(1000 AD)

A young raccoon is pushed onto the floor by a larger dachshund male who just stands before him

Bully: Well Galleth it seems that I am going to be a knight in shining armor. You are just going to be another peasant boy here in the village forever while I go and save your hide from invaders.

Young Galleth just sat there with tears as he saw the bully walk away to the knight that had recruited him. The weeping boy trudged on to his home and he saw that his Egyptian mother and father were discussing things as usual

Slytankhamen: I believe that the boy is ready

Moza: No. Not yet, he is still to young wait until he is eight.

Slytankhamen just grumbled and he saw his son walk in and he instantly smiled. Galleth also smiled because his father always was there. He never knew his grandfather because his father had told him that he died many years before Galleth was born. Galleth never questioned his father because he hailed from a far away land and he knew that his father was a great person in his homeland. He never knew what his father did, all he knew was that he had many riches, so in Galleth's mind his father must have been wealthy in his homeland. However since he was an outsider from the country he was shunned, but he seemed not to mind as much

Galleth saw this as odd, but he shrugged it off because he knew that one day that he would do what his father did with one significant difference. He was going to become a knight. He just knew that one day that he would get chosen the best out of the other children. However his parents wanted him inside to do some of the chores while the knights chose other children. Now all he has do is wait until tomorrow when the knights do the final picking. It was also the morning of his eighth birthday which was when his father had apparently planned a real surprise. His father was famous for his surprises, as when he was staring at a neighbor girl the other day his father seemed to appear out of no where.

Galleth went to his room and began drawing on the wall of his room. The house was quite small compared to what riches that his father had hidden in the storeroom below. Either way Galleth didn't mind as he knew that as a knight that he would get paid riches among riches. For some reason Galleth was compelled to steal small things from the small hamlet that they lived in. He had never gotten caught, except by his father who always chuckled and said "Some day you will see". Galleth had no idea what that meant, but he chose just to keep on doing it. He knew that his father wouldn't tell his mother and he wouldn't get punished if he was caught.

The next day came by quickly and Galleth woke up early in anticipation and waited at his bedroom window waiting to see when the knights came by. A knock on his door had broke him out of his concentration and his father came in holding a leather bound tome. Galleth was curious and went to his father and he held the book in his hands and his father began speaking to him.

Slytankhamen: My son. I believe that it is time that you learn of my past. You will learn your true destiny and why I do not scold you for stealing from the local shops in the hamlet.

Galleth's ears perked up as he listened to his father's words. He was amazed to learn that his father was a master thief back in Egypt, that he saved his mother from an attacker, that he saw his very own father get murdered in front of his very eyes, and that this leather bound book had his secrets of thievery. Frankly it was too much for the young boy to grasp all of this at one time. Galleth soon heard hoof beats and saw that the knights were only two miles away from the hamlet and he looked at his father's eyes

Slytankhamen: Go my son, I will not stop you from following your dream. I only wish for you to keep the Thievius Raccoonus close by and never let it away from your sight for a minute. Do I have that promise from you?

Galleth: Yes, I promise father

Slytankhamen ruffled his son's hair and he let him go outside to the town square where other males came to see if they would get picked. There had been six knights and they each were studying all the boys as if to intimidate them. Galleth knew of this process so he knew that he had to stand with pride and with confidence. These guards were all Dalmatians and picked only one young man each. The first three were picked almost immediately and Galleth was beginning to worry. He saw that his best friends Marx, a very strong boar with brown fur, and Timothy, a very intelligent sparrow with light brown feathers, were also picked and he thought that he would have to wait a whole year again. That was when the smallest and kindest looking knight tapped him on his shoulder

Knight: What is your name young lad?

Galleth: M-m-my name is G-G-G-Galleth sir

Knight: Are you nervous young Galleth?

Galleth: No sir.

Knight: Well your parents should be proud

Galleth: Why is that sir?

