Eroket sat on a cushioned seat in Trent's office, Trent being the
name of the weasel that had accosted him in the streets, sipping from a
bowl of hot broth that the weasel had given him.
Trent had turned out to be the business director of the city, running all the legitimate and less legitimate aspects of Tilverin. Every city had its rotten core, Eroket reflected with ironic amusement.
"So, Eroket, right?" The weasel smiled and sat across from the ermine, folding his paws over his lap, "What c'n I do for ye?"
Eroket hadn't released his sword or weapons since arriving in Trent's office, not trusting the weasel at all. Why he had just accepted the soup was a mystery to him now, but there were no ill effects so far, so what the hell? "I'm a hunter," he replied calmly, crimson paw placing the bowl on a small stand next to him.
"Who're you huntin' in Tilverin? Err, it ain't me, right?"
Eroket couldn't repress a smile, "No. To my knowledge you're clean. I'm looking for Vandashira the Living Darkness." Best to get the shock over with now, most beasts didn't take this very well, Eroket had learned.
"Great, I'm helpin' a crazy madbeast, I am! Lad, how old're you?"
Eroket sighed a bit, "Twenty three..."
"If ya wanna see twenty four, I really suggest ye give up now! Kid, in me day I've seen beasts go after that black hearted- vixen and I've never seen one of 'em come back! 'Ell, most never even make it to Kolma."
"I've made it this far, haven't I? I'm Eroket Nightblade, maybe you've heard the name somewhere?"
Trent sighed, "Lad, I don't hear much about single hunters. Only the best and most famous get their names by Tilverinan ears. Beasts like...like Jald Nightson, or Davrag Joris or the Calpathions and the Death Watch!"
Eroket's eyes hardened, "You haven't heard then? I was a Calpathion."
"Was?"
Eroket Nightblade nodded, "Yeah. I'm Jald Nightson's student and Aleran Nightblade's son."
Trent's jaw dropped, "'is SON? Damn, lad...I shoulda guessed by your fur and yer name."
"The Calpathions were destroyed three years ago. The Death Watch's leader followed them to the grave. I killed him."
"Visla?" Trent took a moment to compose himself. "Maybe you are something special, my lad. If you are what you say you are, maybe you got a shot at Vandashira. Right, what'd you want me to tell you?"
Eroket smiled, glad he had gotten through to the weasel, "I want you to tell me where she is."
"All I got are rumors, lad."
"If rumors are all you have, then give me the rumors."
Trent nodded once, "Alright. To the east in the mountains lies her fortress; Shadows Keep. Her spies permeate every inch of the place and she's well guarded by fanatic cultists. They view her as a manifestation of darkness itself. Some say she descends from those marlfox things, others call her a demon from Hellgates taking a fox form. Whatever she is, she's dangerous! She's been a scourge in Tilverin and the rest of this world for too long and if a beast wants her dead more power to 'em!"
Eroket flexed his shoulder, checking his injury. Thankfully, it wasn't near as deep as it could have been and had been patched up well. "I'm not alone. I have friends with me, Jald Nightson among them, who want Vandashira dead. We plan to carry that out." Eroekt decided to leave out the Davrag Joris part of the story.
Trent nodded, "Well, lad. I've told you all I could. Like I said; good luck. You'll need it."
"Thanks." With that, Eroket rose, "I'll bring my friends to see you. You can tell them what you told me?"
Trent nodded once, "Sure, lad. See you soon."
Eroket nodded, "If I can even find them."
Trent nodded and leaned back in his seat as Eroket exited the room. The weasel sighed slightly. Eroket had little chance against Vandashira, he knew that. Nobeast had ever gotten close to her before. But few had even gotten this close, and none had been personally trained by Jald Nightson, let alone have the legend accompany him! He had claimed to have killed General Visla himself too. Maybe, just maybe, this kid had a chance.
About five minutes later, Trent heard the door open. "Lad, you're back? You want more answers?"
"Not really." The voice was alien to his ears, and Trent turned.
Davrag Joris smiled charmingly, his amber eyes freezing Trent's blood. "Thanks for the offer though."
