Chapter 10: The Rabbit
"Man this is boring" Rik said, "wonder how long they'll keep me here." Moments pass and Rik is just sitting against the wall singing "thirty-two bottles of mead on the wall, thirty-two bottles of mead-" suddenly he heard someone at the cell window. It sounded like a scraping sound was coming from there.
"Hello?" Rik said, "who's there, whatcha doin?"
"Mph wha?" asked a guard by the cell door.
"I thought I heard someone at the window" Rik said.
"Yeah well there isn't no one" The Guard said, "now let me alone will ya?" The day dragged on and eventually night came, and Rik was just sitting there still. He thought hard all day how to escape but there doesn't seem to be any way.
"There has to be a way out" Rik said, "wish Tox could have stayed a little longer."
"I am still here" Tox said.
"Tox!" Rik said, "I thought the memory pod things effects wore off."
"Nope" Tox said, "you can still see ghosts."
"Yeah anyway I need to get out" Rik said, "ideas?"
"Nope, none" Tox said, "sorry."
"Oh great" Rik said, "you don't even have a clue either, well that's it I'm stuck here forever now."
"Not exactly" a girl's voice came from the window, "they plan to execute you."
"Whaaat?!" Rik asked alarmed, "no one told me that!"
"Yeah" The Girl said, "the gallow is set up in the town center and everything."
"Well what I do then?" Rik asked, "you bustin me outta here?"
"Yeah" The Girl said, "come to the window." Rik drags a chair to the window stands on the chair and peers out the window." The dungeon was underground slightly so the ground was pretty much where Rik's face was. Anyway Rik could see in the moonlight some rabbit girl kneeling down at the window wearing what looked to be an adventurer's outfit.
"You're a rabbit" Rik said.
"Yeah, everyone is around here" The Rabbit said.
"I know but I guess I didn't-" Rik began but the Rabbit Girl interrupted saying
"Hey! We don't got all night, we'll chat after you escape."
"Okay" Rik said, "how do I do that then?"
"Yank on the bars" The Rabbit Girl said, "I filed them so they should just snap off now." Rik yanked on the bars and they popped right off.
"Wow you are a clever little girl" Rik said.
"Hey!" The Rabbit Girl said, "I am not little, I am almost 16 now!"
"Sorry" Rik said, "I didn't know that, any chance you got my quivers of knives back?"
"Um, no" The Rabbit Girl said, "that would probably be impossible, I am not that sneaky."
"At least got a dagger?" Rik asked.
"Umm, no" The Rabbit Girl said, "I just decided to bust you out, guess I didn't really think anything through."
"Well" Tox said, "at last she freed you".
"Yeah Tox" Rik said, "still I have nothin to fend for myself."
"Uh who were you talking to?" The Rabbit Girl asked, "you're not crazy are you?"
"No" Rik said, "I'm not let's just go, I'll take this bar with me for whackin if I need to do any." Rik crawls out from the cell window and crouches with the The Rabbit Girl.
"Good, great" The Rabbit Girl said, "lettuce go then!"
"Was that a pun?" Tox asked.
"Heh yeah" Rik said, "she said lettuce I guess cause she's a rabbit?"
"Yeah" said The Rabbit Girl, "that's it pretty much, seriously who are you talking too?"
"My brother Tox" Rik said, "you see I went to this one world and-" he began but The Rabbit Girl interrupted once again saying,
"Woah, woah, just save it until we are out okay?"
"A'ight" Rik said, "what's your name at least?"
"Lucia" The Rabbit Girl said, "Lucia Chelery, now we can get to know each other better after we get you away from here."
"Okay Lucia" Rik said, "I am behind you." They sneak through the town, it was quite a big one too. There were houses, shops and of course a tavern and an Inn, the town was surrounded by a wall. Eventually the two and Tox made it to the exit but it was guarded by a single guard watching outward.
"A guard" Lucia said, "he'll never let you pass, knock him out with that bar."
"I was hopin I wouldn't have too" Rik said, "is there another way?"
"Afraid not" Lucia said, "I scouted the area at least before going through with this."
