PART IV
Regressions
Chapter I
The dreams returned to Mirage, only this time, it was becoming more real. She awoke to find she had fallen asleep in the forest. All around her, the night-time cicadas chirped and nocturnal life thrummed, filling the air with a wild, primitive music. A sharp pain suddenly struck her, and a paw instinctively shot down to her wound. When she brought her paw up, she could easily make out the dark traces of fresh blood. Taking the time to forge a makeshift bandage, she pressed on towards a faint, flickering light, knowing that Argent and the others had struck a camp away from the hideaway for the night. She soon found the camp was empty. Nowhere were there any signs of anyone having been in the camp, none save the small fire burning brightly in the centre of the clearing. Sighing to herself, Mirage slowly made her way towards the fire, taking a seat on a nearby log. Faint thoughts ran through her mind about the whereabouts of the others, but oddly enough there was no trace of panic. The pressing silence and soft crackle of the fire was all there was to entertain her, and they slowly worked their hypnotic spell on her. A soft crack suddenly caught her ear, and she spun about, reaching a paw for her dagger. However, the daggers were not where they should have been, so she found herself facing an unknown shadow unarmed. The shadow raised a paw as a sign of peace and approached her. "Mirage, you have grown." Mirage sat back down on the log as Ghost sat beside her. "Grown? How have I grown?" "In more ways than you know. We are proud of you, Mirage, and I can tell that you will go far with our mission." She glanced at him and furrowed her brow. "What mission? Argent said something, that we stood for a goal, but she never told me what it was." "Think, Mirage, and look at yourself. You already know the mission, and you have done well thus far." Ghost pointed at the fire. "You see that flame? Someone once used a flame to encourage me, and in it I saw a life. I tried to pass that life on to my son, Spectre, and he then passed it on to his heir, and so on. It has gone down the lines, and has now come to you. You are a part of something special, Mirage, and all we can do is hope you decide to keep the flame alive." Mirage was thoroughly confused by all of this, and she made it known through her expression. Ghost caught on and grinned under his hood. "Be patient, Mirage. All will be revealed to you in due time. Until then, talk to me." Mirage nodded. "I guess I can ask you this," Ghost nodded. "How are my parents?" Ghost smiled and pointed across the fire. Standing, their expressions full of the love they carried for her in life, was Storm and Shadow. Tears welled up in Mirage's eyes as she jumped to her feet and ran to them, welcomed by their warm embrace. She looked up at them and felt the warm tears fall down her cheeks. "I miss you two so much." "Mirage, we miss you too," Shadow said. "We just wish we could be there to watch you grow." "I want you back," Mirage sobbed. "Why'd you have to die?" Storm placed a reassuring paw on Mirage's shoulder. "It was our time. Now, we have passed everything on to you. Learn to cherish everything, Mirage. A future is directly linked to both the past and the present. Being thus, if you shun one, you forsake all three. Everything you learn and experience throughout your life will help you in your mission, Mirage. I speak for us all when I say we are proud of you so far. Just do the best you can, and you will shine." "Who's everyone?" Shadow pulled the hood over his face. "Look around you, Mirage." Mirage looked around and gasped. Circled around the fire was a small group of beasts. Several were ferrets and, like herself, were clad in dark green robes. Standing beside Ghost was an odd collection of beasts, one badger, two hares, a mouse, and an otter. Mirage was just about to ask who they were, when everything was suddenly pitched into darkness. She let out a silent scream from the sheer abruptness of it all, turning to find at least the comfort of the campfire was still there. Walking towards it, she huddled down to share in its warmth, only to find no matter how hard she tried she could not keep the cold at bay. It was then she saw the figure. The bushed tail gave it away, coupled with the sharply angled ears. Fox. Clad in a robe similar to what Ghost had donned, the fox was simply hunched on the opposite side of the campfire, hood drawn, and watching the flames. "Kass?" Mirage shivered a bit, trying to look under the hood in the firelight. "Slick? Mikael?" The hooded fox glanced up, a pair of familiar eyes, iced over, staring at Mirage steadily, causing the ferret to glance about uneasily before resettling her gaze on the hooded vixen. "Argent?" The vixen hissed. "You cannot win this fight. We will stop you.and no matter how far you run, you will not escape sharing in your parents' fates." Mirage awoke with a start and looked around her dark room. The lamps in her room had gone out again, and it took her a moment to realise that she was not in the forest, nor was she surrounded by the ghosts of an unknown past. Sighing heavily, she got out of her bed and searched out her robe in the dark. The dream was still fresh in her mind, and she was lost as to what to make of it all. As far as she could tell, there was nothing to do but accept them as they came and wait to see where everything would take her. Still, something lingered about the final moments, by the shadowed campfire, and brought about a strong chill that kept her from making her awakening unknown for a while longer.
Chapter II
"So, you think the dream was telling you something?" Argent and Mirage were sitting alone in Argent's room. Mikael had remained with Seaver, and the two had started to slowly discuss a common interest in swordplay. Argent insisted that Mikael only wanted to intimidate Seaver by boasting his personal skill. Now, though, they were discussing Mirage's dreams and trying to find sense in them. "It must've meant something. Every dream has a significant meaning, am I right?" Argent shook her head and shrugged. "To be honest, I have no idea. Have you learned anything from them at all?" Mirage found herself trying to match the look in the vixen's eyes with the one she had been met with in the dream, and to no avail. "They said I have, and I've done well in some mission or something." Argent took some time to think, her mind processing the information and everything she knew. "Well, then let's think back on some things. What, if anything, have you learned since coming here?" Now it was Mirage's turn to tax her brain for an answer. "Well.you told me to start looking at myself in a new way.I've started looking into the past for answers," she paused, "not to act for my own self.." She froze, as if struck by a sudden revelation. Silently, she reached a paw into the pocket of her robe and withdrew Ghost's old journal. "I picked this up when we went back to my house and I try to read it, but I always forget to." She opened it up and studied the opening entry. "It says that 'The Watch will one day meet its match, though its spirit will never die.' Is that my mission?" Argent smiled softly. "You mean carry on what your parents stood for?" "That's what you told me my first night here." Mirage closed the journal and slid it back into her pocket without saying a word. "So," she finally said, "it's up to me now?" Argent nodded. "You and those who follow you. You are a born leader, Mirage, and we want you to help us fight Drek. We had planned on asking your parents, but now we must ask you. You have had time to look and search out your past, and now all I ask is a simple plea. Will you help us?" Mirage smiled and nodded. "Of course I will." She scratched under her chin and hesitated a moment. "Uh, Argent?" The vixen arched an eyebrow slightly. "Yes?" "There was something else in that dream.that kinda has me feeling a bit uneasy." The ferret tried to think of a smart way to put this. "It was this vixen.she knew me, like a friend, though I never got her name.and she said I couldn't escape and would die like my parents." Argent blinked, thinking for a moment. "Hmm. Might have been a nightmare. You don't think it was someone here, do you? Shara's not one to betray, and you know I couldn't." "I know.it was just probably a nightmare, like you said." Mirage shrugged, standing. "Well, I should probably go out and.uh.make myself busy, see how the side holds up when I'm working." She patted her bandaged side gently and shrugged, turning towards the door. "Mirage?" Argent stood, following as far as the door and opening it slightly. "I'm stumped, honestly. Maybe I was wrong, and some dreams are truly useless." "Nightmares aren't useless, Argent." Mirage forced a faint grin. "They scare me, and most that have them. They are, indeed, masters of spreading fear, and doubt." She shrugged lightly as Argent pulled the door the rest of the way open. "I'll try not to think about it too much. Thank you, again, for your help."
Chapter III
Slick was the only one in the centre room, seated comfortably and relaxing at the table with his eyes closed. Mirage furrowed her brow. "Isn't it your watch?" "Relax, Seaver's on the spot now. I'm takin' a break." "Seaver?" Mirage started for the main door. "You're putting him up on the watch?" "Again, relax." Slick glanced over towards Mirage, stifling a yawn. "Seaver's on the spot, with Mikael to watch his back. I'm not that daft, you know." Mirage nodded, sighing to relax. "Of course not Slick, never said you were. I just haven't been thinking clearly, is all. Where's Shara?" Eyes instinctively went towards one of the closed doors, a suspicion confirmed by a pointed finger. "Know when she'll be awake?" Slick shrugged a bit. "Hopefully by the time Kass gets back. He went out to find a few selective spices for the potluck. He promised as close to a real decent meal as he could muster, this time of year and all." Mirage chuckled softly. "Of course, I'm sure it will be grand indeed. Suppose I could head up, keep Mikael and Seaver company, or at least bore them with idle banter about truly nothing." Slick chuckled. "Nah, let Mikael have some fun tormenting Seaver. It's a bit of a jealous thing, you know. Seaver has his eyes set on Argent, and Mikael's not one to let that happen." He smirked a bit, standing. "My vote, Mirage, is that you rest up and get as much sleep as you can. I'm going to head out, make sure Kass gets in all right. Last thing we need is the cook getting lost." Trying not to laugh at a less than realistic mental image, Mirage nodded him off. "Tell Mikael and Seaver I said 'hullo' on your way out, please." Letting that go, she moved over to her room, pushing the door open and stalking in to sit heavily on her bed.
