Journey: Chapter Four
Chapter 4
Leif gave a gentle sigh as his hind paws were gently aching, the night previous was met with a very uncomfortable nights rest. He was used to sleeping in odd places, and in even weirder positions; but last night it was just bad.
He kept thinking about his parents, about his brother. Thinking about how they would react as he paid their bail. He smiled a little as he pictured his brother walking up to give him a big hug, and his mum and dad coming to join the embrace. He couldn't wait to see them, couldn't wait to be with them once more with the knowledge that he saved them from death.
It wasn't his fault they got caught after all, the guards were on petrol around their house when they heard his parents fighting. One let it slip, and the next thing they knew it, they were being taken away in chains.
Leif rolled over, wincing as he rolled onto a rather sharp stone, getting somewhat comfortable before he began to smile as his happy thoughts rolled around in his head. But as the night got colder, as did his thoughts. His anxiety began to hit him hard, and soon the Fox was whimpering as a little voice in the back of his head told him he was going to be too late.
When Kiro told him it was time to wake, the Fox groaned with annoyance as barely slept at all. He rose up with a grumpy face, getting a little chuckle from the Dragon.
"Didn't sleep at all did you?" He asked, the Fox shaking his head as he stood up with a loud yawn. "Do you want to rest for today then?" The Drake asked,
"I don't have the time." Leif whimpered, his body seeming heavier while his head lighter. Even gravity wanted him to go back to sleep. He sighed as he waited for the others to ready themselves before they took off again.
Chris seemed to be out cold when Kiro made his way over to him. Leif took note of how peaceful and gentle he looked when he wasn't being a complete and utter cunt. Leif watched, waiting for Kiro to shake him as he did him. Watching in surprise as the Dragon drove his hind paw lightly into his side. The Rhino rolling over and growling as he was woken so rudely.
"Shut up and get your ass moving." Kiro snapped at the muted Rhino, Chris rolling his eyes as he stood himself up.
"What are we eating for breakfast?" Leif asked, Kiro giving the Fox an apologetic look before shaking his head.
Leif sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration of now having to be tired AND hungry.
"Sleep alright?" Leif asked the Rhino, who nodded his head and rolled his neck around. Leif just huffed as both of the males seemed refreshed and it just made Leif grumpy.
"I really hope we have a safe Journey." Leif growled,
"If anyone attacks us, Mutey and I will take them out." Kiro said, gesturing over to Chris who growled. "What's the problem Mutey, if you have a problem speak up now." Kiro taunted, The Fox letting out a happy laugh as he watched the Rhino just burn up in anger behind them.
"You are mean!" Leif laughed, Kiro looking over with a self amused smile, nodding with no doubt to the Foxes words.
"Filth gets attacked, and if he touches you like that again. I'm slicing his cock off." Kiro said with a very stern tone, the Rhino rolling his eyes and shaking his head as the three wandered on.
The sun hadn't risen completely, and the morning already showed promise of a nice warm day. Kiro smiled at this information, he only ever wore his long pants, and they breathed quite comfortably. Chris wore chains over his top and light fabric pants as well so the heat of the day was going to be no problem for him either. While Leif, he wore a thick black, heat absorbing cover that didn't breath at all. Its entire purpose was to keep the heat in.
In the city it was no issue, he would always be inside of a day time usually. He would only ever leave in the late hours of the night, and he needed it when he wasn't under the warm sweaty body of another male.
The three were walking deeper and deeper into the forest which would provide some shade from the sun, but the heat wouldn't subside because of it.
Kiro sighed a little, knowing he would be hearing about how hot he was sooner or later in the day. Chris was hoping the little thing would take it off. He knew he only wore small shorts under the cloak, and his body was just heavenly.
"Leif, stay close." Kiro said suddenly, "Things get dangerous from here on out alright?"
Leif nodded his head as he moved over to the Dragon, looking around and trying to find some sort of indication of what the Dragon had said.
