# Chapter 20: Wolfsbane

Author: HeatherOBunn
Tags: Buck, Cat, Chapter, Duchess, Evidence, Fox, King, Lesbian, Novel, Queen, Rabbit, Royal audience, Thriller, Tickling, Tod, Vixen, dinner, tom, trust

#20 of The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror

The heroes have their audience with the King.

Chapter 20: Wolfsbane  
Jason and Ellie arrived in Wolfsbane that afternoon. Katya had given them the address  
of her hotel when Ellie called. Once again, Jason booked the room without Ellie present, and  
then they met Katya in her room. Katya answered the door with a look of relief and hastily  
ushered them inside.  
"I can't believe you made it!" Katya exclaimed. "When you told me you'd gotten away,  
Ellie, I almost fell over! I was sure either I'd be going alone, or it would only be me and Jason!"  
"You can thank Edgar and Flora for that," Ellie replied.  
"When I get back I will!"  
Ellie smiled awkwardly, "Er, well, I'm sure Flora would love to meet you, but Edgar, he's  
still with the Duchess as far as I know."  
Katya blinked her kelly-green eyes in surprise, "Oh. He didn't get away?" she asked  
worriedly.  
"He chose to stay," Ellie replied briskly. "Edgar's alright, but he's devoted to the  
Duchess. I don't think he'll ever leave her."  
I'm sorry, Ellie. Jason knew Ellie was disappointed that Edgar had chosen to stay. She'd  
wanted to save the pine marten from the Duchess' grip, but this must have been the final  
confirmation that she had failed.  
"The King's court is at four PM tomorrow," Katya changed the subject. "Is tomorrow  
okay, or do you want to wait?"  
"I want to do this right away!" Ellie declared. "She's been causing trouble long enough!  
Besides, Lily might do something if we wait too long!"  
Katya swished her tail uncomfortably, "Oh, right," she murmured.  
Jason had been listening quietly but now his ears pricked in surprise, "Huh? Lily? What's  
she up to?"  
Ellie looked at him embarrassedly, "Sorry, Jason, I forgot to tell you. Lily's formed some  
sort of resistance force. They're going to remove the Duchess themselves if she becomes too  
tyrannical."  
Jason remembered jokingly suggesting something of the sort, and he was shocked to  
learn it was coming true. "Really?!" he gasped. "Who told you this?!"  
"Flora," Ellie answered. "She suggested I join it, but, but I don't know. I decided not to.  
I'm not sure this will work, but I don't trust Lily. Besides, innocent people might get hurt if they  
use violence."  
"They aren't really going to do anything," Katya put in scathingly. "They're nothing but  
Lily's personal bodyguards. She didn't stop serving the Duchess until it was her own life at  
stake! Lily's pretending they might do something so that she has people to die for her if the  
authorities find her!"  
Ellie frowned, "You think so? I'm not sure Lily would stoop that low. Flora said Lily sent  
her away because she's pregnant."  
Jason didn't believe it at all. Lily wouldn't sacrifice those under her like that. If she had  
one redeeming quality, it was a sense of responsibility to those she led. However, he didn't see  
the point in starting an irrelevant argument, so he let it go.  
Katya growled, "There's no telling how low she'd stoop."  
Ellie didn't respond, so that was the end of it. After a moment, Ellie piped, "I guess we'll  
be waiting most of the day tomorrow. I'd like to explore the capital, but I guess that wouldn't be a  
good idea."  
Katya shook her head, "You should stay in your room until it's time to go to the King's  
court. I'll bring you food."  
Ellie sighed, "Oh well, we can always come another time. My friend Charlotte lives here  
somewhere. We could come visit her, Jason."  
Jason smiled, "Sure, that sounds nice."  
Katya looked at them conflictedly, "It sounds like you think this is going to be over. I wish  
I had your optimism. Even if the King does something, I doubt we'll really be safe. It's easy for  
someone like us to disappear."  
"I won't let that witch ruin our lives!" Ellie declared determinedly. "We'll be prepared if  
she comes for us, but we won't live looking over our shoulders!"  
"You were already captured once," Katya pointed out. "It could happen again, and the  
next time it might be both of you."  
"It's either take that risk, live in hiding, or leave the country," Ellie argued. "After she's  
been exposed, her influence will be reduced. She could still offer a reward, but any bounty  
hunters had better come prepared. We won't go easily next time."  
"Maybe she'll give up once she's been discredited," Jason offered hopefully. "Or maybe  
she'll just get bored and forget about us."  
Ellie gave him a dubious look, "You didn't see how happy she was to see me," she  
responded darkly. "I thought her hug would crack my ribs."  
Katya snorted, and Jason and Ellie stared at her. Her whiskers twitched, as she  
suppressed a smile.  
"It's not funny, Katya!" Ellie rebuked. "She wouldn't stop touching me! I spent my entire  
time there being fondled by that creep!"  
Strained, "Sorry, Ellie, I, I'm sure it wasn't, but the way you put it, it sounded like a kid  
complaining about their grandma," Katya replied.  
Ellie sniffed disdainfully, "Hmph, maybe a grandma from Tartarus! Although, Edgar  
would tell me she's too young for that, thirty-something or whatever."  
"Is she really?" Katya queried amusedly. "The way she speaks, I assumed she was  
much older."  
"That's what Edgar says. It only makes the way she treats grown adults more  
disturbing," Ellie answered.  
Katya smiled, "If your ribs aren't too sore, I'd like to give you a hug, Ellie."  
