A/N: Sorry it's been awhile since I updated. I've started school and such. Don't worry, I've got plenty more story to come, just be patient with me. Thank you to all my reviewers, you're all very kind.
If anyone is interested, I dabble in art as well and drew the Warners in the outfits I've given them for this story. If you wish to see, you can follow the link in my profile to my gallery and browse around.
I'll probably draw more pictures concerning this story as time goes on. Thank you again for reading. And I thank my two wonderful beta readers as always, and my newest one BlushBunnyC3.
Chapter 4: Duties
Yakko raised his hand over his eyes to block the midday sun poking through the forming clouds. He stepped down from the carriage, adjusting to the sudden brightness of being outside. He stretched his stiff muscles and yawned widely.
His siblings had wanted to leave the cramped carriage for awhile and ride horseback for a few miles. Yakko had no problem with that, they had been cooped up in the train all day yesterday and they were anxious little balls of energy. It gave them a chance to get some fresh air, and gave the oldest the carriage all to himself. He had opted to take a nap of course, but now he was refreshed and feeling the urge to move around. The three carriages that made up the caravan heading towards Anvilania had stopped for a quick resting break, allowing the group time to stretch.
Yakko stepped off the gravel path, his bare paws welcoming the cool sensation of the spring grass. He casually folded his arms behind his head, breathing deeply and letting the soft breeze ruffle through his fur and ears. He glanced back behind him to see Lance talking with a few of the escorts and the lead carriage driver, more than likely discussing if they would stop for the night or continue on.
Yakko turned back to survey the scenery before him; rolling green hills of tall grass, dotted with oaks and evergreens. A few patches of wild flowers added color. He hoped they would stop for the night. This was a beautiful area.
The fields before him were suddenly bathed in a grey wash as the sun dipped behind the thick cumulus clouds above. Yakko shivered slightly as the temperature dropped a few degrees. He squinted and looked out at the dark blue and slate mountains that hung in the distance, their snowy peaks accenting the deep gray of the rolling clouds.
Yakko inhaled deeply. The air was cool and moist. Judging by the looks of the sky in the distance and how the breeze seemed to be picking up, rain would fall soon.
The young prince turned to look down the road where his siblings were following one of their knight escorts scouting ahead of the carriage. Yakko whistled sharply, getting the attention of the Wakko and Dot, who leaned into their saddles and turned their horses around, galloping back to their brother.
Yakko smiled at their laughter, stepping back from their horses as they neared.
"You gonna ride with us, Yak?" Wakko asked with a smirk as he pulled back his reins, backing up his horse away from his big brother.
"Funny," Yakko grinned, leaning against the carriage. "It's gonna rain, how's about giving those horses a rest?"
Dot rolled her eyes, stroking the side of her mare's long muscular neck. "Cause a slow walk is so tiring for them."
"Carrying your fat butt is," Wakko snickered, causing his sister to utter an indignant huff and look to Yakko for support.
Yakko shot his brother a look, but it could hardly be considered stern. "Coming from the living garbage disposal… how much weight have you put on ever since we moved into the castle?"
Wakko stuck up his nose, sitting high in his saddle. "I can't help it if I'm a growing lad," the middle child stated matter-of-factly. "And it's all muscle!"
"Riiight," Dot mocked, looking back to Yakko. "Do we have to Yakko? It's not raining yet. Come ride with us! Please?"
"Yeah Yak, you can ride with me!" Wakko smirked, tongue poking out the side of his mouth.
"And if you prefer not getting thrown off, you can ride with me," Dot countered.
"Talon wouldn't throw him off! Your stupid blonde horse would!"
Yakko rubbed the bridge of his nose as his siblings bickered. He cleared his throat to get their attention. "As much as this conversation is so making me want to ride with you two," Yakko said, gesturing for them to dismount, "Come on, let's just ride in the carriage huh? I've got something to show you two anyway."
Not really sure if it was just a rouse their older brother was trying to pull to get them to come in from their play, Wakko and Dot tried to protest. Thunder clapped in the distance causing the youngest to jump slightly, spooking her horse a bit. The Belgian mare whinnied her displeasure as she backed up, almost into the carriage. Dot steadied her though, pulling back the reins gently, and cooing to the large animal till she settled.
