Final Gift

"We still have not resolved our problem…"

I've earned the beast girl's trust and cooperation. Now I need to find a way to bring her into the castle without being killed on sight. Peo straps twin dragon scales to her back whilst I pace around the ash pile.

"I should be able to spare myself any pain…"

The magical copper shortsword sits on the ground beside my feet, its yellow crystal constantly pulsating with energy. This along with Hessa's staff should serve as my ticket inside.

"Perhaps a hostage…"

This setting would allow me to keep her alive and in decent condition. All I need is a reason to keep some random beast girl under my watch.

As I'm lost in thought, a breeze picks up and kicks more dust into the air. I stand upwind from the pile and avoid a nasty cough. What I didn't expect was for something to appear amongst the grey. Peeking out with its pristine fur is a silver scarf.

"Peo, is that scarf for your leader?"

"Hm?"

The young girl steps up beside me and looks down at the cloth untouched by flames. Her eyes turn solemn as she nods.

"What do other beastfolk clans think when they see it?"

Her head tilts to the side at a question without obvious meaning. Regardless, she gives me the answer in her usual slow voice.

"It's the lord's pelt…they respect it."

"Even when clans fight?"

Sand coloured ears twitch slightly when she nods.

"A priestess does not fight…only surrender when the fight is lost."

"Interesting…"

An idea pops into my head, one that prompts me to step among the remains. A set of sharp claws grips against my mantle after my foot makes contact with ash.

"Don't…touch."

For such a small girl, she has such a murderous glare in those narrowed eyes. Those who previously witnessed this face died a brutal death, yet I meet her bloodlust head on.

"I think I know how you can accompany me safely."

Our staring contest goes on for another several seconds before her hand slowly lowers. I carefully step around the bones to prevent flaring up her anger any further. Fortunately, my target doesn't require me to step too many times.

I hear Peo flinch as I grip tightly against silver fur. My life walks on a thin thread as I pull the scarf into the sun. The incredibly long fabric seems to shine in the light while waving through the air.

"C…why?"

"I need you to become the priestess."

Green eyes widened in surprise at my proposition. Even I know how treacherous this may be to her. This would be no different than if a farmer walked into the castle and declared himself king. In this case, there are no other beasts to serve as opposition. That is, except for the girl in question.

"I can guarantee your safety at my side if you wear this."

"But…I mustn't…"

Peo either can't or won't hide her sadness. If she doesn't at least hold onto the customs of her people, what will remain of their memory? What I'm proposing likely goes against something sacred that she's lived her entire life. I know this, but my black glove still holds the silver ornament in her direction.

"Do you not wish to survive?"

"I…do."

"Good. I'd rather not have not wasted my time saving your life."

The young girl takes a step back as I approach from atop the ash pile. I begin wrapping the fabric into a neat fold and push the finished product into her chest. Her small hands carefully work their way around the scarf, hugging it tightly.

"We don't have the liberty to be sensitive about little things."

I summon my gun and fire a bullet into the copper sword on the ground. The red trail disappears in an instant and leaves behind shards of metal throughout the dirt. I reach down and grab the unharmed yellow crystal previously embedded within the weapon. My hand stings slightly at first touch.

"This world shows us no mercy, so we must use every tool at our disposal. Even if somebody we knew once held it dear, we must put our own lives first."

Conflict continues to run through her face as long as she stares at the scarf. Her eyes look up to me for mercy, but I offer none. She then looks to the pile of ash. There shouldn't be anything there for her to receive an answer from. There shouldn't be, but her mouth suddenly drops agape.

An unnaturally strong gust of wind tears through the trees around us and strikes the ash. My instincts make me feel as if I'm surrounded, but there is nobody visible to my eyes. Peo on the other hand is entranced by the dust. I can't see anything, but part of me feels the numerous figures of beastfolk that fell in battle today.

"Everyone…"

Tears form in those green eyes. I have no idea what they might have said, but I can feel their support. The form of a girl about the age of Peo seems to smile, not that I've ever witnessed her face. I look around for the old man I faced off against alone, but I can't sense him.

"…Okay."

The many presences collect inside Peo's chest. I didn't see any of them, but I can tell that they were smiling. She must have felt it as well, as she begins wrapping herself in the mark of a monarch. It covers much of her upper body and around her shoulders. When she finishes, her mouth is no longer visible behind the wall of fur.

"I guess you really don't have nothing left."

I unconsciously place my hand atop her soft hair. Her ears twitch and her tail sways, but she doesn't push me off.

"You have a duty to carry their memories."

"Mhm…"

I allow Peo some time to pay her final respects and collect whatever belongings her people left for her. By the time she finishes, a sizable leather sack hangs over the massive shields. How she carries all of those with that frame, I will never know.

Peo joins me at the edge of her fallen village with determination in her step.

"Ready, kid?"

I receive a nod and the two of us make the brief journey back to Melior. We may be a beast and a traitor, but we have no plans of being given a fiery grave just yet.