Ellie blinked, "What for?"  
"Just being you and cheering me up," Katya answered. "I've been down since Bree and I  
broke up, and thinking about how hopeless this all is really hasn't helped. But despite that,  
you're still determined; you still get fired up. I'm glad you made it, Ellie."  
Ellie stepped up to the cat and hugged her, "I'm sorry to hear about Bree, but I'm glad to  
see you too."  
Ellie and the ginger cat hugged for several seconds, and Jason began to feel a little  
jealous. However, as Ellie broke away, she turned and wrapped her arms around him. Jason  
hugged her back.  
"Kitty hugs, I'm collecting all the kitty hugs," Ellie murmured into his chest fur.  
Jason petted her head then nuzzled her between the ears.  
Katya sighed wistfully, "It's too bad I can't borrow her."  
Ellie turned her head to peer at the female cat sidelong. Jason noticed the insides of her  
ears turning pink, and he grinned. He nuzzled Ellie's head again; he wouldn't trade her for  
anything.  
The next twenty-three hours were uneventful to say the least. Ellie and Jason went to  
their room, and Katya brought them their meals. Aside from chatting with her when she stopped  
by, reading, or trying to find something worth watching on tv they didn't have a lot to do. Jason  
might have napped, but he was too anxious. Ellie was anxious and fidgety too.  
Finally, Katya arrived to take them to the King's court. The ginger cat was carrying a tan  
canvas bag over her shoulder that presumably contained the evidence Lily had stashed. As they  
walked across the bustling city, Jason noted the number of foxes. Everywhere you looked, there  
were two or more red foxes, and other fox species were nearly as abundant. Jason spotted gray  
foxes, swift foxes, fennec foxes, kit foxes, arctic foxes, Rüppell's foxes, corsac foxes, and even  
zorros including hoary foxes, culpeos, chillas, pampas foxes, and Sechuran foxes. Jason  
wondered what fraction of the Wolfsbane population was some sort of fox; by the look of things,  
it might have been one in four.  
"I've never seen so many foxes," Ellie muttered. "That must be why they aren't as  
common in the rest of Vulpineva. They're all here."  
"Are you okay?" Jason murmured.  
Ellie glanced at him sidelong, "I'm fine. Just because I don't like that witch, doesn't mean  
I mind foxes in general."  
They arrived at the palace without incident. Jason didn't think the building looked all that  
old, and he assumed it had been constructed within the current King's lifetime. The outside was  
composed of white bricks, and the reddish-brown roof was lined with corroding copper gutters.  
Aside from the sheer size of the rectangular building, Jason didn't find it particularly remarkable.  
There was, however, a gorgeous white marble fountain encircled by the white gravel cul-de-sac  
that featured the elegant forms of two dancing vixens in flowing gowns. The water spurted up  
between the stone foxes and rained down in glittering droplets that caught the late afternoon  
sun.  
In contrast, the inside of the palace took Jason's breath away. Through the heavy oak  
doors, which were ribbed with cast iron, was a magnificent hall filled with gleaming white marble  
and glittering gold. The floor and walls were all marble, and halfway up to the high ceiling, the  
walls were inlaid with crisscrossing patterns of gold. From the ceiling, which must have been  
twenty feet high, hung five crystal and gold chandeliers. Polished marble columns lined the  
sides of the wide hall, and at the back, atop a marble dais, preceded by a crimson velvet carpet,  
was an enormous golden throne big enough, Jason thought, for an elephant to sit in. In the seat  
of that glittering throne was a gigantic crimson cushion with golden tassels, and perched atop  
the cushion was King Frederick the Sixth of Vulpineva.  
The King was an elderly tod, and the red fur on his muzzle had turned to silver. As he  
sat in his grandiose throne, he was just a bit hunched, but his amber eyes were clear, proud,  
and intelligent. He wore a midnight blue vest embroidered with gold, an indigo cape, and a  
golden crown. His crown was a simple ringlet that sat between his pointy ears, but the front  
displayed a massive ruby encircled by diamonds. While he looked somewhat comical, dwarfed  
as he was by his seat, Jason couldn't help but feel intimidated by the presence of the powerful  
fox. However, as the next group in the line before the throne stepped forward to bow to him, he  
smiled warmly, his eyes and mouth assuming an aspect of kind, fatherly attentiveness. And  
Jason felt a little hope that he would be willing to help them.  
Aside from the line of two dozen or so animals of various sorts waiting to petition the  
King, there were many others milling about the grand hall and chatting in small groups. Most of  
the latter were red foxes attired in clothing ranging from extravagant to lurid. There were a few  
other animals among them in more practical jackets and gowns who Jason assumed were  
wealthy citizens or elected officials. On either side of the King's marble dais were two dozen  
guards, each holding a pike and wearing a velvet magenta jacket. The jackets were decorated  
with two vertical golden bars down the middle that were crossed by several horizontal golden  
bars, each half the width of the jacket and tipped with a curvy-lined arrow. The guards were  
nearly all carnivores, but Jason did spot a wild boar among their ranks.  
As they waited their turn, Jason listened interestedly to the petitions of the groups in  
front of them. Four separate groups had brought infants to be blessed. Another two groups had  
personal disputes they wished the King to settle. One group was concerned about the state of  
Vulpineva's national forests. One group wanted a pardon for an imprisoned family member, and  
finally, a red tod--Jason was shocked to recognize Lord Larchwood! --was quickly sent away  
when he began grousing about the market price of tomatoes.  
