…...
Mallory woke up sometime during the night to the bed being empty. She sat halfway up, confused, before remembering that Duke never came home. It wasn't unusual that he stayed out all night, but it was strange he didn't tell her.
Pushing the covers back, she got up and quietly padded down the hall to Asher's room. She paused when she saw a dark shape leaning against the door of her son's room. Duke turned his head towards her, before returning his attention to Asher.
"Are you coming to bed?" She whispered.
He sighed through his nose. "Yeah." He straightened and followed her back to their room. She climbed back into bed as he took his coat and shirt off.
He sat down next to her and then laid down, pulling the covers over himself. Mallory scooted towards him, pushing her hand through the crook of his arm. He jumped.
"Oop, sorry..."she apologized. "Did I scratch you?"
"No, your hands feel like you left them in a freezer," he mumbled.
She laughed, as he smiled.
He turned over to face her and then rolled on top of her, nestling her neck with his beak. She wrapped a hand around his neck, holding him still. Wishing the moment could last.
…...
"Aw, what a cute couple..."
Mallory woke up dazed with Duke still asleep next to her, his right arm stretched out across her stomach. Looking to her right, she saw Nosedive.
"DIVE!" She yanked the covers up to her chin.
"What? You're dressed."
"Not the point, get out!"
Duke shifted, having been disturbed by her yell. He opened his eyes slowly, focusing on Mallory first, then Dive. He groaned softly, rubbing his eyes.
"Come on now, don't keep us waiting..." Nosedive thumped Mallory's pillow and dodged her wild grab for him, disappearing. She could hear him joking with Asher down the hall.
"I just want to go to sleep," she moaned, laying down again, nudging her way under Duke.
"Whose here, everyone?" his voice was clogged from half wakefulness.
"I think so," she murmured back,
He took a deep breath and let it out loudly. "Best not keep them waitin' "
"Let them wait," she tightened her hold on him.
He raised himself up to loom over her.
"Dive can't wait for his beating from ya, too much time passes an' he'll forget the reason behind it."
She smiled, her hand reaching out to feel a small medallion on a long chain hanging from Duke's neck. She rubbed her fingers over the Ͷɱ symbol. "You're right."
Duke bent down to kiss her, "like always."
…...
"It's about time," Dive was sitting at the table with Asher pestering him about another go at arm wrestling. "Nope, I'm the leading winner in this tournament..."
Mallory took the opportunity to whap him across the back of the head.
"Aaa, what was that for?"
"See?" Duke stated with a grin.
"You know what," Mallory went to stand next to Tanya at the counter.
"Oh yeah, Mal-Mal and Duke sitting in a tree-" Dive sprung out of his chair away from Duke who tried to grab him. Dive hid behind Wildwing.
"Here, we'll hold him," Canard seized Dive, holding him immobile without strain, as the younger duck tried to escape.
"No! Wing help me!"
"Will you shut up, both of you, it's too early in the morning," Despite his stern command, Wing was grinning with the rest of them. He yanked Dive away from Canard.
Mallory glanced at Tanya to see her looking a little nauseated, "are you okay?" She asked in undertone so not to make a scene.
Tanya didn't look up from the pan right away that she was cooking on. When she did, her face was somewhere between joy and not being sure. "I'm pregnant."
"You are?"
She nodded. Mallory wanted to hug her friend in congratulations, but didn't know if the others knew.
"They already know," Tanya guessed her inner dilemma.
All apprehension faded, "that's great Tanya." Mallory pulled her into a hug.
…...
Regla usually stopped by Mallory's on S'ien mornings after being up all night on Fiwen and half the day on S'cion. It was his one day to relax and veg. As he approached the porch, he saw Drebeer, dressed head to toe in his ever present black garb.
"Don't you ever wear any other colors?" He asked once close enough.
"Don't you ever not come around?" Drebeer snipped at him.
"No, because I love infuriating you."
"The same could be said for you then mate."
Regla shook his head and squeezed past in the minimal room as the black duck was leaning in the doorframe of the front door. "You're excused."
