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SONIC CHAOS 3: UNDERGROUND ARC - ALEENA
Training and Travel
Charles braced himself for the meeting with his father. The first interaction he had with the man since returning from his latest assignment, and it would be a formal meeting. That would figure. Drawing a deep breath, he marched into the study where the old king was. "You called me, dad?" he asked.
"Yes Chuck. There's something I want you to do for me," the King said.
"What is it?" Chuck asked.
"Your sister is being tutored in swordplay, have you heard?" the King said.
"Yes," Chuck warily replied. "Jules told me as much."
"Her tutor is an appalling man she danced with at our last debutante ball," the King bluntly said. "I dropped by during their first lesson. It had gotten… intense. More intense than I was comfortable with. So from now on I would not have her train with that man unless you are present to ensure no harm is done to her. At least until we can be sure her tutor is stable."
"If it's to protect little Ally, I'll do anything pop," Chuck replied, worried. "When's her next lesson?"
"In about an hour in the training room," the King answered.
"I'll walk her to it and stick around," Charles promised. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes to keep my siblings and Bernie safe."
"Thank you son," the King said with a breath of relief. Charles bowed and turned to go. The King smiled after his eldest in approval. As Charles started walking away, though, his smile slowly fell. "Chuck!" he called. Charles paused, turning curiously. "Welcome home, son. I've missed you. We all have," the King murmured gently. "It seems you're never really around much anymore."
Charles, touched by the sentiment, smiled a bit. "I'll try harder to be around more, dad," he said. "I-I've missed all of you too."
"On your way then, son," the King said, nodding. Chuck bowed and left.
SU
Sleet, preparing for the day, was growing increasingly more agitated and annoyed at the man standing near at hand who was also preparing for the day. Jules. Of course it would be, the wolf bitterly thought to himself. It would be his luck to end up stuck getting ready with him. Miserable hedgehogs.
Jules was well aware of the disgusted looks he was receiving from the wolf. At first he'd been patient and ignored them, but now they were getting on his nerves. At last he gave in and turned sharply to the wolf, a hand on his hip. "Is there a problem, Sleet?" he bitterly asked. Sleet huffed and turned attention back to his armor. Jules glared. "Look, I get you don't like me, but I'm the reason you're not in prison or dead yet, so show a little gratitude."
"Oh of course. Thank you for getting me stuck with the task of tutoring a princess about a thousand times more annoying than you are, sir. I'm so very grateful," he answered, sarcasm thick in his tone.
"Good," Jules replied just as flippantly, eyes narrowed. He turned back to his armor, starting to put it on. "Aleena isn't half as bad as you seem to think. How about you don't antagonize her further than you already have? Maybe you'll see as much for yourself. Besides, you're her knight now. It's best you learn some respect for her."
"I'm not 'championing her at tourney'!" Sleet snapped, making quotations with his fingers.
"No, but what you'll do is put your neck on the line for her!" Jules agitatedly replied, turning sharply on him. "Your duty as her knight, mock or not, is to protect her, guard her, serve her, go out of your way to ensure she's safe… As much as I'm sure you don't want to, you have little choice. Your only alternative is death. Look at the bright side. It may only be temporary. They did say, after all, that it's only until you've made up for the dishonor you showed her."
Sleet glared at him. Jules glared evenly back. "I'll do as I see fit," the wolf at last answered. He locked on the last piece of his armor and marched out to join Aleena in the training room. A pity it couldn't be the training grounds instead. He focused better in the open air than in some stuffy room. They would need to work towards an outside session, he determined, but for now this would do.
SU
Aleena finished readying herself for the day, grim-faced. It would open with a training session. That was not something she relished, but at least it would improve her skills. A pity her tutor could not have been anyone but the wolf. Sighing in frustration, she finished up and rose to go to the training room.
She had only gotten about halfway there when suddenly she was interrupted. "Princess Aleena," a familiar voice said from a branching hallway. She paused and looked into it. There, leaning on the wall and tossing a knife up and down in his hand, was the outline of a figure she recognized almost immediately. She felt herself bristling and stayed quiet. The man pushed off the wall and emerged from the shadows, stepping out into the light with a cold smile.
"Drago," she impersonally and warily greeted. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to ensure my partner is being taken care of," he answered.
"I thought you weren't friends," she said coldly, folding her arms.
"Oh, we're not, but when you make a big investment, you tend to want to protect it," Drago answered. She was quiet. "How are you, princess?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she answered. "Just on my way to a lesson with Sleet. I wanted to learn to fight, my mother wanted only the best to teach me, and he it seems is the best. At least in the skills I have interest in."
"You know, I could teach you a few things too," he answered, putting a hand on the wall next to her and leaning close.
She was quiet and still, not sure how to interpret that. "I'm sure you could," she bitterly answered at last, attempting to move away. She gasped when he rested his other arm on the wall, trapping her between them, and suddenly she felt very uncomfortable. More so than she already had. She looked up at him, a hint of fear in her eyes. She regretted that fear when it only seemed to amuse and goad him further. She told herself that perhaps he was just trying to make her uneasy. Much like Sleet tried to get under her skin. She frowned and straightened up. "Get out of my way," she coldly said.
"Aren't you curious what you could learn from me that he could never teach you?" Drago replied.
Aleena was quiet. Part of her was indeed curious, but the other part made her feel like whatever it was he would teach her, would not be something she wanted to learn. "Get away," she said again. "I'm already dealing with one aggravating wolf. I don't need another."