Knight: Because they are now parents to a future knight

Galleth was in an elated shock as he began shaking with joy

Knight: Well I suggest that you pack only what you need as we will leave in about twenty minutes

Galleth then sprinted to his house and he grabbed his pack from his room and he saw that the Thievius Raccoonus was on his bed. He remembered his promise to his father and he managed to fit the tome into his pack and he gave his mother one last goodbye hug

Moza: (tearfully) Now you be careful please. I don't want to have news that you lost an eye in battle

Galleth: I will mother. Now may I please go I only have a few moments before we leave

Moza then gave him a kiss on the forehead and he went to his father who only gave him a hug and said

Slytankhamen: Remember to never give up, never get caught, and always keep an eye on that book

Galleth: I will father.

Slytankhamen gave his son one last hug and Galleth went running out to find the knight that had picked him and he was picked up onto the horse. As the horse was trotting away he gave one last look at his house and saw his mother was crying into his father's arms, and he saw a few tears escaping from his father's eyes. This was the pang of realization that he may never see his parents again and he began letting a few tears escape from his eyes as well

Knight: Don't worry young boy. You will see them again soon.

Galleth looked up at the knight and he smiled, wiping the tears from his sleeve and looked to his friends who were with much older looking knights then the one that picked Galleth. After a few hours the eyes of the young raccoon began to become heavy and he nodded off to sleep.

It was when he was shaken by the sound of crunching gravel when he was awoken and saw a sight that was majestic. He saw a massive palace in the center of a town, surrounded by walls and on the inside of the walls was a large city that was plastered with markets and many other animals. Galleth had his mind blown when he was taken to the palace and saw that the king of the country, King Richard a lion, was looking at the young boys with a gentle face

King Richard: Young boys, you will be living with the knight that has chosen you. When you are of age you will become a real knight in this court where you will protect the villages of this county. It that understood young boys?

Boys: Yes sire!

The great king then excused himself and then the knights took hold of their new apprentices and took them to their respective training courses.

Knight: Are you ready to begin your training young boy?

Galleth: Yes I am! By the way, what is my master's name?

Knight: You may refer to me as Sir John

Galleth: Well sir John, I am ready to begin my training

Sir John: Good

He then threw a wooden sword at the feet of Galleth

Sir John: Then pick up the sword in front of you

Galleth hastily picks up the sword and as soon as he picks it up he is instantly disarmed by Sir John

Galleth: What was that for?

Sir John: You never know when an enemy will attack you. Pick up your sword again

Galleth does so once again only to be disarmed by Sir John once more

Sir John: Well maybe I made the wrong choice in picking you

Galleth was know fuming at this answer and he picked up his wooden sword once again and began attacking Sir John in a blind rage. Sir John skillfully blocked all of his blows and after only a mere minute of blocking his attacks he once again disarmed Galleth

Sir John: Well it seems that we have much more work to do

Over the passing months Galleth was put under the most intense training out of every one of the other knights candidates. Galleth knew that this was going to be a difficult task in training but he wanted to become a knight so bad that the pain often inflicted after a hard day of training was well worth it. He also remembered that he had to stay strong for he made a promise that he swore to keep. If there is one thing that Galleth wanted to be remembered for was that he was the world's greatest knight. He knew that thieving would be in his blood, but he was going to become a knight first and see where that would lead him.

(Three Months Later)

Sir John: AGAIN!

Once again Sir John had disarmed young Galleth, but he was now lasting much longer then before. His new record was ten minutes but he could never defeat Sir John in a sword battle. This continuously frustrated the young raccoon as that was the majority of his training. Sure he had learned how to use a bow, how to be chivalrous to every woman he met, and how to use a shield to perfection. For some reason sword fighting wasn't going as well as the other parts of his training.

Sir John: Well young Galleth, I feel that you have done well enough in your training that I am going to treat you to something special

Galleth: What, am I going to be scrubbing the house again?

