Broken

Chapter Four- An Endless Enigma

Notice- Avel, sometimes people go nuts. Between my friends (who I am currently pissed off at), appointments, driving, more appointments, my computer problems, more appointments, my letterman's jacket, more appointments, and post finals, my mind is pretty much shot. Did I mention that I had a ton of appointments? Okay, sorry about that. By the way, does anyone else find this chapter name suitable for my mental state? O.o

Thanks for your compliments though. I don't like how Bluefen is, but that's how she probably really was, you know. We as Americans are raised to believe in women's rights and all that, but in a vermin horde they weren't. That's what I figure.

Bluefen awoke the next morning to find Swartt sitting up before the opening of the tent. He was staring blankly outside, eyes glazed over as if he hadn't blinked for some time. He's probably deep in thought, she reflected in her mind.

She sat up, the blankets strewn about chaotically. For a few moments, she just sat and looked at him, wondering what was going on in his mind. She embraced him from behind, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Please talk to me," she whispered, running her paws over his sinewy arms.

He took one of her paws and turned to face her. "Don't do this, Bluefen," he said forlornly, eyes fastened to hers.

A tear trickled down the side of her face after he said this. Things like that upset her. No matter how he'd treated her before, she still felt in place with him. The way he was speaking now, it was as if he just didn't want her there. She didn't like this feeling, it was like...rejection...

She freed her paw and looked to the side. "What are you saying?" she inquired, trying to keep her composure.

Swartt stood as if he were ready to leave. "What I'm saying is that you should stop living for me," he said as he quickly left the tent.

As he left, she felt a sinking feeling. He'd never acted like this before, and she didn't like how things were going now. She just couldn't understand it.

She stared at the exit of the tent for a long time after that. She couldn't say what he'd meant by that comment, but she thought on it plenty. Stop living for him? What does he mean? It was, in all actuality, quite clear to her. She just didn't know how to go about it...

Ectyce Sixclaw was in a foul mood that morning. He'd seen Nightshade running into Scarback's tent, and assuming it was about his father, he was upset at her actions. He was wandering about camp, awake all morning, and she couldn't talk to him about it? He was Swartt's family, his flesh and blood, and Nightshade was acting as if it were none of his business! What nerve.

He soon seated himself by the fire, cooking a piece of the pike that the others had caught. He had his jaw clenched tight, inwardly seething over this whole situation. Scarback had practically taken over! Temporary leadership, the whole Swartt situation, and Nightshade summoning him? Why?

Too upset to eat, he flung the fish angrily into the fire and stomped towards Nightshade's tent, where her and Scarback were talking. He wasn't going to tolerate this. He gripped the hilt of his sword as he barged into the tent.

The two were seated across from each other, deep in conversation. Nightshade was stunned at the sight of him, knowing very well the reasons in which he was upset. Scarback, on the other hand, stared up at him with contempt.

"What are you doing in here, ferret?" he queried, not the least bit intimidated by the young ferret.

Ectyce scowled, looking with disdain upon both of them. "I'm the one who'll be asking the questions, weasel," he began coldly. He shifted his gaze from Scarback to Nightshade. "Tell me, vixen, why wasn't I invited in on this conversation, eh?"

Nightshade's shock faded to scorn as he spoke. "Because I know that there is no help you can offer. Now get out," she said bravely, glad that Scarback was at her side.

Ectyce's jaw tightened as he heard her utter those last three words. He gripped the hilt of his sword, knowing that it would have been drawn and put into action if Scarback was not there. He wasn't too confident in his odds against the weasel, never the less he would fight him if necessary.

A tense silence followed as Ectyce contemplated what to do. Should he pull his sword and end this conflict with Scarback once and for all? Should he just walk away, and look weak? He decided to go a different route.

"Mark my words, both of you. I don't need some daft seer to find out what's going on here. You'll see, I'll find out, before either of you!" he said, each word stressed angrily. He left the tent hastily, satisfied with his actions.

He then made his way across camp to another tent. He barged inside to see a female ferret, fast asleep. Her mouth was slightly ajar and a small pool of saliva had collected upon her pillow. She was snoring softly. She obviously wasn't the kind to be accompanied while sleeping.

