Chapter 8: Things I didn't want to hear
Duke hurried himself down to Drake One, excited to reveal his plan about how he would gain Falcone's trust, dismantle his jewel-thieving devices, and maybe, just maybe, get a lead to Dragaunus's whereabouts. When he reached the mechanical doors guarding the super computer behind, he grabbed his key card and was just about to swipe in when he overheard his team talking from within. He decided to press his ear to the doors to listen.
"You haven't even given Duke the benefit of the doubt!" Wildwing said, his voice stern.
"Well, I'm sorry Wildwing, but he has been acting very suspiciously, lately," Malory retorted and huffed in that way she did when she was unnerved.
Duke signed and placed a hand on the doors to steady himself. He would never be able to convince them of his plan. Malory was right, he was acting suspiciously lately. If only he could tell them the truth and make them understand. With a deep breath, Duke swiped in to Drake One and stood tall as he paraded himself into the room.
"There is no reason to believe that Duke would ever return to a life of…crime?" Wildwing looked behind his shoulder to see Duke dressed in his old burglar's attire, adorned with all of his former accoutrements No doubt, he was confused, and rightfully so. Everyone in the room went silent as they watched Duke strut with pride to meet them. Innocent Nosedive was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Kind of over accessorized, aren't you there, buddy-boy?" he said, crossing his arms in protest of Duke's display.
"Those are burglar's tools," said Wildwing as he looked Duke over with concern.
"Nah, hunting tools," Duke replied.
"I'm beginning to see your plan, but I want Tanya and Nosedive to go with you…to help."
"No, you mean to make sure I don't steal anything!" Duke bellowed back. He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, furious. They will never trust me, no matter what I do or how well I do it, he thought as he allowed the mechanical doors to swoosh shut behind him.
"I didn't say that," Wildwing mumbled under his breath as he watched his friend leave alone.
…
Duke, Tanya, and Nosedive prepared themselves to leave in the Arrowing that night. As Duke pocketed some of his finer lock picks, small explosives, and of course, his beloved duck saber, he thought back on when it all began to go wrong between Falcone and him.
It had been nine years since Henna had brutally plucked out Duke's right eye for bringing to the mob's stronghold a young falcon. Yet, despite Duke's handicap, Duke continued to flourish in the mob-leading and planning many heists. He was even a member of the Council of Elders. Indeed, he was much respected and well loved in his jewel thieving community. Henna, particularity, kept Duke close to her confidence. She offered him the most difficult heists in exchange for a greater reward.
Perry, too, had grown into a fine young bird. His brown and beige plumage was very distinctive and Henna never missed a chance to compliment his dashing looks. He was sneaky, cunning, and idealistically charming-a fitting counterpart to Duke's finesse.
When the pair reached twenty years of age, both were awarded Duck Sabers, which they were promptly instructed on daily. Duke was a natural. His father had taught him some basic maneuvers when he was a fledgling. His grace and balance were unmatched, even as a beginner. Perry, on the other hand, struggled to find his technique. He was clumsy and often times blocked attacks instead of thrusting or going on any sort of offensive. But, regardless of Perry's slow learning curve, Duke never missed a day of practice with him. They would sword play in the courtyard long into the day, until the guards would tell them to quiet down so that the other ducks could sleep.
The Ravens of the Night had earned a small reputation in Puckworld...seemingly only black and swift shadows in a security camera if a camera was ever lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them.
Meanwhile, the mob grew richer off of Duke and Perry's hard work and Henna became a more and more powerful baroness. Nothing seemed out of her grasp, except-for what it seemed-control of Duke L'Orange. Duke had a small band of followers, both elders and chicks who would listen to his stories late at night about how the Brotherhood used to be run. He would offer advice, sneak food to the hungry newcomers, and of course, teach weaponry to those he deemed fit. Henna was all too aware of the threat he posed to the Brotherhood as a whole.
One evening, when Duke was walking out of the communal showers and heading back to the dormitory he shared with Perry, Henna was standing right outside of the door on his right so that he wouldn't be able to see her.
"Duke," she said suddenly, startling the half-blind mallard.
"Madam Henna!" Duke said, and turned sharply to look at her. "I didn't see you!" But of course, you knew that, he thought.
"That's quite alright," she replied.
"How can I help you?" he asked.
"Oh, I was just wondering what you were doing this evening?" she said, innocently.
"Erm, actually, I was taking the evening off and was going to just relax."
"Yes, yes, of course. I was just hoping you might join me for dinner?"
"Henna, you've never been one to be soft on me. Why the change of heart now?" Duke asked cautiously.
"I just would enjoy the company, is all," she said timidly.
"Well, alright. Let me get dressed and I'll meet you in about...?"
"A half hour in my apartment," she said curtly and then walked away followed by two guards that seemed to have come out of no where.
Duke scratched his head in confusion as he pulled his towel up higher around his waist and walked back to his room. Perry wasn't there, so he couldn't unload his thoughts about his awkward run-in with Henna. Instead, he dressed himself slowly, purposefully bidding his time, hoping to make himself late. But, unfortunately, Duke primmed, groomed, and plucked himself effortlessly and had time to spare before he met Henna. He sighed heavily as he looked at the time on the wall clock and grudgingly picked himself up and walked towards Henna's apartment, secretly fearing what might be waiting behind her closed doors.
Henna's suite used to be he and Duke's father's apartment located within the mob's layer. This old, abandoned, three-story hospital made for a great hide-out. It was purposefully kept boarded up to make it appear as thought it was still abandoned. And whenever the Puck Police would come prying, one of the elders would offer them a small bribe or some other service in exchange for their silence.