Yakko stepped forward to coax his sister down from the saddle. "See? A storm's coming."
Wakko's stallion shook its long silver mane, its ears twitching and following the sounds of the approaching storm. "It's just rain, Yakko," the middle sibling ran his hand across the crest of his horse, his white glove standing out against the dark coal colored fur. He had no intention of leaving the freedom of the saddle for the confined carriage. Wakko flinched though as a large raindrop landed on his tomato red nose. He glanced up as the drizzle started to speckle the dirt with water spots.
Just as he was about to help his sister down, Yakko's ears perked at the sound of galloping hooves. The three turned to look down the road ahead of them, seeing two riders making their way towards the caravan at a rather quick pace.
The guards moved forward in front of the lead carriage as the riders approached. The men on horseback, one older and one a teenager, slowed to a stop to talk to the guards. Judging by their simple clothes and lack of weapons, Yakko gathered they were no threat.
Wakko watched the exchange of words between the guards and the men, perking his ear to try and hear the conversation. "What do you think they want?"
Yakko shrugged, seeing Lance coming towards them out of the corner of his eye.
"Your majesties," the badger said as he came up behind Yakko. "Perhaps it is best if you return to the carriage."
"They look harmless, Lance," Yakko waved the man off. He wanted his siblings back in the carriage as well, but now that he knew Lance wanted them there, Yakko felt the familiar urge to be difficult.
"I wanna know what they're talking about," Wakko insisted, urging his mount forward, despite his advisor's protest. Dot followed her brother's lead.
"Sire, they look questionable-"
"They look like farmers, Lance. Relax," Yakko interrupted the badger, following his siblings and rolling his eyes. Everyone who wasn't royalty was 'questionable' to Lance, Yakko thought. No wonder he enjoyed annoying the badger so much.
Getting closer to the conversation, Yakko listened as the two men informed their guards about the approaching storm.
"-and the last few caused major flooding, killing many of the crops this year," the older of the two men explained. "The rain is still an hour away; we were hoping to enlist the help of a few men from the neighboring village."
Convinced the men were no threat, the guards nodded to them, moving aside to let them pass. Wakko watched the exchange with a fixed expression. The middle Warner sat higher in his saddle and called out to the men as they passed him.
"We can help!"
The guards and men turned to give the young prince a quizzical look. Yakko could see on his brother's face that Wakko was serious, and it didn't surprise the oldest. He knew his brother well and Wakko was an empathetic creature who just liked pleasing others.
Lance was hurrying into the huddle, flailing his arms dramatically. Yakko thought the badger might possibly be having an epileptic seizure. "Master Wakko, enough of this nonsense! Come now, the three of you, back into the carriage…"
Wakko looked indignant though, gripping his reins a little tighter. "Why can't we?"
Lance waved the child off, reaching for the stallion's bridal to lead him back, but the horse refused to budge without his rider's instruction. "Sire, this is no job for a prince-"
"Well wait a minute, I thought it was!" Dot decided to interject her own opinion. Like her brothers, the princess disliked being talked down to by the badger, taking his bossy nature as a personal insult. "It's our kingdom! I wanna help too!"
Yakko smirked as he watched his two siblings gang up against Lance. It always amused him to watch them tag team their advisor. He noticed that the two villagers just seemed to realize they had bumped into royalty, for their faces were paling slightly.
"Dot's right, we're supposed to help!" Wakko glared down at Lance, having already made up his mind.
His sister nodded, backing up her brother's decision.
Lance narrowed his eyes, trying to raise his tone and show some kind of authority, which made Yakko snort. The man was about as intimidating as a field mouse. "Your highnesses, I must insist! We are scheduled to arrive at Anvilania-"
"What's one day gonna matter, Lance?" Yakko walked over to the badger, his arms crossed, but still smirking. The man ought to just give up; he had already lost against the nine and six-year-old. Yakko liked watching his younger siblings exercise their power as rulers, especially when they were doing it responsibly. Then again, when they were doing it irresponsibly, it was usually in a joking manner, and thus incredibly entertaining.