Eroket had the fortune to run into Jald and the others at the inn, nearly out of breath.
"Eroket!" Morik stepped forward, "Jald told us what happened. We were worried about you."
Eroket smiled, "Gee, thanks. Look, I don't have time to explain much now. I have somebeast in the city who'll give us a paw in the hunt. All he has is info but the rest of you should hear it. And...I saw Davrag."
Boneflower blanched in sudden fear, Morik slipped a comforting paw around her shoulders and Ero was shocked to see her move closer to him. Gritting his teeth against the sudden jealousy, Ero replied in a somewhat frosty voice, "Deran, Cadion, I suppose you two were free there?"
Deran shrugged, "Free as I was..."
Cadion's paw had ground so tight, "You're sure it was Davrag Joris?"
Eroket nodded. "I'm sure, Cadion."
Cadion nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "First come, first served with him, Eroket."
"Deal." Eroket nodded and threw Boneflower a glare. The stoat fem didn't look at him, merely turned her head.
"Eroket, nothing happened with us, ok? We were just talking," Morik replied defensively.
"Whatever. Let's just get moving." Eroket signaled them and began moving through the streets.
Eroket reached Trent's place shortly after. "Trent! Trent, it's me. I brought me friends! Trent?" No response, it made Eroket suspicious.
Jald drew his sword and opened the door slowly, walking within.
Trent lay on his desk, throat slashed with expert precision, his eyes staring in sightless fear. On the wall beside him were the words written in blood: 'I was unfaithful to the Darkness. This is my penance.'
Beneath that was 'in the mountains. Looking forward to it.'
Eroket's teeth clenched and he looked away, Jald replied softly as he sheathed his blade. "He's trying to make it harder for you."
Eroket shook his head, amber eyes glinting. "He's only making it easier."
It was nearly an hour later and the group had beat a retreat from Tilverin, heading for the mountains. Eroket was already getting a bad vibe from them as he entered.
A steady river ran through the hostile territory, providing the group their water, along with helping with the abominable heat.
It took two straight days of traveling before they saw anything related to their search. The grounds were hostile and rocky and continuously bit at their feet. All managed to endure it without complaint, thankfully.
The winding, narrow paths led deeper into the mountains. The huge spaces yielded no reprieve though. Eroket was beginning to lose heart.
On the beginning of the third day, the group began to run out of food. Jald had them ration what they had and kept them in close knit groups so they wouldn't walk off a cliff or be swept away by the river. Ero had never walked up mountains and now that he was, he absolutely despised it.
Deran kept them from death. The masked ermine knew the land like the back of his paw, to Ero's amazement.
Eroket sighed slightly, running a paw over his eyes as he crossed a narrow path. His ears suddenly flattening as voices reached them.
"C'mon, drown 'im already!"
"Nah, let 'im keep going!"
Eroket gave a 'wait here' sign to the others, giving them a look that would brook no argument and slipped off, being extremely careful of the area as he peaked around the large rock wall.
Davrag Joris was standing, arms folded over his chest, wicked grin over his face as he watched the scene before him. Ten or so of his soldiers stood by the river, over two ferrets
The two were lashed together by an odd device, up to their necks in the water. The devious nature of the device was that only one ferret could keep his head above water at a time, leaving the other helpless.
"Come on, Yarel, join in the fun!" Davrag cried to the huge rat who stood away from the scene, frowning.
"We should be getting to Ren and the others. This is losing time, sir."
"We can stand to lose an hour or two. Plus, the soldiers are enjoying themselves. So am I. This'll teach Vandashira's agents to not spy on us on this territory."
Eroket's next view revealed a stoat drowned on the bank. Davrag grinned widely, "I think we have a winner."
One ferret had elected self preservation was the better course and was keeping himself above as his comrades lay trapped under the water. Moments later, Davrag sighed. "Indeed we do. Shame."
With a motion, Davrag signaled the beasts holding the ropes on the device, pulling the half drowned ferret in. With a quick motion, Davrag drew the ferret to him, drawing his sword. With another motion, he cut the ferret's throat.
"Bastard!" Eroket couldn't restrain the hateful snarl, nor the wicked grin on Davrag's face as his eyes met Eroket's.
