Chapter 41
Run From Purgatory for Me
Noon, Day 2
It took some time for Rianne Wurtil and Art Swiftpaw to realise Borsen wasn't going to follow them inside the mine, and by the time they did, they had already gone deep into the tunnels. It was better to be safe than sorry, but Rianne still regretted it once they realised how far they had gone. Luckily, it wasn't that hard to figure out the way back considering that they mostly went straight. Not to mention the fact that the number of mines and caves on the island meant it was likely that multiple paths led to exits. It didn't stop her from being terrified, however.
Eventually, Rianne got tired of backtracking in the darkness and asked to stop. "Hey, Art, is it alright if we pause for a bit?"
"No," Art answered flatly.
Rianne was more annoyed by the delivery than the fact that she was told to keep going. "Art, are you joking with me? We just need a few minutes to recuperate, alright?"
"No," Art answered sharper than before.
Rianne rolled her eyes. "Look, whatever you're trying to do, it would be better to get some rest first. On that note, are you alright? Borsen sure did a number on you."
Art had been wheezing and groaning ever since they escaped, but he tried to hide it by breathing slowly to only let a little air out at a time. "I'm fine enough to keep going."
"Art, we're stopping now. This is stupid. Listen to me when I tell you that if you keep going, you are going to hurt yourself… and I'm guessing that you already know that, but please, can we at least take a moment to plan and think about what we're going to do next? Even the smartest generals need to plan before they jump into action." Rianne thought that if she phrased it like that, Art would be more willing to agree, even if she knew deep down that it wasn't really about that.
Art sighed and Rianne could hear shuffling as he tried to sit without brushing against his wounds. "Fine, but just for a little bit. I want to get this done as fast as possible."
Rianne sat down as well, rubbing her wrists apprehensively. "So, Art, what are you going to do now? Once we get out of this mine, I mean."
Art didn't immediately answer. Rianne was worried; she didn't know if it meant he didn't want to tell her because it was dangerous or he didn't expect to make it this far. "Same thing as before," he eventually spoke.
"That's not a good idea," Rianne said plainly.
"I know."
"Then why are you doing it?"
"Because I have to. That's all."
"Art, if you don't want to, and you know it's a bad idea, you don't have to-"
"What part of 'I have to' do you not understand?" Art immediately snarled. "Why does everyone keep telling me that? I damn well know what I am doing, so how about you shut the hell up because whatever the hell I think doesn't matter, I'm doing this whether I like it or not, because I have to be the one to do this!"
Rianne flinched as Art's tone rapidly grew angrier and angrier. "Art, if this is about your mentor again, now is not the time to-"
"And what the hell do you know, huh?"
"Damn more well than you do, apparently," Rianne snapped. "Because if you were smarter, you would know that Ravi would not want you to act like this at all. Do you think he'd enjoy watching you put yourself and everybeast around you in danger? Hell no he wouldn't! You were basically his son with how much time you spent with him, so why don't you-"
"SHUT UP!" Art screamed. Rianne was about to continue arguing when she heard a blade scraping against a stone. Fear exploded inside her and she reached for her hatchet, clutching it defensively in her paws.
Rianne's throat felt dry as she held her weapon, waiting for something to happen.
She waited…
And waited…
Rianne realised that she didn't know if Art had raised his sickle to threaten her, or if it just scraped against the wall while he was holding it. It was too dark to tell either way, but regardless, Rianne began to shiver. "Oh dear Martin, Art…" she whispered. Rianne forced herself to lower the hatchet, but the back of her mind pointed out how she didn't know if Art lowered his or if it was even raised in the first place.
Wait, why was she even considering the possibility that Art would attack her? Sure, even before all of this, he was irritable, but he would never attack a friend, right? So why was she worried? Why did she always have to doubt everybeast around her?
Rianne took a deep breath and tried to steady her pounding heart. Not that it helped much. "Art, just try to think rationally here."
"I am. I just made a mistake going after Borsen first."
"That's the problem," Rianne countered, growing angry with Art's insistence. "You were supposedly 'calm' before, and you still decided to fight Borsen even though you can't. Not like that, at least."