"Aleena?" she heard a familiar voice say.
Aleena gasped and looked quickly towards it, a desperate and hopeful look in her eyes. "Charles?" she exclaimed half in delight and half in fear.
Sir Charles eyed Drago up warily, moving towards his baby sister. Drago growled quietly and backed off. Aleena let out a breath of relief. Her brother came up alongside her, giving Drago a dark look. "Just what's going on here?" Chuck asked.
"Nothing that your presence didn't fix," Aleena answered, looking back at Drago coldly.
"Good," Chuck said, glaring at the wolf. He turned to his sister. "I'm supposed to be chaperoning your lessons. Dear old dad wasn't too impressed to see how they went first time around. Wants to make sure you're extra safe. Guards outside, me inside."
Aleena sighed in mild annoyance. "For goodness sake," she said in a measure of frustration. "Very well. I suppose I can understand his unease. Will this be a permanent arrangement?"
"Only until we can be sure Sleet isn't gonna hurt you," Chuck replied.
"He has yet to significantly damage me in any way, shape, or form," she replied, linking her arm through her brother's.
"Just a precaution baby sis, that's all," Chuck answered with a rueful smile, walking away from Drago with her. As they did, he gave a dirty look to the wolf over his shoulder and picked up the speed a bit. He turned to Aleena. "You alright?"
"I have one wolf constantly attempting to get under my skin and another purposely trying to make me uneasy. Is that just in their nature?" she dryly asked.
"Nah. But it's in the nature of general scum and jerks," Chuck replied with a smirk. Aleena smiled a little and glanced over at him. As soon as they were out of Drago's sight, she stopped and turned him around quickly, hugging him tight. Chuck blinked a few times then smiled affectionately, wrapping his arms around her. "Haven't said hi yet, have I?" he murmured.
She shook her head. "I've missed you, Chuck. I'm so, so glad you're back," she mumbled.
"I've missed you too, baby sis," Chuck gently replied, smiling and hugging her closer. She grinned, relishing it.
SU
Aleena glared at Sleet, mood immediately soured when she saw him again in person. His already bitter mood seemed to become even more bitter in turn. He looked at her brother incredulously, then to her. "He will be monitoring our lessons from inside," she said. "To ensure no altercation."
"Your father's faith in me is so reassuring," Sleet sarcastically replied.
"My father cannot be blamed for his wariness, given the impression you've chosen to make so far," Aleena said.
"Perish forbid his little girl make a bad impression herself," Sleet replied.
"I was nothing but polite to you at first, until you turned it on me," she replied.
He rolled his eyes and took a sword, tossing it towards her. She caught it with a frown. Chuck glared at Sleet, looked at Aleena with a soft smile, then nodded and moved away to watch from the sidelines. Aleena watched him go and looked to Sleet expectantly. Sleet huffed. "We'll be working on defense," he said. "Master that before you move to offense. If you're fortunate, your guards will always reach you before you need to go on the offensive. We start with parries, counters, and locks. Perhaps some disarming techniques later if you learn quickly. They might be put on hold for next time though," he said.
"Suddenly so professional, Sleet. I much prefer this," she said as they began to circle one another.
"Don't get used to it," he replied. "Slash at me."
"With pleasure," she replied, going at him quickly and cutting her blade through the air. He raised his sword and effectively deflected her slash with a parry.
"Again," he said. She did so. This time he countered it, sending her staggering back with a gasp. "Again," he prompted. She scowled and did so with a shout. This time he locked up their blades, smirking. "Already becoming angry, princess?" he asked. "Keep a cool head in battle. You'll do much better."
"I can't help it if your mere presence infuriates me," she replied with a cold smile.
"Oh, what's the matter princess? Am I your weakness?" he replied with a cold smile of his own. She pulled back and slashed three more times quickly. He defended easily against each one, locked her blade, spun her around, and held his sword to her throat, trapping her against his body. "Ah, ah, ah. A cooler head than that, your majesty," he said. He yelped when she spiked him suddenly, jumping back from her. She spun and stopped her blade just short of his neck. He stiffened up, eyes widening a bit. She smiled at him and winked. He scowled. "Impressive," he bitterly admitted. "I hadn't taken into consideration your quills. A sad thing, though, that your best defense only comes into effect when you've been captured. We'll certainly have to work on that one."
She pulled her sword away from him and stepped back. "Then let us begin in full. You have demonstrated, now leave it to me to practice."
"Very well," he said. "Parry!" He went at her and she quickly did so. "Counter!" he ordered, attacking again. She did so. "Lock," he ordered, spinning around and striking. She locked his sword. He quickly got around it and cut at her without warning. Nimbly she dodged out of the way, faster than the blade could be swung. "Now no more cues. Put into practice everything. You'll get a hang of what to use and when eventually." She nodded and he unleashed on her, attacking relentlessly. She gasped and frantically tried to keep up.
The two moved swift and graceful through the training room, dancing swords singing and clashing. They moved around one another deftly, dodging and attacking at every opportunity. Charles straightened up a bit, amazed by the display. His sister was a natural. He grinned, priding himself on some of that. "Go Aleena!" he cheered.
Aleena smiled a bit, redoubling her efforts against her tutor who, despite how quickly they seemed to be moving and how powerful his blows were, was still clearly holding back. Sleet increased his attacks steadily until Aleena could barely keep up and was starting to get nervous. Suddenly he pulled off a deft movement, dropping, sweep kicking, and knocking her to the ground. Immediately he pounced, pinning her and holding his blade to her throat.
