Judy Missing.
"Sign here... and here... and here."
Nick wasn't the only one puzzled by the unexpected package being delivered. Judy wasn't around to properly sign for it and as her husband he could legally do so in her stead. His parents and the Hopps were watching as the large package was wheeled into the kitchen. Nick's eyes turned big as saucers when he noticed the special instructions on the delivery slip.
"Ummm... please move it into this room."
"Hey bub... I'm paid to deliver, not move it multiple times on a whim. I got other deliveries to do." The rhino muttered impatiently. But the fox didn't back down, instead he showed the paperwork to the delivery mammal and pointed to the delivery instructions. The rhino wasn't budging... until the police badge was presented. Begrudgingly he picked up the awkward box and put it into the shared office space the Wilde-Hopps used for working on reports. He suddenly paused and looked at a certain head trophy that was obviously done by a taxidermist. But this was no ordinary trophy.
"Hey... you some kind of wierdo?"
Nick looked up and grinned. "Now you know what happens when you upset the missus of the household. Why do you think I'm so well behaved?"
It was quite interesting seeing such a strong mammal suddenly nervous and obviously wanting to be anywhere but here. "Satisfied? Want it opened? Can I leave now, please?"
Nick handed him a generous tip and walked him to the front door. After biding and wishing the rhino to have a good day and strongly recommending the tequila special over at the local tavern, he closed the front door and returned to the office. Both sets of parents were there looking at the package.
"It's from the taxidermist in Bunny Burrow" Stu muttered. "Wonder what Jude the Dude could have him make for her?"
"I'm not certain" John said as he tapped the side of the box. "She was excited about something; a lesson someone learned the hard way. Said the mammal trespassed one too many times and thus incurred her wrath."
Nick cut open the box along the tape that sealed the ends. He reached in... and pulled out something that was carefully wrapped in bubble-wrap. There was another item equally wrapped in the box, but this one he suspected would be the only one to be opened this afternoon. Stu and Bonnie most likely would not have the stomach after seeing what was inside the wrapping. He sat it down and urged everyone to leave.
Stu was having nothing of it. "Nickolas, what is inside? As her father I have a right to know."
Nick looked at his parents; their expression clearly showed they understood what was hidden.
"Stu, you're prey and considering where this was mailed from I doubt you want to know."
The elder rabbit put his arms across his chest. "Yes, yes I do. After many months of being around you, I doubt there's anything that can surprise me."
John stifled a snicker and his wife slapped his shoulder. Bonnie by now had looked up and saw the rabbit head sitting on the shelf, a look of epiphany appeared on her face. Nick saw her give him a knowing nod which he returned. She tapped her husband's shoulder and after getting his attention she pointed towards the decapitated head. Everyone saw as the realization spread across Stu's face.
"She... she... did it again."
Nick gave the buck a gentle hug. "Yes she did. I was unaware how she arranged it; otherwise I would have sent all of you somewhere else before this arrived."
Stu was looking at the still-wrapped item, clearly recognizing it as a head. Whose head he now was curious to know, if nothing more than to know who had upset his once-gentle daughter. He made his request and Bonnie said she didn't need to know but wanted to, if nothing else than to stop her husband from being inquisitive for the next few weeks. Nick's parents sighed and helped unwrap the items.
"Abigail Canny... we meet again." Nick held the vixen's head carefully.
"Why? What's the story behind this?" Bonnie asked because by now she knew the story about the other head; it belonged to a rabbit that once threatened their lives. The rabbit had lived up in the Land of the Prophecy and was the leader of the original Servants of Truth.
"This once was the nursemaid; the one that had Marilyn and Caroline cubnapped only so she could gain control of the Outback Isles Mafia. As you are aware, those two she considers her cubs. Nobody messes with her family."
"And the other?" Stu pointed anxiously to the box, knowing another item was inside. This one had a story and he needed to know. Nick picked it out of the box and his parents helped unwrap it as they did the first.
"Catherin McKeen... we meet again." He placed the head beside the other.
Stu was agitated about something, and Nick knew what it was about. "Care to ask the question?"
Bonnie looked at her husband, her look clearly said he needed to get it off his chest.
"What did this vixen do?" Stu asked. Nick grinned.
"Back when these two" he pointed to both heads, "were having a meeting up on the Council of Elders estate everything was going good. Apparently the godfather's consort, that's this one, decided to *get the goat* of the other. To make her point when she departed the meeting she marked my forehead. Judy nearly went ballistic.We found out later she had plans to *acquire* me as an addition to her growing harem."
Stu was horrified. "So my daughter had her killed?"
Nick frowned. "No. Catherin was killed when the GSD tried to capture her husband. Her death and those of her cubs were an unfortunate side effect of the operation. I'm not certain how Judy arranged this but I suspect it was because her body was so mangled that an open casket at the funeral was not allowed."
"And the other?" Bonnie asked this one, obviously wanting to know and her demeanor suggested she knew there was a common theme.
"Mr. Big killed her. Again how Judy managed this I don't know. He said he had every intention of returning the body to her parents."
"I did." Everyone knew the voice that came from the front door. Koslov held the Arctic shrew so he could give and receive kisses from the females.
"Ms. Canny's parents were gracious about knowing the fate of their daughter, but had disowned her when she sought to follow Josephine Wintersprite and the ways of life in the Outback Isles Mafia. They refused to claim her body, thus I had it buried in a proper grave. The godmother wanted her head as retribution for staking a claim against her husband. Such has been done by others, but never by a bunny."
He asked Koslov to bring him closer to the desk where the two new trophies sat. He walked around each obviously inspecting the quality of the work. Nodding in obvious approval he got back on his friend's paws.
"We should not tarry here among the dead. I invite you all to my personal booth at the Blue Ice Palace. Dinner is on the house."
Nick knew this was one of several places the Arctic shrew owned and conducted business. He also knew the mafia boss liked Judy's parents; he also liked Nick's parents as well. Perhaps it was the *salt of the earth* good nature of these elder mammals he enjoyed being around. They didn't ask him to loan them money and they treated him graciously. Nick locked the door and everyone got into the limousine and soon were sitting in a spacious booth eating and telling stories. To Nick it was obvious the shrew was listening carefully; opportunity for new business could be gleaned from casual conversation. But the food was free and the company polite, so he relaxed and kept his own ears open for opportunities. He was a detective after all, and crime could be gleaned from casual conversation.
