FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Year of the Rat. Chapter six. Sprite rock.

"UNBELIEVABLE!." Sjinjel's fists struck the desk causing books, pappers and a mug to clatter about. Thrisha shouted in procession, "You cannot possibly believe he did such a thing!, we wont believe it!, he is not capable of stealing. by Tiamat's talons you damned idiot!." The guard captain sat in his chair behind the large wooden desk, his golden eyes watched a candle roll off of the desk and onto the floor," The fact of the matter remains everyone knows Ratkin are exceptional thieves, of both riches and hearts, their small and seemingly harmless." the tiger stared up at the Naga pair, a stack of papers in front of him recording the testimonies of the lizard folk outside."He was found with the jewel, so he is guilty, he will be hung for his crime tomorrow morning." the feline grinned at the Naga pair, their faces gaping, the male naga looked about ready to kill the cat, the tension in the office was thicker than a dragons scales. All eyes suddenly went to the door of wood and iron that swung ajar admitting a chestnut equine horse in steel armor and a flowing cape of red and yellow with a helmet under his arm, the cats ears went flat and he stood at attention to his superior, "General!." The equine looked at the two angry, grieving Naga, he gave a polite nod of his head, before adopting a very very unhappy expression and snapped at the tiger, "Captain!, get out of my office right now!." the cat went wide eyed and stumbled over his own feet fleeing from the barracks office and out through a sea of angry reptilian eyes.

The horse sighed rubbing his head staring down at the parchments spread over the desk, he set his large silver helmet on top of them and gave a look to the Naga couple wearing confused, but still angry expressions, "I will not pretend to understand what your going through. "the horse stared at the duo of serpents, "As far as I am concerned your Rat is innocent." both serpents relaxed only to have their relief stamped out as the horse leaning on the desk edge opened his brown lips again, "However the law dose not, our laws over thieves are pretty serious and come with straight forward and simple consequences." Sjinjel slammed his fists on the desk again, ratling the silver helmet, his slitted golden eyes staring a thousand spears at the horse, "So you're going to send him to the gallows anyway!, he is a child!." the equine raised his hands defensively and staring levelly at the serpent, "I believe he is innocent, having twenty five witnesses will do that, but the fact of the matter is that Flynt was found with the crowning jewel of our kingdom, a heirloom passed down almost a hundred generations." The General moved his helmet off of the papers before scooping one up and skimming over it. "the testimonies of you and your group of Lizardfolk state that Flynt arrived with you all and was allowed to explore the market?." Sjinjel and Thrisha both nodded in unison."He was gone from your sight for a little over an hour, which is ample time for someone of his species to take advantage of his espionage skills to somehow acquire the bauble and return to your wagons, Ratfolk are very quick on their feet and are good thieves, the entire castle was open, tis a hot day so breaking in would not be to difficult." Both Naga maws were agape astonished looks on both of their faces, the horse set the paper down on the desk and leaned back staring at them with a frown before running his fingers through his golden hair."However, I am not completely powerless in this case, I do not want to see him hung he is both young and his death will stir up a heap of trouble for us, we try to be an open and accepting city here in Narsin but discrimination in a town this big can be rampant especially towards his kind, there are so many ways this can go, you're best bet would be for you to pay for his freedom." The horse took a breath and stared at the two pained desperate Naga, he held onto his tough composure, but under that rough stubborn outside he was a kind horse, caring and just. He knew the rat was innocent but there was so little he could do to help him."Or he goes to prison for fifteen years, or..." he closed his eyes and just let the words flow from between his lips ,"He will be hung for his crime." Thrisha's eyes went wide and she buried her head into her husbands chest, quietly weeping, the male Naga closed his eyes caressing his lovers head as her warm tears soaked into his tunic, "H-How much are we talking?" the Equine sifted a few of the papers about absently, "There are some strings I can pull to turn a few blind eyes, I have some wriggle room to get him free however it will not be easy and I will have to bribe a lot of guards and officials to show him 'mercy'." he cleared his throat and seemed to fiddle with his papers as if trying to avoid saying the price."200 thousand gold." the horse smiled a wicked smile, he figured the Naga were a form of royalty and were wealthy due to their attire and the group they were with, this was the perfect oppertunity to blackmail them and get rich. The woman serpent wailed into her mates chest, the male Naga sighed, "We can have it to you within a month, Were royalty from the kingdom of Azuray,I hope to have your assurance that our adopted son will not be harmed?." that caused the horses eyes to go wide eyed and he to gaze at the king cobra serpent, swallowing the equine gave a nod, holding to his stern approach, he was General for a reason wasn't he?."You have my word, other than what it took to apprehend him he will not be harmed, though he will be transferred to a penitentiary up the road a ways, the guard house jail is no place to have a prisoner for a long period of time. and will help keep certain people from poking around." The equine pushed off the desk and stared at the Naga male whose eyes swore death on the horse, "Don't want to start a war with your people, you may go see him, I can promise two months then it is out of my hands." coldly added the equine, the sniffling naga and her mate both followed the horse from the office and down a flight of stairs.

