Francis
Chapter 1 I am...
The steam from the hot bath fills the room, hot water on my fur has always been a delightful treat to me; how it soaks my skin and makes my fur glisten felt heavenly and not trying to exaggerate, I look fairly attractive when wet. I eventually pull myself from the tub to face the reality outside my bubble of safety and protection, I had to, there are duties I must perform. I take a moment after stepping out of the tub with the towel wrapped around me to stare into the mirror at the kind of individual I have become. My eyes sparkle a bright spring water blue staring attentively at myself through the reflection, my body in pique physical condition, even after so many years my past identity as a female has yet to be exposed, and as always my short gray coat shined flawless except for the black blemish that seemed to take the form of a collar around my neck and spread like a disease to my right shoulder; if anyone has asked, and I haven't had many that had seen, I inform them it's only a birthmark no one else had such pleasure to see. It wasn't for anything selfish, or maybe it is, for I cannot share the true reason why I possess such a dark mark, why I spend hours critically analyzing myself, why I can no longer venture to a specific kingdom in all of Amera, why I don't take on so many lovers, why I try not to stick to others.
"Francis, come to bed." A voice startled me awake, of course, appearances had to be kept, and the appearance of a dutiful Knight-Commander and lover needs to be put up, as per requirement of the one I had promised.
"Coming, Puppy." Puppy, the pet name I gave her, for I hadn't bothered to get so attached as to remember her name, for only one name will ever be important to me. I leave the wash room and enter the bedroom to where Puppy lay; she was not an ugly woman, no, her curves were exquisite, her eyes so very captivating, her being even is a remarkable being, but I cannot give her my heart, nor can I give it to another, as it has already been claimed to another, the Queen whom I can never return to, the one whom I had to hurt to prevent her from wanting to seek me out. But, you see, I'm getting ahead, if I want you to understand whom I am, who Pup is, the name of my Queen and curse, I must start from the beginning, before all of this. So, let me start, from the beginning; I was born as Ira Cost IV and I had a burning desire to become a knight.
"Ira! Ira!" My young brother Gwane Dreggory V beckoned to me jumping up and down, gray in fur color with hints of auburn in his paws, ears and tail; he was wearing his usual royal robes of bright purple trimmed in gold, brown leggings, and a purple hat that looked way too big to fit his head. I dashed in a bright blue dress, my hair long and silver in the wind, I was adorned in a lot of shiny jewelry and was forced to wear the most uncomfortable shoes for one that was only five summers old. I hopped up the ledge of the castle wall to look down at the parade with my brother as the knights passed by. They had returned from the tournament to fight for the honor of my family, as we were the residing nobles of Domina. Our father had worked beside the king as an inventor and Knight, but retired as a Knight to better serve as an inventor once his ideas started becoming more renown. Our mother was an instructor of sorts, although my brother and I were never allowed to see what kind of instructing she did; and then our sister Nikki, who wasn't father's child by blood, was courting around various kingdoms for suitors and wouldn't return anytime soon. But my brother and I weren't focused on that, at that current moment in time we were watching the knights and being increasingly captivated by them and all their victories as we had never lost a single tournament due to my father's various inventions; we were mesmerized, helplessly captivated by the shiny and dented armor until the very last one passed through the gates. My brother and I hopped off the ledge filled with giddy excitement. "One day I'll become a Knight!" "Me too! Me too!" I cried gleefully as we bounced up and down with smiles on our faces as we chanted about our future knighthood together. Suddenly, Gwane stopped bouncing and looked rather pale; I grew concerned and turned to see what he was looking at to feel my heart beating uncomfortably fast against my chest, for standing there, in the doorway of the room was our mother, an auburn rabbit with a green and gold gown that tightly clung to her figure, wearing bracelets and earrings to make the Queen of Amera jealous, quickly stuffing her face full of all kinds of foods as she strolled in, but regardless of the levels of ridiculousness, my brother and I were still quaking in fear. Our mother could be dressed as a fool and would still emit the scary presence she gives off; there was a time she wasn't like this, Nikki has said numerous times, but we haven't seen any other side but the furry and embarrassment she wore on her face. She looked to my brother lovingly as she stroked his fluffy mop of hair.
