A/N: The song for this one is Wrath by Before the Dawn. Suffer!
hr
Stuart Hopps was not known for his spear prowess among the population of the Burrows. He was considered to be a kindhearted and soft buck, blessed in his fifties to have a large and loving family and a prosperous clan. Sure, he carried the nickname of Lost and Found, from the days of his youth, when he left his father's burrough to wander the lands for almost a decade, but that was it. No one knew much about Stuart's travels, and the stories he shared at first with his drinking buddies, clan and later with children, were thought of as fiction.
Still, the head of clan Hopps learned a lot from those travels and never stopped practicing what he acquired. Granted, he didn't really want for there to be a way to show off, but this day came without consulting with him. At least he was given an instrument to survive. The mercenary would not do all the job for them, but he would help, and that was more than enough. Stuart talked with the fox about the best way to defend their lands, considering a rather sophisticated way of conducting battle, with traps and ambushes, but in the end the tod persuaded him to stick to a simple solution. Meet the advancing force head on at a slightly elevated ground with all their might, sparing just a small number of his trusted hunters and militia to flank the enemy with the fox. Nicholas promised to make sure the Hindspaw clan would march full force at them in the nearest time, but this was still something Stuart could not comprehend as to how it happened so fast with barely two days passing by. And they were fighting.
After the initial change of Hindspaw clan was stopped by a wall of spears, the actual fighting broke out all over. And Stuart Hopps was not someone to just watch his children be cut down. Oh no, he would be the one to do the cutting today. Clad in his chainmail and helmet, armed with the katana, he could be spotted at the edge of both forces.
Deflecting a spear thrust in his face by the wide side of his blade, the buck continued with a downward swing, the sharp edge of his blade easily cutting through the thick clothes of his adversary. Not stopping for a second, he shifted his balance to the left leg, now going for an upward swing, cutting through flesh and bone of other bunny's arms, leaving him a screaming and bleeding pile. Not distracting himself with insignificant details, Stuart made several steps forward, to get a better position, and ducked under another assault, thrusting his katana upwards, cutting open a neck. The buck shifted his balance to his back leg, bending it in the knee, ducking under a spear, his following swing opened ng up the bowels of his attacker.
With a number of dead and dying bodies behind him measuring more than twelve now, he got some breathing space and an opportunity to recover. Standing back fully on his hind paws, the buck checked his breathing and quickly cleaned up the blade of his sword with the help of his pants. Standing on his toes gave him an advantage in the ability to quickly adjust and move with his feet. But lacking the long tail of canines it was much harder to maintain, not mentioning that his legs were not as used to this way of standing, unlike most canine warriors. His helmet had a dent or two from him not being able to avoid the initial onslaught fast enough. Still, he lived through the first minutes of the fight and killed more than enough small fish to attract the attention of someone bigger.
- Well hello there Jessy. Any luck with growing a pair? - Jessy was a rather sulky bastard when it came to the subject of his horns. Stuart knew it and now used this information against the ram to rile him up a bit, since the herbivore mercenary was not known for his wit. Despite that, his strength was not something to be scoffed at, and the warhammer he carried around with him attested to that. Factor in a decent chainmail, iron helmet, plated arm and shoulderguards, and one would get a rather unpleasant matchup for a bunny.
- Let's see how you talk after I smash you, Hopps. - The threat was no empty bark, as Jessy started moving faster towards his target, the striking surface of his warhammer already covered with blood and brains of those who dared stand in his way. This buck would be no different.
Baring his teeth in a very unpreylike manner, Stuart lunged forward. His only advantages were his speed and a faster to use weapon, but that would be not enough if he would only try to evade and somehow defend. It was stupid to try and parry that monstrous weapon of ram's, and trying to cut through the chainmail with his own strength would be futile. Even if he could pierce through it with his katana with the proper acceleration behind his jump, the would would hardly be fatal and would just annoy the hel out of the ram. And the blade would probably only get stuck, leading to Stuart's untimely demise.
Still, he knew what to do. He learned from the best, after all. A fennec fox, named Fineas, took the buck under his wing a long time ago and taught him a special way of fighting larger opponents. Something only smaller species with a huge stamina pool could pull off.
Stuart saw the incoming low sweeping strike from miles away. This was a perfect opportunity to start his attack. Almost at the last moment, the buck jumped, his powerful legs propelling his body high up. The trajectory took him past the rams head, allowing for a sweeping strike at his exposed neck. Jessy was now novice though. His plated arm met the blade of buck's katana. The curved blade was not designed to slash or hack but to cut, so the strike didn't actually have much strength behind it. The extremely sharp edge, speed and trajectory were the key factors when wielding it. And Stuart was a master wielder, his proof being the deep cut in Jessy's bracer.
The buck didn't stop his onslaught simply because he was unable to find flesh after the first strike. He continued jumping and circling around the ram, avoiding his wide swings with the warhammer and occasional tries to grab at him. From a distance, to a simple eye, this could look like Cyclop was playing with Toddysey, before capturing the story's hero to be eaten later. In reality though, this was the part when the blind giant was trying to strike down his quarry while being poked and probed by his attacks. Of course, it was not a part of the story, since Cyclops were long extinct, and the Toddysey never possessed the means to overwhelm such a foe in close combat. Stuart had.