Twas a small cell, the floor was hard and covered in straw to offer absorption of fluids and to retain heat, the sun beamed broken through a set of bars in the only window for the small cell, stone walls separated the single person cell with the four other cells in the basement of the guard house. Thrisha closed her eyes and sobbed covering her mouth upon looking at her Flynt. Sjinjel showed a stubborn strength as he rubbed his wife's shoulder. Flynt the black and grey ghost spotted rat was laying on the straw strewn floor half curled up. Thrisha shed tears seeing the blood crusted on his head. the rodent looked up and smiled weakly seeing his source of solace he crawled towards the bars in a slow shuffle of iron chains and reached his hands up to intertwine his fingers with the Naga woman's own. The ratling upturned his lips into a smile, "Thrisha are you and Sjinjel here to save me?. y-you told them I didn't do it right?" pleaded the rodent in a cracked weakened voice. Sjinjel stared a thousand years of war at the chestnut horse who rubbed the back of his head, "S-sorry,I only know the extent of his injuries is a single blow to the head." The Naga woman spoke up between sniffles and nose nuzzles with her rat, "Yea, with a gods dammed hammer!." The horse huffed, "Hey it wasn't me who hit him, the city guard don't take mercy on thieves, once they are apprehended they are dealt with in the quickest way." the captain was not fond of this, falsely accused were always a black mark on his conscious. Thrisha shook her head and nuzzled the rodents pink nose, wet and sniffling as it was, "Don't worry little Flynt we will be back, we made them promise not to hurt you." the rodent whimpered going wide eyed rattling his cuffs on the bars, reaching out desperately for the naga."N-no don't go!." Sjinjel just glared at the horse while his wife tried to calm down the accused. he let his spouse speak in her motherly way to the cub."We just have to go and get the gold so they can let you go Flynt, do not worry we will be back before you know it." the rodent swallowed hard and rasped, "I didn't do it!. I-I swear I didn't steal the necklace!." the male naga's turn, "We know darling Flynt, and now so do the guards, but they can only do so much." the Naga let the horse alone for now and slithered over to reach his hand through the bars to rub between Flynts ears, his head was damp with sweat down here in the stuffy jail. "be strong Flynt. "the naga rubbed his hand along the tribal tattoo Rhinshin gave him."You will make it through this, we will get the money and you will go free." Flynt's ears were flat as parchment to his head as he leaned up into Sjinjels caring hand, "Be strong Flynt, my sweet little Rodent we will return and take you back to our home, a wondrous kingdom of golden sand as far as the eye can see!." that managed to get the rodent to smile. The Naga male nodded and lowered astride his mate, and both shared a passing kiss with the rodent, Sjinjel took hold of his wife and had to pull her away from the bars. Flynt slumped lower and let the waterworks flow, drip dropping tears into the straw as the the Naga pair slithered up the stairs. the Ratlings ears twitched and he looked up to stare at the whispered threat escaping Sjinjels moist scaly lips. "You tell your king, if that rat is harmed in anyway, he will be fighting a long and bitter war." the serpent hissed into the horses face and slithered off with a purpose, the equine sighed and glanced down to the bars where a small rat shuffled with his chain binds back to where he was laying, "Dammit."

