Author's Note: Hardin belongs to my good friend TDC and is mentioned with
permission. Hardin is the villain in the story Like Shattered Glass, also
which I highly recommend. The civet race's culture, as well as Ebralter,
Innis, Castor and Labhras pirates are also his creation and part of the
equally recommended After the Rain
Boneflower sulked during much of the trip to the east and frequently cast angry glances at Cadion whenever she got the chance, moreso at Morik which hurt the former Academy Guard greatly.
Deran maintained his little 'don't be seen unless I have something to show you' routine, often going farther then the others and returning at dusk or dawn, never willing to answer any questions. It stung Eroket a little how aloof his old friend had become. It was amazingly odd as well, especially how Deran seemed to get on perfectly with Jald, despite their extraordinary differences the last times they had encountered one another.
Cadion kept close to Jald and Eroket, the mouse proving himself adept at foraging and finding his way through dangerous terrain. He also enjoyed conversation which Eroket was more then happy to provide, with Jald joining in at various intervals.
"So," Cadion's eyes flicked to Jald's schianova and longsword, traveling to the ferret's calloused paws and muscled physique, "You're pretty good with that sword, aren't you, Jald?"
A thin smile flitted over Jald's lips and he nodded, "I'd give Hardin Taggerung of the Juska a fair run for his money." The ferret managed to say it without making it seem like a boast, just a simple fact.
Eroket was giving Jald an incredulous look at the mention of the name 'Hardin' to which Cadion frowned, "Hardin? What's a Hardin?"
"A stoat that can kick some ass..." Jald responded curtly, "A Taggerung is considered a legendary figure to various vermin tribes down south, their greatest warrior and that title isn't just a job description. If half the stories I've heard about that Hardin are true..."
Cadion was fairly interested, "Then he's real, real good?"
"Real, real cruel is more like it. Hardin's taken over practically the southern coast. His tribe, The Juskadin, is the only real one left if you ask me. Anybeast who opposes him dies and dies swiftly. Mercenaries have been sent after him and every last one has died."
Eroket let a small grin cross his face as Jald spoke, "It almost sounds like you're afraid, Jald Nightson."
Jald shrugged, "Like I said, I believe I could give him a run for his money. That's not important at any rate."
Eroket shrugged lightly, "Fine then. So, Cadion, anything else to bring up?"
Cadion looked to Jald, his bloodshot eyes narrowing thoughtfully and he nodded, "So, Jald, what was your family like?"
Jald paused for a moment, very surprised by the question before he sighed lightly, "My mother...I don't want to talk about her. My father is dead. My line have always been warriors and mercenaries and there are other branches but none I'm in contact with. The earliest I can trace my heritage is to Kirdan Nightson hundreds of seasons ago. Kirdan was forced into a military service by a pine marten king living nearby and learned the skill of the sword.
"The king, Varlan by name, attempted to have Kirdan murdered when he feared Kirdan's growing skills. Kirdan survived and killed the assassins and fled. Varlan, out of fear, burned Kirdan's home village. Out of retribution-swift vengeance has always been our style-Kirdan turned to a rebellion that focused in assassination of Varlan's best officers. When the time was right and they assaulted Varlan's keep, Kirdan hacked off Varlan's sword arm and flung him on a pyre.
"Kirdan swore his family would never serve another leader after Varlan's treachery and passed that down through his bloodline. The other ancestor of note I have is Malik Nightson."
Eroket nodded, as engrossed in the tale as Cadion now, "And Malik was...?"
"I'm getting to that. You know the destruction of the Labhras pirates, you two?"
Eroket and Cadion both nodded, Jald nodded back, "So you remember Hasril's enforcer, the 'civet' Castor?"
"Civet? I heard he was a wildcat..." Cadion frowned, Jald smiled.
"No doubt somebeasts would like to forget the civets ever existed, my friend. As Eroket here no doubt knows, a civet is a beast of cunning, savagery and unbridled evil. It's probable to deny their very existence, storytellers changed Castor's race. A civet resembles something of a mix between cat and ferret and is more ferocious then both of the two. They revel in pain and feast upon their enemies, whether the enemy is dead or alive. They bear their babies on blood and gore and even the children learn how to slaughter beasts in numbers.
"Ebralter the ferret, a companion of Innis the Warrior traveled to the civet's homeland, the Western Continent where my family had made its home at the time. Before Ebralter arrived, Malik and his sister Alexia witnessed a group of civets assault their caravan. One civet, named Corthin attacked Malik's brother and as Malik led the survivors away, he looked back to see Corthin bite Malik's brother's throat out.
"Shortly after, Ebralter the ferret arrived with gold for the families of the civet races' victims and to hire mercenaries to deal with the civet race. Needless to say, many took the job for free and Malik was one of them becoming a close comrade of Ebralter and Alexia becoming more then a friend to him.