While jumping around, he carefully measured the speed and strength with which Jessy swang his weapon and arms, his reach, tells. Looked for the weak links and chinks in his armor. And after a short while, when Jessy decided to slow down a bit, not to waste energy, since the annoying bunny was not able to inflict any significant damage, the head of clan Hopps has stricken.
The first significant cut fell on the back of ram's left knee. A sharp bleat later, Jessy found himself falling on that knee, simultaneously receiving a cut to his right forearm, just where the shoulderguards ended. He tried to heft his heavy warhammer up, but with only his hands and back, it was a much tougher thing to do, making him resort to blocking the incoming swipes with his paw guards. Still, the buck would find an opening here and there, leaving a painful, if shallow, cut. Nothing lethal in and of itself, but whenever there appeared a new one, the situation became more and more dire for the sheep mercenary.
He was not prepared for this. And he did not sign to this. Bunnies from the Hopps clan were supposed to be weaklings, with no actual combat experience. He killed five of them with single strike from his warhammer, even though they were faster. But he was experienced, a professional killer able to calculate his enemies' movements, predict and intercept them! This buck was different, and Jessy was nervous, because he would suffer death by a thousand cuts if he did nothing right now.
With renewed vigour, the ram switched from blocking to once trying to land heavy punches on the jumping and ducking bunny. Still unable to move due to the leg injury, unless he of course wanted to present the spot for another vicious attack, Jessy did the best he could with turning his torso around and helping with his good leg to reposition himself. But for Stuart, this was already over.
The buck started slowing down, his ear flapping around as his eye started losing focus, becoming slightly glassy. His nose twitched rapidly, trying to suck in as much air as possible to supply the needed amount of oxygen and expel the excess levels of carbon dioxide from his blood. His swings became rarer, and finally, before his next jump he staggered forward, while standing on his toes. Jessy saw his opportunity and did not waste it. Without even thinking about anything else, he went for the killing blow, aiming to crush the bunny's skull with his hooves.
The terrible clacking resounded and reverberated through the ram's body, his vicious grin celebrating the victory that was secured in just a fraction of a second, so fearsome was his speed and strength. Which made Jessy suddenly realise that today, his adversary's skill and prowess, was something outside his boss's expectations. No bunny was able to react fast enough to his "thunder clap". Yet where his hooves were supposed to be covered in brain matter, was only his blood and sweat from previous fighting. And when the ram's hammer finally hit the ground, what Jessy felt was the dead weight on his left shoulder and a cold kiss of foreign metal upon his neck.
- You know what my friends told to those younguns who did not respect their elders? Some heads are gonna roll. - And with those last words, Stuart exhaled. His hands, holding his blade in reverse grip, drew the sharp edge along the ram's neck, smoothly cutting the head off in a display of extreme power, competence and experience. With Jessy's head hitting the ground, rolling for a bit before coming to a stop at another dead bunny's body, the head of clan Hopps went on to kill for his children.
\m/
What she thought was to become a run into the flanks of Hindspaw advancing forces turned into a sneak attack on their rear when most forces have already been engaged in the fighting. There were no screams and loud shouts, no running involved. With one of his devious smirks, the fox mercenary ordered a change of plans at almost the last moment. They were to go spearfishing.
It was a silent operation for a bit, picking off lone bunnies from Hindspaw that were too afraid to go into the fighting and strayed away from the advance. Thankfully, wheat crops, still growing and ripening under the sun, reached up to average bunny's chest, providing a good cover for their small forces. Nicholas has left, citing his need to find a bigger fish to gobble before joining in on the fun of crushing the small fry.
Before parting, he left Judith with an instruction to always stick together and not to separate, unless they were met with a much larger force dedicated to eradicating them (highly unlikely) and had to retreat. So the bunnies, led by the only doe that could command their respect apart from Bonnie Hopps, stayed in a tight circle formation, keeping low and trying to be sneaky.
Slowly but steady, their small force reached the main fighting, done on a resting piece of Hopps land, covered with simple wild grass. Time for hiding was over.
Teeth grinding, paws clenched over the fine shaft of her spear, adrenaline running rampant, Judith drew her spear over her head.
- Like spearfishing. - Repeating the words Nicholas said made it all seem so much easier. With a final draw of breath filling her lungs to the brim, Judith let out a mighty warcry and set loose her spear. Her brothers, each carrying a much longer seven feet pike, stood close to each other in front of her, ready to defend their trump card, paws trembling but resolve firm. Today they were being bloodied, and the rising moon would meet the first true warriors of clan Hopps. Whether dead or alive, was their choice.