"Okay" Rik said, "just wait here then." Rik then snuck up behind the guard and struck him on the head. Rik checked to make sure he didn't do much more than knocked him out. He looked like he'll be fine and with just a terrible head ache.
"Great job" Lucia said, "now we make like a librarian and book it!"
"Heh heh" Rik said, "yeah right behind ya." Rik and Lucia retreat into a nearby forest and after some walking through the brush they came to a small opening. In this small opening Lucia had a little camp set up.
"Welcome to my little camp" Lucia said, "it ain't much but you can rest and I got some food." "Now that we are safe we can talk if you would like."
"Yeah" Rik said, "you can start with why you saved me."
"Yeah" Lucia said, "that, well I saw what happened." "It was them wolves that set the place on fire and killed them rabbits."
"You saw everything?" Rik asked.
"Yeah" Lucia said, "I was in that house, my foster parents told me to escape through the back so the wolves wouldn't get me."
"Your foster parents?" Rik asked, "what happened to real parents?"
"Also killed by wolf people." Lucia said, "I know now they are after me, they have to be cause this is the third time now!"
"Third time?" Tox asked, "that's quite unfortunate."
"Yeah I know right?"
"Hey!" Lucia yelled, "take this seriously and stop talking with yourself will you?"
"I was talking with Tox" Rik said, "he's a ghost you see."
"What really?" Lucia asked, "how do you see a ghost?"
"I dunno" Rik said, "but I am actually from another world and I was in a machine." "This machine let me see my memories or something and a side effect is somehow seeing Tox, my lil' brother." "Well adopted brother since you can't see him, he's a Black Draconmage, y'know kinda like a dragon but different."
"I see" Lucia said, "well not really but I kinda get it." "Anyway yeah, I saw you were wronged so I freed you and now you will aid me."
"Aid you?" Rik asked, "in what?"
"Finding out what the wolves want from me." Lucia said. "I must know why they killed all of my folk trying to get me."
"Okay" Rik said, "any idea why they are doing that?"
"Well" Lucia said, "Mother and Father have always said I was special." "I am not sure if that meant anything but it's something I guess?"
"Maybe" Rik said, "but I have my own stuff to do y'know."
"Like what?" Lucia asked.
"I need to find people" Rik said, "my son Greg and Lix a Blue Draconmage." "I also need to find a magical fox with wings, he took something from me."
"Okay" Lucia said, "well let's make a deal, you help me out and I'll help you, deal?"
"I dunno," Rik said "Tox?"
"Eh, do what you wish I suppose" Tox answered, "you'll have to deal with her if you say no."
"Good point" Rik said, "alright I will help you Lucia, but where do we start?"
"I have a map" Lucia said, "take a look." Rik looks at the map and it details the whole region. The region seems to be called Elantras.
"Huh" Rik said, "so the region is called Elantras?"
"Yeah" Lucia said, "named after the god herself she is the one that created everything supposedly." Rik looks at the map some more and determines it is a lot like back home with several towns scattered and one big capital.
"Hmm" Rik said, "what town are we near?"
"Graywood" Lucia said, "it is Rabbit people only but there are other towns with rabbits and wolves."
"Wait" Rik said, "wolves and rabbit live together? Let me guess the wolves are trying to be dominate now are they?"
"Only the one's that come from the capital city of Alegana" Lucia said, "most are content living peacefully but the ones from Alegana are trying to start a war against the rabbits." "And usually when they forcefully make them join the army they seem brainwashed, like they forgot who they really were."
"Hm, that sounds bad" Rik said, "anyway Alegana is way out North-East from us."
"Then we should head there" Lucia said, "the wolves that attacked were the soldiers of Commodus' army, The Taloned Paw."
"Okay" Rik said, "but won't that be dangerous?"
"Yeah" Lucia said, "I know but it is just too alluring of an adventure, I have a feeling they want me for a reason, I must know it."
"You're pretty brave" Rik said, "gotta give you that, anyway the Commodus guy, he's like a general or somethin right?"
"Yeah" Lucia said, "he is the meanest from what I hear, like I said he is forcing wolves to join him for some reason"
"So we should avoid him?" Rik asked.
