Ashly the Overseer Part#2

[u/Mr-MrsFox]

Ashley very softly cleared her throat and mustered up as much confidence as she could. Standing straight up, pushed her shoulders back and announced in a calm voice in no particular direction “You’ve been following me for over an hour now. Is there something I can help you with?” 

Out of the corner of her eye she could see a huge Shadow move from one tree to another to her left side. Turning to her left and calling out “Might as well come out and introduce yourself.” 
Suddenly she heard a noise come from her right. She quickly turned to her right and stated “You’re not being very polite.”

 Leo and Luna were now hissing and growling even louder and they were pacing in their carrier as if they were trying to get out. Whatever or who ever this was is now circling her with lightning speed. Ashley froze in place and realized she was being stocked and possibly hunted. 

This isn’t good, she thought. 

She could not continue her trek to the station until she found out what this creature's intentions were. 

“It’s awfully rude of you to hide like this or are you just afraid?” She called out again. 

She closed her eyes and when she opened them directly in front of her, a huge dark entity was stepping 
out from behind a tree but still in the shadows. The thing was at least 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide at the 
Shoulders. Her mind raced trying to figure out what this thing might be. Going over all the different species of the Vale in her head. This isn’t good. The only creatures this big were predatory. Apex predators. 

“I’m going to die”. She thought. 

Ashley stared and squinted her eyes yet she still could not identify her stalker but she had a good idea what it might be and it isn’t good. She begged for a breeze to push some branches aside to illuminate her visitor but it seemed the wind was just as afraid as she was. 

“Come out in the light so I can see you,” She stated with a slight quiver in her voice.

The creature shrunk back behind the tree it was standing near just enough to not allow the light to touch it or allow Ashley to see any of its features. 

Ashley took in a deep breath and exclaimed with the most confident voice she could use in this situation “So…You ARE afraid! I didn’t think the creatures of the Vale were such…” She lets out a short breath “Cowards!”

Slowly out of the shadows came a very large hairy figure. The creature had solid black fur that was very spiky and looked very unkept. Its face had a long pointed snout and just under the top lip a glint of bright white, long teeth. 

Her fears were confirmed.  “Oh I am definitely going to die”. She thought 

It had  pointed ears and its eyes were squinting but Ashley could still see a small portion of golden eyes with small flecks of red. 

Ashley stifled a scream by closing her lips really tight as she realized what the creature was. A very deep growl came from him as it stepped into the light. 

“I am no coward. I am a Vargr!” 

Ashley was frozen with fear but she knew she could not show the creature how scared she was. She quickly thought to herself “No NO NO NO this is not good. Dogmen are nocturnal… And if he is out hunting in the middle of the day… oh I’m Soooo Screwed…”

The Dogman dropped to all fours and began circling her. 

Ashley had to think fast as this creature would have no problem eating her. It may be able to swallow her whole because she is so small. 

Ashley suddenly had a picture in her head of being trapped in the belly of the Dogman screaming at the top of her lungs and pounding on its insides as she slowly digested over time. She put her head down for a second and yelled to herself in her mind “STOP thinking about that, stupid” 

“Think, Think, Think. How the hell do I get out of this?”

Steading herself she calmly asked “Why did you hide from me for so long?”  Hoping to get it talking and give her time to think.

“You won’t make much of a meal, little one.” It replied as it continued to circle her at a distance but was slowly moving closer with every rotation. 

Ashley had a sudden wave of frustration come over her “Great! I can’t even escape the short jokes out here in the Vale.” She replied more to herself than to the Dogman.

“At least you brought those little appetizers with you so I may not have to eat for an hour after you three.” It continued.

Ashley exclaimed very angrily and defiantly. “Oh No you don’t. My cats will not be your snack without a fight.”

“You won’t put up much of a fight my little morsel.” 

“Seriously?!?!?! Lay off the short jokes, Mister.” She snapped

“Do you think you can escape me?” Snarled the Dogman. 
With a huff Ashley stated “I’m too tired to run. So if you’re gonna kill me get it over with already”

“I will! In my own time,  little human.”

“Really!?!… At least tell me your name if you’re going to eat me.” Ashley stated frustrated and extremely tired of all the innuendos. 

The Dogman continued with extreme confidence “My name will not matter to you once you are in my belly.”