Sir John: No, a real treat this time. Just follow me.

Sir John was real exited about this, which was odd to the young Galleth so he followed his master. As usual they never walked on the streets of the city, but they climbed the rooftops. The reason for this was so that the young raccoon would be very strong in both his siege abilities should the tower not be able to deploy, so the young raccoon would be able to climb the castle walls with ease.

Once the knight and his young apprentice arrived at the destination the young Galleth became intrigued in what he saw. He saw that two knights in full clad armor were riding their horses and had large swords that were conical and seemed ready to do battle

Galleth: Sir John, why are those two men dueling? Has their honor been put into question?

Sir John: No young one. The event that you are witnessing is known as a joust.

Galleth: A joust?

Sir John: Yes, it is a friendly competition between two knights that is purely for sport

Galleth looked at his master and began to watch as the match began and the two knights were charging at each other at high speeds. Poor Galleth was at the edge of his seat as the two knights neared each other and the one that had a red flag at the end fell to the one that was carrying the one with a blue flag at the end of the lance

Galleth: That…was…

Sir John: Breathtaking?

Galleth just nodded and realized that he had to be a better swordsman so that Sir John would teach him his new passion

(Ten Years Later)

Galleth had a steel broadsword and was fighting against the bully that had messed with him when he was younger. Things seemed to go towards the bully's favor until Galleth remembered something that Sir John had taught him when he was twelve years old

*Sir John: Remember the bigger the are…

Galleth: (loudly) The harder they FALL!

He then rolled and cut the knees of his opponent causing him to fall in pain and dropping his sword and having Galleth to win another sword duel.

Galleth: (hand extended) Good match

The bully was looking as if he thought that Galleth was going to kill him, but he took his hand and Galleth took him the infirmary where he saw that Marx and Timothy were waiting for him outside of the infirmary. After Galleth set the bully inside he began talking to his friends

Marx: Boy, you really did a number on him Galley, eh?

Galleth: Yeah, and you nearly beat the life out of that last duel you had, and you didn't even have a sword!

Marx: (modestly) Yeah, well…not as nearly as surprising as Tim here who managed to beat his opponent while his opponent had a steel sword and he had a wooden sword

Timothy: Hey, it was just a matter of watching his movements with intent.

Suddenly four of the Royal Guard knights came close to them, which they immediately kneeled. They were taught that these were the best knights in the kingdom and to treat them with the same decency that the king would receive. The leader was General Vulpine Foxahom, who from what I heard was a very young general at that and also has blood lines tracing back to Egypt. The fox took one look at our kneeling and smiled

General: Rise men

The young men rose to their feet and they saw that the general was holding three sheets of parchment and then he threw them at the trio

General: You are all very fortunate that the king allowed you such an honor

Galleth: And what honor would that be General?

General: Well read your parchment and you will find out

After one last smile the general had left and then Galleth was the first to read his aloud

Galleth: "Young men, you have been summoned to the court of the gracious King Richard, the honor you will be receiving is the honor to become…A ROYAL GUARD!"

The other two boys opened their letters and saw that the very same message was written on them and they quickly ran to their respective masters. Sir John was now much older and was training his young son when he saw that Galleth was running to him at full speed holding a piece of parchment

Sir John: What is the news Galleth?

Galleth handed him the letter and when Sir John read the letter he instantly beamed and went to his personal armory. He then handed Galleth a sharp steel sword. Galleth was amazed as he knew that this sword was Sir John's prized possession.

Sir John: Take care of this. Oh, and before I forget you received a letter from the small hamlet I picked you up from all those years ago.

