Morik was one of the two leaders assigned to capture Eroket
Nightblade and Boneflower Windlass alongside the ferret Master Dalren with
a compliment of soldiers from both the Academy's students and the elite
guards. He had been uninformed to the targets' names and descriptions
unlike Master Dalren...Argith didn't trust him with something like this. The
thought bothered Morik slightly. The fact he was constantly living in the
shadow of his predecessor Jast rankled a lot.
Dalren was the perfect stereotype of one of the Academy's top fighting Masters: Cold, calculating and ruthless, carrying out his superiors' orders to the letter but harboring ambitions to one day replace them. Morik had nothing but contempt for the breed of soldier who believed assassination and treachery rather then their own skills the best way to rise to the top of the ladder.
Morik had, at least, had risen to the top based upon his own skills and determination rather then putting a knife into his superior's heart or his spine. Honor was a concept that ran deep in the Academy, even if many of its denizen's considered such notions a farce, silly outdated ideals.
Dalren was standing alongside his bodyguard counterpart, peering through the dense foliage, red cloak that marked his station fluttering lightly in the breeze, barely sparing a glance at the several hundred soldiers assembled behind him as he cast a small smirk at Morik, "Master Argith'll be pleased with this, my guard friend...it may mean a promotion for us here."
"For you, you mean, Master Dalren," Morik replied, overlooking the omitting of a more formal address. "I've reached the top of my office if you recall correctly."
Dalren shrugged, nodding slightly, "Whatever. Let's just see if the information that new master gave us is accurate..."
They had been waiting since dawn for their targets, only Dalren knowing the full details, Morik again thought bitterly.
It was nearly another hour of waiting when they caught the first flickers of movement.
Morik's eyes widened as he beheld the two who could only be the targets he and Dalren had been sent to apprehend; the two ermine from the bar, the charming, witty, beautiful one whom he had spent a fine day drinking, talking and laughing with, "These are our targets?"
Dalren didn't hear him or didn't believe the question worth answering as he grinned ferociously. Argith's instructions had been explicit; neither of the two mercenaries were to be brought in alive, even to find out who had sent the bounty on Vanda's head. They had Jald Nightson for that. Even so, Dalren couldn't resist having his fun with the condemned beasts. His eyes narrowed and he called, "Enemies of the Academy, you are surrounded! Drop your weapons now and we may be inclined to show mercy. If you resist, all you shall receive is a swift and painful death!"
The two ermine stopped, shocked. The male's shock translated to anger and Morik saw the name 'Davrag' form on his lips. Turning to his companion, he nodded softly, saying what sounded like 'we have no choice, Boney,' Before reaching slowly to the schianova at his side and removing it, along with the three daggers at his belt and laying them down slowly, moving to his knees on the ground.
The female ermine's face was torn, a brief moment of fear flashing over her face that Morik found particularly saddening before she duplicated Eroket's actions.
Nightblade...he recalled the name now. Aleran Nightblade, one of the Academy's legends and greatest 'traitor.' This could only be his son, Morik realized with bleak shock.
"Our lives are yours..." the male ermine, Eroket replied in a toneless voice.
Dalren's eyes radiated a dark pleasure, "Surrendering? Yes, thank you...Kill them both!"
If he expected a flood of death to sweep past him and hideously slaughter the two ermine, he was sadly mistaken and to his and Morik's shock (and the latter's slight relief,) Not a soldier moved forward. To murder those who had surrendered was a cowardly, dishonorable act.
And honor was deeply instilled into the Academy's soldiers.
"Tis an honorable surrender," Somebeast muttered.
"Belay that," roared Dalren. The Master rubbed his chin, eyes swirling with frustration. The Master would have preferred to wipe the two out completely but things were not going his way.
Morik had prudently taken a few steps back into the lines, watching the scene unfold with bewilderment.
"Master," Replied Dalren's second, "Should we-"
"I'm thinking!" Dalren snapped back angrily.
"But he-"
Dalren glowered angrily, "He's the son of a renegade! Why should we trust him, you fool?!" Dalren huffed and snarled again. "Archers, ready for a volley!"
Almost immediately officers gave orders. The attackers were within range. Dalren and Morik watches the archers prepare to fire.
Seemingly undaunted by certainty of death, the two ermine sat where they were, eyes never flinching. Eroket stared at the archers, almost taunting them by exposing himself as he called, "We surrender to the will of the Academy...even if your master has grown corrupt by allying himself with Vandashira the Living Darkness!"
It was a bluff, Morik knew, the ermine could have no real proof...but what if it was true? Argith was known to dabble in the underworld here and now. What if he really had corrupted himself? What if the corruption had spread to the Masters? These were frightening thoughts indeed.