Seaver crossed his arms over his chest, frowning slightly at Mikael. "You shouldn't even be out, not with that wound, you know." The sentry shrugged slightly, holding back a wince. "I'll live. Can't remain bedridden forever, you know. Besides, you need to start working and not all of us trust you fully just yet." "You'd all be dead by now if I couldn't be trusted. You realise that, don't you?" Seaver glared off towards the surrounding woodland. "And where'd Shara get off to, hmm? She said she wouldn't be far." "She'll be back in no time. Probably wandered off with Kass to help him gather. Should be a good meal tonight, you know." Mikael cleared his throat slightly and grimaced. It hurt more than he would afford to show to the one standing across from him. He hadn't even told Argent just how much the, as he called, poke to the side left him starved for sleep. She would work and fret herself to death over the thing if she knew. "Have you seen Mirage today, by chance? I could hear her talking in her sleep last night through the walls." "She's been doing that a bit, of late, by my ears. Mikael.what's her story?" Seaver was met by a half curious, half condemning stare. "Fine.I'll ask again later. It's getting late. Kass and Shara should be back by now." "It's far from late, Seaver. Give them time, they will return. They always do. Besides, Kass knows if I go without a good meal I get a temper. He's too kind-hearted to unleash that on these parts." Seaver chuckled dryly and shrugged. "Might want save that one for Drek. You can fast before we challenge his ranks." "I said a temper, I never said a fury or wrath." Mikael grinned. "My tempers are.more intellectual rants than anything. Drek would either beg to be deaf, or silence me." "Let's hope it's deafness then.he wouldn't hear an assassin's approach." Seaver turned to start down the stairs. "I'm not blind, Mikael. Mirage is an assassin, whether you know it or not. This 'Guardian' nonsense she's being fed is only skin deep." "That claim, Seaver, is nonsense. No goodbeast or noble has ever favoured the assassin's trade, nor its calling." "Assassins, my dear Mikael, can be as noble as the highest King. It is a form of power, an art, and a trade. Made only evil by those using it who are, themselves, evil. Mirage is a rarity." The other fox silenced, Seaver moved on his way down. "I think I'll have a word or two with her.she is fun to converse with, you know."
Chapter IV
I dreamt again, and it was indeed a more unsettling dream than the last, wherein a form in the image of Argent laid a threat on me. Here, now, I was in a great fight with a truly vicious foe, a shadow as far as I could tell. Large enough to be a small wolf, but the clear shape and being of a fox. Beyond that I could not make out any identification, or clues as to who it might be. But this new haunt is frightful, to say the least. It, I will use 'he' simply because I can't help but think it is indeed a 'he', set upon me with a fury reserved normally only for the badger lords in the midst of battle. I could not hope to deflect the blows, and was soon struck a crippling blow that sent me falling to the ground. I knew I was not alone, though.I could feel my companions nearby, and called out to them. But the cry was unanswered, and the dark shadowfox started moving towards me again, a blade grasped tightly in his paw. I called out again and this time saw my friends approach. I reached out for the nearest, Argent, seeking her aid only to have her back turn towards me. One by one, Mikael, Seaver, Kass, Shara.they all followed suit. Only Slick remained, and he was too late. The shadowfox struck me just as Slick grasped my outreached paw. Needless to say I awoke with quite the fright. The dream, though, is either perfectly clear, or dreadfully vague. I am hoping for the latter of those two possibilities, as the former is entirely not worth thinking about.
Perhaps it will be time that tells all.
~Mirage Eagle Watch~
Mirage closed the journal just as Seaver made his way down the stairs and into the room. Closing the door behind him, the fox immediately settled down into a seat and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "So, Mirage, how's the wound coming along?" She shrugged slightly. "I'll live, that's about all I'm caring about at this point." Setting the journal down, Mirage fought off, in vain, an oncoming yawn. "How about yourself, coming along alright?" "I think Mikael wants to string me up. I don't blame him, though. He's still up, waiting on Kass and Shara to come back from foraging, or whatever they're up to." Having caught the yawn from Mirage, Seaver in turn let loose a yawn and chuckled softly. "Bloody contagious things, yawns." "Yeah, just a bit." Seaver eyed the journal, settling into a chair and balancing it skilfully on the two back legs. "So, what's that there? Just.odd thoughts and the likes?" "About that, yeah." Mirage picked the journal up, looking at the cover. "It was a gift, from my parents.I never wrote in it until after they died. It's half full now." "Half full? That is a fair bit of writing, I must admit." "Well, Seaver, it's mostly just filled with odd thoughts on what all I've read from an old Journal.written by one of my ancestors." "You don't say, eh? History always was fun." Seaver reached a paw out. "You wouldn't let me take a look, would you?" Mirage chuckled softly. "Of course I wouldn't. You don't read the journal of someone still alive, you know. If you are curious.the old one I'm reading was written by an old ferret named Ghost. He mentions the Foxtribe, you know." Seaver returned to leaning back, resting his paw at his side. "Ghost? Name sounds a bit familiar. I might know it, actually. But.I'm placing it with a rat, not a ferret." Mirage shrugged. "Wouldn't doubt it to be a semi-commonplace name with the vermin, in all honesty. "So.what does he got to say about the Tribe, eh?" Mirage sighed a bit, a finger tapping the table apprehensively. "Well, it's a long story, I'll try to shorten it, if that's alright with you." Taking a breath, she started, "This Ghost fellow lived under the shadow of Salamandastron and when young befriended this hare. The two formed this odd band of warriors, mostly outcasts, and were just journeying about. "Well, after a small war of sorts, the four surviving members of the Foxtribe befriended Ghost, though his soon-to-be-wife Celleste didn't trust them at all. Kept nagging Ghost to stop trusting them so much, that something wasn't right." Seaver nodded a bit and motioned her to continue. "And.?" "They killed them. The four had a small army behind them.and lured Celleste and the other members of the group into separate traps.and killed them. Three of eight survived. Ghost never forgave himself." Mirage shrugged a bit, slightly on the down-side from just talking about it. "The last note, past his final farewell to Celleste before moving to the house.you know where it is.was for everyone that reads the journal. Never trust a fox." Seaver furrowed his brow a bit, leaning forward again to rest his elbows on the table. "You're not taking it to heart, are you?" There was a pause, during which the ferret was hard-pressed to come up with a proper response. "Well, it's tough. But.there are some I am willing to trust as true companions." "Myself included?" Mirage shrugged. "I can't tell you that, whether you are or aren't." Pushing herself up, she took the journal from the table and started for her room. "If you'll excuse me. Let me know when those two get back from scouring the woodlands for whatever they're looking for." Seaver gave her a slight nod. "I will." When the door closed, and he found himself alone in the room, Seaver stared at the tabletop in front of him, lost in thought and waiting for something, not sure if anything would even come or not.
Drek was calmly sorting through his own maps and various scrolls when Caelus opted to make an interrupting entrance. Not bothering to so much as give his advisor a glance in acknowledgement, the head of Foxtribe simply cleared his throat, waiting to hear what he knew was already coming. "Sir, it's.come to our, rather my, attention that perhaps sending Seaver to handle affairs was.ill-advised?" Drek chuckled softly. "Caelus.I am one step ahead of you. A source came not too long ago and informed me that Seaver has.changed his colours. He will be dealt with, and soon." Caelus blinked for a moment before simply nodding. "As you say, Sir." He turned to leave, but paused in the doorway thoughtfully, looking back to ask a question. "Sir I-" "No, you may not ask who it was. That is privileged information." Drek coughed to clear his throat again, the weather was drying and irritating him to no end. "Caelus.who do we know here that is good with poisons?" Caelus furrowed his brow slightly. Poisons, while commonly used to solve certain problems were still considered low, even by the Tribe's standards. "Oh, er.well. There isn't a soul among our kind that knows, but there's a couple northwards a ways. Some raven.and I forgot who the other one was. The two are known for all sorts of concoctions." Drek drummed his nails against the desktop thoughtfully as he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes. "Very well. Bring them to me. I must have words with them." Waving Caelus off with a paw he looked back to sorting his desk. "And I want the two alive!" The door slammed shut, and Drek could only shake his head. "I am surrounded by veritable morons and imbeciles, you know." He looked back over his shoulder towards a figure seated on the hinge-side of the door. "You know what I'll have you do, right Kassander?" "Aye. Shara'll be a problem, healer that she is, y' know." "Then kill her, Kass. It is as simple as that, you know." He didn't even bother hiding the mocking tone in his voice. "I'll have a poison ready soon. A flaming arrow launched from here will announce it, and you know where to retrieve the drop, right?" Kass hesitate, and then offered a slow nod. "I'll do what I can." The cook waited for the dismissal before standing and pulling a cloak over his form. Watching him slip out the door, Drek merely shrugged and yawned. He had more important things to do than waste time on a solitary ferret; things were dragging on far too long for his own liking.
Chapter V
It was, Mirage found, no different than a terribly large dagger. At least, that was how she was told to think about the rapier, and that was how she managed to get a grasp of using it in fashion true to its form. Stab and slash, quick hit, nothing meant to be strong or powerful. Still, it was a small substitute for her more instinctive weapons, the daggers themselves. She had taken to keeping holed up in her own room almost endlessly, practising using the two blades in place of her own paws, simply growing more comfortable with how they functioned as extensions rather than tools. Argent, somewhat out of concern, had at first kept to looking in periodically, making sure Mirage was fine and nothing was wrong, but that soon passed, and instead Mikael and Argent would come in to offer advice or go over different techniques with the blades. The two were, as Mirage learned, passionate about the rapier and dagger combination. By near mid- day of the fourth day working with the two, though, she felt she knew more about their previous owner, Garrad, than she did how to actually use them. Though, to say she knew nothing about their use would have been a lie.
