Chapter 1: Guard duty
`I hate guard duty.` I thought to myself with a grimace as I gripped the pommel of my dagger. I flicked my feline ears in annoyance as another peasant passed below me. I am a Tiylan, a humanoid feline. We have feline heads, tails, and paws, but human like torsoes and arms. Like almost everything, tiylan had several species. The most common were tigers and panthers. There were more rare ones, such as the over egotistical lions and the cunning pumas. I was one of the most rare. I am a snow leopard Tiylan. My fur was a dark grey with black circles marking it, save my chest, neck, and shoulder length brown hair. My chest and below my chin faded into a soft white.
I also lead the Stealth Knives, one of the elite guards trained to protect the king of our kind, King Grimpaw. He is a panther Tiylan and has ruled the tiylan for years with honesty. We werent just soldiers though. We were spies, assassins, guards, or anything the king needed us to be.
"Yea, I feel the same way." Victor said from the branch next to me. He was a purebred tiger Tiylan. He was wearing the same ruddy green cloak I was, with the exception I had a cloth mask covering my feline snout and mouth.
We were stationed in the trees outside the gate of Grimpaw's giant stone palace. He was one of the six soldiers under my command. Victor was a tiger and possibly my best fighter. Alarice was another tiger and my second best. Kyuren and Fisk were panthers, and agile to boot. Hunter was a puma and Hawk was a cross breed between a panther and tiger.
"I didnt say anything." I whispered, digging my claws into the tree branch I was crouching on.
"As the humans say, actions speak louder than words Commander Shadow. That and you hit me wiith this." He said, grabbing the end of my tail.
"Let that go, you know I hate when people mess with my tail." I said, baring my fangs behind my mask as I pulled my tail closer to my body.
"Hey, we have a cloaked figure." He said, pointing to a figure that looked to be a human which was covered in a full body cloak.
"Halt human. Identify yourself and your reason for meeting with the King of Tiylans." A guard said as both guards lowered thier pikes.
"That's none of your business." The human said flatly.
"It is if you wish to see Grimpaw." The second guard said.
"Looks like we might actually get to see some action today." My counterpart said eagerly.
"Only if he puts a guard out of the fight, until then calm down Victor." I said, quieting him. I returned my focus to the human and the guards.
Their debate began heating up. "My business is my own!" The human said impatiently.
I heard a growl and one of the guards beat the bottom of his polearm on the ground. "Then you shall have no business with His Majesty."
"Alright..." The human said with a scowl. "Please let me through."
"Pleasantries wont get you through us human." The guard on the left growled.
"Then I must resort to force!" He said, trying to push through the guards.
That will not work!" They said, pushing him back so he landed faceup on the ground.
"I will make it!" The human said as he pulled out a knife. He plunged it into the left guard's leg. The blow was lessened by his armor, but it still severed fur, flesh, and muscle. The guard plunged to the ground, blood pouring from the large gash in his thigh. The second guard was quicker, but the human still managed to catch him off guard and tripped him.
"Go!" I commanded my group of Stealth Knives to drop out of the trees. Three Tiylans fell out of the trees, surrounding the human. I jumped out of the tree I had been hiding in as well and walked past the triangle of felines to see the human.
"The kings personal assassins, I take it?" The human said with disgust as he moved his hand to his waist.
"If we are needed. I wouldn't recommend that... You couldnt even hold off one of us, much less a whole squad of Stealth Knives." I said, noticing his hand getting ready to grab a blade.
"Dont underestimate me!" He said, rushing at me with his dagger. My reflexes were much faster due to years of elite training to become a Steallth Knife. I grabbed his hand before it was halfway to my chest and pried the dagger from his grip, which was followed by a kick to the back of the legs and a simultaneous punch to the chest, causing him to fall on his back.
"Victor, take care of the guard." I said.
"Yes ma'am." They said, taking the human by surprise.
"You are a woman?!" He said, enraged and embarrassed.
I didnt answer him, but I removed my hood, letting my hair fall behind me. I removed my mask and showed him my smirking feminine face.
"I was beaten by a woman?! I demand a duel! A rematch! If I win, I get to see the king."
"Shit..." I heard the tiylan behind me say.
"Someone call a cleric." I heard the other guard whisper.
"Not a cleric, an undertaker." Fisk said with a laugh.
I flicked my ears in annoyance. "Seeing as how you are naming your own terms, I will do the same. If you lose, and you will, you will tell me why you are here."
"Fine!" He growled.