As their turn neared, Katya whispered, "I'll do the talking at first if that's okay."  
Ellie and Jason nodded. Jason suspected Ellie was as grateful as he was to momentarily  
be spared the responsibility; she was looking a bit nervous.  
"You do have to bow though," Katya murmured under her breath, her eyes on Ellie.  
"That isn't a problem, is it? I heard, um, well, they said you might be anarchists."  
Ellie hissed back annoyedly, "I'm not an idiot! I'm not going to disrespect the person we  
came to ask for help!"  
Katya nodded embarrassedly. Jason considered reassuring Katya that they were not, in  
fact, anarchists, but he decided it wasn't important. Besides, maybe Ellie did consider herself an  
anarchist after all that had happened. Jason considered himself a social democrat.  
At last, it was their turn to speak with the King. Jason and Ellie bowed low while Katya,  
who was wearing a sky blue, pleated skirt, curtsied. The King smiled warmly and nodded for  
them to begin.  
"Y-Your Majesty," Katya began nervously. "We've come from M-Maplesburg to beg for  
your help. We have, uh, it's a delicate issue, Your Majesty, but it's about Her Grace, The  
Duchess of Gooseberry."  
The King nodded solemnly, "I've been monitoring the situation. Let me extend my  
deepest apologies that what happened in Maplesburg was allowed to occur. That cults, like the  
one that attacked you, have been able to fester in Vulpineva is nothing less than a complete  
failure on the government's part, and I take full responsibility for the disaster and the lives lost."  
"We appreciate that, Your Majesty," Katya murmured awkwardly. "But, um, what we  
need to tell you isn't about the attack or, um, even the job Her Grace has been doing since then.  
It began before that, a long time before actually. It's about prey who've gone missing or, or been  
found murdered, Your Majesty. W-we believe that, um, that Her Grace may be involved, Your  
Majesty."  
The King frowned concernedly, and most of the people in the room began to whisper to  
one another furtively. Their suspicious whispering nearly set Jason's fur on end; he forced it to  
stay flat.  
"I think we should discuss this in private," the King pronounced. "My guards will show  
you to a room where you can wait."  
He motioned with a finger, and two guards, a wolverine and a lynx, marched from the  
right side of the throne to stand on either side of their group. The guards led the three of them  
away to the right. Jason couldn't help but feel they were being arrested.  
The guards took them to a luxurious sitting room containing three powder blue sofas  
embroidered with silver and a large fireplace. The room was well lit by four lamps with blue or  
silver shades and a black ceiling fan with a trio of bulbs, but there were no windows. Jason,  
Ellie, and Katya shuffled across the thick blue carpet and sat together on the sofa to the left of  
the one facing the shadowy hearth. The wolverine stood in the door they had entered, and the  
lynx crossed the room to occupy the other exit. It didn't look like they were going to escape  
without overpowering at least one burly carnivore with a pike. Katya, Jason, and Ellie  
exchanged nervous glances, but they were afraid to speak. They sat in strained silence for what  
seemed like an eternity until, finally, the wolverine stepped aside, and the King shuffled into the  
room.  
The elderly fox sat on the sofa across from them, regarding them with concern. Jason  
thought he looked more worried than he had in the throne room. He also looked older, more  
tired. "What do you have to tell me about the Duchess of Gooseberry?" he asked worriedly.  
Katya began, "She, um, we believe-"  
"She's a murderer!" Ellie squeaked.  
Jason and Katya stared at her, flabbergasted by the rabbit's bluntness; however,  
examining her, Jason could tell she was nervous. Ellie sat stiffly with her feet crossed and her  
arms folded in her lap. She kept her eyes on the King, but Jason thought she looked ready to  
bolt.  
The King rubbed his snout where it met the top half of his face, "Oh dear," he murmured.  
"How many people has she killed?"  
"Y-you don't seem that surprised, Your Majesty," Katya murmured nervously.  
"It's happened before, not with her, but I had concerns," the King admitted.  
"We don't know exactly how many it's been," Katya answered his question. "I think it's  
been going on for a while, years maybe, but recently, prey's corpses started appearing in  
Maplesburg."  
"Not just murdered," Ellie added. "Butchered! Horribly tortured and cut apart!"  
The King sighed wearily. "I assume the evidence is incontrovertible. It always is."  
Katya nodded, "It's significant, but we also have witness testimony. These two saw her  
kill a rabbit, and they were imprisoned themselves by Her Grace."  
The King eyed Jason and Ellie a moment, frowning. Recognition flared in his amber  
eyes, but he spoke calmly, "I recognize you, the cat and rabbit from the video. She responded to  
your accusations. I'll want to see evidence to corroborate your accounts."  
"I have the physical evidence here," Katya stated, lifting the tan canvas bag from her lap.  
The King nodded, "Show me."  
Katya plucked a baggie containing a strand of red fur and stapled to a sheet of paper  
from the bag. "This hair was found with the partial remains of a rabbit named Bartholomew  
Potter. These lab results confirmed it was from a red fox," she explained.  
"That's the rabbit we saw her kill," Ellie put in, sounding more confident.  
Katya pulled out a second baggie and printed report. "This fur was found by the home of  
a family of squirrels who were kidnapped and murdered, Michelle Jeannet and her children  
Albert and Julie. The lab report identified it as wolverine fur. Her Grace employed two  
wolverines as her guards."  
"Jason found that," Ellie reported proudly.  
