Daring rescues rarely go as planned, Davrag Joris noted as he
crouched on a tree branch overlooking the massive Academy.
How do I get in, much less get to Jald, get out with him and to safe distances, Davrag's brow furrowed and his amber eyes narrowed. He didn't want to test his skills against over a thousand fighters and Vulpuz knew about many students there were. He doubted very much his skills would be useful against every last fighter in the Academy.
Not that I care a whit for you, Jald Nightson. If I heard where that cultist vixen was, I'd gladly leave you to be tortured and executed for whatever the hell is you did. Damn you for not leaving me that luxury!
Davrag let himself descend with a leap, landing silently in a crouch, his teeth bared in a grin as he moved through the area, years of experience implemented to keep absolutely silent as he ran around the perimeter of the Academy's pyramid-like structure, growing increasingly frustrated.
Only one damned gate, every single window was nearly impossible to climb to even with the aid of a tree. Whoever had design the Academy's building design had known exactly what he or she was doing.
Davrag snarled and crouched into the shadows again, a hundred yards away from the main entrance as he surveyed it, as well as the archer slits above it.
Interesting ideas flashed through his mind. Wouldn't it be interesting to disguise himself and sneak in? Or convince them he was on their side?
Knowing that idiot Jald, he had probably given them a description of him already which ruled out both of those plans.
Davrag's teeth gnashed out of frustration, another day completely wasted. His paws curled into fists as he fought a losing battle to keep his anger in check.
Self control, he reminded himself. Self control had kept him alive all those years ago when Crimson Tears' assassins had murdered his family, had kept him alive long enough to kill them and warrant the personal attention of the fox leader Gadric Kurion and it was in Crimson Tears he met the behemoth weasel Hallic, the torturer Arithia and the poison master Verria and had taken the orphan Arredon as his pupil to form the killer group the Five.
Now that he reflected on it, Gadric was probably the only creature that had given Davrag a gift and had never expected anything in return. And in return for that generosity, Davrag and the Five had fought alongside Geras Iridanis in his brutal takeover, in return for that generosity; Davrag had put his sword through the old fox's heart. It was a rather tragic story, but Davrag couldn't have cared less. The stupid old beast had trained him to kill anybeast at the drop of a hat, how ironic the sword he himself had forged was the blade he had fallen on! If anything, Davrag Joris delighted in the irony.
Davrag stopped the reminiscing as he heard the creak of the massive doors opening and saw three beasts emerge, two stoats and the third wrapped in a dark cloak, his features obscured by a mask
"I dun like dis, Fyric..." The smaller stoat replied, his voice having a nervous tinge to it as the trio moved into the woods, keeping the Masked Figure in front of them at all times.
Well, they didn't trust Mr. Mysterious, Davrag nearly chuckled as he drew one sword, his left paw twitching slightly as if it longed to clasp the second blade.
He had spent so much time learning the two-sword style that he had nearly forgotten how to wield one sword on its own, Davrag swore silently as he drew his second sword. Even with the one sword handicap, Davrag was ninety nine percent certain he could kill all three before they were aware of him, but even one percent chance of discovery was much too great when he was dealing in such a volatile situation.
Teeth bared in a savage grin, Davrag moved through the foliage towards his targets, giving not the slightest hint of his presence.
Fyric was his first victim, the large stoat was lagging behind, never noticing the shadow of death until Davrag's blade had run through his throat, but even hen a slight gurgle escape the dying beast's mouth and that sound alerted the two veteran agents like hurling a spark on a powder keg.
Davrag couldn't remove his blade in time as the two whirled around, instead he left the blade in Fyric's neck as the stoat collapses, dodging back into the shadows of the forest quick as he could.
The Masked One's cold blue eyes took in the scene of Fyric's corpse. The second stoat, who he remembered as Aldon was looking around nervously, "C'mon! Yer supposed to be on our team! What do we do?!"