"Gwane, dear, can you give Ira and I a moment?"
"Y-Yes Ma'am." My brother looked rather relieved as he darted out the door, leaving me alone with the woman we both feared more than dragons, legends, and thieves. She crossed her arms like a thief and I started to wonder if she carried any hidden knives with her, but shook my head as I thought she had been full up to her arms with food upon walking in.
"What are you laughing at?" She practically growled which startled me as I hadn't thought I was laughing.
"N-Nothing. I stammered.
"Lies!" She slapped me across the face and I whimpered upon the impact more than from the sting, as I had grown to be used to this sort of treatment, as it was a common thing that she has done since I was only three summers and playing in the dirt with Gwane. "What is this nonsense of becoming a knight, eh?" She barked viciously at me as if I were a fool not respecting his place.
"I...I want to be a knight, Mama." I replied, only to earn another slap in the face.
"What are you, stupid?"
"No, Mama." I cut my mother off, earning me another slap to the face.
"Girls can't be knights, it's not allowed!" My mother mocked my very dream, my greatest little fantasy, but this too I was used to since I was very very young. My mother suddenly changed her approach and caressed the side of my face trailing her hand to my chest fur that was poking out of my dress. "Girls grow up, get married and serve their husband. Who knows, with looks like yours you could maybe get your hands on the Prince!" She smiled, getting giddy as it was slowly dawning on me that mother was teaching lessons, she always acted like this after the lessons.
"Mama, stop." I begged to deaf ears as my mother tried to cover up the damage that has been done to my appearance, smoothing my dress and evening out the faults in my hair. I slapped her hair out of my face as she tried applying blush to cover the red spot that was showing up bright among my fur; instantly regretting it as the familiar sting landed on my face.
"Stop acting so stupid!" She scolded and applied the make up to me as I gave up all retaliation. "Good, you see, everything is better if you just let things happen." she perked up as she finished her last bit of touching up and started to walk out the door. "Oh, and Ira, don't let me catch you rubbing any of that off, hm? And maybe if you and Gwane don't wish to be caught, don't use the balcony of Mommy and Daddy's room." She left, knowing she was triumphant over me and I just stood there; I couldn't even cry, it was all just pointless, I knew as long as I was here in Domina I was destined to seal my fate to just be courted off like a breeding horse. I had to flee Domina, this much I knew, I swallowed hard as my courage slowly climbed back up. And the sun started to climb down, and I realized I had to return to the stupid little party that my parents were throwing in celebration. I scurried from the room and down to the feasting hall to where the party was where it was full of life and laughter, knights toasted, maidens threw themselves on top of people, and various young boys and girls were all roaming around to socialize. I cautiously entered the main hall to where all the knights were, just to hear one story, just one before I would be swooped by my mother and introduced to a wave of boys I wouldn't dream of being with. Unfortunately, I wasn't all that careful and rammed my face into the leg of one of the knights standing in a huddle; my heart beat rapidly as I feared who it would be, as I'm sure mother had convinced some of the knights to report my whereabouts immediately if I were within any sort of range of them. My dread turned to joy as I saw the familiar face of Uncle David the Bull; the only person other than Nikki that didn't treat me like an idiot when I said I wanted to become a knight.
"Dave!" I cried in joy as the black bull scooped me up in one arm; his armor dent-free, his helm still sitting on his head comfortably as if brand new, his giant battleaxe Mary strapped securely to his back; feeling that cool armor filled with enchantments that my dad had invented against my skin was paradise as I was free to fantasize.
"Hello, little one!" He bellowed into my ear; Uncle David was boisterous, but I never minded, he was happy and excited to be a knight, and that made me happy for him, even more happy to be a part of his joy. "Why do you look like a silly serving wench?" He asked as he sniffed my hair. "And smell like one for that matter?"
"Momma." I answered meekly.
"Is she still filling your head with such sorrow, Ira?" The big man asked what he already knew; I nodded my head against his shoulder.
"She said girls can't be knights." I felt the tears return and start to leak from my eyes.
"Well, if you're going to act like that, maybe you shouldn't."