High Priestess Greta Daperclaw was in a foul mood. In the many centuries her order had used the Altar of the Oracle never once did it refuse to do their bidding. A priest or priestess of her order had only to touch the orb and within moments it would shift hues from bright white to a deep ultraviolet resembling purple, afterwards the remaining orbs on the pillar would change hue matching the large one. When this finished they could proceed to finalize the conversion of a new priest into their order. How it happened she wasn't certain, but somehow a priest not of her order learned of the ruins found the altar and somehow attuned itself to it. Only when she grasped her necklace and placed her paw upon the large orb did the barrier dissipate. Her minions immediately departed to track down the elusive priest but they came back empty pawed. Unfortunately it refused to continue the conversion process. She was annoyed and ordered everyone back to the monastery. This gave her time to compose herself and try to figure what happened and why the orbs refused to do her bidding. The thought creeping in her mind was not one she wanted to entertain.
The honey badger had been returned to his confinement. He was ready to begin the final conversion, but every time she attempted the ritual the orb refused to strike the mammal thus finalizing his body's conversion from an ordinary mammal into one of her order. Until she could figure out how to overcome whatever that priest did, she had no choice but to allow basic sustenance so his body would survive. Gruel would keep him alive until she could solve this dilemma; and the team of priest keeping a watchful eye would ensure he remained in the weakened state.
There was another badger in the priesthood, a female. Her mole in their upper chain reported these two had a relationship, one that could be manipulated into capturing the female. Greta grinned. This would deprive her enemy of a powerful priestess, and once converted would make her faction unstoppable. If what one honey badger did at the ancient watering hole led to centuries of control for her enemy, two badgers surely would make her faction last many millennia. She decided to keep him as he was... for now. She needed bait more than a new member.
But there still was the problem about the orb to be solved. In frustration she went to the great library and consulted the elder scholar that had helped her before. After explaining what happened he motioned her to wait at the table. Rare was it someone could do this and live, but he had proven to get what she needed. Thirty minutes later he returned with an assistant who carried several large books. These were spread across the entire table and each opened to specific pages marked with a silken strip of cloth.
"High Priestess... you are not going to like what I and my assistants found. But the unpleasant news must be heard; afterwards you can begin the search."
He could tell she was impatient so he pointed to the book nearest her; as he spoke he turned page after page and pointed to one picture after another. "The necklace you have is one that can do many things, but there is only one that can do more. The one you wear once belonged to a teacher or perhaps the assistant of the Headmaster; allowing the wearer to perform duties from maintenance of the arcane items to reversing spells gone wrong, mostly caused by the students. This is why you were able to operate the Altar of the Oracle; it is an item of arcane power thus under the influence of your necklace. The books say due to possibility of several priests attempting to use the altar at same time or shortly thereafter, a pause was placed on its operation. The barrier is a self-defense mechanism and therefore separate from the general operation. This would explain why it refused to continue the conversion process."
Greta thought for a moment, it was obvious the elder scholar was letting her process what he just told her. "Why am I able to contact priests not of my order? If this necklace is merely a lowly scribe's necklace..."
He interrupted her. "You are missing my point, high priestess. All priests operate on the ethereal level which is why you can find other priest not of your order. Remember: the wearer had to correct mistakes made by students. This means he or she had to be quite powerful in order to do so. I told you it might also have belonged to a teacher; such would have had the ability. Why we found only a limited few is unknown. Considering our ancestors killed the entire Order we should have many, especially since we came back after being routed that ancient battle. It is evident the other priests failed to collect all the necklaces before they departed many eons ago."
Greta facial expression showed an epiphany. "So it is obvious this necklace is not the appropriate one I should be wearing. I sense you have more to tell. Speak to me about this Headmaster."
He closed the book and his assistant picked it up then placed it on far end of the table, moving another in front of her. The elder scholar pointed to a paragraph and began. "The Headmaster was the supreme authority in this library; before the ancient war, before the destruction of the Oracle Council and before we moved all its books to our homeland. He or she was entrusted with overseeing all education and if need be continuing education of the Oracle priesthood. As such the Headmaster had a library of his own and regalia of his own. Here is what you need to know: the Headmaster had possession of a necklace and tiara that combined gave him more control of the arcane that even the High Priest or Priestess. This came at a cost; simplest of mistakes could kill or destroy, whereas all other priests a mistake would simply cause minor injury or damage to happen."
Greta was deep in thought, obviously intrigued. "Why has no one talked about this Headmaster before?"
The elder scholar gently smiled. "Because his study was never discovered. Our ancestors searched in vain and ever since our scholars continue the search to this day. Ancient notes were found scattered about the ancient library grounds, obviously a rarity today; these have been carefully preserved and by examining these we have pieced together the correct version of many spells. Only very few hinted at more powerful ones. We think most of these were never allowed to be written down; either that or they were gathered up and destroyed. Thankfully a few students were crafty enough to hide their discarded mistakes; otherwise we would be clueless as to why these priests were more powerful than all others, possibly combined."
Greta was now thoroughly pleased. She gently clapped her paws together. "Well done, Geoffrey! Well done indeed. Piece together as much information about this headmaster. Perhaps this necklace will allow me to locate this study, if it is as attuned to the arcane as you suggest. It must also be a key to the entrance. When you are completed I will begin the search."
She left for her personal quarters whistling a happy tune. Meanwhile the elder scholar and his assistant gathered up the books and returned them.
Geoffrey could tell his assistant was very tired, more than normal, and he knew why. Years of study and suffering the same exhaustion every time he was around these priests told him they were not normal. Ever since this priestess discovered that necklace she was able to grow her number of priests into the higher levels. This soon led to more of his minions and fellow scholars becoming exhausted. It would have continued with him if he had not discovered the secret of the necklace he was just talking about... and the one hanging from his neck. After consulting the manuscripts and many hours of study he discovered his once belonged to the Headmaster's assistant. While he didn't have the skills to properly use it, the manuscripts did say it afforded him basic protections against misuse of the arcane. Especially a student's mischievous pranks.
He also discovered something troubling about the Dark Priesthood: they were no longer normal flesh and blood. Whatever they were they no longer needed to eat, which explained the exhaustion others felt around them. He suspected somehow they were able to drain what they needed from normal living things. Simple observation told him this, and now reinforced by his assistant's nearly collapsing on the floor. He once tried talking about this with one of his fellow scholars, but the outright disbelief quickly convinced him to shut his mouth and not say another word about his theories. He would continue his studies and writing his observations; hiding them so no other mammal could accidentally stumble upon them. His theories about the dark priesthood being abominations could get him killed.
When all books were stowed to their normally assigned shelf, he gave his assistant the afternoon off. He led the rabbit to his personal quarters and fed him a soup that over an hour would restore his energy. This came from an ancient medical manuscript he found buried in a very remote part of the library; apparently never touched since being placed there eons ago. It was also in this pile of undisturbed books that he first read a theory about these priests. An ancient scholar theorized all mammals belonging to the dark priesthood somehow changed physical form. This was in an ancient diary; in it the author wrote about what he observed, how he and others that served these priests always were exhausted after being around them, and how any mammal that visited these priests soon felt as he did.