"Sire, you can't be serious," the annoyed badger looked to the oldest as if he'd suddenly side with him.
"You know me," Yakko grinned, "I'm never serious." He nodded to his siblings, "They sound pretty serious though."
After watching Lance grind his teeth in annoyance and Wakko and Dot high five one another, Yakko turned and looked to the two villagers, who seemed distraught. Yakko approached the two men. "If you would point us in the direction of your village, we would-"
"Your grace," the older of the two blubbered out, "Forgive us. We did not realize it was you!" he shakily gestured to the casual brown slacks and tan long sleeve top that adorned the prince. "We did not intend to cause such fuss! We could never impose upon-"
Yakko held up his hand to stop the man. "Who's imposing? This is us offering." He smiled back at Wakko and Dot who seemed pleased with themselves. "Besides, the sibs have spoken. And really, once they've made up their minds about something, it's darn near impossible to sway them."
He heard Lance mutter something under his breath and his smirk widened. Annoying that man never got old. Yakko shoved his hands into his pockets, hoping his relaxed demeanor would calm the two men down. He hated being fussed over, it was awkward and degrading. It was why he and his siblings rarely wore their robes. That and they itched.
The older man smiled, bowing his head gratefully towards Yakko and then Wakko and Dot. "Warnerstock is truly in good hands. Thank you m'lord, my son Jacob will lead you back," he said, gesturing to the teenager beside him.
Yakko nodded and reassured the man once more that it was no problem before he galloped off. He shot proud smiles back at his siblings and they beamed. If nothing else, they would all sleep well knowing they had racked up some good karma points.
Yakko brought the hammer down one last time on the nail, driving it through the piece of wood that now successfully blocked the leaky part of the roof. He brought his hand back, wiping his wrist over his forehead and smiling at his completed task. He looked down to his sister who was holding the ladder steady for him, giving her a thumbs-up. "All done, Dot."
Dot smiled and watched her brother climb back down, handing the hammer and extra nails back to the owner of the household. The man thanked him profusely, still a bit flustered and shocked that the prince was patching up holes in his roof.
Yakko told him to think nothing of it, repeating what he hoped was a humble sounding monologue he had practically perfected, this being the sixth house they had visited. Dot yawned and leaned against her brother's side, one hand wrapped around his waist and the other holding onto the rim of his belt. Yakko subconsciously stroked her ears as he talked with the man about his village. He was certain she was probably getting sick of the speech and tired from the work.
OneLiner was a small, but healthy Northern village. From what the siblings had been told by the boy Jacob who had brought them there, because of its placement in the valley, the little town was prone to flooding in the Spring months. The waters would ruin crops and homes as well as damage the roads.
Yakko had instantly noted the village's lack of an efficient drainage system. It didn't take the self educated prince very long to determine the course of action that needed to be taken, and where the new drains should be dug. Unfortunately, shortly after the villagers and knights had started digging, the imminent downpour began, halting construction of the drains. Instead they focused on a few key ditches and sand walls to protect what they could until they could continue.
Not one for the muddy work, Dot opted to helping indoors, going from house to house and patching leaky spots. After spending a few minutes in the downpour himself, Yakko decided he'd rather be indoors as well.
Wakko, who never minded the rain or being wet and dirty, wanted to continue to helping. Yakko had tried a few times to coax his rebellious brother out of the cold rain, but it was usually easier to let Wakko do as he wished rather than deal with his stubborn attitude. He was helping and the knights were with him, surely he'd be fine.
Wet, but fine.
The thunder shook the tiny home and Yakko looked towards the window. The rain was coming down so hard, all he could see was a sheet of water pelting the glass. They'd definitely be spending the night there, and by the look of his weary sister, his own sore muscles, and the fact that they missed dinner, it was time to call it a day.
Yakko said his goodbye to the family and took hold of Dot's hand. He plucked her dark violet mantle from the hook next to the door, handing it down to her so she could drape it across her shoulders and pull the hood up over her head. He scooped her up and opened the door, dashing out into the rain.