But when Duke's father went missing, the once proud Brotherhood of the Blade became something of a child-slave ring. Henna would seek out and recruit young street ducks and offer them warm food, shelter, and a chance at a profit-filled life in exchange for small pick-pocketing jobs and eventually, (if they didn't get caught during the initiation process) training on large scale heists.
Duke had known the trade his whole life, but Henna never asked him to train on or help any of the other fledglings when his father disappeared-except, of course, for Perry, the outcast among the chicks. He knew, deep down, that she was afraid that he would influence the chicks to join "his side" and spread animosity towards Henna for having stolen his rightful place among the Brotherhood and for his eye. However, the opposite couldn't be more true. Duke had remained loyal to Henna, even throughout her most outlandish ventures. He spoke respectfully on her behalf and rallied up his best comrades to fulfill her most devious plans. When asked about why he harbored such loyalty towards the foul Henna, he simply said that he was a Brother first and an ally to Henna second.
As he meandered his way down the halls to Henna's suite, he wondered what she could possibly have to say to him. She had taken everything from him-she maybe even framed his father, though he would never say that out loud.
Slowly, he approached the two, slightly older ducks guarding the door to the apartment. He nodded and said, "Henna is expecting me."
They both looked him over in disgust, as if they didn't know who he was, but eventually, one of them turned and knocked on the door behind them. The door opened from within by another guard and Duke could hear Henna's soft voice say, "Let him in."
Duke mocked saluted the guards as he stepped between the pair and rolled his eyes. The apartment was as lavish and furnished as he remember it. There were colorful, exotic carpets lining the floor, plush furniture to lounge in, satin blue and purple curtains, and expensive oak tables adorned with priceless artifacts and expensive candied fruits and assorted meats.
Duke sighed. It had been many years since he had been here. His father would throw the most elaborate parties. There was music and laughter and absolute happiness. It was a good time to be alive.
"Do you like it?" Henna said from somewhere from within the interior of the apartment.
"Yes, I do. I remember it all very well," he replied, walking forward to try and find Henna.
"Come, Duke, in here!" she said. As Duke cautiously stepped on, he eyed the guard in the living room with reserve. Duke found Henna reclining in his old bedroom on a blue-velvet fainting couch. She wore sheer black lingerie and her legs were sprawled out provocatively. Her arms were high above her head as if bound by invisible tethers.
"Oh, Duke, you're finally here," she said, twisting her body seductively, the ruby drilled into her beak shining in the twilight like a drop of blood.
"Erm, yes, madam," he said questioningly.
"Have you ever been with a hen?" she asked, staring at him with her soulless, black eyes.
"No, madam Henna, I cannot say I have," he said as cautiously as he could, although his voice was cracking from embarrassment.
"Do you want this back? All of it?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Duke demanded.
"I could give this to you. My kingdom...our Empire. It could all be yours again."
"It already rightfully belonged to me," Duke blurted out in rage. What the hell is she doing? First she steals my honor, my rightful place in the Brotherhood, and now she thinks she can control me like this? The disgusting bird.
"What's stopping me from gathering what ever remains of the loyalty belonging to my father and me, and raising it against you?" he snapped, knowing full well he was about to fall through some thin ice.
"Because, my young one, I have Perry tied away, somewhere you won't find him unless you give me what I want..."
Duke stared at her fearlessly, revealing no emotion or concern for his dear friend. He turned away from Henna and began to pace around the room dramatically and pretended to observe the fine antiques and jewels lining the room's shelving.
"And, sweetheart, what is it you want from me?" he said, making her talk to to his back.
"I want a chick," she said candidly.
"What!" Duke shrieked as he whirled around to face her.
"I want your chick. Just think of it, Duke. A chick between us would mend the bad blood within the Brotherhood."
"It's been there because of you! It's not my fault you do not know how to inspire loyalty within a mob. They fear you, they do not respect you!" Duke slammed back.
"Duke, calm yourself. They guard will force this on you if he has to, or you could suck up your pride, save your friend, and return to your former status. We all win," she commanded.
Duke turned away from Henna and thought for a moment, shaking from rage. "How do I know Perry is tied away? What if he is simply out?"
"Do you want to take that chance?" Henna jabbed, smiling deviously.
Duke sighed, placed a hand to the shelf in front of him to steady himself and finally said, "Fine, I'll do it."
"That's a good mallard."
Suddenly, the guard from within the living room, came up from behind Duke's right side. He grabbed Duke by the wrist and twisted his arm behind his back while another guard appeared from some hiding place and cut loose Duke's utility belt and snatched his duck saber.
"Wait, stop! I said I would do it!" Duke shouted. He tried to kick and bite at the guards with his sharp beak, but to no avail. The guard holding his wrist pushed him against the wall the took out some sheers and cut down the back of Duke's expensive outfit, leaving him naked and exposed. Then, they tore off the hanging shreds of clothes from his body and trust him towards Henna, who grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, pulling him towards her.
Duke, resisting as best he could, searched around the room for any possible route of escape, but before he could find his bearings, another feathered hand grabbed his scruff and forcefully tilted his head back. Then, came a hauntingly familiar voice that Duke never wanted to hear, "Come on, old boy, just give the lady what she wants and it will all be over soon." Almost choking from the strain on his neck, Duke couldn't sputter out a single word in protest. Instead, a pill was popped down his throat and his beak was held shut by two strong hands. Without comprehension, he swallowed it and immediately he began to drift in and out of consciousness. The room spun out of control as two dark shadows pinned him down on the couch while the vision in his left eye blurred. Breathing heavily, he heard one final, menacing threat, "Best to get the top bunk, old boy. Better view, from what I'm told."