Blood Falls
Now, there was a tale that has been told throughout the centuries of the day of great prosperity. A day when all would consider others as equal and peace would reign throughout. This time has come now. The tale also foresaw a coming of darkness after an unknown event. This event has passed as well. The world was plunged into darkness as war broke out over who triggered the event. This war caused a new race to be born. This race came from the depths of the ground, fighting non-stop from their creation. The nations united once more to fight back the enemy and hopefully restore peace. This tale is about five individuals who participated in this war. They were in no way similar, each bearing their own trade. A stage show magician, a thief, a noble warrior in the King's army, a priestess, and the mysterious wanderer.
The female Raccoon ran just as fast as the male Wolf beside her. Behind them ran an entourage of troops, though at a slower pace. The Raccoon and Wolf had the advantage in just wearing cloth while the guards were of course in full plate armor. The two furs made their way through the town getting further away from the guards. Up ahead was a building, labeled Sugarwood Inn, their obvious destination. They were home free, or so they hoped.
Behind a corner just before the final stretch to the inn was a soldier. He wore armor different than the guards in pursuit. His armor gleamed in the sun with a golden glow. Adorned on the breast plate was the crest of the King, his helm shaped just like a tiger's jaw. This fit the Tiger well as it made his entire image of living metal, rather than flesh.
The tiger stepped out from the corner sticking a lance out in the way of the two running. The wolf ran his chest into it, falling straight onto his back. The raccoon had enough time to duck under but was met with a second pole, held lower than the first. Her foot was caught under it, causing her to flip onto her face. The knight dropped the poles and walked to the furthest fur, the raccoon.
"Sneaky little thief, aren't you? We'll see how the gallows serve you." The Tiger smiled as the guards ran past him and hoisted the Raccoon up. Turning back he saw more guards doing the same with the wolf. A lone soldier walked up to him, looking him fearfully in his eyes. "Good to see the guards on time as planned. Take them to the dungeons before their fate is decided for them."
The dungeon, a dark room built under the castle. It was large enough to hold two feast-day tables and currently contained three prisoners. The wolf and raccoon sat with their backs to each other, paws tied together behind them. The third was a Bat, just by looking one couldn't tell male or female. The bat was not bound in ropes or chains, but a circle was around it. A blue glow illuminated the circle, making the runes easy to see. These magic infused stones had formed a barrier around the bat, making movement impossible.
"Hey, you, the bat." This was the raccoon speaking. "What'd you do to end up in here?" Her question was met by silence. The bat, in fact, had not moved one bit in reaction. It seemed as though it could not hear, sitting there unmoving. "I bet you want out, don't you? I can help, if you help us." There was a reaction, ever so slight, in the form of a nod of the head. "I need a verbal agreement, I won't do it for just a nod." The raccoon had an annoyed tone to her voice as she stared at the bat. The bat opened one eye and looked over to the two.
"How can a tied up thief help me?" A feminine voice escaped the bat's mouth. "However much it is that I would love to be freed, I killed an innocent fur. I deserve whatever they decide for me." She looked at the raccoon with that one eye that held no emotion.
"So what? One life is nothing in the long run. I'm sure that you'd rather live to make it up to the family of the fur. They will kill you here and you will have no chance to right your wrong. Would you like to die knowing others hate you? I wouldn't, I'd at least try to get forgiveness." The raccoon spoke mournfully, as if she felt sorry for the bat. Maybe she did, though most likely there was no emotion for her. "So, what do you say? Scratch my back, I scratch yours, right?"
"Hmm, you may be right. But life is precious, one shouldn't end another's unless there is a dire need for it. I will help you escape if you help me." The bat had both eyes open now and was looking around the room. "Although, how do you plan-" The bat was cut off as the runes crackled around her. Soon they had fizzled out and the glow was gone.
"I'm a magician. Simple barriers are nothing." The raccoon was smiling as she spoke. The bat stood up with an emotionless face. After a slow and long stretch, with many audible cracks and pops the bat walked over to the two tied up. She crouched down beside them and untied the single rope. The raccoon and the wolf stood up in unison.
"Thank ya kindly miss." The wolf said with a thick country accent. "I'm no strongfur, or warrior. Those ropes would've been my end in a couple o' more trails o' the sun, especially when they slide one 'round me neck." He looked to the stairs with a smile. "Miss bat, me an' Bee here are gonna make our getaway. Care to join till our paths part?"