Best spear wielder in the whole of Triburrows, that was the widely known and accepted fact about Judith. In close quarters combat, the doe and her sturdy two feet tall spear, shaft made of ash wood and the head of the same metal her father's sword was done from, were undefeated. But that was not enough to grant the fame, since bunnies were trained in spear wielding since they were old enough to hold it properly, and most adults were good with the weapon. No, what granted Judith her advantage was her unique gifts. The extraordinary hearing, that allowed the doe to locate a heartbeat from as far as three hundred feet, and "invisible hands". The things she was "attuned" with, would obey her commands even when the bunny did not touch them. Her father has done everything in his powers to help and encourage his daughter to develop both skills. Now, Judith got to test the extent of her prowess with those abilities in real battle.
Her eyes open, helping the doe to maintain balance and not lose relative perspective, she focused hard on her listening ability. She knew heartbeat patterns of her whole clan, a thing she was grateful to have on a day like this. Thanks to it, she could not only see the location of every living being on the battlefield, but also distinguish between friend and foe. The unmistaken sound of her spear piercing through the air at high velocity was interrupted irregularly by sickening thwacks, signifying the flash and bone being pierced by the metal spearhead. Each time made Judith concentrate hard on upkeeping the constant high speed of her weapon, fending off the thoughts of bloody scenes that each collision brought to the broad daylight.
Paws trembling, the doe held on. She did not have the right to care about that right now, her feelings would have to wait. Her brothers and sisters were fighting, her father was risking his life in the middle of the carnage taking place, even a lowlife fox mercenary was stands ng with their forces this day, against four rams that were hired by the Hindspaw clan. As a candidate to be the next head of clan, she had no right to fail her brethren today. Not today. Not ever…
\m/
Doug was not going to pass an opportunity to earn easy money any day of the weak. And helping a clan of rabbits raze to the ground another clan of rabbits? Even better, this was the very definition of a riskless job. Lack of iron or bronze tools meant that weapons from such materials were practically nonexistent in the Triburrows, rendering him and his gang almost impervious due to their steel full body armour.
As a bonus, Hopps clan were a rather outspoken followers of Creator's teaching. The Way, that he and his fellows hated most.
Idiots that worshiped other nonexistent deities? Them he could stand and look down at as pitiful creatures. Cretins who claimed there was no higher being and believed the complex diversity they could see in life was a byproduct of some random process they called evolution? The easiest targets for manipulation, encouraged and supported by Doug's fellow worshipers to spread their infantile "science". The Allfather of Gods was most pleased when ignorance and doubt took root amongst the masses of dim witted mammals of the continent.
As a follower of the Allfather, and one of his daughters, Mother Earth, Doug could not be more happy to accept this request. As one of remaining high priests he finally had an excuse to make a rather large and fulfilling sacrifice to the forces he served. How he longed for the times when Belwether and the Empire were still alive and such practices were, although a secret to commoners, widespread. Allfather and his children demanded tributes, but in return they gave great powers. The fact that the Belwether bloodline ruled over Raman Empire for six hundred and sixty six years was testament to the might of Allfather and his children's influence upon this realm. It was pure coincidence those savage brutes from the North were able to successfully defeat Raman forces and kill off the last Empress and her most loyal followers in a battle near Meggedo mountains. The whole Bellwether family was slaughtered in the wake of that defeat along with all nobles and rulers of the Empire. Left without any guidance, the lands, kept together by the steel hooves of the Emperors and Empresses, fell apart. Now, twenty years later, the former glory of once united prey country was no more.
And the Allfather and his children were not satisfied with the meagre sacrifice he could scrap up once in a while. Maybe this was finally his chance to once again turn their favour towards them. A new emperor to unite the land against those predators, for example, would be nice. Doug could even allow himself some more fanciful thoughts of being the chosen one. But he knew that the Allfather was unpredictable. Nevertheless, Doug craved power more than anything else, was ready to do anything to obtain that, which was proved when he sacrificed his own parents as his first offerings. Yes, he was loyal to the forces he served. And loyalty was rewarded with power. Just one sacrifice of tens of children would be enough to show it. And just in from of him was the very place where he could find enough children to satisfy his needs.
The main burrough of clan Hopps.
\m/
Doug didn't want to believe his eyes. Those worthless bunnies that stood guard at the borough were offed by his sable with, never presenting even potential threat. This was supposed to be easy. Apparently, it wasn't. The fox standing in front of him now, that infuriating smirk and relaxed pose, was making the ram uncomfortable in ways that were difficult to describe.
No, the predator didn't look like as terrifying some of the savages Doug fought during his long career in the army. Neither did he seem to be in possession of extraordinary strength or ability. Yet, there the fox stood, light armor fancied by the smaller species of the North, black eyecover screaming of his blindness, longsword held parallel to earth be the blade near handle in his left paw.
The visage though subconsciously stirred something deep within Doug, and he trusted his instincts and intuition. The ram stretched his feelings out, carefully, so as not to disturb his adversary.
- Are you one of us? - Doug's voice, harsh and deep, never required him to scream to sound intimidating and make others squirm in his presence. The fox? He just bared his teeth in a wide smile only his kin could make to seem charming and threatening at the same time.