As Geoffrey spent his free time going through these ancient books he found one with a hidden compartment; the pages were glued together and a compartment cut inside. Here was the necklace that he now wore; no other paperwork was around to tell what it was for. It was luck that after much study he discovered its purpose and to whom it once belonged. Something in back of his mind told him to keep it secret; one day it would be a key to fulfill an ancient prophecy.
When he first discovered this necklace and the reprieve it gave him against the priesthood, he considered using it to advance his way to becoming Head Librarian. But something in the back of his mind convinced him to remain where he was. The Head Librarian was required to attend meetings with the priesthood regularly. Every time the elder codger returned he was visibly weaken. Once he divulged to this younger scholar that before entering the sanctum it was a requirement to remove his robes so no weapons were seen, obviously he would be allowed to put it back on afterwards. No... it was a safe bet his necklace would be confiscated, thus removing the only thing that allowed him relief from whatever monsters those priests had become.
Priestess Hilda der Fuchs was pleased at the progress her two subordinates were making. The first troublesome spell finally was mastered, and they could cast it in as minimal time as the ancient oracles could. They were now learning counter-spells, basic attack spells, and basic defense spells. Sure there were mistakes, but these were becoming fewer as they practiced and gleaned the subtleties between the different spells. Soon they would be ready to learn how to do arcane spells; these would be very different from those nature-based spells they once relied on, and more deadly. These were meant to be used against undead as well as those that only could be described as living on energy than food sources. The moon had assured her the Dark Priesthood had very little in common to their once-living bodies, having sacrificed it to gain power and the ability to project bolts more dangerous than modern weapons .
When she wasn't teaching Paulina and Clara, she was in the archives searching the ancient database for the last known locations the Oracle Council once operated from. She was surprised how little both priest factions knew, but there were a few files that resisted opening. High Priestess Ishanah and High Priest Aaron assured her these resisted their attempts and thus must be tied to a master password only available from the Oracle Council. She would have to figure how to find the Oracle Archives and obtain it. Obviously since the senior-most members were killed in the ancient war, hopefully one of their members thought to hide it in written form in a well-hidden place. Obviously since these files were still locked, the hiding place was indeed well-concealed.
Hilda had asked the moon a few times, but it said her subordinates needed to hone their skills further before they would be able to handle what was concealed. To say the elder vixen was frustrated would be an understatement. Although she was impatient she knew the dangers of handing a skill to someone who was not experienced enough to properly handle it. Thus she stopped asking and concentrated on her teaching. She only hoped she had time to get her subordinates up to her skill level; the way things were slipping into chaos she feared she would not have enough time.
Nick was typing his report that was due shortly, wishing Judy was here because he could find a way to get her type it quickly as he dictated. His thoughts were making his mind and fingers make many mistakes. It was a nice touch the commissioner did: publicly apologizing for the mix-up regarding the upper chain of command's handling news about his cubs. He wasn't certain who he was angrier towards: the withholding news about his young, or the mammal that purposely misled his superiors. Now that he thought about it made sense; his nemesis, that group of misguided mammals that had zeal about ending any relationship they considered an abomination, certainly had influence beyond anything he imagined. Then there were the actions of the godmother herself; Josephine Wintersprite certainly hid them from not only himself but her plans were more than simply entrapping him again.
Chief Bogo... at least the buffalo didn't try to pull the wool over his eyes. The buffalo looked him straight in the eyes and said things plain. This bumped the fox's opinion of the buffalo up many notches, probably the singular most reason he didn't walk out the room immediately after tossing his badge onto the desk. It probably was the unconscious reason why he let the commissioner make the public apology. Nick grinned; the bear let him keep the badge and stay working with the detectives. A small part of him truly wanted the bear to grovel asking for his forgiveness. But Detective Markle showed him a zmail and swore him to secrecy. Upper chain was doing a formal review of Judy's service record and Bogo's reasons for giving him this badge. If things went the way his superior thought, both Judy and he would earn a promotion sooner than they were eligible.
Knowing this secret probably was the reason why he was making the effort to actually do his own reports instead of delegating it to his bunny.
Aching in his heart returned. Dammit. He was back on duty because sitting home alone was driving him up the wall and he had several reports waiting to be filed before he and Judy were unexpectedly summoned to assist Team Bravo down in Vulpinstan. Before this they had just returned to work from their vacation, the one they used to kill two birds with one stone. The imperial jewelry set finally was properly transferred into Judy's name and they helped Team Bravo get into the government facilities. When they were sent again to help Team Bravo, he was grateful his parents took his daughters on such short notice and surprised their maternal grandparents invited them to stay with them for as long as they wished. Now this was proving helpful. He wished they would stay long enough and Judy would be returned before they came home. Last thing he needed was to care for two young vixens that would be highly emotional at the disappearance of their step-mother.
He found himself grinning unexpectedly. Marilyn and Caroline were remarkably resilient. In their short lives they survived the deaths of their litter, death of their mother, and death of their nanny. He was pretty certain they had all but forgotten their nanny, one known as Abigail Canny. The Arctic vixen had cubnapped them and nearly stolen their rightful inheritance. Nick chuckled; Mr. Big declared himself their godfather and thus responsible for training them in the proper etiquette of how to be a mafia boss. How such a small mammal would control two rambunctious youngsters was going to be something he wanted to see. Maybe spending time at the Hopps farm among all those small bunnies might be the key.
He also needed to keep them out of study room; the nursemaid's head was in on a shelf. Last thing he wanted was for them to notice it; it would most likely traumatize them. Then again there was a growing collection. Maybe someone should remind the bunny this was a home not a morgue.
Marilyn and Caroline were enjoying talking with their bunny cousins via Furtime. By now they were old enough to understand they physically were not actual relatives, but it didn't matter. It was the huge amount of playmates they enjoyed and whenever their parents took them on the regular visits to Bunny Burrow; it was running through the fields with numerous bunnies they loved. By now they were old enough to understand they were step-sisters; they had same mother but different fathers. This didn't matter at least not as far as they were concerned. Judy expressed love and endured as the vixens rubbed their muzzles against hers, obviously expressing their affection as well as learning how to mark family members. Jackie was teaching them many things they needed to learn, things best taught by a vixen. Audrey and Vickey were teaching as well thus the vixens were getting a well-rounded education on what it means to be a fox.
Opal was seen briefly onscreen as the elder doe informed the roomful of bunnies that lunch was ready and asked them if they wanted it brought inside. She waved hello to the vixens and inquired how they were doing, also letting them know Gideon asked what they wanted to eat on their next visit to the farm. The vixens gave their usual request; macaroni and cheese. The elder doe chuckled; ever since these young foxes developed a craving for this cheese and pasta mixture many of their own young bunnies developed it as well. Opal had learned how to add certain vegetables to ensure her youngsters were getting proper nutrition; as for the vixens the baker-fox added ham.