"H-How do you know?" Leif asked,
"We left the outskirts of the forest." Kiro explained before pointing over towards a bright green flower, blooming in a small patch on the side of the road, its petals seemed almost mint coloured, while the inside was a dark yellow. Leif thought the flower was just gorgeous, its colours blending together nicely. "That flower only grows in deep forestation. It's also a good muscle relaxant." Kiro chuckled, Leif smiling over as he thought the Drakes smile was actually quite handsome.
"You know your stuff." Leif said with a smile,
"I live in the wilderness." Kiro explained, "So I taught myself fauna, taught myself to hunt, and how to track. I know the wilderness inside and out." the Dragon boasted, Leif giggling a little as he smiled over.
"Glad I got myself an expert guide and Guard." Leif said, smiling up at the Drake who nodded his head with a smirk. Feeling quiet complimented from the Foxes words.
He smiled as the Fox began to walk a head a little, the smile on his lips staying as he watched the small being wander a little further ahead of him. He noted just how adorable the little being was acting, he then also noticed how childish he was acting.
He looked away from the Fox, shaking his head as he thought himself foolish for even considering the Fox's looks. He was here on business and that was it. He would leave this job three hundred coin richer and he would never see the Fox again.
He cleared his voice, looking back up to the Fox and growling as saw the Fox far too far ahead.
"Leif!" The Drake called out, "What are you, a cub? Get your ass back here!" He growled, The Fox a little confused by the Drakes sudden harshness in his voice. He was only a few meters away from him if that, he didn't deserve his ear to be bitten off because of it.
"Sorry... Christ." He grumbled, padding back toward the Dragon. The Dragon grabbing his arm and pulling him into him.
"Men out here will rape you, kill you, skin you and then sell every part of you for coin." The Drake growled in warning, the Fox's entire body shivering as he heard the Drakes words. "If you are to far ahead of me, I can't get to you if somebody jumps out of nowhere. You stay by my side like I told you. Understand?" Kiro growled,
Leif looking down at his feet, and nodding his head silently. The Drake sighed as he let the smaller Fox go. Slowly turning him around and continued to walk with him now at his side.
He felt stupid for actually feeling bad about being so harsh. He was keeping the damn Fox alive, so he had to be harsh so that the teenager would listen.
As unlikely as it was.
The three men wondering deeper and deeper into the forest, the sun rising higher and higher into the sky, Leif was soon panting as the heat was really hitting him. Kiro sighed as looked over to the over heating dog, rolling his eyes as he turning the animal around to face him.
"What are you..." Leif panted,
"If you feint of god damn heat exhaustion, I'm going to be the one carrying your ass until you recover. Id rather you be under dressed, then at risk of passing out." Kiro sighed, undoing the cloak from around his small neck and pulling it off.
Leif moaned as a cool breeze brushed over his body, making his knees just shiver. Kiro flinging the clothing over his shoulder as he then brushed a paw over the Fox's back to make him walk again.
Leif whimpered as he felt a little exposed. His pants really didn't provide much protection, or cover for that matter. The only reason he ever wore these was because men enjoyed seeing him in them. They liked not having everything in their view and getting a little more for them to see when they got to there destination.
Leif noted to himself to buy himself some longer pants and a lighter cloak when he got the chance.
"H-Hey um Kiro is there..."
"Shh." Kiro hushed, his arm gently pressed against Leif s body protectively. His eyes darting around the forest around them as a slow breeze brushed over them. Kiro taking a nice deep breath before his paw slide to the sword at his side.
"Leif, behind me." He said quietly, "Chris," the Drake said turning to the Rhino who had gotten nice and close. His eyes on the Drake as he sensed the same thing the Drake had.
There was danger near by.
Kiro smelt four, maybe five animals that were far too close for comfort.
"You'll be using that axe sooner then you thought." Kiro murmured softly. Chris opened his features slowly, his eyes darting over towards the trees for a second before he looked back at the Drake. "I'm unsure where they are. They are close though." Kiro mumbled, "Leif, you stay on my heals at all times do you understand?"