"There's your threshold," he said, smiling coldly.
"Only because I have not been taught how to deal with it," she replied.
"Simple. Always be aware of your surroundings," he answered, standing up. "Never forget that a body is as much a weapon as a sword, if it has to be. Tripping an opponent up is a common but effective method, and is almost guaranteed to be used in a battle. Unless you're aware of that, you're guaranteed to be hit by it every time. If you're quick, though, you can still block or counter an enemy's attack when you're on the ground. It takes practice, but it's doable. He offered his hand. She considered batting it away, but what really was the point in that other than to seem petty? She took his hand and he pulled her up, immediately after putting distance between them. She was a little confused by that, but soon caught on. He had distanced himself in case of deceit resulting in a sneak attack.
"Are you always so suspicious of the motives of others?" she asked.
"Suspicion will keep you alive. Remember it. Never rely on the good will or gratitude of an enemy. Some may be genuine, but many more will use it to their advantage. At least if they're clever."
"More like if they are wicked," she answered. "If an enemy shows you good will, you should accept it. If you try to turn it on them, you may not get a second chance."
"Most often you won't need a second chance. They'll be dead," he answered.
"In case they aren't, you'll need the chance," she bluntly answered.
"That's where calculation of an opponent's skill comes in," he replied.
"If they beat you once, they can do so again," she said.
"If they beat you once, there's an equal possibility they just got lucky," he answered. She shook her head hopelessly at him with a frown, hands on her hips. "Now, again," Sleet said. The onslaught began anew, and Aleena faced it.
Charles listened to their conversation in interest and watched them dance through the training room. It had been a long time since he'd seen his sister so engaged in banter and conversation. They complimented one another well, he noted to himself with a frown. Better than father would be pleased with, were he ever to witness it. He flinched a bit when once more Sleet sent her to the ground.
SU
"Sir Jules," Bernie said, approaching Jules who was sitting by the courtyard pond reading a book.
Curious, Jules looked over and smiled at her. "Bernadette," he greeted, rising and closing the book. He tucked it away and looked at her again. "What is it my lady?"
"I'm supposed to go to Knothole today to tend to some political duties there. I of course need an escort to accompany me as a guard. I was given permission to pick who I took, so I thought I would ask you. The trip shouldn't be long if we take an airship. You'll be back in time to spend a few hours with Aleena, if all goes well, so what do you say?" she replied.
"I'm honored, princess," he answered, bowing to her with a smile. She smiled back as he straightened up and approached her. "Are we leaving now?"
"As soon as you're ready, yes," Bernadette answered.
"I have all I need on my person," he answered.
"Good. Perhaps we'll have something to eat when we arrive, then get down to business," Bernadette said.
"Is it safe for you to travel with only one lone guard?" he asked in a measure of concern, frowning a bit.
"There will be guards waiting in Knothole too," she answered. He smiled and nodded, following her to the ship they would be taking.
They climbed in and Bernadette took the wheel, grinning. "You can fly?" he asked, sounding impressed.
"What? You thought I couldn't?" she asked, starting it up and lifting into the air.
"Well, learning to fly never really struck me as something princes and princesses would ever have to learn. Charles never knew how to fly when I first met him. He learned in Knothole. I suppose I thought that neither you nor Aleena would have picked it up either."
"Aleena prefers robotic steeds, but is extremely capable of flying. So am I. Chuck never really had much interest, so he learned later I suppose. I'm surprised he learned at all. Maybe he wanted to impress baby brother," she replied with a smile, taking off. "You know, I never knew that he was only Aleena's half-brother until he told us he'd found out he had another sibling. Aleena asked if he meant they both did, and he said no. The brother was only his. We were both confused, and he told us about the King's previous marriage. They split up, right? And she married someone else and had you?"
"As I understand it," Jules confirmed, nodding. "Then the king married your aunt and gained a niece slash stepdaughter in you, then Aleena was conceived. Honestly, I'm still surprised Charles is alright with his brother showing interest in his sister. We're unrelated, true enough, but I would have thought the idea would still seem strange to him."
"Charles is practical and pragmatic," Bernie said with a smile. "He's aware there are no blood ties between his brother and his sister, so he lets it go and moves on. There are more important things he can spend his time thinking about. His beautiful mind can't be held up on petty gripes like that when it's at work on a million other things."
"True enough," Jules replied with a smile. "The man is brilliant."
SU
It wasn't long before Jules and Bernadette arrived at Knothole. Bernadette landed the jet just outside the city and disembarked with Jules at her side. "Give me a moment to change into something less conspicuous. The less attention I draw to myself the better," she said.
"Peasant garb?" Jules teased.
"Cute," she replied with a smirk, walking towards a bush to get changed behind it. He smiled after her and looked away, keeping an eye out for any threat that might be nearby. He jumped a bit when her dress landed on his head and quickly pulled it off, looking blankly at it. He turned and saw her head poking out above the bush, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She giggled a bit and ducked behind it again. He blushed, cleared his throat awkwardly, and folded the dress feeling more flustered than he had any right to. Soon she emerged in a casual summer dress and smiled at him. "Thank you," she said, taking the folded royal gown back and tucking it away. "When we're due to arrive at the palace, I'll put it back on. For now, the more invisible I am the better."
"Knothole is your ally," he said.
"Enemies can come from within too," she answered.
