Chapter Six:
Welcome to the Castle
As the cart rolled up through the front gate of the castle, Gideon pushed his muzzle between the bars to get a better look at the large structure that stretched out before him. In the light of the evening sun, it sang of an immense majesty that could only be captured by film or art. The pudgy fox had never seen anything so incredible before in his life. Nicholas gripped the pudgy fox's bicep and leaned close enough to his lips touched the crest of Gideon's ear.
"Welcome to Castle Zootopia, where you can be anything you want to be," The warm breath tickled the inside of his ear, causing a tremble to run up his spine. "And tonight, we be dead."
Gideon was torn between which he wanted to laugh, the cruel joke or the smug look on the fox's handsome face. Neither seemed to be funny but the dwelling fear inside of him was starting to surface. If things didn't go well, this might actually be his last day to live. The feeling only intensified, when the carriage came to a halt. It shifted coarsely from side to side as Buja and the Captain climbed down from their seats.
The cage door opened. It was easy to see that Captain Hopps wasn't the least bit impressed that her prisoners had removed their bonds. Her hand found the hilt of her sword with little effort. This intimidation tactic was to let each of them know, she was prepared to deal with anything that arose. Brother Benjamin pushed his way to the front, holding his arms out in a peaceful gesture.
"Hold your blade, Captain, we have no intention of causing trouble. You have my word as a servant to the divine." A friendly smile never left the cheetah's round face. His eyes carried a real brotherly glimmer in them.
"I don't deal well with promises from thieves." The bunny's response was as cold as her demeanor.
"I will vouch for them, milady. He's a Cleric, his faith means more than his life. If he gives his word, then it is as true as the sun will rise." Buja rested her hand on her Captain's shoulder.
"I guess there is always things to learn." The Captain smiled. It was a beautiful smile, one that reminded Gideon of the Judy from his world. It caused a swirl of homesickness to churn in his stomach.
The Captain took a step back, giving ample room for the large Cleric to step down. The whole cart jolted at the shift of weight. When Gideon stepped down, he saw the rows of armor-clad soldiers moving out the courtyard. Each of them wore a coat of arms upon their chest. The pattern was set in a quadrant with two green squares across from each other and two black ones running opposite. In the center, a gilded lion wearing a crown and wielded a sword and a shield. The soldiers paid the fox no mind as they stood like statues, ready to mobilize at a moments notice.
The Captain offered a light shove to the fox's side, bringing him around to look at her. For being so small, she was very strong and seemed far too brutal. Her eyebrows were pinched angrily over her beautiful purple eyes. Gideon felt trapped by her gaze. Shy of it. She may bear his Judy's likeness but that was where the similarities stopped.
"Stick with the group, fox." She ordered. Hearing the words in Judy's voice never ceased to sting.
Gideon struck up a conversation as he fell in behind Aza. "Sorry, ma'am. I was just admiring those badge thingies."
It was odd to him, that the bunny didn't hesitate to engage in the conversation, though she didn't waste a glance his way while they spoke as they made their way to the castle. "This is the Kingdom of Zootopia's Coat of Arms, all the soldiers wear them. So, you truly aren't from around here? We don't get many outside visitors."
"I can't venture a guess why you're all so inviting."
Gideon's words stretched as his mouth hung open. His eye wide as they climbed the steps to the massive door that stretched several dozen feet high. A door that was clearly meant to be more ornamental than practical since it would take a hundred mammals to open it. Ahead of them, on either side of the door, were two more guards. These two wore shinier armor with golden pauldrons on their shoulders. Large green plumes of feathers stuck out from their helmets. Where the other soldiers had face guards to protect them in combat, these ones didn't. To the right was a white leopard with blue eyes, to the left was a cougar with brown eyes. They regarded the captain with a respectful bow.
"At ease, Olivinder, Torvin. What's the news?"
"The king is meeting with the wild clans today." The leopard, Olivinder, stated, her voice was luscious, like silk.
"Talks are not going well. They're seeking more land to the north and are unhappy with the king's already generous offerings." Torvin, the cougar, added, his voice stern and coarse.