"Y-Yeah." Leif whimpered,
"If you cry Leif, I swear I'm leaving you here to fend for yourself." Kiro growled, not having any time for the soft right now.
"I have never been in battle before you heartless cunt," Leif growled, "I'm scared."
"And not thinking straight is what will get you killed." Kiro growled back, Leif whined as he began to shake. He didn't want to die, he didn't want to get caught, he didn't want to be here.
He took a few deep breaths as his eyes began to dart over the area around them. The light was shining so brightly, but still he couldn't see a single person.
Could the Drake be wrong?
Kiros eyes slowly began to wander through the trees as they began to walk once again, Leif slowly following behind him as he was asked. His breathing erratic with fear.
Chris stood up tall, as he arched his neck to look out into the trees. He hadn't seen action for a very long time, and he hoped it would be an easy target. A lone warrior who thought himself number one.
Like Kiro, just less skilled.
The three were tentative as they walked. Kiro's eyes slowly wondering the tree above them as they walked, Leif whined as he walked, wincing as the back of his eyes were beginning to ache gently. Great... of all the times be getting a head ache.
Chris slowly turned, watching the rear of the group as they continued. His eyes squinting as he heard a gentle rustle from above, his hand grabbing his throwing blade from his right pocket and flung it upwards. Leif yelped as he ducked down, his eyes now burning as if somebody had pour boiling water over them, as his vision slowly began to blurred to leaves.
It was as if he had stuck his head into a bush. He began to look around, but no matter how much he moved, his vision stayed the same. The same pile of leaves, which caused further panic from Leif.
"Leif you need to shut up." Kiro growled,
"I.. Something wrong." Leif whispered,
"What now?" Kiro growled,
"I-I'm not seeing correctly." Leif whimpered
"What do you mean?" a now very confused Dragon asked, "Are you blind?"
"N-No, but I'm not seeing through my eyes." Leif whimpered,
"Will you please make sense you stupid fool!" Kiro growled, getting more and more frustrated. Leif went to open his maw, to tell the Dragon he had no clue what the hell was happening when the leaves began to slide past his face. Slowly, as if he were a snake. He watched as the leaves began to part and to Leif s bewilderment, stared at himself and the two males.
Leif had no idea what was going on. One second he was seeing leaves and now he was watching himself and the two males around him.
Kiro looked mad as usual and Chris was now preoccupied with the squirrel he had killed with his throwing knife.
Leif slowly stood onto his hind paws, Kiro looking confused as he looked over at him.
"What is going on Leif?" he asked,
"I-I think I'm looking through the enemies eyes." Leif whispered. Kiro now looking very confused.
"What the hell do you mean?" Kiro asked,
"I am looking at the three of us right now, but its not through my eyes." Leif growled, keeping his voice down.
"Where are you looking from then?" Kiro asked,
"They are still in front of us. He's looking down. He's..." Leif began, having to now try and focus on the brown wooden object that was being brought on the underside of his vision. It looked like a familiar object, like he had seen it a million times before, but he had no idea what it was.
The head looked metal... it was pointed... it looked sharp...
His eyes squinted as he watched it slowly disappear.
"He's what?" Kiro asked, Leifs eyes opened slowly as the large bow flashed into his vision, his vision then faded back into his own eyes.
"Move!" Leif Screamed, flicking his head over to where he was watching. An arrow whizzing past his ear as he moved just in time, whimpering as he was grabbed by Kiro and pushed into the protection of a large oak tree.
"Move!" screamed an unknown voice. Kiro grabbing his blade and pulling it free, as five men dropped from the trees above them.
Chris growled as he reached for his axe, pulling it free and having to quickly block a sword delivered from a large night black draft horse. Chris staring the angered horse right in his eyes as he held his ground.
Kiro stood with his sword by his side. His eyes slowly circling around as he looked up and down the four men.