"I certainly can't argue that one," he said with a roll of his eyes, thinking about the soldier who had set Sleet on him.
They entered the beautiful village and smiled at the peace and quiet. "It's so much less bustling than Mobotropolis," she said with a contented sigh. "I love it here."
"It was a wonderful place to live," Jules said with a small smile, looking around.
"Do you still have a house here?" she asked.
"Yes, and I intend to keep it," Jules answered. "When this military nonsense is all said and done, this will be where I settle down."
"Unless you marry Aleena," Bernadette somewhat quietly said.
"Huh?" he asked, looking at her.
Bernie shook her head ruefully. "Aleena is an adventurous spirit, but her home base has always been and will always be Mobotropolis. I suppose it makes sense. From there you can access anywhere, after all. Knothole would be my choice."
He nodded in understanding and for a little while they lapsed into silence. "This is a good place to eat," he eventually said, stopping in front of a little café.
She looked curiously over. "Good food?" she asked.
"Very good," he confirmed.
"Well then let's go," she replied with a smile. He nodded and followed her in.
SU
As the two entered the little café, Bernie looked all around taking in the atmosphere appreciatively. She looked ahead and gasped when she saw a family dressed for a funeral sitting at a table, clearly in mourning.
"Oh," Bernie said in sympathy. "Maybe we should go." He was quiet. "Jules?" she asked, looking at him. He looked suddenly exhausted, and she shifted uncomfortably. "What's wrong?" she asked, worried. Jules let out a breath and approached the family. Bernie stayed back, a little concerned.
"Mr. and Mrs. Rabbot? I'm so sorry for the loss of your youngest son and your daughter-in-law," Jules said, drawing near. Mr. Rabbot's hand clenched hard on his glass. Jules tensed up a bit, sensing the tension, but before he could move back, suddenly the man let out a shout of rage and went at him, seizing his throat and throwing him up against a wall! Bernie screamed, covering her mouth. Jules cried out in pain as the much older man held him in place.
"My son and his wife died under your command!" the man bellowed.
"Dad, no!" one of the others at the table exclaimed, jumping up in alarm.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Jules choked out. "I swear to you I did everything I could."
"That isn't good enough! They left behind a child!" the man raged, slamming Jules against the wall again.
"Leave him alone!" Bernie exclaimed, unable to stand by anymore. She ran to the rabbit, seizing his arm to try and pull it away. He threw her violently back and a surprised scream escaped her lips as she fell to the ground.
"Bernie!" Jules exclaimed, reaching after her. The man kept him pinned against the wall, though. Bernie shook off the fall, scowling, and seized a bottle, throwing it at the man's head. He cried out in pain as it shattered against his skull and drenched him in whatever liquid had been inside. Instinctively he dropped Jules. Jules landed on the ground and raced to Bernie's side, seizing her hand and pulling her quickly towards the door. He stopped before leaving, though. It seemed he just wanted the exit to be easily accessible in case he couldn't deescalate this situation.
"Jules," Bernie breathlessly said, now fearful for him.
He shook his head. The man, scowling, turned darkly to the Commander and the incognito princess. "I'm sorry your son and daughter-in-law died. I wish I could bring back the dead, but I can't! I just can't!" Jules said. "I know that no amount of compensation can ever make up for your loss, it never will, but what will taking it out on me accomplish for you?"
"Death," the man sneered.
"I'm not going to kill you," Jules replied, shaking his head and gesturing for Bernadette to get out. She wasn't inclined to do any such thing.
"Then the King will sentence me for your murder," the man replied, darkly advancing.
"And what happens to your other son? Your son who's just lost his little brother? How will he cope if he loses his father too?" Bernadette asked, tone testy though she was trying to stay calm. "He's watching you right now. Look at him. Look how you're scaring him!" The man stopped in place at those words, torn now between wrath and unease. "Commander Jules cares deeply for his soldiers. More deeply than any officer I've ever known! If he claims he did everything he could, then he did everything he could," she pressed.
"Bernie, it's alright," Jules assured, trying to soothe her.
"No, it isn't! Jules…" she began in concern.
He shook his head warningly and looked back at the man. "If you want to take it out on me, so be it. But not like this. Hate me as deeply as you want, but does there need to be anymore death than there's already been?" The man was silent. At last, he turned and left them without a word. Jules let out a quiet breath of relief and quickly ushered Bernie outside. Once out of the café, Bernie drew a shaking breath. "I'm sorry that you had to see that," Jules quietly said after a moment, bowing his head.
"How can he blame you for what happened to his son and daughter-in-law?!" she demanded, voice wavering a bit.
"Because in the face of tragedy, people search for someone to blame. There will always be a scapegoat. Most often that scapegoat is the one who was in charge. Don't worry about me, Bernadette. It's alright. I've faced situations like this before. I'm used to them," Jules assured.
"You shouldn't have to face them alone!" she protested.
"I didn't today," he answered with a small smile. "Thank you for standing up for me."
"Of course. How could I have done anything else?" she replied.
He chuckled fondly. "Maybe we should head for the castle a little early," he said. She nodded in agreement. "If it's late by the time we're done your business, we'll stay the night at my place and set out for Mobotropolis in the morning. Is that alright?" Jules asked.
"More than alright," she replied with a tender smile. He blushed a little and grinned at her.
