Chapter I
Lena had been caged as long as she could remember. Sure, the cage was large. But the insides were basically an indoor natural park. Trees, rivers, animals. Nothing was left out. Her kind had always been caged.
Her green eyes basically slapped the word 'Markwarrior' on her forehead. Of course, on the bars of the cage the word was already put.
Outside a Scalemate Hissed loudly, signaling food was coming. Or that Nobles had come to gawk. Probably the Latter considering the time.
"Your Majesties. Welcome to The Menagerie." Came the oily voice of the keeper. "Would you like a guided tour?"
"No. It will be fine. I heard you have a Markwarrior? I would like to see him." A new Voice answered. It was a snobby voice, clearly used to having orders followed.
"She is down to the left." Jacob, the keeper, said politely but Lena could hear a bit of annoyance hidden well but she could tell the Royals didn't.
Soon, a boy about a year older and what she assumed to be his father strolled down the shady path that wound around the Cages. They stopped at her Cage.
They couldn't see her for she was sitting in a tree and covered by Shadows. Pulling up the Leg she was dangling she jumped to a different tree and leaped down.
"There she is Father." The Young Man said.
"And a pretty thing too." Remarked the older Man. Her eyes hardened. They were treating her like a thing.
"My name is Lena." She said, stiffly.
"Look, the Thing talks." Jeered the Younger one, placing emphasis on the word Thing.
"If I am a thing then so are you." She replied Coldly.
"She has some nerve." He snorted and then muttered a swear word. She replied in turn in several languages. His eyes widened as she let out a string of rather colourful curses.
"You... you speak Sterian?" He asked.
"Along with Gherenese, Melemi, Terifix, Dermlot and Helleronic." She responded evenly.
"How did you learn." The Older one inquired. "That is reserved for Royalty."
"The keeper used to be half Gheren, half Melemi. The keeper after that spoke Helleronic, Terifix and Dermlot." She Said. Seeing his mouth open she added "The current keeper is Sterian." Why do I want to impress them. She thought. All they do is make fun of me.
She Slipped back into the shadows as they left to look at the others. She pitied them. They had to be watched 24/7. So did she but wallowing in self pity was like being a noble. And she had never known anything else in her memory.
Of Course, unknown to her, she did have a past before the Menagerie. But she didn't know as I mentioned before. But she was now in the Menagerie but not for long.
