Chapter 33
- Remember That It Is He Who Calls the Tune
4:30, Day 2
It had been around half an hour since the attack at the tower. Somehow, four of the prisoners involved managed to find each other. However, nobeast had said a word beyond initial greetings. It was uncomfortably silent. Given who was in this new group, he expected somebeast to be speaking up and laying out a plan to get revenge or something, but no. Durkfor Ventultro looked expectantly at the other three only to be met with nothing.
At best, Ahlrath Palaechia curtly responded to anything Durkfor asked him. He was moving around a lot, gazing into the woods anxiously. The mountain hare was covered in claw wounds and bruises, and Durkfor felt he knew who caused them.
Strangely, he didn't feel any anger.
Durkfor turned to the other two prisoners. If there were anything he could say about Ahlrath, it would be something like, "At least he's alert". Ever since they decided to rest, Art Swiftpaw and Kallius Placent were largely despondent. It wasn't hard to figure out why.
Shouldn't he be more shaken up by this? Art had just tortured him, Farshawn Iriswind was likely in danger, and he watched his best friend try to kill everyone.
… I've never seen him like that.
Durkfor shivered as the sound of Borsen snarling like a feral animal resurfaced in his head. All he could think about was how desperate Borsen was to get to the other prisoners. No, desperate wasn't enough to describe it. It was a ravenous bloodlust, one that Durkfor never thought Borsen would ever-
The hare shook his head. No, what's wrong wit' ya? Now's not the time t'focus on him. Yer friends are right there.
Then again, was Art really his friend at this point? He just threatened to let him bleed to death. Nah, Art wouldn't've let me die. He's not evil.
Durkfor paused. He let out a guilty chuckle and looked up at the other three prisoners. "Is everyone alright?"
"Nae," Ahlrath immediately snapped. "Where's Toran? He should be here by now."
Durkfor looked around. The small otter was nowhere to be found. "He's still hidin', I think," Durkfor mumbled. If something did happen to Toran, they would've heard something, right?
"Maybe." Ahlrath folded his arms, growling quietly as they brushed against the slashes on his chest. "Ah dinnae like this."
Durkfor shuffled awkwardly in his seat. He turned to the other two and asked once again, "What about youse?"
Art quivered as he nodded. Kallius glanced up at Durkfor in acknowledgement but didn't say anything.
Durkfor let out a sigh. "Look, I know the situation is bad-"
"Damn right it is," Ahlrath said.
"- But we can't just give up, can we? 'Tis not all bad, we're still alive. We can do this."
Immediately, Durkfor was met with a look of scorn from the other prisoners, even Kallius. The hare's ears drooped with shame as Ahlrath shook his head. "Aye right. We're doin' just fine," he said dryly.
"Do something to help Farshawn, then. You out of everybeast have the most power here," Kallius responded. "Besides, I have not given up, Durkfor. I just…" She trailed off, sighing tiredly and resting her face in her paws. "I'm sorry. I just need a moment."
Out of everybeast, Art seemed the most furious. "We're still alive, huh? What an astute observation you've got there, you damn moron! We have eyes, we can see that we're alive! You know who isn't? Midwyng and Farshawn in a few minutes now that the wildcat got his paws on her!"
Kallius shrunk in her seat, but Art continued. "Why the hell are you allowing Durkfor to be here right now?" He snarled at Ahlrath. The mountain hare glared sternly in response. "I thought I trusted him, but he's a damn traitor who'd rather side with Borsen and the wildcat than us! He's going to get us killed, and nobeast is doing anything about it!"
Ahlrath stepped forward. "Art, that's enough-"
"No! Also… why am I still here? I got Midwyng killed! They would still be here if I didn't drag them on a death march just to get shot and die!" Art's face contorted with remorse, but still, he didn't cry. "I knew it was dangerous, but I knew they wouldn't care. What the hell was I thinking? What is wrong with me?!" Turning to Durkfor and Ahlrath, he said, "I tortured you, and you wouldn't have had to fight Borsen if I didn't drag Durkfor off. I didn't just kill Midwyng, I hurt both of you. So why the hell are you letting me be with you guys? What the hell have I done?!"