He had left his back open, a fatal mistake, especially when it was turned on a beast not his ally, the Masked One mused.
Aldon jerked as the Masked One's dagger slid in his spine, a look of curious shock never leaving his face as he sank to the ground and joined Fyric in death.
The Masked One sighed a bit and called out, "Davrag Joris..."
The black stoat appeared in a blur, crouching by Fyric's corpse and retrieving the blade impeded in the corpse, "If you think knowing my name's going to save you-"
"Please listen, I am not your enemy."
"With a pair of Vandashira's agents and you say you aren't my enemy? I doubt that..." Davrag could have lunged and ended the Masked One's life but seeing him murder Aldon as he did stayed the stoat's blades. Truth be told, he was rather interested in this.
The Masked One nodded, "A ruse, as I am sure you are used to...I work for the one who hired you."
"And who would that be?" Davrag sneered, amusement playing on his features.
"Skola Snowshadow." Those two words sent a chill down Davrag's spine.
"You work for Skola Snowshadow?" He hissed, bringing up the wolflord's name half in a curse, half reverently.
"I do. It was he who sent me here to...observe, if you will. I must congratulate you. For a beast not part of this hunt, you have integrated yourself well. Rest assured, my lord does not intend to interfere in a way that would damage you or your prowess...in fact, I do believe we can help one another."
Davrag smirked, "What could you offer me?"
"Would entrance to the Academy and where Jald Nightson is held be a good incentive?"
Davrag was rendered momentarily speechless for one of the few times in his life. He recovered quickly however and smirked, "One false move, my anonymous friend and I'll cut out your throat."
"You have no need to worry. My lord wishes to see Vandashira fall. Many of our agents have been slain by her...occultist desires and rituals and her manipulations of many industries. The Academy was the last straw."
Davrag smirked once more, "Well if we're going to be friend, tell me your name."
"No."
"At least show me your face then," Nobeast had ever refused that from him and it irritated the stoat immensely.
"Very well," The beast reached up, placing the cleaned dagger in his belt as he slowly removed the mask, "Satisfactory?"
Davrag took in the vaguely attractive features, noting the fur and facial structure was that of a stoat, but he couldn't place the face. It wasn't a beast he had ever seen before.
"Yes, it is fine. Put it back on."
The stoat did so, masking his features from the world once more. "Take one of their uniforms, the one with the least bloodstains and hide it with your cloak...keep your face covered and I'll get you in...from there we can get inside and to your captive friend."
Davrag's grin betrayed his feelings. Boneflower and Eroket flashed briefly through his mind but he paid that absolutely no heed, "I have two partners...we may need them anyways."
"I figured. Eroket Nightblade and Boneflower." The Masked One nodded once. "If you need to, let's hide these bodies and get to them in Meridian."
"Right-wait, how did you know they're in Meridian?"
The Masked one didn't answer. He merely stripped Aldon's corpse of its uniform and tossed it to Davrag. "Put it on."
Davrag shrugged and removed his own black tunic, placing Aldon's uniform on. A bit of a tight fit, but discomfort never hurt much."
It was the work of ten minutes to hide the corpses where they wouldn't be discovered and the two were off, neither daring to trust the other. For Davrag Joris, this had just become a but more complicated...and much more fun.
"So, ye Morik, what're you doing in this city?" The beautiful erminemaid sitting across from the Academy guard replied with a smile.
Morik nodded, smiling. He had taken leave to Meridian for the day-at nearly dawn, which had saved his life from Davrag, even if he didn't know it- and happened upon this tavern where he had met this beautiful, charming and witty creature and the two had hit it off almost immediately.
"Well, I live nearby," the Academy Guard Chief replied, not wanting to frighten her, Boneflower she said her name was, Boneflower Windlass, with stories of the Academy.
"Ohhh," the female ermine nodded and grinned, taking a drink out of her glass, "'m 'ere with m'friend over there...we're just doin' some of our work'n all."
