately covered his mouth and held completely still.

    "What was what?"

    "That noise! It came from over here!"

    Aiyo could here the guard moving across the thickly carpeted floor. 'Aiyo! I told you to be quiet! Now look at what you've done!' Ebony scolded. Aiyo could hardly contain a laugh for her exasperated tone.

    "I can assure you , Sir, that no noise was to be heard aside from our voices," Mel said. " I have a tonic some where that should rid you of any voices or noises you hear but no one else does. It's quite cheap."

    "I don't want your damn tonic wench! All I want is to know why this section of the wall is softer then all the others?"

    "As you would have seen from outside, this buliding is two stories and only the first floor is my shop. The second floor is my home. And in that closet , for that is what it is, is my," Mel cleared her throat and Aiyo could heat the blush in her voice when she next spoke, " Are my.... I'd really not say if you don't mind."

    'HA! Oh she is good! You should see Riku Aiyo!' Giggled Ebony in the boys head.

    "Show me the upstairs," Riku ordered. "Fine," Mel sighed.

    As she walked by the place Aiyo was hidden she uttered, " I certainly hope the rats are gone now! They are pesky little beasts. Keep me up through the entire night. But I've lain traps for them. I do so hope they are gone!"

    "Rats?" Riku stamored.

    "Oh yes!" Mel said a hint of cruelty in her soft voice. "Big black ones! With beady eyes and buck teeth and little tiny claws!"

    Riku gulped adioablely.

    When the two's foot steps could be heard from below Aiyo Kicked the door open and leaped out. He closed the door and, with a black moth on his shoulder, escaped through the back door. "See ya Mel!" Aiyo called softly.

    "So. Where to now? We can't get to the gates today. They're probablely blocked," asked Aiyo as he walked.

    "Hmmmm. How about the fountain? It's surounded by trees and such and if we really wanted to we could swim in the fountain. The water is deep enough," Ebony sugested.

    "There will be people there though right? Or did they stop going when Mother..."

    "Yes. They stopped," Ebony answered softly.

    "Then the fountain it is!" Aiyo smiled and began to run.



    "My lord the guards that had been sent with Aiyo have imformed me that , yet again, he has run off. They wish for us to capture him, seeing as though they can not. Will you grant us the responsibility?" A Shayabiki asked in his horrible, raspy voice.

    "No," Veera said. "I shall fetch my son my self. He has run away one time too many."

    The Shayabiki bowed and left the hall.


    Aiyo plunged under the water after Ebony. She had taken the shape of an otter and insisted that Aiyo try to catch her. It proved to be quite difficult.

    Aiyo spun around and swam in the oppisite direction of Ebony, hoping to surprise her. He stayed at the bend in the fountain and waited for Ebony.

    When she swam past him he launched after her.

    With a squeel she swam away. But not before Aiyo had grasped her tail. He smiled in triumph.

    Letting the Shifter free Aiyo swam to the surface once again.

    When he surfaced Aiyo felt a shadow fall over him. The Young Master opened his large eyes and heard his Father say, "So this is where you have been. Care to tell me why?" "Uhhhh," Aiyo dove back under the water.

    Aiyo felt a hand grip his hair and was yanked to the surface.

    His Father easily held him in the air with one hand. "How you run away! I've told you several times not to yet you do all the same. Nothing ever good ever comes from it for you!" Veera snarled. "Now tell that wretched Shifter of yours to follow us."

    Aiyo's father had released him and he had climbed out of the fountain, his head bowed to hide his wide eyes.

    His Father was furious!

    Veera took is son by the scruff of the neck and lead him to his roan.

    "Get up."

    Aiyo obeyed hastily and Veera swung up behind him.

    A sparrow landed on Aiyo's shoulder and glared at Veera, hate written in her blue eyes.

    "Don't even think about it Shifter." The Master warned.

    She gave an annoyed squawk before nuzzeling Aiyos face.