- Us? You would have to he a bit more specific about "us", my grass chewing friend. What if I think about not the "us" that you think about? Wouldn't you find it rather embarrassing to be sent off to the wrong "child"? - The answer was delivered in a way that made ram's teeth grind with restrained anger. But the way that fox said the last word was no coincidence. His ears perked up and tail gave an involuntary swish, sure indicators of the red bastard's interest in the subject.
- I don't think I am the one who should be specifying. Who did you sacrifice those stupid Hindspaw maggots to? I don't recall such a massive ritual be conducted in the glory of anyone but the Allfather. - This morning's find bothered Doug greatly. The sight that he personally went to witness was something he was able to spectate only twice in his previous life, when the late empress was crowned and before their last battle with predators of North.
- Allfather. - The word, coming out of the fox's throat, seemed to hold reverence in it. But something was wrong. Doug felt it in the raising of his wool, the growing hotness of the air, sudden silence descending upon the fields.
- So that's how that creature is known now. - The dog's smile (Doug was absolutely sure that warrior was a male) grew only wilder with each word he spoke. There was no reverence in his voice now, just mild amusement and seething hatred.
- Such a long road. From Father of All Lies, to Father of Knowledge of Good and Evil, to Father of All Knowledge, to a simple Allfather. I am sure in the future someone will be able to appraise properly this change of image. Even bloody marvel it. Yes. I will have to make sure that we have such a future first though, won't I? - There was not a shred of friendliness in the fox's tone now, just pure wrath. But Doug didn't wait for the dog to finish his speech.
He suddenly and clearly realized what happened. This guy was not one of those peace loving weaklings of the way of the Creator. No. He just made a mistake of revealing his own allegiance to the Allfather to the most dangerous group of true followers of the Creator. The Purists. The only ones who really opposed the spread of the Allfather's rule over all the mammals and world. Even though Allfather's and his children's followers managed to spread his influence wide enough to make the Creator abandon this world of His will… Still that small vicious group of mammals from different corners of far away lands, and especially North, thwarted the Allfather's ascendance to the position of the ruler of the world, simply because the question of hierarchy for them stood clear - the Creator would rule over everything the way He wished, not the way someone else wanted to, and all the creatures must and will obey.
These Purists demanded power from the Creator, and He granted it to them, even though He directly have not intruded upon the matters of mortals and forbade other His creatures from it. With their power, Purists didn't try to talk or negotiate. They took up weapons and annihilated everyone who swore allegiance to Allfather.
This was a long time ago, so long that only select few knew the whole history behind the great turmoil that took life of almost two thirds of known population. Now, the Cult of Allfather hid in the darkness, cowering from the shadows where Purists dwelled, continuing to subtly convert those who wished for status and power. Ultimate loyalty and denouncement of the Creator were the only demands to be a part of the Cult, but wishing for more meant giving more. Sacrificing more. All, if you wished to stand at the top.
And Doug wished exactly that. Purists might have been strong, but that was long ago. Right now, he only saw a blind fox in front of him. One that will crumble under the strike of his mighty sable. An even better sacrifice.
Doug barely managed to react and block the sideways strike in time. How did that fox manage to put so much pressure with just one hand was beyond the ram. He needed to disengage now, or his fine blade would not be able to hold out against the barbaric onslaught of the crude twohanded sword the fox wielded. Doug slightly gave in to the pressure, allowing his blade some reprieve, while going for a good old fashioned headbutt.
Despite his unfavourable position, since his right hand was stuck due to delivering the strike from the left, somehow the tod managed to turn it around. The moment Doug committed, the ram felt the pressure on his blade lift, and the fox moved his torso from the oncoming attack's way. The ram mercenary knew what was coming next. The peach shaped pommel on the other's sword was not just a simple counterweight, but a terrifyingly efficient weapon. Where the blade of that sword was not able to pierce, the pommel could easily crush the point it was applied to. And in the next second it would be applied to the back of his skull.
Fancying not such a fate, Doug released his powers. The savages were more versed in the craft of fighting than he and his brethren. But he was granted boons by the Mother Earth, one of the many children of the Allfather. It was some time since he last used them, since the earth spirits were greedy and it was hard to appease them with so little to offer as sacrifices. The bunnies he killed would have to suffice for now though.
An instant later, Doug stood good ten feet away from the blind fox. The ram allowed himself a moment to smile at the seemingly confused expression of his adversary when his strike found not the ram's head. Now, times faster than any cheetah, Doug was sure of his victory. It doesn't matter how skilled you are if you can't follow your quarry. Bracing his sable in both hands, Doug launched an attack at the fox with a snarl. He would cut the worthless dog into little pieces. And to ensure that, the fox's legs started drowning in the ground he stood on.
One moment Doug was finishing his downwards strike to split in half that infuriating smirk, the other he was flung a dozen feet away, his sable broken and hands shaking from the force of the impact. If he didn't have hooves, but paws, he was sure there would also be shattered bones. Lifting his eyes up, the ram was met with a sight he hoped never again to see since that day the Raman Empire was slaughtered at Megeddo mountains. For staring back at, where the foxes eyes should have been, were dancing green flames.