"In one of the early raids, Malik came upon a lone civet child and as it feigned innocence, he attempted to comfort it. His reward for his kindness to his enemies was a savage bite and losing half his left paw. Malik would surely have died if not for Ebralter's crossbow. Ebralter warned Malik to not trust even the children. Beasts in the last wars had made that mistake and all that were ever found were pieces of the corpses.
"In the final battles of the purge, Malik found Corthin and attacked him. After crippling the civet in both legs and arms, Malik proceeded to tear every one of his fangs out and proceed to smash his head with his bare paws until Corthin was dead.
"Malik left for this continent and Alexia married Ebralter and went with him. Where, I have no clue. Malik married, had children and continued our legacy. It continues to me."
Eroket nodded, Cadion as well, both entirely engrossed in his story, Cadionw as the first to voice his amazement, "Hell of a history, Jald..."
Jald smiled, "Thank you. The Nightsons have always accomplished a lot and we've never been renowned for altruism, except in dire cases."
Eroket nodded, oddly silent as he eyed Jald, his mentor, through narrowed eyes. "What changed you? You cannot be Jald Nightson...when I knew you in the Calpathions, you were cruel, harsh and sadistic. Now you make allowances to take on extra companions, even teach me what you know. Why?"
Jald sighed, "Eroket, it's a complicated manner. Maybe it was your father's death that changed me, maybe it was jealousy to how much stock Kalis put in you and Deran. I was wrong, I know that now. I don't expect that to make everything alright, so I intend to prove to you I have changed."
"I almost believe you..."
"I'd hoped you would," Jald smiled lightly, "now-"
"Shhh..." The whisper came from Deran's lips, the stoat holding up a paw to halt the group as his sapphire eyes surveyed the barren terrain, "The scent of death hangs in this area..."
Boneflower's paw clenched over her sword and Morik instinctively moved close to her side, an action she didn't seem averse to, Eroket noted tensely.
Cadion put a paw over his eyes to avoid the scorching sun, looking over the hills, "I saw somebeast move over there on that ridge!"
Deran's eyes narrowed, "we're being watched..."
"So why haven't they attacked us yet," Eroket blinked, scanning the ridge and finding nothing.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Morik muttered. Then he cried out in shock as an arrow hit the ground mere feet from him.
"Warning shot," Deran explained calmly as Boneflower and Eroekt snickered over Morik's reaction. The stoic stoat walked over to the arrow and pulled it from the ground, eyes widening suddenly, "Why would...he be here?"
A small note had been tied to the arrow and Deran unrolled it, eyes scanning it, "If you be beasts of Vandashira the Darkness, turn back now. We do not allow them to walk through these lands unmolested at these times."
"Wait," Jald interjected, "What's beyond this place?"
"Large city, some settlements," Deran replied with a wave of his paw, eyes looking to a crest at the bottom of the note.
A black snowflake.
Deran reached beneath his cloak suddenly, pulling something from his belt and raising it into the air. More movement could be seen around the ridge as Eroket and the others eyed Deran cautiously.
Moments later beasts could be seen on the ridge, soldiers too, Eroket and Morik noted instantly. Deran walked forward, nodding to them, hoping they could see him.
The beasts began heading down off the ridge slowly, watching the group as cautiously as the companions watched them, Deran seemed unaffected.
"Deran Arakias." A deep voice replied from within the ranks of the soldiers. The ranks parted to allow the obvious leader through.
The beast was large, chest and stomach well chiseled with a low cut blue tunic and cloak, eyes gleaming blue with flecks of black. For such a large, muscled beast he moved with lithe grace and a large broadsword was sheathed at his side.
Eroket Nightblade studied the face of the large beast, noting the handsome, angular features and the shocking white fur, white as any ermine's. After a moment of inspection, Eroket was certain he was looking at a real, live wolf.
"Sire!" Deran dropped to a knee instantly, head bowed and the wolf chuckled.
"Do not demean yourself so in front of your companions, Deran. Rise."
Deran did so slowly, Eroket swallowed as Boneflower hissed, "Ero, what is that?"
"That is a wolf, Boneflower..." Eroket replied, scarcely believing it himself.
"Forgive me if we startled you," The wolf replied, "A large contingent of Vandashira's beasts passed here and we were concerned to your allegiances. Your accompanying Deran leaves me no doubt of your identities though."
Cadion and Morik both seemed in awe, neither obviously having seen a wolf before. The tall beast performed a graceful bow, "Let us be out of these scorching lands. Like yourself, my ermine friend, I am more at home in the northern climes where I usually reside. However, my duties to my subjects and politics force me to make such inhospitable conditions. We have a small dwelling place away from here though in friendlier atmosphere. Come, friends, let us eat, drink and rest together before you continue your hunt."