Drebeer blew a lungful of smoke out from a rolled up tube, the smoke whacked Regla in the face.
"That better not be-"
"It's not," Drebeer shut the door in his face.
Frickin criminals..." Regla grumbled to himself as he passed Jenner. "Don't you smoke whatever he's smoking or I'll kill you."
Jenner gave him a weird look, but didn't comment as he went out onto the porch with Drebeer.
Grin was pulling the table apart when he entered the kitchen doorway as Duke picked up the extension piece to set in the middle of the table.
"Have you tattled on me yet captain? Drebeer appeared by his right shoulder.
"Actually it's soon to be Commander to you Drebby."
The duck's eyes narrowed at the nickname Regla had made up long ago. However he knew enough to not try and pick a fight with Regla with Duke and Mallory in the same room; so he let it go.
"Right Reg." Drebeer entered the kitchen.
Regla snorted to himself. The name Duke had coined from his name didn't bother him as much as it used to. Duck's grasping at straws.
…...
Eating went without incident with the exception of Drebeer and Regla shooting each other looks from across the table every once in a while. It stopped when Asher noticed.
Afterwards Tanya and Mallory kicked everyone out to clean up, except Asher and Fledge who both offered to help.
…...
Later
Dive was yelling at the tv as the local hockey team missed an obvious shot into the opposing goalie's net.
"This blows!" He stood up and went into the kitchen, leaving the older adults to laugh and snicker at him.
"It's only a game Dive, don't blow a gasket," Canard called after him. "You're teaching Asher bad habits."
Dive mouthed Canard's remark and washed his bowl. Glancing up, he saw a figure standing in the yard, their pose frozen with their face pointed to his.
The surprise was enough to make him jump and dive to catch the bowl he had dropped. He managed to grab it before it hit the floor. When he stood up again, the figure was gone. He went to the back door and jerked it open, stepping out on the back porch. No one was in the yard, but he got a hair raising feeling like he was being watched.
His old training from the Pond in Anaheim Ca came bouncing back in his mind as he slowly backed back into the house, keeping an eye on his surroundings. He locked the door and then released the deadbolt for precautions.
…...
That Night
Asher jerked awake, unsure of what woke him up. Sitting up, he ran his hand through his hair and froze. Someone was in his room, standing on the other side of Fledge who was asleep. At first he thought it was his dad, but then quickly realized it wasn't.
He sprang out of his bed, making a beeline to the door, he didn't want to leave Fledge, but knew the kid could take care of himself.
A strong hand grabbed him by the back of the neck and shoved him up against the door. He whimpered, "N-"
"Shh," the figure hissed in his ear. "Don't wake young Fledger over there."
There was a moment of silence as Asher heard the duck breathing in close to his head. The duck laughed softly, "by damn, you smell like him. And you look like him too."
His parents were only down the hall, it wouldn't take much to alert them. Quivering, Asher took in enough air to yell.
"DA-!"
The stranger gave a grunt of fury and rammed his elbow into Asher's neck, the force stunned him enough for the duck to continue his attack to Asher's exposed throat. He coughed as his throat flared in pain.
Suddenly, the stranger was jerked backwards, away from Asher as Fledge jumped him. The white duck tightened his head-lock around the stranger's neck, driving him to the floor. Despite the sheer difference in size, Fledge's training from the Brotherhood matched that of the intruder's. The enraged duck slung Fledge off him, Asher watched his friend land on his bed, and slide off as the figure dove through the window Asher hadn't realized was open.
"Are you okay?" Fledge was back on his feet in an instant.
Asher didn't answer.
"Ash, answer me."
Still he didn't.
Fledge stood and went for the door, "I'll go get your-"
No-" Asher's voice was hoarse from the elbow jab he received to his throat. "Don't tell them." Appearing almost lost, he went back to his bed and laid down, facing away from Fledge.
Fledge watched him for a moment and then went to his own bed.
…...
Next morning
Mallory became a little worried when Asher didn't appear with Fledge for school. "Where's Asher?"
"He feels sick, he wants to stay-home."
"He does?" She glanced at the hallway.
