Chapter 15
Where we Once Were
16 seasons before the ship's crash
"I didn't think you two would come to see me," Rykeld admitted as he watched the fox and the weasel walk into the ship's infirmary. What were their names again? Rykeld didn't bother to learn those weird nicknames everybeast had. Even though he was on a ship, it felt rude, even by his standards. If he called anybeast back home some of these nicknames, he would've been hit for sure. Rykeld didn't know why they were visiting him, as the first time he spoke with the fox, he made awkward small talk that never went anywhere. At the very least, they seemed about as threatening as a blade of grass.
The fox shrugged awkwardly, his quiet voice barely reaching Rykeld as he spoke. "Well, I just, uh, thought it'd be nice, 'sall."
Rykeld sighed. Can't anybeast be straightforward with me? Why does everybeast have to be all coy like this? "Do you two need something from me?"
That seemed to throw the fox off guard, and he began to stutter. "Well, uh, I've got an, uh, plan? Or something. Like a, well, kind of a plan. Not really complete yet, but something. I don't-"
The weasel accompanying the fox interrupted, smiling with that same awkwardness. "Aye, yer right. We did wanna ask ya somethin'. But we were kinda worried 'boutcha. Are ya okay?"
Rykeld laughed humourlessly and motioned to his arms, stomach, and head. They were all shallow wounds, but they still hurt. "What do you think? I'm doing just peachy."
The weasel laughed. "Sorry fer askin', guess it shoulda been obvious."
"Oh really?" He said dryly. The weasel laughed again and Rykeld couldn't help but smile. He didn't have any friends on this ship, but these two seemed alright. "But seriously, I'm fine. I've dealt with worse."
The weasel snickered, but she immediately felt guilty afterwards. "Sorry fer laughin'. But when we saw youse on yer first day, ya looked way too posh fer me t'think ya dealt wit' worse."
Rykeld frowned. He did have it easier than all of these beasts here. "You're right. But thanks for checking in."
The other weasel smiled. "Um, do ya mind if'n we sit down?"
"I don't mind."
The fox and the weasel sat on the cot next to Rykeld. He looked over at the fox, who was silently staring at the floor. "You're a quiet one, huh?"
The fox looked up. "Uh… Aye. Sorry."
Rykeld snickered. "You don't need to say sorry. Honestly, you two seem nice enough. Nicer than everybeast I knew back home, anyway." Neither of the two had an immediate response to that. The fox looked back at the floor while the weasel returned an awkward smile.
"Speakin' o' back home," the other weasel began. Rykeld's smile faded slightly, knowing where this was going. "Why're ya here?"
Rykeld shrugged. "I couldn't tell you. I guess I just got restless and wanted a change of pace." Right. Just tell them that. No need to mention my damn siblings. Not that my going missing would affect them, anyway. Last in the bloody line. I can't wait for them to kill each other trying to become ruler. Morons. Not to mention the litany of problems. Invaders are probably at their door as we speak. "So, what about you two? Why are you two here?" Rykeld asked. He didn't understand much about corsair ships, but getting to know the crew's reasons for being here would be interesting if nothing else.
"I was born here," the fox murmured, "Her too."
Rykeld frowned. Did corsairs even care about life that much to take care of a child? "Really? Is that okay?"
For the first time in the conversation, the fox cracked a smile. "No. Not at all." The fox looked around cautiously, making sure nobeast was listening. "I hate it here. As soon as it's safe, I'm gettin' me an' her outta here."
Rykeld grinned. "Is this related to that plan of yours?" The fox nodded. "Okay then. I just got here recently, but I don't care. What's this plan of yours?" He asked, trying to get them to talk more.
The weasel interjected, "Well, it's not really a plan, an' more o' an idea, but do ya still wanna hear it?"
"Yes," Rykeld answered eagerly. "But first, I don't think I got your names." The two beasts were about to answer when Rykeld clarified, "I mean your real names. Not these stupid nicknames everybeast has for some reason."
The other weasel grinned. "I'm Gurnilal."
The fox nodded. "Vhynias."