"Who...are you?" Eroket knew he was being rude but couldn't help himself.
The wolf smiled, "My name is Skola Snowshadow, Eroket Nightblade, and I am your ally and your employer."
Boneflower sulked during much of the trip to the east and frequently cast angry glances at Cadion whenever she got the chance, moreso at Morik which hurt the former Academy Guard greatly.
Deran maintained his little 'don't be seen unless I have something to show you' routine, often going farther then the others and returning at dusk or dawn, never willing to answer any questions. It stung Eroket a little how aloof his old friend had become. It was amazingly odd as well, especially how Deran seemed to get on perfectly with Jald, despite their extraordinary differences the last times they had encountered one another.
Cadion kept close to Jald and Eroket, the mouse proving himself adept at foraging and finding his way through dangerous terrain. He also enjoyed conversation which Eroket was more then happy to provide, with Jald joining in at various intervals.
"So," Cadion's eyes flicked to Jald's schianova and longsword, traveling to the ferret's calloused paws and muscled physique, "You're pretty good with that sword, aren't you, Jald?"
A thin smile flitted over Jald's lips and he nodded, "I'd give Hardin Taggerung of the Juska a fair run for his money." The ferret managed to say it without making it seem like a boast, just a simple fact.
Eroket was giving Jald an incredulous look at the mention of the name 'Hardin' to which Cadion frowned, "Hardin? What's a Hardin?"
"A stoat that can kick some ass..." Jald responded curtly, "A Taggerung is considered a legendary figure to various vermin tribes down south, their greatest warrior and that title isn't just a job description. If half the stories I've heard about that Hardin are true..."
Cadion was fairly interested, "Then he's real, real good?"
"Real, real cruel is more like it. Hardin's taken over practically the southern coast. His tribe, The Juskadin, is the only real one left if you ask me. Anybeast who opposes him dies and dies swiftly. Mercenaries have been sent after him and every last one has died."
Eroket let a small grin cross his face as Jald spoke, "It almost sounds like you're afraid, Jald Nightson."
Jald shrugged, "Like I said, I believe I could give him a run for his money. That's not important at any rate."
Eroket shrugged lightly, "Fine then. So, Cadion, anything else to bring up?"
Cadion looked to Jald, his bloodshot eyes narrowing thoughtfully and he nodded, "So, Jald, what was your family like?"
Jald paused for a moment, very surprised by the question before he sighed lightly, "My mother...I don't want to talk about her. My father is dead. My line have always been warriors and mercenaries and there are other branches but none I'm in contact with. The earliest I can trace my heritage is to Kirdan Nightson hundreds of seasons ago. Kirdan was forced into a military service by a pine marten king living nearby and learned the skill of the sword.
"The king, Varlan by name, attempted to have Kirdan murdered when he feared Kirdan's growing skills. Kirdan survived and killed the assassins and fled. Varlan, out of fear, burned Kirdan's home village. Out of retribution-swift vengeance has always been our style-Kirdan turned to a rebellion that focused in assassination of Varlan's best officers. When the time was right and they assaulted Varlan's keep, Kirdan hacked off Varlan's sword arm and flung him on a pyre.
"Kirdan swore his family would never serve another leader after Varlan's treachery and passed that down through his bloodline. The other ancestor of note I have is Malik Nightson."
Eroket nodded, as engrossed in the tale as Cadion now, "And Malik was...?"
"I'm getting to that. You know the destruction of the Labhras pirates, you two?"
Eroket and Cadion both nodded, Jald nodded back, "So you remember Hasril's enforcer, the 'civet' Castor?"
"Civet? I heard he was a wildcat..." Cadion frowned, Jald smiled.
"No doubt somebeasts would like to forget the civets ever existed, my friend. As Eroket here no doubt knows, a civet is a beast of cunning, savagery and unbridled evil. It's probable to deny their very existence, storytellers changed Castor's race. A civet resembles something of a mix between cat and ferret and is more ferocious then both of the two. They revel in pain and feast upon their enemies, whether the enemy is dead or alive. They bear their babies on blood and gore and even the children learn how to slaughter beasts in numbers.
"Ebralter the ferret, a companion of Innis the Warrior traveled to the civet's homeland, the Western Continent where my family had made its home at the time. Before Ebralter arrived, Malik and his sister Alexia witnessed a group of civets assault their caravan. One civet, named Corthin attacked Malik's brother and as Malik led the survivors away, he looked back to see Corthin bite Malik's brother's throat out.
"Shortly after, Ebralter the ferret arrived with gold for the families of the civet races' victims and to hire mercenaries to deal with the civet race. Needless to say, many took the job for free and Malik was one of them becoming a close comrade of Ebralter and Alexia becoming more then a friend to him.