Throughout the days that came and gone, though, everyone became aware of two things. One was that Shara was spending more time than usual with her scouting for medicines, and the other was an oddly withdrawn Kass. Mirage, having noted mere concern from Argent on the matter, had gone so far as to ask Shara, who simply claimed to be stocking different roots and herbs for medicines. Turning to Slick was just as little help, as he simply would say everything was fine and dandy, nothing to worry about. Seaver was helpful, as the rest of the group found, at simply providing information. Knowing the whereabouts of scouting groups allowed Argent and Mikael to organise more activities that needed to be done before the group could relocate to a new safe-house. Knowing the information also allowed Mirage, often times accompanied by Seaver, to wander off on nightly walks, and during one such walk that she spied the flaming arrow.
"What's that, do you think?" Pointing at the glowing projectile, Mirage leaned back against a tree and glanced around for any ears not belonging to herself or Seaver. The fox almost missed the question, but solely due to the fact that he was focused on the arrow as well, and frowning. "Drek's signalling someone.bet my life on it." Mirage shrugged slightly. "Maybe we should look at the camp.figure out what's going on in there?" "No." Seaver continued to watch the arrow's down flight until it vanished into the tree line. "Find the arrow. Drek wouldn't use that unless it was someone outside of the camp, which means he has eyes on the outside." "Not one of ours, do you think?" "Well." He hesitated a moment and glanced over to the ferret. "Shara and Kass, I suspect both of something. and Mikael too." "Mikael? You're not serious, are you?" Mirage sniffed at the air and pushed past Seaver. "I smell the smoke. Come on." Seaver sighed a bit, following close behind. "Mikael just doesn't strike me as one to fully trust. He's too.close to everyone and everything." "He killed your brother." Mirage pulled her cloak about her, covering her mother's medallion to keep the moonlight from glinting off of it. "He almost died to keep me alive, I trust him." The fact struck a strong chord with Seaver, but he kept silent and withheld the retort he had planned on using. "You're right," he said eventually before falling silent and picking up his own pace to match hers.
Upon reaching the site, both could tell almost immediately that it had already been visited. The arrow was burned beyond use, charred wood and raven feathers in the centre of an area cleared of brush and anything that would burn. However, mud was abundant, and as such Mirage quickly found a set of tracks. Following the trail more out of simple curiosity than anything, the two came to the almost heart-stilling realisation that in following the trail they were also nearing a spot where one of Drek's patrols camped out, and also that they were headed towards the hideaway. Keeping silent, paw motions only, the two moved in on the small camp, weapons at the ready in case trouble started. A small fire, sheltered to keep the glow to a minimum and smoke dispersed, was set in the middle of two tents. Mirage couldn't tell how many were in the tents, though both were only large enough for two beasts at most. Two foxes, one a vixen were off to one side, though, conversing with some cloaked beast and a black-feathered bird, which she saw soon enough was a raven, and learned quickly was the owner of the feathers fletched into the arrow that had burned. "No. Me's not upset, me's very very upset. Not good when sillybeasty uses fine good feather for stupid pointy stick." The raven batted none too gently at the weasel. "Youse see if me's ever let Drognan make for youse again." The vixen was about to speak up when the cloaked figure cut him off, using a string of words that belonged to some language Mirage couldn't place. Curious, she inched forward, looking around to find that Seaver had a plan of his own and, blade drawn, was moving towards one of the two tents. Mirage knew all too well what he was planning and muttered softly, reaffirming her grip on her twin daggers and starting towards the other tent. The four conversing were preoccupied, so ignoring them for now was easily done, and she slipped into the tent unnoticed. Inside, dozing fitfully was another of the Foxtribe that apparently wasn't too fond of having been assigned to guarding what looked like a store of supplies. An empty bottle of some rancid-smelling drink in one paw, halberd held loosely in the other, the beast was slumped on a makeshift bed made up solely of haversacks and some crates. Bringing her daggers up, Mirage slinked her way towards the fox and hesitated. She'd never done this before, and wasn't terribly sure about just what to do. "Hey slopnose! Bring out that wine we stored off, the guests are getting' drunk tonight!" She froze as one of the two from outside called in, rousing the slumbering guard. The fox stared at her for a moment, blinking as he tried to place a face with a name, and instead settled on the simple fact that she was not a fox, and thereby an immediate enemy. Growling, he rolled to his feet, bringing the halberd around for a blow. Mirage went more on instinct than anything, ducking the polearm and charging beneath its arc, slamming one of her daggers up at her attacker. The fox uttered a soft gurgling growl, and fell back with a soft crash of boxes and the likes, leaving a more stunned ferret holding her own blood- soaked dagger. "Jyreth?" She turned, facing now the vixen that had been outside. "Jyreth. You killed 'em?" The vixen pulled a rapier from her belt and charged, bringing the blade about in a quick swing. Again, Mirage was moving more on instinct as she brought her dagger up to block, locking the rapier against her dagger's hilt. Rolling inside the rapier's range, she drove her dagger home, felling another beast to the ground before her mind could fully register much else. Shortly on the heels of his predecessor, the other fox from outside charged, scoring a glancing blow with a slash on Mirage's shoulders. She let out a soft cry and fell back under the dead weight of the vixen. Effectively pinned, she watched as the fox brought his blade up, staggered, and slumped over dead. Freeing his own blade, Seaver kicked the dead vixen aside. "You alright? What about the bird and that other fellow, you get them?" "O' meo eta heru." Seaver whirled to face the speaker, only finding the same cloaked beast as had been seen outside, no weapons drawn. "Who are you?" "Wo eta ue?" Seaver growled, bringing his blade up, but Mirage managed to stand and grab his wrist before it could be swung. "Don't! He's not Foxtribe. I know him, sort of." She stared past Seaver's shoulder at the beast. "Ferret. Part of a family near here that works as apothecaries for these parts." The figure eyed Mirage for a moment and then let a soft chuckle escape. "Good to be known. I know you, yes?" Walking forward, he tapped the medallion showing. "Seen that one many times. Wise to not kill me, I know much you do not. Find me, highest payment always wins, you know." He laughed and turned to leave. "Raven will watch, just call Antenora." Mirage furrowed her brow, pressing a paw to the thin gash in her shoulder. "Yeah, you do that. Go mix up something and enjoy the fumes, eh?" Looking back to Seaver and letting the odd ferret go, she motioned to the stores. "What should we do with these?" "Leave the bodies out away from here somewhere, let the carrion birds get their fill. As for the stores.find what's useful and what you can carry, and lets go." Mirage nodded and looked back at the vixen and halberd-wielding fox, sighing softly as she walked towards them. Cleaning her blades on the vixen's tunic, she sheathed her weapons and shook off the numbing feeling that kept coming every time she simply thought 'they're dead'. Argent had warned her of this, and said it would pass. All Mirage could do was simply hope it would.