"Nice to meet you, Gurnilal and Vhynias. I'm Rykeld. Now, what's this plan you're thinking of?"
Vhynias and Gurnila spoke with him about their plans. He quickly grew doubtful of its success, but their conversation didn't stay serious for long and soon, they were all laughing.
Hanging out with these two, Rykeld felt a warmth he hadn't felt for a long time. Huh. Maybe everything will go alright.
11:00, Day 1
Tornear Burke grinned, baring his fangs in a toothy smile as he looked out at the lake. Somehow, there were three bodies either near or in the lake, all belonging to guards. The weasel crossed his arms as he walked up to the closest body, a fox, and gazed at its head which had been beaten violently into the ground. A wave of discomfort rushed through Tornear as he imagined Vhynias in the fox's place, but he quickly waved it away. More importantly, whoever killed these three beasts didn't even bother grabbing their weapons. Granted, Tornear could guess whoever killed these three did so unarmed, but that shouldn't stop them from picking up their weapons.
Tornear turned to the two beasts behind him, Miena Dawnraft and Bolgash Wolters, and chuckled, "We've got three bodies ready to be pilfered. Seems like whoever was here didn't take anything from them."
"I dibs the fox," Bolgash immediately called out. She walked over to the fox and picked up its sword, sheathing it in her belt (she had extra room since she gave one of her knives to Crookedfang).
Tornear crouched down next to the stoat, took its sword, and in the interest of being thorough, began rummaging through their pockets. "Find anything?" Miena asked from behind him.
Tornear scoffed loudly. Without turning around, he said, "Mind your own business. If you want to be nosy, go swim to the body in the lake and search it. You're an otter, after all, you should be amazing at not drowning."
"Ye got it," Miena responded lightheartedly. Internally, however, she was trying not to scowl at him. She was trying to make peace and was willing to work with them, so why can't they? I'm the best swimmer here, so it makes sense fer me to be doing this, she told herself to try to make the situation seem less stupid. Suppressing a sigh, she waded into the frigid lake and dove towards the body.
Meanwhile, Tornear was still rummaging through the stoat's belongings. Amusingly, it seemed that the stoat didn't even bother bringing supplies of their own (unbeknownst to Tornear, the stoat did bring a bag, but Toran Firepool stole it after their death). "Find anything, Bolgash?"
Bolgash shrugged. "Found a sword."
"Is that it?" Tornear asked pointedly, "Have you checked, I don't know, their pockets or maybe the bag they're carrying?"
"Don't really care, you do it."
Tornear scoffed and crossed his arms. "What? Is the great and almighty Bolgash too scared to search through a dead body?"
Bolgash grinned, "Oh, and I'm surprised the prissy castle weasel's willing to get his paws dirty."
Tornear snickered. "Prissy? When have I ever- at least I'm not the one who took a nap and got stabbed immediately afterwards."
"I should've killed that tiny mouse," Bolgash muttered.
"Well, that's a bit far… So, I'm guessing you're not searching that fox."
"You do it."
Tornear grunted and moved toward the fox, crouching down. That same wave of discomfort washed through him as he looked at the fox's face. He couldn't help but think back to his time with Gurnilal and Vhynias on their old ship and shuddered. Did this fox join that wildcat willingly? Did they chase after us of their own will, or were they forced to do this? Did they know what they were getting into?
Steeling himself, Tornear hid that nervousness from Bolgash and searched the fox's bag. Inside was a couple of rations, a dagger which Tornear pocketed, and something that made the weasel cock his head. Tornear pulled out a small wooden slab larger than his paw and turned it around. There was a rough-looking carving etched on the surface depicting an island. A couple of crosses dotted the wood. "Well, well, what is this?" Tornear muttered. If it was a map of the island, it was too vague to use effectively. Nevertheless, it was an interesting find. He put the piece of wood back in the bag and slung it over his shoulder.
Tornear stood back up and gazed out into the lake. "Are you done yet?" He called out. How long does it take to retrieve a body from a lake? A while, actually, but he didn't really care. He just wanted an excuse to yell at the otter.
"I'm already done, actually."
