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Slaughter At Stringybark Creek

Chapter Eleven

(c) Cederwyn Whitefurr

30th August,

2017

All Rights Reserved.

Lachlan adjusted the straps of his armoured suit, then Owen helped him shrug into a Drisabone coat. Stepping back, Owen gave Lachlan a stern look over, before adjusting a strap here, moving the armour slightly there, until he frowned and nodded.

“That seems to fit better, and the coat will help muffle the noise – how does it feel?" Owen asked, as he scratched idly at the back of his head.

“Stiffling," Lachlan laughed weakly, as he stepped forwards and back, then adjusted the armour slightly, tightening some straps and loosening others, until he had finally found the right positioning to make it more comfortable. “It's like wearing a blacksmithing forge!"

“I never said it'd be comfortable," Owen snickered, then tapped Lachlan's chest plate. “Damn fine craftsmanship if I say so myself..."

Lachlan winced and stared at Owen. “Did you have to test it – whilst I was wearing it?"

With a snort, Owen grinned. “Would you have preferred to find it wasn't as resistant – when you really needed its protection?"

“I - “ Lachlan began, then swallowed and shook his head slowly, mindful of his injured ear.

“I didn't think so..." Owen grunted, then he walked around Lachlan, before nodding in satisfaction. “Well, from now of, you're a bushranger – you'll be feared and respected, and you'll go by the name of Ironclad – fitting I think, don't you?"

“I'm not so sure - “ Lachlan laughed nervously. “I'm sweating up a storm in here!"

“Sweating? Wait until you're facing four armed humans, just you...then you'll know what sweating is Colt, now, go off into the bush and practice what you've learned – I'll see you back here on dark...try not to get yourself into trouble now...alright?"

Lachlan snorted, then double checked the rifle he had in the back holster, before placing it back in its protective leather case and then picked up the heavy helmet, turning it too and fro.

“One last thing - “ Owen smiled, then walked off, returning shortly with a large saddlebag which he handed to Lachlan.

“What's this?" Lachlan enquired, as he flipped open the saddlebag flap, and looked at the money concealed within.

“Your cut of your first robbery – congratulations Ironclad, you're a modestly wealthy horse now...what are you going to spend it on?" Owen grinned, then shook the stunned Lachlan's paw.

“I - “ Lachlan began, then his ears swept backwards. “How do you expect me to spend this? I've never - “

Owen shrugged, then chuckled good naturedly. “Give it away, burn it, I really don't care – you earned it, its yours. Do with it what you want..."

Lachlan frowned, then shook his head, before slinging the saddle bag over his shoulder and pondering, before he turned and whistled loudly. Obediently, his horse approached and he slung the saddlebag over her withers and took the loose reins in his paw.

“I think its time I began to live up to what my mother wanted of me - “ Lachlan whispered, as he hung his head, a

single tear tracking down his snout.

“What was that?" Owen glanced at him, then frowned in confusion.

“My mother – wanted me to be true to myself, good, kind and gentle...I'm not a greedy horse, I've never been such – this money – I can use for good. I'm sure there are people far worse off than me – maybe – I can do good with this..."

Owen was moved by the conviction he heard in Lachlan's voice, and he gave a single nod. “It's yours, so do with it as you see fit, just, be careful...you get caught, well – we know what'll happen to you..."

“Clanton - “ Lachlan began, then his throat locked and he turned away.

“We'll do our best, I'll get a friend to ride for town, get the doctor out here, as I fear that young Kangaroo is beyond Feredwyn's skill – we'll look after him, now, you've got a legend to make out of your new name – may the God's ride with you, and keep you safe!"

Lachlan paused, then looked over his shoulder, before he turned back and hugged Owen as best he could, Owen gruffly returning the hug and pushing Lachlan away.

“Tell Feredwyn – I'll come back, I promise!" Lachlan sniffed, then turned back away and took the reins of his mare, leading her away down the narrow game trail and away from the farmstead.

Owen watched Lachlan walk off, the young palomino dressed in his armour, his mare obediently following along behind, and he rubbed a feathered wrists across his eyes.