They would be staying at the Inn located in the center of the village. Yakko bolted through the muddy streets, his white paws splashing through the puddles, sending water every which way. He smiled at his giggling sister as she clung around his neck. Reaching the Inn, he deposited Dot on the porch and shook out his fur.
"You look like a drowned rat," Dot laughed, pulling down the hood of her mantle.
"Drowned Rat is all the rage. As a princess you should be caught up with the newest fashions," he smirked, scooping her up. "Here, allow me to help!"
Dot shrieked as he threatened to toss her out into a particularly large puddle, kicking and shouting to him that it wasn't funny. He laughed though, setting her back down on the porch and snickering as she punched his arm.
"I'm gonna go get Wak then we'll eat, okay? Lance should be inside."
Dot nodded and offered her brother her mantle, but he waved it off. It was just more wet cloth that would weigh him down. Yakko waited till she was inside before leaping back out into the rain and sprinting across the village to the farming areas. Stopping under an awning, he panned the area for his other sibling.
Squinting through the rain Yakko could make out the group of people heaving sand bags on top of one another, blocking the river of rain from a farm house. He could easily make out his brother's light blue tunic amongst all the drab colors.
Yakko whistled loudly, getting the attention of a few guards and his brother.
Wakko simply glanced at him before reaching for another sandbag. Yakko frowned. The sun would be set completely in less than an hour and his little brother had already spent a good portion of the afternoon outside. Stubborn or not, it was time to come in.
Yakko hurried back out into the rain, heading over to the group. "C'mon Wak, time to call it quits!" he shouted over the pouring rain.
"We're almost done Yakko," Wakko responded through exhausted pants. Yakko wrinkled his nose at his filthy, drenched kin. Thick globs of mud coated the boy's grey slacks and clung to his fur. His sopping clothes hung from him, weighing the young Warner down and making it even harder to lift the already heavy sand bags. Yakko sighed. Well the kid was persistent.
The oldest looked towards one of the knights, a familiar panther anthronian who often accompanied them around the villages close to the palace. The large cat nodded to Yakko, silently agreeing that the youngest prince had had enough.
Yakko nodded in return, reaching forward and tugging at his brother's shoulders. "C'mon bro, dinner's waiting."
Wakko looked as if he wanted to protest further, but his dripping ears perked at the mention of food. He only hesitated a few seconds before giving in and following his brother back to the Inn. Yakko cringed as he got a closer look of his brother out of the rain.
"Oh you're so getting a bath…" Yakko commented, taking off Wakko's hat and ringing it out for him before returning it back onto his brother's head with a loud, wet 'shlop' sound.
"F-fine…" he shivered a response, ringing out part of his tunic. Yakko raised his eyebrows as he steered his brother into the Inn. Rarely if ever did Wakko consent to being bathed.
The Inn was empty except for Dot, who was sitting at the bar talking with the young female duck behind it, Lance sitting next to her. The thick scent of the stew that the duck was stirring drifted throughout the room, making the boys' ears and tails perk slightly higher.
Dot turned at the sound of her brothers coming through the front door. The princess smiled and hopped off the stool and rushed to greet them, stopping short and turning her nose up in disgust at the muddy Wakko.
Wakko just grinned at her through his shivering, "What's a matter sis? You look like you could use a big hug!"
Dot shrieked as he threatened to touch her, bolting back across the room.
The girl duck behind the bar giggled and walked out towards them. "You can wash up back here in the bathing house," she gestured down the hallway. Wakko nodded and followed her back that way, his tail dragging limply behind him from pure exhaustion.
Yakko followed Dot back over to the bar, lifting her up onto her stool before taking a seat in the one between her and Lance. He glanced over at the disgruntled looking badger flipping through documents and maps.
"What's wrong Lance?" Yakko smirked, "Mood matching the weather?"
Lance snuffed his reply, "This sets us back an entire day's travel, Sire! Do you have any idea what that means?"
Yakko rolled his eyes, resting his head in his hands. "That an entire village won't flood and we'll wake up with sore backs in the morning?"