Tornear spun around to see Miena standing behind him. The ottermaid was holding a bow and had a quiver slung around her back. She motioned at the lake and explained, "The rat in the lake had a bow and arrow. From what I gathered; it seemed like they drowned- Lord knows how."
Tornear grumbled. That same uncomfortable feeling came back as he imagined Crookedfang's body in the lake. "Oh, I'm sorry, did you hear me ask what killed them? No. Shut your mouth," he snapped.
Miena returned a strained smile. "I just thought ye'd want to know. Could be useful information."
"Explain how," Tornear asked flatly. The weasel turned and began to walk away, motioning for Bolgash to follow.
Miena jogged up to the two of them and elaborated, "I've been paying attention to who's been talkin' back at the ship. While the crash may've scrambled some things, I'm willin' to bet the beast who beat that fox to a pulp was that mountain hare, an' the one who drowned the rat was that otter. They seemed close on the ship so 'tis not unlikely they're travelling together. Now, since we know they were here, 'tis possible they may still be nearby, and if we find 'em, we can work-"
"No, no." Tornear waved his new sword threateningly at Miena. "Vhyn said he didn't want anybeast to join in the first place. The only reason you and the rest of you degenerates are with us is that Gurnilal doesn't want you gone. We already have to deal with you, so I'm not letting anybeast join."
Miena's smile grew wider. She was getting really tired of Tornear's attitude. Degenerates? We just met, and yer calling me that? "Not even the kid? Yer not gonna let the kid join if we find him?"
Almost as if he was expecting that question, Tornear answered immediately. "No. Why should we help?" He asked bitterly, "Oh please explain why we are the ones that always need to help when nobeast ever-" The weasel stopped himself from finishing that thought, glaring furiously at Miena. "Besides, what would they even help us with? We can protect ourselves just fine without them."
"Help is always appreciated," Miena pointed out.
"Sure it is. But remind me again, what have you helped us with so far?" The weasel asked pointedly. "Because you've done nothing but be a pain in my tail."
Miena smiled wryly, "And yer stoat friend han'ts? It seems that she's just been causing ye trouble."
Tornear grumbled. He didn't have a good defence against that. It was true; Bolgash didn't always make the smartest decisions, but… "I trust her more than you, so shut your mouth." Without letting Miena get another word in, he left and walked toward Bolgash, still carrying that red bag. "Hey, Bolgash, what do you think of this?"
Trying to hide the wooden slab from Miena's view, Tornear held it toward Bolgash. The stoat glanced at it and said, "I could carve somethin' better."
Tornear laughed half-heartedly, "Sure you could, but no, really, what do you make of this?" Bolgash shrugged, not even bothering to answer. Tornear looked up at the sky with an annoyed growl.
"Can I see?" Miena asked politely.
"No," Tornear grunted immediately. But after a moment, he reluctantly handed the piece of wood to Miena.
The Skipper examined it intently and nodded. "I assume this is a map of th'island. Don't see why they'd be holding onto this otherwise."
"What useful insight," Tornear said dryly.
"But," Miena continued, "It does make me nervous. We crashed here, so I assumed the wildcat knew as much as we did. Him and his beasts'd be lost too if they knew as much as us. But if they know the layout o' the island… Well, 'tis a bit worrying."
Although he hated to admit it, Tornear thought that was at least a tiny bit insightful. To be frank, Miena seemed like an idiot, so he didn't expect that to come out of her mouth. But instead of saying anything positive, he lied and responded with, "No, you moron, I meant to ask where we are. Are you this useless back home too?"
Miena scoffed, letting the tiniest bit of disdain for the weasel show. "Nay, I'm just as competent as that fox ye blindly follow."
For some reason, that angered Tornear more than anything so far. "You do not get to say anything bad about Vhyn! If it wasn't for him, the four of us would be dead. I love the fox to death, but I'm not above going against him and leaving you here. Especially an otter like you. Are we clear?"