"Nightblade, we meet once more!"
Eroket ducked behind the rock face, "Dammit! Guys, Davrag and about seventeen others are there."
Jald swore and drew his sword, the others following suit.
As he ducked away, Eroket missed the small conversation between Yarel and Davrag before Davrag leapt up, moving around the river and after Eroket.
Jald's fist intercepted the stoat as he landed, knocking the breath clear out of him, a second punch knocked Davrag back, the black stoat dropping his sword as he scrambled away from the edge of a fall, glowering hatefully at Jald. "Five against one? Real fair..."
"Who said we're playing by your rules, Joris?" Morik took a step forward.
Eroket replies calmly. "We just want you dead."
"I cannot allow that." Yarel and his soldiers had come up behind the group, weapons brandished. The large rat's eyes hardened, "Let our commander to us and you may yet live."
"We aren't letting him walk through us alive," Jald growled. Davrag frowned, looking back at the long fall at the edge of the cliff. "Yarel, do you have rope?"
The large rat nodded and Davrag smiled. "How about this: I'll lower myself onto the ledge below us with said rope and meet my beasts elsewhere. You continue on your hunt and next time, we fight to the death or whatever?"
Eroket and Jald exchanged looks, missing Cadion's expression of disbelief. Jald nodded finally, grunting out a reluctant 'fine.'
After a few moments, a rope was passed along; a quick motion sent it to Davrag. The black stoat sheathed his sword, grabbing the rope. "Another day, Eroket, Jald!"
A quick spring carried him over, the rope extending to more then enough length to put him on the ledge. From there, he could follow a path to the mountains and catch back up with his group. "I'm there!"
Cadion was sweating in frustration. His original plan had been to kill Davrag on the ridge. Overwhelming desire for vengeance eating at his senses, he drew his dagger, grabbed the rope and pulled himself after Davrag.
Cadion's actions left all of those assembled stunned, none moreso then his own group. Davrag's eyes widened as the mouse came at him, the dagger biting into his shoulder.
With a shocked yell, Davrag grabbed the smaller beast and slammed his back into the rock, stunning him with a knee to the gut. Wrenching the dagger from the mouse's paw, Davrag hurled it away. "Are you insane?"
The look Cadion gave him was pure hatred, "You destroyed my village...killed my family. You shouldn't have come..."
"I think I should have. Nothing personal, mouse." With another move, Davrag grabbed the rope and looped it around Cadion's neck, tying it swiftly to form a noose. "Bye."
A fling of his arms sent Cadion through the air to dangle over empty space, eyes bulging as his air was cut off, feet kicking as he struggled.
Jald recovered first, "Davrag!" He roared, grabbing the rope and pulling it in his direction.
Davrag was gone, having slipped away out of view. Jald managed to drag Cadion up and when the mouse was safely on the ledge, Jald cut the rope.
Cadion took in several gasps of sweet air, nodding his thanks. None of the others could blame him for his actions. It took a lot of control to have kept from doing the same thing.
"You violated the agreement." Yarel growled. "You tried to kill our commander."
"Your commander is nothing more then a thief and murderer!" Eroket retorted angrily.
"Yarel!" Morik took a step forward, "Yarel, you're an honorable beast. You can't just kill us here."
"I follow my commander, traitor. If he tells me to kill, I kill. He tells me to die, I die."
"Yarel, we were friends at the Academy! As much as anybeast could have said to be friends there!"
"That's behind us!"
Jald stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Yarel. I don't know you or remember you, but in the name of honor, give us a chance."
"What chance would that be?" Yarel raised a paw to signal his beasts to hold.
"You and me to the death. If I win, let my friends go and turn back. If you win...we'll turn back."
"No deal. If I win, I am forced to kill you."
Jald turned slowly to the others. "Can you trust me with your lives?"
Eroket Nightblade stepped forward, meeting Jald's gaze. A million thoughts passed between them in that moment, hundreds of memories, of experiences but in the end it boiled down to one thing: "I will. I trust you, Jald Nightson."
"Aye, me too!" Boney added her voice to Eroket's.
