Authors' Note: I regret to tell you all this. Then again…ALL may be an overstatement. I am stopping writing this fic. In fact, I am stopping writing altogether. My enthusiasm for the creative media on paper with pen/computer with keyboard has been dwindling ever since I started and I see now no point in it. Also contributing is I have found other outlets in art, drama and my passion in music that was just rekindled.
I will leave my stories up. But it is highly unlikely that new chapters will be put up. The only way they will is if I'm ever feeling depressed and I have no drawing paper, too many people in the house to role play, and my piano is out of tune. As you can see, not very likely.
I want to thank everyone who took an interest in this story. To those who reviewed…thank you beyond thank yous'…to those who didn't…thanks for nothing!...Joking, joking. For anyone who read PTM and didn't review. Thank you for taking an interest.
So, it is with this chapter I leave you. Although you might get the next one, entitled Perhaps They May and is one of the most pivotal in the story. Only because it is half finished and that would annoy me.
Thank You To These Lovely People…
SilverRose Brighteye – Thank you, thank you. Wolves are one of my favourite animals. And for those Redwall fans who say the one in The Bellmaker doesn't count…HE HAD A NAME! SO MUST BE INTELLIGENT! AND BY THAT MUST COUNT!
Catty Engles – Thanks for your advice. And If I had continued this for…two more chapters. I could have been able to put it into action…thanks though!
…Quoi Qu'il Arrive…
Perhaps They May
Chapter Three:
Bandit Training Just Isn't Enough
"RUN!" "Run is good…" "I recommend it…" Rosabell Flikpaw and Hakku Greenstream
Hey Mr. hero.
Walking a thin fine line,
Under the microscope of life.
Remember your rules my friend.
There are doubts below,
'Cause heros come and heros go.
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
For what's to come.
Oh I said…
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
For what's to come.
"Are You Ready?"
Creed
Normal POV
"To start off your trainin', first I'm gonna need to see what you can do now."
"Well, I can pick locks and I know stealth techniques. I'm pretty good with a dagger as we-"
"Shut up Rosabell…"
"…"
"I mean we're gonna 'ave to take you out an' find somethin' for you to show your skills on. There's no point in you jus' tellin' me wot you c'n do!"
Rosabell pouted childishly.
"Yeah, well…what am I going to show my skills on smartypants?"
"I have an idea 'bout that…but first, 'ave you ever kill'd anybeast?"
Rosabell paled slightly and Hakku took that for a 'no'. He mentally sighed, that would be the hardest part for her, killing a beast. Ahh well, time to break the news to her.
"Sorry t' say, Rosa'. But yore gonna 'ave to learn t' kill beasts wi'out 'esitation." Rosabell looked up at him, confused.
"But, I always thought that thieves didn't have to kill…"
"Sure, they don' 'ave to, but if worse comes t' worse, it may be yore only choice. Anyway, back t' th' problem at hand…follo' me." And with that, he ran off, back in the direction they came from. Rosabell let out a groan and followed, doggedly, behind him.
After what seemed like an eternity to both Rosa' and Hakku, Rosabell because of her weariness and Hakku because of Rosabell's complaining, they finally reached their destination. Rosabell immediately recognized it.
"Riiight…Hakku. What the hell are we doing back here?"
They had stopped directly by the bushes that Hakku had first dived out of to 'rescue' Rosabell. There were a few signs that beasts had been there since they had left, mainly the bush was hacked at savagely in some places. There were also paw prints all around them in the dust of the road.
"Hah…bandits. Al'ays were stoopid as heck…" Hakku muttered distastefully as he examined the prints. Rosabell tried examining them, but eventually got bored and started hovering over Hakku's shoulder. After a while, Hakku growled at her and shooed her away.
"Git lost yer stinkin' pest. Can't ye see I'm tryin' to get information?"
Rosa' just smirked insolently.
"What? From them? How can you tell anything from those scuffs in the dirt?"
This gained a sigh from Hakku and a slap over the back of her head. She rubbed her head and glared at Hakku, who ignored her.
"Yore a right fool an' no mistake Rosabell. From these liddle scuffs I can tell 'ow many beasts there are. An' what type o' beast they are." Rosabell opened her mouth, but before she could speak, he interrupted. "'Cats…mebbe a few Hedgehogs…Strange, goodbeast an' badbeast workin' together.... An' see these, Rat prints. Not many o' those but…I'd say around 'alf a score o' beasts altogether. Mebbe a few more."
He glanced at Rosabell who was looking at him, jaw dropped. He grinned at her and before she could even ask, started explaining everything to her. This took only around ten minutes, as Hakku had a very effective teaching method. You get it wrong, I hit you. After explaining to Rosabell, he looked at the bushes.