Chapter VI
The night's sleep after having slain the two foxes was fitful at best for Mirage. Images of the dead haunted her, apparitions appearing around every corner and out of every shadow. The images that plagued her were eerie and foreboding, hollow eye-sockets and skin hanging loosely to bone underneath, like mere clothing, was all that made up the ghosts in her dreams. They chased her through the forests, never relenting in their pursuit and steadily gaining. Amidst the growing panic, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that in spite of her tiring run, they were gaining with ease, the lead gripping a halberd tight in paw and raising it to strike. And then, as quick as the blinking of an eye, she found herself in a camp in the middle of a clearing, an all too familiar form hunched over a small, inviting campfire, stoking the unseen burning logs with a stout twig. "You run from them?" Mirage looked back over her shoulder and could vaguely see the haunts amidst the shadows surrounding the clearing, watching her closely. "Hrmph. They deserve what they received in death, you know." Ghost stood, brushing himself off and throwing the twig he had been stoking the flames with into the fire itself. "You shouldn't run from them. If you do, all it invites is the torment they will try to bring you." "But. I've just never-" "Killed?" Ghost interrupted her and drew up alongside her, glaring at the apparitions. "It will not be the last time; you were merely caught off- guard. You did, though, handle yourself very well if I may say so." Mirage watched Ghost stoop over to pick up a stone that hadn't been there earlier and throw it at the fox with the halberd. "I. Ghost, I'm not sure I have what it takes to do any of this. I'm not a killer." "Neither was any of the line that followed after me. I was a killer, born and bred. You are a fighter, a warrior. There is a difference." "I'm listening." Mirage couldn't hide the tinge of distaste in her voice. "The warrior and fighter deals justice. They uphold that which is right, true, and dare I say are some of the gentlest souls you'll find on this pile of dirt called the world." Ghost turned and made his way back to the fire, crouching beside it. "The killer," he motioned to the apparitions hovering outside the range of firelight, "care nothing for what is right. They will work hard to break a strong warrior of his, or her, will to fight through many means, fear being one. You can't be afraid of them, Mirage." He looked back over his shoulder at her, eyes glinting under the hood of his cloak. "If you fear them, then you will be helpless against what is coming." Mirage eyed him curiously, walking over to join him by the fire. "Why, what's coming?" Ghost shook his head, looking back at the fire. "You know I can't tell you." "You will, though." She crossed her arms in front of her, glaring down at the form. "I hate surprises. Humour me. What's coming?" "I can't tell you.. But," he looked up to meet the glare, "I can tell you something. Trust the bird and her companion, and those who have stood by you through the worst." "The bird.and who?" She muttered softly until recalling the odd figures that had been with the foxes that were now dead. "Oh." "Trust your friends, always, and your instincts as well. Watch your back, keep alert, and remember never to fear them." Ghost looked back at the fire, eyes closing as he offered a faint wave. And then it was dark and Mirage found herself awake in the room. Sitting up to slide off the bed, walking over to the lantern and opening the hood to get some light. It was, unless the light coming from under her door on the outside was a mistake, morning. Washing up a bit and checking the bandaging on her shoulder before getting dressed, she slipped out to see who might have been stirring. The main room was empty, the lights were still dark under Argent and Mikael's doors, Slick was undoubtedly upstairs and Shara with him, the two had almost become inseparable of late. Seaver, in turn, was sleeping in his own corner of the main room, a makeshift tent of sorts used to keep things comfortably dark while he slept. Pushing her way into the kitchens, she found Kass huddled over some breakfast, adding what looked to be wintergreen or some sort of herb to the meal. Upon her arrival, though, the cook started and straightened upright, pushing the pouch holding the herbs into his pocket, a few leaves carelessly falling to the ground. "Mirage.what a surprise. Y'see, not many come t' visit me when I'm cookin'." Mirage furrowed her brow. "Well.if you say so. I was bored. What's cooking?" "Er, that'd be a special little thing I thought up earlier in th' night, a bit o' everythin' we gots left." "Mind if I try?" She made her way closer, reaching for the ladle to sample the meal, only to have her paw batted aside. "No! Heh, y' know how I am 'bout lettin' folk eat before time, right? I'll, eh, be right back. Steppin' out for some air, kitchens get stuffy after a while, right?" Not waiting for a refute or remark otherwise, Kass pushed his way past Mirage and to the door. "Right, uh.don't let me get in your way." She watched him leave and then knelt to pick up the dropped leaves, sniffing at them lightly. While unable to tell for certain what the leaf was, she was certain about one thing. It wasn't wintergreen, or any of the other things Storm used to grow in the garden back home. Slipping the dropped leaves into her pocket, she pushed her way out of the kitchens and went straight for the one she knew would have an idea of just what the leaves were. Kicking his tent lightly, and him through it, she waited for Seaver to wake up. "Wha.?!" The fox poked his head out of the bottom of the tent, looking up at Mirage with nothing short of tired eyes. "What do you want? I'm sleepin'." "Here, need your eyes and brain to tell me something." She pulled one of the leaves out and let it fall next to him. "What's that?" He looked up at her confusedly for a moment, then down at the leaf. Mirage, in her time living, never quite saw anyone snap to wakefulness that quickly, and sat back as the fox sniffed at the leaf and eyed it warily. "So?" "Poison. Stake my life on it, Mirage. Hemlock? No.henbane.something like that. I'm not keen on the names, we're not one to use poisons in the Tribe, but we know what they look like all the same." He glanced about warily, lowering his voice. "Where'd you get it?' "Er.found them. Get up and come with me." She walked over and pounded heavily on Argent's door. "Argent, you awake?" From behind the door came a grumble as a lantern was lit. "Come in. I am now." Mirage pushed her way in and waited for Seaver to enter before closing the door solidly behind her. "Found something you should see. Seaver?" Seaver passed the small leaf over to Argent, who eyed it curiously. "What is it?" "Poison. Not sure of the name yet, mind's still sleeping for the most part. But I know one when I see it. Give it a smell. Slightly rank, right? I'm sure that one, if you break the leaf, would have a pale milky juice in the main vein." Argent eyed Seaver curiously as she broke it, and looked down to find his assumption true. "So, who found it and where?" "I did," Mirage said, raising a paw. "Kass was adding them to the breakfast when I walked into the kitchen. He's outside now, I believe." "Adding them to what?" Argent looked entirely short of impressed. "You're sure they're not something for cooking, right?" Seaver nodded. "Aye. I've run into that one before. Steamed it on some food and used the juice it made to knock a stoat off 'er feet.thieving wretch that she was. Forgot the name.but I never used a poison after going through that." Mirage tried to ignore what she heard. "I'll agree. Storm, my mum, had all kinds of things in her garden. That wasn't one of them." Argent growled loudly and crushed the poison in a fist, glaring at the door. "How long has he been doing this? That no good two-timing rat!" Still holding the leaf in her fist, she drew a rapier and tossed it to Seaver. "You and Mirage come with me. Don't kill him until I say so." Without waiting for a response, the vixen pounded her way through the door and started for the surface. Mirage blinked. This was so unlike what she had expected to see yet, still, somehow it fit. Argent was angry; someone could have died. She drew a dagger and "Alright." Followed by Seaver, Mirage made her way out into the main room and up the stairs leading to the entryway, Argent already out of sight. Hearing a one- sided scuffle as the two neared the main entry, they quickened their pace and blinked at the sight that awaited them. It was still early dawn, and Argent was calmly leaning against a nearby tree and watching, arms crossed, as Slick brought a stout branch about to meet solidly with Kass' skull. The cook, suffering from a bloodied snout already, fell to the ground with a sharp yelp. "You whelp. She dies an' I'll show you how we fought in th' taverns, eh? Now get up, I ain't through with you yet." Tossing the branch well out of the way, Slick hardly paid any mind to Mirage and Seaver. "I'm waitin'." Mirage was about to protest, but Argent stopped her with a paw. "Told Slick. He had some news. Shara's been hunting a cure for something she was hiding from us. You two stay here, I'm taking Mikael to look for her." Taking her own blade back from Seaver, Argent pushed her way back into the Den. "Please, Slick m' lad. I ain't th' fighter ye are, and ye know that." Slick let out a sort of grunt and glowered down at the cook, who was just pushing himself up to his knees. "Only a coward resorts to poisons, you know." "It.I was. I can explain. I ain't th' enemy here." Kass looked up pleadingly at Slick. "Comrade?" Mirage blinked as something flashed. At first, she thought it had been nothing, merely the rising sun filtering through the trees and leaves. And then she watched Kass slump over to one side, a paw clutching a thin line of blood that appeared almost out of nowhere. Slick sighed, wiping his rapier clean and closing his eyes, the rage dying. "I ain't your comrade no more, Traitor. Die slowly, it's th' least I can offer." He glanced over at the two watching on. "Kill me if you want, I'm through." "Slick." Mirage walked over, looking down at Kass. "Go downstairs with Seaver, I'll take the watch." She smiled kindly, hiding everything else that was running through her mind for the time being. "Argent and Mikael will find Shara.she'll be fine." Taking his cue, Seaver stepped in to take Slick's rapier from the other fox's paw and slip it into its sheath. "Come on. I'll get you something to drink." Slick was in an odd state and simply nodded to everything going on about him, following Seaver's lead down into the Den. Once she was alone, Mirage sighed and dropped to kneel beside Kass, pushing him onto his back and checking the wound. It was, unfortunately, dealt with skill and death was inevitable. "Kass. Why'd you do it?" The fox shook his head and managed to stop breathing laboriously long enough to speak. "Never originally wanted all them t' catch on. Drek. 'e said if'n I got ye, 'e'd 'ave left all th' others alone. Seemed like fair 'nough trade t' me. Either we all died.or jus' th' one that caused 'em all t' find our little group in th' first place.." Mirage blinked, staring at the dying beast with a complete look of disbelief. "You. I would have. I thought you and I were comrades, companions. Part of the same team." "Outsider, ye were. Always will be too." Kass chuckled. "An' now, 'cause of ye, I'm here dyin'. An' t' be fairly honest. I 'ope ye join me soon. 'cause I blame ye for all this mess." "That's not true. You brought this all on yourself Kass. It's as much my fault as it is that rock over there." "Think, Lass. How'd they end up findin' here. Who's blood, an' why was he bleedin'. If ye had died with yer parents.none o' this would've happened." He coughed and closed his eyes, struggling for a good breath again. "Aye.think about it. Ye'll see.I'm right, lass." Kass coughed again and finally breathed his last. Mirage could only shake her head at everything for a moment, and then she was hit in force by the tears. Rage mixed with her own feelings of loss and hurt fuelled a punch to the dead fox's snout. "LIAR!" She pushed herself up, kicking at him and turning away to hide her face in the fabric of her cloak. "Liar.that's what you were." Sitting against a tree-trunk, she hugged her knees up to her with one arm and let her dagger fall to the ground with a soft thud. Drawing her second blade, she studied the 'G' on the pommel and sniffed, wiping a few tears with her cloak. "Sorry I failed." She let the second dagger fall beside the first and closed her eyes, head resting on her knees. Trying to banish the idea that she was indeed to blame for the whole tragic outcome of things, she became less aware of what was around her right up until the cold blade of a cutlass pressed to the back of her neck.
Argent came up with Mikael and Seaver, listening to the latter recount what he saw happen between Kass and Slick. Spying none standing sentry, her next instinct was to look towards where she had left Kass with Slick. Only a dead body of a fox awaited her there. Thinking nothing of it, she motioned towards Kass. "Get him out of my sight. I have no time for traitors." Argent sighed and trudged over towards a tree to sit against. On her way, she felt her boot kick something solid and glanced down. "Oh no."