The corners of Miena's smile twitched as she listened to Tornear. Who is this weasel to think he can just say that to anybeast? I wasn't even trying to belittle the fox. Ugh. If there were more abbeydwellers here, he wouldn't be opening his mouth this much. I'd bet on it. Miena looked at the wooden slab once more to distract herself. The map, assuming it even was one, wasn't very descriptive. There wasn't a compass rose, nor any markings that would help determine their location. Honestly, she felt a bit better about the guards having this map because it wasn't much help.
Miena looked back at the lake. She didn't pay attention to it before, but the river was connected to it. She glanced back at the piece of wood and noticed that some of the crosses seemed to be in a line. Assuming those were placed by the river, she located approximately where the lake was. "Let's see… If that's the lake, then I think we should head fer another spot on the map."
"Why?" Tornear huffed, "You do realise most of the weapons we have were taken from the bodies of the guards, right? What are we going to find searching some abandoned buildings?"
"Didn't the stoat friend o' yers steal a kitchen knife?" Miena pointed out.
Tornear rolled his eyes. "Oh wonderful. A rusty kitchen knife. What else are we going to find? A broken shovel?"
The Skipper shrugged in response, "I don't know, but 'tis at least worth checking. Didn't yer fox friend say to search fer weapons, anyway?"
Tornear grumbled. Vhynias did say to gather weapons, and Tornear assumed that they needed to find enough for everybeast (except for Noruth, who Tornear guessed was fine using his claws). "Fine."
Miena's smile grew wider. She finally got something across the weasel. "Alright! So, if we're here, the closest location's south of here. What do ye think it is?"
"I don't care. Let's just go."As he began moving south, Tornear thought about the map again. That must've been copied from somewhere, but where? Did the wildcat have a better map, or is his just as vague as this one? Whatever the reason was, Tornear didn't like it. Eventually, they found the location marked on the map. Miena and Bolgash gazed upon it with awe, while Tornear's heart was immediately filled with burning wrath.
Perched up on a cliff was a magnificent structure overlooking the rest of the island like an ancient guardian. Tornear growled as he looked at the aged stone brick walls, large sentry towers, and the massive gate that had been smashed into many pieces. They found a castle!
9 seasons before the ship's crash
The full moon shone high above the cool autumn night. It was calm. Crickets were chirping lazily in the night, the leaves were rustling gently with the wind, and a campfire was crackling in the darkness. The fire's warm glow illuminated the faces of the six beasts sitting around it. One of the beasts, Kallius Placent, smiled hospitably as she reached into her bag. "Um, I don't know if any of you are hungry, but just in case, I brought some snacks. Does anybeast want anything?" She pulled out a cookie and bit into it. To her disappointment, nobeast accepted her offer. She couldn't help but sigh. This was supposed to be a fun little gathering to try to bring her classmates (the ones that didn't get along, anyway) together, but they were staying quiet for the most part.
In the awkward silence that followed, Kallius remembered what Farshawn Iriswind had told her beforehand. "This isn't a good idea. We're- they're not going to get along. Some of the beasts you're inviting are bad." But Kallius was determined. After all, anybeast can be friends if enough effort was put in. She was sure of it. Besides, they aren't all bad. Everybeast has their reasons. I just need them to see it for themselves.
To Kallius' relief, somebeast spoke up. Durkfor Ventultro grinned and looked at everybeast. "Bit of a sober party, wot? Why don't we play a game, eh? We don't know each other well, so why not?"
Rianne Wurtil scoffed. "No offence Durkfor, but I don't want to learn about most of you. I'd be fine with this if somebeast wasn't here." Rianne gave a sharp glare toward Farshawn, who shrugged nervously.
This wasn't going well. It took a lot of convincing, but now that everybeast was here, Kallius could see what Farshawn was talking about. Thaddeus Elderbark, Who Kallius dragged here, was sitting alone either making snide comments or not talking. Rianne seemed more guarded than usual, and Borsen Stonetail (who was convinced to come by Durkfor) wasn't talking at all. He didn't even seem to be acknowledging anybeast's existence other than Durkfor. Then again, that was normal.
Before an argument could break out, Kallius interjected, suggesting, "how about we play… hm… Never Have I Ever?" Kallius thought this would be a safe option. She thought about asking somebeast to tell a story, but Farshawn was the only good storyteller.