"How is your mom doing? Is she coming here next weekend? Are you coming here too?" Charlotte asked.
"Mom and Dad are back with Great Auntie Margret. Gramdma Jackie says we'll be with Grandma Kimberly for awhile, didn't say how long."
"Oh... she's your other grandma, right? How many grandmas do you have?" Petunia asked as she nudged her way to the monitor's screen.
The vixens were counting on their paws and fingers. "There's Grandma Jackie and her mother Grandma Vickey. There's Grandma Audrey who is Grampa John's mom. There's Grandma Kimberly who is... who was... who..."
There was silence from both vixens for an uncomfortably long time. This was not lost on the bunnies gathered around the computer. Many ears lowered in sympathy with what was left unsaid. None of them lost a parent; those that were old enough to remember thought back to when Aunt Judy was abducted by that insane rabbit. The wounds on her convinced them they nearly lost her. Aunt Jenny had taken many pictures; even the most casual glance told what she went through if not highly suggested.
"Your mother's mom." Gina said as she placed a small paw on the screen which was quickly followed by many small paws. While they couldn't see it, the vixens smiled as the unity of these paws made it clear they were not alone. Bunnies are so emotional, and they also made for the best of friends that stood next to you when the going got tough.
"Don't forget our grandmas... they think of you as their own! But your ears are kinda small and your tails a bit too long. But I'll take your long tail any day!" Alice drew her paw away and just as quickly the others followed suit. What they saw onscreen made every bunny sigh; both vixens had a look of complete gratefulness across their faces.
"Thanks guys... Grandma Opal does have a certain appeal, doesn't she?"
Now the room was filled with chatter as the bunnies said something they liked about the elder doe. What they didn't see was three elder does' looking through a partially opened door. Bonnie, Opal, and Elzabeth had come down here to round them up and get them to the lunch table. They paused soon as they heard Gina's comment and saw the others join her in placing their paws on the screen. Now as they listened to the many complements given to the Elder of the Burrow, all three had butterflies in their stomach. They let this go on for another few minutes, and then watched as the vixens ended the session obviously upbeat and very happy. They entered the room and herded the large group of bunnies to the lunchroom dedicated for them. Teenage does helped their elders put the small bunnies into chairs and adjusted these so small paws could reach their plates and bowls. Macaroni and cheese was the main course and various juices poured into small cups as each bunny wanted.
Soon small bellies were full and bunnies carried to the nap room where they were carefully placed close to each other. Combined body heat would keep all of them sleeping until nap time was scheduled to be over. Teenage does watched over these as training and preparatory for when they would become parents themselves. A mother or two and sometimes one of the elder s would keep the teenagers company. Questions would be answered and dating stories swapped as the room was filled with the sound of many small bodies sleeping.
The session ended and the sisters went to wash their paws before lunch. Kimberly Wintersprite loved having them around; she enjoyed the thrill of stepping back into the role of being a mother again. The elder vixen had different ways of doing things, but the other grandparents John and Jackie Wilde were obviously teaching these youngsters what it meant to be a fox. This was a comfort because sometimes she worried about these grandcubs; it wasn't wrong to be good friends with prey, but she wondered if they were also being taught how to handle the discrimination they would experience everyday once they got out in the real world.
Kimberly watched her youngest daughter Kathrin help the young vixens get seated at the table. Kathrin was home from college and had stories about her membership in the private eye club called Empress Choice. The elder vixen wasn't certain such things were proper for a young vixen to be involved with, but the other members had once visited the farm and they were all females. This comforted the elder fox, but these were dangerous times for any female to be out in public without proper male escort. As many times as her daughter poo-poo'ed the outdated notion, her mother still worried.
Like what was scheduled for this afternoon.
Gary and Wendy Dennison were coming to visit. These were Red Foxes and parents of Caroline's father that once was the bodyguard of Josephine Wintersprite. They had an informal agreement that anytime the two young vixens came for a visit they would be allowed to visit as well. The Dennisons' had spent many weeks here when the nursemaid originally brought the youngsters after their mother was killed. Now they wanted more time with their granddaughter. Kimberly hoped they would also allow Marilyn to go along; the two sisters were close and since Nick's elders accepted both equally and without reservation she hoped these would as well.
When the vehicle stopped and the guests exited, her fears were averted when Wendy eagerly hugged both vixens, and placed her maternal mark offset from hers.
"There's a subtle mark I'm barely noticing. Not rabbit, those are on top. It appears... noble, elder." Wendy took another deep sniff from each vixen.
"That would be Nick's great-aunt, Margret Rorschach. As you can tell, our vixens have quite the fan club."
Wendy's ears perked up. "Rorschach... as in the baron in Vulpinstan?"
"The one and only. She has standing visitation for these youngsters to come anytime. Obviously with proper arrangements, of course. I'm certain it extends to your family; perhaps when Nickolas goes back there both of us will tag along."
Kimberly coughed softly. Wendy returned a subtle confused look and the elder vixen smiled brightly. "Caroline knows you are her paternal grandmother. Therefore your mark should be properly placed. Marilyn knows as well, so placing yours on a different cheek will not offend her."
The Wintersprite family suppressed their reaction until Wendy put her mark on each vixen and held both firmly in her paws. Caroline held her grandmother longer than Marilyn, who stepped back and let herself be held in her other grandmother's paws. When the grandmothers released the vixens everyone took a stroll around the courtyard. Wendy asked Kathrin about her college and was pleased the vixen's grades were good; there was an opening for a young unattached female where she worked. Kathrin graciously declined the invitation for now, simply stating she was in an internship which she expected to last a few more years.
Dinnertime saw Caroline sitting next to Wendy and as usual Marilyn sitting next to her sister. Gary sat on other side of Marilyn and placed food on plates and poured drinks for each. After dinner everyone sat outside on the porch swing and watched as the moon rose and slowly glided overhead. Bedtime came and both vixens chose to sleep with Gary and Wendy.
The next morning after breakfast everyone went to visit various things around the Meadowlands. This remained the usual activity all week long. Audrey called late that week asking if they could let the vixens remain for another week, possibly two. While Kimberly eagerly agreed something in the back of her mind suggested all was not well. Carl read her mind and when he found a semi-private place away from the others he asked Audrey what was wrong with Judy and Nick. He was genuinely taken aback when she said Judy was missing. No ransom was sent, no demand of any kind was made, and the complete silence was starting to grate on the ZPD's high echelon's nerves. After ending the call he gathered the elders and informed them what happened. Each agreed to spend as much time keeping the vixens occupied, and carefully monitor their Furtime with their bunny cousins. Carl and Kimberly agreed if this continued beyond end of next week the Dennisons should take the vixens to stay with them for a couple weeks. By the end of that time the fate of their favorite rabbit should be known; and plans made accordingly.