- Heldog. - Doug was not afraid of death, or so he thought. But never did he expect for it to find him so soon.
Looking into those green eyes, Doug knew he finally met his fate. There was no escape, no chance to flee. The madness in those flames. The darkness in the soul of the one who possessed them. The silence of death following his footsteps.
Doug knew he could put up some fight still. But, he also knew there was no point. He was alone. A heldog slaughtered hundreds with just fangs and claws. And when they were an army… He saw the carnage they wreaked upon the prey legions.
There was no sense in going away unsightly. He failed, and that failure would have to be paid back with his own life and blood. With as much pride as was left in him, Doug tried rising to his shaking legs, but they were unable to support him, and the ram mercenary ended up on just his knees. The fox already stood in front of him, silence surrounding his smiling visage. It was a heldog's way. No speech, no torture. Just a swift quiet sendoff.
The fox in front took his twohanded sword by the blade with both paws, his gloves preventing the edges from damaging the delicate pads of a vulpine. Doug knew what would happen next, witnessed it when escaping all those years ago. The mordhau.
The first hit of the pear shaped pommel sent him sprawling at the legs of the hateful fox, caving in his iron helmet. The second, from a crossguard, cracked it open, along with his skull. And the third finished the ram off, the broad blade effectively piercing and smashing his brain simultaneously.
\m/
Nicholas was furious. To think that the remnants of the Raman Empire still roamed the lands and were allowed to spread their blight among other mammals… This was his fault, in a way. To think that even simple warriors were involved into the Cult, not just those with position and power. The creature they called Allfather really spread his corrupting influence deep into society.
Looking down on the body of the ram, Nicholas didn't know whether to pity or curse the fool. Sighing, the fox decoded there was no need a body lying around. With a breath, he set it on, ensuring there would be nothing left but a pile of ash and deformed metal. Setting the matters of cultists aside for now, the fox mercenary hurried back towards were the main battle between the bunny clans raged.
\m/
Judith knew she and her brothers would not be left alone for long. They joined the battle maybe a quarter of an hour back, yet it felt like hours. The muscles in her hands screamed at her, her heart beat like crazy and her strained ears were ready to drop any moment, making it hard for her to operate her spear. There was a number of Hindspaw skirmishers, that tried to attack the position where Judith and her escorts took hold, but they were killed and driven off by the long pikes her brothers wielded. Now, a larger group, maybe twenty or so bucks, were approaching with large round shields and battle knives. The militia of clan Hindspaw.
Judith tried to redirect her spear and strike the group from the back, where they would not be able to see it. Or so she thought. The group moved in a two row formation, with the second row facing backwards, covering the front row. As the spear approached, it was met with shields. The bunny who took the brunt of the piercing strike, believed in the protection of hardwood against metal too much and payed with his life, when the spear skewered his guts. But his comrades never faltered and went in immediately to seize and capture the damned weapon. They were reluctant to break it, since it could prove to be harder to capture smaller pieces, rather than the whole.
Judith tried hard to regain control of her spear, but to no avail. She was not strong enough to pull it out from her enemy's grip, so after several tries the doe relented. It was a miracle she was allowed free reign with it for so long, considering that Hindspaw knew about this ability of her's, being beaten by it in every single tournament that was held. One of her brothers thrust another spear into her arms, which she gratefully accepted. Time for a real fight has come. Having no reason to remain stationary anymore, Judith gave the order in a silent whisper. Once more she reached with her power to her spear and started pulling at it, making sure that at least some of the Hindspaw clansmen were preoccupied with it. And then they charged.
The long pikes of Hopps clan were a rather hard weapon to fight against, but apparently their adversaries had an answer to it. Running forward at the charging Hopps, the Hindspaw militia spread out and employed their shields not to take on the attack, but deflect the pikes aside. Not all of them were successful with the maneuver, paying with their lives, but those that were closed the distance between them and their adversaries in barely two jumps. The bunnies all switched to shorter weapons, broad battle knives in case of Hindspaw and short spears in case of Hopps.
The fact that Judith and her brothers stayed close to each other helped them against the spread out onslaught of the enemy, since they were able to provide support to each other. Still, the fight was difficult for both sides, with range advantage belonging to Hopps, while the Hindspaw enjoyed the ability to freely parry incoming strikes.
- Like spearfishing! - Judith's loud voice resounded on the battlefield. She followed the advice the fox mercenary gave her to the letter. When fishing with a spear, it was not enough to just aim and thrust. You had to strike with anticipation of the fish's movement, and the strike would have to be like that of a lightning, unpredictable and deadly.
The doe pulled hard, leaving the bunny she just pierced to collapse clutching at his solar plexus after a failed attempt at deflecting her fake thrust, which left him wide open. There was no reason to try and go for the harder to pierce chest area, when a strike to the abdomen area would kill just as surely, if not a bit longer and more painful. Judith didn't allow herself even a moment's rest, immediately switching targets to help out Gwen to her right. It was the way they operated, with her brothers being the frontline to hold out their adversaries, and Judith being the main force to strike down their opposition. This was not enough, and she knew it from the screams and stilled heartbeats of her people, but Judith could not allow herself to be emotional now. She would ensure the survival of her clan and as many of the clansmen as she could. Then, when everything is over she will allow herself to mourn.