Chapter I
The dreams returned to Mirage, only this time, it was becoming more real. She awoke to find she had fallen asleep in the forest. All around her, the night-time cicadas chirped and nocturnal life thrummed, filling the air with a wild, primitive music. A sharp pain suddenly struck her, and a paw instinctively shot down to her wound. When she brought her paw up, she could easily make out the dark traces of fresh blood. Taking the time to forge a makeshift bandage, she pressed on towards a faint, flickering light, knowing that Argent and the others had struck a camp away from the hideaway for the night. She soon found the camp was empty. Nowhere were there any signs of anyone having been in the camp, none save the small fire burning brightly in the centre of the clearing. Sighing to herself, Mirage slowly made her way towards the fire, taking a seat on a nearby log. Faint thoughts ran through her mind about the whereabouts of the others, but oddly enough there was no trace of panic. The pressing silence and soft crackle of the fire was all there was to entertain her, and they slowly worked their hypnotic spell on her. A soft crack suddenly caught her ear, and she spun about, reaching a paw for her dagger. However, the daggers were not where they should have been, so she found herself facing an unknown shadow unarmed. The shadow raised a paw as a sign of peace and approached her. "Mirage, you have grown." Mirage sat back down on the log as Ghost sat beside her. "Grown? How have I grown?" "In more ways than you know. We are proud of you, Mirage, and I can tell that you will go far with our mission." She glanced at him and furrowed her brow. "What mission? Argent said something, that we stood for a goal, but she never told me what it was." "Think, Mirage, and look at yourself. You already know the mission, and you have done well thus far." Ghost pointed at the fire. "You see that flame? Someone once used a flame to encourage me, and in it I saw a life. I tried to pass that life on to my son, Spectre, and he then passed it on to his heir, and so on. It has gone down the lines, and has now come to you. You are a part of something special, Mirage, and all we can do is hope you decide to keep the flame alive." Mirage was thoroughly confused by all of this, and she made it known through her expression. Ghost caught on and grinned under his hood. "Be patient, Mirage. All will be revealed to you in due time. Until then, talk to me." Mirage nodded. "I guess I can ask you this," Ghost nodded. "How are my parents?" Ghost smiled and pointed across the fire. Standing, their expressions full of the love they carried for her in life, was Storm and Shadow. Tears welled up in Mirage's eyes as she jumped to her feet and ran to them, welcomed by their warm embrace. She looked up at them and felt the warm tears fall down her cheeks. "I miss you two so much." "Mirage, we miss you too," Shadow said. "We just wish we could be there to watch you grow." "I want you back," Mirage sobbed. "Why'd you have to die?" Storm placed a reassuring paw on Mirage's shoulder. "It was our time. Now, we have passed everything on to you. Learn to cherish everything, Mirage. A future is directly linked to both the past and the present. Being thus, if you shun one, you forsake all three. Everything you learn and experience throughout your life will help you in your mission, Mirage. I speak for us all when I say we are proud of you so far. Just do the best you can, and you will shine." "Who's everyone?" Shadow pulled the hood over his face. "Look around you, Mirage." Mirage looked around and gasped. Circled around the fire was a small group of beasts. Several were ferrets and, like herself, were clad in dark green robes. Standing beside Ghost was an odd collection of beasts, one badger, two hares, a mouse, and an otter. Mirage was just about to ask who they were, when everything was suddenly pitched into darkness. She let out a silent scream from the sheer abruptness of it all, turning to find at least the comfort of the campfire was still there. Walking towards it, she huddled down to share in its warmth, only to find no matter how hard she tried she could not keep the cold at bay. It was then she saw the figure. The bushed tail gave it away, coupled with the sharply angled ears. Fox. Clad in a robe similar to what Ghost had donned, the fox was simply hunched on the opposite side of the campfire, hood drawn, and watching the flames. "Kass?" Mirage shivered a bit, trying to look under the hood in the firelight. "Slick? Mikael?" The hooded fox glanced up, a pair of familiar eyes, iced over, staring at Mirage steadily, causing the ferret to glance about uneasily before resettling her gaze on the hooded vixen. "Argent?" The vixen hissed. "You cannot win this fight. We will stop you.and no matter how far you run, you will not escape sharing in your parents' fates." Mirage awoke with a start and looked around her dark room. The lamps in her room had gone out again, and it took her a moment to realise that she was not in the forest, nor was she surrounded by the ghosts of an unknown past. Sighing heavily, she got out of her bed and searched out her robe in the dark. The dream was still fresh in her mind, and she was lost as to what to make of it all. As far as she could tell, there was nothing to do but accept them as they came and wait to see where everything would take her. Still, something lingered about the final moments, by the shadowed campfire, and brought about a strong chill that kept her from making her awakening unknown for a while longer.
Chapter II
"So, you think the dream was telling you something?" Argent and Mirage were sitting alone in Argent's room. Mikael had remained with Seaver, and the two had started to slowly discuss a common interest in swordplay. Argent insisted that Mikael only wanted to intimidate Seaver by boasting his personal skill. Now, though, they were discussing Mirage's dreams and trying to find sense in them. "It must've meant something. Every dream has a significant meaning, am I right?" Argent shook her head and shrugged. "To be honest, I have no idea. Have you learned anything from them at all?" Mirage found herself trying to match the look in the vixen's eyes with the one she had been met with in the dream, and to no avail. "They said I have, and I've done well in some mission or something." Argent took some time to think, her mind processing the information and everything she knew. "Well, then let's think back on some things. What, if anything, have you learned since coming here?" Now it was Mirage's turn to tax her brain for an answer. "Well.you told me to start looking at myself in a new way.I've started looking into the past for answers," she paused, "not to act for my own self.." She froze, as if struck by a sudden revelation. Silently, she reached a paw into the pocket of her robe and withdrew Ghost's old journal. "I picked this up when we went back to my house and I try to read it, but I always forget to." She opened it up and studied the opening entry. "It says that 'The Watch will one day meet its match, though its spirit will never die.' Is that my mission?" Argent smiled softly. "You mean carry on what your parents stood for?" "That's what you told me my first night here." Mirage closed the journal and slid it back into her pocket without saying a word. "So," she finally said, "it's up to me now?" Argent nodded. "You and those who follow you. You are a born leader, Mirage, and we want you to help us fight Drek. We had planned on asking your parents, but now we must ask you. You have had time to look and search out your past, and now all I ask is a simple plea. Will you help us?" Mirage smiled and nodded. "Of course I will." She scratched under her chin and hesitated a moment. "Uh, Argent?" The vixen arched an eyebrow slightly. "Yes?" "There was something else in that dream.that kinda has me feeling a bit uneasy." The ferret tried to think of a smart way to put this. "It was this vixen.she knew me, like a friend, though I never got her name.and she said I couldn't escape and would die like my parents." Argent blinked, thinking for a moment. "Hmm. Might have been a nightmare. You don't think it was someone here, do you? Shara's not one to betray, and you know I couldn't." "I know.it was just probably a nightmare, like you said." Mirage shrugged, standing. "Well, I should probably go out and.uh.make myself busy, see how the side holds up when I'm working." She patted her bandaged side gently and shrugged, turning towards the door. "Mirage?" Argent stood, following as far as the door and opening it slightly. "I'm stumped, honestly. Maybe I was wrong, and some dreams are truly useless." "Nightmares aren't useless, Argent." Mirage forced a faint grin. "They scare me, and most that have them. They are, indeed, masters of spreading fear, and doubt." She shrugged lightly as Argent pulled the door the rest of the way open. "I'll try not to think about it too much. Thank you, again, for your help."
Chapter III
Slick was the only one in the centre room, seated comfortably and relaxing at the table with his eyes closed. Mirage furrowed her brow. "Isn't it your watch?" "Relax, Seaver's on the spot now. I'm takin' a break." "Seaver?" Mirage started for the main door. "You're putting him up on the watch?" "Again, relax." Slick glanced over towards Mirage, stifling a yawn. "Seaver's on the spot, with Mikael to watch his back. I'm not that daft, you know." Mirage nodded, sighing to relax. "Of course not Slick, never said you were. I just haven't been thinking clearly, is all. Where's Shara?" Eyes instinctively went towards one of the closed doors, a suspicion confirmed by a pointed finger. "Know when she'll be awake?" Slick shrugged a bit. "Hopefully by the time Kass gets back. He went out to find a few selective spices for the potluck. He promised as close to a real decent meal as he could muster, this time of year and all." Mirage chuckled softly. "Of course, I'm sure it will be grand indeed. Suppose I could head up, keep Mikael and Seaver company, or at least bore them with idle banter about truly nothing." Slick chuckled. "Nah, let Mikael have some fun tormenting Seaver. It's a bit of a jealous thing, you know. Seaver has his eyes set on Argent, and Mikael's not one to let that happen." He smirked a bit, standing. "My vote, Mirage, is that you rest up and get as much sleep as you can. I'm going to head out, make sure Kass gets in all right. Last thing we need is the cook getting lost." Trying not to laugh at a less than realistic mental image, Mirage nodded him off. "Tell Mikael and Seaver I said 'hullo' on your way out, please." Letting that go, she moved over to her room, pushing the door open and stalking in to sit heavily on her bed.