For Dalren, that was more then enough. "Fire!"
Dalren steeled himself for the hiss of scores of arrows streaking towards their targets but from the ranks came only several shots, landing harmlessly away from their supposed marks.
"There's proof for those uncertain." Eroket Nightblade replied calmly, "Why would the Academy operatives bear Vandashira's symbol? Why would your leader impede us from going after her?" His paw moved slowly to a piece of cloth on his belt and he held up a piece of black cloth with a crimson dagger.
"Tis the Living Darkness's symbol!"
"It's on an Academy cloak! I recognize that fabric!" Another voice cried.
"Stand positions, discipline in the ranks!" Dalren howled angrily. After several moments, order was restored and he growled to one officer, "Sanol, you're an expert blade fighter...kill that ermine now!"
The young, athletic fox's eyes widened, "But he's unarmed! It'd be disgraceful! A shameful act-"
"Shut up! Go challenge him if you need to! They want to die so let them!"
"Aye...Master." With more then a little reluctance, the fox drew his sword and walked forward to stand in front of the ermine who gazed at him with the piercing amber eyes. There was fear on his comrade's face but not for herself, for her partner only. It made Morik jealous before he could help it. The stoat didn't want to see either of the two dead, especially after they such a startling revelation.
Seeing the ermine making no move to defend himself Sanol hesitated, raising his sword and bellowing a less then enthusiastic war cry he raised his sword and hesitated.
"What in Vulpuz's name is that fool doing?!" Dalren hissed to himself as Sanol hurled down his sword.
"No, Master! I won't do it! I won't kill that one!"
"Gatch!" Dalren bellowed. "Sanol is a traitor to the Academy! Kill him now!"
"Yes, Master!" Where Sanol had forgotten his place, the massive, axe wielding ferret Gatch had not. With a roar he ran forward at the insubordinate Sanol.
Sanol clearly didn't want to fight his comrade but readies his sword, waiting. He stepped in front of the ermine, determined to not let the other officer pass.
Gatch was not only the larger of the two, but his axe outreached the sword. Sanol lunged, trying to get under the other's guard, but his moves were awkward. Trying to avoid the fight still, he shouted at Gatch and waved him away.
The second officer roared in reply and swung. The axe caught Sanol in the neck, biting deep. The stricken warrior twisted but the wound was mortal. The sword fell from his grasp and clattered to the ground.
Startled shouts erupted from the lines, once again archers nocked arrows. Sanol forgotten, Gatch turned on his main quarry. The ermine warrior sat motionless, inviting the warrior to attack.
"Master!" Morik yelled angrily. "This is wrong! Honor demands we-"
"Be silent or face charges of insubordination!"
"This is not right," Cried another.
Dalren whirled and floored the second beast with a punch to the nose. A louder protest emerged from his troops though. Beasts who had been comrades for years began to growl and argue viciously with one another.
And as Gatch loomed over his victim, an archer fired.
The shaft caught Gatch at the base of his skull, slipping in perfectly in the center. With a startled gurgle, the large ferret collapsed face first to the ground. Dalren blinked. There could be no mistake; Gatch had been the archer's target. "Arrest that archer!"
Sword in paw, some of his loyal officers stepped forward to the archer but other soldiers barred his way, blades at the ready.
"Stand aside!" One of the officers cried angrily, "That one is under arrest!"
"Enough of this farce!" Screamed Dalren, "Slay him, slay all the rebels! That's an order! All who disobey are traitors to the Academy!"
Some moved forward, others-like Morik- opposed them. An officer tried to push pass those protecting the archer but others shoved him away. The perfect lines deteriorated.
Drawing weapons, wary soldiers and officers spread out. Despite their presence-or because of it-the situation grew steadily worse. Shouting matches broke out, others threw down weapons in disgust and others waved their own at those they deemed traitors.
Then one loyal officer, eyes inflamed, struck at one of those who had defied him. His sword stabbed deep through flesh and bone and with a startled grunt his target collapsed but another warrior stepped forward and stabbed into the officer's throat. The officer fell, quite dead.
And as disbelieving Dalren watched, his soldiers fell upon themselves.
Morik's sword was out and he cuts down a beast who was rushing at him, stepping out of the battle quickly as possible, mind whirling at the sudden turn of events.
It was not limited to the grounds either, beasts had been watching from the Academy and from the shouts and the ring of steel on steel from within the nearby walls, heard from the windows, rebellion had spread there as well.
Dalren himself found himself having to fend off his own soldiers, including those who had served under him through the years. The last vestiges of order had vanishes. A free-for-all was all that remained.