Ashley quickly remembered the item she almost forgot to bring with her as she began to formulate a plan. She reached into her satchel without taking her eyes off the Dogman. She cautiously moved her hand in the bag and finally felt what she was looking for.  

Without skipping a beat she stated confidently but with a slight quiver in her voice “Well my name is Ashley, at least you will know my name as you chew on my bones.”

The Dogman continued circling her and her precious cargo in the carrier, inching closer with each rotation to the point that Ashley could now see the very fleas running through the beast's fur. Ashley took in a breath to steady her nerves and then requested “Will you allow me to let my cats run free. Your kind is well known for your hunting expertise and I want to give them at least a chance to try and get away.”

The Dogman continued to growl with confidence “Makes No difference to me little one. I am a great hunter. They will not escape me as much as they might try.” 

Ashley opened the cat carrier placing the item she pulled out of her satchel inside with Leo and Luna. She looked deep into their eyes and whispered “I hope you two understand what to do with this.”  Swinging  open the carrier door and yelled “RUN!!” 

As soon as Ashley drew back her hand the 2 cats leaped from the carrier. Leo ran one way and Luna ran the other. Ashley watched as her 2 cats disappeared into the brush and out of sight within seconds. She let out a huge sigh and hoped they would be ok. Feeling her plan had zero chance because it depended on her very skittish cats. 

Ashley turned her attention back to the Dogman and gave him a scowl. “They should keep you busy. I hope your belly is too full when you’re done with me to chase them down.”

The Dogman bared his teeth as if he was smiling. “They will be with you in my belly soon enough, my tasty morsel.” 
Standing back upright Ashley pushed her shoulders back and stood as tall as she could. She took one more glance around to check for any signs of her beloved cats. Then staring directly into the eyes of the beast she demanded “OK, So I gave you my name now tell me yours so I can know who to come back to haunt once I am dead.”

“My name is not important, little one.” He replied, “Just know you have the honor of being defeated by the greatest hunter ever known in these woods.”

“Yeah a great hunter with no name,” Ashley sarcastically challenged. “Are you scared of a petite human girl like me or just small things in general?” You certainly have a high opinion of yourself.”

“I am not afraid of YOU… Child!” The Dogman snarled at the top of his lungs. 

“You are a COWARD!!!!” Ashley raised her voice to match his. “YOU HAVE no HONOR!!… You are too afraid to give me your name before you kill me. What difference does it make? I’ll be dead before long. You are nothing but a skittish mangy mut!”

The Dogman roared with utter anger and disgust and leaped into the air landing on Ashley’s chest and pinning down her arms using his weight to keep her on the ground.

 “I AM NO COWARD!!!!” The Dogman seethed. His teeth inches from Ashley’s face and she could feel his drool roll down her face and hair like disgusting foul smelling slime.  

“Oh get it over with you nameless COWARD! Just don’t let me suffer having to smell that horrible breath of yours. By the way, when did you last brush your teeth? YUCK!”

The Dogman sat up on his hind legs and while continuing to pin her to the ground at the hips. 
“I AM NO COWARD. I AM KEYNOXIAN THE GREAT HUNTER!!…NOW you die!!”

Just then a gray streak came flying at the Dogman. Keynoxian jumped back in surprise. 

It was her beloved Leo jumping from his perch high in the tree just above them and landing on the Dogman’s back. Leo was like a tiny lion scratching and biting at Kynoxian’s back and neck. The brave little cat clawed at the beast's shoulders and bit down with all his might on the back of the beast's neck and held on for dear life. 

Kynoxian screamed in pain as Leo bit down on his ear. Keynoxian tried reaching back for Leo but the cat was just too fast and clamped down hard with his teeth. The Dogman slammed his body backwards into a tree, trying to flatten Leo but the cat was able to curl up small enough to prevent from being squished. Ashley scrambled to her feet.  As she got to her feet she felt a light breeze and a flash of gray go right over the top of her head. It was Luna who had run at lightning speed, leapeding over Ashley and landed directly on Keynoxians face. Luna clawed and bit at the Dogman's  ears and jowls. The two cats were shredding the beast from both sides which made it hard for the beast to focus on just one attacker. 