SU
Aleena's training ended with her winded and Sleet breathing heavier, but still none the worse for wear. Nonetheless, she had tired him out more than she had been able to last time. At this rate, soon enough he would be as drained as her. Or so she hoped. Charles was clapping and grinning, highly impressed. "Great job Aleena!" he said. "You really did well."
"One man's opinion," Sleet bit.
"You're breathing heavy, so that's a start," Charles replied, frowning at him and going to his sister. He smiled at her again. "Give yourself a well-deserved bath and rest up a bit." Aleena smiled at him and nodded.
"Even your own brother can't stand the smell of you," Sleet bit.
Her eyes darkened and she gave him a sharp, disgusted look. "Clearly he still prefers it to yours," she bitterly replied.
"Aw, poor little princess. Don't worry. You'll get used to the smell," he answered, giving her an annoyed look.
"I'm hardly sure I want to," she replied.
"Cute that you think you have a choice," he replied, getting testy now.
"Temper, temper, Sleet," she mocked, turning her back on him with a smirk.
"Bathe thoroughly," Sleet said to her in annoyance.
"I intend to," she answered. "At least mine will be warm."
"You can't take a little cold?" he asked with a mocking smirk.
"I can, but comfort is far more appealing," she replied, walking proudly out and dragging her brother along with her. Charles looked from one to the other in mild concern, but also interest. They really grated on each others' nerves, he noted. Or at least it had started that way. Now, though, it sounded like it was morphing into banter. Interesting.
SU
Sleet glared after them, arms crossed, then sighed in annoyance and made his way out of the castle. He was supposed to meet up with Dingo in the courtyard soon to touch base. As he made his way to the meeting place, he heard a sound and stopped, cocking his ears. He turned his head in the direction of the noise and spotted a figure lingering in the shadows. He sniffed the air almost imperceptibly, say for a small flare of his nostrils, and sneered a bit. Drago. He glanced around then went towards his employer.
"Just what are you doing here?" Sleet asked.
"Whatever I please," Drago replied, stepping out. "I'm growing impatient, Sleet. When do we make our move against the princess?"
"When I say we do," Sleet replied. "The process is slow. Get used to it."
"You're training her," Drago noted.
Sleet was quiet a beat. "My training the princess is my business," he soon said, tone becoming cold. "She won't become a threat."
"Forgive me if I seem unconvinced," Drago bluntly replied.
"Grasping at straws, Drago?" Sleet replied. "You focus on you. Let me worry about the rest."
"Sleet!" a happy voice called out. Sleet and Drago both turned and saw Dingo hurrying towards them. The pup glomped Sleet, knocking the wolf to the ground with an 'oomph'.
"Dingo, you buffoon! Get off me!" Sleet insisted, struggling.
"Sorry mate, but I missed ya!" Dingo said, letting him go and scrambling off. Grumbling, Sleet rose and brushed himself off in annoyance.
"Pup, you see the princess at all?" Drago asked.
"Um, no?" Dingo replied.
"You sure?" Drago asked.
"Uh, I dunno," Dingo answered, shrugging.
"You'd know her to see her. No prettier girl anywhere that I've ever seen," Drago said.
"She's not all that," Sleet bitterly said, grimacing at the thought of the princess. "Beauty is shallow and deceiving. Careful not to be blinded by it, Drago."
"Blinded. There's a thought. Blind her," Drago said, smirking darkly. "Stir up some chaos, play hero and lead her away to what she thinks is safety, but really drag her right into our den."
"Stick to the plan of courting her proper," Sleet warned with a grow.
"Who are you kidding? She hasn't looked twice at me and never will as long as her hedgehog Commander still breathes," Drago said. "I'd advocate taking him out, but he's surrounded at all times."
"Not all times," Sleet darkly replied.
"Even if we did erase him from the picture, her next pick would probably be her Captain of the guard or that nobleman she danced so frequently with. As far as would-be suitors are concerned, I'm at the bottom of the list," Drago said. "She's not going to choose a wolf just because she's fascinated by their culture. She's smarter than that it seems. Pity. Makes it that much more difficult to get her into my bed. I'll manage though. One way or another. In fact I'll do whatever it takes, Sleet. With or without you. Don't waste too much time playing teacher," Drago said, smirking darkly.
"Do what I tell you to and she'll be all yours. Strike out on your own, though, and whatever happens to you stops being my problem," Sleet said, tone dark. "While you rot in prison, I'll be making plans of my own. After all, we're at war. A thousand political advantages to kidnapping a princess, and here your main concern is personal pleasure. How pathetic."
"Personal pleasure, Sleet, is just the icing on top. My ambitions aren't as low as you seem to think. After all, there's a lot a person will do to cover up shame and dishonor," Drago answered coldly, smirking. Sleet was dead silent. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he was unsure how to react. He was unsure what Drago even meant.
"What's personal pleasure?" Dingo asked.
"Personal pleasure, Dingo, means…" Drago began.
"Nothing you have to concern yourself with," Sleet cut off sharply.
Drago darkly chuckled and looked to Sleet once more. "First she'll be my pleasure. Then she'll be her family's shame. A pregnant, unwed princess. Now how do you think that will go over? At that point her options will be to marry me or become a pariah. Then it's just a matter of getting daddy and mommy out of the way, and presto! I'm king, baby," Drago said. Sleet scowled, eyes narrowed. "Don't play stupid. You knew from the start where this was going," the white wolf continued, sounding highly amused. "You were just too blinded by greed to care. Don't ask don't tell, huh? Guess I broke that rule. Oops."