Kallius grimaced and looked at the squirrel. "Art, it wasn't-"
"Yes it was! What the hell kind of warrior would do anything that I just did? Every goddamn thing he's done for me was a waste if I'm the result!" Kallius stood up to say something but Art aimed his sickle at her in response. "Don't move a damn muscle. All of you are better off without me."
Before anyone could convince him otherwise, Art hoisted himself up a tree and vanished from sight. They could faintly hear branches rustling overhead as the squirrel left. Kallius sat back down, exhausted. Durkfor shuffled anxiously where he stood and turned to Ahlrath. "Should we go after him?"
Ahlrath scoffed and kicked some dirt. "Dunno. Kid's prolly fine on his own fer now."
"I would not doubt that," Kallius commented, "But I do not know if he should be alone right now given his behaviour."
"Hm, ye may be right. He dinnae seem like the most uh." Ahlrath gestured vaguely to his head and continued. "But physically speakin', he's capable o' handlin' himself." Ahlrath brushed off his coat and began to walk south.
Kallius eyed the mountain hare and frowned. "Um, where are you going? You are hurt."
The mountain hare waved it off. "Eh, ah've been through worse. Dinnae worry 'bout me. Just a wee tired." Ahlrath took a few steps south, paused, and looked at Durkfor with a hint of spite. "Ye need tae control yer 'friend'. Aye?"
Durkfor shrunk back slightly and nodded. "Yup. Aye."
Kallius stood up to follow but was stopped. Ahlrath said, "Oy, can ye do me a favour and look fer Toran?"
"Why? Can you not do it yourself?"
Ahlrath tapped his footpaw against the ground a few times before stiffly replying, "Ah need tae do somethin' on my own fer a bit. Please dinnae follow me, ah dinnae want ye tae get hurt. We'll meet later."
Durkfor tilted his head. "Are ya sure ya don't want us to help?"
Ahlrath nodded. "Aye. Keep an eye out fer Toran. Stay safe, ye two." With that, he ambled away, leaving the two alone. Kallius turned slowly until she was looking at Durkfor. The hare stared at the ground in shame.
"Durkfor," the hogmaid began, "May I ask you something? I promise I will not be mad, but I need you to answer truthfully."
"Go ahead."
"Let's say, hypothetically, something happened that put both me and Borsen in danger. You can only save one beast. The other one will die. Who are you picking?"
Durkfor's mouth hung agape as he processed what she asked. "What? Obviously, I'd pick ya."
Kallius tilted her head. Obviously, hm? "Now, are you just saying that because I am asking the question?"
"No, I'm not."
Kallius nodded. "Ok then. Why? Tell me what makes me worth saving, or, more importantly, what makes Borsen less worth saving?"
Durkfor grimaced. Kallius' normally placid look hardened. He couldn't tell what she was thinking at all. "Why're ya askin' me this?"
"Just answer the question, please. What makes Borsen the worse choice?"
"I don't- c'mon… He's a murderer," Durkfor replied quietly.
Kallius' expression eventually softened. She sighed and sat down next to Durkfor. "I can tell when you are lying, Durkfor. Everybody can. I know that if it came to it, you would pick him… Even though you are very much aware of his sins."
Durkfor's ears twitched as he consciously moved them upright. "Maybe."
"'Tis okay, I do not take it personally," Kallius muttered, "I know that the two of you are close. You know, it can be frustrating at times. Do you remember the Redwall Abbey Charter? Specifically the section about forsaking unnecessary forms of violence? 'Tis weird to think that, even though we are not at Redwall Abbey, I still want to devote myself to that charter, even if it hurts me."
Durkfor nodded, waiting nervously to see where Kallius was going. "I am… scared. Even if I ignored that charter, I never felt it right to intentionally harm others, but the way things are going, it seems like we will have to do so to live. Yes, self-defence is necessary, but what Art did was not self-defence. Yet, if he did not do that, I would not be sitting here. I know it may sound stupid to you, but they are trying to take everything away from us and… I just want to hold onto what makes us different from them for as long as I can. But at a certain point, we all have to decide whether we want to stick with our morals and beliefs, or break them to keep us or those we care about alive." Kallius gave Durkfor a strange stare as she continued. "I know you love him, and I do not mind. But just remember that he is trying to kill us. Art and a few of the other prisoners may try to kill him. Given the circumstances, it is almost guaranteed that you will have to pick between the two sides with no room for compromise."
