Ah, yes...
Yet another brilliant morn, I would say.
Do say, dear reader...
What is the very first thing that comes to you in the morning?
Hmmm?
Why, I do simply speak of how much your eyes...
How you say...
"Eat of the very first hours of the day."
Hmmm?
Indeed, I do mean something just like that.
Hmmm?
Yes...
Yes...
Oh, indeed...
Yes...
'Tis of the human condition, I'm afraid...
You all simply think of what to do next.
Indeed.
Hmmm?
I?
Why, I do fail to be bothered by those trivialities.
Hmmm?
How so, you say?
Why, my dear reader...
That remains...
For the very fact that my purpose remains clear and full before me.
Indeed.
Well, 'tis not the very most certain of sentences, I should say...
Why, even I, my dear reader...
Am at a loss at what destiny holds...
However, and even so, as a wise man simply and certainly once bore to his lips...
Simply move on and along...
And surrender not.
Indeed.
And of the very same, I do say unto you, my dear reader...
A good morning, I say.
A very good morning indeed.
Why, did a good night's sleep find you?
Or rather, did you find yourself tossing and turning, all the while ever so stressed about worries like the lot of you humans tend to...
When life brings a most interesting thing about?
Hmmm?
Well, that does find itself to be better news than most.
Even so, do carry on, I say...
Why, the very foolishness that lies in simply dawdling on as though destiny has no say...
Indeed.
Destiny.
Moving along...
Ah, yes...
The very state of things...
Why, I do believe I had stopped just as Madam Hathaway had made a number of steps towards the corpse...
Mesmerised by the very sight before her.
Indeed.
Why, 'twas a most interesting thing to her.
Nay.
Most enlightening, if one could call it so.
For the very woman had then and there noticed the sheer artistry of that cut.
Dare I say, was it then that the woman had come to a full and proper...
Hmmm...
Perhaps simply better understanding of the very power of the lad before her.
Indeed.
For, 'twas in her eyes to know...
Not just any lad, nay, any warrior...
Can cut like that.
In any case, did she manage to stop herself...
'Twould be foolish to walk any further, she would say...
But of the very bastion corpse...
Why, she would refuse to take a step further...
But also, refuse to remove her eyes from the very sight...
Even and so, as the very young lad did turn aside...
Well prepared and ready to go...
Did her eyes stay right there...
At that very point...
Mesmerised...
Yes...
Even so, did the very ones behind her ponder upon her actions...
Sudden and strange so they were...
Hmmm...
Yes, what happened next...
Ah, yes...
The very young lad did once more, turn aside...
Walking away from the man...
Fren: Do stay safe, dear boy!
Waving back at them...
Now fully clothed and well worn for battle...
To say nothing of the meal of meat he had well sorted out for himself...
Gladly, I would say.
Even so, why...
Did the very young lad turn towards the river...
Why, the very reason to cross it, I would say.
And of the method...
Why, I do fail to find a reason to remind you of that.
Indeed.
Even so, did the very lad find himself walking across it...
At a very slow pace, one would say...
Indeed.
'Twas then that a very many great things did happen.
Why, for the very first...
Did Madam Hathaway slowly regain her very composure...
The very reason for it was not found fitting by her own mind and mentalities.
Indeed.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
And of the very same, did Reginald and Madam Thornberry yet once more...
Nancy: Goodbye, dear lad. Find yourself far from trouble.
Reginald: Indeed, my good lad. Battle hard and battle well.
And Florian, why...
Florian: Good... bye...
Why, he would have wanted to say more, but simply failed to.
Indeed.
For who he was and what would have proceeded after his words, I would say.
Even so, why...
Did Madam Hathaway awaken even more from this odd stupor of her own eyes...
And suddenly...
Victoria: Yes! A very good good bye to you, my good lad!
She did say it ever so loudly, as though one yelling rather than simply saying her goodbyes.
Indeed.
And thereof, did the lad, yet with his back turned...
Find himself simply waving his hand back at them...
Not a word...
Not even a gesture.
Yes.
Moving along...
Ah, yes...
I do suppose you are well aware of the name of this book...
And thereof, I would say...
Why...
Was it not so simply...
Over.
Indeed.
Hmmm?
Why, I shall simply tell you of how it all occurred.
Yes...
And of the very same, I shall tell you of it from the very start...
For...
'Twas simply as Fren Chavalier was observing the meat left behind...
Yes...
Bastion meat...
It fails to be a delicacy for the very fact that those who cut down bastions...
Why, they do tend to become targets of the very beasts of the same pack.
Indeed.
Why, even so, did the very man observe it...
Somewhat tempted to take a cut of the meat...
Before deciding against it...
Yes...
Hmmm?
Why, there are a very many great number of bastion packs, one would imagine...
However, 'tis not true, I would say...
Hmmm?
Why, there are, how you say...