With a snarl, Dalren fell upon his treacherous troops, swinging his blade left and right, cutting down any who opposed him. Blood of his troops splattered his armor and clothing and their swords tore his cloak to ribbons. But for each traitor he killed, more joined against him. Again and again he took wounds.
A blade caught his leg. With a cry, the Academy Master fell to the ground and rolled to his back, just in time to see a fresh array of blades whirling at him. Eroket watched the Master's fate with satisfaction and stepped up, nodding to Boneflower as he lifted his blade, "It worked...telling the truth worked for once..."
"An' Morik was there...he didn't tell me he was in the Academy, Ero!"
"Never mind that," Eroket replied, watching as the battle slowly began to subside as the 'malcontents' gained their victory. The ermine's ears picked up the sounds of battle in the Academy however...who could have ever dreamed it could have come to this?!
"Eroket Nightblade..." Morik stepped forward, blade crimson and eyes filled with sadness.
"Morik," He nodded.
"We fought for a cause we believed honorable and our comrades did the same! However, we can only agree now in light of what you have shown us Tarl Argith must fall...we shall give you our aid, however small it may be."
Eroket turned a smile to Boneflower and to Morik, "Argith isn't my goal...I may need him alive to find out the location of Vandashira."
"And we shall aid you in that as well!"
Eroket was surprised at the respect they gave him. One beast called out, "What of prisoners?"
"Take them if you want." Eroket replied, his battle experience returning after three long years. "For now...let's get into the Academy!"
"Hurry up, Davrag!" Jald growled as the black stoat tore through papers on Argith's desk.
The two had been caught in the thick of the fighting when it had erupted nearly an hour back and barely escaped with their lives. Davrag had managed to kill a guard and provide Jald with a longsword, thankful his skill extended to other blades as well.
The two had sneaked into Argith's room and Davrag was frantically searching for a hint to Vandashira's location.
"Kolma!" Davrag's voice was a crow of victory, "She's at Kolma!"
"Kolma to the east?" Jald raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Kolma by the mountains?"
"Aye! It says so right here! Argith, you fool!" Davrag grinned widely until the sounds of battle flooded his ears. "Great, they're coming this way...let's go now. We'll take care of Vandashira later!" Davrag was out of the room first, cursing Argith with all his heart as he realized there were only two corridors in his immediate location and the sounds of approaching beasts-four or five-he wagered- to his left.
He smiled suddenly, hiding the grin as he ralized how the Academy masters must have valued security...there were grates that could be pulled up with a simple turn of a wheel on either side, blocking off passage to Argith's office in the mazelike structure of the Academy, until the master himself turned the wheel to open the grate.
"Jald! I have an idea!"
Jald nodded and looked to Davrag as the stoat dashed suddenly, under the ceiling grate until he stood on the other side...with passage to the rest of the Academy at his fingertips. With a cold, savage grin he severed the rope with a swing of his razor edged sword, retracting his blade swiftly.
Jald's eyes bulged and he ran, too late as the grate slammed down in front of him, barring his path as the footsteps grew louder. "What are you doing?!"
"They'll be here in a few moments and they will get this thing open, Jald. And I need you to hold them off for me... I'm sorry, but...it looks like you died heroically in the pursuit of duty...or I killed you in fair battle. Seems fair, hm?"
"Damn you! How many times have I saved your life?"
Davrag turned from Jald, grinning coldly. "I've lost count, Jald. In all the years we've worked together, it'd been a lot. This'll just make one more. Goodbye...my friend."
Jald roared in rage at the betrayal and pounded his fists on the great, Davrag vanished around the corridor calling out mockingly, "Noble effort but save it for Argith!"
Jald whirled around as the footsteps grew louder. One chance left to him now. He recalled the days so long ago of the inner fury that slept within every fighter; A pure concentration that he needed to survive. Jald let his mind slide blank as he tried to concentrate, meditative skills called up from so many years ago. He didn't know if it would be enough.
Tarl Argith's world was collapsing around him.
His beasts were rebelling, Jald Nightson had escaped, Dalren's ambush had collapsed and he had seen Morik fighting with the ermine! It was unfeasible, impossible! Yet, it was happening.
Argith's mind clouded with rage as he cut down another insurgent. Vanda had never prepared him for this, damn her! He needed to find Jald Nightson and the treacherous Davrag Joris-whose boundless treachery even he did not anticipate- and kill them both. He doubted it'd saved his life but Tarl Argith would enter Hellgates with a smile on his lips.
Argith's guards- four left- gather around him as he cut his way through his Academy. Through student, officer, Master it didn't matter anymore, rounding a corner he heard a scream, quickly cut off...and jaw a large black figure vanishing into a room.