Kallius kept that empathetic gaze, but something about her tone put Durkfor on edge. "Durkfor, I beg of you, please do not side with Borsen. I hate being scared of you because I know that if it came to it, you would pick him. I know you would. Everyone knows." It worries me how much you are devoted to him, even ignoring the obvious reasons.
"You're scared of me?" Durkfor mumbled.
Kallius nodded. "You said it yourself. Borsen is a murderer. Yet, you still support him."
Durkfor grimaced as he quickly replied, "'Tis not like I want to choose. I don't want anybeast to get hurt, not even Borsen. I know what he's done, but I've known him for a while and I still care 'bout him."
Kallius looked down. "If you do not want anybeast to get hurt, why don't you do something about Farshawn? She is still in there, you know. I would get shot down if I tried to enter the tower."
"I know." Durkfor rubbed the back of his neck. "Are ya sure you'd be okay? Ahlrath's off on his own so ya'd be by yerself," he said with a guilty chuckle.
"I think I would be fine. I am not fast, but I still think that I ca-"
A rustle from behind stopped Kallius. She and Durkfor turned. Kallius' eyes widened with fear before she ran off in Toran's direction.
Durkfor's eyes grew wide. In front of him was a monster. A large, hulking mass of muscle with a ravenous growl rumbling in its throat. Its dark eyes narrowed as it watched Kallius flee, but once she was out of sight, it looked down at Durkfor.
Durkfor looked up at the beast standing in front of him. It wasn't a monster, it was Borsen Stonetail.
"Durk," Borsen said with a slight grin, "Follow me."
Tiviko Polonuk glared at the door as Borsen and Durkfor entered the tower. For God's sake, Borsen. You're proving to be a massive pain in the tail.
Borsen led Durkfor to the cot where the two of them sat down. Durkfor's eyes met Tiviko's and he gave a nervous wave.
Tiviko scoffed. "Don't give me that look, Durkfor. Borsen just wanted me to clean and bandage your wounds. You're leaving right after this."
"Can I have a moment wit' him?" Borsen asked.
Tiviko shut his eyes. "Whatever. Fine. Just don't take too long, we have a job to do."
Borsen nodded. With that, Tiviko got to work patching Durkfor up. He asked the hare to pull off his shirt and hood so he could look at Art's handiwork. Tiviko frowned as he looked at the cuts covering the hare's torso. As expected, they were eerily meticulous, especially given that Durkfor was likely struggling while the wounds were inflicted.
"Dear lord," Tiviko grumbled, "He really did spend a lot of time with that mouse. Alright Durkfor, just sit still until this is over. We don't want you to get hurt," he said sardonically. "I don't have stitches, so this won't be my best work, but beggars can't be choosers. I'm telling you not to complain."
Durkfor laughed awkwardly only to be met with a stony stare from Tiviko. "While you are here," the wildcat began, "Where did Arthur go? The last I've seen him, you were covering him until he left the field. Thank you for that, by the way. Do you know where he is?"
"No, actually," Durkfor answered.
Borsen backed that claim by saying, "I didn't see him there."
Tiviko scoffed. "Anybody else with Durkfor?"
"Kallius," Borsen answered coldly. "That's where I'm goin' after this." Durkfor looked down at the floor.
Tiviko picked up his bandages and motioned for Durkfor to raise his arms. "Make sure you actually get her this time. You are doing a good job at not killing them when you have the chance."
Borsen grinned. "Depends. How fast do ye want me to get this done?"
"No, I'm serious. I didn't think I'd need to say this, but I need you to at the very least mortally wound them. If you keep giving them chances to get back up, that is going to be bad for all of us… and I know you would like that, but I wouldn't."
Durkfor meekly asked, "Can we talk about somethin' else?"
"Why not?" Tiviko shrugged, "We probably shouldn't have been discussing this in front of a prisoner anyway, even if it's you. Then again, are you even going to do anything about it?"
Durkfor frowned. "Of course I will."
"Sure you will." Tiviko grinned. "You're doing a real good job at it." Borsen glanced at the closet, shuffling slightly in his seat.
Durkfor didn't notice and rebutted, "I've been tryin'. Why're ya actin' like this anyway?"