“Damn dust, gets in the eyes and - “ Owen growled, then turned and walked back towards the farmstead, as an equines job was never done – and there were countless jobs that needed doing...

*

Sgt MacGoven, Sebastian and a few hired help from Stringybark gathered in a loose semi-circle about two miles out, as they went over the plans.

“Standard search and seizure - “ Spoke the Sargent, and as grins broke out amongst the anthropomorphic animals and humans, they all knew the unwritten meaning. “They're to be evicted – permanently. I'm certain nobody here needs to be reminded, on what means?"

“No sir," Sebastian smirked, a cruel gleam in his eyes. “I for one, am particularly looking forwards to this, I've been wondering when we would move on them – and I for one – well, I've never - “

Sgt. MacGoven glared at Sebastian, who visibly shrank back under the humans baleful stare.

“Yes, well, if they resist, and they probably will, I'm authorising deadly force. I want them dead – even if they submit...they're only – animals, and as such, not worth the bullets we'll use..."

Sebastian didn't rise to the Sargent's reference about him and his fellow anthropomorphic animal's as being addressed as animals, he was in it for the mindless cruelty and other pleasures that these forced evictions offered him. Sgt. MacGoven knew what Sebastian had done in the past, but he overlooked such distasteful actions, as the end result was the same – dead farmstead holders – and a new property for Patterson's growing empire. That's all that mattered – was the end results – and they promised to be profitable results...so he indulged Sebastian and a few others in their vile depravities...

*

Feredwyn wiped down her flour coated paws, before she stepped outside to fetch a new bucket of rain water, then she frowned and flicked her ears, hearing the galloping of hooves. At first she wasn't too concerned, but as they grew and become more distinct, a cold fear spread through her body, and she screamed for Owen, who come running, his heavy hoof falls thudding on the ground.

“What is - “Owen began, as he skidded to a halt, then his own hearing heard the cavalcade of rushing hooves. “Go inside Feredwyn...now!"

Feredwyn stood her ground, ignoring the Clydesdale orders, as they both glanced down the narrow road that led to their property and saw the rising dust. After a few moments, the dust was blown away, and they saw the unmistakable dark blue of the uniforms, the horses lathered with sweat, and first and foremost, Sargent MacGoven who rode at the head of the wedge-like formation.

They reined in, forming a semi-circle before Owen and Feredwyn, who nervously looked from the Sargent to his lackeys, then back to the Sargent.

“Good day," Owen grunted, as he swept his hat off his head and gave a short, formal bow. “What brings the Stringybark's finest -"

Astride their powerfully muscled horses, the police and their assistant's looked intimidating, as they remained silent, until Sebastian grinned and kicked his gelding in the sides, making it step forwards, the large, powerful horse snorting as he come within a hands-breadth of Owen, who stood his ground.

“By order, you are hereby to surrender all rights and privileges over this farmstead - “ Sgt. MacGoven began.

“I beg your pardon?" Feredwyn snapped, her eyes narrowing as she stepped forwards. “What right do you - “

“Stand off!" Sebastian snarled, as he glared down at the Doe, who merely glared back at him, her anger rising exponentially.

“I do not have to explain anything to the likes of your kind!" Sgt. MacGoven growled, as he rested a hand on his pistol in its holster. “I have here written orders, for your forced eviction from this property!"

“Really?" Owen snorted, as he crossed his arms and stared balefully at the Sargent. “Where? I do not see no orders, signed or otherwise and - “

A deafening crack of a gunshot sounded, and Owen blinked, before he reached up and touched his chest, fingers coming away slick with blood, as he stared uncomprehendingly at them, before he frowned in confusion and shock. Feredwyn screamed, a primal, blood chilling squeal of anger, fear and shock, as she ran to Owen's side, then watched as he crumpled to his knees, still staring at the blood on his paws.

Sgt. MacGoven spun about in his saddle, glaring at the Fox who sat astride his horse, a grin on the Vulpine face, which was instantly wiped away as the Sargent in one swift movement, un-holstered his own pistol and then the shot rang out and the Vulpine gurgled and toppled to the ground, his convulsions short before his lifeless body stopped twitching. With a snort, he turned the pistol on Feredwyn, pointing it right between her eyes, but Feredewyn ignored it, as she clutched Owen tight to her chest, as he coughed and choked.