A wolf, armed with a small dagger that was now in his paw. His grey fur tattered and dirty from being in the trees for who knows how long. His pants and shirt torn and tattered, both blending in with his fur
A scimitar wielding Tiger who was missing a left arm. Probably from past battles. His green shirt, tied in a knot where his arm should have been.
A powder white Great Dane who had a loaded bow, ready to fire at the drop of a hat. His defined body left for all to see, besides a pair of brown leggings that fit to his body easily
Finally, to the Dragons far right, there was a sergal. Her paw holding a short sword that had definitely seen better days. Though that didn't mean Kiro let his guard down. She could be the most dangerous of them for he knew... and Kiro knew assuming would only get him killed.
The Black draft Horse kept his sword pressed into Christopher's axe, while he smiled down at him.
"You fella's new around these parts?" The Horse asked, Kiro hearing it was the same voice that called the attack.
"What's it to you?" Kiro asked, his eyes darting over to Leif, who (to his amazement) had been smart enough to climb the oak tree he hid behind.
"Doesn't really." The Dane grunted, the Wolf chuckling.
"Ethtor estos, corintha dorthess." He said, the group laughing.
"What did he say?" Kiro asked,
"Throin merely stated that he wished to keep the Fox after he was done here." The Sergal said with a groan. "Men. Only thinking with their cocks."
"If you put out more, we wouldn't have to." The tiger growled, before she laughed.
"I'm no whore." She growled,
"Nobody said you were!" the Dane sighed,
"Coraness sivlor destoon." The wolf said, pointing towards Chris. The horse nodding.
"I know Thorin." The Draft horse spat at the wolf. Thorin growling in response to being spoken to so rudely.
"look gentlemen," Kiro said trying to sound pleasant,
"Excuse me." The Sergal piped in, Kiro rolling his eyes.
"I don't have time for this. We are on the clock and I need to get to Summerston."
"Well you're not going to get there." The Tiger said gently, "Not with that sword and any other coin you may have on you."
"Im not going to be giving you a dime." Kiro said, his tone sounding to calm and pleasant for any of the groups liking.
"Are you looking to be killed Drake?" The Sergal growled,
"You couldn't even if you tried." The Drake chuckled, The sergal growling more as she had the temptation to run the Drake through here.
"Oh let me shoot him boss." The Dane whimpered,
"Evero esto consolo killdro." The wolf said, pointing his dagger at the Drake, Kiro taking that as a request to kill him.
"Why don't you try to kill me boss man?" Kiro asked, looking over at the Daft horse. "You seem easy enough."
"You cunt!" The Tiger growled, the mere insult to the horse making the Tiger step forward with his sword raised.
"No! Keith!" the Horse yelled, but it was far to late. He had moved forward, and the sword was being brought down. Kiro didn't even need to look over, he quickly rose his hand and caught the tigers paw before the feline could even bring the sword down.
The group all jolted, ready to avenge a fallen comrade but the Dragon didn't make another move. His head slowly moved back to the Tiger who watched the Drake in utter confusion, Wondering how he was blocked so easy with out him even looking at him!
"Try that again stumpy, and I'll run you through." Kiro growled, pushing the Tigers arms back roughly, sending the tiger with them.
"Don't insult the boss." The Tiger growled, Kiro just laughing at the tigers words.
"Oh, you're to much Tiger." he laughed, "attacking me and then asking me to be kind? Oh you're a fool if I ever saw one."
The tiger bore his teeth as he growled at the Dragon, the Drake growling and bearing his large fangs back shutting the Tiger up quickly.
"You have a choice here today." Kiro said gripping his sword a little tighter, "Leave now, or die where you stand."
The Daft horse laughed, shaking his head while the other four seemed to be a little unsettled.
"Five against two?" The Daft horse asked, "Please tell me how you plan on that?"
"Explain to me how you don't see that happening." Kiro asked, rolling his neck menacingly.