"Jald..." He hissed, hatreds rising suddenly. What luck it was to find the black ferret here! He could end his life now and be content with it...perhaps even escape through one of the numerous exit routes.
With a snarl, Tarl argith and his guards open the metal door...the one that led to the training room...empty except for one beast.
"Argith." The word was delivered without tone.
"Jald Nightson." Tarl Argith snarled, spitting the words like they were excrement, "You've done this! You've wrecked the Academy!"
A dagger, taken from the belt of a dead beast down in the corridor left Jald's paw. Argith had no time to dodge, instead grabbing on of his guards and yanking him in front of the missile, feeling him jerk as the blade buried in his chest.
Hurling the corpse to the ground, Argith readied the ferret's own broadsword and snarled to the remaining three. "Get him!!!"
Two obeyed, the third hung back, inching for the open door. With a scream of rage, the fox Master cut him down, inching his own way out of the door.
The first guard died instantly, the ferret's longsword plunging into his chest after a clumsy parry. Jald grabbed the corpse and pushed it into the other guard's partner, stunning him momentarily, enough for Jald to end their fight with a slash to the throat.
Argith's eyes widened as he staggered back before Jald raced after him, longsword whirling, to be met by Jald's own broadsword in Argith's paws.
Argith battled back with desperation, knowing full well he was in serious trouble against Jald. Even without his signature blade, the ferret was a dangerous enemy.
Argith swung suddenly, parried as he expected and disengaging, he lunged at Jald's chest.
Jald spun to the side, leaving the blade to thrust into the doorway. Before Argith could recover, Jald pushed the metal door shut.
A loud, metallic clang echoed through the walls as Jald's broadsword, the one forged for him two decades ago, snapped in half, leaving Argith holding the blade's shorn hilt.
Jald struck, oblivious to the fact he had destroyed his own beloved weapon. The blade caught Argith in the wrist and the fox howled in agony as Jald kicking him to the ground.
"Well done, Jald!" He cried, hugging his wrist close to his chest. "I consider myself beaten...I yield..."
Jald started for him, grim determination written on his face.
"Please!" Argith cried desperately, "We always got along, didn't we? I was one of the best students too! I know escape routes, I can help you escape!" That was stupid and he knew it...when he was dead, the news would spread like wildfire and the fight would go out of his loyalists.
He saw Jald's face, illuminated by torchlight. The ferret's face was no emotionless but rather a grim resolve focused on slaughter.
Argith saw his own inescapable death in the ferret's emerald eyes. He felt himself suffused by an odd calm and lowered his head.
Jald's sword sheared into his heart moment's later
Argith's death, as he had predicted, spread like wildfire. Across the Academy beasts hurled down their weapons and fell to their knees, their battle lost.
One Master didn't pause, Davrag Joris raced into a large corridor, filled with a score of Academy soldiers.
Immediately blades were raised and Davrag gulped, stepping back until one cried, "Master!"
He was still wearing that tunic! Davrag sighed in relief before he growled, "Argith is dead, the battle is lost."
"Lost?" One ferret cried, shocked.
"Yes, lost...we need to escape. There's no telling what those treacherous bastards'll do to us!"
"Aye!" One guard cried as Davrag smiled.
"You know any secret exits? We'll hunt down the one responsible for this...and come back and kill her cronies too!"
One stoat nodded, "Aye, Master! There's a secret tunnel not far from here! We can escape that way!"
"Good!" Davrag grinned, "And then...vengeance!"
The leader of the troops, a large rat obviously lower ranked then a Master nodded, "Aye! I am Yarel, Master! We serve you!"
Davrag nodded. It was so much fun how fools could cling to ideals and hope when there was obviously none left. Still, he could turn this to his advantage indeed. Passions, Davrag knew, were oh so easy to manipulate.
Eroekt Nightblade, Boneflower Windlass and Morik had found Argith's corpse and the sleeping form of Jald Nightson slumped against the wall. Morik took a deep breath, Boneflower gently placing a paw on his shoulder but he waved it away. "I'm fine...the fight's over it seems."
Eroket nodded. "Yeah...Morik, I need to know: Where is Argith's room?"
Boneflower and Morik remained at the sleeping Jald's side, the ferret drained beyond consciousness by whatever it was he had utilized to win his trials. Morik had been an invaluable help, too...Eroket was a bit jealous of how he and Boneflower got along though...he was certain she'd invite Morik along with them on this hunt. Eroket didn't know where he stood on that issue. Eroket headed up to Argith's room, noting four corpses in front of the door and wrinkling his nose as he stepped into Argith's room, stepping to the desk, taking charts and documents. What he was looking for was spotted in seconds and the ermine smiled triumphantly as he read. Odd how Argith would leave such an incriminating note on his desk.