Tiviko snorted. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Do you want another friendly chat reminiscing about the past."
"Well…" Durkfor paused. Art's words echoed in his head.
There's someone in there! He's a damn traitor who'd rather side with Borsen and the wildcat than us!
Durkfor shook his head. Farshawn was still in here somewhere. Maybe he could buy some time to look in here. "I mean, kinda?"
"Dear lord, I was joking. Is he always like this?" Tiviko asked Borsen. The sea otter gave a smile and nodded. Tiviko rolled his eyes and looked at Durkfor's ears. They twitched slightly so he knew something was up, but he knew there was a part of Durkfor that genuinely wanted to know more about him. Unfortunately for Durkfor, he wouldn't give any of that up easily.
Durkfor glanced around the living room. Was Farshawn actually here somewhere? He knew the squirrelmaid well enough to know that she would definitely be making noise right now. A shiver of fear ran down his spine as he considered the possibility that she was already dead, but wouldn't there be a lot more blood here? She might just be unconscious.
His eyes were immediately drawn to the closet. If there was someplace to hide an adult squirrelmaid, that would be it. "So," Durkfor began as casually as he could manage, "Um, howdja get into this line o' work? I don't imagine that somethin' like this would be anybeast's first choice. It seems kinda dangerous."
Tiviko stifled a snicker. "Wow. I'll answer that after you answer my question. Are you up to something?"
"No, what makes ya think that?" Durkfor asked nervously.
Tiviko grinned. "Just a guess. Anyway, to answer your question, you could say that a ghost from centuries past told me to follow in the pawsteps of my family and become a bounty hunter."
"Really?"
"Sure. I mean, if you want to answer with a lie, I can answer with one too." The wildcat chuckled slightly, pulling away from Durkfor as he finished dressing the wound. "Alright. There, now you can go on continuing to cry alone in the woods or whatever it is that you-"
"Where is Farshawn?" Durkfor asked simply.
What little smile Tiviko had instantly vanished. Borsen turned away slightly. Tiviko sighed and answered, "Don't ask me that, I'm still mad about it. She managed to get away. I threw a dagger at her, she grabbed it, and fought back."
Durkfor's brows furrowed but he couldn't quite place what was wrong. Instead, he turned to Borsen. Although to Tiviko, Borsen's blank stare came across as apathy, Durkfor knew it for what it really was. Shame.
But it wasn't guilt, and that made Durkfor wince. "Borsen, is Farshawn still here?"
Borsen didn't move. "No."
Tiviko growled as he stood up and began to gather his belongings. The wildcat was holding his rolls of bandages when he hesitated, before passing a spare to Borsen. "Durkfor, I know what you're looking for, but unfortunately, she's not here. Squirrelmaid's as stubborn as a badger and Borsen has a fun little habit of not finishing the job."
Durkfor looked up at Borsen for confirmation. Tiviko didn't see the anger, but Durkfor did.
"Borsen," Tiviko began as he fixed his quiver, "When you're done with this, make sure Durkfor heads back to the ship."
The otter narrowed his eyes. "Aye."
Tiviko nodded and mouthed something to Borsen. Borsen nodded. Durkfor couldn't catch what the wildcat said, but it made the weight in his stomach grow even more. After that exchange, Tiviko finally left.
Borsen and Durkfor were alone. Without a third party with them, Durkfor suddenly became aware of the anxiety he was holding. His paws began to shake as he sat next to Borsen.
"I ain't bringing ye back to the ship. I don't think ye want to. Ye alright?" Borsen murmured.
Durkfor hugged his arms to his sides, heart beating like a drum as he glanced towards the closet. "No… Can I get a hug?"
Borsen agreed, wrapping his arms around the hare gingerly. Durkfor leaned into the hug, noting the dried blood on the otter's claws. "Borsen?"
"Hm?"
"... Why are ya doin' this?"
"I think ye know," Borsen answered slowly.
Durkfor looked up at Borsen's face. "Is there any way I can make ya stop?"
Borsen didn't answer, instead continuing to lean into Durkfor's body. The hare sighed, quivering as he looked at the closet. "She's in there, isn't she?"
The otter paused, and then replied, "No."
"Borsen, don't lie to me."