Yeah." He grabbed his bag and looked at her like he wanted to say more, but left.
Around eight, she went upstairs to check on Asher. He was fully dressed under his blankets, wearing a sweatshirt, the hood covering his neck. Dark circles underlined his eyes.
She sat down carefully next to him, smoothing his hair out that was stuck up. In doing so, she saw something dark on Asher's neck. She pulled his hood back and saw dark finger-like bruises on his neck.
"What-?"
She continued her study of him, turning him over carefully; he had another ugly bruise on his jugular.
"Asher..." she shook him, "Asher!"
He woke up slowly.
"What happened to your neck?"
"My neck?" His voice was messed up...like he had a sore throat. "I don't know-"
Mallory's immediate thoughts went to Fledger. The kid was Asher's friend and he seemed okay, but Mallory didn't know him that well. She had relied on Duke's good judgement to bringing a Blade kid into the house.
"Did Fledger do this?"
"Fledge? no..." he was becoming rapidly awake.
"Then what happened?" She demanded.
"N-nothing."
She felt increased annoyance. "Asher Duke L'orange, if you don't give me an answer right now-"
He swallowed and grimaced at the pain and still said nothing. She saw the stubbornness shining through, there was something else...fear, Mallory thought, it's fear.
"What are you afraid of?" She whispered, cupping his face.
He still remained silent.
…...
She forced him to come to work with her so he wouldn't be alone. The guard at the checkpoint glanced at her pass and then stopped him. "Who is this?"
"My son. He's spending the day with me."
"He has ID?"
"He's twelve, he doesn't need an ID until he's thirteen. Come on Asher." She took him by the arm and led him away.
…...
She surveyed him as he laid with his head on a small table behind her. He clearly hadn't slept at all during the night.
"Is that your son?" Denisa appeared at Mallory's desk. Mallory sighed.
"Yes, this is my son."
"He's cute."
"Do you have a point?" Mallory interrupted.
Denisa drew closer to Asher, studying him. "He looks just like him."
"Like who?" Mallory snapped.
"L'orange, Duke... isn't it? The legendary thief who terrorized Puckworld."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh," Denisa moaned excitedly. "Don't give me that, Everyone knows you're with him. The dashing criminal...or ex."
Mallory said nothing. Then it hit her, "you're a Blade member-aren't you?"
Denisa's face became still, "maybe," her voice was clipped.
"How is that-?"
Denisa leaned forward quickly, her hands hitting Mallory's desk with a resounding bang. "We are everywhere McMallard...how naïve, how stupid of you, to think we were some pitiful regime." She glanced behind Mallory to Asher who was still asleep. "No matter how hard you try, he'll be a Blade member someday."
"No, he won't," Mallory enunciated carefully. "I don't know where any of you got the idea that you can make decisions for him, but he's my son-"
"No-" Denisa laughed, "-that's where you're wrong...he's an unofficial Blade member, courtesy of Duke, and so yes, we can decisions for him and we will keep making decisions for him."
Mallory stood up so she was eye to eye with the female. "Who is your leader?"
Denisa arched her eyebrows, "why?"
"I want to know, now."
Denisa straightened, smirking. "A Brotherhood Blade member never tells." She left.
…...
Ravyna adjusted her glasses and scarf before leaving the house. She had a strict time period in which she could shop for groceries. Half of her hoped she'd run into Mallory again, the other half dreaded the reunion.
She felt dirty and alien as she stepped into the store. Trying to hurry, she turned down an aisle and hit shoulders with someone tall.
The jarring impact made her drop the basket she was holding, scattering canned foods with an embarrassing clang.
"Sorry," she said quickly, her face hotter than fire.
"It's okay," the figure bent down to help her pick up the rolling cans.
She threw a quick glance his way and froze for half a second. The figure was a male duck with pale ivory feathers and silver shoulder length hair. He held the last can out to her. She took it shakily.
"Thank you," she whispered.
He inclined his head, his eyes, a deep crystalline blue, never leaving her face. "Your welcome." He stood and left.
She watched him go, puzzled by her reaction to him. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in a very long time.