Rianne heard Art stand up. Her paw unconsciously drifted to the hatchet. "What makes you think I can't?" He challenged.
"Would you bloody listen to yourself?" Rianne snapped. "Of course, you can't! We've known that you can't for a long time! He's over a head taller, seven seasons older, much stronger, and at least knows what he wants to do instead of floundering with vague goals! Do you want to know something, Art? I may care about you, but there is no way I will let you drag me down with your suicide mission!"
With the way Art had acted before, Rianne expected him to yell back or even draw his weapon, but instead, Art was silent, and it immediately filled her with guilt, even though she stood by what she said. Eventually, Art spoke with a voice as cold as the ocean. "Then go, why would I care?"
Any guilt Rianne had felt instantly vanished. "Excuse me? Do you want to say that again?"
Art growled and Rianne could hear him kick a rock. "You know what? If you're just going to keep saying that I can't do this, then you can just leave. I'm going to do this no matter what you say, so how about you can it."
"Art, come on-"
"I won't ask twice. Leave, now. Or else."
"Or else what?"
"I think you know."
Rianne didn't know what to do. The Art that she had known back home was different from the one right in front of her and she wasn't sure she liked it. She had to remind herself that this was still the same beast that she had known, just under a different light. But what did that mean for their relationship back home? After all, we were only friends by the loosest definition, and Art would definitely hurt me- I mean hate me for saying this, but if Ravi is the one telling him how to act in a dangerous situation, that's a bit worrying. That man got a bit… passionate about his ideas sometimes, to put it nicely, she mused. Rianne's paws felt clammy as she crossed her arms. "Art, listen, I just want you to-"
Art stepped forward. Fear overtook Rianne and she turned and bolted as fast as she could. She didn't know if Art had drawn his sickle, but she didn't want to risk it. She often stumbled, footpaws pounding against the stone as she ran blindly through the cave. It then dawned on her that she was alone and that she couldn't blame anybeast but herself. The temple was attacked, she left with Gurnilal, went with Art instead, and ran away. She should've stayed with Gurnilal. Why didn't she?
Once Rianne was far enough, she stopped and sighed. Was it a mistake to run from Art? Probably. The hogmaid looked up and held a paw out in front of her. She guessed that most of the paths in this cave would lead to an exit eventually, so all she needed to do was keep walking. She'd figure out what to do from there, but dear lord, she wished that she could find someone she could trust.
"We're almost there, just a few more minutes," Bolgash Wolters fibbed as she led Kajiir and Marlus on a hunt for some made-up prisoners. Much to the guards' chagrin, the stoat had been limping aimlessly through the woods for the past half hour or so. Marlus growled and stared impatiently at the ground for the moment their shadows cast directly below them.
Kajiir was watching it too. The normally professional ferret was starting to lose it as well. "Not much longer," they mumbled stiltedly. Looking up at Bolgash, they warned, "Ya do realise yer gonna die soon if ya don' actually lead us anywhere, aye?" Even though Bolgash was minutes away from being executed on the spot, she still held a confident smile as if nothing was going wrong. Marlus admittedly admired her for staying this calm, even if it annoyed him to no end.
"Now now, hold on just a bit," Bolgash replied. "Wow, are ya on a schedule or somethin'? Does yer captain not want ya to be out too late? Do ya need to get home fer yer bedtime?"
"Hey, how 'bout you shut the hell up," Marlus snapped, raising his axe threateningly. "I'm one bad conversation away from cleavin' that bloody skull of yours in two!" Bolgash limped a tad faster, though not enough for Marlus to be any less annoyed.
Meanwhile, Kajiir looked up and motioned at the grass. "Aye, I'm gettin' tired o' dis. How 'bout we just end it right now, what say ya?" They asked Marlus.
"Yes, yes, oh God, please yes," the marten growled.
Kajiir shrugged and levelled their crossbow at the back of Bolgash's head when the stoat stopped and pointed at a set of gnarled trees. "Hey, over there," she exclaimed. Marlus glanced up and saw a flash of blue vanishing behind a trunk. He probably would've brushed it off as him being tired if it weren't for Kajiir noticing it too. The ferret paused and narrowed their eyes as they shifted their aim towards the trees.