"Hah, not very well armed…Look 'ere Rosa', see 'ow th' bushes 'ave bin 'acked at? Yes? Well, tha' means tha' their weapons are blunt. At least their swords an' stuff like that. But we can't depend on this for everythin', 'cause some mightn't 'ave cut at this…You getting' this Rosa'?" He got a vigorous nod from her.
"Good, now 'ere's what we're gonna do…first we're gonna wait 'till night falls, then…"
* * * * *
Fritz's POV
Not exhausted his usefulness yet…
I wonder what that could mean. Surely the Emperor would have no use for me. What can I do? I can fight, sure, but everybeast in Menag can fight. It is not as if I am related to anybeast useful. My only relative in the City is a lowly healer who spends his spare time bartending…I am so confused.
I woke up, cast out onto the streets in a pile of mud and discarded food. Not a pleasant awakening for anybeast. The last thing I can remember is that Emperor standing over me. I saw his face. But then my memories seem to have stopped, I cannot visualize his features in my mind.
After awakening, I walked to the nearest well to wash up. It didn't do much to improve my appearance due to the bruises and missing patches of fur I had gained but it made me feel better. When I finished I decided against visiting one of the many crowded taverns and bars and decided to go for a walk instead. That walk has lead me here. On top of the western wall of the mighty wolf city of Menag. The quiet breeze that had been here to begin with had gradually built up to a quite blustery wind. It starts to rain as I turn to face the inward of the great city.
As I stand here, battling off a headache, I see all of Menag. A huge city, it was at first a place of war. This still stands in the large amount of trained soldiers that patrol the streets and live in the castle. Ahh, yes, the castle. It has been there longer than anybeast can remember. It is said that the great Silver Wolf, founder of Menag, helped build it himself. It is a mighty castle, built out of solid stone with tall turrets surrounded by a deep moat. At the very top of the castle flies the Menagean banner. A running silver wolf emblazoned on a black backing.
But the greatest marvel of all Menag would have to be the city itself. A huge place. It is said you can live here for a lifetime and still find something new in an afternoons stroll. It covers a wide, circular expanse, coming out from the edges of the castle moat. But the city will not be expanding any further. As was the command of Emperor Seraph, a great wall was built around it, securing Menag as a fighting city.
I was 'recruited' when I was young, as was my younger cousin Nepano. The recruiting for the Menagean army is very simple. You join, or the existing soldiers wipe out you and your whole family. I am now a Lieutenant, although being of a high rank seems to do nothing to raise favor to the Emperor.
I was arrested for supposed treachery. The normal penalty is death. That is why I am so confused. Why am I still alive?
How does he need me?
* * * * *
Rosabell's POV
Hakkus' plan was simple enough. Wait until nightfall so we would have some decent cover. Sneak up on the bandits. Then beat the crap out of them. Of course, we would be outnumbered around five to one, but Hakku didn't seem to care. Well, we waited until nightfall. And now we are outside the bandits' camp, we had scoped them out and Hakku was pretty good with his guess. There were seven wildcats altogether, and four hedgehogs. They were sitting by a large bonfire, obviously not caring that they were just one huge target. Two rats were sitting by a separate, smaller fire. I snickered and muttered to Hakku.
"Heh, seems that nobeast likes the rats, hey Hakku?"
I smiled a bit as I got a quiet chuckle from him. I turned to see him dangling a sling in my face.
"You know 'ow t' use on o' these, Rosa'?"
I nodded, what self-respecting misfit didn't know how to use a sling? I was just about to make that point to Hakku when he shoved the sling into my paws along with a small bag of what I guess would be throwing pebbles.
"Good, tha' means I won' 'ave t' show ye 'ow t' use one then. Okay now, 'ere's th' plan.
You sneak up be'ind those rats, once ye get there, give me a minute or so t' get ready. Then, I wan' ye t' take out those two rats as quick as ye can…Once ye've dun tha', wait 'til I've moved. Then ye can run in an' elp me get 'em. You got that?"
I nodded. It seemed like a good plan, but before I could ask any questions, Hakku disappeared. He headed towards the big bonfire. I sighed and started to creep towards the smaller fire with the two rats.
The whole camp as in a huge clearing. The bonfire was directly in the middle of it, and the smaller fire was more towards the surrounding forest. This made my job a hell of a lot easier. I finally reached the point behind the two rats and loaded the sling.
Hakku said wait a minute. Then I'll have to attack.
Normal POV
When Hakku had left Rosabell, he had crept off in the opposite direction heading for the big bonfire. When he reached it, he looked around for what he wanted.