Eroket's eyes studied the map and note, eyes passing over the area he knew to be the hideaway of Vandashira. "Kolma..." he whispered softly.
"Kolma..."
Dalren was the perfect stereotype of one of the Academy's top fighting Masters: Cold, calculating and ruthless, carrying out his superiors' orders to the letter but harboring ambitions to one day replace them. Morik had nothing but contempt for the breed of soldier who believed assassination and treachery rather then their own skills the best way to rise to the top of the ladder.
Morik had, at least, had risen to the top based upon his own skills and determination rather then putting a knife into his superior's heart or his spine. Honor was a concept that ran deep in the Academy, even if many of its denizen's considered such notions a farce, silly outdated ideals.
Dalren was standing alongside his bodyguard counterpart, peering through the dense foliage, red cloak that marked his station fluttering lightly in the breeze, barely sparing a glance at the several hundred soldiers assembled behind him as he cast a small smirk at Morik, "Master Argith'll be pleased with this, my guard friend...it may mean a promotion for us here."
"For you, you mean, Master Dalren," Morik replied, overlooking the omitting of a more formal address. "I've reached the top of my office if you recall correctly."
Dalren shrugged, nodding slightly, "Whatever. Let's just see if the information that new master gave us is accurate..."
They had been waiting since dawn for their targets, only Dalren knowing the full details, Morik again thought bitterly.
It was nearly another hour of waiting when they caught the first flickers of movement.
Morik's eyes widened as he beheld the two who could only be the targets he and Dalren had been sent to apprehend; the two ermine from the bar, the charming, witty, beautiful one whom he had spent a fine day drinking, talking and laughing with, "These are our targets?"
Dalren didn't hear him or didn't believe the question worth answering as he grinned ferociously. Argith's instructions had been explicit; neither of the two mercenaries were to be brought in alive, even to find out who had sent the bounty on Vanda's head. They had Jald Nightson for that. Even so, Dalren couldn't resist having his fun with the condemned beasts. His eyes narrowed and he called, "Enemies of the Academy, you are surrounded! Drop your weapons now and we may be inclined to show mercy. If you resist, all you shall receive is a swift and painful death!"
The two ermine stopped, shocked. The male's shock translated to anger and Morik saw the name 'Davrag' form on his lips. Turning to his companion, he nodded softly, saying what sounded like 'we have no choice, Boney,' Before reaching slowly to the schianova at his side and removing it, along with the three daggers at his belt and laying them down slowly, moving to his knees on the ground.
The female ermine's face was torn, a brief moment of fear flashing over her face that Morik found particularly saddening before she duplicated Eroket's actions.
Nightblade...he recalled the name now. Aleran Nightblade, one of the Academy's legends and greatest 'traitor.' This could only be his son, Morik realized with bleak shock.
"Our lives are yours..." the male ermine, Eroket replied in a toneless voice.
Dalren's eyes radiated a dark pleasure, "Surrendering? Yes, thank you...Kill them both!"
If he expected a flood of death to sweep past him and hideously slaughter the two ermine, he was sadly mistaken and to his and Morik's shock (and the latter's slight relief,) Not a soldier moved forward. To murder those who had surrendered was a cowardly, dishonorable act.
And honor was deeply instilled into the Academy's soldiers.
"Tis an honorable surrender," Somebeast muttered.
"Belay that," roared Dalren. The Master rubbed his chin, eyes swirling with frustration. The Master would have preferred to wipe the two out completely but things were not going his way.
Morik had prudently taken a few steps back into the lines, watching the scene unfold with bewilderment.
"Master," Replied Dalren's second, "Should we-"
"I'm thinking!" Dalren snapped back angrily.
"But he-"
Dalren glowered angrily, "He's the son of a renegade! Why should we trust him, you fool?!" Dalren huffed and snarled again. "Archers, ready for a volley!"
Almost immediately officers gave orders. The attackers were within range. Dalren and Morik watches the archers prepare to fire.
Seemingly undaunted by certainty of death, the two ermine sat where they were, eyes never flinching. Eroket stared at the archers, almost taunting them by exposing himself as he called, "We surrender to the will of the Academy...even if your master has grown corrupt by allying himself with Vandashira the Living Darkness!"
It was a bluff, Morik knew, the ermine could have no real proof...but what if it was true? Argith was known to dabble in the underworld here and now. What if he really had corrupted himself? What if the corruption had spread to the Masters? These were frightening thoughts indeed.
For Dalren, that was more then enough. "Fire!"
Dalren steeled himself for the hiss of scores of arrows streaking towards their targets but from the ranks came only several shots, landing harmlessly away from their supposed marks.