At the very least about one pack for every one of the great nations...
Indeed.
One for the land of the Knights...
Even so, one for the lands concerning wizard and shinobi.
Yes...
They all, all three...
Just so happen to have their own breed of these beasts...
Hmmm?
Oh, no, no, no...
Why, the very differences are inconsequential at best...
Why, 'twould be better to say that their very mannerisms differ from place to place...
Yes.
Indeed.
Hmmm?
An example, you say?
Why...
I do suppose I could dabble in that for a moment...
Ahem...
While there are a great many of them, that being...
Every pack is quite massive in and of itself, why...
Do there manage to be a great many differences between them all...
Even and so as they may all belong to the same pack.
Why, 'tis as you humans...
Some shorter, some taller...
And so on.
But with the bastions of different nations, why...
Say for example, the ones that live by the nation of wizards have a slightly hotter breath of flame in general.
Now, that is not to say that bastions from Vanamour cannot have a hotter breath, however...
Why, I do believe you understand where I am coming from.
Indeed.
That is an example of the differences between them.
To say nothing of the others...
Hmmm?
How I know how hot a creatures breath is?
Why, that does find itself to be yet another hint about who I really am, now doesn't it?
Oh-ho-ho-ho.
Hmmm?
Well, I do suppose I may simply state it as so.
Why, should any fire of any sort be near me, I do find myself fully and utterly capable of gauging how strong it is...
Why, I do fail to require that I even see, hear, touch or smell it.
Nay.
I only require that it is within range.
Hmmm?
Why, that would be about 1000 metres...
Or, as some do call it, a kilometre...
Yes...
Indeed...
Any further than that, and, why...
I can still sense it...
However, weaker flames do indeed become somewhat, how you say...
Faint.
Indeed.
Now...
Hmmm?
A good guess, I could argue...
Yes...
A very good guess.
However, I am not a wizard.
Well, I do suppose that that name is not the furthest from describing who and what I am...
Why, I do use magic, after all...
However, to simply call me a wizard...
Indeed.
'Tis not a proper description.
Hmmm?
Interesting guess.
A non-descrypt magic user, you say?
Why, can you not try to be a bit more specific, my dear reader?
'Tis far too broad of a concept, I would say.
Hmmm?
A magical animal...
My word...
Funny thing that you should say that in this chapter...
Indeed.
A truly funny thing...
Hmmm?
Why, 'tis for the very fact that in this chapter, the young lad shall indeed meet...
Hmmm...
Nay...
Not merely one...
Actually, quite several, I should say...
Indeed.
Several magical animals...
And of the very same, why...
Does one find itself to be most special.
Indeed.
Even so, must I say...
Nay.
I am not a...
Hmmm...
Well, I do suppose my likeness is of an animal...
However, I do fail to be one.
Hmmm?
No, no, no, I am not the special animal of which you would imagine I am.
No!
Hmmm?
The special magical animal?
Why, 'tis an animal that finds itself to be a very special one to the young lad.
Why, I shall be telling you of him shortly.
Even so, yes...
I do find myself to be in the very likeness of an animal...
However, I am not an animal.
I do believe that this is some sort of children's game, if I recall.
Why, I have a flat face, white feathers, a massive size and yet not make a sound.
What am I?
For the children to reply simply...
With a loud shouting...
"A giant white owl!"
Indeed...
Even so, dear reader...
Given all that you know of me, do I venture to ask this of you...
Given all that I have said of me...
Can you guess what animal I am?
Indeed.
I shall leave you with a mere one guess.
Hmmm?
Too few?
Very well then, a mere three.
Indeed.
I do have to get along with the tale, truly...
And of the very same...
Do begin...
Now.
Indeed.
Now.
...
Hmmm?
A dragon, you say?
Hmmm...
Well, 'tis a most efficient guess, I would argue.
Even so, why...
Yet any one could have imagined that to be so.
Why, must I also say that the very answer is quite a bit, how you say...
Far too wide for me.
Indeed.
I would rather that you gave the name of a dragon...
Yes...
Perhaps a bastion or the very mighty Drachenking...
Indeed.
The very legendary dragon.
Well, 'twould be my fault as well...
Why, I have not told you enough about the beasts of this world for you to have a proper understanding of dragons...
Yes...
Indeed...
Even so, given all this...
Shall I accept your answer, and soundly say...
No!
That does indeed fail to be the very animal I take the form of.
Yes...
And of the very same, do you now have but a mere two guesses.
Indeed.
Hmmm?
A hint?
Why, have I not told you enough about myself already?
Hmmm...
Well, no...
'Twould seem I have neglected to do that...
Pity, I should say...
Yes...
Ahem...
Very well then...
And of the very same, why...
The very beast I take the form of...
Why...
It does find itself to be a rare one, I should say...
Even so, does it find itself to be much like a very well known beast in your world...
Indeed.