Borsen scowled. "I don't know." Durkfor let out a whimper, but didn't make any moves towards the closet. Borsen narrowed his eyes and said, "Don't ye hate me?"
Durkfor shrugged. "No." He stopped, looking around to see if anyone was listening in. "I mean, I hate what you're doin', but… I don't think I'll ever hate ya."
"Why?"
Durkfor gave a knowing look to the otter. "Borsen, c'mon. We trust each other. We're friends, right?"
The otter flinched. Durkfor sighed. "Borsen, what are ya gettin' outta this? From what'cha told me earlier, it sounded like revenge, but there's more to that, isn't there?"
"Why do ye want to know?" Borsen growled.
"I just wanna know if there's anythin' I can do to make ya stop! I don't want'cha to kill all o' my friends! And… I know this is terrible for me to say, because y'know what Borsen? You're awful. You're the worst beast I know an' I must be insane 'cause you make me feel this way. But I love ya too much to watch ya do this. I know that if ya keep goin' down this path, you're gonna get hurt an' die, an' there'd be nothin' I could do to help ya!"
Borsen sighed. "Durk, I don't think ye understand that-"
"That you'd enjoy it? I know ya would. C'mon Borsen, ya should've known I've picked up on that at least. That's what scares me. You're gonna kill yourself doin' this and that'd be it."
"Durk, what does it matter? Yer goin' home after this. I'm not. Ye won't even know if I die or not."
"I'd hate not knowing for sure. Borsen. Ya love me, right?"
"Aye."
"Then stop all of this, please."
Borsen let out a sigh. With his arms still wrapped around Durkfor, he pulled the hare down onto the cot. "Durk, ye know I love ye…"
Durkfor let out a yelp. In one swift movement, Durkfor's back was pressed against the cot with Borsen pinning him down, dragging a claw down the hare's chest. "… But I don't love ye that much to stop." Durkfor's eyes widened. He didn't know what it was, but something changed inside of Borsen since yesterday. The corner of the otter's mouth twitched, eyes shining with bloodlust as his claws gently brushed through the hare's fur. "I'm sorry Durk, but I'll never stop. Ye can't understand how amazing this feels. I never want this to end. Even if this kills me, it'd be the best death life coulda offered me."
Durkfor shuddered, paralysed with fear as he looked up at his friend. Borsen's face softened, but his eyes still had that gleam. "Oh, Durk, ye know I'd never hurt ye, aye?"
Durkfor nodded slowly. Borsen leaned in closer, whispering in the hare's ear. "Ye were right, Farshawn's stuffed in the closet… Don't feel bad, 'tis not yer fault, there's nothin' ye can do about it. She's mine, and she's already as good as dead."
Borsen slowly pulled away with a smile. Durkfor's eyes were wide, heart beating rapidly as, despite the otter's warmth, he felt his blood begin to freeze.
Something happened last night.
Last night, Durkfor couldn't sleep. Borsen couldn't either, apparently.
Last night…
Borsen smiled. "Love ye Durk. Fer what it's worth, I'm sorry ye had to be here. Run. I don't want ye to hear this."
Borsen got up, allowing Durkfor to scramble off the cot, grab his shirt and hood, and run to the door. The hare took one terrified glance at Borsen before fleeing the tower.
The pounding in Borsen's head was stronger than ever. A growl rumbled throughout the tower as he stood up and looked out the door. He waited until he was certain Durkfor was gone before ambling towards the closet.
"When I trudge near Dark Forest gate
Old and frail or young as morning
Will I accept death's destined fate?
Or will grief elicit yearning?
Oh, I don' mean to agitate,
But the fear grows every morning.
I'm the queen of paths mine to take
So why am I here every daybreak?
Oh, for once I wish I could make
A choice, mine alone to roam,
I'm not sure I'll find it at home.
A life I'll never lead, written in- Oh dear Martin!" Farshawn jumped and turned as the door opened.
Kallius blinked as her eyes tried to adjust to the darkness of the cellar and asked, "Farshawn? What are you doing in here? I thought you were supposed to be in the apiary today?"
Farshawn set down her fiddle and asked, "Who told you that?"
"I do not know, but I thought I heard somebeast saying that?"
"Huh." Farshawn drummed her paw against the floor before continuing. "Well, as of an hour ago, if you asked anybeast at the apiary 'who is supposed to be here', they would answer Thaddeus."