Bolgash's grin widened and it pissed Marlus off. Right, because she just has to be this bloody lucky. Are ya jokin' me? This is just stupid at this point. Whatever, guess we have somethin' else to deal with, now.
"Marls, git yer axe an' be careful," Kajiir ordered. "We'll deal wit' Bolgash later, just focus on catchin' 'em 'fore dey escape. I'll shoot at 'em from d'right while ya come in from d'left." Marlus nodded and adjusted the grip on his axe. Kajiir double-checked their crossbow before running ahead. There wasn't much point in staying quiet so Marlus did the same.
Two pairs of footpaws pounded against the grass as they rushed to corner the unknown prisoner. Kajiir rounded the tree and aimed their crossbow at the bark only to find Marlus staring back at them. No one was there. Marlus stepped closer and aimed his axe threateningly as he searched for the prisoner. "No, I swear there was somebeast here," he muttered. Kajiir thought the same, which is why they decided to look up. A knife flew from the trees and nicked them in the cheek. Kajiir screamed and fired their crossbow, barely missing Miena Dawnraft as she dropped from the branches onto the ground below. Marlus quickly lunged but was knocked prone after Miena slammed her tail into the marten's stomach.
Kajiir raised their crossbow. It would take too long to reload so they swung it like a bludgeon into Miena's knee. She buckled and Kajiir slammed their weapon in the back of her head. Miena fell to the grass and kicked Kajiir in the shin, knocking them down. By this point, Marlus had gotten up and raised his axe to strike but couldn't find an opening to attack. Miena and Kajiir wrestled on the ground, growling and snarling as Miena reached for one of the knives in her bags. Right as the otter pulled out a dagger, Kajiir grasped her wounded arm and slammed it against the ground. She screamed and let go of the weapon.
Kajiir grabbed the dagger and thrusted down, barely missing Miena who squirmed her head out of the way. The otter grabbed Kajiir's arm and pulled. "Give it back!" She yelled.
"Marls, grab her!" The ferret ordered. Marlus nodded and ran to the opposite side, trying to grab Miena's arms. The otter twisted Kajiir's wrists and jerked the dagger out of their paw right as Marlus was behind her. She slashed at Kajiir's face, eliciting a yelp of pain and weakening them enough to shove them off and scramble away from Marlus.
Marlus was quicker. He swung his axe, slicing deep into Miena's tail with a sickening splat. Miena screamed and rolled over in time to see Marlus raise his axe for one final strike. Miena reached into her bag and quickly threw one of the throwing knives at the marten. Even if it didn't land, it startled Marlus just enough for Miena to push herself up and run off.
Kajiir grabbed their crossbow and hurried to reload it. Meanwhile, Marlus ran after Miena. The woods seemed to fly past as guard and prisoner darted through uneven terrain and mangled trees. Although both were quick and knew how to navigate through forests, the gash in Miena's tail was starting to affect her balance. Marlus was catching up to her. She looked inside her bag for anything to help, but all she had were throwing knives and she didn't have enough confidence to stop and throw one.
Marlus was getting closer. Miena fastened her bags and abruptly turned. Right as Marlus approached and raised his axe, Miena swung the bags like a bludgeon right into Marlus' temple. The pine marten yelped and staggered to the side. Without anything to stab with, Miena kicked Marlus in the head and ran.
Miena staggered up an incline to flee from the marten. She needed to get away. She had to run, but the pain and the slice in her tail made it hard to do so. She needed to go, she couldn't stop-
Kajiir crashed through the foliage a few metres in front of her, crossbow in paw. They gasped and levelled it dead centre at Miena's chest. Her eyes widened and she flinched as Kajiir pulled the trigger.
Miena screamed and raised her bags in front of her. It wasn't perfect, but the contents stopped the bolt from killing her then and there. However, the bolt still sliced into her chest, winding her and sending her to the grass. She pulled the bags away and saw Kajiir running up to her with a dagger they grabbed from their belt. Miena tore her bag open before grabbing a throwing knife and swinging it towards the ferret.
The knife landed directly into the side of Kajiir's stomach and they stumbled. Miena grasped her dagger and staggered towards the ferret.
"Kaj? Wheredja go?" Marlus yelled distantly.