Seaver crossed his arms over his chest, frowning slightly at Mikael. "You shouldn't even be out, not with that wound, you know." The sentry shrugged slightly, holding back a wince. "I'll live. Can't remain bedridden forever, you know. Besides, you need to start working and not all of us trust you fully just yet." "You'd all be dead by now if I couldn't be trusted. You realise that, don't you?" Seaver glared off towards the surrounding woodland. "And where'd Shara get off to, hmm? She said she wouldn't be far." "She'll be back in no time. Probably wandered off with Kass to help him gather. Should be a good meal tonight, you know." Mikael cleared his throat slightly and grimaced. It hurt more than he would afford to show to the one standing across from him. He hadn't even told Argent just how much the, as he called, poke to the side left him starved for sleep. She would work and fret herself to death over the thing if she knew. "Have you seen Mirage today, by chance? I could hear her talking in her sleep last night through the walls." "She's been doing that a bit, of late, by my ears. Mikael.what's her story?" Seaver was met by a half curious, half condemning stare. "Fine.I'll ask again later. It's getting late. Kass and Shara should be back by now." "It's far from late, Seaver. Give them time, they will return. They always do. Besides, Kass knows if I go without a good meal I get a temper. He's too kind-hearted to unleash that on these parts." Seaver chuckled dryly and shrugged. "Might want save that one for Drek. You can fast before we challenge his ranks." "I said a temper, I never said a fury or wrath." Mikael grinned. "My tempers are.more intellectual rants than anything. Drek would either beg to be deaf, or silence me." "Let's hope it's deafness then.he wouldn't hear an assassin's approach." Seaver turned to start down the stairs. "I'm not blind, Mikael. Mirage is an assassin, whether you know it or not. This 'Guardian' nonsense she's being fed is only skin deep." "That claim, Seaver, is nonsense. No goodbeast or noble has ever favoured the assassin's trade, nor its calling." "Assassins, my dear Mikael, can be as noble as the highest King. It is a form of power, an art, and a trade. Made only evil by those using it who are, themselves, evil. Mirage is a rarity." The other fox silenced, Seaver moved on his way down. "I think I'll have a word or two with her.she is fun to converse with, you know."
Chapter IV
I dreamt again, and it was indeed a more unsettling dream than the last, wherein a form in the image of Argent laid a threat on me. Here, now, I was in a great fight with a truly vicious foe, a shadow as far as I could tell. Large enough to be a small wolf, but the clear shape and being of a fox. Beyond that I could not make out any identification, or clues as to who it might be. But this new haunt is frightful, to say the least. It, I will use 'he' simply because I can't help but think it is indeed a 'he', set upon me with a fury reserved normally only for the badger lords in the midst of battle. I could not hope to deflect the blows, and was soon struck a crippling blow that sent me falling to the ground. I knew I was not alone, though.I could feel my companions nearby, and called out to them. But the cry was unanswered, and the dark shadowfox started moving towards me again, a blade grasped tightly in his paw. I called out again and this time saw my friends approach. I reached out for the nearest, Argent, seeking her aid only to have her back turn towards me. One by one, Mikael, Seaver, Kass, Shara.they all followed suit. Only Slick remained, and he was too late. The shadowfox struck me just as Slick grasped my outreached paw. Needless to say I awoke with quite the fright. The dream, though, is either perfectly clear, or dreadfully vague. I am hoping for the latter of those two possibilities, as the former is entirely not worth thinking about.
Perhaps it will be time that tells all.
~Mirage Eagle Watch~
Mirage closed the journal just as Seaver made his way down the stairs and into the room. Closing the door behind him, the fox immediately settled down into a seat and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "So, Mirage, how's the wound coming along?" She shrugged slightly. "I'll live, that's about all I'm caring about at this point." Setting the journal down, Mirage fought off, in vain, an oncoming yawn. "How about yourself, coming along alright?" "I think Mikael wants to string me up. I don't blame him, though. He's still up, waiting on Kass and Shara to come back from foraging, or whatever they're up to." Having caught the yawn from Mirage, Seaver in turn let loose a yawn and chuckled softly. "Bloody contagious things, yawns." "Yeah, just a bit." Seaver eyed the journal, settling into a chair and balancing it skilfully on the two back legs. "So, what's that there? Just.odd thoughts and the likes?" "About that, yeah." Mirage picked the journal up, looking at the cover. "It was a gift, from my parents.I never wrote in it until after they died. It's half full now." "Half full? That is a fair bit of writing, I must admit." "Well, Seaver, it's mostly just filled with odd thoughts on what all I've read from an old Journal.written by one of my ancestors." "You don't say, eh? History always was fun." Seaver reached a paw out. "You wouldn't let me take a look, would you?" Mirage chuckled softly. "Of course I wouldn't. You don't read the journal of someone still alive, you know. If you are curious.the old one I'm reading was written by an old ferret named Ghost. He mentions the Foxtribe, you know." Seaver returned to leaning back, resting his paw at his side. "Ghost? Name sounds a bit familiar. I might know it, actually. But.I'm placing it with a rat, not a ferret." Mirage shrugged. "Wouldn't doubt it to be a semi-commonplace name with the vermin, in all honesty. "So.what does he got to say about the Tribe, eh?" Mirage sighed a bit, a finger tapping the table apprehensively. "Well, it's a long story, I'll try to shorten it, if that's alright with you." Taking a breath, she started, "This Ghost fellow lived under the shadow of Salamandastron and when young befriended this hare. The two formed this odd band of warriors, mostly outcasts, and were just journeying about. "Well, after a small war of sorts, the four surviving members of the Foxtribe befriended Ghost, though his soon-to-be-wife Celleste didn't trust them at all. Kept nagging Ghost to stop trusting them so much, that something wasn't right." Seaver nodded a bit and motioned her to continue. "And.?" "They killed them. The four had a small army behind them.and lured Celleste and the other members of the group into separate traps.and killed them. Three of eight survived. Ghost never forgave himself." Mirage shrugged a bit, slightly on the down-side from just talking about it. "The last note, past his final farewell to Celleste before moving to the house.you know where it is.was for everyone that reads the journal. Never trust a fox." Seaver furrowed his brow a bit, leaning forward again to rest his elbows on the table. "You're not taking it to heart, are you?" There was a pause, during which the ferret was hard-pressed to come up with a proper response. "Well, it's tough. But.there are some I am willing to trust as true companions." "Myself included?" Mirage shrugged. "I can't tell you that, whether you are or aren't." Pushing herself up, she took the journal from the table and started for her room. "If you'll excuse me. Let me know when those two get back from scouring the woodlands for whatever they're looking for." Seaver gave her a slight nod. "I will." When the door closed, and he found himself alone in the room, Seaver stared at the tabletop in front of him, lost in thought and waiting for something, not sure if anything would even come or not.
Drek was calmly sorting through his own maps and various scrolls when Caelus opted to make an interrupting entrance. Not bothering to so much as give his advisor a glance in acknowledgement, the head of Foxtribe simply cleared his throat, waiting to hear what he knew was already coming. "Sir, it's.come to our, rather my, attention that perhaps sending Seaver to handle affairs was.ill-advised?" Drek chuckled softly. "Caelus.I am one step ahead of you. A source came not too long ago and informed me that Seaver has.changed his colours. He will be dealt with, and soon." Caelus blinked for a moment before simply nodding. "As you say, Sir." He turned to leave, but paused in the doorway thoughtfully, looking back to ask a question. "Sir I-" "No, you may not ask who it was. That is privileged information." Drek coughed to clear his throat again, the weather was drying and irritating him to no end. "Caelus.who do we know here that is good with poisons?" Caelus furrowed his brow slightly. Poisons, while commonly used to solve certain problems were still considered low, even by the Tribe's standards. "Oh, er.well. There isn't a soul among our kind that knows, but there's a couple northwards a ways. Some raven.and I forgot who the other one was. The two are known for all sorts of concoctions." Drek drummed his nails against the desktop thoughtfully as he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes. "Very well. Bring them to me. I must have words with them." Waving Caelus off with a paw he looked back to sorting his desk. "And I want the two alive!" The door slammed shut, and Drek could only shake his head. "I am surrounded by veritable morons and imbeciles, you know." He looked back over his shoulder towards a figure seated on the hinge-side of the door. "You know what I'll have you do, right Kassander?" "Aye. Shara'll be a problem, healer that she is, y' know." "Then kill her, Kass. It is as simple as that, you know." He didn't even bother hiding the mocking tone in his voice. "I'll have a poison ready soon. A flaming arrow launched from here will announce it, and you know where to retrieve the drop, right?" Kass hesitate, and then offered a slow nod. "I'll do what I can." The cook waited for the dismissal before standing and pulling a cloak over his form. Watching him slip out the door, Drek merely shrugged and yawned. He had more important things to do than waste time on a solitary ferret; things were dragging on far too long for his own liking.
Chapter V
It was, Mirage found, no different than a terribly large dagger. At least, that was how she was told to think about the rapier, and that was how she managed to get a grasp of using it in fashion true to its form. Stab and slash, quick hit, nothing meant to be strong or powerful. Still, it was a small substitute for her more instinctive weapons, the daggers themselves. She had taken to keeping holed up in her own room almost endlessly, practising using the two blades in place of her own paws, simply growing more comfortable with how they functioned as extensions rather than tools. Argent, somewhat out of concern, had at first kept to looking in periodically, making sure Mirage was fine and nothing was wrong, but that soon passed, and instead Mikael and Argent would come in to offer advice or go over different techniques with the blades. The two were, as Mirage learned, passionate about the rapier and dagger combination. By near mid- day of the fourth day working with the two, though, she felt she knew more about their previous owner, Garrad, than she did how to actually use them. Though, to say she knew nothing about their use would have been a lie.