Katya withdrew three more baggies with strands of red fur. "There weren't reports  
attached to these, but they're labeled with the names of three prey who went missing in the past  
few years. However, I checked, and their bodies were never recovered."  
The King frowned, "Then where did the fur come from?"  
Katya hesitated, "W-well, you see, Your Majesty, we believe Her Grace had help, not  
only from her bodyguards but, um, from our chief of police, Lily Schulz. I believe Officer Schulz  
recovered these hairs before disposing of the bodies."  
"Is there anything else?" the King inquired.  
Katya withdrew a photograph of a footprint in the mud. "This is also labeled with the  
name of a prey who went missing. It looks like it could be from a wolverine."  
"Is that all?" the King returned.  
Katya nodded.  
The King shook his head, "This isn't nearly enough. In fact, it's nothing. No individuals'  
DNA matched; you only know species. Half of your samples don't even have that!"  
"W-we have witness testimonies!" Katya added. "Reports of a black sedan consistent  
with one Her Grace owns and figures consistent with two wolverines!"  
"And there was that coyote who recognized one of the wolverines who abducted Mr.  
Potter!" Ellie put in. She paused, and her ears drooped, "Though I don't know if he ever spoke to  
the police, and I don't think we got his name."  
The King shook his head again, "Whether you're telling the truth or not, there's nothing I  
can do on evidence this thin!" he declared.  
"We were there!" Ellie protested desperately. "We saw her kill Mr. Potter, and she  
tortured us!"  
"And with the evidence you've shown me, it's more or less your word against hers," the  
King responded decisively. "In fact, all of this evidence could be fabricated! Why isn't this case  
being handled by the Maplesburg police?"  
"I-I'm an officer," Katya murmured embarrassedly. "But you see, Officer Schulz was  
preventing us from investigating properly, and I'm sure she helped dispose of some of the  
bodies. Otherwise, where did the fur come from?"  
"Where indeed?" the King returned pointedly. "Perhaps if I had her testimony that she  
acted as an accomplice in these disappearances, that would be a start. Without that, there's  
nothing I can do, nor would. The Duchess has taken on a daunting task in returning stability to  
Maplesburg. If this is all there is against her, I won't disturb her work."  
"You have to!" Ellie cried. "You can't let her get away with it! She's killed so many prey!"  
Jason thought the tod looked a little uncomfortable as he shook his head again.  
"I'm sorry. I'm sure it's difficult for you, but I need evidence," he replied. He stood, "My  
guards will show you out. Good evening."  
Jason, Katya, and Ellie watched as the King left the room through the opposite door from  
the one they'd entered, his indigo cape flowing behind him. The wolverine and lynx marched  
over to the couch they were sitting on, and the three of them quickly stood and allowed the  
guards to march them out the front doors, which the guards closed behind them. They stopped  
just outside, and Jason looked down at his feet disappointedly.  
"At least we tried," he muttered despondently.  
"We can't give up!" Ellie protested.  
"He said it wasn't enough, Ellie," Katya rejoined miserably.  
"He said he'd listen to Lily!" Ellie countered. "We just have to find her and drag her back  
here to admit what she did!"  
"Good luck," Katya replied darkly.  
Jason looked at the rabbit interestedly, "No, you're right, Ellie. If we could convince Lily  
to give her side, she'd have more details about everything that's happened."  
"Why would she?" Katya muttered gloomily. "She'd have to incriminate herself."  
"That's what'll make it more convincing," Jason stated. "He can't dismiss her as simply  
someone with an ax to grind, and since her account will corroborate ours, that will make our  
story more credible."  
Katya looked at him dubiously, "You really think it's worth a shot?"  
"We have to try!" Ellie declared. "I'll drag her here myself if I have to!"  
Katya smiled, "You're still determined, Ellie. Alright, let's find her."  
They made their way back to the hotel, and about an hour later, Katya brought Ellie and  
Jason the dinners they'd ordered from a nearby Thai restaurant.  
Jason answered the door, "Thanks, Katya." He took hold of the plastic bag Katya held  
out for him, but she held on.  
"Can, um, can I eat with the two of you?" she murmured self-consciously.  
"Er, yeah, that's fine," Jason answered awkwardly. "Come in."  
Katya gave him a shy half smile and followed him into the room. Jason set the bag on  
the dark wood desk and extracted the to-go boxes: there were two trapezoidal containers of  
white rice and three cylindrical, plastic containers with their meals. Ellie had gotten the green  
curry with vegetables. Jason had gotten the red curry with chicken, and Katya had gotten Pad  
See Ew with chicken. Jason and Ellie sat at the foot of their bed on the white linen sheets, and  
Katya sat on the black mesh desk chair.  
"Did you get enough vegetables in yours, Jason?" Ellie inquired conversationally.  
Jason poked through the green beans, bamboo, peppers, and basil with his chopsticks  
to snag another piece of chicken. "Uh-huh."  
Ellie smiled at him and turned to Katya, "How about you, Katya? Is yours good too?"  
Kaya awkwardly nodded, "It's good, thanks."  
"We're going to find Lily, and we'll make her come back with us and explain how she's  
helped that witch murder people all these years!" Ellie assured her. "I had no idea it had been  
going on for so long! I thought it started with Danny!"  
"Yeah, uh, I guess they were disposing of the bodies somehow before that. I don't know  
why that changed, but I guess it's good it did. Or we still might not know," she murmured  
uncomfortably, looking down at her fried noodles. She looked up at Ellie anxiously, "Do you  
really think we'll be able to find Officer Schulz?"  