"You'll be her royal consort, not her king," Sleet testily said.
"Oh no? See what happens after I'm through with her," Drago replied.
"You repulsive little…" Sleet began with a sneer.
"Oh don't act so high and mighty. You're the one who was willing to sell a girl's life and honor for money. You knew what I'd do to her when I had her. What? Did you plan to make me into some hero saving the damsel in distress from the evil bounty hunter so she would have me willingly? Maybe your plan was to make me into the rejected suitor who would step up and take her side against some jerk at a ball so she'd give him a second look. Or did you just choose not to think about it? You'd catch her, hand her over, and walk away telling yourself ignorance is bliss," Drago replied. Sleet felt a hot flush rise to his cheeks and refused to acknowledge the feelings that accompanied it. Shame, guilt, and embarrassment were not emotions an efficient bounty hunter was supposed to feel, he told himself. "Aw… Sudden attack of conscience, Sleet?" Drago mocked.
Sleet quickly recovered himself and steeled his expression, suppressing the uneasy and conflicted feelings inside him. "I don't care what you do with the princess," he bitterly replied.
"Don't you?" Drago asked. "Then how about I tell you exactly what I'm going to do with the princess?"
"Don't even think about it! Especially not in front of a child," Sleet snapped, pointing at Dingo. Why those were the first words he could coherently come up with was beyond him.
"He's gonna need to learn it sometime, Sleet," Drago replied. "If the kid can't take it, he should man up."
"Drago!" Sleet yelled. He turned to Dingo. "Dingo, leave!" he ordered, pointing towards the garden. "I'll find you later."
"But…" Dingo began.
"Go!" Sleet snapped, making the pup jump. Dingo looked uneasily from Drago to Sleet, then uncomfortably nodded and hurried off. Darkly and menacingly Sleet turned on the white wolf. "As for you, I've been meaning to take my frustrations out on something that won't be missed," he darkly added. "You'll do." Drago's eyes barely had time to widen before suddenly Sleet was on him!
SU
Aleena looked around, puzzled, seeking out Jules. When she failed to find him, she went to the study where her father would be. She knocked on the door. "Enter!" he called.
Aleena did so, slipping in. "Father, where is Jules?" she asked.
"Jules? I believe he went with Bernadette to Knothole as her guardian. I sent your cousin there in a sort of ambassadorial role and told her to choose her own protective detail. If Jules isn't here, he was probably one of them," the King said.
"Oh. I see," Aleena said. She felt a little hurt, to be honest. She had been looking forward to spending time with him. She supposed, though, that he was the best choice her cousin could have made for a protector. She tried to ignore the prick of jealousy going through her. After all, why shouldn't Bernie be interested in the Commander? Jules was a good man. An excellent one in fact! If her cousin should like a chance, then her cousin would have a chance. She still couldn't help but feel a little upset, but she put on a smile nonetheless. "Very well. I wish her luck in her mission. I will find something else to occupy my time with." Perhaps the music room. She had always liked it there. She walked out of the room quickly before her puzzled father could make sense of her behavior. For as smart as the King was, he was also blissfully unaware and oblivious in many ways.
SU
As Aleena made her way through the palace, she heard the sound of someone talking to himself and paused with a curious frown, looking towards one of the bedrooms nearby. Curious, she approached it. It was open a crack, and so she peered inside. There she saw a child jumping on a bed playing with two toys and talking to himself as he acted out some sort of imaginary scene with the two little toys. His voice was quite odd for a child's, she noted with a frown. This must be the pup that had come with Sleet. There was no other explanation for how a little boy would get here at all. She hesitated a moment, then soon knocked lightly on the door.
The child stopped jumping on the bed and was quiet. "Little one, may I come in?" she called softly. He didn't answer. "My name is Aleena. I am the daughter of the King and Queen." After a moment she heard him scramble off the bed and go to the door, tugging it open and looking warily up at her. She was startled by his size and appearance, jumping a bit and blinking. Recovering herself quickly, though, she smiled. "Hello. What's your name?"
He shifted a bit, debating whether or not to answer. "Sleet says not ta talk ta strangers," he soon replied in an Australian accent, which surprised Aleena.
"Hmm… Perhaps Sleet is wiser than he lets on," she answered, not able to completely hide the bitterness in her tone at the thought of the wolf.
"Sleet's the smahtest!" the boy said.
"I doubt that highly," Aleena dryly replied.
He tilted his head curiously. "You don't like 'im?" the boy asked.
Aleena grimaced and frowned. "We haven't gotten along," she answered.
"Oh. That's alright! Sleet nevah gets along with anyone at first," the boy said.
"A wonder he has friends at all," Aleena said.
"He don't," the boy said.
Aleena was not in the least bit surprised. Nonetheless, she put on a smile. "Do you like your room?" she asked.
"It's the best one I evah had!" he exclaimed. He seemed to deflate a bit after, though. "Except it won't last, Sleet says. Just for a little while, 'cause we don't live heah."
"It will last for some time I'm certain," Aleena dryly replied. Sleet was certainly in no rush to make up for the dishonor he'd shown her.
"Yay!" the boy said. He thought a moment. "Me name's Dingo!" he soon declared.
Aleena smirked a bit. "I thought Sleet told you not to talk to strangers," she said, amused.
"You're not a strangah anymore," he answered.
"Hmm… I think Sleet needs to teach you a little bit more about what strangers are and aren't," Aleena teased gently. He looked confused and she sighed. "Never mind, Dingo. I'm very pleased to meet you."