Hakku is usually in the possession of a large, stout, wooden staff. But unfortunately, when he was attacked by the bandits previously, a huge hedgehog had taken it from him. He was not in a position to take it back at the time so he had to leave it.
The ermine watched the camp with his piercing, mauve eyes and easily saw the spikedog. It was quite a large specimen, with mud covering him from tail to tip. Hakkus' staff was clutched in his paws and, luckily for Hakku, he was fast asleep, leaning on a rock at the edge of the clearing.
Hakku slinked up behind him and silently, slowly, carefully removed the staff from the hedgehogs' huge paws. The ermine then gave a silent smile of triumph and relief before promptly whacking the hedgehog over the head with the staff. Fortunately, the crackle of the fire disguised the crack of the spikedogs' skull shattering…
Just at that moment, Rosabell decided that he had enough time so she loaded the sling, with another stone in paw and whizzed them, one after the other, with frightening accuracy at the two rats. Two nauseating snaps sounded over the noise of the fire, and as soon as Hakku leapt from behind the rock and carcass of the hedgehog, Rosabell seemed to realize what she'd done and froze.
Pandemonium swept through the camp like wildfire. The few beasts that had been awake started screaming, that woke up other beasts who, having no idea what was going on, decided to join suit and started screaming as well. Hakku, in the meantime, was leaping from shadow to shadow, the staff like an extension of his paw as he took down two wildcats before leaping through the flames of the bonfire onto the back of another. They both fell to the ground, but it was a fight that the ermine easily won, breaking all the wildcats' limbs and smashing his face.
One of the robbers, a hedgehog, finally noticed that it was Hakku causing all the panic. He swung his mace angrily before yelling to his friend, a wildcat who wielded a sword, to come. The both advanced on the ermine as others seemed to catch on and form a circle around Hakku who, naturally, was feeling extremely nervous now.
"Come on, Rosa…Where are ye' when I need ye'?" He murmured.
The previously mentioned wolf was at the moment in a slight state of shock. She couldn't believe that she'd just killed two innocent…well maybe not innocent…but she'd just killed two rats. Rosabell looked up to see Hakku surrounded and felt herself moving without her minds' consent. She raced into the clearing, sending two rocks speeding from her sling into the side of the circle. The gap the two dead beasts left opened up onto dark forest.
"RUN!" She screamed as Hakku bounded through the gap in the circle, hitting a few beasts on the way out. He laughed and sped off towards the forest.
"Run is good…" The ermine gasped as Rosabell dropped in next to him and started running as well.
"I recommend it…" She yelled, and then laughed as they reached the forest. The remaining three wildcats and two hedgehogs roared in rage and loped after them. But the hedgehogs were no match for the speed of the two thieves and soon were left behind. The wildcats, on the other hand, were extremely fast, and Hakku and Rosa' soon found them gaining on them.
"What are we going to do?" Rosabell huffed as she dodged a tree. Hakku thought about this for a moment before shouting back.
"Take me paw, Rosa'. An' 'old on tight…"
Rosabell didn't argue, she grabbed the ermines' paw and held on for dear life as the wildcats approached even closer. Hakku broke into a sprint, dragging Rosabell along with him. He gained a little ground on the cats but soon began to tire. He spotted what he wanted a short distance ahead, two trees around an arms distance apart, with a strong tree branch close by. He lifted his staff in the air, catching it on the trees. He momentum of his and Rosabell's moving body's carried them up into the air and smashing down, onto the tree branch.
The three wildcats stopped below them, one, an average sized ginger female with a nasty sneer, turned to another, a young, black furred male, and snarled.
"Well, Dengi…where are they eh? You said they 'eaded this way…"
The third one, a huge sandy coloured male, growled at Dengi as well.
"Yea'…well…I can't see any sign o' a fox an' ferret eh? Can you…Jehfe?"
The ginger cat shook her head. Dengi opened his mouth to apologize but the ginger female silenced him with an opened-pawed smack to the face, leaving deep claw marks.
"Ahhh..git away ye pathetic kitten. Go on…git lost." With that, Dengi the black wildcat ran off, clutching his face. After he had gone, Hakku looped his legs around the branch and swung down, his face now directly upside down, hanging in front of the two cats.
"Ye shouldn' 'ave 'it 'im. He was right…" The ermine then grinned before turning serious. In two seconds flat he had killed Jehfe and the sandy male with his staff. He swung down from the branch and Rosabell jumped down after him. She muttered in disgust.
"And it's a wolf and an ermine…pathetic cat…So, where to now, Hakku?"
"Well, there was this place I was thinking' of…'s a wolf city…you'd like it."