Puss in Boots: The White Eagle
This is my first fanfiction. First. Fanfiction. Ever.
I have my characters for at least three years.
I have my story planned for at least three years also.
This fanfiction, therefore, is something I should've done a long time ago.
Warning: The story may contain brutal scenes along with a few sexual scenes. However, they will be light and beneficial for the plot.
Oh, and something more: I am not an English native speaker.
CHAPTER I - THE TALK
Who would've known anything about San Ricardo these days? Merely a small hamlet with few inhabitants meaning nothing neither for the Spain's industry or agriculture it was. Being located on the outskirts of the Spanish Kingdom, hardly anybody had any idea about it.
Well, that was past.
In 1653, right after a former outlaw named Puss in Boots saved it from The Great Terror and after a villain provided the town with tons and tons of golden eggs, San Ricardo began to nourish and flourish. Merchants, who were intrigued by the whole story told by travelers, headed there in order to sell their supplies, so the living standards of the village went much better. Its economy started to develop a lot and soon it was known for being one of the richest towns in entire Spain.
One would ask – what happened to Puss in Boots? What happened to this hero?
A week passed since the end of the adventure with the Golden Goose. At this time, Puss was sitting in a tavern, the same in which he had been informed about Jack and Jill. However, he was drinking his leche this time.
In the tavern, there was a lot of noise. People were very happy with the lives they had. Many pints of beer were emptied and lots of laughs filled the entire space. The bartender really needed to work hard because some of the people really did not know another place to spent their time when San Ricardo was being richer practically every second.
„It was worth it," Puss muttered under his nose. „Even though the bank was robbed due to mistakes done by me, the whole town is being rich right now. I paid for my mistakes."
And then, something caught his ear. A man dressed in blue justacorps was sitting next to a table literally just nearby Puss and took a sip of beer from his cup before saying:
„I swear it is real! This so-called White Eagle in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is real!"
The words make his ears perk. That was a bit surprising. He never heard about the White Eagle but heard some stories about this state called Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Some, but not much. Since this man in blue, having dark short hair and black facial hair, was talking with enthusiasm, there must've been something behind this White Eagle. Puss continued to listen.
One of the patrons near the mysterious man said: „Huh. Then what is this all about?"
„I've been to Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth once." He began after being asked. „That's wher' I heard about the White Eagle. Mysterious creature. Could be an ordinary eagle for an unsuspecting eye, but it has a secret. I was told this magnificent bird has great blood. If you pour it on something, it becomes magical. Or something like that."
„What else, señor?" Puss gave him a question out of a sudden while raising his eyebrow.
The guest in blue coat looked at Puss and smirked. „Puss in Boots… I know you. You are this criminal every poster shows in this town. The town watch is offering a nice amount of money to bring you to justice."
These words made Puss both shocked and irritated. How could he even say this to him, after all our hero has been through? That is why Puss slammed the table and gave this man a glare.
„And I offer you a healthy tongue if you stay here and answer my question." Puss growled through his teeth.
The man raised his eyebrows in surprise, feeling regretful for what he had said earlier. He raised his hands a little to show his innocence and said: „My humblest apologies. I don't want any trouble."
After this, he stood up and peacefully walked up to Puss's table with the wooden cup in his hand. „Could I take a seat? I have a decent story to tell ya."
Puss only waved his paw and said: „Sure, let it be."
The man, presumably a traveler, sat down right in front of Puss and introduced himself: „Oh, where are my manners. First of all, my name is Svenn."
Puss was delighted to see that this man actually has some sort of politeness. „I am Puss in Boots. You probably know me already."
Svenn smiled. „I do. But don't worry. You desire a story, then I will tell you a story. But wait. Haven't you heard about Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before?"
„Not much," Puss said. „Is it this large country on the east?"
„On the west from Russian Tzardom. Indeed." Svenn agreed and took another sip from his cup. „The country itself is rich in history, but I am going to tell you about this White Eagle only. You probably wonder how the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is actually that big in the first place, huh? Well, the White Eagle was behind it."
„Tell me more." Puss firmly stated and drank his leche.
„It all happened eight hundred years ago or so, around 9th century Anno Domini. Somewhere in Europe, there were three brothers: Lech, Czech and Rus. " Svenn told him. „All of them were the most respected Slavs among their tribe. The thing was, they all needed to move. They gathered their men and began their journey to a place they would call home. Rus and his tribesmen settled down first somewhere in Eastern Europe, so Czech and Lech needed to go without him. Rus made a hamlet where he stood and now the whole country he created is named Russia."
„Makes sense. Go on." Puss told him.
„Sure," Svenn said. „Then, Czech stopped and made a hamlet in Carpathians. The country of his tribe is known as Kingdom of Bohemia. And what happened to Lech? Well… He moved on until he found a great plain what was practically a paradise."