Dingo nodded. "You're real pretty," he said. "Drago likes you lots."
Aleena stiffened a bit. "Oh?" she soon asked, unsure of what to think of that. If Dingo had said that any other man 'liked her lots', she would have been flattered, but Drago unsettled her for some reason. She just felt instinctively repulsed by him.
"Yeah. I heard 'im say there's no prettier girl anywhere he's evah seen," Dingo said.
Aleena shifted, starting to feel a bit guilty about how much she inherently disliked him. Perhaps she was the one in the wrong for judging him. "Oh?" she asked curiously.
"Uh huh. Sleet told him ya weren't all that, and that beauty was shallow and deceiving. Whatevah that means," Dingo said.
"Oh?" Aleena somewhat bitterly replied, crossing her arms. "What else did Sleet and Drago say?"
"Um, Drago said that he wants t' have ya in his bed and wants t' do whatevah it takes t' getcha there," Dingo said.
Aleena started, stiffening a bit with eyes going wide. She didn't feel so in the wrong anymore. Her eyes narrowed darkly. "Oh?" she icily asked. From the mouths of babes, it seemed.
"Yeah," Dingo replied, oblivious to her change in tone. "I dunno what that means, maybe a sleepovah, but Sleet got real angry at 'im and they argued, and Drago asked Sleet if he wanted ta heah everythin' Drago planned t' do ta ya. Sleet totally lost it at 'im Aleena. He told 'im that he wasn't t' talk like that in front of a little kid, then Drago said I gotta learn it sometime and that I should man up, then Sleet told me ta leave and I'm pretty sure he attacked Drago, 'cause I heard lotsa yelps and was real worried Sleet would get hurt, but he didn't. Drago wasn't hurt either though I don't think. At least not bad enough that I noticed."
Aleena was slightly pale. "Wh-what? What does Drago plan to do to me?" she asked.
"I dunno. Sleet told him not ta say in front of me, remembah? I just know Sleet got real mad, so I don't think Drago's gonna do anythin' as long as Sleet's in the way," Dingo said.
"I-I… Thank you, Dingo. For telling me all of this," Aleena said, flustered and uneasy now. Taken aback as well. There was no more information she could glean from Dingo about the situation, she sensed, but Sleet… She steeled herself. As soon as opportunity presented itself, it would be him she confronted, she determined. Whether he wanted to face it or not. Perhaps after they finished their next training session. Or maybe she could find him elsewhere in the meantime, away from Chuck's prying eyes, and confront him then. One way or another, she would get to the bottom of this. Nothing was right about any part of this situation.
"Am I one of your bounties?"
"Wait and see."
She let out a sharp and shaking breath of air at that memory. "Princess Aleena?" Dingo asked, sounding a bit concerned.
Aleena shook her head, snapping out of it, and looked down at him. She forced a smile. "It was very nice to meet you, Dingo. Perhaps we will see one another again soon." After all, his intel on Sleet and Drago could prove imperative to her safety and the safety of her family… He was sweet besides. She liked him.
SU
"Bernadette, welcome," King Max warmly greeted, standing alongside his bride Alicia who cradled their son in her arms.
"It's always a pleasure to welcome a member of the royal hedgehog family," Alicia agreed. She looked to Jules. "Welcome back Commander."
"Queen Alicia," he greeted with a smile, bowing to her.
King Max frowned in a measure of concern. "Are you alright you two? You both seem a little shaken."
"Just… a bereaved family member is all, majesty," Jules quietly said, looking down and away.
"Oh Jules… I'm so sorry," Alicia said, eyes filling with concern.
"It's fine," Jules replied. "There's no shortage of bereaved and bitter family or friends these days."
"That's no excuse for how you were treated," Bernadette protested, still agitated about the whole affair.
"I'm far from the only one, Bernie. Families are being torn apart, friendships ended, love affairs brought to a close… When grief gives rise to the blame game, it's painful for everyone. We just have to march on. What else can we do?" Jules said, looking at her.
Bernie sighed in frustration, folding her arms and bowing her head with closed eyes. He was right, she knew. She wasn't happy about it, but it was what it was. Sometimes circumstances were just out of your control. She looked back up at Max and Alicia. "Can nothing be done to protect the soldiers coming home from being mobbed?" she demanded.
"Sometimes those who have lost loved ones don't care about the punishment, as long as they feel they got their revenge," Max said ruefully, shaking his head. "I'm working on the matter. So is your Uncle and many of our other allies. Speaking of which, you're here on his behalf and your mother's, right?"
"Yes. I'm here to help you arrange a summit between Knothole, Mobotropolis, and various other nearby nations who, for lack of better words, are all in this together and would be wise to acknowledge as much," Bernadette said. "At that summit, the current situation is to be discussed as well as plans and methods for dealing with the human threat. It goes without saying that we're not faring well, and things will fast get dire if we don't get a handle on it and take the fight to them before they bring it to us. We've tried peace, we've tried reason, and none of it so far has worked!" She sighed, shaking her head. "It seems the only thing they understand is violence. I really, really hope I'm wrong, but it doesn't feel like I am."
"Maybe they're just scared," Jules suggested, comfortingly taking Bernie's shoulders. She gave him a grateful look. "Maybe they've heard rumors or have been listening to some sort of rhetoric that demonizes our kind. Maybe that's why they're so determined to get rid of us."