Morik nodded. Where had his training gone? This ermine absolutely entranced him, he was a bit ashamed to admit...if the Academy head could see him, Argith may have ordered him flogged for showing any sort of emotion.
The two had spent the afternoon drinking and talking, about everything they could without getting too personal.
Morik was sure there was more to this Boneflower then met the eye and he dearly wished he had the time to find out, but it was likely after today, he'd never see her again. He didn't know why but the thought saddened him.
The ermine's companion, her friend, she said, another ermine by the name of Eroket was leaning by the door, talking in hushed tones with a creature Morik could not see, after a short time he called, "Boneflower! Time to go!"
Morik tried to hide his disappointment, whereas Boneflower didn't even try that, "Yeah, yeah..." She sighed and stood, "Sorry, Mor...buisness'n all...hope I see ya again sometimes..."
She leaned forward and kissed the Academy Guard on the cheek, freezing him in time for about two seconds. With a dazzling smile and a wave she turned to her companion, "Yeah, yeah...'m ready...and dun gimmie that look, Ero! I don't have a 'property of Eroket Nightblade' mark on my back..."
"Want me to arrange that?" Morik heard her companion mutter as they exited. Noting the distaste in his voice, he was either a bit jealous of the attention that Boneflower had spent on him or he was dealing with somebeast rather unsavory.
With a shrug, the Academy Guard drained his glass before flicking a coin to the bartender and rising. He needed to get back anyways or he'd face consequences from Master Argith.
Morik had ever been an honorable, skilled creature, an odd sort at the Academ and not even the numerous beatings could separate Morik's morals from him.
It was strange Argith had chosen him as the Academy's head guard after Jast's untimely death, very odd...sometimes Morik felt trapped in his duty to Argith and often questioned the fox's methods, but honor and duty kept him in his place. He sometimes despised it.
Morik would never serve a creature as Tarl Argith if he knew the truth of the fox's connections in the underworld and his tyranny over the Academy.
Morik sighed slightly, rebuking himself silently before he exited the door of the tavern, back to the Academy. Back to his home.
Back to his prison.
How do I get in, much less get to Jald, get out with him and to safe distances, Davrag's brow furrowed and his amber eyes narrowed. He didn't want to test his skills against over a thousand fighters and Vulpuz knew about many students there were. He doubted very much his skills would be useful against every last fighter in the Academy.
Not that I care a whit for you, Jald Nightson. If I heard where that cultist vixen was, I'd gladly leave you to be tortured and executed for whatever the hell is you did. Damn you for not leaving me that luxury!
Davrag let himself descend with a leap, landing silently in a crouch, his teeth bared in a grin as he moved through the area, years of experience implemented to keep absolutely silent as he ran around the perimeter of the Academy's pyramid-like structure, growing increasingly frustrated.
Only one damned gate, every single window was nearly impossible to climb to even with the aid of a tree. Whoever had design the Academy's building design had known exactly what he or she was doing.
Davrag snarled and crouched into the shadows again, a hundred yards away from the main entrance as he surveyed it, as well as the archer slits above it.
Interesting ideas flashed through his mind. Wouldn't it be interesting to disguise himself and sneak in? Or convince them he was on their side?
Knowing that idiot Jald, he had probably given them a description of him already which ruled out both of those plans.
Davrag's teeth gnashed out of frustration, another day completely wasted. His paws curled into fists as he fought a losing battle to keep his anger in check.
Self control, he reminded himself. Self control had kept him alive all those years ago when Crimson Tears' assassins had murdered his family, had kept him alive long enough to kill them and warrant the personal attention of the fox leader Gadric Kurion and it was in Crimson Tears he met the behemoth weasel Hallic, the torturer Arithia and the poison master Verria and had taken the orphan Arredon as his pupil to form the killer group the Five.