"I place my life in your paws, Jald." Morik replied, but nobeast expected him to disagree with Boney and a beast she placed her trust in.
Deran and Cadion both nodded once. Yarel blinked, "The amount of faith they have is...surprising to say the least. Especially from an Academy beast such as Ferin. Very well. I accept your challenge. All the rest of you: put up your weapons and move back!"
Yarel's beasts complied and Jald walked forward to meet the large rat.
Yarel started the battle with a lunge, claymore aimed at Jald's head. Jald ducked, coming up with a strike at Yarel's side. The blade drew blood. Yarel growled in pain, and swung a punch at Jald, throwing the ferret back.
Jald came up, wiping his lip. "Nice..." The ferret removed a dagger from his belt, moving in slowly, feinting to Yarel's left with the dagger and striking at the rat's leg with his sword.
Yarel took a glancing hit as he stepped back. "You're good...there's a reason you're a legend."
Jald nodded and lowered himself into a crouch, "I'm sorry."
"Dying in the service of my Master leaves me no regrets!" Yarel sprang forward, swinging at Jald's head. With a swift motion that Eroket could hardly follow, Jald moving his blade, taking Yarel's sword and diverting its course and buried the dagger between the rat's ribs.
Yarel's eyes widened and the claymore fell from his paws and he sank to ground, Jald removed the dagger with a motion and eased Yarel to the ground.
"I am...only glad...my last opponent was you, Jald Nightson..." Jald took the large rat's paw and nodded. They were two warriors finding no malice, no hatred, just respect.
Jald rose when Yarel's breathing had stopped, leaning down to close the rat's eyes. And place the claymore in his paws, stabbing his blade into the ground to clean it.
Jald nodded to the other stunned Academy beasts. "You know the deal."
They parted, lowering their heads respectfully. One ferret replying, "Will you make an exception for us to build a cairn for Yarel?"
Jald nodded. "Aye. It's fine."
Eroket nodded to the others and they went on through the Academy beasts.
Eroket and Jald shared one brief look but the ferret looked away. In that one instant Eroket saw something he never saw in Jald Nightson's eyes after a battle.
Eroket saw sorrow.
Trent had turned out to be the business director of the city, running all the legitimate and less legitimate aspects of Tilverin. Every city had its rotten core, Eroket reflected with ironic amusement.
"So, Eroket, right?" The weasel smiled and sat across from the ermine, folding his paws over his lap, "What c'n I do for ye?"
Eroket hadn't released his sword or weapons since arriving in Trent's office, not trusting the weasel at all. Why he had just accepted the soup was a mystery to him now, but there were no ill effects so far, so what the hell? "I'm a hunter," he replied calmly, crimson paw placing the bowl on a small stand next to him.
"Who're you huntin' in Tilverin? Err, it ain't me, right?"
Eroket couldn't repress a smile, "No. To my knowledge you're clean. I'm looking for Vandashira the Living Darkness." Best to get the shock over with now, most beasts didn't take this very well, Eroket had learned.
"Great, I'm helpin' a crazy madbeast, I am! Lad, how old're you?"
Eroket sighed a bit, "Twenty three..."
"If ya wanna see twenty four, I really suggest ye give up now! Kid, in me day I've seen beasts go after that black hearted- vixen and I've never seen one of 'em come back! 'Ell, most never even make it to Kolma."
"I've made it this far, haven't I? I'm Eroket Nightblade, maybe you've heard the name somewhere?"
Trent sighed, "Lad, I don't hear much about single hunters. Only the best and most famous get their names by Tilverinan ears. Beasts like...like Jald Nightson, or Davrag Joris or the Calpathions and the Death Watch!"
Eroket's eyes hardened, "You haven't heard then? I was a Calpathion."
"Was?"
Eroket Nightblade nodded, "Yeah. I'm Jald Nightson's student and Aleran Nightblade's son."
Trent's jaw dropped, "'is SON? Damn, lad...I shoulda guessed by your fur and yer name."
"The Calpathions were destroyed three years ago. The Death Watch's leader followed them to the grave. I killed him."