That same day the entire entourage of Lizards and Naga set sail, their large galley's lowered to catch the wind. The ship disappeared from view as night came and sat an uneasy calm over everything. Sleeping was nearly impossible for Flynt, yet again he was dealt a serious blow. just when things seemed to be looking up for him he was thrown down in the dirt. The iron of the cuffs caused his fur to dampen with sweat and itch incessantly. the chains made tossing and turning a chore and a nessecity the lack of a bed or a respectable bench was maddening!.The worst part was that not only was it cold and smelled of mold and urine, it was dark and no one was here, not even a guard Flynt was totally alone down here and he felt extremely abandoned, as if that nightmare he had of being locked in a cage in the basement of his home had come true. eventually the rodents red depths were hidden by his ash grey eye lids and for several hours he managed to get some semblance of sleep.

Young Flynt's ruby red orbs shot open to the racket of keys being rattled, sitting upright on the rough unforgiving floor the rodent stared at a lion like creature in half plate armor."Come on swine, get up!." growled the lion unlocking the cell door and swinging it open with a long drawn out metallic groan, he marched inside the cell, his boots clinking metallically."You're being transferred to Sprite rock prison." the rodent nodded gently and got to his feet slowly, apparently to slow for the lion that large armored creatures hand thrust under the Rodents armpit, "Come on you!." Growled the brown furred soldier."On your feet don't make me wait!." Squeaking the rodent did his best to stay on his linen wrapped flat feet, those pink ears swiveled as he stared up at the lion who blinked and snarled raising his hand up to back hand the rodent, Flynt squeaked and winced closing his eyes tight and bracing for the attack the sound of metal smacking flesh echoed in the small dungeon followed by a gasp and the rattle of chains and the sound of a small rodent falling to the floor."Don't look at me you filth!, get up and get out here!." roared the golden feline, he growled and yanked Flynt to his feet and shoved him out of the cell. The lion grumbled and complained to himself glaring at the charge whipping blood from his muzzle not bothering to fight back tears from the brutal strike. "get upstairs you runt," when the rodent hesitated the guard roared, "NOW!." The black rodent wasted no time in scampering and half stumbling up the stairs before shoving open the door into the guard office, he fell forward and onto the floor with a squeak and a whimper, curling up to hold himself while he shook and wept. "H-hey, c'mon now don't go doing that." Flynt flinched when a hand touched his back, the sound of feet moving about around him caused him to stirr and he gazed up into the yellow eyes of a Jackle, he was holding a kind smile. "c'mon lil guy,l emme help ya up." Flynt blinked and watched as the jackals hands moved under him and aided him to his feet a tisk came from another jackal This one had a white ring over his eye "looks like Chis'yra scared him." the Wheat brown Jackal kneeling in-front of Flynt rubbed his fingers along the rodents face and sighed, "looks like the brute whacked him already." The long eared hound shook his head, "Come on little guy, lets get ya outa those shackles so you can get dress properly hmm?" Flynt simply nodded looking at the other two canines in the office room, one was topless save for a sash, the other wore chainmail and flowing garbs. the one in mail shook his head and grumbled, "Not a good idea, may swipe your gold." The brown jackal that aided Flynt to his feet and shook his head again, "This ones to young, they don't seriously think a rat this young could steal something of such value?" the black hound spoke up, "or from such tight security, but you never know, those Halfling folk can nock over a stage coach, I wouldn't put it passed a rat to be able to sneak into the castle and yank the necklace." the kinder jackal turned a key and the cuffs fell off, Flynt rubbed his wrists smiling in relief to be rid of the bindings. the jackals hand was quickly on the rodents shoulder, "Now you promise me you wont try to run?." the rodent nodded quietly and was rewarded with a smile. the jackal rose and stepped back a bit, "we can all turn around if you need us to, your stuff is on that table." a curved raven like claw tipped finger aimed at a low sitting end table where a backpack sat in a wooden chair, a familiar sword belted to its bloated flank, on the table were all of Flynt's robes and garments. The rodent shook his head and slowly walked over to the table, "I-its fine, I-I am your prisoner now?." the Brown jackal blinked and stared at his