"Eh?" I blinked rapidly, Dave had never spoken to me like that.
"Yeah, cuz Knights aren't cowards, Knights don't weep, they carry what makes them sad, and turn it into something that makes 'em pissed, and they take that piss and spill it into everybody's faces and emerge victorious! Knights don't need handkerchiefs, but their blade to dry their tears, and defend their lives!" He turned with me still in his arms and shouted to the hall. "Once the blood has spilled, and the enemies slain..."
"...We draw our swords ready to battle once again!" the rest of the Knights present chanted back to Dave and cheers echoed throughout the halls. I smiled hearing every oath a knight has to take until a sudden realization made me sad once more.
"I...have no weapon, Dave."
"What of the once I asked of you to stash in your little hiding hole?" He rumbled soothingly.
"I took it out to show Gwane and he took it from me."
"He took it from you?" he asked bewildered. "Ira the Clever out-witted by Gwane the Privileged?" David asked in horror; I nodded. "Well tell you what, is that him playing with it over there?" He pointed to where my brother was indeed swinging the small dagger about with his friends, showing off the dragon hilt with two sapphires for eyes. I nodded slightly and a devious smile took over the black bull's face as he stroked his scraggly goatee with his free hand. "Tell you what, if you can out smart him and get your blade back, I may have a little something that will help you achieve your dream of becoming a knight."
"R-Really?" I asked bewildered; he nodded.
"I have just the thing to help you, but you have to get that blade away from your brother and into your possession again, if you can't then you are not worthy of becoming a Knight."
"What must I do?" I asked immediately as I knew Dave's games usually had rules.
"Only a few rules, dear, one, he can't know you took it. Two, you can't be discovered by your mother or any of her spies, three, after you have it in your possession you return to your mother, and find a way to be excused to your room with the dagger still on you, four Gwane has to know it's missing or stolen tonight.-" "But-."
"Not done, young one. The last rule is that you must use this to switch it out." He held up a toy wooden dagger and gave it to me. "Other than that feel free to do or take whatever you want." He shrugged as he put me down. "Good luck, young one." I knew better than to ask Dave any questions, as we have had games like this before with rules and such. I dashed for the cover under a table to remove myself from my mother's or her spies sight as ordered, since no one checked under the table, ever. It was a perfect spot as it was right next to Gwane and his friends fooling around; I took the time to look down at the wooden dagger Dave gave me and pondered what I was supposed to do about this exactly. Suddenly a wooden dagger similar in design was thrown by one of the boys and landed very close to where I hid. Hunter, a cheetah from the city of August dashed and retrieved it; it was when he disappeared to go back to the boys that I was noticing a very key detail I ad overlooked as I was too focused on my stolen blade. All the boys except for Gwane had wooden weapons; now my mission was to find who had a wooden dagger exactly like the one I possessed, steal it, take my dagger back and somehow get Gwane to possess the wooden dagger, having him assume it's the real dagger until the moment of reveal. Of course by the time a feud would break out I'd be by my mother's side, she'd have me escorted to my room where I could see what Dave had for my escape; I had little time to lose. I scurried within the cover of within the table to get a better look at the wooden daggers everyone possessed, and soon found my target. Cole the colt from Green Wood had the very same design as the wooden dagger I had; I smiled in glee as stealing it wouldn't be hard as he places it on a small table before getting something to eat or drink or anytime his mother needed him. Unfortunately, he had just returned from gorging himself, so I had to either get him to take a drink or have his mother intervene somehow. I went with trying to come up for a plan for the latter as sending a beverage of any kind, even if it is ale, would seem suspicious, too suspicious, so I had to have a good reason for Cole to be excused by his mother, all the while not being seen. Of course I still had to make a plan of not only slipping the dagger to my brother but also to have him believe it's the dragon dagger while Cole is away, fortunately, Fate had blessed my brother with a bottomless pit for a stomach so he abandoned the dagger in its silk cover to go eat constantly. I looked around to try to find something Cole may have to get him in trouble with his mother and found my answer in his own personal shiny goblet he always brings and fills himself as his family was very paranoid of accepting any kind of drink or food from anyone. When Cole set the goblet down I made my move and scurried to the end of the table I was hiding under, only to be dismayed at the empty and exposing space between my table and the table Cole put his goblet on. If anyone saw me there would be no way the plan would work, even if everyone went to lessons with my mother and got as messed up as she did. I only had one shot and quickly scurried over to the table and took Cole's goblet when everyone was preoccupied with their game. Now was the tricky part, finding a way to get him in trouble with his mother using his goblet. I didn't have to think too much on the subject as his father and mother walked by my table, deep in conversation.