After all, Nicholas promised…
\m/
Fighting and army of opponents that were smaller than he, was a novelty for the fox mercenary. True, there was a time when he regularly trained with Fineas, but he always picked up fights with species of the same size or larger. Growing up amongst wolves would do that to a fox. As such, he had to be careful, considerate of his advantages and disadvantages on a battlefield where his quarry could hide themselves in the thick and tall crops or weeds, or just swarm him. Not like that poor dozen he ambushed and where he was the one in full control.
Twohanded swords were the best weapon against spears and pikes, even though they were much harder to wield. Both the strength and techniques required to be a decent user of a twohanded sword were completely different from those sufficient to use a standard short or even long sword. That is why the actual spread of these giants in the world of swordfighting was limited. Why try and train yourself thrice as hard with it, when you would die just as easy as your next mammal that simply learned to do slashes and thrusts with the short sword?
Nicholas though was not like most. He preferred to be better prepared than most. And living amongst much larger animals made him understand - to strike a fatal blow to a larger mammal one needed to wield something that would not be considered a toothpick by the enemy. And the quality of twohanded swords was much higher, due to the fact only a handful of blacksmiths took upon themselves to produce them, and they knew what they have been doing.
On a battlefield where spears were the main the right way to fight would be either from a distance longer than the spear, or utilising the half-sword technique. The first way was risky when not being backed up, since one could be circled and stabbed in the blind zone. The second way was preferable, since it allowed the attacker to fight his quarry literally shoulder to shoulder, nullifying the advantage of spears reach and the disadvantage of twohanded sword's length in close quarter fighting.
But, as his wolf friend would say in that rumbling voice of his: "That's just too plain boring." And Nicholas could not disagree. This was a singular opportunity, to feel like his friend did, to experience the joy of rampaging through the enemy lines as a true colossus. And so, with a smile and a howl, befitting the image of a savage predator that most prey saw him as, the fox mercenary ran straight into the mass of fighting bunnies.
\m/
Stuart was glad that he never actually abandoned his daily routine. This fighting was taxing his old muscles and, and they would have given out already but for the rigorous regime he religiously upheld. He was also thankful for the fact the fox mercenary happened to be in the vicinity at this trying time. The buck remembered well the smell of every battlefield he stepped upon, the putrid stench of death. But it was the mercenary who insisted every clansman of clan Hopps wear a scarf that would distinguish him from the enemy, for in the throng of battle it would be hard to distinguish who is who based on just the scentmark. The wisdom of listening to those words could be seen in the staggering and fleeing Hindspaw, who could no longer discern friend from foe.
For a second, after slaying another mammal he once thought shared kinship with him due to being of the same species, the head of clan Hopps was granted a small reprieve. The buck looked around, seeing a group of his family members regrouping just several paces to his right, a number of his younger sons and daughters helping those lightly injured and carrying incapacitated away from the field.
Finally Stuart saw what he was searching for during the course of battle. It was impossible to miss the much taller red fox in the midst of the grey sea of bunnies. The sight sent a shiver through his body. Memories from long ago resurfaced, making Stuart once again feel as if he was just twenty something, seeing how predators fought for the first time.
There was something mesmerising in that savage and straightforward way they killed. Nicholas wore a snarl on his muzzle, sometimes snapping his jaws in fierce barks towards his enemies. For predator warriors, being one with the sword, was not just a figure of speech. His sword moved in wide arcs, hacking through wood, lizard skin, flesh and bone with tremendous speed and force. His body in perfect synchrony, each strike was a combination of swift legwork, precise paw coordination and impeccable torso movements. Each ending lives of an unfortunate bunch of bunnies daring to oppose the merciless mercenary.
There was but one terrified thought running through the head of clan Hopps leader as he hurried to rejoin the fight.
- He will bloody drain the clans treasury!
\m/
Judith felt empty inside as she sat cross legged on a small hill that observed the battlefield, remains of her once marvelous spear resting near her legs. The ones who captured it, seeing as their brethren were losing, decided to break it and then run for it. Little did they know of a surprise awaiting them back at their grounds. Several other clans have already gathered their militia and joining forces took over the lands of clan Hindspaw.
That existed no longer. Their men were to be killed, women and children integrated into branch families of the Triburrow's clans. Clan Hopps would receive part of the land as reparations for losses suffered. Other land will go to the clans that silently joined them in fighting against the Hindspaw.
In Judith's eyes that was not fair, seeing as those clans did nothing to impact upon the flow of battle, but she was still to naive when it came to politics. And the Hopps clan was probably not ready to protect that much land anyways.
All in all, the Hopps secured a decisive victory, slaughtering around five hundred bunnies and three, while suffering only around forty dead and ninety injured amongst the militia, thirty dead and hundred and eighty injured amongst the skirmishers. As it turned out, clan Hindspaw were mostly bark and no bite… or her father's decision to a mercenary into their employee was much more beneficial than she could even dream.