"It would be fair to assume the king is in a foul mood." The captain rubbed her neck.
"That would be a fair assumption." Olivinder glanced at the group gathering behind the captain. "May I inquire about your...friends?"
"Thieves. They stole something very important from the king."
"Oh, in that case, I'm sure the king would be more than happy to deal with it. I would ask the king's adviser first, though." Torvin added with a wicked smile.
"Where is she?"
"She should be in the main hall directing the delegates to where they need to be." Olivinder added.
The captain nodded. "If that's what I must do I suppose."
Olivinder opened a much smaller door set into the larger one and stepped aside. The captain was the first through the door. While the rest filed in behind. Gideon rubbed his eyes trying to get them to adjust to the dark chamber within. The ceiling was so high he couldn't even see it. The only light in the room came from several candelabras set throughout the giant chamber. But the candlelight was barely bright enough to fight back the darkness.
At the far end of the chamber was a large door. In front of it, stood a sheep wearing elaborate purple robes. Green eyes were hidden behind a pair of spectacles. Her soft voice echoed at the very corners of the chamber. Before her stood a rather dirty looking wolf, scantly clad in unpolished leather. Warpaint crusted into his fur at various points all over his body. The wolf cocked his head while the sheep spoke to him. His ears shifting around as if he were struggling to understand her. Gideon couldn't blame him. He was having a hard time making out what the sheep was talking about. What he could figure out was that the sheep was struggling to get her point across to the wild-looking wolf.
The group took a few more steps into the room before the captain stopped them. Not wanting to interrupt the sheep while she was conversing with the wild clan member, she urged them to stay close. Gideon took this time, to look around the room. Beneath his feet was a lush woven carpet with a mural sewn into it. The baker-fox was too close to really make out what he was seeing, but it was beautifully crafted.
"What does all this mean?" Gideon whispered to Nicholas.
"It's the history of Zootopia as told in rug form."
"Too bad I can't see the whole thing, I bet it's a great story."
"It is. But remember, history is written by the victor." The bard's green eyes pierced the darkness.
"Silence!" Judy barked.
The sound of her voice spiking in the quiet room halted the sheep's conversation. She looked up from her meeting with the wolf to gaze of the bunny. The fake smile the sheep pasted on her face slipped into a frown. Quickly, she looked back at the wolf.
"If you'd be so kind as to excuse me for a second. Something's just come up."
The wolf nodded, if he had any emotion other than befuddlement, it didn't show. Instead, he watched as she sheep started across the large chamber in the direction of the group. Gideon could make out more features as she drew close. The soft white fur of her face was muddled with tattoos. None that the baker-fox could really discern, but it gave her a wicked look. When she halted in front of the captain, Gideon finally recognized her as none other than Miss Bellwether. It was starting to make sense that this place ran parallel to the world he came from.
"The king is not to be disturbed, Captain Hopps." Bellwether's voice made her sound a bit short of patience, though she still managed to be polite.
"Yes, Olivinder informed me, but we have the slime that stole the Sunburst Stone," Judy responded in the same tone.
"Do you? Excellent! I'll deliver the news to his majesty at once." The adviser drummed her fingers together.
"Shall we follow, then? I'd like to conclude this experience as soon as possible." Judy smirked.
"I'm sure you would, but right now the king is busy with the wolf clan." Bellwether rubbed her chin in contemplation. "Oh, in the meanwhile, you can send this rabble to the guest room. Get them cleaned up and ready to meet the king." Bellwether sneered at each of them, her gaze stopping on the captain.
"Seems a bit out of the ordinary. They are just common criminals." Judy mused.
"Yes, well the poor king has been meeting with unwashed and unkempt rutabagas all day. The least we can do is clean these ones up to give him reprieve before he continues his meetings with the Wild Clan." Bellwether whispered so the wolf couldn't hear.
"Well, I suppose that-" Judy started.
"Madame," Benjamin stepped forward with his hand open in front of him. "I invoke the powers of the cloth in this matter. I'm not to be harmed, nor is Sister Aza. We were merely on a pilgrimage when we were accosted by the Captain."