"Can you believe Natalie was drinking, Marcus?" Cole's mother exclaimed to her husband.
"I wanted to believe it wasn't hers, Fera, but the ale was in her goblet."
"Hopefully Cole won't try to be so foolish." "Unlike Natalie, I think we did good in raising Cole, I don't think he'd even attempt a move towards the ale fountain with his goblet."
"I may need a trip to the ale fountain for all this talk of it..."
"Go on dear, I shall wait for you here." I smiled as every opportunity seemed to be thrown to me; I had to move fast. I scurried under the connected tables, ahead of Cole's mother and popped up behind the table where the silver ale fountain was. Even though the ale fountain covered me perfectly as the table was fairly close to a wall, I had to make sure nothing seemed amiss as I filled the goblet with ale. Luckily the goblet was empty, so all I had to do was perfectly and carefully timed my movements to Cole's mother to fill Cole's cup half way so it would appear he had drank some already. I slowly stuck my cup into the flow as I saw the distorted image of Cole's mother dip her cup in as well and retreated when I had gathered enough. I quickly and quietly dipped under the cover of the table once more to calm myself as the excitement rose in my chest. I took a few deep breaths and quickly and quietly reached to put the goblet right next to the fountain with the mare's back turned and scurried back to the boys at play; if Cole's mother didn't discover it right away, the knights all know what the colt's goblet looks like and where it shouldn't be. Luckily I didn't have to wait long before my plan started clicking into action.
"Cole!" The colt froze at the tone his mother's voice possessed. "Come here this instant!" The white and blonde colt place his wooden dagger on the small table before trotting to his mother, the scene that played out had everyone distracted enough for me to quickly grab Colt's dagger and switch out my dagger for the fake dagger securely wrapped in it's silk cover as my brother had placed it on the same table as Cole's to gawk at the scene that was playing out before him. I never got to pay much attention to what was happening, but I heard it wasn't very pretty to view. I scurried under the cover of the table with a smile on my face and relished in the feel of my beloved stolen dagger, but pulled myself from the moment as the scene started to quiet down and I knew I had to conceal this on my person, fast. Quickly, after briefly contemplating my various possible hiding spots I slipped the dagger into my ridiculously styled boot; I smiled as I thought that the bulge of the dagger within wouldn't draw any sort of attention as the boots were ridiculously proportioned and gaudily adorned in flowers, bird nests and all sorts of ridiculous things. Quickly and quietly I located my mother and father seated at the head of the hall, my chair still vacant; I silently made my way to my chair without detection as my mother and father were busy engrossed in the ongoing festivities. When my mother saw me and we locked eyes I smiled and waved as if I'd been there the whole time; she smiled briefly.
"Glad you are here." My mother beamed. "I was starting to think you wouldn't join us."
"I just needed a moment I know my place now, mother." I smiled back as my mother looked so very proud; it was the only time I have seen that face on her, and the last. Suddenly, a huge clamoring sound echoed through the hall as my brother and all his friends started a brawl, apparently the friends divided as those that believed in Gwane and those that believed Cole and commenced fighting for the possessions to be returned. My mother gasped as my father leaped over the railing to quiet the clamor; my mother gripped me and pulled me to one of the halls of the castle.
"Come, this is no place for a proper Lady." I had to stifle my smile as she was pulling me to the direction of my room, just as I planned. We only stopped on the way when we ran into Dave at the hallway. "Why, Ser Dave, what are you doing in the Halls?" My mother questioned as the bull beamed.
"Had to drop a mighty big load off." He smirked as my mother flushed.
"I-I see, I can understand since Mary-."