Galleth took the letter from his hands and read it to only find to be written in Egyptian. He chuckled as he knew that only his father wrote in Egyptian to avoid other people to read any personal messages. His Egyptian was a little rusty, but from what he read he realized that the letter bore grim news. He quickly ran outside and found his horse and began riding out of town. He rode nonstop for hours until he had reached his hometown. How much the place had changed, as the place looked the worst it has been in years. Galleth quickly ran to his house only to find that his father bore claw marks on his chest barely alive. He looked around for his mother only to realize that he was looking at her already. She was on the walls, the floor,…he had arrived too late. He saw his father stirring and he quickly ran to his side

Galleth: Father?

Slytankhamen: M-m-my son…I want you to have the objects in the corner over there…

Galleth quickly ran to the corner to find that his father's khopesh were stained with blood. He began shedding tears and went by his father side once again

Slytankhamen: I-I-I-I also have something else for you my son. Before that I wish for you to remember one thing my son

Galleth: (tearfully) Yes father

Slytankhamen: Remember that whenever the worst seems to come, the best is always there too. My son, don't let the deaths of your mother and I bother you, Clockwerk flies these skies once again, so you must be wary my son.

Galleth: Father…

That was when the first master thief of the clan said these final words

Slytankhamen: My son, never give up, no matter what others may say. This town became overrun by a cruel lord right after you left. I tried to stop him, but he was too smart to my methods so I wanted you to take care of him, but your training to become a knight was always in the way so I waited until you became a man. But it was too late as Clockwerk had finally found us, please help the town, save the citizens…

That was when death finally took Slytankhamen II leaving only his son to weep at the death of his family. He looked in his old room to find that his father had one last gift for his son. He saw that on his old bed laid a brand new lance. This lance was not like one that Galleth had seen before. It had looked like a massive hook made of a sturdy looking metal and he had also seen a shield that had the symbol of a raccoon that was on the Thievius Raccoonus. He knew that someone somewhere had to pay for this

(Two Months Later)

For Galleth being in the Royal Guard was not all it was cracked up to be. Sure he got free things, had instant respect, and the maidens were flocking to him, but somehow he felt as if he was out of place. He knew his ancestry as a thief ever since he was a child, but he knew that being a knight was his dream. He was torn between two worlds that he knew would never work out. He also began feeling that he was hallucinating as he began seeing a large amount of blue sparkles that no one else could see.

On one of his daily patrols he saw that the local slave trader, a pigeon named Ronald, was shipping his latest haul

Ronald: Well will all ye scum just shut up back there?

Galleth: So how is it transporting slaves Ronald?

Ronald: Ah, Sir Galleth are you perhaps interested in a slave here? I have at least a dozen ye can choose from. I know that ye have a new home to yerself and you could use a slave or two to keep the place clean eh?

Galleth: Well maybe I will stop by at the auction

Ronald instantly beamed and began to make his way to the center of the town. Galleth shook his head and he saw that Marx and Timothy were riding towards him

Galleth: How goes things my brothers in arms?

Marx: We found the man you were looking for

Galleth: (serious) Well were is he?

Timothy: He is in a small fortress about a day away. I am still not sure about this Galleth.

Galleth: Well thank you my friends, now I must make this journey alone

Marx: Well my friend I believe that will not happen

Galleth: What you are going to stop me?

Timothy: No we want to help. We know that you come from the family of a thief, but we know that this man has done you wrong.

Galleth: You are willing to lay down your dreams so I could seek my father's dying wishes?

Marx: I will always break anything you want, you helped me in the past so it is time for me to repay the favor

Galleth: And you Timothy?

Timothy: You two wouldn't last a day without me.

Galleth then smiled and put his hand in the center and Marx put his right after Timothy who did the same. Afterwards they heard a commotion in the center of town. When they rode their horses they saw that the slave auction was starting. The first one that was up was actually a pair of slaves. One was a pink hippo that was very menacing who was next to a scrawny yet intelligent looking turtle

Ronald: We have a field boy and a house cleaner, both male, never traded. Starting bid six gold coins for each

Bidder 1: Eight!

Bidder 2: Ten!

Bidder 3: Thirteen!