Puss interrupted: „And I guess he was the first ruler of Poland."
„Very correct. Lech was tired after this long voyage, so he rested. Then, something peculiar happened. A white eagle was flying in the sky, right in front of the red sun during a sunset. The bird flew into its nest on a tree. Lech was amused by this sight, so he made a village and called it Gniezno - from Polish word „gniazdo" what means „a nest". And that is why the Polish have a white eagle on a red background in their emblem."
„But why is it so magical?" Puss asked.
„Good question. After many decades, Gniezno was being quite a big town, even too big and advanced for a simple tribe of Polans. A few merchants went in and out, including a goldsmith." Svenn took a sip of beer before continuing:
„He offered to make Lech a golden crown and a golden ring, both having diamonds in them, just after he saw the might of the tribe. Lech agreed to this offer and promised he will pay the smith in wheat, silver and meat. The Polish leader got what he wanted, but suddenly... The White Eagle he met earlier flew into his chamber right after it got in a fight with some animal. Nobody knows who it was. Anyway, the bird was bleeding heavily. A few droplets of its blood fell on the crown and on the ring. Surprisingly, the diamonds changed their color to dark red. Lech did not mind this, therefore he placed the crown on his head and the ring on his cordial finger. And when he spoke to his people..." Then, Svenn stared Puss in the eye and said:
„They found his words so brilliant and inspiring that the tribe of Polans expanded their territory to what lands they have now."
Puss got amused by this story. A crown and a ring having power over people – these are the objects everybody would like to have. Puss thought to himself how he would use these items if he had them.
After a while of thinking, Puss asked: „Is this real? Do these artifacts still exist? Along with the Eagle?"
Svenn merely laughed and leaned on his chair. „Hahahah. Of course, they are real. But nobody knows for sure where the artifacts are lying. You see, after Lech died, his son began to rule the tribe, then his son, then another and again and again and again. Finally, there occurred to be somebody who is now told to be the first prince of Poland. His name was Mieszko The First."
At last, Svenn finished his beer with one last sip and went on the story: „A very good leader. Polans were actually pagan and that was not good for the external politics, as we could say now, hahah. So, he and his army baptized themselves and became Christians. And before the christianization, Mieszko was afraid of the artifacts of the Eagle. Well, not really afraid of them, but afraid of the people who might use it for wrong. Also, that was just not fair for him to be overpowered. That is why he scattered all of the artifacts throughout Poland and ordered his men to build a giant labyrinth in which his bird is hidden. In which The White Eagle is closed in and won't do anything supernatural every again."
Puss in Boots stood silent at the words said by Svenn. This was a golden opportunity for him. But he needed to know more.
„Where is the labirynth now?" Puss asked.
„Nobody knows." Svenn shrugged his shoulders. „Many think it is near the Carpathians because its caves are ideal for hiding various things."
Puss smiled after he knew everything. Sure, he already proved himself to be a hero, but he would like to achieve more. He was an adventurer after all.
"Gracias, señor." Puss thanked him politely. "I will try to get to Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as soon as I can."
"Wait, Puss." Svenn warned him. "Have you just said you want to go to these odd lands?"
Puss tilted his head in confusion. "What is so odd about it? Fear not! I am Puss in Boots!" He pointed at his own Corinthian black boots.
Svenn sighed and spoke: "You will see. Have you ever met a unit full of Polish Hussars?"
The inn went silent and stared at Svenn just like he said something forbidden. A drop of sweat fell from Svenn's forehead from stress.
"Sorry. Did not mean to hurt your feelings." He explained to all of the patrons.
They all shrugged it off and went back to chatting and drinking.
Puss, however, was a bit obscure. He heard the word "Polish Hussar" before, but never knew what it is for certain.
"Why is it so bad to even say this word?" Puss leaned closer to Svenn and whispered. "Is it a special unit designed to kill lots of people?"
"Indeed." Svenn agreed. "Wouldn't even call them human. Once you meet about one hundred of them and they are hostile to you… No matter how experienced you are – you die. They are known as heavy cavalry. Their armor is practically bulletproof, their horses neither get tired nor slow down and their lances and sabres are always lethally sharp. Even if one of these Hussars falls from his horse, you will have a hard time even hitting one. They are taught from a little kid how to fight." Svenn lifted his hand low in order to emphasize how little the future Polish Hussars are when they just begin learning how to fight.
Puss felt no fear this time. "These Polish Hussars are probably just canned, fat men." He thought to himself. "Everybody's exaggerating hard."
Puss lifted himself from the chair and headed for the entrance, saying: "Thank you… Svenn. What a good talk we had."
With this farewell, he stepped out of the bar to finally begin his quest.
But first…
He probably needed an ally.