"Is securely strapped to my back." There was a slight edge to his voice, but I hardly noticed it as he brandished a smile from the momentary look of pain. "There are things, young ladies shouldn't have to hear."
"Oh...Oh right." My mother stammered as I grew more and more confused, but didn't have much time to ask as my mother and Dave hastily said their goodbye's and I was practically thrown into my room. "Just stay until mommy and daddy have all this sorted." My mother said rather strained. "If you don't see us tonight, a maid will come fetch you in the morning for breakfast."
"Okay, Mother, I?" "Goodnight." She said hastily as she closed the door. I should have expected that, I had never heard her say 'I love you' not to father, me, Gwane, or even Nikki, I guess I just wanted to try my luck that day since I had already made her proud for the first and last time before my departure. My gift from Dave! I beamed as I knew today could only be the day I could escape; I went to the rug that hid the trap door to the only place I could get peace from and climbed down the ladder. I usually close the hatch to prevent detection, but tonight, I was leaving for good, so I threw caution to the wind this one time to see what Dave gave me. Upon arriving I became very disappointed as all I saw was a small leather pouch and a note. I read the note first, without going through the contents of the pouch, so to say his note confused me was an understatement.
Little one,
The moist soil of this tiny secret space is the perfect place to grow these; they will take ten summers to grow with your ever watchful gaze. The leafy plant will make you appear dead, the mushroom will make it easier to blend in as a knight. Always harvest the seeds before consuming, you never know when you'll need these.
Dave
PS
Awesome job, you'll make an amazing Knight.
I opened the pouched and within it was a green seed and a purple seed, along with instructions on how to grow them. I read Dave's note, then the planting and consuming instructions of these foreign things. I sighed as I realized I wasn't leaving today, but in ten years, and that's only if I grew these right. I shrugged as I planted the seeds to the specifics of the instructions.
"...the mushroom is the purple seed. These grow the best in constantly moist areas...." The smallest corner of the small little getaway was perfect as there was a perpetual leak. (To this day I still don't know what that came from.) The green seed was a bit more complicated as it required a dry, cool area. After a little bit of time I settled to the only area where a small bit of light was able to hit, while still remaining damp from the perpetual leak. Rowing these wasn't going to be anything hard as I have grown a variety of plants down here before if my small garden was any indication, but having to plaster a smile for ten years and to carry on for ten years, waiting ten years, was going to be hard, but then again I wasn't like normal children.
Ten Years Later
I stood in a sheltered hallway looking over my brother in the courtyard practicing shooting arrows and giggled as he missed shot after shot; eventually he threw his bow down.
"You do this if you're so good." I carefully entered the area as many of the boys training stopped to stare and whistle. "Sis, shouldn't you be wearing something other than that? What if mum-?"
"If Mother caught me wearing practice armor I'd be in more trouble than shooting in this get up." I remarked as I bent to pick up the bow, slowly rising to throw my long curly hair to the wind and shot not just my brother's target dead on, but every single occupied and vacant one until I ran out of arrows, much to everyone's amazement. "Well shit, no arrows." Everyone gasped as I swore; normally I minded my words and minded when I practiced combat, as I had convinced father to allow me to learn beside my brother for defense, but today I threw caution to the wind, as today, I was escaping, and for my plan to work, my first step is to get sent to my room one last time. I carefully dropped the bow and casually strolled to the swords and picked one up and in a quick motion cut the lower section of my dress so my black leggings were exposed. "By the gods this feels better!" I relished in the freedom before charging a straight line and taking down row by row of practice dummies as the boys looked on in lustful admiration. I hummed slightly when Mother still had yet to poke from the shadows, when the gardener came into view, a wonderfully curvy black and white rabbit who served our family only a brief time; I dropped the sword as I made my way over to the woman. In one smooth motion I captured the woman and her lips; after years of lying, doing this felt so damn good. The moment was short lived as if on cue Mother emerged as the last line was crossed.
"Ira!" I released the woman to turn to mother as the gardener fled.
"Mother." I smiled. "How nice."
"Ira, what are you doing?"
"Living." I shrugged. "Kind of like what you and Sir Toad do since Father left." The boys stayed to watch the exchange between mother and I, they murmured amongst each other as bets were placed.