companions, they shrugged the brown jackal looked back towards the rodent who had peeled off the dirty sack cloth tunic standing there nude he crouched to unravel the linen from around his ankles, the brown jackal blushed a bit, "W-well yes you are in our custody now, but were just taking you to Sprite rock. folks sent there are usually just waiting for their innocence to be proven." he smiled reassuringly, those brown eyes unable to cease from staring at the rats spot covered rump and girlish thighs. the rodent re-wrapped the linen around his ankles and wrists before he donned his linen robe, the length of fabric dropping to his ankles. The other items were stuffed in the backpack likely folded up nice and tight, the rodent took a great sigh of relief finding Briars pendant under the deer hide robe. the rodent turned to look at the trio of hounds."N-now what?, the cat told me Sprite rock was a prison." the rat shook his head whimpering softly, "I d-didn't steal the necklace it was that elf lady, she bumped into me an-" "The guilty always whine about how their innocent, it proves their guilt!." growled that mean lion finally entering the room."Why is that criminal out of cuffs!?,why is he putting on his belongings!?" the brown jackal coolly spoke to the angry lion, "it is going to get cold on our trip, it might rain, the prisoner needs to be in good health." the hounds smile grew a bit darker, "Sides, he will only prove he is guilty if he tries to run." the Lion growled and groaned huffing and puffing he stormed out of the guardhouse shouting obscenities on his way, the black jackal with the eye ring crossed his arms shaking his head, "the rat only carries the pack, he will take off the cloak and give it to you." he pointed at the brown jackal, "you stared at his butt so you get his cloak." that caused both the wheat brown dog and rat to break out in a blushing match. "he gets back in the cuffs and we lead him out of town, and since you have the hots for him you get to carry him on your horse." the brown jackal bushed a deeper red and flattened his ears, ''I..he..we don't...I mean I like that but.." the jackal threw his hands up, "Fine!." the black dog grinned and both he and the other hound left the guard house to mount their equines, the brown jackal carried over the pair of cuffs and clicked them around the obedient rodent's wrists. still shaken up from being hit again, and wanting above all else not to anger anyone or give them reason to think he guilty and hang him. Flynt looked at the heavy iron cuffs around his wrists, "What will happen to me?" he asked in that shushed, soft tone of his. the jackal breathed a sigh as he secured the backpack over the rodent, blinking at how with cuffs on the rodent couldn't put his arms through the loops. uncuffing him then slipping his arms into the straps the jackal reapplied the rusting iron cuffs, "You will stay at Sprite rock, until your Naga family returns to pay for your freedom." he paused for a moment, and whispered, "or..when were out of the city you can come with me." Flynt's eyes went wide and he vigorously shook his head with flat ears, "No!, if i try and escape or run away that will just make them think i really stole that shiny necklace.'' the jackal smiled and cantered his head a bit, "Even if I took you so far away that they wouldn't find you?." the rodent shook his head again, slightly regretting that as pain erupted in his little skull, "N-no, its still wrong." the dog smiled, "good boy, come on lets get outa here. the Sooner we leave the sooner we can make it to Sprite rock." Leaving the city was uneventful, Flynt sat in front of the brown Jackal on his horse while the other hounds rode their mounts in a single file line from the city guard barracks where the jail happened to also reside. past the market and along the street with tall homes on either side, the people were still waking up so not many were on the street to gawk. A perfect time to leave with someone accused of stealing an heirloom on the princess birthday, the echoing clip clop of hooves died out to the thunking of hooves in dirt as the trio of horses and their riders emerged from the city gates and rode south into the cold morning air still moist with last nights rain. Despite the chilly morning it would be humid again a heavy humid hot day and Flynt figured it would be a hard ride to this Sprite rock. With an arm firmly around the rodents chest, holding the small creature to himself the Jackal held the reigns in his free hand leading the horse along the road. an unending fast urgent ride along the dirt path and across wooden bridges. Over a large stone bridge going over a massive river raging and surging below. The trio of riders didn't stop, there was a reason for them being chosen to take the 'cargo' to