Realizing she was wasting time, she turned back to her shopping.
…...
Tanya carefully turned Asher's head, studying his wounded neck and throat. "Asher you need to tell us what happened."
"Nothing happened," he responded, his words broken up and hoarse by the injury.
"He says Fledge didn't do this," Mallory was pacing.
Tanya glanced at her, "I doubt he did, that kid is a good kid. He wouldn't do something like this."
There was a knock at the door at which Tanya called, 'come in.' Jenner appeared. In the last 13 years, he had developed a close relationship with Tanya since she had been the one who 'freed' him from an evil tyrant who had held him captive for much of his childhood. Unbeknownst to him, he had been a walking video camera for the tyrant until Tanya removed the camera lens from his eyes.
"Hi," he closed the door behind him quietly and slowly came forward.
His watchful gaze took in Asher and Tanya observing his neck. Mallory watched him as his expression grew more concerned and finally, open with quiet realization.
"What?" Mallory asked, jumping immediately on his expressions.
His eyes flickered to her before settling on Asher. "How did you get those?"
"He's not saying," Tanya murmured.
Jenner stared into Asher's eyes, before taking a breath. "It was a Blade member."
Asher gave a start, "no-shut u-!" He lost his voice halfway through his exclamation
"What?" Mallory and Tanya said in unison.
"I recognize the style," Jenner came closer and pointed towards the finger bruises marred by a round bruise located just to the right of Asher's first few vertebras. "They use that technique to stun."
Mallory was no longer staring at Jenner, her eyes were on Asher who was looking like he wanted to melt through the seat into oblivion.
"Is this true?" She hissed.
Asher didn't answer.
"Asher!" Her voice came out like a whip cracking. He jumped.
Finally he nodded carefully.
Mallory turned and grabbed her coat. "You-" she pointed to Jenner, "you're coming with me now."
"Where are you going?" Tanya stood up quickly.
"The Brotherhood," Mallory jerked the front door open.
…...
"There's no way you'll get in," Jenner muttered as they walked.
"I want to know the leader's name," Mallory commanded.
He wouldn't look at her, "he's not what you think, he's with you and Duke..."
"I don't give a shit, I'm going to tell him how it is and he is going to keep his band of mavericks away from Asher or I'll start blowing each of them to Timbuktu."
"Timbuk-what?" Jenner asked.
"Forget it."
Jenner paused at a old decrepit wooden gate that shielded an alley between two large abandoned warehouses. In her rage, she hadn't paid attention to her surroundings and thus, didn't know where she was.
"I'm going to get into so much trouble for this," Jenner gazed at the gate apprehensively.
"Tell me Jenner," She faced him, "who are you more afraid of? Me or them?"
He stared at her for a moment, "them."
She rolled her eyes, annoyed, "wrong answer," she responded.
"I have to blindfold you..."
"No," she kicked the door open and strode in. Jenner could only follow her, fear evident on his face.
…...
The Brotherhood of the Blade
Women scantily dressed, lounged along the walls of the two warehouses, their pimps wearing precious gaudy jewelry. Mallory had a moment of misgivings, wondering if she really wanted to be here. This was Duke's world, a world he had kept secret from her because she really never wanted to know. It was his life and they weren't married, so she had no right to demand such knowledge from him.
All the ducks watched her and Jenner as they descended further. Coming to a door, Jenner pressed a numeric code into the keypad and opened the door.
"No turning back," he said.
She took her first step and disappeared inside.
…...
"Ches!"
Longtale's door banged open, a duck out of breath leaned on it.
"What?"
"The kid who lives with Drebeer-Jenner or whatever...(gasp) he's bringing a non-member to you sir...(gasp)."
Ches closed the book he had in his hand. "Are they here?"
The duck still gasping, leaned out into the hall and gave a start. "Yes sir."
"Send them in."
The duck froze. "What? But she's a non-member sir..."
"Never mind that, I have a feeling I know who would have the balls to enter this place. Send them in."
…...