Throughout the days that came and gone, though, everyone became aware of two things. One was that Shara was spending more time than usual with her scouting for medicines, and the other was an oddly withdrawn Kass. Mirage, having noted mere concern from Argent on the matter, had gone so far as to ask Shara, who simply claimed to be stocking different roots and herbs for medicines. Turning to Slick was just as little help, as he simply would say everything was fine and dandy, nothing to worry about. Seaver was helpful, as the rest of the group found, at simply providing information. Knowing the whereabouts of scouting groups allowed Argent and Mikael to organise more activities that needed to be done before the group could relocate to a new safe-house. Knowing the information also allowed Mirage, often times accompanied by Seaver, to wander off on nightly walks, and during one such walk that she spied the flaming arrow.
"What's that, do you think?" Pointing at the glowing projectile, Mirage leaned back against a tree and glanced around for any ears not belonging to herself or Seaver. The fox almost missed the question, but solely due to the fact that he was focused on the arrow as well, and frowning. "Drek's signalling someone.bet my life on it." Mirage shrugged slightly. "Maybe we should look at the camp.figure out what's going on in there?" "No." Seaver continued to watch the arrow's down flight until it vanished into the tree line. "Find the arrow. Drek wouldn't use that unless it was someone outside of the camp, which means he has eyes on the outside." "Not one of ours, do you think?" "Well." He hesitated a moment and glanced over to the ferret. "Shara and Kass, I suspect both of something. and Mikael too." "Mikael? You're not serious, are you?" Mirage sniffed at the air and pushed past Seaver. "I smell the smoke. Come on." Seaver sighed a bit, following close behind. "Mikael just doesn't strike me as one to fully trust. He's too.close to everyone and everything." "He killed your brother." Mirage pulled her cloak about her, covering her mother's medallion to keep the moonlight from glinting off of it. "He almost died to keep me alive, I trust him." The fact struck a strong chord with Seaver, but he kept silent and withheld the retort he had planned on using. "You're right," he said eventually before falling silent and picking up his own pace to match hers.
Upon reaching the site, both could tell almost immediately that it had already been visited. The arrow was burned beyond use, charred wood and raven feathers in the centre of an area cleared of brush and anything that would burn. However, mud was abundant, and as such Mirage quickly found a set of tracks. Following the trail more out of simple curiosity than anything, the two came to the almost heart-stilling realisation that in following the trail they were also nearing a spot where one of Drek's patrols camped out, and also that they were headed towards the hideaway. Keeping silent, paw motions only, the two moved in on the small camp, weapons at the ready in case trouble started. A small fire, sheltered to keep the glow to a minimum and smoke dispersed, was set in the middle of two tents. Mirage couldn't tell how many were in the tents, though both were only large enough for two beasts at most. Two foxes, one a vixen were off to one side, though, conversing with some cloaked beast and a black-feathered bird, which she saw soon enough was a raven, and learned quickly was the owner of the feathers fletched into the arrow that had burned. "No. Me's not upset, me's very very upset. Not good when sillybeasty uses fine good feather for stupid pointy stick." The raven batted none too gently at the weasel. "Youse see if me's ever let Drognan make for youse again." The vixen was about to speak up when the cloaked figure cut him off, using a string of words that belonged to some language Mirage couldn't place. Curious, she inched forward, looking around to find that Seaver had a plan of his own and, blade drawn, was moving towards one of the two tents. Mirage knew all too well what he was planning and muttered softly, reaffirming her grip on her twin daggers and starting towards the other tent. The four conversing were preoccupied, so ignoring them for now was easily done, and she slipped into the tent unnoticed. Inside, dozing fitfully was another of the Foxtribe that apparently wasn't too fond of having been assigned to guarding what looked like a store of supplies. An empty bottle of some rancid-smelling drink in one paw, halberd held loosely in the other, the beast was slumped on a makeshift bed made up solely of haversacks and some crates. Bringing her daggers up, Mirage slinked her way towards the fox and hesitated. She'd never done this before, and wasn't terribly sure about just what to do. "Hey slopnose! Bring out that wine we stored off, the guests are getting' drunk tonight!" She froze as one of the two from outside called in, rousing the slumbering guard. The fox stared at her for a moment, blinking as he tried to place a face with a name, and instead settled on the simple fact that she was not a fox, and thereby an immediate enemy. Growling, he rolled to his feet, bringing the halberd around for a blow. Mirage went more on instinct than anything, ducking the polearm and charging beneath its arc, slamming one of her daggers up at her attacker. The fox uttered a soft gurgling growl, and fell back with a soft crash of boxes and the likes, leaving a more stunned ferret holding her own blood- soaked dagger. "Jyreth?" She turned, facing now the vixen that had been outside. "Jyreth. You killed 'em?" The vixen pulled a rapier from her belt and charged, bringing the blade about in a quick swing. Again, Mirage was moving more on instinct as she brought her dagger up to block, locking the rapier against her dagger's hilt. Rolling inside the rapier's range, she drove her dagger home, felling another beast to the ground before her mind could fully register much else. Shortly on the heels of his predecessor, the other fox from outside charged, scoring a glancing blow with a slash on Mirage's shoulders. She let out a soft cry and fell back under the dead weight of the vixen. Effectively pinned, she watched as the fox brought his blade up, staggered, and slumped over dead. Freeing his own blade, Seaver kicked the dead vixen aside. "You alright? What about the bird and that other fellow, you get them?" "O' meo eta heru." Seaver whirled to face the speaker, only finding the same cloaked beast as had been seen outside, no weapons drawn. "Who are you?" "Wo eta ue?" Seaver growled, bringing his blade up, but Mirage managed to stand and grab his wrist before it could be swung. "Don't! He's not Foxtribe. I know him, sort of." She stared past Seaver's shoulder at the beast. "Ferret. Part of a family near here that works as apothecaries for these parts." The figure eyed Mirage for a moment and then let a soft chuckle escape. "Good to be known. I know you, yes?" Walking forward, he tapped the medallion showing. "Seen that one many times. Wise to not kill me, I know much you do not. Find me, highest payment always wins, you know." He laughed and turned to leave. "Raven will watch, just call Antenora." Mirage furrowed her brow, pressing a paw to the thin gash in her shoulder. "Yeah, you do that. Go mix up something and enjoy the fumes, eh?" Looking back to Seaver and letting the odd ferret go, she motioned to the stores. "What should we do with these?" "Leave the bodies out away from here somewhere, let the carrion birds get their fill. As for the stores.find what's useful and what you can carry, and lets go." Mirage nodded and looked back at the vixen and halberd-wielding fox, sighing softly as she walked towards them. Cleaning her blades on the vixen's tunic, she sheathed her weapons and shook off the numbing feeling that kept coming every time she simply thought 'they're dead'. Argent had warned her of this, and said it would pass. All Mirage could do was simply hope it would.