"Rhetoric is hard to fight," Max ruefully said. "I'm at a loss. I think all of us are. A summit may be just what we need. Very well. I will put out the call. It will take place here in Knothole. It's about as neutral a place as there is anymore."
"Good. I'm here to help as best I can," Bernadette said.
"I appreciate it Bernie, but there's nothing you can do. It's just a matter of sending letters. Everything else I can arrange," Max assured.
"Well, if you need me I'm here," she said, nodding.
"It hardly seems worth the trip that you came here simply to deliver a message and make a suggestion," Alicia said with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry Bernadette."
"No, it's alright. Communications are no longer secure. Something's been tapping into them, hijacking calls and information sessions. Confidential information has been leaked, more than anyone is comfortable with, so Mobotropolis has cracked down on protocols surrounding that. Now most our business is done in person when it can be helped. Knothole would be wise to follow our lead," Bernie said.
"Agreed," Max said, nodding. "We'll discuss the matter and advocate for it. Do you two have a place to stay the night?"
"We will stay at my home, your majesty," Jules said.
"Will you now?" Alicia asked, perking up and sounding a little intrigued. Bernadette, Jules, is there something you're not telling us?"
Both Jules and Bernie started, blushing. "N-no Majesty! It's not like that!" Jules immediately replied.
"He's courting Aleena," Bernie quickly backed.
"A pity. You two look sweet together," Alicia teased with a smile. They blushed even more.
"Alicia, really now. Don't embarrass them," Max said with a smirk. He turned to them. "You're free to stay here as long as you like and leave as you please," he said.
"Thank you, Majesty," Jules said, still sounding flustered and a bit embarrassed. "We'll take our leave now, so we're not in your way while you arrange the summit. It's a fair trek to my house anyway."
"Very well. Goodnight Jules, Bernadette," Max said.
"Before we go, how has Elias been Alicia?" Bernadette asked, smiling at the little one in the Queen's arms, who was watching curiously.
Alicia smiled fondly at her child. "Wonderfully. He's the center of our world. I fear he'll be horribly spoiled as he grows up."
Bernadette smiled softly. "It's a pleasure to meet the young prince outside of your visits to Mobotropolis," she said. "Goodbye dear."
"Goodbye Bernie. Come to visit us anytime you can, alright? And tell Aleena I said hello," Alicia replied.
"Of course," Bernie replied.
"Goodbye majesties," Jules said, bowing to them. Turning, he left with Bernadette.
SU
As Jules and Bernie exited the palace, they exchanged rueful smirks. "I'm sorry about that," she said to him.
"It's alright," he said with a smile. "Come. I'll show you to my place." She nodded and walked alongside him.
It wasn't too long a walk by foot, but it took a bit of time. Bernie didn't regret a single second of it. Every moment had been spent in conversation and debate and laughter. As some point their hands had entwined. She noticed but wasn't sure that he did. She was just waiting for him to figure it out and pull away. It would hurt when he did, but she would enjoy it while she had it. The way he was looking at her… She wished he would look at her like that always.
He looked ahead. "This is it," he said.
She turned her head curiously. "Oh. It's so cute," she said.
He chuckled a bit. "Cute, huh?" he teased.
She flushed a bit. "I-I didn't mean that in a bad way!" she said.
"I know," he said, smiling. "It is cute, you're right about that." He pushed open the doors and gestured for her to enter. She smiled and did so. "So, there are three bedrooms. Master, guest, and Charles' room for whenever he stays over."
"Guess I'll take the guest then," she said.
"Alright. Bathroom is here, kitchen is there. Make yourself at home," he said. "Are you cold? I can light the fireplace."
"No, it's alright," she assured, smiling at him and sitting on the couch. "Thank you, Jules. For letting me stay here,"
"What else could I have done, my Lady?" he replied with a smile.
"Well, you could have left me to stay in the palace," she said.
"And abandon my duty to protect you?" he replied.
"You think you can outclass the royal guards?" she asked.
"I can certainly give them a run for their money," he answered, sitting next to her.
She smiled at him and looked down, brushing a quill behind her ear. For a moment there was silence. "How goes courting my cousin?" she soon asked.
He didn't answer immediately. "It's good," he eventually replied, though he sounded a bit unsure. "She's a wonderful conversationalist. Beautiful, smart, quick-witted… That said, we haven't had much time to spend together since the debutante ball. It was one thing after another and well, honestly, I've spent more time with you than with her at this point. When we go back tomorrow, though, she and I will for sure spend some time together."
Bernie was quiet. "Well, I wish you luck," she soon said. "You… deserve to have what makes you happy. You're a good man."
He was quiet. "I'm not sure about that," he soon said. "Honestly I feel more like a failure."
"You blame yourself for the deaths of the men under your command. You can't wear that, Jules," she said. "It's war. Death happens. It sucks, really, really sucks, but that's just how it is you know? You can't control the actions of everyone."
"I know… But thanks," he said.
She smiled at him. "Hey, I'll make us something to eat and then we'll turn in, okay?"
He smiled, nodding. "I can help you if you'd like," he said.
"No. My treat," she said, standing up and going towards the kitchen. "Next time we eat together, if we ever do, you can try your hand at it."
"I'm surprised a noblewoman learned to cook," he teased.
"Well, I couldn't be totally useless," she joked, winking at him. He chuckled, smiling after her, then looked down at the floor, smile falling. Suddenly this courtship with Aleena was starting to feel a lot more complicated, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that…