"Fisk, make sure he can't run." I ordered. He did as commanded and I reached for one of my daggers that were still behind me. I didnt draw it yet, but the human pulled out a sword from a sheath on his hip.
"Rahh!" He yelled as he charged at me. I smirked as I jumped clear over him, which was easy due to the fact I was a tiylan, which were the best jumping bipedal race. We are capable of jumping seven feet into the air easily. Our jumping abilities were thanks to our legs, as we walked on the pads of our paws, so our ankles were higher than normal, allowing us to jump high by acting almost like a second knee. I smiled at his pitiful efforts and swished my tail in amusement. He tried it two more times before he realized his method was useless. "Stop toying with me!" He yelled.
"As you wish, human." I said, reaching into my cloak and pulling out a small capsule. I threw it on the ground and stalked around him as a large cloud of billowing white smoke swallowed the clearing up. I jumped behind him and pressed my dagger that I had finally drawn up around his neck. The smoke cleared and I could see the others were watching, save for Victor, who had left to find a cleric for the guard. There was a round of applause and the human was awestruck. "A deal is a deal human. What do you want with the king?"
"I dont care about any deal with you animals!" He said, eliciting a gasp from the crowd.
"Well then I just might have to eliminate a threat to my king..." I said, tightening my dagger around his throat. I knew I drew blood because he gasped and I could smell it in the air.
"Ow ya bitch! I am here to negotiate with him on some wines."
"You were supposed to use the servant entrance then. To correct your mistake, I am a Tiylan female, not a Canid." I said dryly, releasing him from my hold. I sighed as we jumped back into the tree, letting the red faced human go. It was another few hours before I jumped down, ready to go home. "Fisk, Hawk, Victor, I'm going home. You both may do so as well." I said as I tied my hair into a ponytail. 'That wasnt a reason that really should be hid... He probably just wanted to cause trouble... humans.' I thought with a frown. With that, I began my trip home.
I made my way through the forest until I came to a large clearing with small cottages scattered everywhere. I walked towards the south side of the small tiylan city to my house. I approached my small cabin near the edge of the city and opened the door and I was greeted by another snow leopard tiylan, Roran. He was y brother and was cooki. I gave him a warm smile as I shut our door.
We lived together because it was Tiylan custom. When a female comes to age, she moves out of her parents house and lives with the oldest brother. If the oldest brother has yet to move out, then the female cares for him until he comes of age in the house the parents build and he begins to train in his career feild he chooses. She would move out only when she finds her own mate. After which, she moves in with her mate and settles down and has a family. Due to this and the fact that Tiylan mate for life, there was never a really abundance of houses.
"Hi Lilac." he said kindly, using my real name. I didnt tell my squad of Stealth Knives my real name because I felt that I would lose support and obedience if they learned I was named after a flower.
"Hey Roran." I said as I took off my robe to reveal my naked fur. Nudity wasnt that big of a problem in Tiylan society because our fur covered genetalia and breasts. So long as a male didnt have an erection, nudity was lawful in public. I smoothed down my fur where my robe had messed it up and went to the kitchen to see what he was cooking. The kitchen wasnt much. The south wall was lined with cabinets and there is a pile of sticks and ash in the middle with a metal frame to cook on. On the makeshift grill there were a few slices of pork that looked to be mildly seasoned.
"I heard about the commotion down by the palace and that out of place human." He said with a smirk. "Good thing you dont act that way here, I would get beat up daily, by my little sister no less." He laughed.
"Only if I need to. I told you to go into the guard instead of being a chef." I giggled.
"But I want to cook and cook I will Lilac." He said as he waved the wooden spatula around.
"Fine Roran." I laughed.
"So other than humiliating a human, what else happened?"
"Absolutely nothing." I sighed. "I had to sit in a tree for hours... I am going to be pulling twigs out of my fur for days." I said in disgust.
"Thats why I am not a guard." He chuckled.
"But you need some muscle. Your tail looks thicker than your arms." I joked.
He moved his tail up to his arms in comparison. "That's because I have Mom's slightly poofy fur. You have Dad's smooth coat." He laughed.
It was true, his fur did tend to puff out a little. It was only on his tail and chest though. "Anyway, supper looks done, lets eat." I said, smiling at the food that was over the fire.
"Well it's not. I am the cook, you are the soldier. Go... guard the table or something." He said, playfully pushing me into the living room, which only had a small wooden table and two chairs made out of tree stumps. I sat down, but wasnt at ease for long. I heard the door to our house slam open and I insitinctively jumped backwards, extending my retractable claws and turning in air to face the intruder. I let out a sigh and retracted my claws when I saw that it was Victor.