Galleth saw the sad looks on the faces of the boys and he had the better of his instincts take over

Galleth: Twenty-Five!

Ronald: Sold! For twenty-five gold coins each!

The handler then went to Galleth and held out his palm demanding the payment. Galleth of course paid in full and had the two boys sit close by. After about another hour of watching slave after slave be sold he saw that there had been only one slave left. This one was much different from the other ones that Galleth had seen being sold. This one had a slimmer figure and had a burlap sack on their head. After only a moment the sack was removed to reveal a beautiful looking tan female raccoon. She also looked about the same age as Galleth and he knew that she was a very different type of slave. He felt that his pant leg was being pulled by the young hippo slave that he had bought a while back, who had been quiet until know

Hippo: Please sir, can you maybe purchase this female?

Ronald: An eighteen year old raccoon female. Very feisty, excellent cook, and also very beautiful. Starting bid thirty gold coins

Galleth: And why should I young one?

The turtle responded instead of the hippo

Turtle: Please, she is a saint, she aided us while we were ill, she fed us her portions of food when we were hungry

Bidder 4: Forty!

Bidder 5: Fifty-Five!

Hippo: She is like a mother to us

Galleth took this into heavy consideration and looked at the woman who had very similar eyes that his mother had. They burned with a deep hazel in color and that was what made Galleth make a rash decision

Galleth: Two Hundred!

That was when the whole crowd went silent and looked at Galleth as if he was a crazy person

Ronald: Well sold for two hundred gold coins…

Then the handler then led the slave girl to Galleth and he gave him the exact amount right then and there and he began leading the slaves to his new abode. The new villa was on the outside of the city in a small countryside but the place was away from all the hectic antics of the city. Since it was practically brand new there was barely any furniture but there had been two rooms and something that the designer called "indoor plumbing". Galleth had no idea what it was when he first bought it but he found it to be particularly useful as he began using it.

He looked at the slave boys and asked

Galleth: What are your names young lads?

Turtle: My name is Bartleby

Hippo: My name is Maurice

Galleth: Well you two will share the room at the end of the hall. No troublemaking ok?

Both: Yes sir!

They both then scurried to their new room leaving only Galleth and the female slave

Woman: I am not calling you master

Galleth: I wasn't counting on you to

Woman: Then what shall I call you?

Galleth: You may call me Sir Galleth Royal Knight

Women: May I just call you Galleth?

Galleth: You shall (kisses hand) and what shall I call a maiden such as yourself?

Woman: (blushing) You may call me Miriam

Galleth: Well Madam Miriam, may you please watch the children for a while? I have…urgent business that needs to be attended to

Miriam: Yes I shall make sure that they do not get into trouble

Galleth then bowed in respect and jumped right on his horse and met his comrades Marx and Timothy on the outskirts of the county

(Next Evening)

They had arrived to the small fortress that held the evil governor Lord Baxter. The one who made his home such a disaster that it had caused his father to come out of hiding.

Marx: So Tim what is the plan?

Timothy: I plan that Galleth finds his way the top of the fortress and steals the treasure, tosses it in the bags and throws it down to me, while Marx you will make sure that I don't killed

Marx: Check!

Galleth: Great another time where I do all of the work

He stuck his sword in the ground, left his sword, but he took his lance and the khopesh that belonged to his father and he began looking for a way into the fortress. He then saw a rope that was covered in the blue sparkles. Being curious he grabbed the sparkles and he began climbing the rope. Surprisingly the sparkles were a good sign and he managed to make it to the foyer of the evil lord. He then realized that the doors were heavily locked. Thinking that there was no way in when he saw the blue sparkles were being collected around the window that was next to the door. He trusted his instincts and he saw that the blue sparkles came to his favor yet again and he managed to open the large window and he saw that the lord was heavily asleep.

