It was in that instance that he heard a snap!

With well tuned ears the ranger heard the noise and the terrifying growl that followed it. Something… was out there. But Serfius had not made a sound at all! He was perfectly quiet, which to him meant one of two things. Either someone else was out in this dark forest… or the beast had seen him without his knowing. The second was not acceptable to Atilow, and so he turned to his left and moved towards where he was positive the sound had came from. With a quickness of seen most commonly with warriors Serfius moved, hoping to find something that would interest him into battle.

As he moved swiftly over towards the sound he heard of voice, one of a small child crying. “Help! Help,” exclaimed the typical cry of someone in need… but an unsettling urgency came from this small voice.

And there they were the sources of both noises. A small boy that Serfius thought about the age of eight and a fierce eyed lynx. “The beast, kill it! It wants to feast on my…,” cracked the small boys voice. But before the unfortunate boy could finish the lynx was already in the air, teeth bared, lunging at him. Yet luckily for the boy Atilow’s arrows flew at the same time the lynx had, a direct hit to the beast’s forward legs, pinning them together. Shocked, the crazed cat lost focus on the boy, and when it landed the arrow kept the legs locked so that it crashed to the ground with a force that echoed through the entire forest.

“Boy! All you alright?!” cried the savoir like ranger. But his inquiry received no answer, the child was gone. With one eye still on the beast, Atilow searched for the child, wondering where he had gone and how his escape was so unbeknownst to Serfius. Such a fact troubled the ranger more than the fact that the boy had almost died, if his skills were not honed perfectly, how was he to continue this lifestyle?

Quickly that question left Serfius’ mind as he felt wetness on his leg. Surprised he looked down at the wounded lynx who had decided to make nice with Atilow and lick his leg. For some strange reason the ranger was deeply touched by this change in the creature and he bent down, looking at the cat that he had thought to be a fierce child eating beast. Serfius now saw the lynx for what it really was nothing more than a lynx-cub that had just been separated from its mother. Compassion swelled up in Atilow’s chest; slowly he removed the perfectly placed arrow only to hear the cries of the young beast. The ranger had braced for the creature to bite him, he knew that the pain would be great, but the cat just roared. This was strange, thought the ranger who had seen many types of creatures and seen many fierce lynx before. Quickly he place some troll urgent on the wound and wrapped it tightly in cloth and leather that he had picked up in the last town he had seen. This only slightly dulled the feelings of regret that still lingered in Serfius’ heart. He had done all that he could, without the powers of a healer the cat would soon die, not because of the bleeding, but from the scar tissue that would impair the joints that the arrow had passed through. Quickly Atilow stood, shed a single tear and turned his back on the wounded lynx, which lay still looking back at him through its big eyes. And that’s when he decided… it was time to leave.

Slowly at first, the ranger began to walk from away form the creature…. But then he picked up his pace, not wanting to change his mind. But soon something seized him. His keen ears heard something, the sound of the beast rising to its feet. He paused slightly, only to return to his quick pace, silently wishing the creature the best of luck. On his travels went… or so he thought. Not so silent yelps came in very close timing… forcing the curiosity for Atilow to overcome his determination to leave. He glanced only slightly over his right shoulder, only to feel that flow of compassion return. The lynx had stood and begun to move towards the ranger. Serfius knew only how much pain the beast could be in, but it continued on, closer.

Soon Atilow found himself standing still looking at the beast move increasingly faster towards him. When the lynx finally reached him, it rubbed its head along his legs as most housecats do to their masters. And then the wounded front legs began to give out; Serfius found himself quickly bending down to catch the beast before it hit the ground. As the lynx licked his hand, Serfius asked him, “What is wrong with you, creature? Do you not know what I did to you?” And then it was final, looking into the Lynx’s eyes, Serfius knew. Gently he tested the creature, seeing if the beast would allow Atilow to carry it… and to his surprised and relief it did. And so the ranger began to head towards the closest town he knew of. “A monk you did, you damn cat. And a monk you shall get,” Serfius declared fondly to the wounded lynx.

Yet as the ranger carried the cat, with the stomach against his neck and legs around his shoulders, he could feel many eyes watching him… but who’s he wondered. “You’re going to need a name,” said Serfius to his new friend. “I think that Bello will suit you well.”

And so their journey together began. Serfius Atilow & Bello the Lynx.