Kallius sighed. "You did it again."
"Yup."
"He is not going to like that."
Farshawn waved it off. "He'll be fine. They'll figure it out eventually."
"Will they? Because they did not last time."
Farshawn didn't answer for a moment. "Yeah… I think." She shuffled awkwardly and asked, "You didn't stop whatever you were doing to look for me, did you?"
"No. I was in the middle of taking a break when I remembered how vague you were being when you told me where you were going earlier today." Kallius pushed the door just enough to keep some light and padded over to Farshawn. "Is something going on?"
"No. Nothing new, at least," Farshawn mumbled.
Kallius sat down next to the squirrelmaid. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Farshawn looked over with a hint of a smile. "I don't know… Is this really it? Is this all we're going to do? We just work, sleep, spend time around the abbey, and that's it?"
Kallius let out a chuckle. "Well, when you shrink everything we do into 'spend time around the abbey', it can feel limiting. But tell me, are you not happy to be here?"
"Give me a break," Farshawn sneered lightheartedly, "Of course, I am. I just kind of wish I could be doing more than working around the abbey."
"'Tis the price of living here."
"I know. I'll make up for it later, I swear. I know that you've already been trying to help me with this since you started teaching me about plants and such, but I want to find something for myself, you know?"
Kallius tilted her head. "Oh? No shame in that, but what made you choose music? I thought you did not like writing."
Farshawn chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah, I know, but it surprised me. Still not the best, I just started, but I like where 'tis going so far. I guess 'tis kind of nice to just get some of it down, stuff about living here I don't like and such. Don't get me wrong, I like living here, but I don't know if I want to be here forever." Kallius looked at the ground and Farshawn couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty. She knew how much Kallius loved the abbey. "I'm not saying that I'm leaving, but… Okay, how do I put this? If it ever comes to a point where there isn't anything left for me here, I want to try to make one. Does that make sense?"
"I think so," Kallius mumbled. "However, that is not a reason to neglect your current responsibilities."
"Yeah. Sorry. I promise I'll do something about it."
"Want to do something together after I help Sister Persia restock the infirmary?"
"Alright." Farshawn stood up, pulling Kallius with her. "Do you want me to help you with that? Or are there enough paws on that already."
Kallius pondered for a moment. "I think the help would be appreciated. We are nearing the end of Autumn so anything growing outside may die soon."
"Cool. Let's go then." Farshawn padded up to the door and opened it. "After you."
"Thank you," Kallius smiled as she walked up the steps.
Farshawn followed, trailing sheepishly behind Kallius as she led her to the infirmary. "Kallius, thanks for checking up on me."
"No problem."
Farshawn's head felt like it had been split open. There was a dull, throbbing pain reverberating throughout her body. She tried to open her eyes and shut them as a bright light filled her vision. "What happened?" she pleaded in a slurred voice. "Kallius, help."
"Kallius isn't here," a voice answered.
There was a brief flicker of recognition in the fog that clouded her mind. Using what little strength she could muster, Farshawn opened her eyes and promptly began to whimper.
"Good mornin'," greeted Borsen with a smile on his face. "Happy to see me, Farshawn?"
The squirrelmaid stood up, squinting as Borsen's large frame blocked her vision. Farshawn backed away only to bump into the back of the closet. Her eyes darted around for an escape, but the only entrance was blocked by the massive otter. Farshawn's eyes welled up with tears as a realisation dawned on her.
She was going to die here. Borsen was going to kill her.
Farshawn looked up and met Borsen's gaze. The sea otter bared his teeth as his smile grew wider. "Has it set in, yet?"
She shivered where she stood, tears pouring out as she tried to keep her composure. "W-why? What are you doing this for?"
Borsen giggled, gazing at Farshawn's face before asking, "What do ye think?"
"I don't know! I haven't done anything wrong!" She exclaimed. Borsen tilted his head. Farshawn shrunk back and asked, "I didn't do anything too bad, right?"
"Not really," Borsen answered, "At least, compared to some others I knew. Aye, ye weren't a saint, but believe me, Farshawn, there're worse beasts out there, some ye don't wanna meet unless ye want to suffer."