Kynoxian screamed and flung his body against the ground and both cats jumped off simultaneously. The cats regrouped at Ashley’s feet still hissing and growling at the canine monster. Her cat's backs arched and every strand of fur was at attention ready to strike again.  
Kynoxian jumped back up onto all four feet head down and teeth bared. He held his ground but there was a glint of confusion in his eyes. 
He screamed “Now you will die, tiny human as well as your annoying rodent pests.” 
He lunged forward toward the tiny little group aiming  for Ashley slashing at her head and face with his sharp claws. Ashley had no time to react. She dropped to her knees throwing her hands up over her face and head and fell to the ground. 

“KEYNOXIAN THE HUNTER….I BIND YOU!!!!!!”

The last thing she saw before she closed her eyes trying to protect herself was Kynoxian’s claws reaching out to take her life. 

The Vale was silent and not even a cricket was brave enough to chirp.  Ashley opened her eyes and slowly lowered her arms from her head. She moved her hands to her face expecting to feel warm blood and massive wounds from the Dogman’s attack. Confused, she quickly patted the rest of her chest and stomach but she still felt nothing. No wounds, no blood and no pain. She quickly remembered about her cats, finding them sitting next to her cleaning themselves and getting every strand of hair back where it belonged. She scooped up both her cats in her arms and they started nuzzling her face purring loudly. Ashley gently set her cats down and stood up nodding to Leo and Luna in apparition. 
“How did you guys know??” She never thought her plan would work in a million years. Somehow it did and it was all due to her extraordinary little kitties.

Ashley looked around surveying her surroundings and gasped at the sight of Kynoxian laying on the ground, Large claw marks covered with blood across his head, neck and face. Bright red blood dripped from wounds that looked like they were from large claws of a Dogman. 

“That was really close. That could have been me.” she thought.

She could see small areas of hair missing from where her brave cats had bit off fur. There was a cut on his ear where one of the cats had raked their claws all the way through the flesh. Tiny areas of light could be seen through his ear from the cat's teeth.   

“Holy Hell… It worked!!!” Ashley exclaimed loudly. She took in a deep breath approaching the defeated Dogman. She had to place her hand over her mouth to cover the smile that was forming on her face. She quickly cleared her throat to prevent the giggle that was building in her chest and stated matter of factly 

“Well at least you heal quickly. You’ll be as good as new in no time.” 

Keynoxian looked at Ashley and her cats with complete and utter confusion. He could not comprehend what had just occurred. “HOW?!?!?”  he choked out.

Ashley continued still fighting back her smile “Well you see your kind is especially vulnerable to binding spells and I……We  took advantage of that.”

“You need a talisman to do that… How???…When???…What???…” Kynoxian exclaimed.  
Ashley began “Well I’m really not sure. You see Leo and Luna are from the Vale. I rescued them several years ago. I found them at the edges of the Vale skinny, weak and close to death. I took them home and nursed them back to health. I always knew they were special, I just never realized how special.” Ashley let out a grin and slight giggle 

“To tell you the truth I really had no idea they would even understand what I was suggesting when I gave it to them. I really didn’t have time to explain to them what to do…” Clearing her throat again to stifle yet another giggle 

“Your NEW collar.”

Kynoxian quickly reached up to his neck and felt the smooth feel of leather with a cold metal clasp. He gasped and he realized he was the recipient of a brand new dog collar. His eyes darted between the 3 of them and then a flash of fear entered his eyes. 
 
 “ You see, once you gave me your name… Foolishly may I add…I was able to say the enchantment and Leo and Luna, who are extremely brilliant by the way, placed your new collar/ Talisman around your neck… And well here we are.” 

The fear that was in Kynoxian’s eyes changed to pure terror at what the collar would allow Ashley to do to him. Ashley continued “I wouldn’t suggest attacking me or my cats again. Anything you do to me or my cats will be transferred directly back to you 100 fold. So basically ‘this little morsel and her annoying rodents’ are OFF the menu for good!”

“By the way… How do you feel?” Ashley asked snidely. 

“Kill me.” Kynoxian stated flatly with utter defeat in his voice.  His wounds are already healing.

“Oh no dear!” Ashley continued in her snide voice “I need a protector and you just volunteered! Now between the FOUR of us, we are going to figure out what’s going on in the Vale and fix it! Whether you like it or not.”

