Thanks for the review Knuckles. To be honest I'm shocked anyone's reading this. Since at least one person must be, I will continue posting. If you like it or want to make any comments, drop a review. I have to admit completing this may take a while, since I'm not really sure how it'll end, but it will have an ending. Hopefully a good one.
Chapter 5: New Threat, New Friends
"Did you sleep well?" I asked politely. No matter how kind Duke was or how much affection he showed, I was always sure to show respect.
"I could get used to that," he said gesturing to the sleeping leopard. I giggled.
"What shall we do today?" I asked innocently.
"You will be destroyed," roared a voice.
We both turned to see a colossal bear, a head taller and infinitely wider than my master, trample his way through the dense forest. To his left trotted a tall, slim horse. To his right a bulky cow. At the giants' feet scurried three separate armies, each of a distinct heritage and wearing unique armor.
Duke turned to me. "Erin, I forbid you to ever ask 'what should we do today' ever again."
"Why?"
"Because, every time you do, I have to kill something."
"But you like killing things."
"Not when they can kill me back. Look at the size of that grizzly."
"Enough," roared the bear. "I am Ursur, servant of Fordic. This is Steed, servent of Comeria," he said, gesturing to the horse. "And this is Moo, servant of Humver." The cow snickered. "We have been sent by our gods to destroy you."
San stirred awake with a yawn and sat up. "What's going on?"
I leapt down onto her open paw and sat down. "More gods want to destroy Duke."
"Oh."
"You will be destroyed, godless abominations," roared the bear.
Duke stood up and walked in front of the trio. "This is the only chance you'll get. Join me, and I will help you gain your freedom. Fight me, and one of us will die."
The cow cocked her head in disgust. The bear crossed his thick arms across his bulky chest. The horse trotted straight past his comrades and extended a hoof to Duke. "Hello sir, I'm Steed."
Duke took the hoof and shook. "Hello Steed, I'm Duke. The leopard is San and the human is Erin. We will aid you in banishing your master once these two are finished."
The horse bent down to whisper into the wolf's pointed ear. "Ursur is very strong. Don't pull any punches. Take the first chance you get to end his life. Moo is strong as well, but slow. Keep your distance and wait for her to tire. Shouldn't be too long. The humans are ordered to attack if you survive, but I can handle them."
The horse slowly made his way into the square, where he lowered to one knee and kissed San's hand (the one I wasn't in). "It is a pleasure to meet you, both of you," he said smiling at me and taking a seat a distance away. Being so close, I was able to get a better look at him. He's very tall, even for a giant, with a very lank body. The majority of his fur was tan, but his mane and tail are dark brown. Despite his large stature though, he seems very gentle.
"Fine horse, you will die the same as the rest," roared the bear.
Duke lifted a paw and pointed outside the town. "Shut up and fight."