Dot giggled, but Lance simply narrowed his eyes. "Your highness, the Prime Minister of Anvilania is expecting us-"
"To arrive as soon as we can. It's one detour, Lance, and it was a necessary one," Yakko stretched his arms. "Brain has things under control at the castle, and this town's problem was more urgent than discussing anvil stocks. We'll get there, don't worry about it."
Lance sighed and returned to muttering about appearances and reputation. Yakko and Dot shot each other looks, Yakko turning his into a mocking of the badger which made his little sister giggle. Lance cleared his throat, but Yakko only decided that was worth imitating as well. The game of "Shadow" only lasted for a few minutes, before Lance got up from his seat and left the room.
The duck girl returned from the back with three wooden bowls and spoons, heading back behind the bar and setting the utensils down on the table next to the small cauldron hanging above the fireplace. Yakko watched her ladle the creamy stew into two bowls, tempted to drool, not only at the thought of a hot meal, but the brunette mallard's peasant top did little to hide her shame while she bent over the steaming pot.
Dot glanced at her brother, doing a double take when she saw him lick his lips and lean forward a bit over the bar, tilting his stool in the process. Lining up his sight, Dot scowled and used her tail to push the stool over the rest of the way.
The thud Yakko made as he and the stool crashed to the floor made the duck stand up straight, looking alarmed. Dot, chin resting in her hand, just smiled at her.
"Forgive my brother, sitting in chairs is difficult for him…"
Yakko sat up, blowing his left ear out of his face and narrowing his gaze at his sister. Dot smirked down at him, shaking her head in disapproval.
Wakko entered the room, looking much fresher as he rubbed a fluffy towel through his ears and face fur. Now in a clean brown tunic that stopped just above his knees and sans his trademark hat, Wakko's sleek black fur reflected the dim torch light of the room. Draping the towel around his shoulders, he raised an eyebrow at his older brother's current residence on the floor.
"Why are you-"
"Gravity," Yakko answered before his younger sibling could ask the question, holding his hand out to Wakko. Dot giggled as she watched him help their older brother off the floor.
The three sat down and enjoyed their meal in relative privacy. They had become accustomed to eating at a large banquette style table, but were now enjoying the close proximity to one another that the bar allowed. It made it easier to sling food at one another.
Unfortunately the miniature food fight was cut short at its climax when Lance ordered them to bed. They complied, but not before pestering the badger to partake in trivial, meaningless bed time routines with them, whining loudly about not being able to sleep in a strange place or how the pillows were too soft. The advisor relented, peeling the children off his arms before he left the room, but not without a sizable headache. The three smirked at one another before exploding into a fit of giggles.
"Too easy," Dot commented, pulling her ears free from the pink ribbon wrapped around them. She set the fabric on the night stands next to the bed.
"I wonder when he'll break," Wakko mused as he leaned back into his pillow, crossing his leg over his knee and folding his arms behind his head.
Yakko chuckled, turning down his sheets and comforter. "At this rate, he'll probably choose to stay in Anvilania…"
Dot pulled her knees up to her chest and watched her older brother climb into bed. Yakko noticed her staring and tilted his head at her. She locked eyes with him, the tip of her tail twitching as she rested her cheek on her knees. The oldest interpreted his sister easily and slowly smiled, slipping out of bed.
"Just one?" Dot lifted her head, her tail thumping against the mattress as she watched him dig around in his back pack. Wakko sat up, knowing very well Yakko would never deny their little sister the bed time stories she craved nearly every night. He was past the age of wishing to partake in the ritual himself, but every now and then he found himself sticking around to listen. Yakko had an active imagination and could be incredibly entertaining. If nothing else, their brother's stories made for good dream fodder.
"I was actually hoping you'd ask," Yakko responded, pulling the crimson red journal from his pack. Dot's eyes lit up at the sight of it. She'd never seen this text before and always welcomed a new story. She scooted over in bed, allowing her brother room to sit down next to her.
Wakko bounced a few times on his own bed before leaping onto Dot's, causing his siblings to spring up slightly as well. He landed into a perfect Indian sit in front of them as Yakko made himself comfortable. Dot nuzzled up closer to him to see the new novel, reaching to move Yakko's hand so she could see the title.
