The Skin-changer

*Leon's eyes slowly opened as he heard a voice calling his name, he looked around but the world was blurry, however he could feel someone holding his hand, he looked up at the figure beside him as his vision began to clear* "Vivian…what…what happened…" *Leon attempted to sit up but was quickly stopped by his caretaker* "Lay still Leon, Bron hit you pretty hard, you've been out for 2 days." *Leon shook his head slowly and rubbed his eyes* "Bron, who is Bron?" *Vivian sighed* "If it will keep you still I will tell you what happened after you fell unconscious. After your fight with Bron the border patrol arrived along with Brandon and Derrick, Derrick attempted to fight the orc but it threatened to kill you if anyone moved, he used a horn from his belt and suddenly goblins rushed into town, they went into the storehouse and stole a month and a half worth of supplies, after that he said this." "My name is Bron, I am the lord of the great forest and captain of the great beast army, we serve the true king of this world, I will return once a month either for tribute or to kill every single one of you."

"After that he just disappeared back into the forest, Derrick brought you here and you've been unresponsive until now." *Leon grits his teeth and starts to get up but is quickly stopped again* "Leon you must rest." *Leon stares at her* "I have been resting for two days, my people are now down a month and half worth of supplies right before winter because I wasn't strong enough, either help me or move out of my way, that's an order." *They locked eyes and stared in silence for a moment until Vivian sighed and helped Leon to his feet walking him to the door* "Let me walk on my own." *Vivian carefully steps away but remains beside him as he opens the door of the meeting hall*

*The sun blinds him for a moment but as his eyes adjust he sees an interesting sight, Derrick is dueling with a man he's never seen before surrounded by a crowd of townspeople, the man is rather strange, he runs around the dueling grounds with great speed and doesn't appear to be using a weapon, instead using his nails and teeth that seem to be rather long and sturdy, Leon questions what he is seeing for a moment and must double check his eyes but there can be no doubt, this man that is dueling Derrick not only is he using his nails and teeth as a weapon but he has a tail and animal ears*

"Vivian, who is this man?" *Vivian looks down at the battle below* "His name is Heath, he arrived last night. Apparently he is one of the mercenary's sent by the guilds that Derrick called on." *Leon watches the duel very closely, the man named Heath has the advantage in speed but Derrick has power and experience, Heath appears to be trying to tire Derrick out and go for his bad side. Both fighters don't give up any ground and keep exchanging one blow after another until Heath finds the opening he's been looking for, but at that moment Derricks eyes flashed and a light aura enveloped him as his speed shot up extramentally, Heath's eyes went wide as he abandoned his attack and quickly dodged narrowly avoiding Derrick's blade*

"I think that's enough for now." *As Leon spoke the crowd turned and bowed to him, Derrick also knelt to his king, the only one that remained standing was Heath* "Well it's about time ya woke up, I've been sittin here twiddling my thumbs waiting for you." *Heath got on all fours and jumped over the crowd landing almost silently in front of Leon standing once more. Leon now got a good look at Heath, he was 5'5 and had short black hair on the sides but long hair on top with a long ponytail, he had two wolf ears on his head and his skin was pale but dirty like he hasn't had a bath in a few days, his body was very well toned and he had a black wolf tail coming from behind him, he also didn't seem to like clothes very much as he was only wearing leather pants and a necklace with an emerald inside* "Whatcha staring at?" *Heath spins around then looks back at Leon* "Do I have something on my face?"

*Leon chuckles and stares at Heath* "What's so funny greenhorn? Never seen a skin-changer before?" *Leon shakes his head* "No I haven't, but what I'm laughing at is not your race but the way you present yourself, I've never heard someone talk the way you do, nor have I seen someone wear so little clothing when meeting new people." *Heath raises an eyebrow* "Well excuse me for not curtsying and singing ya praises your majesty, I can do a dance if ya wish." *Leon shakes his head and laughs* "That won't be necessary, so you were sent by the guild correct?" *Heath nods* "Aye that's right, apparently you've been having trouble with beasties in the area." "Yes we have, and we were hoping you could help."

*Heath grins* "Oh I can help ya, don't you worry about that, but what I'm wonderin is what you have for me in return." *Leon smiles* "Well the dwarven king has offered to pay the price so you will be well compensated I assure you." *Heath shakes his head and growls a bit* "I don't want money and I don't want to deal with someone who isn't here." *Leon raises an eyebrow* "So what do you want?" *Heath closes his eyes and thinks then pops them back open* "I want the forest."

*Leon looks at him in confusion* "Well…The forest is not mine to give, it's a part of nature, nobody has rights over it." *Heath growls again* "But you have no problem taking from it right? All the kingdoms of Elaysia use the forest for its resources, and your cities are always growing, each year you take more and more from it and each year it gets smaller and smaller, I want to own it so no one can hurt it ever again." *Leon looks at Heath and sees him in a new light, his presentation was childish but he seems to care deeply for nature* "If you help us then I will talk to King Thron and see what can be done." *Heath looks Leon up and down and smiles* "It's a deal."

*Derrick approaches Leon and Heath then kneels again* "My king thank god your awake, I'm sorry, I was powerless to stop that creature again…" *Leon places his hand on Derricks shoulder* "It's not your fault Derrick, that thing is a monster, but he will get what's coming to him, I know it." *Derrick smiles and stands up* "I see you've met Heath." "Indeed I have, me and him have already come to an agreement. But where are the other mercenary's, shouldn't there be two more?" *Heath lets out a chuckle* "You don't need to be worryin about them." *Leon turns to Heath and crosses his arms* "And why is that?" *Heath chuckles again* "They have their hands full." *Leon looks to Derrick but Derrick simply shrugs* "Well alright then, welcome to the team Heath." *Leon shakes Heath's hand and they smile at each other*