the prison town. they were renowned for being quick with their jobs. Flynt did little to no talking the length of the ride, he had nothing to say. He didn't steal the jewel but no one seemed to believe him and this distressed the young ratling quite a lot. The flatlands turned to hilly country with the lines of forest popping up in the distance. the mountains could still of course be seen far off in the horizon behind the riders. Flynt trusted Thrisha and Sjinjel and the lizardfolk, they would work to get these people to see he was innocent. Flynt was indeed young, but by no means a child and knew deep down if he obeyed the rules and gave them no reason to think he guilty of his crime or reason to punish him then he would survive. The Jackals did no talking either they just rode, rode along as the sun rose awakening the land, birds began to talk and flutter about, though the group didn't stop for the pleasures of natures boundless beauty instead they galloped on. Flynt watched as the world passed him by the sun glistened off of the hilly country, the road was packed dirt and wide enough for a single wagon to roll along, the rodent felt his teeth clattering as the full tilt ride persisted onward Flynt deduced the reason none were talking was a lesson he was taught in one of his many books he had read, 'Never ride and talk at the same time you will bite your tongue off.'. Something caught Flynt's eye, something large upon a small hill in the distance crowned with tall thin trees what ever it was he saw was large, very large and as tall as the trees!, The rodents eyes went wide as he stared at it the thing appeared to be either staring back or watching the horses. No doubt hearing the speedy clops of their hooves. Flynt could swear the beast was staring at him, convinced it was a dragon for it felt as if the rodents mind was being probed and the creature was on all fours and had massive wings on its back. The Rat had read many books on the different species of Dragon, even one tale about a continent far away ruled by dragons. Flynt watched as the quadruped creature rose to its feet and slowly walked out from behind the trees a tall horn crest decorating its snout, but silhouetted the rodent couldn't see much in the way of detail on the Dragon itself. Suddenly a wall of rock and grass blocked his view of the Dragon, the horses riding passed a large cliff sided hill than up along a tall hill. The rat tried to stretch his neck to see if the Dragon was still there but to his disappointment it was gone, flown away, or perhaps the rodent was seeing things. "Easy there lil fella." came that silky voice belonging to the sand dog, his hand resting on the ratlings shoulder pushing him down in the saddle, "Don't go falling off now. what's got your eye so bad?" the rodent whispered softly, "I think I saw a Dragon." The tan hound went wide eyed and whistled to his three freinds, one in front and one behind, "Dragon!, pick up the gait!." the dog trio whistled back acknowledging the warning. Flynt didn't think the horses could run any faster but with heels kicking into their sides the horses bolted into a swifter run, thundering across the landscape. The hills got taller and more numerable, the trees got more popular and the road weaved and turned between them, a few wooden bridges covered small brooks and rivers. The sun was boasting gloriously in the high sky by the time the riders reached the tall wooden walls of Sprite rock. The rodent was wide eyed at the look of the place. A bridge lay across a large dug out moat filled with sharpened poles and stakes of wood, the tall wooden doors creaked open upon the lead hounds call waving a rolled up red ribboned scroll, "We have a thief for your cages!." Flynt winced at the call and gave the hound a dirty look. the fortress was no town nor castle, it was a circle of sharpened logs set upright as walls, upon which patrolled archers the roofs of buildings glimpsed inside from without were to few to be a town. two battlement towers stood exactly ten feet apart from the opening doors. inside trotted the trio of equines, Flynt's ruby red depths took in the interior as the doors slammed closed behind the equines trotting towards the stables. Buildings with thatched roofs stood along the circular wall, a blacksmith, a stable, guard housings and no doubt a mess hall, Flynt's feet touched the straw flooring of the stable when the Tan dog helped him out of the saddle. Flynt was ushered out of the stable. sitting in the middle of the buildings was a wooden stage with something that made the rats blood run cold as ice, a noose swung on the wind ever so lightly. As his papers were handed to a disgruntled looking bear in a heavy gambeson,his brown eyes stared over the wordings and he glowered down at the puny