The doe saw how the fox fought. He didn't show off with fancy techniques, going for brutal but efficient way of slaughtering and spreading panic. His big sword was way faster than should be physically possible and the force behind it made the lean tod seem like some fox monster from fairy tales told to kits by their grandparents when they put them to sleep. Especially considering the eyecover and that damn toothy grin.
- Why so gloomy, Carrots? Not used to being number three? - Speak of the devil. How Nicholas managed to sneak up on her was still an open question that irked her, but she doubted he would share his foxy secrets.
- They broke my spear. - She was not someone to beat about the bush, so the doe easily explained the reason to her droopy ears and crestfallen expression. Judith chanced a glanced to her right where the fox now stood. Covered in blood, that may have hidden any damage done to his armour. Sword still out, held in a grip of his right paw. She was sure he came here to watch over the field and its clean up from the dead and dying.
- Oh. Was sure you were mourning your fallen. - His tone was measured, devoid of the fox's usual bite. No sarcasm, and also no judgment. Simple inquiry.
- I will, when I know their names. Father already started preparations for the burial. It will probably happen tomorrow. - While still speaking, Judith noticed her vision going blurry. First tears fell reluctantly, but then she felt her heart throbbing, and they started falling in earnest. And so, she cried. For her brothers. For her uncles and cousins. For her nephews. For the kits that would never see their fathers and brothers. For wives who would never embrace their husbands again. For lovers who would never be able to see their own families.
The fox stood there, through the long time Judith cried, his vigil silent and oddly reassuring to the doe, giving her a sign that it was secure enough to show weakness. He spoke not, offered not words of comfort and support. He just was there, watching her back, being the point of immovable calm in the storm of her emotions. And she was grateful. Days would go, and Judith would be able to help many of her brothers and sisters to go through the same emotional turmoil and reconcile with the fact that their lives would forever be changed. All thanks to a silent support of a stranger, a mercenary, a fox. A friend.
\m/
- You sure you a fine with not taking up the full payment agreed upon? I wouldn't want to get on the bad side of mercenaries, you know? - Stuart was fussing and being nervous. Of course the fact that mister Wilde was generous enough to ask additional fee only for fifteen bunnies was a lifesaver, but still… Mercenaries had rules and those rules were unbreakable. Mostly. At least for those who planned to stay on good terms with them.
- Stuart, how many more times I should repeat, that I have specifically mentioned that the proof of a kill will be the bunny ears I bring back. Since I only gave you fifteen, I will be cashing them in. Nothing more and nothing less. If you are worried about the other mercenaries, feel free to preserve the ears. - Seeing the contemplating look on the buck's muzzle, the fox suddenly realized that Stuart just might do that.
- Oh for the… Just consider it an investment into your land than. Tenth part of the excess, not the whole but only the exces, harvest that you gather each year belongs to me. If I don't return to collect it before the sowing time, you are free to use it as you see fit, and you are forbidden from allowing it to waste. Are you happy with that? - Nicholas knew this kind of men. They were more concerned with something that would influence their image than their wealth. It was thought to be not the worst thing in a mammal… but he really didn't care enough to judge. All he wanted was to not be bothered by the elder buck longer than necessary, and if he kept insisting on not getting anything in return, the head of clan Hopps would harass him into the damn afterlife! No, thank you very bloody much.
After finalising the arrangements of his payment and beeding farewell to Stuart Hopps and his wife, who was kind enough to take care of several minor cuts in his lizard skin jacket, Nicholas went back to the place where he slept for the last two days. It was time to pick up and move on further south. Now he had a purpose for his adventure, not just a simple desire to run away from everything he knew.
Speaking of knowing. When arriving at the apple tree, he once more sensed nothing and no one. But, knowing who to look for, Nicholas could smell and hear the breath of the doe that was waiting for him.
- You do understand that a warrior must not be predictable? - The tod leaned on the trunk, facing the direction the wind told him she stood. The strange grey bunny that was invisible to his sense and who had more common sense than most other beings banded together.
- Maybe no, but guardians must be. Otherwise, how can you be sure where to find one when you are in need, right? - Judith sat on the ground, her knees clutched to her body. She glanced at the lean figure, leaning on the apple tree, still wearing his eyecover that didn't hinder him in any way. The doe hoped that the fox would stay for a bit longer, but the mercenary was uncomfortable surrounded by this many prey mammals, in turn making them wary of his presence. And he had no need for staying, going away from the battle practically unscathed.
Judith turned to look fully at the first individual who did not ridicule her wish of becoming a warrior (aside from her encouraging father and silently neutral mother), but rather listened to what she seeked and shown her the way that would lead to what she wanted. In his own roundabout way. Not seeking any thanks in return, simply giving, even when admonishing and scolding her for her presumptuousness.
- Thank you for showing me the path for my dream. Shall we meet again? - There was a certain tentative wish to see this fox again. To talk with him, listen him, spar him. Learn more of who he was and what he experienced in life. A wish she knew was nay impossible, but a fragile light of hope still shimmered.
