Letting out a deep sigh, he uttered, "What do you need me to do?"
Meanwhile, back where the princesses were sleeping, Anna mumbled, rubbing her puffy eyes. "What a nightmare."
Zora stretched, sitting up. She cupped her knees with a disturbed expression on her face.
"I had a dream of these horrific creatures laughing at me. My father was there too. He was in a dark room with only his throne visible. He sat on it crying. At first, I thought he was upset because he was worried about me, but then he told me he was crying because all the gold was gone. I stood there stunned, but he paid no attention and kept on wailing. It all felt so real..."
"I had a strange dream too. I dreamt I transformed and devoured everyone. Then I saw Aidan calling me. And then I ate it," Zora said, shaken. "I can still feel my mouth tingling. Oh! Anna, I knew it was a bad idea to come here," she said.
Anna patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. It was just a dream. Probably the stress over the horrible situation we are in right now," she said with empathy.
"Yes," Zora mumbled.
Anna looked down depressed. "Now that I think about it... If we ever get out off here, that is. It will be difficult to explain to my father that all of our prized possessions are gone."
"Don't say such things. I am certain that the only thing he will feel is joy seeing his only daughter alive," Zora added softly, patting her on the back.
Anna puffed. "Let's hope so."
"Aidan, what about you?" princess Zora said turning around. She could not see or hear him anywhere. Feeling her way in the dark cave, she called out, with Anna searching as well.
"Where could he be?" Zora said concerned.
"Probably, out looking for food. A good thing too because I am starving. How long did we sleep anyway?" Anna said, touching her stomach.
Zora looked out through the small opening. The sun was still low on the horizon. The relentless dragon was outside, flying and torching the forest. Her ears perked, hearing familiar cries.
"What is it? Is he back?" Anna inquired.
"No, it is not him," Zora said sniffing the air. Three wolf appeared in the distance. They were limping across the burned ground, hurt. Their fur was parched. They seemed dehydrated as well.
Alarmed but also annoyed, Zora grunted seeing them slowly approach the entrance.
"Should I be worried?" Anna uttered, noticing her reaction.
"It is too early to tell," the princess said in a low tone and transformed into a beautiful large wolf. Anna hid behind her. The three males soon got to the cave and managed to squeeze inside. They were trilled to have a place to hide. Even more when they spotted the gorgeous she-wolf.
"Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!" the youngest one jumped up and down.
"We never thought we would see you again," barked the oldest, waging his tail.
"I thought the same thing," the she-wolf said with a hint of sarcasm.
"This is wonderful! We can make our pack now with this as our new home," the third one rejoiced.
The leader of the three sniffed the air and growled. "And it looks like we will even have a fresh meal," he added salivating.
Anna quivered, hiding in the dark. Zora shielded her with her strong body. "No, she is not food," the wolf roared, flexing her claws.
The wolves took a step back, tucking in their tails. "We apologize. We did not realize you were fond of her. Where we come from, humans are considered too vile to keep around."
"Not that we judge you, in any way," the youngest interrupted. "Everyone has a right to a pet," he tittered.
Anna shivered, for all he could hear was aggressive growling.
The she-wolf raised her head boldly. "Well, I do not believe that to be the case. I forbid you from harming her in any way. Is that understood?" she commanded.
"Yes," the three uttered, bowing their heads. A loud growl echoed through the cave.
"What was that?" Zora looked around surprised.
"Forgive me," the youngest spoke. "That was my stomach. We are very hungry."
"We haven't eaten in a few days. And ever since that flying beast started burning the forest, he scared off all the wildlife," the oldest spoke.
"It is terrible. He turned everything into a wasteland in just a day," the other said.
The white wolf glanced at the perplexed princess.
"Looks like we will have to find another way to feed ourselves," Zora said with a sigh.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the cave, the old woman was explaining something to the prince. "You see, my dear boy. This cat in my lap... I adore him. He is such an endearing thing, but I have to admit his mischievous attitude tends to upset me sometimes. He eats my poultry. Every day a chicken or a goose disappears, and I know exactly who the culprit is," she said playfully tapping the cat on the head.
The black cat purred, before stretching his long back and jumping down. She continued talking as the feline rubbed against her legs.
"I tried tying him up, but as soon as I turn my head, he runs away. I need someone fast and agile who will prevent him from eating my poultry for at least one day.
"Is that all?" the prince asked.
"Yes."
"And if I do this for you, do you give me your word that you will help me defeat that terrible monster? Is that correct?" he inquired.
"That is correct," the bat queen nodded. "On my honor, I swear." Glancing at him, she hid a chuckle. "However, in case you fail, you have to stay here. You see, it takes a lot of candles to light this place, and strong young men like you proved to be excellent sources of illumination."
The prince, tilted his head, confused. He looked at the row of light again and saw a few places empty. Gulping, he took a step back, finally realized why the candleholders looked the way they did.
"We should go," the bird chirped from his pocket.
The man tapped the metal mouthing a quiet hush. Pacing around with his arms crossed, he stopped to ask, "Does this cat turn into a horrible monster?"
"No, a monster no."
He pondered, "Is he poisonous or dangerous in any way?"
"No, he is a simple house cat," she said calmly.
"One more question. How will I know it is nightfall? We are in a cave. There is not a trace of natural light here."
"The candles will go dim on their own when it's time for the animals to sleep," she explained.
"Let's get out of here!" the bird chirped. The prince interrupted him, faking a caught. "I accept!" he declared.
Chirp tweeted frustrated.
The old bat clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Then we have a deal. Good luck!" she grinned and stepped inside her house.
The cat immediately got off the porch, leaping into the enclosure.
The prince jumped after him. He opened his eyes wide but could not see the tom cat.
"This is not good... Perhaps, I shouldn't have taken this so lightly," he thought staring to panic.
Just one dead bird, and his life was over.