"I don't like your attitude Drake." The horse growled, forcing the still kneeling Chris into the floor. "Dan, shoot some respect into this fool."
The Dane nodded his head, pulling his string back quickly and realising his arrow aimed into the Dragons head.
To Kiro, the world began to slow. His eyes watching the Arrow slowly fire towards him as he spun around and with a quick swing of his blade; sent the arrow flying towards the Horse.
The four animals watched in utter horror as the Dragon stood unharmed and their boss now twitching with an arrow shot right through his head.
Kiro took his opening, growled as he then moved forward with a swing of his sword, slicing through the Danes arm. The dog yelped as he turned back towards the drake to watch in horror as the blade cut through his maw and out the other side of his head.
The Sergal screamed as she moved in, not getting far as the thick battle axe sliced through her thigh, before the Rhino spun and sent the axe through her neck.
The Wolf watched in horror as in a matter of moments three of the five had been cut down. His eyes flickering to just dodge the sword by a mere inch. The wolf counter attacking with his knee, sending it into the Dragons chest.
Kiros arm shot from his side, knocking the wolf onto the floor giving Kiro the time he needed to stab his sword right through the wolfs chest.
"Fist on scales?" He asked with a laugh, pulling the sword back and quickly ducking to miss the swinging Scimitar. Kiro just laughed as he backed away from the Tiger. "If you can't even hit me while I'm not looking at you, how do you suppose you will go while I'm looking directly at you?"
The Tigers lip twitched in anger as the Drake tease him. He knew the Dragon was out of his league, but he would suffer in hell for centuries before he let his comrades die in vain.
He quickly rose the blade above his head, and took three steps before a blade was thrown right into his right eye.
The Dragon sighed as he watched the Tiger fall to the ground, growling over at the Rhino who was smiling in his own glory.
"Oh calm down, you killed a girl and an amputee." Kiro growled at him. The Rhino no longer felt good about his kills.
"You alright Leif?" Kiro asked as he walked over to the oak tree, smiling slightly as the Fox leaped down beside them.
"You are just... Wow!" Leif laughed, "You redirected his arrow and then... just... wow!"
Kiro just chuckled and shook his head.
"Been fighting for many years Leif, You pick up on a few things with every battle." Kiro said with pride. "are you alright?" He asked, the small Fox nodding his head with a smile.
"Thank you." Leif said gently, the Dragon nodding his head.
"A-And good work with the erm..." Kiro began, his face looked lost as he then began to try to word the compliment. It was obvious he didn't do this regularly, making Leif blush and smile as he listened. "Yeah, the... magic sight."
Chris couldn't hold back his laugh, shaking his head at just how awful the Drake was at saying a simple 'good job'. Kiro sighed and held back his fist, wanting so badly to make the ignorant cunt swallow his laugh. But he would follow Leif's words, shaking his head and walking off before he did some real damage.
Leif watched in sorrow as the large Drake walked away. He only tried to be kind, while not having a lot of knowledge in magic, he wasn't going to know what to say. Leif felt for him as he walk off, growling as he turned towards the Rhino and swinging his paw right into the beings broken jaw. The Rhino screaming in agony as he fell to the floor, holding his jaw as the paint felt like it had broken again.
"Stop being a jerk Chris. Or I promise you that jaw will never heal while you are with us." Leif threatened, turning himself around, "Now hurry up, or your going to be left behind."
Chris lay on the floor, his jaw trembling in pain as his anger was really building up. How dare they treat him like this. How dare they treat a member of the Royal Guard like filth.
Ok sure, he was a little overzealous with Leif, and he did deserve to be attacked; but not have his jaw broken, or have it used against him when he did something the two didn't like.
With a burst of rage he slammed his clenched fist into the ground next to him, the rock under his thick paw crumbling beneath his strength.
He laid their and promised to his god that he would take his revenge on the two for being so cruel to him. Promising himself their demise.