"Visla?" Trent took a moment to compose himself. "Maybe you are something special, my lad. If you are what you say you are, maybe you got a shot at Vandashira. Right, what'd you want me to tell you?"
Eroket smiled, glad he had gotten through to the weasel, "I want you to tell me where she is."
"All I got are rumors, lad."
"If rumors are all you have, then give me the rumors."
Trent nodded once, "Alright. To the east in the mountains lies her fortress; Shadows Keep. Her spies permeate every inch of the place and she's well guarded by fanatic cultists. They view her as a manifestation of darkness itself. Some say she descends from those marlfox things, others call her a demon from Hellgates taking a fox form. Whatever she is, she's dangerous! She's been a scourge in Tilverin and the rest of this world for too long and if a beast wants her dead more power to 'em!"
Eroket flexed his shoulder, checking his injury. Thankfully, it wasn't near as deep as it could have been and had been patched up well. "I'm not alone. I have friends with me, Jald Nightson among them, who want Vandashira dead. We plan to carry that out." Eroekt decided to leave out the Davrag Joris part of the story.
Trent nodded, "Well, lad. I've told you all I could. Like I said; good luck. You'll need it."
"Thanks." With that, Eroket rose, "I'll bring my friends to see you. You can tell them what you told me?"
Trent nodded once, "Sure, lad. See you soon."
Eroket nodded, "If I can even find them."
Trent nodded and leaned back in his seat as Eroket exited the room. The weasel sighed slightly. Eroket had little chance against Vandashira, he knew that. Nobeast had ever gotten close to her before. But few had even gotten this close, and none had been personally trained by Jald Nightson, let alone have the legend accompany him! He had claimed to have killed General Visla himself too. Maybe, just maybe, this kid had a chance.
About five minutes later, Trent heard the door open. "Lad, you're back? You want more answers?"
"Not really." The voice was alien to his ears, and Trent turned.
Davrag Joris smiled charmingly, his amber eyes freezing Trent's blood. "Thanks for the offer though."
Eroket had the fortune to run into Jald and the others at the inn, nearly out of breath.
"Eroket!" Morik stepped forward, "Jald told us what happened. We were worried about you."
Eroket smiled, "Gee, thanks. Look, I don't have time to explain much now. I have somebeast in the city who'll give us a paw in the hunt. All he has is info but the rest of you should hear it. And...I saw Davrag."
Boneflower blanched in sudden fear, Morik slipped a comforting paw around her shoulders and Ero was shocked to see her move closer to him. Gritting his teeth against the sudden jealousy, Ero replied in a somewhat frosty voice, "Deran, Cadion, I suppose you two were free there?"
Deran shrugged, "Free as I was..."
Cadion's paw had ground so tight, "You're sure it was Davrag Joris?"
Eroket nodded. "I'm sure, Cadion."
Cadion nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "First come, first served with him, Eroket."
"Deal." Eroket nodded and threw Boneflower a glare. The stoat fem didn't look at him, merely turned her head.
"Eroket, nothing happened with us, ok? We were just talking," Morik replied defensively.
"Whatever. Let's just get moving." Eroket signaled them and began moving through the streets.
Eroket reached Trent's place shortly after. "Trent! Trent, it's me. I brought me friends! Trent?" No response, it made Eroket suspicious.
Jald drew his sword and opened the door slowly, walking within.
Trent lay on his desk, throat slashed with expert precision, his eyes staring in sightless fear. On the wall beside him were the words written in blood: 'I was unfaithful to the Darkness. This is my penance.'
Beneath that was 'in the mountains. Looking forward to it.'
Eroket's teeth clenched and he looked away, Jald replied softly as he sheathed his blade. "He's trying to make it harder for you."
Eroket shook his head, amber eyes glinting. "He's only making it easier."
It was nearly an hour later and the group had beat a retreat from Tilverin, heading for the mountains. Eroket was already getting a bad vibe from them as he entered.
A steady river ran through the hostile territory, providing the group their water, along with helping with the abominable heat.
It took two straight days of traveling before they saw anything related to their search. The grounds were hostile and rocky and continuously bit at their feet. All managed to endure it without complaint, thankfully.