“We could have done this the easy way - “ Sgt. MacGoven laughed contemptuously. “Now...we're going to do it the real easy way..."

“FUCK YOU!" Feredwyn screamed, as she released Owen and turned about, a look of animal ferocity in her eyes, so consumed with hatred and grief, she become irrational.

“Fuck me?" Sgt .MacGoven snorted. “I'd never let one of you touch me...let alone do that!"

With a gesture, Sgt. MacGoven grinned as Feredwyn shrieked, as a rope was thrown over her head then snagged tight and she was cruelly pulled backwards until she landed with a thud on the ground, on her back, clawing at the rope that was strangling her. Sebastian cackled, as he clucked at his gelding, pulling the rope tighter and dragging Feredwyn backwards. With another gesture, he ordered his men to dismount and they un-holstered their rifles and pistols and began searching the farmstead.

Sebastian watched with amusement as Feredwyn gasped and clawed at the rope, but every time she tried to stand, he'd back his horse up and pull her onto her back again. As she struggled and gasped for breath, others watched, and the Sargent looked down at Owen, who, to everyone's surprise, rolled over on his belly, then his fingers splayed out and he coughed up blood, before staggering back to his shaking hooves and stood.

“It'll take – more than one bullet - “ Owen gurgled, as he wiped a paw across his mouth and stood swaying.

“If you say so - “ Sgt. MacGoven grinned, then there were two loud cracks as he shot Owen twice, once in the thigh, and once in the belly.

Owen staggered and fell, screaming in agony, as Feredwyn continued to struggle, but her breath was being choked from her body and her struggles were growing weaker and weaker.

“I'm...not..." Owen wheezed, as by sheer force of will, he got to his knees and tried to stand, before he collapsed again and began pushing himself back up with his shaking paws.

“Oh, for fucks sake - “ Sgt. MacGoven sighed, as he dismounted then walked over and stared down at Owen. “Will you just die already?"

Owen lifted his head defiantly, as he struggled to his knees, then the Sargent sighed in exasperation, before placing his pistol against Owen's sweat drenched forehead..and pulled the trigger... Owen's body was flung backwards, where it lay sprawled on the ground, and Sebastian cackled, watching Owen's cold blooded murder with a look of pleasure on his face.

“Hey boss!" Come a voice from inside the cottage. “We got a..urk!"

There was a crash of a body striking something, the tinkle of glassware and clatter of pans, before one of the humans come staggering out, clutching at his throat from which blood was pouring. He swayed, then fell just outside the doorway, dead before he hit the floor.

“You, and you!" Sgt. MacGoven roared, gesturing to two others. “Get in there, and bring out that – animal – alive! I want him to hang for what he done..."

Two large, burly humans charged in, ignoring the corpse of their friend who lay sprawled on the ground, as Sebastian giggled in malicious glee as he dismounted and walked over to where Feredwyn lay, barely conscious. He sank his booted foot into her belly, eliciting a choking gasp, before he rolled her over and wrenched her paws behind her back and expertly tied them with a length of rope. More crashes and screams come from inside the cottage, before finally, silence fell and the two humans come out – one with deep slashes across his forearms – but between them they carried the barely conscious Clanton, whose muzzle and chest was streaked with blood. Sgt. MacGoven's eyes widened, as he looked at the weak and emaciated kangaroo buck...but recognition didn't sink in with him.

“This little Joey, put up a hell of a fight!" One man snickered, then threw Clanton on the ground, where he lay and shuddered piteously. “Bill here got sliced up pretty good - “

“I'm going make him suffer - “ Snarled the man, who had been attacked.

“No, you're not - “ Sgt. MacGoven growled, enforcing his will as he walked over, then gripped Clanton by the ears and cruelly pulled him up, making Clanton scream. “This one is going to the stockade – it's about time we had a hanging..."

Sebastian grinned, as he roughly pulled Feredwyn to her hooves, then leaned in close, and licked her trembling cheek. “You taste wonderful..."

Feredwyn shuddered, the tears streaking down her cheeks, as she glanced at Owen's lifeless body, then hung her head.