"Calm down Shadow." He said with a laugh, covering his striped face.
"I told you not to just barge into my house." I said, crossing my arms.
"Hey Vic." Roran said, walking into the living room. "And why must you keep your name a secret fron the other Knives?" He laughed.
"Because how menacing is L- I mean my name?"
"Perfect! I know the first letter. The others are going to love this!" I flicked my ears and frowned. "I um- I mean of course not Lady Nightstrike."
"Better." I smiled.
"But tell me, pleeeeaassee. We have worked togwether for over a year." He said with a smile and he tried pulling off a puppy dog face.
"Just a tip, you arent a canid." I said, referring to the tiylan's sister and rival species. They were canine versions of tiylans which consisted of wolf, dog, hyena, and fox looking breeds. "And since we have been friends for years..." I paused there to notice his face of expectance and laughed. "My name is Amy."
"Dont lie to Victor, 'Shadow'. Besides, I dont think he will believe you have such a human name." Roran said with a laugh.
"Fine ." I said wih a giggle. "My real name Is Lilac. You tell the others and I will kill you in your sleep."
"What name?" He said with a fake look of confusion.
"Good kitty. Is supper done now Roran?"
"Yes it is. Now Chef Crason wants feedback. Victor are you staying?"
Victor rubbeed his furry chin before nodding. "Yea, Elya isnt cooking anything after this time of day, and I am already going to have to explain why I am late."
"I keep telling you she is stuck up and clingy..." Roran said as we all sat down to eat.
"Yea... But we grew up together in Lyn' Kresh and we promised each other we would get married here when we could afford it."
This had made me dream about my own wedding. It had been my girly fantasy ever since I was a kitten, despite it being a human custom. I had always dreamt about marrying another snow leopard and it would be held under the sunset by the ocean. We would have four little kittens and a large house near the ocean. I was lost in my girly imagination until Roran snapped me out of it.
"Lilac, hey, supper. Stop dreaming about your imaginary boyfriend." Roran laughed.
"Hmm...Big tough Lady Nightstrike has a cru-... Ouch..." Victor said, but was interrupted because I lightly punched him in the gut. "She's back..." He said with a pained laugh.
"Yes, she's back." I laughed. "Believe it or not, I have a personal life outside the Knives. By the way, how was that guard?"
"Good. The cleric healed him without a problem, so he will be reporting in the guard house tomorrow morning." Victor explained though a mouthful of meat.
"That's good to know." I nodded.
After that we ate the rest of supper in silence.
"Well Elya is going to be on my tail for being late. Good night Shadow. Night Roran."
"Good night Victor. I expect you to be in early tomorrow."
"Yes comm-wait... Early?"
"I told you my real name. You have to do something for me, right?"
"Ugh... Yes ma'am." He said with a sigh as he left
"You know, I think I might want to see how you treat your soldiers and this different side of you." Roran laughed,
I decided to comply with him amd so I stood up straight and crossed my arms behind my back. I staightened my face into a neutral exppression and faced him. He gave me a questioning look as he bent over to pick up the dishes. "Stand up straight and look directly at me soldier."
"Yes-"
"You will speak only when I ASK you to. Understood?" I said sharply as he stood up straight.
"Y-yes ma'am."
"Ma'am? Ma'am?! You will adress me as Commander Shadow or Lady Nightstrike! Do make myself clear?" I growled despite the overwhelming urge to burst out laughing.
"But Victor-." He said protested.
"You are not Victor soldier! You will adress me as what?"
"Lady Nightstrike or Commander Shadow?" He said uneasily.
"I deserve a better answer than that." I said, pinning my ears back.
"Lady Nightstrike or Commander Shadow." He said in a firmer tone of voice.
"Now I want this kitchen spotless when I wake up and I will be checking before I leave an hour before dawn."
"Yes Commander Shadow."
"Good." I said, smiling. "It's a good thing you want to be a cook, you wouldnt last a day in my soldier's shoes." I laughed. "Anyway, I am going to bed. Good night brother." I said, giving him a hug.
"Good night little sister." He purred, hugging me back.
I made my way to my room with a swish of my tail and closed the door. When my dad had built the house for my brother and I, he built it to our specifications. I had only wanted a room with a bed and a few shelves along the wall, where I kept all my baubles from walking around in the forest. My favorite among them was a small clear rock. It was cut to look like a diamond and had a flat top. On the face of the jewel was a small insignia of some sort. It was a target and it had a triange in the middle which had roses growing along it. I marvelled at it in the candlelight and sighed. "No wonder human women love gems so much." I set it back on my shelf and went to sleep for the night.