Yakko held it firm though, keeping the book closed to get the attention of his two eager siblings. They turned their quizzical expressions up towards him. Once he was certain they were paying attention, he took a deep breath.
"I wanted to show you guys this a few days ago, but I wanted to make sure it really was what I thought it was before I did."
Dot and Wakko shot confused looks at one another, both responding "huh?" in unison.
Yakko chuckled, running a hand through his ears. "A few nights ago I found something…"
-
By the time Yakko had finished telling his siblings all about the secret writing room behind the book shelf, and explaining to them about how the little journal in his hands belonged to their mother, midnight had come and gone. He had just finished reading them a bit of the first sections he had already gone over when he noticed the time.
"Whoa sibs, waaaay past bed time," he commented, closing the journal.
Dot gasped and lunged for the book. "No wait! One more passage!" she pleaded, reaching desperately for the book as Yakko held it out of reach.
Wakko stood up on the bed and plucked it from his brother's grasp. "You can't end it there, Yakko!" he insisted, opening the book up and trying to find the last entry they were reading.
Yakko smiled at the two of them as Dot crawled into Wakko's lap to help him flip through the pages. He expected no less from them. This indeed was an important find. A look into their past.
But as exciting as it was, and even though he too wanted to indulge himself in more of it, he knew there would be three very tired Warners come sun up. He smirked at that. At least then Wakko and Dot wouldn't object to staying in the carriage out of pure exhaustion. He shrugged and pulled the journal away from them. It didn't take much effort, neither wanted to risk a game of tug-o-war with such a precious item.
It was probably the first and only thing they'd come in contact with that didn't promote a violent game that ended in something breaking. Yakko dismissed that thought. They were young still, and breaking stuff was fun.
Yakko brought the book back over to his pack, glancing back at his heart broken siblings staring longingly back at the text. He sighed. "C'mon guys, we'll read more tomorrow. It still a long way to Anvilania and-"
"I want to know more now…" Dot muttered, staring down at her bedding. Wakko's ears folded back, giving Yakko a look that was similar to Dot's statement.
Yakko shook his head, looking away from their expressions. He always caved when they looked at him like that, but he had to stay firm, they all needed sleep.
"Yakko please?" Dot crawled to the end of the bed. "We can sleep in the carriage tomorrow. Just a few more pages?"
Yakko looked down into his sister's large dark eyes. She had sat in his lap and hung on every word their mother wrote, unblinking, mouth agape in awe. They would all frequently break out into large grins, mesmerized that they were touching the same pages their parent once had.
Yakko looked from desperate sibling to sibling. Wakko sniffled and wiped his red nose with the sleeve of his pajama top. Yakko raised an eyebrow. The middle Warner for once had been utterly silent through the reading of the journal, except for his suddenly runny nose.
"Guys, it's almost 1:30 in the mor-"
"C'mon Yak, Dot's right. We can sleep in the carriage," Wakko cleared his throat and moved up next to his sister on the edge of the bed.
Yakko sighed at their relentless stares. He was breaking like he knew he would. They wanted so badly to know more. To finally understand reality from the fictional stories they exchanged about their long lost past. To stop wondering…
And he couldn't blame them. He wanted it too.
Yakko pulled the journal out from his backpack and walked back over to the bed. Dot and Wakko lit up with excitement, ears perked and tails swishing as they hurried to curl up next to their older sibling. Yakko smirked as he put his arms around them and let Wakko hold the journal while Dot read the curvy manuscript. She went slowly, sounding out each word with the utmost care, being a very decent reader for her age.
Yakko stroked his siblings' fur, resting his head on Wakko's as he listened to the words of their mother from his sister's lips.
Maximus' death still lay heavy on my mind as I entered the carriage I would call home for the next month or so.
During the funeral and while Warnerstock wept for its fallen king, the council turned its attention on me; the sole heir to the throne.
In all its many generations, Warnerstock had never been run by a queen alone. The members of the council feared what the citizens would think. They themselves did not care for the idea of being ruled by a single female, especially not one as young as I. They decided my fate in less than an hour.
When I returned from my husband's burial that evening, I was told I was betrothed to Duke Salazar of Tick-Tockia.
I would leave first thing in the morning.