Now that he reflected on it, Gadric was probably the only creature that had given Davrag a gift and had never expected anything in return. And in return for that generosity, Davrag and the Five had fought alongside Geras Iridanis in his brutal takeover, in return for that generosity; Davrag had put his sword through the old fox's heart. It was a rather tragic story, but Davrag couldn't have cared less. The stupid old beast had trained him to kill anybeast at the drop of a hat, how ironic the sword he himself had forged was the blade he had fallen on! If anything, Davrag Joris delighted in the irony.
Davrag stopped the reminiscing as he heard the creak of the massive doors opening and saw three beasts emerge, two stoats and the third wrapped in a dark cloak, his features obscured by a mask
"I dun like dis, Fyric..." The smaller stoat replied, his voice having a nervous tinge to it as the trio moved into the woods, keeping the Masked Figure in front of them at all times.
Well, they didn't trust Mr. Mysterious, Davrag nearly chuckled as he drew one sword, his left paw twitching slightly as if it longed to clasp the second blade.
He had spent so much time learning the two-sword style that he had nearly forgotten how to wield one sword on its own, Davrag swore silently as he drew his second sword. Even with the one sword handicap, Davrag was ninety nine percent certain he could kill all three before they were aware of him, but even one percent chance of discovery was much too great when he was dealing in such a volatile situation.
Teeth bared in a savage grin, Davrag moved through the foliage towards his targets, giving not the slightest hint of his presence.
Fyric was his first victim, the large stoat was lagging behind, never noticing the shadow of death until Davrag's blade had run through his throat, but even hen a slight gurgle escape the dying beast's mouth and that sound alerted the two veteran agents like hurling a spark on a powder keg.
Davrag couldn't remove his blade in time as the two whirled around, instead he left the blade in Fyric's neck as the stoat collapses, dodging back into the shadows of the forest quick as he could.
The Masked One's cold blue eyes took in the scene of Fyric's corpse. The second stoat, who he remembered as Aldon was looking around nervously, "C'mon! Yer supposed to be on our team! What do we do?!"
He had left his back open, a fatal mistake, especially when it was turned on a beast not his ally, the Masked One mused.
Aldon jerked as the Masked One's dagger slid in his spine, a look of curious shock never leaving his face as he sank to the ground and joined Fyric in death.
The Masked One sighed a bit and called out, "Davrag Joris..."
The black stoat appeared in a blur, crouching by Fyric's corpse and retrieving the blade impeded in the corpse, "If you think knowing my name's going to save you-"
"Please listen, I am not your enemy."
"With a pair of Vandashira's agents and you say you aren't my enemy? I doubt that..." Davrag could have lunged and ended the Masked One's life but seeing him murder Aldon as he did stayed the stoat's blades. Truth be told, he was rather interested in this.
The Masked One nodded, "A ruse, as I am sure you are used to...I work for the one who hired you."
"And who would that be?" Davrag sneered, amusement playing on his features.
"Skola Snowshadow." Those two words sent a chill down Davrag's spine.
"You work for Skola Snowshadow?" He hissed, bringing up the wolflord's name half in a curse, half reverently.
"I do. It was he who sent me here to...observe, if you will. I must congratulate you. For a beast not part of this hunt, you have integrated yourself well. Rest assured, my lord does not intend to interfere in a way that would damage you or your prowess...in fact, I do believe we can help one another."
Davrag smirked, "What could you offer me?"
"Would entrance to the Academy and where Jald Nightson is held be a good incentive?"
Davrag was rendered momentarily speechless for one of the few times in his life. He recovered quickly however and smirked, "One false move, my anonymous friend and I'll cut out your throat."
"You have no need to worry. My lord wishes to see Vandashira fall. Many of our agents have been slain by her...occultist desires and rituals and her manipulations of many industries. The Academy was the last straw."
Davrag smirked once more, "Well if we're going to be friend, tell me your name."
"No."
"At least show me your face then," Nobeast had ever refused that from him and it irritated the stoat immensely.
"Very well," The beast reached up, placing the cleaned dagger in his belt as he slowly removed the mask, "Satisfactory?"