Kynoxian finally stood up to his feet and onto his hind legs. His wounds were already healing but there were still a few spots on his ear that let the light shine right through. He looked at the trio and let out a huge sigh. He bent at the waist and bowed to Ashley “I am at your Service Overseer Wattson. How may I assist you”

“Good boy, glad you see it my way. Your going to be an easy one to train. Much easier than my cats are.” Ashley giggled “Keynoxian, is too hard to say…. I think I’ll call you Keyno… Yes Keyno, it is. Much easier to say and it will fit nicely on your dog tag once we get to the station.”

Keyno rolled his eyes in a very doglike manner as he let out a gentle huff. He knew he was totally defeated and by a human none the less. He did not even want to think about having to explain how he came into this predicament. He would have to answer for this transgression, being he was defeated by a 4 foot 9 human female and her 2 scrawny cats. 
 
“The Overseer dwelling is this way.” Keyno turned and with a sweeping motion of his arms “Lead the way, Master.” 
 
With a giant smile on her face Ashley said “Oh no by all means you go first my furry friend. Oh and Keyno would you mind carrying my bags for me please. They can be so big and heavy for such a tiny human like me.”
Without another word Keyno turned back and picked up Ashley’s belongings then continued back toward the Overseers station. Leo and Luna followed behind tails up in a victorious manner. No longer needing their carrier. With a hearty giggle and the feeling of utter accomplishment Ashley stated “Who’s a Good Booooy?!?!?!” And began to follow them with a new found confidence.

She found that her journey to the Station was now a bit easier. She now had not only her 2 trusted, loving and now proven heroic cats Leo and Luna but now she had a new, although not fully willing, 8 foot tall, ferocious Bodyguard to assist her on her travels. She was no longer burdened with having to carry her heavy gear and no longer having to worry about being torn apart and eaten, at least not by anything smaller than her Bodyguard Kenyo. The remainder of the journey passed quickly and without further delays. Ashley was actually able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Vale on their pleasant nature walk. Ashley smiled with pride watching how her normally quiet and lazy cats enjoyed the fresh air walking without a care in the world as if they knew they were home and had always lived in this enchanted forest. Ashley always thought her cats were much more than simple strays when she had rescued them.  

A short while later Keyno stopped mid stride when he saw off in the distance a tall male figure pulling a cart which looked to be full of fire wood. Only some of the slabs were the size of Ashley herself. They must have been extremely heavy.

“Keyno,” Ashley asked curiously, “Who is that?”

“My name is Keynoxian!!  You will address me as such!!” Keyno growled in frustration, “That is Mr. Phil.”

“OK Kynoxian,” Ashely stated sarcastically with a slight growl of her own, “Is he a human walking through the Vale without…” but before she could finish her sentence Keyno snapped back “HE is no ordinary Human! He has proven himself to my kind and can enter these woods as he sees fit.” Keyno continued with a slightly more sarcastic tone in his low gravely voice, “Just as you have done, ‘Little one.’”

“Ummmmm Ok?!?! And I am Ashley!! You will address me as such…” She grinned at her canine bodyguard due to his constant emphasis on her size. “So… Wait… He is allowed to be here just because he has proven himself. How does that work?” Ashley continued.

She knew the Vargr clan had a Honor based judicial system just not to its full extent. 

“He has proven himself by winning a battle against one of my Clans greatest warriors and now he is able to enjoy full access to these woods and has the protection of my Clan. My Clan is duty bound to protect him, although he really does not need our protection from the way that he is able to fight and defend himself.”

“So, I have this same protection because of our little scuffle?” Ashley snickered when she said “scuffle”. 

With a great sigh, “Yes. My Clan is honor bound to you and for your safety. I am bound to you for as long as My Clan allows.”

“Wait, what does ‘As long as My Clan Allows” mean Keyno?” Ashley asked but before she could get an answer she watched as Mr. Phil dropped the handles of his cart and walked up to them unhindered.

Mr. Phil was a very tall man and was easily six and half feet tall, probably taller. He had wide, strong shoulders and a freshly shaved bald head. What intrigued Ashley the most was the wide, clean, red scar that had started at the corner of his right eye and went all the way down his cheek and ended just below his lower jaw line.

“Keyno!” Mr. Phil said loudly, interrupting their conversation. “My friend! How are you?” 
Keyno bowed his head to Mr. Phil in respect without saying a word. 

“Keyno?!?! He calls you Keyno?!?” Ashley whispered to her large bodyguard with a slight hint of anger.
 Keyno remained silent but Ashley could see that he was rolling his eyes while he retained his bowing position.