"Yeah" Lucia said, "would be best for the both of us I believe." "Anyway will you help me or will you not?" "If not you may as well just go back to that cell cause I am out of here if you say no."
"Well, uh..." Rik said, "you did help me out so it's only fair I help you right?" "I swear to help you, knight's honor."
"Knight?" Lucia asked, "you are a knight? That's awesome! Just like the story books, if only I was a princess then the dream would be complete."
"Heh" Rik laughed, "sounds like someone read to many stories" he said nodding at Tox.
"Indeed" Tox said, "she just may have."
"Yeah" Lucia said, "I loved them stories, anyway rest up because tomorrow we head out".
"Okie dokie-artichokie" Rik said, "sweet dreams 'princess'."
"You too oh 'noble knight'" Lucia said back. Rik went to sleep and was dreaming about some homemade chicken when Lucia woke him up saying,
"Rik, Rik! Wake up and do the knightly thing and protect us from this demon!"
"Wha?" Rik asked still half asleep struggling to focus his eyes. "What demon? What the heck are you talking about?!"
"Over there numbnuts!" Lucia yelled pointing, "it's just, standing there, staring." Rik looks over and sees it's The Watcher.
"Oh for the love of" Rik mutters, "way to scare her Watcher" he said getting up. "I thought only I could see you or something."
"I can allow whoever I choose" The Watcher said.
"Wait what?" Lucia said, "you know the creep?"
"Yeah" Rik said, "trust me he is more annoying than actually creepy".
"Well perhaps" The Watcher said, I will keep the whereabouts of your son to myself then."
"What?" Rik asked, "hold on I was joking where is he?"
"He was apprehended" The Watcher said, The General took him to the Capital."
"Commodus himself?" Lucia asked, "oh no that isn't good."
"Indeed" The Watcher said, "you must go there if you want to rescue your boy."
"A'ight" Rik said, "Commodus won't get away with nabbin my kid" "Thanks Watcher, maybe you're not that bad after all"
"I only do what I must" The Watcher said, "if I didn't need you I would have just left you to wander aimless." "The far greater evil can only be stopped by you." The Watcher then absolves away.
"Well that was convenient" Lucia said, "now you also have a reason to go to Alegana."
"Yeah" Rik said, "I do, how long till morning?"
"A couple hours" Lucia said.
"Great" Rik said, "let's get ready to move then, I'm getting my boy back"
"Yeah" Lucia said, "and I am getting answers, let's do this thing!"
"Rik" Tox said, "do not do anything too rash, okay?"
"I won't" Rik said.
"I am just telling you" Tox said, "I feel we will not maintain contact for much longer."
"Wait" Rik said, "so you're leaving then? Why can't you stick around a little longer?"
"The effects of the lounger" Tox said, "they are wearing off and soon you will no longer see or hear me." "I just wanted to let you know that it was good to spend some time together again."
"Yeah" Rik said, "if there is a way sometime, try to talk to me again alright?"
"Of course" Tox said, "now we shall see how long I remain, until then find that boy."
"Uh-huh" Rik said, "will do Tox". Rik and Lucia pack up whatever they need and head out, through the forest, they walked and eventually out into an opening plain into a valley.
"Hey" Rik said, "there is some road near here, should we take it?"
"It would be easier" Lucia said, "but it could also be dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Rik asked.
"Yeah," Lucia said, "army patrols come through there from what I hear."
"Well" Rik said, "we can always run from any trouble because this valley looks a little steep."
"It is" Lucia said, "anyway road it is, if we get caught though it's on you."
"Me?" Rik asked, "you're the one agreeing to go through with this y'know."
"Well they do have your son" Lucia said, "taking the faster way is well worth the risk in this case." "However in the end it was your idea."
"Whatever you say 'princess'" Rik says.
"Are you really goin to keep callin me that?" Lucia asked somewhat annoyed.
"Yeah, why not?" Rik said, "you said so yourself, 'if only you were one', so that's your nickname."
"Well you deserve one too" Lucia said, "so I'll call you muzzle face".
"That is kinda dumb" Rik said.