Davrag took in the vaguely attractive features, noting the fur and facial structure was that of a stoat, but he couldn't place the face. It wasn't a beast he had ever seen before.
"Yes, it is fine. Put it back on."
The stoat did so, masking his features from the world once more. "Take one of their uniforms, the one with the least bloodstains and hide it with your cloak...keep your face covered and I'll get you in...from there we can get inside and to your captive friend."
Davrag's grin betrayed his feelings. Boneflower and Eroket flashed briefly through his mind but he paid that absolutely no heed, "I have two partners...we may need them anyways."
"I figured. Eroket Nightblade and Boneflower." The Masked One nodded once. "If you need to, let's hide these bodies and get to them in Meridian."
"Right-wait, how did you know they're in Meridian?"
The Masked one didn't answer. He merely stripped Aldon's corpse of its uniform and tossed it to Davrag. "Put it on."
Davrag shrugged and removed his own black tunic, placing Aldon's uniform on. A bit of a tight fit, but discomfort never hurt much."
It was the work of ten minutes to hide the corpses where they wouldn't be discovered and the two were off, neither daring to trust the other. For Davrag Joris, this had just become a but more complicated...and much more fun.
"So, ye Morik, what're you doing in this city?" The beautiful erminemaid sitting across from the Academy guard replied with a smile.
Morik nodded, smiling. He had taken leave to Meridian for the day-at nearly dawn, which had saved his life from Davrag, even if he didn't know it- and happened upon this tavern where he had met this beautiful, charming and witty creature and the two had hit it off almost immediately.
"Well, I live nearby," the Academy Guard Chief replied, not wanting to frighten her, Boneflower she said her name was, Boneflower Windlass, with stories of the Academy.
"Ohhh," the female ermine nodded and grinned, taking a drink out of her glass, "'m 'ere with m'friend over there...we're just doin' some of our work'n all."
Morik nodded. Where had his training gone? This ermine absolutely entranced him, he was a bit ashamed to admit...if the Academy head could see him, Argith may have ordered him flogged for showing any sort of emotion.
The two had spent the afternoon drinking and talking, about everything they could without getting too personal.
Morik was sure there was more to this Boneflower then met the eye and he dearly wished he had the time to find out, but it was likely after today, he'd never see her again. He didn't know why but the thought saddened him.
The ermine's companion, her friend, she said, another ermine by the name of Eroket was leaning by the door, talking in hushed tones with a creature Morik could not see, after a short time he called, "Boneflower! Time to go!"
Morik tried to hide his disappointment, whereas Boneflower didn't even try that, "Yeah, yeah..." She sighed and stood, "Sorry, Mor...buisness'n all...hope I see ya again sometimes..."
She leaned forward and kissed the Academy Guard on the cheek, freezing him in time for about two seconds. With a dazzling smile and a wave she turned to her companion, "Yeah, yeah...'m ready...and dun gimmie that look, Ero! I don't have a 'property of Eroket Nightblade' mark on my back..."
"Want me to arrange that?" Morik heard her companion mutter as they exited. Noting the distaste in his voice, he was either a bit jealous of the attention that Boneflower had spent on him or he was dealing with somebeast rather unsavory.
With a shrug, the Academy Guard drained his glass before flicking a coin to the bartender and rising. He needed to get back anyways or he'd face consequences from Master Argith.
Morik had ever been an honorable, skilled creature, an odd sort at the Academ and not even the numerous beatings could separate Morik's morals from him.
It was strange Argith had chosen him as the Academy's head guard after Jast's untimely death, very odd...sometimes Morik felt trapped in his duty to Argith and often questioned the fox's methods, but honor and duty kept him in his place. He sometimes despised it.
Morik would never serve a creature as Tarl Argith if he knew the truth of the fox's connections in the underworld and his tyranny over the Academy.
Morik sighed slightly, rebuking himself silently before he exited the door of the tavern, back to the Academy. Back to his home.
Back to his prison.