"In one of the early raids, Malik came upon a lone civet child and as it feigned innocence, he attempted to comfort it. His reward for his kindness to his enemies was a savage bite and losing half his left paw. Malik would surely have died if not for Ebralter's crossbow. Ebralter warned Malik to not trust even the children. Beasts in the last wars had made that mistake and all that were ever found were pieces of the corpses.
"In the final battles of the purge, Malik found Corthin and attacked him. After crippling the civet in both legs and arms, Malik proceeded to tear every one of his fangs out and proceed to smash his head with his bare paws until Corthin was dead.
"Malik left for this continent and Alexia married Ebralter and went with him. Where, I have no clue. Malik married, had children and continued our legacy. It continues to me."
Eroket nodded, Cadion as well, both entirely engrossed in his story, Cadionw as the first to voice his amazement, "Hell of a history, Jald..."
Jald smiled, "Thank you. The Nightsons have always accomplished a lot and we've never been renowned for altruism, except in dire cases."
Eroket nodded, oddly silent as he eyed Jald, his mentor, through narrowed eyes. "What changed you? You cannot be Jald Nightson...when I knew you in the Calpathions, you were cruel, harsh and sadistic. Now you make allowances to take on extra companions, even teach me what you know. Why?"
Jald sighed, "Eroket, it's a complicated manner. Maybe it was your father's death that changed me, maybe it was jealousy to how much stock Kalis put in you and Deran. I was wrong, I know that now. I don't expect that to make everything alright, so I intend to prove to you I have changed."
"I almost believe you..."
"I'd hoped you would," Jald smiled lightly, "now-"
"Shhh..." The whisper came from Deran's lips, the stoat holding up a paw to halt the group as his sapphire eyes surveyed the barren terrain, "The scent of death hangs in this area..."
Boneflower's paw clenched over her sword and Morik instinctively moved close to her side, an action she didn't seem averse to, Eroket noted tensely.
Cadion put a paw over his eyes to avoid the scorching sun, looking over the hills, "I saw somebeast move over there on that ridge!"
Deran's eyes narrowed, "we're being watched..."
"So why haven't they attacked us yet," Eroket blinked, scanning the ridge and finding nothing.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Morik muttered. Then he cried out in shock as an arrow hit the ground mere feet from him.
"Warning shot," Deran explained calmly as Boneflower and Eroekt snickered over Morik's reaction. The stoic stoat walked over to the arrow and pulled it from the ground, eyes widening suddenly, "Why would...he be here?"
A small note had been tied to the arrow and Deran unrolled it, eyes scanning it, "If you be beasts of Vandashira the Darkness, turn back now. We do not allow them to walk through these lands unmolested at these times."
"Wait," Jald interjected, "What's beyond this place?"
"Large city, some settlements," Deran replied with a wave of his paw, eyes looking to a crest at the bottom of the note.
A black snowflake.
Deran reached beneath his cloak suddenly, pulling something from his belt and raising it into the air. More movement could be seen around the ridge as Eroket and the others eyed Deran cautiously.
Moments later beasts could be seen on the ridge, soldiers too, Eroket and Morik noted instantly. Deran walked forward, nodding to them, hoping they could see him.
The beasts began heading down off the ridge slowly, watching the group as cautiously as the companions watched them, Deran seemed unaffected.
"Deran Arakias." A deep voice replied from within the ranks of the soldiers. The ranks parted to allow the obvious leader through.
The beast was large, chest and stomach well chiseled with a low cut blue tunic and cloak, eyes gleaming blue with flecks of black. For such a large, muscled beast he moved with lithe grace and a large broadsword was sheathed at his side.
Eroket Nightblade studied the face of the large beast, noting the handsome, angular features and the shocking white fur, white as any ermine's. After a moment of inspection, Eroket was certain he was looking at a real, live wolf.
"Sire!" Deran dropped to a knee instantly, head bowed and the wolf chuckled.
"Do not demean yourself so in front of your companions, Deran. Rise."
Deran did so slowly, Eroket swallowed as Boneflower hissed, "Ero, what is that?"
"That is a wolf, Boneflower..." Eroket replied, scarcely believing it himself.
"Forgive me if we startled you," The wolf replied, "A large contingent of Vandashira's beasts passed here and we were concerned to your allegiances. Your accompanying Deran leaves me no doubt of your identities though."
Cadion and Morik both seemed in awe, neither obviously having seen a wolf before. The tall beast performed a graceful bow, "Let us be out of these scorching lands. Like yourself, my ermine friend, I am more at home in the northern climes where I usually reside. However, my duties to my subjects and politics force me to make such inhospitable conditions. We have a small dwelling place away from here though in friendlier atmosphere. Come, friends, let us eat, drink and rest together before you continue your hunt."
"Who...are you?" Eroket knew he was being rude but couldn't help himself.
The wolf smiled, "My name is Skola Snowshadow, Eroket Nightblade, and I am your ally and your employer."