Chapter VI
The night's sleep after having slain the two foxes was fitful at best for Mirage. Images of the dead haunted her, apparitions appearing around every corner and out of every shadow. The images that plagued her were eerie and foreboding, hollow eye-sockets and skin hanging loosely to bone underneath, like mere clothing, was all that made up the ghosts in her dreams. They chased her through the forests, never relenting in their pursuit and steadily gaining. Amidst the growing panic, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that in spite of her tiring run, they were gaining with ease, the lead gripping a halberd tight in paw and raising it to strike. And then, as quick as the blinking of an eye, she found herself in a camp in the middle of a clearing, an all too familiar form hunched over a small, inviting campfire, stoking the unseen burning logs with a stout twig. "You run from them?" Mirage looked back over her shoulder and could vaguely see the haunts amidst the shadows surrounding the clearing, watching her closely. "Hrmph. They deserve what they received in death, you know." Ghost stood, brushing himself off and throwing the twig he had been stoking the flames with into the fire itself. "You shouldn't run from them. If you do, all it invites is the torment they will try to bring you." "But. I've just never-" "Killed?" Ghost interrupted her and drew up alongside her, glaring at the apparitions. "It will not be the last time; you were merely caught off- guard. You did, though, handle yourself very well if I may say so." Mirage watched Ghost stoop over to pick up a stone that hadn't been there earlier and throw it at the fox with the halberd. "I. Ghost, I'm not sure I have what it takes to do any of this. I'm not a killer." "Neither was any of the line that followed after me. I was a killer, born and bred. You are a fighter, a warrior. There is a difference." "I'm listening." Mirage couldn't hide the tinge of distaste in her voice. "The warrior and fighter deals justice. They uphold that which is right, true, and dare I say are some of the gentlest souls you'll find on this pile of dirt called the world." Ghost turned and made his way back to the fire, crouching beside it. "The killer," he motioned to the apparitions hovering outside the range of firelight, "care nothing for what is right. They will work hard to break a strong warrior of his, or her, will to fight through many means, fear being one. You can't be afraid of them, Mirage." He looked back over his shoulder at her, eyes glinting under the hood of his cloak. "If you fear them, then you will be helpless against what is coming." Mirage eyed him curiously, walking over to join him by the fire. "Why, what's coming?" Ghost shook his head, looking back at the fire. "You know I can't tell you." "You will, though." She crossed her arms in front of her, glaring down at the form. "I hate surprises. Humour me. What's coming?" "I can't tell you.. But," he looked up to meet the glare, "I can tell you something. Trust the bird and her companion, and those who have stood by you through the worst." "The bird.and who?" She muttered softly until recalling the odd figures that had been with the foxes that were now dead. "Oh." "Trust your friends, always, and your instincts as well. Watch your back, keep alert, and remember never to fear them." Ghost looked back at the fire, eyes closing as he offered a faint wave. And then it was dark and Mirage found herself awake in the room. Sitting up to slide off the bed, walking over to the lantern and opening the hood to get some light. It was, unless the light coming from under her door on the outside was a mistake, morning. Washing up a bit and checking the bandaging on her shoulder before getting dressed, she slipped out to see who might have been stirring. The main room was empty, the lights were still dark under Argent and Mikael's doors, Slick was undoubtedly upstairs and Shara with him, the two had almost become inseparable of late. Seaver, in turn, was sleeping in his own corner of the main room, a makeshift tent of sorts used to keep things comfortably dark while he slept. Pushing her way into the kitchens, she found Kass huddled over some breakfast, adding what looked to be wintergreen or some sort of herb to the meal. Upon her arrival, though, the cook started and straightened upright, pushing the pouch holding the herbs into his pocket, a few leaves carelessly falling to the ground. "Mirage.what a surprise. Y'see, not many come t' visit me when I'm cookin'." Mirage furrowed her brow. "Well.if you say so. I was bored. What's cooking?" "Er, that'd be a special little thing I thought up earlier in th' night, a bit o' everythin' we gots left." "Mind if I try?" She made her way closer, reaching for the ladle to sample the meal, only to have her paw batted aside. "No! Heh, y' know how I am 'bout lettin' folk eat before time, right? I'll, eh, be right back. Steppin' out for some air, kitchens get stuffy after a while, right?" Not waiting for a refute or remark otherwise, Kass pushed his way past Mirage and to the door. "Right, uh.don't let me get in your way." She watched him leave and then knelt to pick up the dropped leaves, sniffing at them lightly. While unable to tell for certain what the leaf was, she was certain about one thing. It wasn't wintergreen, or any of the other things Storm used to grow in the garden back home. Slipping the dropped leaves into her pocket, she pushed her way out of the kitchens and went straight for the one she knew would have an idea of just what the leaves were. Kicking his tent lightly, and him through it, she waited for Seaver to wake up. "Wha.?!" The fox poked his head out of the bottom of the tent, looking up at Mirage with nothing short of tired eyes. "What do you want? I'm sleepin'." "Here, need your eyes and brain to tell me something." She pulled one of the leaves out and let it fall next to him. "What's that?" He looked up at her confusedly for a moment, then down at the leaf. Mirage, in her time living, never quite saw anyone snap to wakefulness that quickly, and sat back as the fox sniffed at the leaf and eyed it warily. "So?" "Poison. Stake my life on it, Mirage. Hemlock? No.henbane.something like that. I'm not keen on the names, we're not one to use poisons in the Tribe, but we know what they look like all the same." He glanced about warily, lowering his voice. "Where'd you get it?' "Er.found them. Get up and come with me." She walked over and pounded heavily on Argent's door. "Argent, you awake?" From behind the door came a grumble as a lantern was lit. "Come in. I am now." Mirage pushed her way in and waited for Seaver to enter before closing the door solidly behind her. "Found something you should see. Seaver?" Seaver passed the small leaf over to Argent, who eyed it curiously. "What is it?" "Poison. Not sure of the name yet, mind's still sleeping for the most part. But I know one when I see it. Give it a smell. Slightly rank, right? I'm sure that one, if you break the leaf, would have a pale milky juice in the main vein." Argent eyed Seaver curiously as she broke it, and looked down to find his assumption true. "So, who found it and where?" "I did," Mirage said, raising a paw. "Kass was adding them to the breakfast when I walked into the kitchen. He's outside now, I believe." "Adding them to what?" Argent looked entirely short of impressed. "You're sure they're not something for cooking, right?" Seaver nodded. "Aye. I've run into that one before. Steamed it on some food and used the juice it made to knock a stoat off 'er feet.thieving wretch that she was. Forgot the name.but I never used a poison after going through that." Mirage tried to ignore what she heard. "I'll agree. Storm, my mum, had all kinds of things in her garden. That wasn't one of them." Argent growled loudly and crushed the poison in a fist, glaring at the door. "How long has he been doing this? That no good two-timing rat!" Still holding the leaf in her fist, she drew a rapier and tossed it to Seaver. "You and Mirage come with me. Don't kill him until I say so." Without waiting for a response, the vixen pounded her way through the door and started for the surface. Mirage blinked. This was so unlike what she had expected to see yet, still, somehow it fit. Argent was angry; someone could have died. She drew a dagger and "Alright." Followed by Seaver, Mirage made her way out into the main room and up the stairs leading to the entryway, Argent already out of sight. Hearing a one- sided scuffle as the two neared the main entry, they quickened their pace and blinked at the sight that awaited them. It was still early dawn, and Argent was calmly leaning against a nearby tree and watching, arms crossed, as Slick brought a stout branch about to meet solidly with Kass' skull. The cook, suffering from a bloodied snout already, fell to the ground with a sharp yelp. "You whelp. She dies an' I'll show you how we fought in th' taverns, eh? Now get up, I ain't through with you yet." Tossing the branch well out of the way, Slick hardly paid any mind to Mirage and Seaver. "I'm waitin'." Mirage was about to protest, but Argent stopped her with a paw. "Told Slick. He had some news. Shara's been hunting a cure for something she was hiding from us. You two stay here, I'm taking Mikael to look for her." Taking her own blade back from Seaver, Argent pushed her way back into the Den. "Please, Slick m' lad. I ain't th' fighter ye are, and ye know that." Slick let out a sort of grunt and glowered down at the cook, who was just pushing himself up to his knees. "Only a coward resorts to poisons, you know." "It.I was. I can explain. I ain't th' enemy here." Kass looked up pleadingly at Slick. "Comrade?" Mirage blinked as something flashed. At first, she thought it had been nothing, merely the rising sun filtering through the trees and leaves. And then she watched Kass slump over to one side, a paw clutching a thin line of blood that appeared almost out of nowhere. Slick sighed, wiping his rapier clean and closing his eyes, the rage dying. "I ain't your comrade no more, Traitor. Die slowly, it's th' least I can offer." He glanced over at the two watching on. "Kill me if you want, I'm through." "Slick." Mirage walked over, looking down at Kass. "Go downstairs with Seaver, I'll take the watch." She smiled kindly, hiding everything else that was running through her mind for the time being. "Argent and Mikael will find Shara.she'll be fine." Taking his cue, Seaver stepped in to take Slick's rapier from the other fox's paw and slip it into its sheath. "Come on. I'll get you something to drink." Slick was in an odd state and simply nodded to everything going on about him, following Seaver's lead down into the Den. Once she was alone, Mirage sighed and dropped to kneel beside Kass, pushing him onto his back and checking the wound. It was, unfortunately, dealt with skill and death was inevitable. "Kass. Why'd you do it?" The fox shook his head and managed to stop breathing laboriously long enough to speak. "Never originally wanted all them t' catch on. Drek. 'e said if'n I got ye, 'e'd 'ave left all th' others alone. Seemed like fair 'nough trade t' me. Either we all died.or jus' th' one that caused 'em all t' find our little group in th' first place.." Mirage blinked, staring at the dying beast with a complete look of disbelief. "You. I would have. I thought you and I were comrades, companions. Part of the same team." "Outsider, ye were. Always will be too." Kass chuckled. "An' now, 'cause of ye, I'm here dyin'. An' t' be fairly honest. I 'ope ye join me soon. 'cause I blame ye for all this mess." "That's not true. You brought this all on yourself Kass. It's as much my fault as it is that rock over there." "Think, Lass. How'd they end up findin' here. Who's blood, an' why was he bleedin'. If ye had died with yer parents.none o' this would've happened." He coughed and closed his eyes, struggling for a good breath again. "Aye.think about it. Ye'll see.I'm right, lass." Kass coughed again and finally breathed his last. Mirage could only shake her head at everything for a moment, and then she was hit in force by the tears. Rage mixed with her own feelings of loss and hurt fuelled a punch to the dead fox's snout. "LIAR!" She pushed herself up, kicking at him and turning away to hide her face in the fabric of her cloak. "Liar.that's what you were." Sitting against a tree-trunk, she hugged her knees up to her with one arm and let her dagger fall to the ground with a soft thud. Drawing her second blade, she studied the 'G' on the pommel and sniffed, wiping a few tears with her cloak. "Sorry I failed." She let the second dagger fall beside the first and closed her eyes, head resting on her knees. Trying to banish the idea that she was indeed to blame for the whole tragic outcome of things, she became less aware of what was around her right up until the cold blade of a cutlass pressed to the back of her neck.
Argent came up with Mikael and Seaver, listening to the latter recount what he saw happen between Kass and Slick. Spying none standing sentry, her next instinct was to look towards where she had left Kass with Slick. Only a dead body of a fox awaited her there. Thinking nothing of it, she motioned towards Kass. "Get him out of my sight. I have no time for traitors." Argent sighed and trudged over towards a tree to sit against. On her way, she felt her boot kick something solid and glanced down. "Oh no."