Ectyce shook her until she woke. She looked at him, startled. She sat up quickly, wiping off her mouth. "Um...Ectyce, what is it?" she inquired apprehensively, blushing under her fur to be seen in such a low state.

Ectyce smiled, obviously not phased by her messy appearance. "You, Neri, and me have some work to do," he said mischievously, smiling wickedly.

Neri narrowed her eyes, heart pounding furiously as she pondered what this could possibly be. She was clueless as to why he would ask her. Sure, she was one of Swartt's captains, but she didn't see herself as a good one. She didn't even know why she was chosen to be a captain. She was no good with any sort of weapon, but she could use a dagger in mild situations. She was good at strategic things though, being more of an intellect than a fighter. Someone must have thought highly of her, however, seeing as she was chosen in the first place. She'd always been confused about it, but she wouldn't complain.

"What do you mean, Ectyce?" she asked timidly, slightly dreading his answer.

He knelt next to her and shook her shoulder hardily. "You and me are going to find out what happened to him. We have to," he explained happily.

She looked at him quizzically, shaking her head. "Ectyce...I don't think I'm-"

"You're perfect, come on!" he said, dragging her from the mess of blankets by her arm. Neri was very disappointed that he had chosen her. She didn't really care, to be honest, about what had happened to Swartt. She was looking forward to more days of rest, but no. Now she had this to take care of.

The two of them ran across the camp again to Swartt and Bluefen's tent. Ectyce smiled menacingly as he entered the tent.

Bluefen was seated alone, the fur on her face wet as if she were crying. She didn't seem to notice the two come in. She just stared down at the ground, twisting the blankets in her paws as she bit her bottom lip.

Neri felt sorry for her. Being the wife of a warlord must've been hard. Neri knew that she could never do it, but she wasn't like most females after all. She couldn't care less if she'd ever found a mate or had kits. To her, the most important thing was her post.

"What are you blubbering about?" Ectyce inquired rudely, as he always was to his mother.

She shook her head slowly, never looking up at Ectyce.

Ectyce glared at her. He hated it when his questions went unanswered. He could have guessed that she was crying about Swartt for some reason.

"What did he do?" he asked irritably.

Bluefen looked up to him desperately. "Nothing...just please leave me alone..." she pleaded quietly.

Ectyce scowled at her. "You're going to tell me everything you know, female..." he murmured with contempt.

Neri could tell his anger was escalating, so she tried to slip away, unnoticed. Ectyce turned to her quickly. "Where do you think you're going?"

She shrugged, remaining silent. There really was nothing to say.

Ectyce stood, shaking with rage. "Both of you are useless!" he shouted as he left the two of them in the tent alone.

Bluefen and Neri looked at each other and shrugged. He was so much like Swartt used to be. He would only talk to them again in a few hours or so and forget about the situation.

Marbul tried his hardest to stay silent. He held his breathe as long as he could. He couldn't make a sound. Not at this point anyhow. He was placed in a set of bushes in the forest, looking upon the figure of Swartt Sixclaw as he wandered about.

It was strange how he was acting, and Scarback would describe that to be strangely paranoid. He watched as the warlord's eyes darted obsessively about the forest. He seemed so keen and alert, which was strange for he was just acting the opposite. It was like an endless enigma.

Was he expecting someone?

Did he know Marbul was there?

As if to answer his question, the warlord looked straight into his eyes through the bushes. Marbul's heart skipped a beat as they fastened eyes, and he jumped, making a slight rustle in the leaves.

He could only wonder what the warlord would do to him. He made his way over to the bushes, he knew he was there, the question was what he would do...

Sighs Introduced myself into the story (Neri). Yep, she's pretty much what I'm like. Yes, sometimes I do drool in my sleep, but how can I know until I wake up? Okay, never mind. I'm just weird...

Hope this chapter wasn't too bad. It's really a shame that I can't write quality (is rushed) right now. Three hour chapters. Blah. Continuous writing is the only way I like to write, so that's why...