"I'm home, Kody!" Tytula called. She heard Kody running for the portal as she stepped through, along with the clicking of Per's talons. Both greeted her as she walked into the chamber, the albino safe in its carrying case.
Perturmiles immediately sniffed the carrier, sensing another Drakkin in his territory. He waved his tail again, looking up curiously at Tytula.
"It's the new friend I was telling you about, Per-Per!" Tytula cried, setting the box down. "Be very gentle, because he's a little bit weak."
As Per and Kody watched, Tytula opened the cage door. The little albino came tumbling out, its eyes adjusting immediately to the darkness surrounding it. It sniffed Tytula's outstreatched hand, and, finding something it knew, buried its head in her arms.
"It's okay, buddy," Tytula murmured. "I'm right here. Guys, say hello to Criso'ra. His name means 'Crystal Speaker' in Spanish."
"Why 'Crystal Speaker?'" asked Cody. "He speaks?"
"Not yet," Tytula said eagerly, "but albinos have been known to be able to communicate with their owners. To a degree. They're almost as smart as any female, or so I've heard."
"Wow," Kody said. "Hiya, Cris! I'm Kody. And this is Perturmiles, but you can call him Per. She's Tytula, but you can call her Ty. But I'm Kody."
"Stop it!" Tytula laughed. "You're confusing him! Here, look, I got this note along with my...bugs."
Tytula opened the pack of bugs, and watched with disgust as they fell out and crawled away. Per's eyes lit up, and he grabbed one. He reluctantly tossed it over to Cris after a look from Kody, and listened as intently as he could while Tytula read the letter.
Tytula --
Congratulations on another purchase! I commend you on receiving a rare albino. In owning one, there are some things you must know.
First of all, this one was born ill and weak. He was quite lucky to have lived. It was because of your previous purchase of him that he was treated by medics. Otherwise, Inrahi would have been in quite a spot.
Anyway, no albino is very strong, so all are useless in the ring. Yours, especially, would probably find it fatal to face off against any other Drakkin. Even simple training will be dangerous to the well-being of your albino.
However, albinos are almost as intelligent as any female, and have been known to communicate, to an extent, with their owners. In particular, my good friend, Lord Tolethven, claims to have the ability to communicate mentally with his albino As-ny. Tolethven, who I'm sure you will meet someday soon, finds great joy in As-ny's company. Your albino, having as many weaknesses as it does, may have even greater mental prowess. I suppose we will find out soon enough.
Take care. Lefati sends her regards to Perturmiles.
-- Lord Breeder Dwahro
"Cool," Tytula said. After thinking for a moment, Tytula gently lifted Criso'ra, and looked him straight in the eyes. When she was sure he was looking at her, she said, quite clearly, "Tytula." She then turned Cris toward Kody, and said, "Kody." Finally, Cris found himself facing the big green Drakkin. "Per."
The albino looked up at its keeper, and the light of understanding began to shine in his eyes. Suddenly, Tytula felt a voice ringing inside her head.
Tytula, the voice said. Tytula. Ty-ty!
"That's right!" Tytula said, amazed and proud at the same time. "Who's that?"
The albino followed her finger, and said, Kojja?
"Ah, close enough," Tytula said. "It's Ko-Dy. Kody."
Kojja, Cris replied simply. Tytula remembered that their communication wouldn't be perfect by any means.
Per? the voice asked inquiringly. Criso'la gestured towards Perturmiles with his tail. Per-per?
"Per-per-per-perperper," Perturmiles replied. In an instant, the two Drakkins were engaged in a lively conversation of barks, yips, and trills.
"They're sure getting along," Tytula said, quite pleased. "I'm so glad they can be friends."
"Yeah," Kody said, watching the two beasts interact. His eyes shone. "I really love these Drakkins, Ty."
"Maybe you can have one someday," Tytula said absent-mindedly, stroking the necks of both Drakkins. They found they could share Ty's lap, and all four relaxed, surrounded by an aura of friendship.
* * *
After the excitement of the new arrival had faded slightly, it was time to get back to work. While Kody fed and watched Criso'la, Tytula and Perturmiles went to the cave they used for the purpose of training sessions.
"Per," Tytula said, "you need to be working on your endurance a LOT. If you get tired after five minutes, you'll be easy prey for another Drakkin!"
Per's eyes widened, showing he understood. He knew it was time to train. His leg muscles twitched eagerly as he gazed out into the spherical chamber.
"Here's what I want you to do," Tytula said carefully. "The room is 21 meters around. Just run in circles around the perimiter until you absolutely cannot run anymore. Then come back to me, and I'll tell you how far you ran. Aaaaaand...GO!"
Perturmiles was off like a shot. He bolted around the room twice with a burst of adreniline, and then slowed dramatically. He jogged around twice more. Tytula could tell his legs were aching from the way he was gritting his teeth.
He trudged around the room one more time, and staggered over to his keeper's feet. When he reached Tytula, he collapsed in a panting heap.
"Impressive!" Tytula said gently. "You went 105 meters. I'll bet I couldn't do that. But you could have gone farther. I know what your problem is."
Per looked up at Ty curiously.
"You need to pace yourself!" she said. "You ran so fast at first that you wore yourself out. Here, just jog beside me." Tytula gave Perturmiles an Energy Booster, a small tablet that helped restore energy to the Drakkin taking it. Per stood and shook himself off, than preceeded to jog beside Tytula for a while.
"There," she said. "Now, do the running in circles thing just going like that."
Per cantered back to the spherical room, and started to run at full speed.
"Slowly, Perturmiles!" Tytula yelled sharply. "Slow down, and run like we were doing before!"
Hanging his head a little big, Per slowed down to a jog. He circled the room 6 times, and he was still looking somewhat strong. After 5 more laps, he returned to Tytula's side, looking up expectantly.
His efforts were rewarded with a large chunk of rich, dark chocolate. As he devoured it, Tytula calculated his distance.
"Per!" she cried, causing the Drakkin to look up from his chocolate. "That was amazing! You went 231 meters! Remember, you went 105 meters before! Good job, oh, good boy!"
Perturmiles closed his eyes, and smiled happily, although Tytula suspected the grin was because of the chunk of chocolate in the green's mouth.
"I think that's enough for now," Tytula said. "Your legs are probably taking a beating. You'll have to work up to 436 meters...ah, that's a goal I made!" Tytula said sheepishly, saving herself from a bit of embarassment.
That Atari, she thought furiously as she and her Drakkin returned to the kitchen. Perturmiles and I will beat him and his little Kai'ltop right out of the arena. That'll wipe that cocky little smile right off his face. I won't let anyone call Criso'la a miserable little weakling without some trouble from me....