I woke up in the last hours before dawn like usual to get ready for my job today. It started with a tongue bath and then I made my way into the living room where my cloak rested. I pulled it over my body and sighed as it rubbed against my fur and flicked my tail in annoyance. I belted on my daggers behind my back and walked out the door.
I crossed town, which was still lifeless, and entered the Stealth Knife headquarters which was located behind some trees near the king's palace. Nobody was here at this hour and I expected it, most of us dont wake up until an hour after sunrise, even the other Stealth Knives didnt show until a few minutes after dawn. The headquarter building was not very small, nor was it bulky and very visible. On the outside it was painted a light green with patches if brown to match the forest. On the inside was a large table with many seats for the Stealth Knives. The walls were littered with papers on wanted criminals and missions that are in the process of being completed. My seat was at the head of the table because I was the commander of the order. At my spot was a note attached to the table by a dagger with a golden hilt with leather wrapped grip. The blade was made out of polished metal and overall it looked quite expensive. The letter read:
"Dear Commander Shadow Bentella,
I am hereby personally inviting you to a conference in my chambers at the first rays of dawn. I wish to commend you in your bravery yesterday. Come if you wish.
King Grimpaw
P.s. Keep the dagger as a present. The sheath lies in your chair."
My feline jaw dropped. I looked outside and noticed that the eastern horizon was beginning to brighten. I belted on the dagger after prying it out of the table, leaving a deep gash in the wood. "I guess I will leave now." I said, exiting the headquarters. I ran through the forest and soon approached the stone gate and greeted the two new guards.
"Lady." They both said as they allowed me passage. I walked up the the doors of the simple stone castle and opened them to reveal a lavishly decorated interior. There were banners hanging down the hall, under which were lined with glossy tables. The hall lead to a golden chair upon which a muscular panther Tiylan sat. He was donned in golden chain armor and a sword leaning up against the arm of the throne.
"Ahh, Commander Shadow. You are early." The king spoke in a deep voice that commanded respect. I kneeled down in respect to the king and he laughed. "You need not show such formalities with me. Come, I feel there is much to talk about." He said as he got up and walked down a hall off to the side. I got up and followed him as he lead me down the stone grey halls to a room with two chairs and a bookshelf in the back. "Sit, sit." He urged. I did as asked and sat down, my tail twitching from nervousness. I studied the king's features. By Tiylan standards he was quite attractive. His smooth black fur concealed srong mucles and his face had long whiskers and he carried a strong air of royalty. His eyes were a deep amber and were eyeing me just as hard as I was eyeing him. "It is a good thing you are not a mage." He chuckled.
"Why is that sire?" I inquired.
"Because I would be embarrased by my thoughts of your beauty."
His words caught me off guard and my face grew hot and I could tell my blush showed through my grey fur. "P-pardon?" I stuttered.
"You are quite beautiful. Strong and quick. Agile and gorgeous. I have watched you for some time." He paused and he noticed my nervousness. "Am I coming on too strong?"
My tail quivered at his compliments. "I-I'm sorry my leige, but yes. I am saving myself for the right mate. I dont wish to become just a...a.."
"You dont wish to become a prostitute for someone in power." He finished rather bluntly.
"Yes sir."
"Understandable. Forgive me, being king I have never really tried to woo a woman." He chuckled. "If you wish, I may allow you to stay with me..."
"A-are you proposing?!" I said, taken aback. "Forgive my bluntness, but we dont really know much about each other."
"If it is closeness you wish, maybe I can invite you to dine with me on occasion." He said, folding his hands.
After he said this, my blush began to fade and I was able to answer without unease making me stutter. "It sounds delightful."
"Splendid. I will send for you tonight when the sun touches the horizon. Dont try to dress too fancily, if at all. I am not a hard cat to please." He smiled.
"Yes my lord." I said with a nod.
"I take it you found your gift as well?" He said, making it sound more like a statement than a question.
"Yes, it's a beautiful weapon." I said, drawing the dagger and showing him.
"It was crafted by the famous human smiths in their capitol of Theralmar."
"I am truely honored." I said, sheathing it again.
"Now to the heart of the matter. I summoned you here to commend you on your work yesterday. That human was a good fighter, even by our standards."
"I feel all he knew was just run headfirst and yell." I said, remembering how easy it was to fight him.
"There you go. You seem to be getting more comfortable near me."