The winding, narrow paths led deeper into the mountains. The huge spaces yielded no reprieve though. Eroket was beginning to lose heart.
On the beginning of the third day, the group began to run out of food. Jald had them ration what they had and kept them in close knit groups so they wouldn't walk off a cliff or be swept away by the river. Ero had never walked up mountains and now that he was, he absolutely despised it.
Deran kept them from death. The masked ermine knew the land like the back of his paw, to Ero's amazement.
Eroket sighed slightly, running a paw over his eyes as he crossed a narrow path. His ears suddenly flattening as voices reached them.
"C'mon, drown 'im already!"
"Nah, let 'im keep going!"
Eroket gave a 'wait here' sign to the others, giving them a look that would brook no argument and slipped off, being extremely careful of the area as he peaked around the large rock wall.
Davrag Joris was standing, arms folded over his chest, wicked grin over his face as he watched the scene before him. Ten or so of his soldiers stood by the river, over two ferrets
The two were lashed together by an odd device, up to their necks in the water. The devious nature of the device was that only one ferret could keep his head above water at a time, leaving the other helpless.
"Come on, Yarel, join in the fun!" Davrag cried to the huge rat who stood away from the scene, frowning.
"We should be getting to Ren and the others. This is losing time, sir."
"We can stand to lose an hour or two. Plus, the soldiers are enjoying themselves. So am I. This'll teach Vandashira's agents to not spy on us on this territory."
Eroket's next view revealed a stoat drowned on the bank. Davrag grinned widely, "I think we have a winner."
One ferret had elected self preservation was the better course and was keeping himself above as his comrades lay trapped under the water. Moments later, Davrag sighed. "Indeed we do. Shame."
With a motion, Davrag signaled the beasts holding the ropes on the device, pulling the half drowned ferret in. With a quick motion, Davrag drew the ferret to him, drawing his sword. With another motion, he cut the ferret's throat.
"Bastard!" Eroket couldn't restrain the hateful snarl, nor the wicked grin on Davrag's face as his eyes met Eroket's.
"Nightblade, we meet once more!"
Eroket ducked behind the rock face, "Dammit! Guys, Davrag and about seventeen others are there."
Jald swore and drew his sword, the others following suit.
As he ducked away, Eroket missed the small conversation between Yarel and Davrag before Davrag leapt up, moving around the river and after Eroket.
Jald's fist intercepted the stoat as he landed, knocking the breath clear out of him, a second punch knocked Davrag back, the black stoat dropping his sword as he scrambled away from the edge of a fall, glowering hatefully at Jald. "Five against one? Real fair..."
"Who said we're playing by your rules, Joris?" Morik took a step forward.
Eroket replies calmly. "We just want you dead."
"I cannot allow that." Yarel and his soldiers had come up behind the group, weapons brandished. The large rat's eyes hardened, "Let our commander to us and you may yet live."
"We aren't letting him walk through us alive," Jald growled. Davrag frowned, looking back at the long fall at the edge of the cliff. "Yarel, do you have rope?"
The large rat nodded and Davrag smiled. "How about this: I'll lower myself onto the ledge below us with said rope and meet my beasts elsewhere. You continue on your hunt and next time, we fight to the death or whatever?"
Eroket and Jald exchanged looks, missing Cadion's expression of disbelief. Jald nodded finally, grunting out a reluctant 'fine.'
After a few moments, a rope was passed along; a quick motion sent it to Davrag. The black stoat sheathed his sword, grabbing the rope. "Another day, Eroket, Jald!"
A quick spring carried him over, the rope extending to more then enough length to put him on the ledge. From there, he could follow a path to the mountains and catch back up with his group. "I'm there!"
Cadion was sweating in frustration. His original plan had been to kill Davrag on the ridge. Overwhelming desire for vengeance eating at his senses, he drew his dagger, grabbed the rope and pulled himself after Davrag.
Cadion's actions left all of those assembled stunned, none moreso then his own group. Davrag's eyes widened as the mouse came at him, the dagger biting into his shoulder.