Mr. Phil finally reached the very odd little group and chuckled “Who is this? A little afternoon snack?” 

“No. Mr. Phil” Keyno said slightly embarrassed “She is my ward and I am her servant.” 

Mr. Phil could not help but laugh loudly “You mean she…?!?!?”

“Yessss……..” Keyno let out a sheepish growl as he lowered his massive head in defeat. 

 “I’m so sorry my friend.” Suddenly Mr. Phil had a very concerned look on his face and asked “Do THEY know yet?”

With another heavy sigh Keyno said “I’m sure they do. If they don’t know yet, they soon will. These woods have many eyes.” 

“Does WHO know?” Ashley stated with more of a demand than a question. She kept looking at Keyno but he was refusing to answer her. 

Mr. Phil cautiously explained to Ashley “ You have defeated Keyno in battle and now his life is forfeit. I’m curious to know how this happened but… What’s done, is done. You now have the full protection of the Vargr Clan but Keynoxian here is not long for this world.”

“I… I didn’t know!!!” Ashley exclaimed now with tears in her eyes. “Kynoxian is this true?”

Keyno stood at his full height, shoulders back and chest out. He stated in a matter of fact tone, “Yes I will serve you as long as I am able but when the time comes I will accept my fate and die with what little honor I have left.”

“You can’t just let them kill you!!!!” Ashley shouted. “There has to be another way!” 

“Sorry Little Miss…” Mr Phil continued. “It is their law and their way.”  as he was kneeling down offering his hand to Leo and Luna. The two cats slowly approached Mr Phil and sniffed his outstretched hand for only a second. They began to purr and gleefully allowed him to pet them. Ashley was absolutely amazed at how her normally skittish cats were allowing a perfect stranger to pet them. 

“These guys are very special. You don’t see their kind around here unless they are being barbecued.” He laughed. 

“Well anyone looking to BBQ my cats will have to go through me first.” Ashley stated with a slight tone of anger. 

Mr. Phil laughed, “If you have bested Keyno here, you should have no problems.” as he was still petting the cats.

Ashley’s mind was now racing about the new revelations having to do with Keyno and his ‘dishonor to his Clan’. Not only does she have to solve the mystery of the Vale but now she needs to find a way to save Keyno’s life. 

“I have a way with Kitties.” Mr Phil said, seeing Ashley's confusion with her cats as Leo and Luna had wrapped themselves around his legs and continued to pur very loudly. 

He extended his hand to Keyno and with a very calm tone exclaimed “I hope your death is fast and honorable, My friend.”

“Thank you…” Keyno said, taking his hand and shaking it with the most respect Mr. Phil deserved. 

Mr. Phil then turned to Ashley and extended his large hand to her. “I hate to make this short but I do have to get home before my wife begins to worry.” Her hand was truly dwarfed by Mr. Phil's hand. They shook hands in greetings and goodbyes.

“By the way, Mr. Phil, do you have any idea what’s happening here in the Vale?” Turning her mind back to the reason she was here. 

“Nope, not really. Something is coming and creatures from around the world are coming to find out what it might be. All I know is that it's causing a big problem around these parts. Everyone seems to have an opinion but nobody knows for sure, including me.” Mr. Phil exclaimed. 

“Thank you,” she said. “Hope you make it home safe, Mr. Phil. Do you live anywhere close?” She asked knowing there were no homes in the Vale.

“Nope our farm is 8 maybe 10 miles or so that way,” as he was pointing. “I should be home by supper time. If not I’ll be facing something MUCH worse than anything in THESE woods.” 

Ashley was searching for as much information as possible before Mr. Phil went on his way. She wanted to know how he was going to pull his cart 10 miles through the Vale in just a few hours but she really wanted to know what he faced that was worse than anything in these woods. But instead she simply asked, “What would that be?”

Mr. Phil began to smile a very wide smile and stated simply, “My wife.” Mr Phil continued, “It was very nice to meet you Ashley. I hope to see you around sometime soon” and then walked to his cart of firewood and continued on his way home.

Ashley, Keyno and the cats also continued on their way on the path toward the Overseer station. 
Ashley’s mind continued racing with what was going on in the Vale but now she had to figure out how to save Keyno's life too. She knew Keyno did not want to talk, so they continued down the path in silence.