John Victor Foxfire: So You'll find most of the answers to your review in this chapter, although, some stuff will be revealed in the chapter I'm working on now. I guess, just read and enjoy.
/*-*/
Sonic sat on a log around the fire in the center of the longhouse. There were tables on the sides of the room which illuminated Nasal Helmets on one, and on the other was a sword, long and silver, with a straight blade. It was about one and a half times the length of Steelbane, and a straight blade with runes on it.
Of course, none of the empty helmets or straight swords compared to the intimidating presence of The large Wolverine who sat across from them. The fire made his presences seem hot and angry, as his brown eyes pierced their souls. His large and fluffy fur creating a size difference that made him seem massive.
Sticks was looking down, mildly ashamed, as she stood behind them. Her hood was on a small rack made from metal, leaving only her tribal tube top and skirt.
A low growl came from the Wolverine's throat. Sticks looked up pleading, "But Da…."
The Wolverine's gaze seemed to remove her willpower, and Sonic saw her walk over and sit on the Wolverine's legs. The Wolverine's mouth opened, and a long tongue descended down to the back of her head, and worked it's way up in a cleaning motion.
Sticks sat there, looking humiliated, as each tongue stroke pulled her fur up before it jerked back down to correct itself. The Wolverine would stop, and jerk it's head to spit out a twig or leaves that had gotten stuck in the badger's fur.
Sonic looked at Sally. They both felt uncomfortable in this room, "Should we go?"
"Nah, Da will be done soon." Sticks muttered, sighing out of displeasure.
Sure enough, the Wolverine stopped, and emitted a low growl. Sticks perked up, and turned around, jumping into the fur, vanishing, before her head reappeared on the Wolverine's chest.
Sally cleared her throat, "So…Can he not speak?"
"I speak fine." The wolverine stated coldly, "Why have you come to my mountain?"
Sticks was purring as she was still wrapped up in the warm fur coating.
Sally spoke first, "We were investigating a wolverine. He's killed a lot of people. We were hoping to find out more, and our friend told us that there was a Wolverine in the city."
"I have not left this mountain for a long time." The wolverine stated, firmly. He did not like them where they were.
"Are you the ruler of this village?" Sally asked, plainly.
"I am the protector. I do not rule per say, as I am not a king, even in my past life, I was a bodyguard. But I am strong, and I protect these forgotten people." The wolverine stated.
"Past life? Forgotten people?" Sonic asked, a little confused.
"I am Ceawlin, and I am a dead man. I was a member of my King's Gedriht in another universe, and another life. I was struck down." He gestured to the white fur at the side of his neck, "By a blade that cut my neck mail. I did not pass on, however, instead I was sent here twelve years ago."
Sticks was listening with intense interest.
Sally blinked, "How?"
"I believe something dared to challenge God and the energy ripped through dimensions." Ceawlin stated.
"God?" Sonic asked. He'd known a few gods, but never heard it used as a name.
"God, creator of all things, real and invisible." Ceawlin growled, as if Sonic's curiosity was an insult, "When we Saxons fight, he guides our swords, making the faithful invincible. I stood in service of my konigundrr, who had conquered the old gods, and only bowed to the righteous one God, and his son, Jesus."
Sonic blinked a couple times.
"Your king?" Sally asked.
"In my home universe, My Konigundrr, King Johan the destroyer, ruled valiantly. He unified our divided people as they had once been, and returned us to the great conquerors we once were. I was deemed one of the worthy hundred, who had demonstrated ability beyond that standard warrior, and had become a member of the Gedriht." Ceawlin's passion burned through, "SO when the time came to die for such a good king, I was honored, to fight by his side."
Sonic nodded, "So there are no Wolverine's left?" He didn't really care about some king in another dimension.
Ceawlin seemed to notice his change of topic, "Not that I am aware of. Bring this Wolverine to me, and I will ask him questions."
Sonic and Sally looked at each other cautiously before Amy jumped in, "We don't know where he is. He fell into a river the last we saw him."
Ceawlin looked angrily at her, "So you come here to waste my time?"
"Well, No… maybe… We were curious." Sally stated.
