ZeddicusThorn

Bubbling and gurgling in a puddle of mud, Zeddicus Thorn spied his next victim, a golden veilspun that was causing untold amounts of chaos around the marketplace. He had been asked to take out the nuisance quickly and quietly so as to not garner any suspicion. He was given information on his mark via a small parchment but given nothing else. No tools or weapons. No tricks and certainly no backup. He watched as the veil zipped through the air giggling and running from another veil. The parchment let him know of this ever present "brother". Gabriel and Uriel under the protection of a mad female satyr with blue hair.

The task was not going to be easy, but when were they ever?

Zeddicus continued to watch quietly as the day wore on, waiting for nighttime to hide among the shadows. He watched as Gabriel pestered his clan. Watched as the pranks unfolded and other dragons either laughed or grumbled away. Zeddicus wondered if the clan of dragons in front of him would even miss the pestering fool as Gabriel flew to a tundra and dropped a lei of flowers on its head. The tundra smiled softy and wandered through the camp away from the veil.

Shadows stretched as the daylight faded and soon Zeddicus would have to move. He watched as the clan began to settle down for the night. He hadn't decided whether he was going to capture and dispose of just Gabriel or both Gabriel and Uriel as the satyr trod to each dragon and gave it a hug goodnight. Zeddicus watched as each of the lanterns were snuffed and silence echoed through the clearing.

He slid through the night watching for any sign of movement and hiding behind trees. He came close to where he had seen his target bed down as he hid among the shadows and looked for the pest. His eyes searched the night and came up empty. He had found the tundra from earlier as well as Uriel but not Gabriel. Zeddicus growled quietly, fearing he had missed his chance to grab the veil and disappear.

"Hey! What are we looking for?" A whisper startled Zeddicus as the thing giggled next to him. It was Gabriel!

Zeddicus's heart raced as luck had shown on him with his target coming to him, "You actually." Zeddicus grinned maliciously as he snatched for the dragon but missed barely.

Gabriel giggled and zipped around Zeddicus's head, "Me? I'm a nobody. Why me? Wouldn't you had rather someone more important like Lin?"

Zeddicus growled and snatched at Gabriel again, missing the dragon's tail by barely an inch. "No," Zeddicus hissed as he was becoming more frustrated at the little dragon.

"Well, there are prettier dragons like Abrintha. Or maybe Magda?" Gabriel thought as he flew out of reach of the dark dragon that snatched at the air again.

"No! Just you," Zeddicus lunged again and missed. His frustration was making him careless as the noise from the scuffle began to sound through the campsite.

"What about the smarter ones like Alchemy or Danica? Or the stronger ones like Ado or Big Mac?" Gabriel continued to dance right out of Zeddicus's reach as he thought of his clan mates.

Zeddicus growled and snapped his teeth at the tiny dragon landing a blow on something. It wasn't the frustrating Gabriel he had in his mouth as he looked up and saw brilliant green eyes and blue hair. The satyr never expressed pain or anger as she shoved her arm further into his mouth and held his maw tightly to the appendage.

"Good evening. You seem to be lost. I must assume that Gabriel has made you feel welcome or you would not have stayed this long," the satyrs smile was pure chaos as Zeddicus watched in horror at being found.

He had failed his task and could only assume this mad woman intended on dealing with him the same way he was told to dispose of Gabriel. Zeddicus continued to try to let go of the woman, to remove her arm from his now frothing mouth, but to no avail as she followed his every step. The whole clan began to wake and stir around them, watching and waiting for the conclusion.

"I must say, it has been quite some time since we have had to deal with someone so intent on offing one of us. But it is nice to see that they are becoming more bold and intelligent," the satyr held him still and fear settled in the pit of his belly as he watched Gabriel light onto her shoulder. "What should we do with this disobedient thing?" The satyr smiled as she looked to the little veilspun.

Gabriel cocked his head to the side and squinted as he looked at Zeddicus, "The eye. Yes, I think the eye. Then he should guard us."

Zeddicus cringed as he watched the satyr nodded and slowly slip her dripping arm out of his mouth. His scream of agony echoed through the night as he lost his eye. Black blood dripped from his socket and down his cheek while the blurred vision of the satyr handing the veil his prize seared into his memories. Pain shook his body while he whimpered and shuddered at the feet of his new master.

The satyr knelt beside him and whispered, "Welcome to the clan." Her smile was wicked as she trotted off with the golden veil on her shoulder.

A small silver veilspun dripping in black muck landed beside his remaining eye, "Hello. My name is Alchemy. I'm going to try to fix your booboo. Do try to sit still."

After hours of pain, Zeddicus passed out before daybreak. When he finally stirred, he was laid in a soft bed with a quilted blanket. Blood still dripped from his eye but no pain resided as he sat up and looked around.

"Good morning, sleepy head," the blue-haired satyr sat in a chair sipping tea across from him. "What's your name?"

Zeddicus sighed in resignation, knowing if he returned unsuccessful he would be dead anyways. "It's Zeddicus. Zeddicus Thorn."

"Were you hired? I assume it was to capture or kill Gabriel," she closed her eyes and sipped at her tea again.

"Yes."

"'Kay. I can also assume you will die if you return without him?"

Zeddicus nodded, "Yes. Probably after torture."

"'Kay. Rest up. You will never be able to leave though. Alchemy did her best but you will forever bleed from that socket. We will take care of you, provide for you, and keep you safe. In return, we ask you do the same," the woman set her cup down and steepled her hands as she watched him.

"Yes, my master," Zeddicus bowed his head.