"Sir Thomas and I are in an adult relationship to help keep this kingdom from falling apart!" She scolded me. "Ever since your father broke off our union for a wench to play with those stupid toys."
"You mean be with someone that supports his inventions! Supporting his dreams?"
"He could have had his dream, Ira!"
"No, he could only live the dream that you wanted him to have, Mother, just like what you do for us all!"
"Ira don't-!" "Why not, Mother? Afraid I'm speaking the truth?"
"You do not know of what you speak Ira! The world out there-!" "Has been closed off to me, my brother and Nikki for years! Years, mother! Just so we can play pretend with you!"
"Don't you dare bring your sister into this!"
"Why not? Because she's actually happy? Because even though she's a commoner she still has someone who loves her and their ever growing family?"
"She has abandoned us!" "She has not!" I dug into the chest portion of my dress to pull out what seemed to be an endless trove of letters from Nikki.
"Where did you find those?" "Why have you hid them?"
"That is none of your concern!" "Oh, I think it is!"
"Ira!" "Mother!" "Stop living fantasies, you leave to find a husband tomorrow!" "You stop living fantasies, mother!"
"I'm not the one that wishes to cut her hair, become a knight and marry a woman!"
"And what is wrong with any of that?"
"Everything, Ira! Why can't you just settle with a man, have children-?" "And go insane like you? No thanks, I'd rather die than live another lie!"
"To your room, Ira!" I stormed off for appearances sake as the boys exchange different gold amounts, I had to make this convincing after all. As soon as the door closed behind me and Faun the Panda guards woman informed me that she was sent to guard me as I have been grown accustomed to I hurried to the hatch and down the ladder where the mushrooms have grown in a cluster and the leafed herb was fully matured. I harvested every last bit of them and threw them in the pouch Dave had given me and secured them to my chest just like my dagger. I slowly ascended the ladder and closed the hatch, covering it one last time before getting the rest of my plan into action. I gathered up a small vial of fake blood and my make up set to be used the first and last time; I used the make up to decorate my arms with fake cuts and coated various portions of my body with the fake blood as well as my bed and the only sharp object mother allowed in my room; a shaving razor. I cleared my throat briefly before making convincing dying sounds for Faun to barge into my room after I ate a seedless section of the herb to put me to a deep, dreamless, deathlike sleep. What felt like a minute later I woke in the family tomb in a glass coffin; I waited until my body became fully functional once more before I took out the dragon dagger and used the hilt to break the very fragile layer of glass. I fled in the cover of dark fairly easily, as there were no guards for the tomb, to a nearby lake. I quickly washed myself off from the grime and fake injuries and cursed makeup; I stood after cleaning myself and took out some clothing from the hollowed out portion of a tree that I had placed there yesterday and changed into the boys clothes quickly before placing my girl clothes in instead. I hurriedly took out the instructions for the mushrooms, going over them one last time in the moonlight.
"The Magic Shrooms have changling properties, they only work if you do all that you can to dress as what you desire to become in full moonlight. Take 2-3 shrooms and wait."
I took a few shaky breaths as I took out my dagger, contemplating my reflection. "If I want to become a man, I need to cut my hair." I spoke to myself; took two more breaths and severed the long silver hair that plagued me. I actually looked good with a tuft of fluffy hair; I quickly bound my chest more out of a suspicious fear than anything and consumed three shrooms. Immediately the changes took into place in painful flashes as colors became distorted and sounds became harsh and blended; as suddenly as it started it was over. I pondered if it worked or not, as I didn't feel different, but I soon discovered the baggy boy's clothes felt rather tight on my body and as my breath came out in pants my tone was definitely deeper. I walked back to the lake and saw a white and auburn rabbit with my eyes, a fragile face, standing ears, a tuft of platinum blonde hair and a man's body staring back at me. I touched myself and started to cry for glee. "I-It worked! I'm a Knight! No, not yet. I'm a man! I'm a man!" I punched my fist in victory, after all this time, I can achieve my dreams of a wife, and knighthood. "So, that means..." I had to check, should have been the first thing I should have checked, really. I slid my hand down my pants, but was dismayed to find I still had a womanhood. "No!" I grabbed the instructions and read hastily and it wasn't long before I found an important detail I overlooked.