Miena swung at Kajiir's chest. The ferret intercepted the stab and grasped her collar. Kajiir tried to throw her to the ground, but Miena was both larger and stronger. Despite her wounded arm, she shoved Kajiir's dagger arm aside and plunged her dagger into the ferret's stomach.
Kajiir howled painfully. Miena tore the dagger out and drove it in again and again, spilling blood over the grass as she twisted the blade inside of their stomach.
Almost immediately, Miena heard a panicked cry. "Kajiir! Where are you?! Kajiir!"
Miena knew she had to go. She tucked the bloodstained dagger into her bag, tore Kajiir's crossbow and quiver away from the ferret, and staggered away. However, Marlus crashed through the bushes before she could leave. Miena expected the marten to go after her, but to her surprise, Marlus crouched by Kajiir's side. She paused momentarily to watch Marlus frantically lift Kajiir before leaving.
"Kajiir, oh my god, don't move, I'm gonna bring you back to the ship, alright?" Kajiir hacked blood onto Marlus' paw and the marten shivered. "Kaj…"
Kajiir's eyes widened slowly as blood leaked out of their stomach. Their face twisted, lips quivering as the realisation of what was happening began to weigh on them. Still, they nodded and looked up at the pine marten. "Aye…sure…"
Marlus frowned and pulled Kajiir towards the ship. The entire time, the pine marten was silent. Kajiir's footpaws dragged against the grass and they were getting heavier. Marlus was about to cry thinking about what that meant. Still, he kept going. "Kaj, you'll be fine, okay? Just stay wit' me 'till we get back, please."
The ferret's eyelids were closing. Marlus paused and lightly shook Kajiir awake. "Hey, Kaj, don't, please."
Kajiir's breathing grew shallow. They stared up at Marlus with a terrified gaze. Even then, they tried to keep their voice steady as they asked, "Marls, just… set me down a moment, yeah?"
"No." Marlus shook his head, his voice cracking. "You need help, I'm gonna bring you back an' we'll be fine."
Kajiir coughed, staining Marlus' paw with even more blood. "Marls, please."
Marlus' face scrunched up and they whimpered. Eventually, he nodded and set Kajiir down as lightly as he could. Marlus wiped his face as he gently unfastened Kajiir's coat to see the damage. It was bad. There was no denying it. Their blue tunic was soaked red as blood dripped out of their stomach. Kajiir rasped and looked down, grimacing at the sight of their bloodstained shirt. The ferret wheezed and turned to Marlus. "Marls… please… just go back ter d'ship… Don' try ter go after Miena or not'in'. Just wait at d'ship, wait fer all o' dis ter be over… and just live, alright?"
Marlus shuddered, tears pouring down his face as he shook his head. "But she… stabbed you. I can't just let her go, Kaj. I don't wanna just do nothin'!"
Kajiir shook their head. "Stop… Tryna get revenge'll just hurt'cha… just wait fer all o' dis ter end…" They hacked violently, and it was then that Marlus realised how much blood had been lost. He refused to believe it. "Marls… Whatever ya do… don' trust Tiviko… You an' Ayers get far away from 'im as soon as possible…"
"What? Why?"
"He'll… try ter use ya… don' let 'im… damn it, Marls. Stayin' here isn't good fer ya… Promise me ya'll leave."
Marlus had no idea what Kajiir was talking about, but he nodded anyway. "I will."
Kajiir took another glance at their stomach and whimpered. "Stay wit' me, please."
Marlus nodded. "Alright."
Marlus lay on the grass next to Kajiir as the ferret's eyes closed. There were so many things they wanted to say to each other but couldn't. Kajiir was out of energy and Marlus was too scared to say anything lest he make Kajiir feel worse in their final moments. Kajiir died a few minutes later. Once they stopped breathing, Marlus sat up and stared forlornly at his friend. If he knew they were going to die today, he would've treated them much better. More than anything, he felt terrified and enraged. Despite Kajiir's warning, he wanted to find Tiviko. Tiviko was the only one who could help him, just as he did when they had first met.
Eventually, Marlus broke down and sobbed right next to Kajiir's body. He gently held the ferret in his arms and wept.