Commissioner Ursus was annoyed. If this was any other time or any other ZPD officer he would be completely baffled. But the report in his paws clearly stated that which he didn't want to believe. GSD had intercepted a communique which suggested an auction was being held and the reservation deadline was almost upon them. Director Dench assured him everyone at GSD was doing their best to find the missing officer. Judy had endeared herself to many of her agents; her marriage to a predator had become the standard for inter-species relationships and the duo was being studied worldwide.
The bear grinned; the bunny was a boon for recruitment and her fox husband was an inspiration in his own right. The performance review board was still evaluating wither both were ready for advancement; the early results were favorable. The recruits going through the academy were proving themselves capable albeit not in every category. Brute strength was the domain of larger mammals; subtlety and craftiness was a new skillset foxes were adding to the ZPD. Speed and lie detectability were added by rabbits. Regardless of the final outcome the missing rabbit officer, the ZPD was getting much needed improvements. Although few in numbers these new rabbit and fox officers were scheduled for other precincts; rabbits and hares had been admitted in limited numbers since Judy's time at the academy. After Nick's passage through the academy various fox species were allowed into the academy.
New operating procedures were established by Precinct One for these new species and now it was time to implement them. These also allowed Lynx officers more suitable partners to be paired with for patrols, these being closer size-wise. Wolves were freed for more variety of partners themselves thus overall the smaller specie officers were better utilized. Rodent officers... this didn't affect them at all.
Chief Bogo and Chief Mondo were annoyed. As the time went on without any demand from whoever kidnapped Judy, their concern grew. After a week it became crystal clear there was no intention of releasing the bunny, these two stepped-up their commitment to find the officer. Whoever was responsible sent a message loud and clear: inter-species relationships would not be tolerated.
The buffalo and swine couldn't disagree more; freedom of choice was the cornerstone of this society, and personal responsibility under-girded it.
The morning bull pen briefing was solemn and all officers were focused on what the chief was going to say.
"Good morning. I'll say it plain: no communication has been received from the abductors and the upper chain has determined this will not change. Therefore Chief Razorback team's mission has changed; they are to assist GSD in the search for our missing officer. They will not blindly tear into buildings; they will immediately follow-up any leads that has substance. Hopps was abducted in Vulpinstan, therefore our teams will focus there. GSD has primary lead and the Rorschach's have provided their estate for operations. Even though the local magistrate has claimed primary lead for all active searches, we will conduct our own and update him accordingly. Now for today's assignments..."
Kimberly Canter and her tracker team were making their way down a seldom used access tunnel. There was very good reason why it wasn't used, and thus perfect for their attempt to gain access to this ancient part of the Dark Underground. Stu and the elders tried to keep Judy's abduction secret, but it proved fruitless against experienced mammals. Nick told them what he knew but only under one condition: someone he designated went with them. Kimberly felt sorry for the todd; she knew he wanted to be out there leading the search but his paws were tied. He did have an ace up his fur, something that could help her and keep him updated. She agreed to send him regular updates even if nothing more than a burst transmission on exactly where they traveled. This thing called a Pip-Boar was fascinating; Nick had to literally carry her through the bunker's front door before Colonel Kohle relented and agreed to have one issued but only to this member. Dr. Bevyton and Dr. Dexter gave her a quick training on how to use it, both were impressed the rabbit was a quick learner.
It was a fascinating piece of hardware; none of her team could get it to operate even if her paw was nearby. Its ability to scan ahead and give them warning of mammals heading their way was the singular thing she liked most. That and she wondered just how it could send messages through hundreds of feet solid rock was a close second. The singular thing that annoyed her... one of Mr. Big's minion had to accompany them. The weasel proved his worth by opening locks and by his ventriloquism. The other thing that annoyed her... running into Oracle Paulina Lionheart and Oracle Clare Noble. Oracle... priestess... they were the same thing to her.
Kimberly tried to ignore the priestesses and simply walk by them, telling them the weasel was barely worth keeping. This wasn't the first time she went on a mission involving these two, but they were going someplace the two priestesses never been and her team knew by heart. It was dangerous and their once-allied trackers would be there en-force; combat and death was a certainty and her team was not guaranteed to survive. Her mind quickly changed when an unexpected message from Nick informed them to keep their eyes open for these two priestesses; they had gone without informing anyone and he asked them to protect them should their paths crossed.
Paulina explained that in a dream she saw this group fighting against impossible odds, holding their own but succumbing only when dark priests arrived and quickly ending the fight. Clare appealed to Kimberly's better nature, saying that two priestesses of the Oracle Council could assure their completing the mission. Kimberly took pride in her team's ability to overcome near-impossible odds, but if what these priestesses said was true then having their abilities couldn't hurt. Her opinion of them improved when the lynx quickly dispatched three hidden sentries, something she was greatly annoyed when the small priestess told them of her pit fighter days in her younger years.
They were getting close to their target. With luck they would find the badger and bring him home. With better luck their friend Judy would be down here. Hopefully their knowledge of these caverns would enable them to slip in and retrieve the missing mammals before anyone was aware. Only the abilities of the dark priests could thwart them.
As they made their way around corners and over rubble that obviously came from a cave-in, the air felt thicker and more dangerous. The pip-boar told them their air was within acceptable parameters but something told them all was not as it seemed. Her team was on edge and she was grateful the lead priestess waved her paws over her head; the glow emanating from them calmed the area and soothed frail nerves.
"Doing that probably announced our presence but it was better than one of your team getting itchy trigger finger. The echo would have alerted more than a few priests attuned to the ethereal; it would have alerted your fellow Trackers and other security guards. Lesser of two evils, so to speak."
Kimberly paid more attention to the wrist-mounted computer and it's readings from that moment onwards.
Another mammal tumbled against the wall. Judy was panting; how many more would attempt to grope her? It annoyed her that it wasn't just rabbits, hares, and pikas that tried this. Her suspicion become clear when a poster of her in a play bunny outfit was held out and the owner asked for her autograph. He received a kick to his jaw... through the poster.
Dawn Bellwether clapped her hooves together. "Alright gentlemammals. Proof of this specimen has been properly taken care of I suppose has been adequately demonstrated? Good. Now please refrain from further sampling of her before the start of the bidding. Anyone that does not obey will suffer the consequences."
"This B!ch has caused me my team! I'll do whatever I..."
