[ WP ] The reason why a human would want to form a Pact with an animal or monster is obvious : from the Bond , the human shares in the animals strength , speed , and senses . But why would a monster wish to Bond with a human ? The answer , of course , is to share in the human 's Intelligence and Sentience .

**Bit slow but would be considered'Chapter 1' of this if it continues. I spent way to much time writing this. ** 
 
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 For a ages past animal bonding was something that was much more myth than actual fact. It had always rumored to be true - like every myth - and the stories of heroes and legends long since dead are still told as bed time stories to the young ones. Most people once reaching late childhood/early teens either forget about the myth or believe what everyone else does, that it's only a story told to young kids. 
 
 I too was one of those people who believed it just to be a fairy tale but some small part of me wished it was true if only to fly like a bird or be free like a wolf. It's funny how fate seems to work around those tiny wishes of ours. 
 
 I was travelling from city to city along superstitious forest roads; roads few dared to trek down in fear of witches or other such unnatural things. I thought that they were only stories made to scare others; I didn ’ t really expect anything interesting to happen. 
 
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 “ You there! Young man! ” Came a voice from behind that sounded like it had no right to say those words. 
 
 Turning around somewhat wearily, the stories springing to mind, I watched as a man no older than 30 hurriedly made his way towards me pulling a cart that seemed far too big for a man his size. 
 
 Seeing me raising an eyebrow at his payload he was quick to try and erase my superstitions. “ No no, don ’ t worry I'm not a witch or a troll or anything else you may think I am. I ’ m just a simple travelling merchant that specialises in exotic goods. ” 
 
 The man had caught up to me now and fell in step with me, which was surprising since I was walking faster than usual and was only carrying a backpack while he was carrying so much more. 
 
 “ I travel this road quite often when heading towards Tyrellia, ” the man told me, “ and never do I get the pleasure to actually meet another human on this road. ” 
 
 He continued to talk and I only half listened, I was more concerned about how since the man had arrived I had not heard a single forest animal and occasionally I swore I could hear a howl. I wasn ’ t sure if I should take all this as a good or bad omen. 
 
 Sensing my discomfort the man shifted the conversation. “ You don ’ t mind me walking with you do you? At least until sundown that is, after that I ’ ll need to leave you to reach the city by sunrise. ” 
 
 I muttered my consent and the man lit up once more, continuing to talk about his adventures and some of the things he had collected in his years. Silently I was doing some quick calculations in my head, it was 3 days to get to Tyrellia, and I was only a one and a half days in. Did the man really think it was wise to travel at night and risk garnering the attention of the more dangers denizens of the forest? 
 
 Stopping his rambling and expressing my concerns to the man only earned me a hearty laugh from him. “ My boy you worry too much, when you get as old as me you learn a few things in your life time. Worry not about me, instead worry more about what you plan to have for supper or if it will rain today. ” 
 
 I silently wondered if the man was older then he looked, knowing it was rude to ask and now impossible to gauge, I dropped it for a more interesting topic of choice. “ If you don ’ t mind me asking but do you have anything more interesting than simple things from other lands? ” I asked. 
 
 The man once again let loose a hearty laugh, something I feel I would have to get used to. “ Do I ever! Do you think that I can just sell simple things from other lands and call it a day? I wouldn ’ t be a seller of exotic goods if some things made even the smartest people question their outlook on the world. ” 
 
 He stopped and so did I, turning towards him and about to ask why he had stopped, my question instead caught in my throat once I made eye contact with the man. It wasn ’ t menacing but boy, was it piercing. It felt like all my hopes and ambitions as well as fears and hatreds were on display for the man to see. I unconsciously noted that his smile faulted for an instant before beaming back brighter than ever before. “ Boy, I think I have something you ’ re going to love. ” 
 
 Shifting forward the man pulled down a stopper from the two handles he was pulling by and instead walked around to the back of his cart to scrounge through it. Thinking it was rude to inquire what just happened or what he was doing I instead was contempt on waiting for the man to once again show his face. 
 
 It didn ’ t take long thankfully and he walked over to me with a book in his hand while seemingly inspecting the tome for any damage. “ Here, have this, ” The man offered, thrusting the book into my hands, “ I can ’ t sell it, too many people think it ’ s just a fairy tale and I have nothing else to gain from it. I would tell you not to damage it but... that would be outright impossible. ” 
 
 Raising an eyebrow at the man I looked down at the cover of the large tome, it looked fancy to no end and the script on the front was unreadable, the book was obviously old but lacked any tell tale signs of being so. Maybe the man had a point? 
 
 Looking up to thank the man for the strange book I noticed he wasn ’ t where he just was. In fact he wasn ’ t anywhere in sight and the sun was close to setting. Had... Had I just been standing here for hours? Was it all just a dream or hallucination? Looking down at the large book I knew it wasn ’ t and looking down at the hard dirt path proved it even further when I could see visible lines where the cart was towed. 
 
 Stuffing the large book into my now cramped backpack I decided to jog until the sun was about to set to attempt and make up for some lost ground I made while just standing here. I had much to think about. 
 
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