Rianne shrugged. "Sure. Sounds okay."
Thaddeus scoffed and stood up as if he were about to leave. "Seriously? Can't we do something funner?"
"Oh, do you have a better idea?" Rianne snapped, "because you've just been complaining the whole time."
"You're complaining too!" Thaddeus said defensively.
"Everybeast, stop," Durkfor commanded. Thaddeus begrudgingly sat back down. "How 'bout I ask somethin' first, is that okay wit' ya, Kallius?"
The hogmaid nodded. "Yes." With varying levels of hesitance, everybeast raised their paws to keep track of their points.
"Right! So…" The hare's ears twitched as he thought of something to ask. Thaddeus and Rianne were getting impatient, but Durkfor eventually asked, "never have I ever stolen somethin'?"
As expected, Thaddeus lowered a finger. When Farshawn shyly lowered a finger, Rianne rolled her eyes. "Wow. I wonder who you stole from. Or, who you keep stealing from."
Farshawn shrunk back in her seat. "I didn't-"
"Stop acting innocent, I literally saw you," Rianne yelled exasperatedly. "Forgot your book for school so you take mine? Well guess what happened to me when the abbot found I didn't-"
"Rianne, please calm down," said Kallius. The hogmaid looked around once more. Borsen also lowered a finger. She thought about asking Borsen what he stole, but something about the way the otter was staring at everybeast made her uneasy. Besides, he wouldn't talk anyway.
"My turn, I guess?" Said Farshawn, who was sitting clockwise from Durkfor. "Have you ever stayed outside the abbey overnight?"
Borsen and Durkfor, who weren't born in the abbey, lowered a finger. "Are you kidding me? We already know the answer to this one. Can't you all come up with better questions?" Thaddeus asked irately.
Farshawn threw her paws up. "I'm trying, alright? I'm bad at thinking on the spot."
Rianne grumbled, "Oh that's rich. So please tell me about the excuse you made yesterday 'on the spot' where you blamed Thaddeus for knocking the friar's basket into the pond."
"What?" Thaddeus said indignantly, "That was you?"
Kallius was next. She pondered what the safest question to ask was. What was an interesting question that nobeast would fight over…? "Um, have you ever fallen down the stairs?" She chuckled nervously as she (and Durkfor) lowered a finger.
Farshawn lowered a finger. "Thaddeus left a bucket at the top of the-"
"Oh, come on, that isn't true!"
And so, the game continued. Thaddeus wanted to stop it on account of "how everybeast is ganging up on me", but Farshawn was adamant that they finish at least one round.
Thaddeus asked, "Have you ever gotten into a physical fight." Nobeast lowered a finger. Farshawn made fun of Thaddeus for asking a question that "everybeast knew the answer to already."
Rianne asked, "Never have I ever lied straight to the abbot's face." Thaddeus lowered a finger, but both Thaddeus and Rianne got angry at Farshawn for lying by not putting down a finger.
Borsen was next, but… well, even after two seasons of him being here, Kallius had never heard Borsen speak, so she didn't expect him to ask a question. Thus, it went back to Durkfor.
Just like Kallius, Durkfor was trying to think of a question that wouldn't start a fight. The hare was clearly struggling, though. Suddenly, Borsen surprised everybeast by leaning over and whispering something to Durkfor. The hare smiled. "Oh, good one. Nice an' easy."
"Seriously? He hasn't spoken for two seasons, and he decides to talk in this stupid game?" Thaddeus grumbled.
Durkfor clapped dramatically. "Alright, so, never have I ever stayed up all night. Like fore an entire day an' night."
Borsen and Durkfor lowered a finger. But when Rianne started to glare daggers at Thaddeus, Kallius knew something was up. Oh no…
"Why're you looking at me like that?" Thaddeus murmured nervously.
Rianne narrowed her eyes at the mouse. "Are you playing dumb? Remember a couple of days ago?"
Thaddeus shook his head. "Nope. I don't-"
"The Friar wanted to be nice and make a pie for our class and let us help make it as long as we helped clean up. When cleanup time came, you volunteered to do all of it because you didn't help at all."