"Flora knows where she is," Ellie answered confidently. "The trick is to get her to come  
with us, but I think, with you there, we should be able to convince her."  
Katya looked back down at her food, "Why would that make a difference?" she  
murmured shyly.  
Ellie frowned, "Last time we were all together, Lily seemed to like you. She didn't want  
us 'corrupting' you, as I recall. Has that changed?"  
Katya didn't look up, "I guess not," she mumbled.  
"Are you worried about seeing her?" Ellie asked gently.  
Katya looked up conflictedly, "No, I don't know, maybe. It's just, um," she paused, and  
Jason saw tears welling in the ginger cat's kelly-green eyes. A fat pair of tears dropped into her  
noodles.  
Ellie quickly set her food aside and hopped up. She placed a hand on Katya's shoulder,  
"It's okay. You can tell us if you want to," she soothed.  
"It's just that I trusted her," Katya sobbed. "I, I looked up to her, and she was," she  
stopped and wiped a hand across her eyes.  
Ellie picked up Katya's other hand from her lap and grasped it in both of hers, "We  
understand. She was your mentor. It's hard to be betrayed by someone like that."  
Katya nodded miserably. "But it wasn't just her. First, first, I lost James, and then Officer  
Schulz, and now Bree left too."  
"I'm sorry, Katya," Ellie murmured sympathetically. "We won't leave you, I promise, and  
we're here if you want to talk about any of it." Ellie lifted Katya's carryout container off of her lap  
and set it on the desk behind her. She leaned across Katya's lap to hug her under the arms,  
"You're a kind person, and you'll find someone kind to make you happy," she murmured.  
Katya put her hands under Ellie's arms and stood, lifting Ellie with her and then holding  
her up with Ellie's head beside her own as she hugged Ellie back. Ellie hugged Katya's neck  
and pressed her cheek to the ginger cat's. Jason watched the two of them a second longer then  
set aside his food and stood. He reached his arms around both of them, sandwiching Ellie in the  
middle. Katya smiled at him shyly before rubbing her cheek against Ellie's.  
"The two of you are lucky," Katya murmured. "Despite everything you've been through,  
you have each other." She rubbed her cheek against Ellie's again. "I wish I knew another you,  
Ellie."  
Ellie turned her head to peer sidelong at Jason teasingly, "Not another Jason?"  
Katya smiled embarrassedly, "Um, well, no offense to Inspector Brown, but I'm not into  
guys, even the really nice ones. I'd like there to be more people like Jason, but I really want an  
Ellie of my own."  
Jason wasn't offended, but he did feel terribly awkward. He let the two women go and  
sat back down.  
Ellie glanced at him quickly before turning back to Katya a bit embarrassedly, "Er, well, I  
do have a sister who you might like. I'm not sure how she feels about girls, but she really likes  
cats."  
Katya smiled shyly, "Is she as fiery and determined as you?"  
"Maybe more," Ellie emphasized. "Her name is Farida. I can put you in contact with her.  
She's in medical school, so I guess, uh," she paused and blinked at the cat embarrassedly.  
"Actually, I don't know how old you are."  
Katya smiled softly, her whiskers twitching with amusement, "I'm twenty-two."  
"Alright, Farida's twenty-five, so you're close," Ellie concluded.  
Katya smiled a bit wider, "How old are you, Ellie?"  
Ellie scowled, "Old enough not to answer."  
Jason blinked in surprise, "I thought you were only twenty-eight."  
Ellie shot him a dirty look, "I am. My birthday isn't until November."  
"I turned twenty-six in January," Jason volunteered. He wasn't sure why and instantly felt  
awkward about it.  
"Now that we've established I'm the oldest," Ellie drawled annoyedly.  
Katya smirked, "It's okay, Ellie. I like older women too," she teased.  
Ellie huffed and rolled her eyes, and Katya nuzzled her cheek again before setting her  
down.  
"Let's finish dinner before it gets colder," Ellie grumbled.  
They went back to eating. Katya seemed much more cheerful than before, and Ellie  
quickly recovered her optimistic attitude. When they had finished their meals and put the empty  
containers in the trash or recycling bins as appropriate, Katya stood.  
"Thanks for letting me eat with you. I know we didn't get to, um, spend a lot of time  
together before everything that's happened, but I hope I can consider you friends."  
Ellie grinned, "Of course you can! I considered you my friend before, and you've only  
proven your friendship to us since then."  
Jason nodded, "Ellie's right. You've been a friend to us since we first met."  
Ellie stood and hugged Katya, and when they broke away, Katya stepped in front of  
Jason and opened her arms to him. Jason stood and hugged the ginger cat as well though he  
felt a little embarrassed. With an exchange of goodnights, Katya left their room.  
Ellie stepped in front of Jason and hugged him tightly. "Thanks for helping, Jason," she  
murmured. "I know you feel a little uncomfortable around her, so thanks for helping to cheer her  
up."  
"I don't think I did much," Jason replied self-consciously.  
"It was enough."  
Ellie showered while Jason groomed himself, and then they watched tv together with  
Ellie sitting in his lap. Jason let her control the remote, and they ended up watching a campy  
film about demon possession.  
Jason only half paid attention, silently contemplating Ellie. Katya was right: Ellie was  
relentless when she knew what was right. Jason admired that tenacity, but he also realized that  
her determination was a comfort to Ellie as much as it was to Katya. Ellie didn't admit defeat  
because she had faith that the world could be better, and she needed that belief to be true.  