I smiled and he returned the gesture. "Well it is no surprise I won. I am the commander of the most elite fighters of our race, save you, your highness."
"Hmm. That almost sounds like arrogance." He nodded. At that moment a servant knocked at the door and entered. He bent low so the king could hear and whispered something that I didnt catch. "It seems my breakfast is ready. Tell me, have you eaten yet?"
"No sir." I said, shaking my head.
"Then do come this way." He said, waving me down another hall. He lead me to a large room with an equally large table. "Chef Crason, I would like another plate for my lovely guest here." He said to a puma tiylan waiting by the middle of the table.
"Wait, you are Chef Crason?"
"Aye, madame." He said with a nod.
"My brother Roran made a great supper last night. He said the recipe was yours."
"Thank you. Roran, you say? He is one of my favorite apprentices. If you will excuse me, I will make you your breakfast now." He said with a bow and he walked away.
"If I may, my lord, my Knives will need orders for today. I fear they will come looking for me if I am not present." I said, thinking of a mission for the present Knives to do.
"By all means, do so." He said with a grin. "I shall await your return."
He pointed me towards the exit annd I ran to the headquarters to find Victor was the only one there. "Lady Nightstrike." He said saluting me in the Tiylan fasion. The Tiylan salute is where one holds his or her forearm vertically in the middle of their chest with a balled fist.
"Victor." I said, saluting him back. "Where are the others?"
"The sundial outside says it is only seven Commander."
"Mmh. Sit. We have missions that need to be done."
"Permission to speak ma'am?"
"Granted." I nodded, siftiing through papers that had various objectives.
"Where were you? It isnt like you to be late ma'am."
"Well, Victor. The king wished to see me... The king fancies me." I said flatly.
"Do you fancy him back?" He said, looking at me, obviously wanting an answer.
"That's personal soldier. I will not be here for an hour or so, the king has invited me to breakfast."
"So you DO fancy him?" He said in a sing song voice.
"You would be wise to remember where we are soldier. If you care to know more, I will be at my home before dusk if you want to visit then, feel free."
"Sorry Commander. What is the agenda for today?"
"I was thinking guard duty again." I said with a grimace. "Inform the other Knives. I will return later. The king has invited me to breakfast and I accepted. Get to it soldier."
"Yes ma'am." He said with another salute. I exited the headquarters and made my way back to the palace. I entered the dining room where the king was waiting patiently.
"Ahh, welcome back. Chef Crason is just about done. Sit, I insist."
"Thank you King Grimpaw." I said, blushing some more.
"Ahh, you needn't say 'king' or 'my lord' or any other titles. My name is Shepard."
I had to giggle at the irony. "Your parents named you Shepard?"
"Yes, it is rather interesting. My grandfather was a farmer and an honorable cat, so I am named after him. As for your name, Shadow. I doubt your parents would not name such as gorgeous creature after a panther."
"Your right..." I said, getting nervous.
"Come now, speak up. Our words shall not leave this room, should you wish it."
"M-my real name is.."
"Come now, dont be shy."
"Lilac." I said quickly.
"Lilac... Beautiful name." He said thoughtfully.
"Thank you... Shepard."
"You are getting comfortable." He said as the chef came in with a large plate of food. I sat down next to the king, who seemed pleased.
Breakfast looked delicious. The king had Chef Crason prepare fresh sausages with a quarter dozen robin eggs and a side of berries. "Wow. I am grateful my lo- I mean Shepard."
"It is indeed a meal fit for a king... Mayhap a queen to be as well?" He said, placing his hand near mine.
"I am still not sure... I cant base the rest of my life over a breakfast. We will see what the future holds." I said, patting his hand.
"Take all the time to make sure this choice is the right one. I would not like an unhappy life mate." After saying this he got up and lead me to the gates of the palace doors and waved me off.
"Goodbye my king." I said, walking out of the gate. I could hear snickers coming froom above me and I sighed. "Stealth Knives are supposed to be stealthy. You will all be scrubbing the headquarters until I can see myself in the floorboards. Do I make myself clear?"
There were multiple sighs and I heard my three soldiers say "Yes commander".
"Good." I said, jumping into a tree to begin another long day of watching two guards do nothing.
Hey guys. I know this isnt exactly fanfic, but I figured I might post here for your reading pleasure. I posted this story earlier as All of Me, but that was a collosal fail. I decided I like the story, so I cut it up and redid it. I hope it Is better thos timearound, sp please R&R (Unless it is for small gramatical or spelling errors, I am aware I cant spell haha)