And of the very same, I shall give it to you in a riddle.
Yes...
Ahem.
I am an animal...
One that prefers to take care of itself...
One that cleans itself properly without the aid of humans...
Why, some may even say that I do it far too often, yes...
Even so, do I clean myself like no other can...
Most find it strange, I should say.
Indeed.
And thereof, my dear reader...
Do say, what do you think?
...
Hmmm?
Vague, you say?
Why, would you rather I simply came out and told you?
...
Hmmm?
Oh come now, where is the fun in all that?
Why, if I simply tell you, then your mind shan't learn a thing.
Indeed.
...
Hmmm?
Well, yes, I do suppose you are right...
I am wasting my own time, you say.
Even so, should I really get back to telling the tale.
However, I shall continue without telling you, or rather, you shall have to solve my riddle.
Indeed.
...
Hmmm?
Why, do fail to be fooled, dear reader?
I do not simply kowtow so easily.
And therefore, do tell me of what did occur to you as an answer to my question.
Or rather, do allow me to continue the tale.
Indeed.
...
Hmmm?
A bit more time, you say?
Why, what would be the point of the game if I left it for a very great set of moments?
Why, all the excitement would be long gone and gone forever.
You know that better than I do, do you not, dear reader?
...
Hmmm?
A better hint, you say?
Hmmm...
No, I do believe that that shall suffice.
Yes...
An animal that cleans itself.
Yes...
Do consider all that before you make your very next move.
And of the very same, do I await your decision.
Indeed.
...
Hmmm?
You agree?
Why, of course you do.
'Twould be strange had you not.
Even so, do tell me this...
What is your second...
...
Hmmm?
Another hint, you say?
Oh, dear...
Very well then...
Indeed...
Another hint...
But this one shall be your last...
Yes...
Now then, where was I...
Ah, yes...
I am an animal...
One that prefers to take care of itself...
One that cleans itself properly without the aid of humans...
Why, some may even say that I do it far too often, yes...
Even so, do I clean myself like no other can...
Most find it strange, I should say...
Most cannot do it as I...
For I clean not with waters or with limbs...
But with the very parts I use to eat, do I clean.
Indeed.
There.
And of the very same, do make yet one more attempt, and then another...
And thereof, shall we be done with this.
...
Hmmm?
A cat, you say?
Why...
Hmmm...
The very domesticated animal that oh-so many from your world use to take care of their households...
Keeping it free from smaller animals or, even so, just merely standing amongst them all...
For the very appealing nature of its beauty.
Yes...
A most fond animal, I would say...
However and even so, why...
Is it still the incorrect choice.
Yes...
Why, a most proper choice, I should argue.
Why, had I been a cat, would I have perhaps made a most similar riddle...
And of the very same, would you now be correct...
Standing in glory...
Shame really.
Even so, do fail to shy away from trying yet once more.
For, indeed.
You do have yet one more trial to your name.
However, be guaranteed.
'Tis the very last for this chapter.
And of the very same, shall I not entertain oh-so many questions right after.
Indeed.
And thereof, do take your time to reconsider...
As to what that may all mean.
...
Hmmm?
Another hint, you say?
...
Hmmm?
Three hints for three trials?
Why...
Such incredible logic, I should say...
Oh, very well then.
I do suppose I may simply give you but one more.
However, I assure you...
'Tis not as easy as it may look.
Hmmm...
No...
Why, I do believe that by now I have made it quite easy.
Indeed.
Ahem...
I am an animal...
One that prefers to take care of itself...
One that cleans itself properly without the aid of humans...
Why, some may even say that I do it far too often, yes...
Even so, do I clean myself like no other can...
Most find it strange, I should say...
Most cannot do it as I...
For I clean not with waters or with limbs...
But with the very parts I use to eat, do I clean...
A very strange thing all the beasts of the world call it...
Except those who share the same blood as mine...
Why, should we be ever so close...
Shall I not mind cleaning them up as well...
'Tis simply my nature, I would say.
Indeed...
That is the very end of my riddle.
And thereof, I say, my dear reader...
Do guess one more...
...
Hmmm?
Why, a bit broad as well, however...
Hmmm?
Time is up.
Well, I do suppose...
Hmmm?
Oh, worry not...
I shall tell you of it tomorrow...
Yes...
Hmmm?
Right now, you say?
Well, I do suppose you do deserve to know...
Why, seeing how interested you are...
Indeed...
You do have it right...
Well, somewhat, I should say.
However, yes...
You are in the right playground.
For indeed, my physical form...
The very form I take...
Most resembles a bird.
Indeed.
And of the very...
...
Hmmm?
Oh, do please spare the questions for the next chapter...
Indeed.
'Tis already past time...
And of the very same, my dear reader...
Do have a pleasant day today.
One where you remember the very works of your wit...
To encourage you in confusing times...
Indeed.
