I am Just an Average Tamer

The next morning came with a cold breeze slipping through the leaves. The forest around the cave was silent.

Kai opened his eyes before the sun had fully crested the horizon.

"Yawn!"

He sat up, ran a hand through his hair, and looked around.

Raven lay curled up against the inner wall of the cave, her disguise artifact deactivated, her silver-white hair spilling down her back.

Theron was sitting outside near the mouth of the cave, sharpening a dagger.

The Thunder Drakelet slept peacefully now, coiled beside Raven, its scales faintly glowing with soft blue pulses.

Kai stood up, stretched, then walked out to Theron.

"You're up early," He muttered.

Theron didn't look away from his blade. "Didn't sleep much. Not used to staying still."

Kai gave a small grunt and sat beside him, legs stretched. "You trust me yet?"

"No."

Kai smirked. "Fair."

A pause stretched between them before Theron spoke again.

"But I trust you care about the drake."

That got a sideways glance from Kai. "He's mine. Of course I care."

Theron nodded. "That's why I didn't stab you last night."

Kai let out a short laugh. "Would've been a mistake."

"Would've been worth it," Theron shot back, eyes gleaming.

They both chuckled softly.

Inside the cave, Raven stirred.

She sat up with a yawn and blinked at the sunlight trickling in.

The Thunder Drakelet nuzzled her hand sleepily.

She smiled and rubbed its head, then stood and stretched.

"Morning, boys," she called.

"Morning, Lightning Girl," Kai replied.

She shot him a glare, brushing snow-colored strands from her eyes.

"Call me that again and I'll short your teeth."

Kai just grinned.

They ate a quick breakfast—dried jerky, fruit, and bread.

Then Kai led them back into the deeper forest.

The trees thickened the further they went, their roots knotted over the earth like sleeping beasts.

Eventually, they came to a clearing.

The space around it buzzed faintly—Kai's magic barrier still active.

He waved them in, dropped the ward for just a moment, then sealed it again as they entered.

"Alright," he said, clapping his hands once. "Day two."

Raven rolled her shoulders and crouched next to the Thunder Drakelet.

He pawed the earth softly, eyes already focused on her.

Without speaking, Raven placed both palms gently on its chest. She inhaled, exhaled, and pushed lightning essence into the creature again.

This time more smoothly.

Crackling light rippled down the Drakelet's spine.

Kai observed with narrowed eyes, watching for any signs of distress.

Theron stood near the treeline, back to them, keeping guard.

Then… Raven opened her eyes slowly. "He's responding faster."

Kai crouched beside her. "Stabilizing?"

"Still weak, but…" She ran a hand down the Drakelet's back. "It's not rejecting my essence now. That's progress."

Kai gave a small nod. "Good. Keep going."

For the next half hour, the hum of her power mixed with the chirps and rustling of the forest.

Crack!

Then, just as Raven withdrew her hands and leaned back, there was a snap—a twig breaking underfoot.

Everyone froze.

Theron's dagger was in hand in an instant.

Kai rose to his feet, eyes flicking toward the trees beyond his barrier.

"Hold up," he muttered. "Something's out there."

Then, from the treeline, voices came.

"Damn it, I told you this direction was wrong!"

"Shut up! You said to follow the smoke, didn't you?"

Kai's eyes narrowed.

He didn't remember leaving a fire burning…

Two figures emerged through the underbrush—young men in dark leather travel gear, mud clinging to their boots.

One was tall and lean with a hawk-like nose, the other shorter with cropped black hair and a sword slung across his back.

They halted just outside the barrier, clearly not expecting anyone else to be in the woods—let alone inside a magic-protected zone.

"Yo," the taller one said, blinking. "You guys lost too?"

Kai didn't drop his guard. "No. Just camping here, what you want?"

The two looked at each other.

"We're just travelers," the shorter one said carefully. "Didn't expect people out this far."

Kai glanced at Theron, then at Raven.

Both of them were alert, but still.

Kai stepped forward, barrier still up, but his tone lowered. "This area's off-limits. Move along."

They raised their hands in mock surrender and backed up slowly.

But before they turned fully away, the shorter one's eyes flicked past Kai… to the Thunder Drakelet, still curled up near Raven.

His eyes widened just slightly. "Was that a drake?"

Kai's expression didn't change. "Just a Thunder Dog."

But he saw the gleam of interest that hadn't been there before.

The two disappeared into the woods again, vanishing like they'd never been.

Kai didn't speak for a long moment.

"They're coming back," he finally said. "Next time, with more."

Theron nodded grimly. "Then we kill them before they get the chance."

Raven let out a deep breath. "And here I thought this forest was peaceful."

Kai smiled faintly, eyes hard. "Nothing's peaceful in this world."

Kai then moved back and leaned against the tree, closing his eyes.

"Let them be. They are not threat."

Raven nodded and began doing her work.

While Theron gave him a sidelong glance but kept alert.

Kai sighed and shook his head.

The sun had dipped lower, dyeing the forest in amber hues as the trio moved through the woods.

After doing the long day session, Raven walked ahead, brushing a few stray locks from her face, her steps slower than usual.

Theron followed her closely, glancing around with unease, his fingers never straying far from his dagger.

Kai trailed behind them, hands tucked into his pockets, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

He had noticed them a while ago—shadows shifting too often, branches bending where no wind blew.

At least around ten, no, maybe dozen... But their movements were sloppy.

'Amateurs.'

But he did nothing.

Instead, he let the trio be subtly guided—funneled toward a clearing flanked by dense undergrowth and uneven ground.

A perfect place for a trap.