"Hey, I didn't-"
"When I checked at midnight because I got suspicious, nothing was put away! I spent most of the night cleaning and putting things away because you decided not to care."
Thaddeus stammered and looked at Farshawn. "She pressured me into doing it! Blame her, I didn't want to do it, but she made me do it."
"Oh, stick a fork in it," Rianne spat.
Farshawn held out her paws innocently. "I had nothing to do with that. I didn't do anything."
Thaddeus glared at Farshawn. "Nothing to do with that? I'm sick of you always pretending to be innocent! How come every time you have to take responsibility, you just put on that act and get out of it? Why can't you just admit you suck!"
Farshawn stood up. "Me take responsibility? You didn't clean. Rianne's the one who forgot to put the lid back on the honey jars."
"Woah woah, don't bring me into this or I'll stab you," The hogmaid threatened.
Kallius glanced at the three beasts anxiously, tugging nervously on her collar. "Hey, maybe we should stop?"
Ignoring Kallius, Thaddeus agreed with Farshawn. "That's right, you're the one that wanted honey, you should've closed the jars."
"You're right, I should've, but you left everything out too!"
Thaddeus placed his paws against his chest. "You're putting it on me again? I can't deal with any of you anymore. Kallius, I'm sorry, I'm leaving." The mouse walked away in a huff, heading back to the main building. Eventually, Farshawn and Rianne followed suit, both muttering apologies to Kallius. The hogmaid sighed and sat down, staring at the campfire. This went about as badly as it could've. At least Borsen and Durkfor were still here.
The hare rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Hey, Kallius, why don'tcha get some sleep. Borsen an' I'll deal wit' this. Aye?"
The hogmaid sighed, still trying to put up a smile. "Thank you, Durkfor. I'll talk to the others about this in the morning. Um, sorry for inviting you here."
Durkfor waved it off. "Eh, I'm fine. Goodnight, Kallius."
Kallius smiled. "Goodnight, Durkfor."
He watched Kallius walk toward the main building. Durkfor sighed, his ears flopping as he rested his face in his paws.
"Sorry. Didn't know they'd fight." Borsen muttered. Now that nobeast was around, the otter felt comfortable speaking.
Durkfor stood up and stretched out his body. "Ya didn't know 'bout their fight, I know ya didn't mean harm."
Borsen nodded as a wolfish smile crossed his face. Rianne was just in the kitchen. Wasn't hard to see her. "Aye."
Durkfor looked around for some way to put out the fire. As he did, he snickered awkwardly and asked, "Didja at least have fun?"
Borsen's smile grew wider. How could asking one question make them all angry and leave? Watching them all fight with each other and get sad filled him with perverse joy. "Aye."
11:58, Day 1
A small drop of blood fell onto a fallen leaf. He looked down at the red dot on the ground and began to smile.
Borsen Stonetail shivered with joy as he crouched down in the grass, obscured by the foliage. They have no idea I'm here, do they? I found them, and they have no clue!
Borsen prodded his stomach with his knife, wincing with pain as he pressed it in a bit too hard. His body overflowed with excitement as he watched them from a distance. Do I want to mess wit' them fer a bit? Whatever. I'll wait anyway. When they're at their highest, that's when I'll strike. The look on their faces when everything gets taken away from them is… just too beautiful.
Sure, the mission was to capture/kill the prisoners as fast as possible, but to be blunt, Borsen didn't care about that mission. All that mattered to him was that rush. He was so excited he couldn't stop shaking. A twisted smile formed on his face as he watched silently. He just wanted to feel that rush again, that moment when he stood over his victims, their faces changing when they realised they were about to die. Would they fight back? He hoped they did, the rush would be stronger that way.
Everything was screaming at him to lunge toward them right now and tear them apart, but no. He had to restrain himself. The more he waited, the bigger the payoff. Growling, Borsen gnawed on his finger, sending more drops of blood onto the grass. His mind calmed as pain shot through his paw.
He just had to wait. They will die, he will feel that rush again, and it will all be so beautiful. He just had to be patient.
