Chapter 12: Alliances

…

When Canard and Duke finally reached Puck City, it was daylight. Detective Thunderbeak would have all of his troops after the duo by now. Soon, Duke would be known as a chick-napper; his face on wanted posters for the first time in his life.

"What now, Duke?" Canard said as they slowly walked toward the poverty-stricken side of the city. An arrowtram rumbled above them, dropping bits of debris into the coffees they had bought at a local bakery—one known to have no cameras or affiliations with the Brotherhood.

"We need to find weapons, maybe even allies within the mob," Duke replied sleepily.

"I could be your liaison. You could point someone out to me and…"

"Kid, no offense, but you are the chief detective's chick. I'm not willing to risk your identity or safety if I don't have to," Duke interjected.

"Then why did you ask me to come?"

Duke whipped a long piece of hair out of his face and good eye before he realized that his feathers were still their long, distinctive color and length.

"I need to get rid of this hair!" he said.

"You wear an eyepatch. You really think your hair is going to give you away?" Canard replied sarcastically, taking a sip of his warm coffee.

"Ha, ha. I guess you are right, kid. We are both handsome ducks. We need someone trust worthy—on the inside. Someone no one would expect," Duke said, scratching his chin methodically.

"How about me, old chum?" came a very familiar voice from down a dark alley.

"Perry!" Duke said in disgust as he instinctively stood in front of Canard to shield him.

"Easy, old boy. I didn't come here to fight you or turn you over," Perry replied, still hiding in the shadow of the alleyway.

"Humpf, still lurking in the dark, huh there? Even after what you did, she still won't let you play in the sun?" Duke taunted. Perry's expression went from one of poise to that of snubbed. He ruffled his feathers and stepped confidently into the morning light.

"It's Falcone, now," he proclaimed, touching the saber attached to his belt.

"Falcone, huh? Well, whatever you are now, just tell us what you want and I might not wring your neck," Duke threated.

"Pa-lease, Duke, in broad daylight?" he chuckled. "Besides, I am now the second in command of the Brotherhood. My brothers would come looking for me, just as I have come to you, my brother," Falcone said innocently.

"Oh, yeah? What about you holding me down, drugging me, and violating me? Leaving me for the Puck Police? Some brother you are!" Duke said, stretching out his arm to hold back Canard protectively.

"I knew they wouldn't cage you. I was the one that arranged your…disposal. I made sure you would come back. And now you have! Such a strong duck you are. Duke, you are the true heir to the Brotherhood. Everyone knows this and so do I."

"I still don't trust you," Duke hissed.

"Let me put it this way, do you have other options?"

Duke looked back at Canard and Canard only shrugged in response.

"Alright, Perry…"

"Falcone," interrupted the peregrine.

"Alright Falcone, we'll go with you."

The falcon led the two young mallards to a small corner bar in a district controlled by the Brotherhood of the Claw. Duke knew the area to be out of bounds for not only him, but also the rest of his Brotherhood. He wondered if anyone would recognize him. When they entered the bar, Duke and Canard witnessed all manner of low life: drunken, sniveling, and disheveled birds. There was even a rare female parrot with a full red tail exposed under a short dress to excite and serve the meandering cocks.

"Now, now, old boy, don't judge these birds too harshly. They belong to a brotherhood just as we do, except that they are not keen on Henna's power within the Blade. They are willing to follow the rightful heir to the Blade if only to see Henna's reign end."

"Hmmm…you don't say," Duke muttered. "How do I know they wouldn't overthrow any opposing leader's reign?"

"Duke," Canard said with a slight hint of fear in his voice, "Falcone is telling the truth. Henna has been slowly encroaching on the Claw's territory and she even tips off the Puck Police to their whereabouts. She fights dirty. She has sent some of them to prison by arranging heists only to have the Puck Police sting the Claws on her command."

"I guess I didn't know how powerful she was…or is becoming. I knew she could influence the police, but to what extent, I was never sure," Duke whispered in reply.

"Ah, Leatherbeak! Wingstrap! So good to finally meet you in person, old boys," exclaimed Falcone suddenly as he walked up to two weathered and fierce looking ducks.

"It's Henna's falcon-boy," said the duck with a piece of leather wrapped tightly around his upper beak.

"Puh, he's no more than a child," replied what must have been Wingstrap.

"Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Duke L'Orange, the only heir of Dukard L'Orange," Falcone announced gesturing toward Duke. Duke strode up to the two ducks, trying not to let on that he was secretly frightened of the seasoned crime lords.

"The Prince! My gods, I never thought I would see the day!" exclaimed Wingstrap.

"Sirs, I am here to broker a treaty," said Duke, trying to sound as assertive as he could.

"Little Prince, our services are at your disposal. We want Henna dethroned. We want the mutual respect and fair play between our Brotherhoods that was once so sacred under your father's rule. We will help you restore what is yours," said Leatherbeak. Wingstrap nodded in approval as his companion spoke.

Duke bowed deeply with respect then looked at Canard. Canard smiled and turned to walk out of the bar with Duke following.

"Gentlemen," Falcone also bowed slightly to the leaders and then turned to trail the young mallards out into the midday sun.

Later that evening, Duke and Canard found themselves sharing a comfortable dormitory with a bunk in the layer of the Brotherhood of the Claw. Leatherbeak graciously allowed them to stay, partake in a hot meal with the Council of Elders, and discuss strategy with the heads of the bands.

"Duke?" Canard asked from the bottom bunk.

"Yeah, kid?"

"Do you think I'll get into trouble for helping you?"

"Nah, I plan to tie you up, gag you, and leave you in a back alley where the police can find you when this is all through," Duke said with a jeer.

"What!?" Canard shrieked, springing from his bed in horror.

"Don't worry. It will be the perfect guise. I'll just tie a note to you saying I no longer require you as my hostage. No one will ever been the wiser, except for you."

"But, you'll be a wanted duck," Canard said meekly.

"After I am restored as leader, I'll be a wanted duck no matter what."

Canard sighed deeply, "I wish it didn't have to end like that."

"Me neither, kid. But, hey, this might be your adventure of a lifetime! Something to tell your kids about!"

"Yeah, sure Duke."

"Goodnight, kid."

"Goodnight, Duke."

Duke couldn't sleep that night. Though he felt among brothers, he still didn't trust the Claw or Falcone's arrangements. He feared for the young Canard and silently vowed to keep the kid safe no matter the costs to himself. As he laid awake late into the night, he thought about his father, his childhood, and about the love he once felt for Perry. He truly treated the young eyass like a true brother. How wrong he had been.

That bird has only formed an alliance with me because he found out about the Claw's hatred for Henna. He knows, one way or another, Henna's reign is about to end. I'm sure as fast as a wing can flap, that disgusting peregrine will betray me again.