"I am not leaving just yet. I must find my things first." Closer now, one could tell that the bat had an Eastern ring to her voice. With a quick turn she began towards the stairs. The raccoon, Bee as the wolf had called her, and the wolf were quick on her heels. The way they figured it, this killer could keep the attention of the guards while they made their getaway. The bat had made it to the top, the noise of splintering wood filling the room.
"It's not even half past noon and you want me to give some thieves their last prayer. What could they have stolen?" A rather thin, silver fox said rubbing her eyes. The guards simply showed her a piece of parchment. "Oh my!" There was pure excitement in her voice. "How would they.. Never mind, when is the hanging?" The guards motioned for her to follow. She sighed and walked behind the guards. A long walk to the castle from the church lay ahead of her. "At least there are guards." She thought to herself. The kingdom was, for the most part, untouched by the war, so it wasn't the Mudders she was worried about. Those thieves though, they had stolen a list of the kingdoms holy folk. Why?
Determined, a fitting word for the bat. She had broken the door with a well placed kick, and then continued through with little loss of speed. The guards, busy betting on which of the prisoners would go first for the hangings, were not prepared for a prison break. The thoughts of how did she break free of the barrier, how was she even able to move went through her mind? Four days without food could break even the hardiest warriors, how was she moving? These thoughts were racing through the minds of the guards as the bat seemed to dance around them. Each guard that attempted to pair up in this dance, was met by a swift kick placed so well that that one kick would knock them out. Bee and the wolf stood in the doorway watching in amazement as the four guards got their asses handed to them by a malnourished bat. Once the commotion settled down the bat made way to a chest in a corner. She knelt down and quickly opened it. Her eyes lit up, the first sign of emotion that she had shown in her four day stay, as she pulled a scabbard from the chest. There was no blade to be seen, in the chest or scabbard. Despite this the bat smiled and stood up.
"If you two wish me to guide the way out, then I will. I have what I need, I'm sure that our paths will not part until we are out of the castle."
"You're more than right Miss Bat. Bee and I accept the offer." All three looked at each other and nodded before rushing out of another door. The bat taking point, with Bee and the wolf side by side behind her.
Word of the escape was just reaching the ears of a guardhouse. This guardhouse happened to have a certain tiger sitting in a chair. A lamb leg was in one paw with a mug in the other. A courier busted through the door and relayed the message in between gasps for air. In a calm manner, the tiger stood up and donned his helmet. A thank you was given to the courier before the tiger made his way out the door. He was in no hurry, the quickest way out would be down a nearby hallway, which meant that he would be crossing their path soon. He heard running and smiled. Knowing that the bat could be with them worried him a little, but what could a starved bat do?
Superior hearing, a blessing given to the bats by the goddess of the night, had its uses. And it would come in handy in less than a minute's time. The tiger knight had a distinctive clink to his step. This knight had not only caught the two thieves, but the bat as well. She jumped up, nearly scraping the ceiling with her ears. On the descent, she leaned forward and flapped her wings once. She shot forward like an arrow. The thieves stopped and looked at her in bewilderment. It wasn't until the tiger stepped out from behind the corner did they understand what was happening. The tiger had no choice but to take the full force of the bat's dive to his chest. The armored tiger took a few steps back before falling down onto his back. The bat rolled on the floor before springing back up. She kept running seemingly losing no momentum. Bee was right behind her as the wolf made the rear of the convoy. Soon they had managed to get out of the grey hallways and out into the early afternoon sun.
The tiger lay on the ground breathing heavily. That was the first time he had been bested since training. By a cheap shot none the less. As guards ran by, he snapped out of his daze. With a roll to his stomach, he began to stand. It was a slow process, the armor he was use to, it was the blow to his chest that made him sluggish. How could an unarmed strike do so much through armor. Another like armored fur, this one a bear, approached the tiger.
"Come brother, the gallows need not wait much longer. The priestess is growing tired of waiting." The bear's voice was low and guttural. Not much different than the tiger's.
"Then we shall see to it that the ropes snap their necks so she may go to her duties sooner." The tiger snarled before heading down the hallway after the three. The bear and tiger walked, not ran, down the hallway. The armor they wore was heavier than normal issue, and they knew to save energy for a fight if the need be. They turned to a wall and pushed in a brick. The wall slid back and to the side, revealing a passage, probably a quick route to the courtyard.