"You Civilized People are never just "curious"." He growled suspiciously.
Sally seemed to back off, "If we catch the Wolverine, we will bring him to you."
"I just wish to ask him questions. I am aware you have your twisted system of justice. I will abide by it." Ceawlin stated firmly, "You may leave tomorrow. For now, sit, eat, rest with us."
Sonic didn't exactly have a protest to any of this. He looked at Sally, and considered how dark it had gotten.
She smiled, and bowed her head respectfully, "Thank you for hosting us."
Ceawlin growled, "Know this. I honor you as guests, but I kill all who bring trouble to my mountain. Those machines found this out well."
He pointed behind him. Sonic looked around the massive body to find swatbots and other, more specialized badniks. All smashed and torn to ribbons.
Sticks crawled out from the fur, suddenly alert, as though she were vulnerable.
Ceawlin growled, "Stoix, you shall tend to them, as you brought them here. Ask Sasha for help."
Sticks sighed, "Yes, Da."
Ceawlin seemed to soften at that.
Sticks led them to a large community table, where there were plated of fried fish, pea pottage, and bread on the table. A small metal bowl sat at the end of each set up, filled with a red stew, that had meat in it.
People were passing food around, get each table situated. Sonic began to notice, everything seemed to be made out of Eggman's badniks. The plates and forks and bowls all seemed to be made of the same steel that made Badniks. It was impressive.
The table quieted down, and the light rumble of Ceawlin as he approached made the people look… happy. He brought them joy.
The Wolverine spoke, bowing his head, "Mighty father in heaven, bless this food and company, to serve your kingdom. Amen."
Sonic blinked and realized people were eating. Something about that chant was important to them. Still, the food was good, even Sally smiled. Sonic watched Ceawlin dip his bread in the red stew, and eat it. It seemed to be common, because Rough and Tumble were doing the same.
Interesting enough, an old possum came up and filled Sally and Amy's cups when they were empty, and Sticks did the same to Sonic and Tails
Seeming to Notice his confusion, Sticks explained as she poured another cup, "You are my guests, I am obligated to serve you in anyway."
Sonic's mind went to indecent places as her chest passed in front of him, but he mentally scolded himself for those thoughts. Weird thoughts for someone who an hour ago had tried to kill him.
The liquid filled was a grainy flavored liquid, like a beer, but very light in alcohol. Everyone seemed to drink it.
Sonic was conflicted. Part of him felt so at peace, with the laughter and talks, people conversing and taunting and cheering. They all seemed so happy up here. The other part of Sonic noticed the wolverine that could rip him in half at a moment's notice. Still dinner ended, and Sticks came up to Sonic and Tails, "I will show you to your home."
Sonic followed, and noticed Sally and Amy were following the old possum to a long house.
Both groups entered the house, and the fireplace told Sonic all he needed to know. It was dry and had cobwebs in the logs. Sticks brought a Torch, and set it in the fireplace, which lit up the room.
"Is there anything I can get for you." Sticks asked, bowing her head.
Sonic shook his head. He actually wanted to Talk to Ceawlin, but it would wait until morning.
He laid down on a cot. It beat the floor, but not by much. Amy and Sally seemed to toss and turn in theirs. Tails was the only one who didn't seem to mind. Sonic got up and decided to go for a walk. He carefully opened the door, and stepped out in the night.
He walked along the village that seemed to be built around the large stone structure. There seemed to be a massive stone citadel built, with hallways leading to two rooms that hadn't been constructed yet. Sonic walked up the stone black stairs.
He walked through an open doorway, and saw the large mass of brown fur rising slowly. Did he not sleep in a long house?
Sonic approached, and heard, "Why are you up here?"
Sonic jerked, before noticing three small heads sticking out from under Ceawlin. Sticks, Rough and Tumble were all underneath the Wolverine, sleeping peacefully.
Sonic cleared his throat, "I have a question?"
"Speak quickly." The Wolverine whispered, sound bouncing off the walls.
"Why are you up here? We could use your help. You could beat Eggman, probably alone." Sonic asked, "Why are you just… sitting here?"