rodent standing in cuffs, wearing a loose robe and a backpack laden with a water skin and a deer head carved handled falcata sword, "I will need to have his belongings put into a lock-box, he will get them back when he is released." the bear stared at the hounds, ''I will take him from here, you three are welcome to our mess hall for a drink or food." the dogs smiled at that and two of the three ran off,the tan one the rodent was acquainted with knelt before the rodent and smiled gently, unlocking the cuffs the bear seemed to growl subtly getting ready to have to either chase or fight, especially when the rodent unslung the pack. The Bear blinked in surprise when the small rodent walked right up to him and held the backpack out to the bear. The ursine gently took it from the rodent, "T-thanks." the rodents attention was taken back to the tan sand dog who tugged the rodent into a tight hug, laying his long pointed snout over the Ratlings shoulder, "Be safe little rat, everything will be fine." the sand hound pulled away standing up and looking to the bear, the dog smiled a bit and nodded before walking off to join his friends. Somehow Flynt didn't believe the Dogs sincerity nor his promise that all was going to be okay. On a tall mound Flynt spied cresting its top a tall thin castle like tower with crude banners flying on its pointed roof no doubt where the lord of this place resided. The young Ratling was lead along surprisingly without cuffs or chains. Passing a tall gate that was opened from the inside the bear lead Flynt into a yard of sorts, there were more bears here, the yard was flat dirt and grass, there were a few tables holding some wooden weapons but Flynt of course didn't get to gawk at them being ushered into a stone building, the door shut loudly behind him and the bear holding the bag slung over his shoulder. Both were eyed by a Black bear wearing a uninterested gaze, those eyes peered down at the small rat, then up to the brown bear. ''Yes?, what is it?" the brown bear spoke up in his gruff gravely voice, "A thief here, sent from Narsin on uncertain charges of stealing a precious necklace." the black bear stared down at the Rodent whose head lowered a bit, his ears flat, the brown Kodiak set the roll of paper on the desk, ''Though there is evidence he didn't steal it, he was found with it." the black ursine held up a pair of specticles on his snout ridge while spreading out the rolled up paper, reading over the words for a long uncomfortable ten minutes. The Black ursine let the glasses dangle over his chest and rolled the papers up again, he rose up and moved around the desk to look down at the Rodent then to the larger brown Kodiak, "Very well, he will need to be placed in one of the free cells, we have a full house tonight, he will be staying with a Kobold." the black bear yawned wide and took the pack from the brown bear, "he can keep the robe and cloak, but the personal affects are to be kept here in the censes office." the black ursine set the pack into a cupboard in the corner. turned to the brown bear and went to sit in his chair again, "Take him to cell seven, but search him for any possible hidden weapons..." the bear pushed aside some papers and opened a thick book dragging a blunt claw along the parchment, the other claws holding the brass brim of the glasses, "Lock picks, enchanted items, and or modified claws or talons to break the locks." the black ursine stared down at the rodent while pushing the book aside to access a larger book, flipping it open and flipping the pages, "Name?" The small black striped and spotted rodent gulped and spoke in his timid manner, "F-Flynt sir."The black bear scrawled it down before speaking in his annoyed tone."You will be put into a Cell with a Black and grey Kobold Named Tacna, he is charged with stealing food from a market and will be serving a time here of one more week, you and him will be sharing a bed, the inmates are not to sleep on the floor." Flynt blushed at that but remained silent as the bear continued, "you will be let out for one hour every midday, food will be served in the mess hall, food will consist of two boiled eggs and milk in the morning, bread and water during the day, and gruel for supper, usually." the bear paused and stared at the rodent. "if you have not eaten yet then you will be given gruel and water, there will be periodic searches of your cells at random, you will not fight with your cellmate, you will not steal from your cellmate, you will not harm your cellmate, you will remain in your cell until your either proven innocent, bailed out, or otherwise sent to the gallows." the rodent couldn't help but imagine the noose he saw when entering, he shook his head only to wince as it throbbed in pain. "now then, welcome to Sprite rock."