"There's proof for those uncertain." Eroket Nightblade replied calmly, "Why would the Academy operatives bear Vandashira's symbol? Why would your leader impede us from going after her?" His paw moved slowly to a piece of cloth on his belt and he held up a piece of black cloth with a crimson dagger.
"Tis the Living Darkness's symbol!"
"It's on an Academy cloak! I recognize that fabric!" Another voice cried.
"Stand positions, discipline in the ranks!" Dalren howled angrily. After several moments, order was restored and he growled to one officer, "Sanol, you're an expert blade fighter...kill that ermine now!"
The young, athletic fox's eyes widened, "But he's unarmed! It'd be disgraceful! A shameful act-"
"Shut up! Go challenge him if you need to! They want to die so let them!"
"Aye...Master." With more then a little reluctance, the fox drew his sword and walked forward to stand in front of the ermine who gazed at him with the piercing amber eyes. There was fear on his comrade's face but not for herself, for her partner only. It made Morik jealous before he could help it. The stoat didn't want to see either of the two dead, especially after they such a startling revelation.
Seeing the ermine making no move to defend himself Sanol hesitated, raising his sword and bellowing a less then enthusiastic war cry he raised his sword and hesitated.
"What in Vulpuz's name is that fool doing?!" Dalren hissed to himself as Sanol hurled down his sword.
"No, Master! I won't do it! I won't kill that one!"
"Gatch!" Dalren bellowed. "Sanol is a traitor to the Academy! Kill him now!"
"Yes, Master!" Where Sanol had forgotten his place, the massive, axe wielding ferret Gatch had not. With a roar he ran forward at the insubordinate Sanol.
Sanol clearly didn't want to fight his comrade but readies his sword, waiting. He stepped in front of the ermine, determined to not let the other officer pass.
Gatch was not only the larger of the two, but his axe outreached the sword. Sanol lunged, trying to get under the other's guard, but his moves were awkward. Trying to avoid the fight still, he shouted at Gatch and waved him away.
The second officer roared in reply and swung. The axe caught Sanol in the neck, biting deep. The stricken warrior twisted but the wound was mortal. The sword fell from his grasp and clattered to the ground.
Startled shouts erupted from the lines, once again archers nocked arrows. Sanol forgotten, Gatch turned on his main quarry. The ermine warrior sat motionless, inviting the warrior to attack.
"Master!" Morik yelled angrily. "This is wrong! Honor demands we-"
"Be silent or face charges of insubordination!"
"This is not right," Cried another.
Dalren whirled and floored the second beast with a punch to the nose. A louder protest emerged from his troops though. Beasts who had been comrades for years began to growl and argue viciously with one another.
And as Gatch loomed over his victim, an archer fired.
The shaft caught Gatch at the base of his skull, slipping in perfectly in the center. With a startled gurgle, the large ferret collapsed face first to the ground. Dalren blinked. There could be no mistake; Gatch had been the archer's target. "Arrest that archer!"
Sword in paw, some of his loyal officers stepped forward to the archer but other soldiers barred his way, blades at the ready.
"Stand aside!" One of the officers cried angrily, "That one is under arrest!"
"Enough of this farce!" Screamed Dalren, "Slay him, slay all the rebels! That's an order! All who disobey are traitors to the Academy!"
Some moved forward, others-like Morik- opposed them. An officer tried to push pass those protecting the archer but others shoved him away. The perfect lines deteriorated.
Drawing weapons, wary soldiers and officers spread out. Despite their presence-or because of it-the situation grew steadily worse. Shouting matches broke out, others threw down weapons in disgust and others waved their own at those they deemed traitors.
Then one loyal officer, eyes inflamed, struck at one of those who had defied him. His sword stabbed deep through flesh and bone and with a startled grunt his target collapsed but another warrior stepped forward and stabbed into the officer's throat. The officer fell, quite dead.
And as disbelieving Dalren watched, his soldiers fell upon themselves.
Morik's sword was out and he cuts down a beast who was rushing at him, stepping out of the battle quickly as possible, mind whirling at the sudden turn of events.
It was not limited to the grounds either, beasts had been watching from the Academy and from the shouts and the ring of steel on steel from within the nearby walls, heard from the windows, rebellion had spread there as well.
Dalren himself found himself having to fend off his own soldiers, including those who had served under him through the years. The last vestiges of order had vanishes. A free-for-all was all that remained.
With a snarl, Dalren fell upon his treacherous troops, swinging his blade left and right, cutting down any who opposed him. Blood of his troops splattered his armor and clothing and their swords tore his cloak to ribbons. But for each traitor he killed, more joined against him. Again and again he took wounds.