"A Cleric?" Bellwether offered him a skeptical glance. "Very well. The king is bound by god to follow such a request. Neither of you shall be harmed then, as long as you're found innocent."
"Of course, and thank you for being reasonable." Benjamin looked back at Aza, giving her a thumbs up.
"Now, if there is nothing else." Bellwether looked at the others before looking at Judy. "Captain, take them to the guest chambers and lock them in. I'll send for the servant to report in. Our...guests are to be bathed and clothed. You and your ward shall keep guard until I send for you."
"Ma'am?" Captain Hopps cocked her head.
"Did I stutter, Captain?"
"No, Ma'am."
"Then see to it and remember, if anything happens to them, I'll have your heads." Bellwether turned away shaking her head as she returned her attention to the delegate that still stood patiently waiting for her.
"Wow, Carrots, for a minute there, the love between you two was so palpable, I almost swooned." Nicholas wrapped an arm crossed her shoulders.
The bunny gripped the collar of his tunic. "If there were to be an accident that ended your life, I don't think anyone would mourn you."
Gideon cupped his muzzle to stifle a laugh. It was impressive that the Bard fox was able to keep the smirk even admits the death threats. Judy on the other hand, simply grunted and gave him a firm shove towards one of the staircases that lined the wall.
"I would, buddy." Finn added giving the taller fox a pat on his thigh.
"I never doubted you for a second, my man." Nicholas looked down at the smaller fox.
The staircase was impossibly high. Gideon's legs were burning from the workout. He found himself out of breath for the first time in a long while. The stitch in his side was acting up as well and didn't help the extra exertion.
Luckily, their destination was at the top of the stairs. Gideon expected to see a luxurious guest room behind the closed-door, but what he found was a meager room, barely large enough to house the five of them. A tiny bed was pushed against the stone wall. It was barely big enough to sleep two no less five of them. There was a pair of hardwood chairs on either side of a small wooden table, in the corner. The only other piece of furniture was a thin dresser across from the bed, a water pitcher and basin were set on top of it. A chest sat at the foot of the bed and a chamber pot rested in the corner behind a dividing screen.
"Guest room?" Benjamin panted before he flopped on the bed.
"More like an unwelcomed guest room, if you ask me." Nicholas joked, though his face revealed that even he didn't think it was funny.
"That's funny. Are you sure your pathetic attempts at humor aren't just some way to cover up your own lowly insecurities?" Captain Hopps turned to face the fox, she was the only one smiling.
Nicholas gasped, touching his fingers to his lips. "Oh no," When he pulled his hand away, his lips curved into a cruel smirk. "You figured me out, so much for my mysterious playboy facade."
Buja snorted, trying to curve the fit of laughter building inside. "You...uhm...are to wait here. A group of servants should be up soon to tend to your needs."
"The door will be locked, but if you need anything, Buja and I will be right outside." The captain added.
"I'd like to order a wench. I have special needs that only skilled hands can take care of." Nicholas was quick to catch them before they stepped into the hall.
"Allow me to reiterate. If any of you, beside the fox, need anything, don't hesitate to let us know. Enjoy your stay." Judy's eyes never left Nicholas' as she spoke.
Buja stepped out first, Judy glared at the Bard until the door closed between them. Gideon could hear the heavy tumblers in the lock turn, followed by a heavy clack of the lock sealing them inside. Finn climbed up onto the bed next to Benjamin. The rest of the group looked around the room. There wasn't much else to see. No one wanted to move for fear of bumping into the others.
"Ugh, I've seen closets at the cloister with more space in them than this." Aza grunted, leaning against the wall.
Gideon moved to lean next to her, it seemed the best thing he could do to stay out of the way. Nicholas sat in one of the wooden chair resting his lute on the table.
"Couldn't agree more, sister. Let's try not to focus on it too much. I suggest we get comfortable. There's no telling how long this will take." Brother Benjamin argued before leaning back on the bed.
Gideon wasn't sure what to think about everything that was going on. Though he couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in his gut that told him, whatever happened, it wasn't going to end well.