Jenner ignored the hyperventilating duck and led Mallory into the Ches's office. Mallory glanced at the duck leaning on the door and then turned her attention to who she thought was the puppeteer behind all of her problems.
She paused in studying Ches Longtale.
The tall duck stood from his desk, his movements very calm and graceful. The shadows of the office didn't allow her to see much else about him other then his shoulder-length hair seemed to glow.
"Jenner, you may go...make sure Denny drinks so he doesn't collapse."
Jenner nodded and left, towing the still hyperventilating duck out of the room and shutting the door.
Ches returned his eyes to Mallory's face. "My name is Ches Longtale..." He paused. "So you are Duke L'orange's mate?"
She didn't answer as he half circled her.
"Please, have a seat," he gestured to the chair in front of his desk.
"I'd rather stand," she replied.
Something about her response made him smile. She didn't appreciate being laughed at.
"What's so funny?" She demanded.
"Forgive me, I wasn't laughing at you. It's just you and Duke are so similar. Very well, what is your concern for me?"
Mallory shifted her weight and face him. "My son, you most likely know him as Asher Duke L'orange Junior."
"Yes," Ches nodded once. "Duke and I have talked about him several times."
"Well, if you're as well informed as you seem, would you be able to tell me that you had anyone here accounted for last night?"
He tilted his head, "no, the Brotherhood is too large in population for roll call...why do you ask?"
"Because someone broke into my house last night and attacked Asher. He has bruising so bad to his neck and throat that he can barely talk. I'm here to tell you the first person I catch in my house again, since this seems to be an ongoing problem, I'll kill them."
"You think a member attacked him?" Ches's voice was no longer light. It was low and almost menacing.
"Jenner said he recognized the style of attack, so yeah I do, sue me."
His eyes twitched, as he became quiet.
"I want you to know, I hold you just as much responsible as the one that did the attack," Mallory continued.
He met eyes with her again. "I understand. And I want you to know, that I don't stand for something like this. I've told everyone many times now to leave you and Asher alone. Apparently I need to use more force behind that wish."
That wasn't the response Mallory had expected. She had expected him to barrage her with words of like, 'how dare you...' and etc. Jenner's words came back to her. "he's not what you think, he's with you and Duke..."
Ches Longtale wasn't what she thought. He reminded her of an older Duke; calm, quiet and laid back, but ready to strike when needed.
"Thank you," she muttered awkwardly.
"Your welcome..." he studied her with renewed interest.
…...
Mallory walked out of the office almost a daze. Jenner was waiting for her. "What did he say?"
"He said he'd take care of it." She began to walk without his guidance.
Jenner noticed a figure at the end of the hall halt in their rounding of a corner, staring at them. "Mal?"
Duke came towards them.
"Uh-oh," Jenner uttered.
"What are you doing here?" Duke demanded, not angry, more of just concerned.
"She came to meet with me," Ches appeared with an older grizzled duck. "We had a interest that needs to be addressed about your child. I want you Duke to stay out of it. I'll take care of it."
"What are you talking about?" Duke asked, bewildered.
"He doesn't know," Mallory murmured.
"-Know what?"
"Someone from the Brotherhood broke into your house last night and apparently attacked Asher," Ches explained carefully.
"What?" Duke turned to Mallory.
"I only found out an hour ago, he wouldn't tell me what was wrong," Mallory stated quickly.
"This is getting f***ing ridiculous," Duke breathed, putting his hands on his hips and restlessly pacing. "When you find them, I want to know who it is."
"I can't guarantee I'll tell you, you're emotionally-compromised Duke, it's a bad mix," Ches pulled his hair back into a messy bun. "I can promise you, it'll be taken care of." He left them.
…...
"Why is it such a big deal?" Timberr asked once they were far enough away.
"Because Glydar, it is," Ches's tone was sharp. He finally paused for a moment, appearing slightly unnerved.
"Ches?" Timberr halted a few steps ahead of him when he realized the ivory colored duck wasn't next to him.
"Timberr, you've been my friend for a number of years...and its going to be hard for you to understand this-"
Timberr waited, silent and unsure of what he was about to hear.
"-But I owe it to my grandson."