Something inside of Farshawn began to burn. Rage bubbled up in her body as she shut her eyes. "So let me get this straight. You're not doing this to get revenge. You're not doing this for money. Heck, you don't gain anything from this whatsoever. You're telling me that you're just doing this for the sake of it? You're pathetic-"
Farshawn's footpaw brushed against something metal. Confusion fogged her mind for a moment before she realised what it was.
At that moment, she looked up at Borsen, swallowed, and took a deep breath. If she was going to die, she wanted to take something away from Borsen. She wasn't even going to bother trying to rationalise it as something heroic. She wanted him to suffer.
Borsen's paws lashed out, slamming Farshawn against the wall with a yelp as he wrapped his paws around her neck. Farshawn pawed desperately at her throat while Borsen chuckled. "Gettin' a little bold, ain'tcha? Let's see how long ye keep that up."
Farshawn's head was swimming. She bit down on Borsen's arm only for the otter to giggle in response. Farshawn let out a choked snarl. Damn freak. I won't… let you…
Farshawn's tail curled around the object, pulling it behind her back as Borsen let go. The squirrelmaid collapsed to the floor, coughing violently as air returned to her lungs. She put her paws behind her back. Borsen smiled, crouching down to Farshawn's height. "Still got somethin' to say?"
Farshawn doubled over, her breathing laboured as everything started to feel light. "How… can you live like this? You're a… You know what? You don't care, do you?" Rage beyond anything she'd ever known grew inside of her. It didn't matter anyway. If what Borsen said was true, Kallius was still alive. Farshawn wouldn't be. She needed to make sure Borsen suffered for all of this. "You know what Borsen? You're pathetic. You're just a sad, selfish, manipulative otter. I know you don't care about what I'm saying… But I know you love Durkfor, so I know there is a part of you that still somewhat cares. Let me ask you this, Borsen. Do you know how much you hurt him? Do you realise how you're destroying everything you love by doing this?!"
Borsen began to frown. Something is getting to him after all. Good. He deserves it. "Everyone heard you in the brig. Durkfor wasn't supposed to be here. Were you just going to kidnap his closest friends and vanish forever? Do you realise how much it would destroy him if everyone he loved disappeared without a trace? I know what it's like to love someone, and I've seen how Durkfor acts around you. He really loves you. He would go to the ends of the earth for you, and this is how you repay him? Are you this pathetic that you would destroy everything you have for this fantasy of yours? You're going to destroy him, and once your bloodlust burns you out from the inside, you'll be nothing! Are you insane?!"
Borsen let out a throaty snarl as he slammed Farshawn against the wall. Genuine rage dripped out of his voice as he unsheathed his claws and jammed them deep into Farshawn's belly over and over. White, blindingly hot pain shot through her body. She screamed as Borsen threw her onto the ground, ready to tear her apart like a rabid animal.
Everything was dizzy. Her body started to grow heavy. It's now or never… Kallius, I hope this helps you. I'm sorry. Groaning, she curled up as Borsen pounced on her. Farshawn looked up, one final light of defiance shining in her eyes.
Farshawn pulled out the cleaver that Tiviko had tossed and swung it at Borsen with a sickening splat. A roar shook the tower as Borsen pulled away, blood dripping onto the floor as he reached for the blade embedded in his face. Borsen blinked rapidly, and it was only then he realised that he couldn't see out of his left eye. Bloodlust pumped through his body more than ever as he glared down at Farshawn.
Farshawn was terrified. Everything moved in slow motion as Borsen descended upon her, claws and teeth wide. She wanted to go home. She didn't want to die here. There was so much more that she wanted to do.
But once everything exploded with pain when Borsen drove his claws into her, the only thing that replaced her thoughts was agony.
A leaf floated gently to the grass, unbothered by the cruelty taking place at the end of the forest. Branches rustled overhead as a figure darted from tree to tree.
Somewhere else, a beast broke down and began sobbing underneath the canopy.
By the treeline, another sat and watched the tower like a hawk.
Deep in the woods, a figure turned towards the screaming.
On the opposite end, one heard but was forced to continue their trek.
All five prisoners were forced to listen as screams permeated the cold morning air, broken occasionally by Borsen's roaring. Although it felt like it would go on forever, Borsen eventually let it stop. He let out one final howl of unbridled fury before the island faded into silence once more.