A blade caught his leg. With a cry, the Academy Master fell to the ground and rolled to his back, just in time to see a fresh array of blades whirling at him. Eroket watched the Master's fate with satisfaction and stepped up, nodding to Boneflower as he lifted his blade, "It worked...telling the truth worked for once..."
"An' Morik was there...he didn't tell me he was in the Academy, Ero!"
"Never mind that," Eroket replied, watching as the battle slowly began to subside as the 'malcontents' gained their victory. The ermine's ears picked up the sounds of battle in the Academy however...who could have ever dreamed it could have come to this?!
"Eroket Nightblade..." Morik stepped forward, blade crimson and eyes filled with sadness.
"Morik," He nodded.
"We fought for a cause we believed honorable and our comrades did the same! However, we can only agree now in light of what you have shown us Tarl Argith must fall...we shall give you our aid, however small it may be."
Eroket turned a smile to Boneflower and to Morik, "Argith isn't my goal...I may need him alive to find out the location of Vandashira."
"And we shall aid you in that as well!"
Eroket was surprised at the respect they gave him. One beast called out, "What of prisoners?"
"Take them if you want." Eroket replied, his battle experience returning after three long years. "For now...let's get into the Academy!"
"Hurry up, Davrag!" Jald growled as the black stoat tore through papers on Argith's desk.
The two had been caught in the thick of the fighting when it had erupted nearly an hour back and barely escaped with their lives. Davrag had managed to kill a guard and provide Jald with a longsword, thankful his skill extended to other blades as well.
The two had sneaked into Argith's room and Davrag was frantically searching for a hint to Vandashira's location.
"Kolma!" Davrag's voice was a crow of victory, "She's at Kolma!"
"Kolma to the east?" Jald raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Kolma by the mountains?"
"Aye! It says so right here! Argith, you fool!" Davrag grinned widely until the sounds of battle flooded his ears. "Great, they're coming this way...let's go now. We'll take care of Vandashira later!" Davrag was out of the room first, cursing Argith with all his heart as he realized there were only two corridors in his immediate location and the sounds of approaching beasts-four or five-he wagered- to his left.
He smiled suddenly, hiding the grin as he ralized how the Academy masters must have valued security...there were grates that could be pulled up with a simple turn of a wheel on either side, blocking off passage to Argith's office in the mazelike structure of the Academy, until the master himself turned the wheel to open the grate.
"Jald! I have an idea!"
Jald nodded and looked to Davrag as the stoat dashed suddenly, under the ceiling grate until he stood on the other side...with passage to the rest of the Academy at his fingertips. With a cold, savage grin he severed the rope with a swing of his razor edged sword, retracting his blade swiftly.
Jald's eyes bulged and he ran, too late as the grate slammed down in front of him, barring his path as the footsteps grew louder. "What are you doing?!"
"They'll be here in a few moments and they will get this thing open, Jald. And I need you to hold them off for me... I'm sorry, but...it looks like you died heroically in the pursuit of duty...or I killed you in fair battle. Seems fair, hm?"
"Damn you! How many times have I saved your life?"
Davrag turned from Jald, grinning coldly. "I've lost count, Jald. In all the years we've worked together, it'd been a lot. This'll just make one more. Goodbye...my friend."
Jald roared in rage at the betrayal and pounded his fists on the great, Davrag vanished around the corridor calling out mockingly, "Noble effort but save it for Argith!"
Jald whirled around as the footsteps grew louder. One chance left to him now. He recalled the days so long ago of the inner fury that slept within every fighter; A pure concentration that he needed to survive. Jald let his mind slide blank as he tried to concentrate, meditative skills called up from so many years ago. He didn't know if it would be enough.
Tarl Argith's world was collapsing around him.
His beasts were rebelling, Jald Nightson had escaped, Dalren's ambush had collapsed and he had seen Morik fighting with the ermine! It was unfeasible, impossible! Yet, it was happening.
Argith's mind clouded with rage as he cut down another insurgent. Vanda had never prepared him for this, damn her! He needed to find Jald Nightson and the treacherous Davrag Joris-whose boundless treachery even he did not anticipate- and kill them both. He doubted it'd saved his life but Tarl Argith would enter Hellgates with a smile on his lips.
Argith's guards- four left- gather around him as he cut his way through his Academy. Through student, officer, Master it didn't matter anymore, rounding a corner he heard a scream, quickly cut off...and jaw a large black figure vanishing into a room.
"Jald..." He hissed, hatreds rising suddenly. What luck it was to find the black ferret here! He could end his life now and be content with it...perhaps even escape through one of the numerous exit routes.
With a snarl, Tarl argith and his guards open the metal door...the one that led to the training room...empty except for one beast.