It was the last words and deed the jackal said. He suddenly shivered and grasped his ears as he uttered howls of anguish and fell to the floor, flopping and writhing in pain. Suddenly he stopped all movement, his body suddenly erupting in thick smoke. Everyone stepped back giving the smoldering corps plenty of room least whatever befell it should happen to them.
High Priestess Greta Daperclaw stepped through the crowd and stood next to the corps. "This shall befall anyone that dares challenge the terms of the auction. I trust everyone understands? Anyone? Good. I leave you all to contemplate your bids. Good afternoon gentlemammals."
If anyone wanted to do anything against the famous ZPD officer, they suddenly found themselves very tired for some unknown reason. Judy found herself a little more tired, but not by any action of the priestess. Adrenalin had ceased flowing through her blood and now the true state of exhaustion took hold of her body. She collapsed and her guards picked her up and carried her back to the cage, gently placing her inside and then locking the door as they exited. An hour later a bowl of the gruel was placed in the cage and an extra-large glass of water beside it.
Judy was surprised. This wasn't gruel and the water actually was fresh as if from a babbling brook. If she didn't know any better she would have sworn one of her family had cooked this bowl of vegetable stew.
"You are welcome."
Judy froze. She didn't recognize the voice but everything about it screamed priesthood. It was confirmed when she turned and looked into the face of that elder female hare. The priestess was still in the same robes but something about the eyes sent warning bells off in her gut. When the hare raised her paw Judy suddenly felt very weak.
"Hmmm... you taste better than anything I've tried before. Must be whatever the fox puts inside you that add a twang of flavor. I'll have to have my minions try it when I get back. Perhaps you'll be there; I doubt anyone will last the betting against me. Relax little bunny. I just wanted to give you a taste of what you can expect when you become my minion. Good afternoon."
Judy was not certain which she felt more relief from: the departure of the priestess or the good food placed before her. She found herself becoming suspicious of what was in the stew and water. Considering what the hare could do without touching a mammal, Judy didn't want to tempt fate. She finished her meal just before arrival of the regular mammal assigned to feed her. The ferret was confused upon seeing an empty bowl and glass beside the bunny. Judy did her best to remain emotionally passive; the ferret had brought the normal gruel and drink. The gruel's scent lingered after the ferret departed taking it and drink with him.
Now she lay down and pulled the threadbare blanket over her. Time would tell if this was a permanent improvement of her captivity.
Agent Savage hated cobwebs, and in here it seemed centuries had gone by since this place last seen soap and water. He wasn't the only one that this place affected negatively, judging by the disgruntled sounds Agent Walker was making. He thought about helping remove the ancient cobwebs from her big bushy tail, but her noises were quickly turning irritating. She also most likely resist his effort.
"Something annoying you, Cynthia?"
Savage smiled. Agent Golden saved his bacon by uttering those words, one that would trigger the response he needed to have an opening which would give him a proper fix to the situation he could legitimately address the Arctic vixen.
"No! I got this this. *uhg*. My beautiful immaculate tail."
Jack grinned as he reached into his backpack and took out a spray can that would release the troublesome strands. "Here. Try this. You're endangering the mission."
Agent Walker huffed as she snatched the bottle from the hare. She did accept help from Agent Rogers, apparently feeling at ease with assistance from another female. Cynthia and Stella were teammates first, but friendship was a close second. Moments later the tail was cleared and the vixen relieved the spray worked as the directions claimed; the cobwebs were easily removed by a swiping of the paw. Stella gave Jack an appreciative wink and nod of her head.
The team continued through the ruins now in the customary silence they normally operated in. Stella whispered her equipment's readings as they walked, each building being slightly more fascinating than the previous one. She was surprised to see this type of ruins here in Vulpinstan, especially on the surface in a small glen hemmed in between two large range of hills that didn't qualify as mountains. There was another like these that she recalled; it was the valley where they found that large glowing orb. Priestess Lionheart said it was a library or training center, whatever it was those dangerous priests obviously claimed it as theirs. The other two priest factions forbid further exploration until the Oracle Council grew strong enough to hold their own in battle. This seemed certainly to take longer than they whatever time Zootopia had left as a self-governing city.
This was another reason Team Bravo was here. Surveillance by satellite showed activity in this valley, thus justifying a team to investigate. Overhead a lone C-130 gunship circled; its weapons ready to fire in an instant. Certain death for whatever triggered its response.
For a small glen this certainly stretched on longer than it should have. It was barely wide enough for a singular row of stone buildings on either side of what could be described as a one-lane road. Soon they walked around a corner and stopped in their tracks. Ahead was an old hare that seemed to be walking around a gazing pool, not once stopping or appearing to be aware that strangers were watching it. The team sat crouched down, observing the mammal as it kept walking a slow pace around the pool. Savaged noticed Rogers seemed more interested than usual, her fingers typing something on her laptop screen. The hare paused at infrequent intervals, stooping to put its fore-paws into the pool as if washing itself. Shortly afterwards it resumed its slow trek around the pool.
"Something isn't right about him" Stella whispered.
"Explain" Cynthia whispered back.
"I'm not reading a life sign. No thermal signature yet he appears completely lifelike."
As if on-cue the rabbit stopped and looked directly at them. He didn't appear alarmed or any other emotion, just standing there gazing at them.
"Well it's about time someone returned. Come come now, don't be shy. It's not like an old rabbit such as myself can harm those carrying weapons."
Stella typed a few commands into her laptop, wrinkling her nose at the results. "Still no readings. I'd say he's a hologram but to be certain I'll have to get closer. It's a safe bet this area has sensors and we've been tracked the whole time. Since it knows we are armed it probably already targeted us, we should be thankful it didn't shoot first asked questions later."
Savage didn't wait; he got up and immediately walked over to the rabbit and stopped within arm's reach. He extended his arm and moved it across the hologram's body. The rabbit shimmered and smiled back.
"Now that you know what I am I need to know who you are. Access cannot be granted to unknowns, especially if you are allied with our enemy."
"I'm Agent Jack Savage, Team Bravo leader of the Zootopia Global Security Division. This is my team; we mean you and your fellow members no harm."
"I am the Gatekeeper. Access can only be granted to priests of the Oracle Council. Unless one of your team members is such, I strongly recommend you and your teammates turn around and forget about this place. Otherwise I will have to do it for you."
A small pebble bounced off his back; Jack turned around and noticed Cynthia gesturing wildly. He looked up and around him and was impressed. Things were protruding from everywhere that obviously weren't there before; his gut told him these were weapons that obviously outclassed what his team currently had. He could call for help from the aircraft overhead, but most likely his team would be killed before his paw reached the mic. The hologram smiled.
"I'll take you up on your offer. Do you know a priest faction named Order of Mother Nature? Priests of the Moon? We are here on their behalf."