"...full gender change is not possible, taking the Magic Shrooms will make you appear as the gender you desire, but the Magic Shrooms will be unable to alter genitalia, and will lead to your current genitalia to become infertile. MTF transformations will result in a female that cannot impregnate others, FTM transformations will leave the individual barren and will not experience the monthly calls of nature...although there have been exceptions."
"Well, great, I still maybe bleeding every month." I grumbled, and was saddened on this discovery, but shrugged it off, as long as I appeared male, I could become a Knight. The world was mine to explore, teeming with endless possibilities. I was too eager to stand still or even sit so I ventured to get as much distance between me and my old life as possible. It wasn't long before an opportunity knocked on my door. A hissing noise followed by a scream filled my ears; I followed the sounds to the source. A small, red and feral dragon gripped a red squirrel maiden by her heel; dragging her as she was helpless to do anything as she was bound.
"Help me!" The red squirrel called in a desperate plea in a Countryland's accent. "Someone!"
"I'm here to save you, madam!" I called as I made my way to the clearing.
"You?" She sounded even more terrified. "A mere rabbit? In nothing but a tunic? Please someone tell me this is a jest."
"Nay, madam, I am here to rescue you!" I proclaimed as I brandished my weapon. The feral dragon hissed, dropping his prey to come after me on all fours, he slithered salamander-like, his yellow eyes locking with mine. He leaped in attempt to gut me right then and there; I stepped to the side as he collided with a tree, his horns stuck deep within the tree as opposed to the bark. I strolled casually and clicked my tongue to the poor beast. "Now, now, now, what do we have here? You got yourself stuck in a tree." I flashed my dagger and gently caressed the side of his face with it. "Let this serve as a lesson to never underestimate a rabbit!" In one motion I beheaded the dragon, the headless body of the feral wondered before collapsing as the head gawked, opening and closing his mouth involuntarily. I chuckled as I wiped the blood from the dagger onto the grass and the rest on my tunic as I didn't truly care where the blood was, as long it was off my weapon. I strolled over to the tied, helpless and incredibly shocked woman. "Hey, you ok?" I cooed gently, as I severed the last of the binds, helping the poor girl to her feet.
"That was...amazing!" She squealed as she embraced me. "How did you do that? Are you a knight? Who are you?" I laughed at the woman's excitement and watched her ramble on.
"It was a simple trick, I grew up around here, and no I'm not a Knight yet, as for who I am...I am Ir-." I caught myself before revealing my name, it would be bad to blow my cover now. I looked around for any sort of name, when the hilt caught my attention. The dragon decorated on the blade was Francis, the first dragon to fight as a knight even though he was feral, he kept the peace, and only fought to protect and only slew those who would not see sense; he never gave up on trying to achieve peace for all furry kind. It was in this moment I found my name to give to the woman before me. "Er, I m Francis." I spoke evenly as I quickly seethed my blade.
"What a grand name." The squirrel chattered. "I am Wendy."
"A pleasure to run into you, Wendy." I bowed slightly to the voluptuous woman before me.
"Likewise." She said as a small blush caught her cheeks.
"So, Madam Wendy, do you have a spare room for the night, or anywhere that is looking for knights? I wish to flee this land and seek out my dream." The squirrel suddenly remembered where we were and cleared her throat.
"Oh, well I can take you back to the town of Ponce and see if the Duke is in need of protectors or if he knows of any squires, I know he'll be grateful of you for saving me, as I am the daughter of the towns mayor."
"Ah, well, lead on, Wendy."I gestured to the path behind us; she hurried to get past me and on the path.
"J-Just don't get lost, or any ideas." I chuckled lightly.
"I will try to keep my hands to myself." It wasn't long before the town of Ponce came into view, and she took me to the keep that held the Duke, she told me to take a seat and wait while she spoke for me. I sat back with a huge grin, as I felt life couldn't be more perfect, I was free to live, free to dream, free to be, free....as Francis.
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well, this is a thing now.
Hope you guys liked it.
There will be more.
Promise.