"Argith." The word was delivered without tone.
"Jald Nightson." Tarl Argith snarled, spitting the words like they were excrement, "You've done this! You've wrecked the Academy!"
A dagger, taken from the belt of a dead beast down in the corridor left Jald's paw. Argith had no time to dodge, instead grabbing on of his guards and yanking him in front of the missile, feeling him jerk as the blade buried in his chest.
Hurling the corpse to the ground, Argith readied the ferret's own broadsword and snarled to the remaining three. "Get him!!!"
Two obeyed, the third hung back, inching for the open door. With a scream of rage, the fox Master cut him down, inching his own way out of the door.
The first guard died instantly, the ferret's longsword plunging into his chest after a clumsy parry. Jald grabbed the corpse and pushed it into the other guard's partner, stunning him momentarily, enough for Jald to end their fight with a slash to the throat.
Argith's eyes widened as he staggered back before Jald raced after him, longsword whirling, to be met by Jald's own broadsword in Argith's paws.
Argith battled back with desperation, knowing full well he was in serious trouble against Jald. Even without his signature blade, the ferret was a dangerous enemy.
Argith swung suddenly, parried as he expected and disengaging, he lunged at Jald's chest.
Jald spun to the side, leaving the blade to thrust into the doorway. Before Argith could recover, Jald pushed the metal door shut.
A loud, metallic clang echoed through the walls as Jald's broadsword, the one forged for him two decades ago, snapped in half, leaving Argith holding the blade's shorn hilt.
Jald struck, oblivious to the fact he had destroyed his own beloved weapon. The blade caught Argith in the wrist and the fox howled in agony as Jald kicking him to the ground.
"Well done, Jald!" He cried, hugging his wrist close to his chest. "I consider myself beaten...I yield..."
Jald started for him, grim determination written on his face.
"Please!" Argith cried desperately, "We always got along, didn't we? I was one of the best students too! I know escape routes, I can help you escape!" That was stupid and he knew it...when he was dead, the news would spread like wildfire and the fight would go out of his loyalists.
He saw Jald's face, illuminated by torchlight. The ferret's face was no emotionless but rather a grim resolve focused on slaughter.
Argith saw his own inescapable death in the ferret's emerald eyes. He felt himself suffused by an odd calm and lowered his head.
Jald's sword sheared into his heart moment's later
Argith's death, as he had predicted, spread like wildfire. Across the Academy beasts hurled down their weapons and fell to their knees, their battle lost.
One Master didn't pause, Davrag Joris raced into a large corridor, filled with a score of Academy soldiers.
Immediately blades were raised and Davrag gulped, stepping back until one cried, "Master!"
He was still wearing that tunic! Davrag sighed in relief before he growled, "Argith is dead, the battle is lost."
"Lost?" One ferret cried, shocked.
"Yes, lost...we need to escape. There's no telling what those treacherous bastards'll do to us!"
"Aye!" One guard cried as Davrag smiled.
"You know any secret exits? We'll hunt down the one responsible for this...and come back and kill her cronies too!"
One stoat nodded, "Aye, Master! There's a secret tunnel not far from here! We can escape that way!"
"Good!" Davrag grinned, "And then...vengeance!"
The leader of the troops, a large rat obviously lower ranked then a Master nodded, "Aye! I am Yarel, Master! We serve you!"
Davrag nodded. It was so much fun how fools could cling to ideals and hope when there was obviously none left. Still, he could turn this to his advantage indeed. Passions, Davrag knew, were oh so easy to manipulate.
Eroekt Nightblade, Boneflower Windlass and Morik had found Argith's corpse and the sleeping form of Jald Nightson slumped against the wall. Morik took a deep breath, Boneflower gently placing a paw on his shoulder but he waved it away. "I'm fine...the fight's over it seems."
Eroket nodded. "Yeah...Morik, I need to know: Where is Argith's room?"
Boneflower and Morik remained at the sleeping Jald's side, the ferret drained beyond consciousness by whatever it was he had utilized to win his trials. Morik had been an invaluable help, too...Eroket was a bit jealous of how he and Boneflower got along though...he was certain she'd invite Morik along with them on this hunt. Eroket didn't know where he stood on that issue. Eroket headed up to Argith's room, noting four corpses in front of the door and wrinkling his nose as he stepped into Argith's room, stepping to the desk, taking charts and documents. What he was looking for was spotted in seconds and the ermine smiled triumphantly as he read. Odd how Argith would leave such an incriminating note on his desk.
Eroket's eyes studied the map and note, eyes passing over the area he knew to be the hideaway of Vandashira. "Kolma..." he whispered softly.
"Kolma..."