Vur sat cross-legged on top of a boulder. Leaning against the boulder, Alice and Mr. Skelly were sitting with their backs straight, their arms crossed over their chests. Thousands of sheepn surrounded the boulder, kneeling in a circle. Ahead of the Vur, the sea of sheepn parted by shuffling to the sides without standing, and Tafel and Mary ca into view, led by an entourage of halberd-wielding sheepn.
Alright, Vur, Tafel said, her voice hiding a sigh. Whats going on?
These sheepn were on a mission to kill a dragon, but once they saw how strong I was, they gave up and decided to beco my followers instead, Vur said. I think Im going to put them in Konigreich. That way, Auntie can keep an eye on them.
On a mission to kill a dragon? Tafel asked. And they gave up? Just like that?
Well, they are sheep, Alice said and shrugged. If you can convince one of them, the rest follow. Its funny actually.
Tafel glared at Alice before redirecting her gaze onto Vur. Shouldnt you be more upset at them for wanting to kill a dragon?
Vur scratched his head. You cant help what you want, he said. Its how you act on what you want that determines whether or not youre a bad person. Vur nodded, and the sheepn nodded with him, their heads bobbing up and down like waves in a red ocean.
Tafel blinked. Then she brought her hands up to her eyes and rubbed them with her fingers. She let out a breath as she lowered her arms and took another look at Vur. She blinked again before frowning. Vur? Did sothing happen to you while I was gone?
I beca the ruler of these sheepn?
Other than that?
Vur tilted his head. No. Why?
Tafel bit her lower lip. Its just that you said sothing quite uncharacteristic of yourself, she muttered. Wind whistled as she took in a deep breath. Actually, never mind. Its nothing. So, youre treating these sheep things, err, people, these sheep people as your subjects now? Is that a good idea? Do you even know what they eat?
Vur blinked. He turned his head towards a sheepman with prominent horns that curled like a rams. What do you eat?
The sheepman bleated and cleared his throat. Grass.
Vur nodded at the sheepman and turned his head back towards Tafel. They eat grass.
Okay, Tafel said and held up a fist. She extended her pointer finger. Their mission in life is to kill a dragon. She raised her middle finger. They follow strong people. She raised her ring finger. And they eat grass. Her three raised fingers wiggled as she moved her hand towards Vur. What else do you know about them other than these three things? You cant just assimilate new citizens like this.
Vur snorted. Thats not all I know about them.
Tafel raised an eyebrow. Oh really?
Really, Vur said. I know theyre red. And when they die, they dissolve. Thats five things.
We also know they can speak, Alice said. Thats six.
You stay out of this, Tafel said, glaring at Alice again.
Vur furrowed his brow. Are you mad?
No, Im not mad, Tafel said and crossed her arms over her chest. What makes you think Im mad?
Well, you sound mad, and you look like youre mad, Vur said with a nod.
Shes upset the sheepn thought I was your wife too, Mary said before Tafel could say anything.
Tafel pursed her lips. Why is everyone ganging up on ? She frowned at Mary. I thought you were on my side.
Mary shrank back, her shoulders hunching. She faced Vur and stuck her tongue out at him. Tafels not mad, dummy. She only looks and acts like she is.
Vur pointed at Mary. Seize her.
The sheepn rose in unison and rushed Mary from all sides. She yelped, and a few sheepn went flying, dissolving into puddles of red liquid once they hit the ground. But despite Marys best efforts, the sheepn sward and brought her down, grabbing her ankles first to remove her leverage. And once she couldnt utilize her strength properly, it was only a matter of piling more and more sheepn on top of her until she couldnt move. A small mountain of red bodies ford beside Tafel before Mary finally stopped struggling.
Vur? Tafel asked, taking a few steps back from the wriggling pile. What are you doing?
Im testing how strong they are, Vur said and frowned. And it seems like theyre stronger than I first thought. I didnt think theyd pin her that fast.
Like we, baaa, said, great leader, the sheepman with ram-like horns said. We were, baa, created with a mission to, baaa, kill a dragon. Would we have baaan given such a mission if, baa, that were impossible to carry out? It only makes sense, ba, for our combined strength to baaa greater than or equal to a dragons.
Who gave you that mission? Tafel asked. And let her go. Im ordering you as the great leaders wife.
Baa, the ageless blood warrior, Zyocuh, the sheepman said. He, baaa, was responsible for our, baa, creation.
The miniature mountain of sheepn flew into the air as Mary sat up, panting, her face red from exertion. Uncle Zyocuh?
Baa, maybe? the sheepman asked before shrugging. Your eyes are the sa, baaa, as his.
Is it possible for you to speak without bleating? Tafel asked. Its a little confusing.
The sheepman shook his head. I, baa, cant help it. They co out, baa, like hiccoughs.
Why would Uncle Zyocuh want to kill a dragon? Mary asked and shoved aside the sheepn that were beside her, making room to stand. That doesnt make sense. He told to never provoke the dragons.
We can always ask him why, Tafel said.
Mary flinched, and she spoke in a voice lower than before, Every ti I ever asked Uncle a question, hed hit , so I stopped.
Tafels eyes narrowed, and she clenched her hands into fists. Well, I dont think hell be able to hit you with a few dragons staring him down. Lets go back to the palace and interrogate him. She gestured towards the sheepman with the ram-like horns. Make yourselves useful and secure so genies for us.
The sheepman turned towards Vur with a questioning expression on his long face. Vur nodded at him. Do as she says.
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