"And that is why I call you that" Lucia said, "now let's go to that road Muzzle Face!"
"Oh ha ha" Rik said, "you are just too much." The two of them travel over the hill tops and to the dirt road with trees along the sides.
"Here it is" Lucia said, "the road."
"Yeah" Rik said, "wish I had more than just this rusty bar for bashin, I can fight pretty good y'know, just not with this." After walking for a bit the two see a couple of foot soldiers walking along the road.
"Hey!" A Wolf Soldier said, "stop there! What is the meaning of this?"
"What?" Rik asked, "we are just walkin."
"You? A wolf?" The Soldier asked, "and a rabbit, and not just any rabbit! You are to come with us miss, Commodus himself has been searching for you!"
"What!?" Lucia shouted, "why does he want me?"
"We have no idea" The Second Soldier said, "orders are orders y'know, and if you disobey he uh, well let us not dwell on that."
"Shut up Henry" The First Soldier said, "you talk too much you stupid whelp!"
"Aw jeez Stal I'm sorry" Henry said, "I really am, it's just he said-"
Shut up!" Stal shouted interrupting Henry, "you apologize too much too, keep messin up Henry and you'll really get it!"
"Ah-Alright Stal" Henry said. Since Stal was preoccupied with Henry Rik saw ample opportunity to strike Stal on the back with the bar" Stal yelled in agony and kneels in pain and Rik knocks him on the head knocking him out.
"Woah good one!" Lucia said.
"Oh no" Henry said, "don't hurt me alright? None of this was my idea."
"Yeah?" Rik said, "why shouldn't we hurt ya?"
"Cause I'm innocent" Henry said, "I was forcibly recruited, practically dragged me away." "And let me tell you, the king has done nothing!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rik asked.
"The King just let's Commodus do whatever, it's like he doesn't care maybe? I dunno." "Look the village I came from had lots of Rabbits, I was friends with a lot of them, my love was even one."
"So you're against them them?" Lucia asked, "good to see that not everyone can be brainwashed."
"Yeah" Henry said, "unfortunately most of them are, including Stal here, and to prove I am of no threat allow me too…" Henry pulls out his sword and stands over Stal.
"Woah!" Rik shouted, "hold on a second there, you don't need to do that!"
"What? Why?" Henry asked.
"Because you do not" Tox said, "killing him is wrong, he is being misled by a corrupt leader after all."
"Yeah" Rik said, "he was brainwashed by the Commander right? He deserves a chance don't you think?"
"Yeah" Henry said, "you're right, it's just that he.. I really never liked him, he was kinda a jerk, sorry, but we can't let him come with us".
"I agree, can't let him join us" Lucia said, "but who says you can join us?"
"What else am I gonna do?" Henry asked, "I am out, I am deserting, that is not who I am, and someone like Commodus and Stal will never change me!"
"A'ight then" Rik said, "come on along then I guess."
"Rik" Lucia said frustratingly, "we really shouldn't, three's a crowd y'know."
"Hey I won't hang around too long" Henry said, "I'll figure out what I'm gonna do while I travel with ya two okay?"
"Fine" Lucia said, "but we could use weapons, got any?"
"Yeah" Henry said, "here you two can take mine and Stal's daggers, good enough?"
"For now" Lucia said, "thank you."
"No problem" Henry said, "let me just put Stal away from the road somewhere and we'll get movin." Henry does that and the party are traveling along the road once more. They know they cannot stay on the road for long, so they plan to use a cave off the beaten pathway…
~Meanwhile in Alegana with Greg~
Alegana is a big, beautiful city with fountains, pretty gardening and astounding architecture. Unfortunately half of the city is now utilized as a military base for The Taloned Paw army and Greg was stuck in the middle of it. He was being shouted at and ordered around constantly, he knew to not say anything back or disobey because the punishment would be severe. While there though he would notice from time to time the king watching from the balcony of his castle. Greg of course couldn't tell for sure but he seemed sad, putting his hand over his snout, as if he was concerned over something. Something was not right, Greg intended to pay him a visit the first chance he got later that night and see if he can overhear anything…
End of Chapter 10
Chapter 11: The King's Woes
Available