Ceawlin paused, as though Sonic had asked a good question, before answering, "I was a Gedriht in my past life. I was not just a warrior, I was one of the best." His whispers of admiration echoed, "The amount of bodies I made would fill this room five times over, and more. But when I died, I was reborn as a wolverine. I knew no one, had nothing. I simply hunted and ate. Until I met her."
Sonic saw his head gesture to Sticks, "Can you explain?"
"I didn't speak to anyone, but I wandered where I pleased. One day, I came across a wounded badger. She was a mother, and was bleeding terribly. She did not know me, but when I approached, She held up her child… a little girl, so young. I couldn't leave her. She bled out while the child was asleep." Ceawlin's voice was low, and pained.
"My people dictated that the murder of children was forbidden. So I could not kill this child. Thus, she became my responsibility. When She saw me though, she did not cry, nor squirm. Rather she observed me, in my terrify form. I gave her the name Stoix, meaning stone-face or fearless."
Ceawlin smiled, "I met these two-" He gestured to Rough and Tumble, "-in the woods a few months later. They were alone and hungry, bone starved. They followed me, and in the end, I didn't let them go either. I gave them the names Roht, meaning follower, and Touborn, meaning second son. I realized at that moment, God had given me this life, not to be a warrior, but to be a protector. To care for the orphaned and widowed who were forgotten in this world."
Sonic looked at the three sleeping under the Large beast, "But you could protect everyone if Eggman were gone?"
"And what would you have me do? Shall I split his skull, or rip out his heart." Ceawlin asked bluntly.
Sonic froze.
Ceawlin continued, "You are not a warrior, you are not a killer. A warrior lives to fight and dominate. To be great and grow in greatness. You lack the will to win decisively. So you will never find peace. You despise killing, but hate war. You will never have peace." Ceawlin huffed, "Leave me now."
Sonic wasn't sure what to say. He left the room in silence, but he knew the monster was right to an extent. Could Eggman ever be reasoned with? Could they ever truly stop their enemies if they didn't kill a few? Sonic hated where his mind wandered, but it did so freely.
He ultimately laid down and tried to get some sle-… He felt fuzz. Sonic saw Tails huddled up to him in his cot, and he patted his little buddy's head before falling asleep.
Sonic Woke up to find the girls already awake and dressed up. He turned over, and got out of bed.
They sat down and ate bread and fish, sitting quietly as the village seemed to laugh and dance around them. Sonic felt happy, to say the least. Ceawlin was absent from the table, curiously, but apparently he had gone on patrol. He spent his mornings patrolling the mountain.
Still, the time came for them to leave, and Sonic met Sally, Tails and Amy at the gate. They walked down the mountain, and Sonic could see Sally's displeasure. She was sad, and torn about something. Sonic kind of hoped it was about the incident with Frederick. Finally, he asked, "Alright, Sal, what's going on?"
"Hmm, What?" Sally blinked as she woke up from a trance.
The trees kept the ground cool and damp as they continued down the mountain, the road leveling out, "Something is bugging you. What happened?"
Sally frowned, and Amy gave a sympathetic smile. Sally sighed, "That woman, the Possum… did you know she was the wife of a fallen soldier?"
Sonic blinked, "I never talked with her, so no?"
Sally nodded, and Tails seemed to look sadly at Sally. She continued, "Sasha's husband was apart of the infantry core. Back in the Last Mobian war…. Our brutal losses in the first half…. Well she was a victim of them. Her husband died within the first weeks of the war starting." Sally groaned glumly.
Sonic nodded, "That must have been rough…"
Sally continued as they approached the fork in the road, "She didn't have any good skills, but she had a daughter. She wasn't ready to sell her body, but a forty year old woman with no skills can't get a job anywhere. We didn't have any safety for the widows of veterans, so she went hungry a lot of nights."
Sonic recognized the sound of guilt in Sally's voice. "Sal, There's no way you could have known about that. You were what, Six, four?"
Sally nodded, "She went into the forest to kill herself. Sonic… She didn't have any hope. But Ceawlin found her, and convinced her to stay and help him. Sonic… If he hadn't been there, she would have died. We let our veteran down."