"Rhino! Hurry the fuck up!" Kiro roared from way ahead, the mammal rolling his eyes as he rolled himself onto his side and pushing his body up. Grabbing his fallen axe and tying it up on his back before hurrying his pace to catch up the the beings before him.
Leif shook his head as he watched the Rhino catch up, he sighed as he slowly turned and padded up quickly to the Drake, reaching out to softly grab his arm. The Drake stopping and looking back at the smaller Fox, his face seeming annoyed and frustrated from his embarrassment.
"Thank you." Lief said, taking the Dragons paw into his own. Holding it while also covering the top of it in a show of affection. Leif smiled up at the Dragon who's anger and frustration seemed to subside a little.
Lief smiled a little more at the Drake, before gently letting his paw go and continuing forward while Kiro just looked down at his paw.
Did he actually enjoy that?
"Well I'm awake now." Leif giggled as he turned himself to the two animals, walking backwards to watch the other males walk behind him.
"So no more complaining?" Kiro asked, Leif returning his wise ass remark with a sarcastic laugh, Kiro huffing in amusement as he did. "Well looks like we are hitting the first land mark of our journey."
"Oh?" Leif asked turning himself to see the opening in the trees. Smiling as he padded with his guards, closing in on the opening.
Leif, Kiro and Chris walked forward together, the band of animals that started off hating each other now... somewhat closer.
The three of them soon finding themselves padding out of the forest and onto the cliff side that Leif would only describe as utterly breath taking.
Miles upon miles before the group was covered in forest, showing the Fox just how far they had to go. He sighed as he looked out into the vast Jungle they were to be walking through for the next fortnight, squinting slightly as a large black tower stood out in the distance. The only kind of infrastructure he could see.
Leif began to tremble as he looked out at his quest. Looking out at where he had to go through. Not even being able to see Summerston from where he stood. Leif began to wonder if he would be able to see it all.
"D-Do you think we are to make it safely?" Leif asked, his voice quivering a little.
"Do you doubt my skill?" Kiro asked, Leif rolling his eyes,
"That's not what I'm doing Kiro." he whined, "I'm fearful for this journey. Yes you are a skilled sword master but what about me? If an enemy attacks what can I do? Lube them up? Pleasure them to death?" Leif growled, looking for some words of encouragement or reassurance.
Kiro sighed and rubbed his forehead, He wasn't good with this sort of thing. Doubt was not something he dealt with regularly. He looked over at Chris who was looking at him and waiting for his answer. Kiro could tell he was waiting for another badly worded sentence.
"If I fix your jaw right now, will you comfort the Fox?" He asked, Chris's eyes widening with glee as he nodded his head. "But just know. If you annoy me ever again through his journey, I will not hesitate to break it again. And I will not fix it. Even after we have finished." Kiro warned him, reaching over to run his fingers under his jaw to feel for the bones he needed.
His fingers soon came to the side of his jaw, and Kiro gently pressed into them, the Rhino quivering in pain as he did.
"Alright three, tw.." Kiro counted, Lying as he suddenly pushed the jaw back into its rightful place. The Rhino growling as he backed away from the Drake, holding his jaw in his hand.
"Fuck..." He said, winching as his jaw moved, "I-Is it supposed to hurt so much as I speak?" he asked,
"Your bones just moved out of their rightful socket, hitting some nerves as it did. So its going to ache for a few hours. I'd keep talking to a minimum for it to heal the best, and if you are to talk, don't open your jaw very far or fast."
The Rhino nodded his head,
"We are going to be fine Leif." The Rhino said, rubbing his jaw. "I have no doubt we are going to make it to summerston." The Rhino said with a smile, Leif sighing and shaking his head ad moving himself to begin walking down the road to their left.
The two other males sighing as he walked away,
"And you say I'm bad." Kiro chuckled,
"Yeah," Chris replied, "We erm, his uhh eye magic is um.. great!" Chris mocked, huffing and walking to follow the Fox while Kiro for the umpteenth time today had to fight the urge to murder the Rhino.