Taking this to his advantage he looked and put all sorts of valuable treasures into several burlap sacks. After about filling up eight large burlap sacks he then grabbed a small cloth that Timothy had created that will slow the descent of the bags so no one would get crushed. Unbeknownst to Galleth Timothy and Marx were in a heated fight with the guards of the palace and were cornered

Marx: Well buddy it looks like the end

That was when one of the sacks of treasures fell into a freefall and had hit the head of one of the guards, killing him instantly. Then Timothy had remembered something that he had bought from an old Asian man in the city a few weeks ago. He saw that there was a torch nearby he lit the piece of string on the small clay ball and once the string began to sparkle he quickly threw it at the nearest guard who caught it and he was staring at it with curiosity and once the clay ball exploded he no longer had a hand or a part of his face

Galleth heard the commotion outside when he had dropped off the last bag of treasure and unfortunately for him so did the evil Lord Baxter who drew a sword and was about to stab Galleth only to be shot in the head with an arrow. Galleth saw that Baxter was dead on the floor and he looked for the shooter only to find a figure in a cloak riding a horse back to the palace.

(The Morning After)

Galleth, Timothy, and Marx were hauling the treasure to their hometown and evenly giving everyone one piece of treasure. Even though they had given everyone in the city one piece of treasure they each had a sack of treasure for themselves. Not wanting to keep his newly acquired children waiting. When he was coming up to the small villa he called home he saw that one of his horses seemed to be tired and when he came to investigate he saw that a bow and arrow case was almost hidden perfectly in the rafters.

He came inside and he saw that the younglings were playing with a small ruby that Galleth didn't remember getting

Galleth: Maurice, Bartleby, where did you get that ruby if I may ask?

Bartleby: Oh Miss Miriam gave it to us. Why are we in trouble?

Galleth: No you are not in trouble, but where is Miss Miriam?

Maurice: She is sleeping in her room

Galleth then walked to the other room to find indeed that Miriam was sleeping. He also saw that the Thievius Raccoonus was out and he knew what he had wanted to write in it

Thievius Raccoonus: "To all those that read this book and plan to be one of the greatest master thieves in all of York, be wary. Not one man can do it alone, so if you plan to invade the great castles of the world, then please gather the companionship of a strong warrior as well as one that has a greater intellect. No matter what anyone may speak of, it is best not to be alone to be a master thief. And look for the blue stars that surround you, although they seem deadly they will be the greatest of aide in becoming a true thief. From Sir Galleth Cooper of the Knights of the Cooper Order"

(Six Years Later)

The young ones were grumbling as their feet were shuffling in the hot desert sand of Arabia. They had to escape York as Clockwerk had killed the king in order to find Galleth only a month ago so he had to relocate to Arabia to avoid capture

Maurice: I am hungry

Bartleby: You are always hungry

Miriam: Will you two youngsters shut it or I will whip you

Galleth: Now dear, don't upset the children, they are just tired and your baby will be restless if you continue to stress over trivial matters

Miriam sighed as she rubbed her three month stomach and happily awaited the child of her and her husband Galleth. And who knows, Arabia may be a peaceful place

(Meanwhile in York)

Clockwerk: Where is that insolent child! I have played nice and if you do not tell me then I will be forced to kill you

Both Timothy and Marx had stayed behind to make sure that Clockwerk was plenty distracted so that Galleth and his family could get away. By now they are near the brink of death and knew that they didn't have much longer so with their final words they said

Marx: Then kill us

Timothy: We will see you in Hell

Clockwerk then struck them with his mighty talons and began to look around the city once again

Clockwerk: I will find you Cooper…and I will kill you…

Love it? Hate it? I just ask three simple things to those that read this. Please leave a review about how the story is going, I mean this whole chapter is over 5000 words long and I am posting this at 3:00 am Mountain Time for my readers. Second I made a historical reference, if anyone can guess it then they will win a prize (hint: king). On a final note, if you have a chance, stop by the new forum that I made in the Sly Cooper section. Peace. Salim Al Kupar is next