With a shocked yell, Davrag grabbed the smaller beast and slammed his back into the rock, stunning him with a knee to the gut. Wrenching the dagger from the mouse's paw, Davrag hurled it away. "Are you insane?"
The look Cadion gave him was pure hatred, "You destroyed my village...killed my family. You shouldn't have come..."
"I think I should have. Nothing personal, mouse." With another move, Davrag grabbed the rope and looped it around Cadion's neck, tying it swiftly to form a noose. "Bye."
A fling of his arms sent Cadion through the air to dangle over empty space, eyes bulging as his air was cut off, feet kicking as he struggled.
Jald recovered first, "Davrag!" He roared, grabbing the rope and pulling it in his direction.
Davrag was gone, having slipped away out of view. Jald managed to drag Cadion up and when the mouse was safely on the ledge, Jald cut the rope.
Cadion took in several gasps of sweet air, nodding his thanks. None of the others could blame him for his actions. It took a lot of control to have kept from doing the same thing.
"You violated the agreement." Yarel growled. "You tried to kill our commander."
"Your commander is nothing more then a thief and murderer!" Eroket retorted angrily.
"Yarel!" Morik took a step forward, "Yarel, you're an honorable beast. You can't just kill us here."
"I follow my commander, traitor. If he tells me to kill, I kill. He tells me to die, I die."
"Yarel, we were friends at the Academy! As much as anybeast could have said to be friends there!"
"That's behind us!"
Jald stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Yarel. I don't know you or remember you, but in the name of honor, give us a chance."
"What chance would that be?" Yarel raised a paw to signal his beasts to hold.
"You and me to the death. If I win, let my friends go and turn back. If you win...we'll turn back."
"No deal. If I win, I am forced to kill you."
Jald turned slowly to the others. "Can you trust me with your lives?"
Eroket Nightblade stepped forward, meeting Jald's gaze. A million thoughts passed between them in that moment, hundreds of memories, of experiences but in the end it boiled down to one thing: "I will. I trust you, Jald Nightson."
"Aye, me too!" Boney added her voice to Eroket's.
"I place my life in your paws, Jald." Morik replied, but nobeast expected him to disagree with Boney and a beast she placed her trust in.
Deran and Cadion both nodded once. Yarel blinked, "The amount of faith they have is...surprising to say the least. Especially from an Academy beast such as Ferin. Very well. I accept your challenge. All the rest of you: put up your weapons and move back!"
Yarel's beasts complied and Jald walked forward to meet the large rat.
Yarel started the battle with a lunge, claymore aimed at Jald's head. Jald ducked, coming up with a strike at Yarel's side. The blade drew blood. Yarel growled in pain, and swung a punch at Jald, throwing the ferret back.
Jald came up, wiping his lip. "Nice..." The ferret removed a dagger from his belt, moving in slowly, feinting to Yarel's left with the dagger and striking at the rat's leg with his sword.
Yarel took a glancing hit as he stepped back. "You're good...there's a reason you're a legend."
Jald nodded and lowered himself into a crouch, "I'm sorry."
"Dying in the service of my Master leaves me no regrets!" Yarel sprang forward, swinging at Jald's head. With a swift motion that Eroket could hardly follow, Jald moving his blade, taking Yarel's sword and diverting its course and buried the dagger between the rat's ribs.
Yarel's eyes widened and the claymore fell from his paws and he sank to ground, Jald removed the dagger with a motion and eased Yarel to the ground.
"I am...only glad...my last opponent was you, Jald Nightson..." Jald took the large rat's paw and nodded. They were two warriors finding no malice, no hatred, just respect.
Jald rose when Yarel's breathing had stopped, leaning down to close the rat's eyes. And place the claymore in his paws, stabbing his blade into the ground to clean it.
Jald nodded to the other stunned Academy beasts. "You know the deal."
They parted, lowering their heads respectfully. One ferret replying, "Will you make an exception for us to build a cairn for Yarel?"
Jald nodded. "Aye. It's fine."
Eroket nodded to the others and they went on through the Academy beasts.
Eroket and Jald shared one brief look but the ferret looked away. In that one instant Eroket saw something he never saw in Jald Nightson's eyes after a battle.
Eroket saw sorrow.