The silver fox priestess was being rushed to the castle by an entourage of guards. Normally there wouldn't be this much protection around her or other furs of faithful services, but what had been stolen was a roster of the clergy. Why would the thieves want that information? Either way they were almost to the castle. Just one last stretch through the courtyard. At the gates running towards her and the entourage were the escapees. A mix of fear and excitement appeared on her face. It was them! But why were they here? Should she be afraid or happy. She was more confused than she had been in a long time.
"'Ey Bee. We didn't even 'ave to look. There she is." The wolf had excitement in his voice. "They led her right to us. Simple enough right." The bat had stopped running, her ears swiveling around. She heard that clinking again. But this time, there was another, heavier at that. Should she run, and let the thieves deal with it. She had already killed an innocent, all honor had left her. Despite that though, the raccoon had helped her, and the wolf was kind. Just leading them out wasn't enough, she had to make sure they escaped. What they wanted with the priestess, well the religions of the east and west differed greatly, she didn't care what happened to a western priestess, the bat was honor-less after all. With a sigh and a half spin she faced the gates. Sure enough the tiger strode out from the shade. Along with him, a bear, another metal visage.
"Wolf, raccoon. I care not what your business is with the one of blind faith. But make your escape hasty. I will do my best to hold these two up." Bee looked back to the bat. A confused look on her face. The wolf was already rushing to the silver fox. "Go! Now!" Those were the only words that Bee needed before she nodded and ran after the wolf.
"So, you take the fall first. Tiberius, do you want redemption or should I make this quick?" The tiger, Tiberius, simply stepped forward pulling a lance from his back. Unlike earlier he was fully armed, three lances adorned his back, the forth in his paw. On either side of his waist was a sword.
"I'll handle this one. Morus, get the thieves." The bear simply smiled and shook his head. "I'm sure the guards can get them, they are heading straight for an ambush after all. I'll sit back and watch." There was no reaction from the tiger as he began a spiral pattern towards the bat. The two circled each other for what seemed like hours. In truth not even fifteen seconds passed by before the bat ran at Tiberius. He was prepared, a thrust at her feet. She jumped high into the air and in the same motions as before dive-bombed the tiger. Tiberius was prepared, pulling a second lance off of his back and throwing it with deadly accuracy. It flew true, and went straight to the bat. It seemed as if it pierced right through her. Tiberius was no stranger to battle, he smiled in victory. He side stepped to avoid the body that would inevitably fall. The only thing he avoided was the spear.
"What? How?" He didn't know what had happened. Why wasn't the bat impaled, logically speaking she couldn't have moved in the air. Then he heard it, the beating of wings. "Even the bird folk here can't fly, how are you able to?" The bat landed a few yards in front of the tiger, her scabbard in hand as if it was a sword.
"Why should I explain my ways to a dead fur?" The bat's voice was calm and level. The tiger on the other hand was anything but calm. A yell, more of a feral growl, and he was rushing. "Amateur." The bat had her arms outstretched in front of her, the scabbard lengthening her reach. The distance closed quickly, the lance pulled back ready to be thrust into Tiberius's enemy. He thrust his arm out quickly, the point aimed straight to her forehead. It sailed over the scabbard, closer to her, then into the dirt. In a smooth motion the bat had knocked the lance down and to the side when it was inches from her. Now she was on the offensive, already behind the flabbergasted tiger with her weapon at ready for a slicing motion. The beginning of the slice came but the blunt weapon never met the tiger. The bear, Morus, had charged the bat and hit her with his shoulder. She was lifted into the air before landing on the ground rolling.
"Enough playtime, it's time that your end comes. Not a single one can survive my strength." The bear slammed a paw into his chest, causing the armor to ring. The bat was up already, scabbard at her side. She saw no weapon, did this royal knight fight with fists, or was there something she was missing? "I've been watching you fight. I know your tricks. I saw them years ago at the port of Zilan as well." The bat hissed at the bear. Zilan was a massacre. This kingdom, Bhin, butchered the people there for worshipping pagan gods. Many of the slaughtered were of her kind in general. But this was upwards of forty years ago, this bear was past his prime if he was there. And if he was there, well he would pay for his crimes.