The hologram shimmered for a second. "Those factions are known to us. Unless they have a member with the gift of the Oracle in their mist, none of them will be granted access. Be forewarned: I am able to decipher if such a mammal has the gift. Now go... and remain tight-lipped about this place. Your biological signatures have been recorded."
Team Bravo made haste and soon they were outside of the valley and in their vehicle. The sun had set and the evening stars slowly were taking over the sky. Stella was busy processing everything her equipment recorded while Jack contacted their boss. He explained what the satellite had found and the movement was due to a hologram, identifying itself as a sentry and protector of something of great value. He also passed along that it gave implicit instructions on who would be allowed access to whatever lay beyond. Colonel Kohle congratulated them and said he would get in contact with both priest factions; they were already scheduled tomorrow for a meeting about a recent event.
Both signed off and Team Bravo drove back to the Rorschach Family estate. Clifford and Margret greeted them and as everyone enjoyed dinner in the flower garden they talked about the old ruins; keeping hush about the hologram and its purpose for the moment.
Kimberly's tracker team was making good time. She had to admit; having those priestesses along saved their bacon several times. Their intuition about a suspected ambush proved surprisingly accurate before the wrist-mounted Pip-Boar alerted them. She suspected the two scientists wanted wanted more time to fine tune this device, but was too impatient to get going. Now she dearly wished she heeded their wishes. But either way the priestesses were proving valuable. Even the weasel was surprisingly adaptive. How he knew to open a lock he never met before only befuddled her. Unfortunately their good luck ran out.
The mammal standing before them could only be described as someone these priestesses once knew and confided in. Kimberly wasn't certain what could make a honey badger emotional, but this seemed to do the trick.
"Get back. He isn't what he appears to be." Paulina said in as authoritarian tone she could muster.
But Clare wasn't listening. The love of her life was standing before her, his fur a bit singed but otherwise he was whole and in one piece. She was caught between two desires: go and be in his paws or leave and allow his captors victory. Voices in her head urged her to say the new spells and incantations she had just recently learned. It seemed the proper thing to do, a few uttering of the ancient words and those holding her love captive would be removed. Just... utter the words.
"Clare... it's a trap. Fight it. They want you; you have the strength to resist."
Paulina was having strange visions of her own.
One moment she was in the tunnel urging her protégé to resist; next she was back in Lynxion on the field where she lost her favorite cloak. She was single back then and on some important mission. The caravan she was traveling in suddenly halted and the gypsy warned her to get out as fast as possible. She knew she had succeeded back then; but before her now was a vision of many priests blocking her getaway. Before she could react hundreds of voices were inside her head, each demanding she pay attention to it or it would send a bolt of energy through her. Each was demanding she only pay attention to it, obviously impossible and proved by the onslaught of bolts heading her way.
Clare heard the voices; they were urging her to fling herself into his paws. She remembered the feeling; the warmth and comfort as he held her close. Other voices urged her to say the new spells, to utter the incantations. Both were equally strong and pulled her in separate directions. She felt the necessity to do both, knowing the futility in the attempt. She couldn't make a decision, but then again she didn't have to. Before she could understand what it was, her ears suddenly hurt as if it was about to kill her. Within moments she lay on the cave floor motionless and unconscious.
Paulina was fighting several of her tormentors simultaneously, then changed tactics and focused her energies on a singular opponent. It let out a blood curdling scream and its energies were felt no more. One down, too many to go. It was within moments she discovered she could gather much of the energies directed at her and refocus them towards a single target. Same thing occurred, another tormentor eliminated. This battle seemed to be going her way until her ears suddenly hurt and she quickly lay upon the cave floor unconscious.
An unknown amount of time passed before the two priestesses and Kimberly's team woke up and slowly got off the cave floor. Kimberly herself had been standing keeping watch least the abominations return. She grinned; when everyone was back in the waking world she explained what had happened.
"When those priests appeared before us, the encrypted file sitting on the Pip-Boar's screen suddenly opened and displayed controls onscreen like an old arcade game. As I operated the device as if in an actual game room, lights streaked around the area. As each priest was hit, it shimmered as if nothing more than a hallucination and disappeared. After each thing was dispatched, a dull sound increased in pitch. The Pip-Boar displayed a warning to wear auditory protection, which I was glad I did. Within moments only the male honey badger remained before me. The wrist-mounted computer showed nothing there, so I picked up a pawfull of pebbles and flung them at the badger. He disappeared soon as the pebbles touched him."
"As soon as the last thing disappeared a strange voice appeared in my head, congratulating me for having the insight to see what was real and what was not. I was surprised I could think my answer and the voice responded. We had a conversation for a few minutes before I noticed another warning message on my screen. When I touched the screen the voice screamed and left. Since then I've been a bit paranoid; I also found the emergency medical triage program and activated it. This is how I knew what medication each of you needed to help you recover in a timely fashion. I can't tell you just how happy I am each of you are back in the waking world. Don't stumble over that pile of bodies."
Everyone looked where she pointed. Many bodies were scattered between them and in a scattered line stretching off into the distance.
"Guess I was wrong about them being holograms."
Paulina placed a paw weakly upon the rabbits shoulder. "Congratulations are in order: you just survived your first battle against the Dark Priesthood. They were well-prepared for me and my companion, they were not against you. Praise be to the moon goddess for your foresight. Is your device ready to continue?"
Kimberly consulted the view screen, her face went downtrodden. "Message says power reserves are at critical levels. I doubt we can stand up against them again."
Paulina nodded in agreement. "Then it's settled. We return and report what we encountered. Perhaps the doctors might have something else up their scientific sleeves. Clare and I aren't in any condition to fight effectively. Our mentor will have another idea how to get further below."
As the team retraced their path Paulina comforted her protégé; she missed Pastor Chester. The hologram suggested he was in good condition, not entirely unscathed but certainly not converted into one of them. There still was time for a rescue; next time they would be better prepared.
Priestess Hilda der Fuchs, High Priest Aaron, and High Priestess Ishanah listened to the team as they told what had happened as their mission progressed. It was obvious Hilda was quite interested in how the wrist-mounted thing could defeat a group of dark priests when two trained Oracles could not. Aaron and Ishanah were equally impressed but equally disturbed; technology seemed to have protected the group better than two powerful priestesses.
"Now let's not sell yourselves short" Dr. Bevyton said as he and Dr. Dexter entered the room.
"We didn't plan on what happened; the computer mainframe did this by itself. Once your teams rendezvoused it spoke to us and explained how these files would unlock and thus enable the operator to over-power these priests. Apparently a subroutine matched the cavern and time-frame in its historical files and consulted its archive files to analyze these priests and how to defeat them. Knowing this it was only a matter of cancelling or countering their actions. It also helped that the rock stratum helped as well."