Perhaps she was naive, but Jason loved that in her too.  
\* \* \*  
The next morning, Katya brought them breakfast from the hotel's continental buffet. Ellie  
was getting tired of hard fruit and stale muffins, but she accepted hers graciously. Katya ate with  
them again, and when they were done, she spoke.  
"I guess we'll be driving separately. Where do you want to meet when we get there?"  
"We should meet at Flora's house," Ellie answered. "She can show us how to find Lily. I'll  
give you her address."  
"Be careful on your drive back," Katya warned. "If you're captured again, you might not  
get away."  
"We could go together," Jason suggested. "You're still a police officer, aren't you? If you  
drove and we were pulled over, you could pretend you were arresting us."  
Katya frowned, "I kind of need to take my car home, but that could work on the way  
back. How many does your car hold?"  
"Five, four comfortably," Jason answered.  
Katya nodded, "Alright, we'll do that on the way back. Lily is also wanted, so it's probably  
for the best."  
Ellie gave Katya Flora's address, and then they left. Ellie drove first, keeping a careful  
eye on their speed; she noticed Jason glancing at the speedometer as well. Several hours later,  
they arrived outside of Flora's forest-green, two-story house. Katya's kelly-green sports car was  
already parked on the street in front of the abode. Ellie knocked on the door, and Katya  
answered it along with Flora.  
"You made it!" Flora exclaimed with relief. "Katya has been telling us about your  
experience with the King!" She herded them inside hospitably, "Come in, come in."  
Flora led them to the living room where Pete was waiting on the pale green loveseat.  
The pregnant gray fox sat next to the black and white rabbit and wrapped her arm across his  
shoulders. Ellie and Jason sat with Katya on the matching sofa with Ellie in the middle and  
Katya on the right.  
"I'm sorry your meeting with the King didn't go well," Flora continued. "But I think you  
should have better luck with Lily. Pete has offered to show you to their base."  
Ellie blinked, "Really?!" She was more than a little surprised the timid rabbit would go  
with two predators to find yet another predator. Ellie would be there too, of course, but she  
doubted she'd be much comfort.  
"It's t-too risky for Flora to go!" Pete squeaked. He sounded determined but also  
extremely nervous.  
"I'm sure I'd be fine," Flora commented a bit amusedly. "But I wouldn't want Pete to  
worry. He's convinced the kits are coming at any minute."  
"They could!" Pete defended himself anxiously. "They're due next week!"  
Flora smiled and nuzzled his head. "Either way, I'll be staying here. Pete can show you  
the way through the tunnels, and I think they'll be less concerned the fewer carnivores are with  
you."  
Jason frowned worriedly, "Is that going to be a problem?"  
"They're wary of allowing predators to explore the tunnels," Flora explained. "But Lily  
knows you, and you'll be with Pete and Ellie. So you should be fine."  
"Maybe he should stay!" Pete squeaked anxiously.  
Flora nuzzled the base of his ear and murmured soothingly, "You'll be alright; you know  
Jason."  
Pete looked up at her worriedly, "B-but what if the kits come while we're gone?! You  
might need someone to drive you to the hospital!"  
Flora smiled gently, "You won't be gone long," she soothed.  
Pete shook his head, "We don't know how long we will be! Someone should stay!"  
Flora looked up at Jason questioningly, "Would you mind, Jason? I don't want Pete to  
worry about me."  
Jason stiffly nodded once; Ellie thought he looked terribly embarrassed.  
"You probably won't have to do anything," Flora stated cheerfully. "We'll just chat, and  
they'll be back in a few hours."  
Jason nodded again, a bit less awkwardly, "Alright."  
"I don't think we should go until tomorrow," Ellie declared. "If it takes too long to convince  
Lily, we might have to spend the night with her or bring her back here for the night, and I'd  
prefer not to do either."  
Katya nodded, "Okay, I'll go home then, and I'll meet you here tomorrow morning. Is  
seven okay?"  
Ellie nodded reluctantly. She didn't really want to get up that early, but she supposed it  
was better to give themselves more time.  
"You're welcome to stay here for the night, Katya," Flora offered cheerfully.  
Katya smiled at her awkwardly, "Er, well, my apartment is just across town. Thanks for  
the offer though."  
"Alright, I insist you say for dinner though," Flora pressed good-naturedly.  
"That's not necessary. I have plenty of-"  
Flora's kelly-green eyes flared dangerously, and Katya froze with her mouth still ajar and  
her own kelly-green eyes wide.  
"I wasn't making an offer," the vixen spoke softly, her eyes staring daggers at the ginger  
cat. "You'll stay for dinner, or you won't set foot outside of this house with Pete."  
"A-alright," Katya stammered nervously. "I-I'll eat with you, no problem."  
Flora's visage brightened back into her former sunny expression. "Thank you, Katya. I  
hope you understand. I trust Ellie's judgement, and I know she wouldn't have brought you here  
if she didn't trust you. But I want a chance to get to know someone personally before I entrust  
them with Pete's safety."  
Katya nodded embarrassedly, "I understand."  
Once again, Ellie was glad Jason wasn't so protective of her. She would be mortified if  
he ever demanded to talk with someone before she left the house with them. She would have  
been mortified if her father had acted that way, let alone her partner. However, Pete didn't seem  
to mind; in fact, he snuggled closer to Flora, more calm and content than he'd been since they  
got there. Flora gave him a squeeze with the arm wrapped around his shoulders.  