Sonic shook his head, "You didn't do anything. You couldn't have done anything back then. Don't beat yourself up over that." The inner angry voice inside him said Beat yourself up over how you've abused me.
He kept that voice in check. Sonic simply smiled at Sally, who smiled back.
They made their way back into the city, and picked up Antoine. On the way back, they spotted a royal administrator going towards Roja. He looked like a tax collector, and judging by the armed guards, he was expecting resistance.
Sonic hoped nothing bad would happen. He had a Red Fox to visit in the capital, so he couldn't stay to find out.
/*-*/
Fiona sat in her cell… it was dark and damp… and cold. She'd occassionly hear a fizzle sound, which she was pretty sure was water heating up. She didn't know why.
She was reasonably lonely. She wished Scourge would come in, and bust her out, but he was still probably busy get a crew together.
She saw movement from the front of her cell. Little boy blue had returned. She stayed back on her cot, "I really don't like you."
"I know, and I understand why, but I needed to find something out." Sonic muttered, softly, "Alright… can you look at this?" He was talking to someone.
"I still do not know why I am her-" A red Fox walked in front of her cell. Fiona was a little confused. The Fox Froze, staring at her head… or something-
"-That bow, where did you get it!" The Fox demanded, pointing to the back of her head.
Fiona growled, "What's it to you?"
"I asked you a question!" The Fox panted angrily.
Sonic stepped in, "Calm down-"
"This has been my bow my whole life. My mom gave it to me, And I fought through hell itself to get it. You would never understand!" Fiona snarled, barring her fangs.
The Fox stood silently for a moment. Fiona got him good. Finally, he asked, "Your mother?... Aria?"
How did he know-… Fiona began to connect the dots… Oh Sonic was very clever. He was going trick her?
That's not it and you know it, how could anyone know your name Her insides told her.
Fiona's chest hurt, was that normal? She was…. A lot of things. Why was the air so thin?
"GET OUT!" She shouted, "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Fiona panicked.
"Aria… It's me… Frederick." The fox suddenly sounded happy, and curious at the same time. His Tails was swaying back and forth, and his face was… joyful, to say the least.
Fiona, on the other hand… Her trenches were dug, mines place, claws bore, and tail puffed up, "You pulled a really low blow Sonic. You son of a bitch." She snarled, "You thought you could trick me…"
"Aria it's me." "Frederick" said, even it wasn't him.
You know it's him. Stop being so paranoid Her insides told her.
"GET OUT!" She shouted at the two.
Frederick opened his mouth, but Sonic placed a hand on his shoulder, "Let's go." He sounded so sad… That was good… it was good… right?
Don't go Fiona's gut screamed. Did she want to be alone? Did she want his company?
She didn't know anymore. Their forms disappeared after sealing the cell. She didn't know what to think, what to do, what to feel. Did Sonic Really go out of his way to find her brother and reunited them?
No, it was a trick. He was playing puppet master.
Fiona felt a wetness hit her foot. Something was dripping down her face…. She was…crying?
Fiona screamed, and threw her pillow at the wall, before slumping down, and curling up… What was she going to do?
/*-*/
Johan trudged through the fields. He had determined from the crops that the winter chills were not natural, as no one would plant in winter. From it, he had deduced that the only thing that could reasonably change the weather was himself… his presence.
So he practiced flexing various muscles, and came to the conclusion. When he was stressed or in the hunt, the world would shift to a colder climate. Thus he kept himself in check, and kept his heart low and calm. The rabbits would not prosper from a failed crop.
Still… He eyed the Male hare, coming out once again, reeking of alcohol.
Johan growled lowly. The hare had argued with the large Rabbit, and now he was outside, seemingly locked out. He was too weak to even control his estate… This man would be nothing but a pain on the gene pool. He was weak blood.
Johan trudged out slowly from the field. Oh how he despised weakness.
The Hare's hands were bloody. He had… dared to strike his wife?
Johan snarled…. Such an act… where he was from… There were special punishments for that act.
The Hare Finally noticed his presence. Johan knew it was too late, and the hare was too weak from his lack of self control with alcohol to escape.
Johan hated weakness…