“What about the Doe, boss?" Sebastian snickered, then pulled Feredwyn's paws higher, making her kneel and scream in pain.

“Amuse...yourself - “ Sgt. MacGoven snorted. “You've earned it, just – make sure she doesn't get away – or survive..."

With a malicious grin, Sebastian caressed Feredwyn's cheek with a paw, making her sniffle and shudder in

revulsion. “Oh, this promises to be fun..."

“Rest of you!" Roared the Sargent. “Burn this place to the ground, all of it - and when you're done, we're returning to Stringybark...the celebratory drinks are on me!"

Cheers met this declaration, as Feredwyn wept in fear and trepidation as Sebastian twisted her paws again and force-marched her into the woods...for some pleasures of his own...

*

Constable Kelsie crouched in the bushes, with a partially visible vision of the entire incident. She wept unashamedly, watching as Owen was murdered in cold blood, Clanton, who she recognised, was clapped in irons and thrown over the rump of a stallion, and then as Sebastian began force marching Feredwyn away, Kelsie's grief and horror turned to a white hot flame of rage and disgust. She watched as others set fire to the farmstead, and within moments flames were licking up through the rough shingles, the smoke rising into the sky – and they'd set off back to the township. As quietly as she could, Kelsie skirted around the burning farmhouse and she paused every so often, her paint ears twitching too and fro as she listened.

A high pitched cervine scream rang forth from the woods about a hundred yards away – then it was cut off and become a choking wail. Kelsie feared the worst and she began forcing her way through the bush, thought of care and stealth driven from her mind – as she un-holstered her pistol and her anger fuelled her convictions...

She froze in horror, as she watched Sebastian torturing Feredwyn – the weasel obviously pleased with what he was doing – and his attention was so fixated on what he was doing – he had no idea that Kelsie was staring wide eyed – less than fifty feet behind him.

“It feels good – doesn't it?" Sebastian murmured, as he pressed closer and Feredwyn shrieked again, before Sebastian smirked and his sharp teeth buried themselves into her throat, as he raped her.

Kelsie never thought, she just acted – and ran the distance between Sebastian and herself, before she gripped him from the nape and savagely pulled him backwards, throwing him into the ground where he hissed and began to stand, his muzzle streaked and a look of feral savagery on his face.

“I'm going to do to you...what I just did to - “ Sebastian hissed, as his eyes narrowed and he glared at her, then he froze and blinked.

Kelsie didn't blink – she stood her ground, ears flat against the back of her skull, nostrils flared...then she pulled the trigger five times at point blank range...

*

Lachlan crouched as best he could, watching the farmstead, before he was sure it's residents weren't home, before he crept quietly across to the main building. He carried a small Hessian sack, which he placed next to the front door. Just as he was about to leave, the door opened, and a young Kangaroo Doe stood there, her eyes wide in fear, her muzzle falling open as she stared at the strange, armour clad Palomino. Lachlan stood, then looked down at her – his muzzle giving her a look of compassion and gentleness, before he gestured at the sack.

“This is for you and your parents..." He whispered, then gently stroked her head, ruffling her ears. “Tell them – tell them - “

“Who...are you a bad man?" Asked the Doe, her eyes widening in confusion, bordering in fear.

“No," Lachlan whispered, as he picked up the sack and gave it to the trembling little girl. “I'm not a bad horse – I'm...Ironclad...I'm a nice horse, now, put this somewhere safe, tell your mother and father...this is for them. Tell them – Ironclad is going to protect our kind..."

Holding the sack, the little Doe blinked, then she dropped it and clung to Ironclad, hugging him as best she could, before he gently made her let go, then winked at her.

“Thank you, Mr. Ironclad - “ She smiled, then picked up the sack and walked back inside, closing the door behind

her.

Lachlan returned to his horse, giving her nose a gentle caress, to which she nuzzled his fingers.

“One good deed - “ Lachlan whispered to her. “Many more to come, I'm sure..."

Flicking her ears, the mare seemed disinterested, but her master seemed happy – so she merely nuzzled him again and obediently followed, as Lachlan moved on...fading like a ghost into the underbrush...

To Be Continued...