"Well, I think Pete and I should get started on dinner," Flora chirped. "You're welcome to  
join us in the other room or wait here until it's ready."  
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Katya asked awkwardly.  
Flora smiled pleasantly, "We'll find you something to do."  
The cat, fox, and rabbit left the room. Ellie and Jason remained on the couch. They'd be  
fixing meat, and while Ellie was slowly getting more used to the smell, she preferred not to  
breathe the fumes from the cooking flesh. Besides, it will give Flora and Pete some time with  
Katya.  
"I thought she was going to jump on her for a second," Jason murmured. "Something  
about her reminded me of the Duchess just then."  
Ellie stared at him, aghast, "Flora's nothing like that monster!" she reprimanded. "How  
could you say that, Jason?!"  
Jason winced, "I, uh, just meant how she looked when she got angry. They're both  
foxes; they're bound to look a little similar."  
"They're not even the same genus!" Ellie rejoined. "And everyone gets angry  
sometimes."  
"I didn't mean anything by it," Jason murmured sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Ellie."  
"Hmph, I suppose I can forgive you this time," Ellie replied snippily. She eyed the  
uncomfortable cat sidelong and felt a little guilty about her sharp tone. She scooted over next to  
him and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I understand what you meant, Jason," she  
conceded. "She looked pretty fierce for a second there. It certainly scared poor Katya."  
"I guess even Flora has a temper," Jason concluded. "She seems so gentle most of the  
time."  
Ellie laughed softly, "Heheh, she's ruthless if you make her really mad. Once she shut  
me in a wooden chest and sat on it until I apologized for spilling paint on her fur. I was in there  
for over an hour."  
Jason looked at her quizzically, "Why didn't you just apologize?"  
"Because she ran into me!" Ellie returned irately. "She should have apologized!"  
Jason chuckled softly, "Haha, what made you give up then?"  
"It was getting hard to breathe! I didn't want to smother," Ellie answered tersely.  
Jason nuzzled her head, "I'm surprised you didn't let yourself pass out," he teased.  
Ellie sniffed testily, but she still leaned her head back against his shoulder. Jason could  
tease her for being stubborn; he was her sweet, silly kitty, after all.  
About half an hour later, Flora called them into the other room for dinner. The table was  
set with five places; only the end closest to the kitchen was empty. Flora placed Katya on the far  
end and sat next to her with Pete on Flora's left. Jason sat in the other seat next to Katya, and  
Ellie took the one across from Pete so that the herbivores could have their food at that end.  
They were having barbeque sandwiches: shredded pork for the carnivores and shredded  
carrots and chopped broccoli for the rabbits. There was also macaroni salad with a creamy  
cashew sauce and chopped beets, spinach and dandelion salad with sweet vinaigrette dressing,  
and savory cornbread muffins.  
Ellie had some of everything except the pork while Jason had his sandwich, some  
noodles with only a few pieces of beet, a small pile of spinach, and a muffin. Katya avoided the  
spinach but tried the macaroni salad along with her sandwich and muffin, and Flora had some of  
everything, even sampling a spoonful of the filling for the rabbits' sandwiches. They ate in placid  
silence for several minutes before Katya spoke.  
"How many kits are you having, Flora?"  
"Four," Flora answered cheerfully. "Two tods and two vixens. Pete's pleased he'll only be  
outnumbered by species," she joked.  
"How did you decide to have your own?" Katya inquired. "I mean, since you can't, um,  
make them together."  
Flora smiled amusedly, "Pete suggested it. I would have been happy so long as we got  
to raise a family together."  
Katya looked at Pete questioningly, and the rabbit glanced at her nervously before  
setting down his fork.  
"Er, well, it, it's just that," he looked up at Flora, who turned to smile comfortingly at him.  
"Go on, Pete. You can tell them," she reassured him.  
"I-I just thought Flora should have kits of her own. She-she's so smart and beautiful and  
kind; I wanted her to pass that on."  
Flora smiled at him lovingly, "Pete sees me through rose-colored glasses, but I'm glad  
we made this decision. I think it's brought us even closer together."  
Ellie thought Flora's excessive modesty was a bit annoying, but the tender affection  
between the pair filled her with warmth despite that.  
Katya turned to her and Jason, "What about you two?"  
Jason shifted embarrassedly in his seat, "I, uh, don't think we've decided. I guess it's up  
to Ellie." He looked at her sidelong.  
"We haven't decided," Ellie agreed. She was happy to leave it at that.  
"I'm not sure it's something I'd want," Katya admitted. "Kittens are cute, but I don't know  
if I'd want that responsibility. It would have to be with the right person for sure."  
"Whether you decide to have them or not, I hope you find your own right person," Flora  
returned warmly. "I may have only met you today, but I think you're a lovely person. And I'm  
confident Pete will be safe under your protection."  
Katya flicked an ear, looking quite embarrassed. "Thanks, I, um, th-think you're lovely  
too," she murmured self-consciously. She quickly looked away from Flora, and Ellie noticed her  
dusty pink nose turning scarlet.  
Ellie couldn't tell whether Flora had noticed the slip. They finished dinner in silence, but  
Katya didn't recover her composure, focusing all of her attention on her plate. When they had  
finished, Katya stood.  
"Thank you for dinner," she murmured. "I'll, um, see you all tomorrow."  
"Alright, see you, Katya. Have a good evening," Flora replied.  
Katya nodded once in acknowledgement then made a hasty exit. They heard the door  
close a second later.  
"I think I embarrassed her," Flora commented worriedly.  