- No. There are still way too many responsibilities left for me to bear. No matter how much I want to put them all aside, there is no one to take up my place. And before you start asking, no, I can't tell you, miss future head of the Hopps clan. Your family already relies much on you and they will even more after this. - Once again, the fox was full of surprises. He wasn't sugar coating anything, yet he didn't sound demeaning or condescending. There was steel and resolve in his voice, that barred any thoughts of trying to get another answer. Judith thought she understood the message. His burdens were his alone, and she had her own to bear. This was something they were unable to share.
- Could I see your eyes? It is rather hard to remember the mammal that literally saved you and your clan, without remembering their eyes. - In way, she knew it was a bit of a selfish request. The fox seemed rather reluctant on revealing his eyes. She have seen them once by the light of fire, and he seemed to flinch even from that low level of light. As if to confirm her suspicion, the tod put a paw to his eyes, shielding them from the rays of sun, and glanced towards the sky. With a shrug, and a pull, he removed the eyecover. This time, Nicholas didn't flinch. Still, his eyes were half-closed, with a smirk gracing his face as he shamelessly looked the bunny up.
- Well, you look much better under the sun I must say. The next vice-head of the Hopps clan will be a lucky buck to have a carrot like you to himself, Carrots. - The comment was unexpected and made Judith blush and try to find something to retaliate. Her mouth kept opening and closing, while her paws were clenching and arms flailing, adding to the tod's amusement. Amusement, that covered the much deeper sadness at his understanding, that he was right. She was just as frail as others. And with time, that frailty, will claim her.
- Anyways, I was actually going to give you something to remember me by. - Nicholas turned to the long sack of something he left under the apple tree. What he retrieved, was a thing that caught Judith's attention almost instantly.
- A javelin my companion used to wield a long time ago. I thought that after you lost your spear, you would need another one. This one is made of the same metal, mustarauta, as my other weapons, so you won't find an equivalent amongst your prey blacksmiths. And it is much more suited for your way of wielding it, my friend, from what I have heard from your father. - Gingerly, the doe took it from his paws and looked the gift over. Slightly longer than her, the javelin would be a perfect fit for her wielding style and ability. With teary eyes she looked up at Nicholas, seeking for something.
- All right, come here. - The fox said chuckling and opening his arms. The bunny didn't need to be told twice and went in for a hug. She was grateful. This was a strange fox. Once she knew for only a day, but who understood her more than anyone else. She wanted to be his friend, and apparently, he was not against the idea. Even if they never met again.
- You bunnies, so emotional. Just make sure not to tell anyone, I have an image, and you would be ridiculed for even suggesting I am capable of such gestures. And you are standing on my tail. Off, off, off! - With a sound of surprise, Judith realised that she, indeed, was sanding on something rather soft. But, it was probably not very nice for the fox.
- Sorry, sorry. Wasn't looking. - A raise from the fox screamed "obviously", but no other words were coming to her head at that time. A chuckle escaped the fox's muzzle, after a moment of boring his gaze into her. And the doe knew she was not in trouble. Nicholas turned, took his belongings, put his sack on, and then he was ready to depart. The time for farewells came.
- Thank you for saving my clan. And thank you for correcting me and imparting some of your wisdom to me, Nicholas. I will remember you and what you have done. May the Creator guide your way and grant you strength to fulfill your duties. - Once more, there was a film standing in front of her eyes, but she managed to hold the tears this time. The fox mercenary has done his job and even more. Moreover, he cared for those he was working for, not the gold he could get from them. She would remember him, for as long as she lived. If possible, she would make sure her children would pass on the memory of this red fox, since there probably was no family waiting for him. Despite his best efforts, she knew that he was much older than he seemed. His eyes, those emeralds that held so much mirth and intelligence, hid something, in place much deeper than where she could gaze. The doe felt it. But she was nobody, and she could not help him.
- Thank you for your wishes. I will do my best to remember you, at least for this lifetime, Judith. May the Creator guard your family and your lands. Fare well. - His large gloved paw rested on her head, and for the first time she actually realised what a terrifying presence he was. For others, not for her. Never for her, of this she had a strange surety.
The sun was slowly starting its long drift towards the horizon when a lone figure of a red fox dressed in black garbs vanished into the forest.
hr
A/N: This chapter was two weeks in making and it is bloody big for me. Fourteen Google Doc pages at default settings. I never write more than four for a chapter. But I feel damn good about this one.
As such, I declare Season 1 finished. I am taking a bit of a vacation from this story, to try out other venues. In particular, I want to get to writing shorties based on certain songs that run rampant in my head. I think I will get back to this one in summer. I will have it more or less figured out for Season 2 by that time. Less sappiness, more bloodiness!
Who can guess the song that was used as a backbone for the fight between Nicholas and Doug? The hints are in the text and how Doug calls Nicholas. I wonder if there are some die hard metal fans here too, aside from me that is.
At this note, I hope you enjoyed or suffered fullheartedly. Oh, wait. I don't. Why? Riiiiiiiiiiight. Cause I just don't care. (c) Bogo