Chapter 18: Move
"What?" Kaedros asked as he bent lower to get a better look at where Taria was pointing.
She shoved her spear into the monster’s neck, and the metal clinked with something hard. Kaedros’ sharp eyes locked onto it, there, half-buried beneath the mangled fur and flesh, was a thin metal band, inscribed heavily with runes.
Kaedros narrowed his gaze. Something about it stirred an unpleasant familiarity. Then his eyes locked on the small crest etched just beneath one of the runes.
"Are people... keeping them as pets?" Taria asked, voice skeptical but thoughtful. "I’ve never heard of that before... But if they can be tamed, Scabber pups might sell well."
"Certainly not," Kaedros said coldly.
He touched a finger to the monster’s blood and brought it to his nose. The scent confirmed his suspicion. A harsh, artificial stench, chemicals, alchemy, and smoke.
"Come on. Look how ridiculously large this one is. It’s obvious some rich noble’s been feeding it," Taria insisted. Kaedros wasn’t sure if that was irritation or jealousy in her voice, and he decided not to find out.
"Can you see that under the glyphs?" Kaedros asked, pointing.
Taria squinted. "Where?"
"There, right under that swirl pattern," he said. "That little drawing."
Taria leaned closer. "Oh. Yeah, I see it now... Looks familiar. What is it?"
Kaedros’ face darkened. "It’s the insignia of the Celestial Order."