Ellie nodded in agreement, but she didn't think it was her place to elaborate.  
Flora and Pete put away the leftovers, and Ellie and Jason washed the dishes.  
When they had finished, Flora approached them with a pack of cards. "We didn't get to  
play last time the two of you spent the night," she reminded them. "Would you like to play  
something?"  
Ellie nodded cheerfully, "Sure, what did you have in mind?"  
"I think you mentioned euchre, but you can choose something else."  
"Euchre's good. How should we split the teams?"  
Flora smiled amusedly, "I assumed we'd play with our partners, but if you want to do  
girls versus boys or rabbits versus carnivores, that's fine too."  
"Rabbits versus carnivores sounds ominous," Ellie jested. "Let's do that."  
Flora fetched Pete, and they seated themselves with Ellie across from Flora and Jason  
across from Pete. Flora sorted the cards, and Ellie got the first deal. Ellie soon regretted her  
decision. Pete played immediately before Jason, and each time, he studied the cat nervously as  
if he thought he'd attack him if he played the wrong card. The black and white rabbit only called  
trump once: they got two points, but they could have gotten four had he called it alone. In the  
end, Jason and Flora won ten to five.  
"Do you want to play again?" Flora asked as she collected the cards.  
Ellie shook her head grumpily.  
Flora stood and lifted Pete out of his seat, "It looks like it's time for this bunny to pay the  
price!" she chirped playfully. She hefted Pete over her shoulder and marched out of the room  
with a wink at Ellie.  
Ellie blushed, her cheeks and ears getting warm.  
Jason watched the pair go before turning back to her embarrassedly, "I think that was  
goodnight," he murmured.  
"I guess we should get ready for bed too," Ellie suggested to change the subject.  
Ellie took a shower, and when she returned to the living room, Jason had made their bed  
on the sofa. He was lying on top of the covers, and she silently crept to the arm of the couch  
and popped her head over his.  
"Boo!"  
Jason yawned and smiled amusedly, "I heard you coming up the stairs."  
Ellie frowned. She placed her hands on the arm, and with a powerful jump, flipped over  
it, landing on Jason's stomach. She heard the breath whoosh out of him as her rear impacted  
his belly. She sat up and turned her head to peer back deviously.  
"Did you hear me coming that time?" she teased.  
Jason shot up and wrapped his arms tightly around her, squeezing her to his chest. "It's  
not smart to jump into a predator's claws," he growled playfully. Still squeezing her tightly in his  
right arm, he brought his left hand to her belly and lightly traced a finger through her fur. "I seem  
to remember promising to tickle you," he purred softly, his breath hot on her right ear.  
Ellie squirmed in his grip, pushing her feet against the couch to slip away, but she was  
caught fast by his powerful hold.  
Jason purred louder and his fingers began to mix through her belly fur, slowly at first,  
teasingly. He knew she couldn't get away, and he wanted her to anticipate what was coming.  
Even the anticipation was too much, and Ellie fought against giggles as she vainly struggled to  
free herself from the cat's arm.  
"Heehee, snrk, heeheehee, snrt, n-no!"  
"I'm going to make you wet yourself!" Jason growled with mock ferocity. He wiggled his  
fingers rapidly, mercilessly tickling the helpless Ellie.  
"Akk! N-no! Eeheeheehee, eeheeheehee, eeheeheeheehee!" Ellie squealed.  
Her feet scrambled frantically against the yielding couch cushion as Jason tickled her.  
The irresistible elation from his wriggling fingers coursed through her body, making her  
struggles more frenzied but less effective. Jason held her easily, and his deep purring cut  
through her own squeals, the rumble filling her ears as his chest vibrated against her back. Ellie  
was soon gasping for breath as she laughed uncontrollably, but still Jason didn't relent.  
"Eeheeheeheehee, s-stop! Eeheeheehee, I, eeheeheehee, I'm going to,  
eeheeheeheeheehee, wet the couch!" Ellie squealed.  
Jason redoubled his efforts, "Are you?!" he growled triumphantly. "I don't believe you,  
bunny! Pee and make me believe you!"  
Ellie was laughing too hard to protest further. Her feet scrambled frenetically, but her  
muscles were getting tired. Her diaphragm was starting to ache. Her belly spasmed in protest to  
the merciless elation, and she felt it squeezing her bladder. If she hadn't used the bathroom  
before getting in the shower she would have peed by now! Lightheaded and gasping for oxygen,  
she felt her struggles slowing. She was getting weak from exhaustion and hyperventilation, and  
soon she wouldn't be able to even try to escape. She had just resigned herself to the idea of  
peeing down Jason's leg when the tickling abruptly stopped. Ellie giggled and gasped until she  
was able to calm herself.  
"I think you've had enough," Jason purred satisfiedly. He lay down, pulling her down with  
him, and then rolled her onto her stomach. His arms gently wrapped around her, he grinned up  
toothily. "Did you like that, Cutie Pie," he teased.  
Exhausted, Ellie flopped her head against his chest. "I'll get you back," she muttered  
darkly. She shut her eyes.  
"All wiped out, are you?" Jason teased.  
Ellie grunted in reply.  
Jason stroked a hand down her back, and she felt his cool nose touch her ear. "I love  
you, Ellie," he whispered.  
Ellie smiled. Perhaps she could spare Jason her revenge this one time. Jason continued  
stroking her, and she drifted to sleep, soothed by his loving caresses.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/214JM8Gm
Part of the series The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror
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