Hilda looked at him puzzled. "Rock stratum? Please explain."
Dr. Dexter opened her laptop computer and pulled up a webpage, then turned it so everyone could see. "The bunker's mainframe had files about the layers of rock in this area. Since the bore hole that extends deep into this planet's mantle passes through many different layers, these were cataloged and examined at a later date when the power plant was completed and operational. One such layer had an unusual characteristic. It was determined to be capable of receiving and holding energy other than electricity. When you defeated several dark priests and brought their bodies for examination a couple months back, the bodies were found to have changed. Something interferes with normal biological processes that converts physical food into energy. We think it has something to do with this rock layer."
She paused for a few moments before continuing.
"This means these priests no longer are capable of digesting food to keep them alive. Their bodies perform like batteries and electric motors. Thus they need living bodies to... feed off of. If they were close to a natural radioactive source, it is possible they could live a long time. Centuries probably."
Ishanah face looked ashen. Aaron's face was similar. Both doctors noticed and wanted to know why. The high priestess gulped and continued.
"When we fought each newly inducted high priest and priestess, killing them as they slept, we thought their physical bodies were dead. Through the centuries our forbearers searched for and when they discovered the graves of these priests, the bodies were retrieved and placed in tombs in a catacomb dug in a specific rock structure. Rock that glowed when torches passed nearby. Perhaps it is fortuitous that all bodily fluids were drained before placing these bodies down there."
Both scientists thought for a moment. They consulted the mainframe, describing the rock and dehydration of a body. The computer printed its results and both scientists read the results. Both had a look of concern on their faces.
"Computer theorizes that as long as the bodies remain dehydrated and their casket or coffins are of a natural non-conductive material... then there remains a low probability of such body reanimating."
Deep under a mountain in an ancient cave a priest walked towards a crypt. He was an imposter; sole purpose of infiltrating this order of priest with the goal of becoming the leader. He wasn't converted as the other members of the dark priesthood, it was important for him to blend in as much as possible. While he still wanted to gain access to their fabled treasure vault, the information held within could help his order to resist everything these priests could throw against them.
He was eavesdropping on the recent meeting. It was a shock to learn for millennia the bodies of powerful priests and priestess had been robbed from their graves and hidden inside a cave. He once was taken here and sworn to secrecy of never disclosing its location. While it never was opened so he could look inside, he was assured what it contained was of such high value it necessitated this kind of secrecy. Now he stood before the ancient doors, its locking mechanism appeared simple but in actuality was craftily made. He was crafty too, and took a copy of the key out of his pocket. In a couple moments he was strolling through the door and down towards the lower levels.
Finally he reached his goal: the narrow tunnel ended at the edge of a deep chasm. The other side was lined with many levels of platforms extending out from the cliff face, each having small burial crypts equally spaced. These levels extended downwards for as far as his light could travel. The first crypt he attempted was a simple granite stone cut perfectly to fit the opening. He was surprised how easily it pulled clear; he reached in and pulled the wooden plank out just enough to see the body inside. He was disgusted as well as disappointed: it was decapitated. This one would be impossible to reclaim, so he pushed it back in and the stone as well. The next few were same condition. An idea crossed his mind. He climbed down each level and opened the first crypt on each, and disappointed but not surprised to find each corps beheaded. In actuality it was a wise precaution; eons ago they must have understood how the dark priests could use corpses to attack the living. A headless corps could not be reanimated.
But for his purposes an intact body was needed. A dark priest was already dead, from a certain point of view. They were more than animated corpses; they were lifeforms using a different source of food. But as these ancient bodies showed, removing the brain via removing the head ended all possible life and resurrection of the body. These priests weren't killed in the traditional sense: they were drained of energy via battle and prevented from reaching out to tap into the nearest living body to drain its life-force thus replenish itself. Returning life would require re-hydrating an intact body; and the energy within this rock stratum would re-energize the body.
Many levels and many disappointments later he found what he was looking for. An intact body from what could only be from a century ago, but it was entombed in a semi-transparent ember-like substance. Effectively it insulated the body, certainly it was time consuming and perhaps more effective than embalming. But it was all for naught. He pulled the entombed body out and placed it on the crystalline outcropping. He covered it with unbleached woolen blanket and poured a clear liquid until the blanket was soaked. Then he waited.
Normal mammals would have given up after an hour, but he knew the secret. He poured another amount ensuring the wool was soaked and then resumed his vigil. This was repeated until the amber turned soft and easily pulled away, a consistency like soft clay or play dough. He pulled the remainder from the body and then covered it again with the wet woolen blanket. Then he placed a strange device upon it and activated it. Moments later small sparks erupted along the body, increasing until blue thick arcs flowed along the corps. It took several minutes before this arcing stopped and the wool smelled scorched. Slowly the body struggled to sit up, wisely the living waited until the undead wrested the wool off its head.
"Welcome back to the world of the living, High Priest Billie. I am Bishop Gandoff."
The caprinae shook its horns towards the priest, looking at him as if undecided wither or not to attack the stranger or begrudgingly acknowledge his presence. It took its time looking around at the scenery, clearly confused at the strange arrangement. After a few minutes it returned its gaze back to the living priest.
"I do not recognize this cavern. Last I remember we did not have chambers this large. Have we found new methods to increase our spaces?"
"We have machines capable of crafting large spaces, but even then there are limitations. This is not one of them. We should go, any moment the guards will come around and you have not fully regained your strength. High Priestess Greta Daperclaw awaits your arrival; we should not keep her waiting."
"You wear the clothes of my enemy. Why should I trust your words?"
The living priest handed him a scroll, waiting for the undead to finish reading.
"Why has the council sought such deception? This was tried before my time and failed. What makes you so certain you will succeed?"
The living priest smiled. "Because an undead priest no matter the disguise cannot behave as a living one can. My conversion is suspended; therefore I am still a living. I am to gain the title of their high priest and use it to gain access to their secrets. When I know it all then I am to pass it to our priests. In this we will become immune to anything they attempt against us."
The undead didn't say a word for many minutes, only holding its head upon its palm. It looked at the living as if trying to discern a hidden secret, and then return looking far away. Moments later it struggled to stand up, succeeding after taking its time doing so. It performed a series of stretches, limbering its body and limbs until satisfied its joints would perform properly. Without saying a word it motioned for the living priest to lead the way. Somewhere along the trek they encountered a lone guard; its life drained before it could utter a warning. Now the undead saw the value of the deception, and swore to be the personal protector of the living one. It was certain the current high priestess would be unwilling to share power, but having two of their members within the lair of their enemy would be a tactical advantage. Especially when one never required sleep and sustenance would be within reach on a moment's notice. Never again would High Priest Billie make the same error again.