Flynt stared into the food he was given, a wooden bowl sitting in his lap half full of oats floating in water turned beige by the gritty staple. One of the guards had finished off the left overs cooked for the prisoners. Having every orifice and inch of his body rouphly searched left Flynt without much of an appetite anyway. Under his tongue, in his teeth, through his fur under his tail, even up his pooper. They had been extremely thorough in their search. The Bear who had been frisking the rodent seemed rather disappointed that his efforts bore no fruit. Flynt glanced over at the black and grey Kobold sitting on the bed, Tacnae was a small lizard perfectly mimicking the rodents pelt color upon his scales, the eyes were green however and stared calmly at the rodent, Flynt looked at his liquid food and gave a soft smile holding it out towards the Kobold. The reptile blinked staring suspiciously at the rodent a little bigger than himself. upon Flynt's nodding head the reptile scooted off the bed his pattered across the stone floor of the cell to the other side where his cellmate sat. both scaled clawed hands took up the bowl and the Kobold pressed its brim to his lips and greedily drank, audibly gulping the food down even slurping a bit. The Kobold smiled setting the bowl down on the cell floor, licking his scaled lips Tacnae looked up at Flynt and smiled sheepishly, "Thanks." Flynt simply smiled in his gentle way to the reptile, those scaled Lips opened again while a single candle sitting in a rusty candelabra upon the rock wall cast a warm glow upon the duo, "What's your name?" Flynt stared up at the wrought iron bars of the door sealing him and the Kobold inside the cobble stone square, the floor was cold and stone, no straw strewn across it, just cold stone."Flynt." whispered the rat, looking up again as a guard marched by the small iron door of maybe three feet across, Flynt met the gaze of the bored looking Bear as it passed by, "That's a nice solid name, I'm Tancae what are you in here for?" Flynt looked the small reptile in the eyes and barring going on about not stealing, but not wanting to admit he was a thief."I was accused of stealing something I didn't." the kobold smirked and nodded. "What'dya steal?" inquired the Kobold rocking on his haunches, Flynt looked away up at the cold rock ceiling, several different shapes of stone made up the construct, the spaces filled in and held together by mortar."Some royal necklace." Flynts voice was soft, held back. the Kobold on the other hand spoke with a somewhat excited tone."Oh wow." before the Kobold could continue on the rodent looked him in the eyes again and spoke yet again in his gentle subtle way, ''It's late, we should get some rest do you want to share the cot or-" The kobold was quick to cut the rodent off hopping to his feet and helping the rat to his own two bare pink feet, reptile led rodent the four feet to the small cot. The 'bed' was a simple cot with a wooden frame and thin leather for the bedding, a single pelt of fur lay across it for added padding, a wool blanket lay folded at the foot of the cot, not questioning the small reptiles excited nature to get to share the cell much less the bed with someone. he lay on the small cot on his side while the Kobold scooted up against the ratling's front, pressing his own scaly front into the rodent, the two spooned close together under the wool blanket.The rodentian soon finding that the reptile was happy for a warm mammal covered in fur to sleep with in the partially subterranean cell. The night grew rather cold even under the blanket. Leaving the candle alit the rodent smiled gently also happy to have company in the cell he would no doubt be spending several months in, if not years. He lay his arm over the Kobold tucking the blanket against the reptiles backside and pressing his jaw over the lizard's head, letting the kobold press that smooth scaly head of his into the rodents neck, with closed eyes the rat asked despite hearing it from the warden." what are you in for?" the Kobold gently responded, "I stole bread." Flynt smiled gently coiling his long pink tail behind the reptiles back, gently massaging the smaller creature, "It's nice to meet you Tancae." whispered the rat, The Kobold nuzzled into the black furs chest, "Likewise Flynt, Goodnight." Flynt gently blushed a tinge of pink as he whispered back to his new friend "Goodnight." ooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo

Flynt Stared up at the clear midnight sky, he stood upon a hill of grass flowing in the wind. his eyes were closed, a long flowing cloak..No not a cloak, a wrap of red cloth around him fluttering in the wind. A dragon landed behind him and rumbled low as it loomed over the rodent, just staring at the rat. Then the plains of endless grass and sky disappeared like a ripple of water and there stood a Rat woman in a flowing gown of beige, smiling with pride her hand rubbing over her swollen pregnant belly. A shadow cast over her and like that the dream hopped again and Flynt stood on the edge of a cliff staring down at the world so far below him, the stone under his feet crackled and broke, "FLY!.' came a bellow and the rodent was falling. A dragon spiraled around him as he fell, the icy white creature stared at the rat, their eyes matching."Fly..." whispered the Dragon, but the rat hit the trees and stone of earth. A Desert appeared, sand