"Forty years is a long time. Everything changes with time." The bat had regained her calm composure, and stood completely still, arms at her side as if she were a stick. Morus laughed before taking a large step towards her. No emotion could be seen in her eyes. The bear took another step, then he jumped. The height of his jump was very high for a bear, many would have believed the height impossible from a non-winged fur. The bat didn't budge even as the bear fell. He was above her, heading straight down. Then she was gone. The bear landed on his feet, quickly turning around and kicking. The bat was hit by the kick and was sent flying. She slammed into a beam of a stable, cracking it. A hearty laugh by Morus could be heard as the bat lay there.
Bee had caught up to the wolf, who was busy avoiding guards. The two of them had no way of knowing about the ambush, but they weren't getting caught this time. They had a secret weapon now. Seconds earlier the wolf had knocked over a group of guards and scooped up the fox. Now there were twenty guards easy after him. Bee was behind the group chanting out a string of words. A white circle appeared under the guards. They froze, in a very literal sense. Maybe not into ice but they were in mid run, jump, fall, whatever they were doing they stopped mid stride. Only the ones outside of the circle were able to move, that being the wolf and his hostage, and Bee of course.
"Come on Garth, quit messing around." Bee said annoyed as the wolf walked around in the circle kicking the guards.
"Sorry, you know how much I love that spell. Say, how's Miss Bat holding up?" Garth's face had a worried look to it. Despite the fact that the wolf had ran off, he was worried about her. Through all of this the fox had passed out. Both, Bee and Garth turned back to the courtyard to see the bat fly into the stable beam. "And you can't cast another spell without canceling that one. You know for a magician your talents are quite limited." Bee gave him an evil glare before pinching the sleeping fox. "Oi', don't wake her." Bee payed no attention and continued her attempts. There was no real reason not to wake her, but there was reason to wake her. Both Bee and Garth knew that the bat was done for. She was willing to sacrifice her life to save them. And neither of them wanted her life on their hands. With a glance at each other they nodded. Garth put the fox down gently and made his way back into the courtyard. Bee stayed back trying to wake the fox up.
"So the thief comes back. Turning yourself in so soon?" Tiberius had been watching the two wondering if he should pursue. When the wolf began to come back he smiled.
"Naw. I'm jus' here to take that there bat back with me."
"Tough luck. She's killed another and assaulted a royal guard. Morus will carry out her punishment, though not swiftly."
"You're nothing more than a murderer yourself. Killing in who's name? Some self justified shit. Yea, makes sense to me." The tiger growled and rushed at Garth. It took two motions for Garth to dodge the charge. He crouched and rolled to the side ending up next to another stable. A quick look to the bat let him know that the bear was probably making a walk towards himself. A sense of dread came over him when he turned to see if Bee was alright. Both knights were making their way over to her. Between their frames he could see Bee shaking the fox like a rag doll.
Bee figured that she would be safe. The bear would probably stay to the bat while Garth and the tiger fought it out. They just had to last long enough for the priestess to wake up. If that would ever happen. Then the two knights turned to her. She caught sight of them before they were out of the courtyard. She wasn't going to run, leave her friend to die. The only thing going through her mind was, "Why did we go back for the bat?" It repeated over and over again in rhythm as she shook her captive. The tiger and bear were just yards away.
"Wake up!" She screamed in the fox's ear. To her surprise, the fox opened her eyes. A couple of blinks and the fox smiled. Then she frowned as she saw Morus and Tiberius. A sigh escaped her as she pushed Bee to the side.
"You really do know how to get in trouble, don't you, you stupid thief." The frown on the fox had disappeared into a grim look. With a stern look at the two royal knights, she spoke. "These three are condemned to death by the gallows pole, and I suggest you two leave it at that unless you want your souls to corrupt."
"Priestess, we saw your smile. We know that you somehow know these furs, but we are willing to overlook that if you step aside." Morus said as Tiberius continued his approach. The fox looked back to see Bee walking to stand next to her.
"Whatever may come, we've always got each other's back. Right April." Bee said with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"I haven't forgotten." The fox, April, said before raising her hands up in front of her. A quick chant and both of the larger furs were blasted back by a gust of wind. They landed sprawled out on the ground, gasping for breath. April turned and walked to the courtyard with Bee at her side. Garth was at the bat's side helping her up.
"Well, well. It sure is nice to see you again." Garth said as he hefted the bat onto his shoulders. "Man, she really is light. It don't add up on how she was able to fight how she was."
"Who cares. We need to get out of these castle walls." Garth nodded at Bee's words. April, Garth, and Bee began the walk to a safe house, with the bat on Garth's shoulders.
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