under his bare feet, the sand shifted and a skeletal arm protruded from the earth and took hold of the rats ankle."Fall..." hissed the skull that emerged. Flynt was in a cave, a ruin skeletons all around him, that same dragon of white emerged from the shadows approaching him, parted his jaws and engulphed the rodent with what felt like care, "Safe..." was the dragons words. Flynt felt himself floating as if in mid air, everything spun before he saw a dark cave appear around him and from the cold mist cast by the rain outside the same white dragon approached dripping wet and regarding the rodent with turquoise eyes. "Innocent, but so very lost." The dragon leaned in closer to the Rodent and tilted his head those scaled lips spreading to speak again, "I know you, Flynt of Wolfwing, you're Naga have gone, the Lizard-clan has gone." Flynt sniffed and shed a tear only to blink and look up when the dragon was suddenly gone, replaced by the tall blonde haired man from the market, he reached out and scooped the tear from the rats cheek."Curious, you interest me rodent." The rat sniffled again and looked away whimpering" This isn't a dream is it?" the man shook his head and suddenly became that massive white dragon once again,"Yes and no, it is but isn't, for you it is a Dream, Your sad. Want me to come spring you from that mud hill?" The Dragon's turquoise eyes narrowed at the rodent as he shook his head. "If I try to escape by any means it will show them I am guilty and I will be hunted." The Dragon smirked surprised at this," You're brave, Do not die rodent be strong and stay safe, but for now." The Dragon parted his jaws wide his hot breath washing over the rodent," Come inside where it is warm, I know you like this." Flynt swallowed holding his chest and stepped forward, crawling inside of the dragons mouth only to have those jaws snap shut around his body crushing his bones."Forget..see your own future, one of many ripples rodent." The rat wailed and felt himself falling down a dark tube only to fall into a pool of freezing water, breaking the surface with his head the rat screamed seeing a horde of undead walking towards him and fire all around him. a huge bear swung a massive mallet at the rodent striking him hard in the gut. ooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo

Flynt's Eyes shot open and he screamed sitting upright just as thunder rumbled loudly outside. The Kobold yelled and fell off the bed then groaned sitting up rubbing his butt and stared at the panting Rodent sitting on the cot, a droplet of sweat rolling down his whisker."Bad dream?" sarcastically asked the Kobold drawing a yawn before laying his head on the side of the bed. Flynt gave a soft nod swallowing to wet his dry throat" Wanna Talk about it?" Flynt stared at the Reptile and shook his head, slowly swinging his legs out of the bed the rodent padded over to a bucket near the corner of the cell, the Kobold began to ask what the rat was doing but the sound of urine cascading into the wooden belly of the vessel told him all he needed to know. Tacnae yawned and curled back up in the bed," Try to come back to bed, it was just a Dream." Flynt stared down into the bucket, the candles had died during the night though torch light and lightning flashes seeped into the cell from outside and cast just enough light for the rodents red eyes to see the ripples of waste in the bucket glistening. He could not remember any of his dream or why it shook him up so badly the Rodent sighed and went back to bed with his scaly companion. A fog had settled around the Prison the banners of red fluttered ever so gently on the near nonexistent wind. The Fortress prison was still asleep as guards in glistening chainmail stood watch in the watch towers. Torches creating islands of light in the thick fog all around the lower ring and upper ring where the warden slept peacefully with a belly full of steak and mead. The prison was made of logs, hundreds of logs with their tops carved into points a gate and small bridge lead up to the wardens tower, rising over the fort walls to a tall mound sitting outside the prison area, its own little island complete with upper and lower fences of wood. The tower stood separate from the lower circle looming over the few buildings and yard, the warden could watch all movement, but also see out across the plain of hills to the north and south, the river bridge far to the south, and the forests to both the east and west, the prison sat smack dab in the middle of the whole open area atop a small hill with another much taller hill no doubt 'bear made' it was a sound fortress. it sat as a quiet sentinel in the rolling fog that came after the heavy thunderstorm passed on to another area of the realm. Back in the bowls underneath the training yard in the stone round roofed three sectioned prison underneath the armory Flynt was having a hard time getting back to sleep, he listened as other prisoners were talking to each other, some mumbling in their sleep, a guard in what sounded like chainmail relieved the first guard who yawned a "Finally."After a long countless amount of time had passed the rodent curled up with the small reptile began to drift off to sleep, his mind given up trying to recall the dream he had and gave into his bodies pleads for sleep. Those ruby red depths were hiden under a sheet of soft downy black and the accused slipped off to sleep again.