Disclaimer: All non-original characters are property of SEGA or their respective creators.
28. High Hopes
Amaranth couldn't take this anymore. For a few days it had been bearable, simply having Silver back by her side. Now, though, she was ready to accept her little boy wasn't so little anymore.
The ten-year-old lay spreadeagled in the middle of the futon, blissfully unaware his splayed limbs had nearly forced his mother onto the dirt floor. She'd tried to shake him a couple of times, but it was pointless. He'd been too tired to even wash his sooty face when Shadow brought him home.
Tentatively, Amaranth turned onto her other side, keeping one hand on her belly. Silver wasn't her only child who'd grown recently. It would make the conversation with the ten-year-old about sleeping on his own futon much easier.
Just then, Shadow grunted, kicked in the back by a twitching leg.
"Why are we persisting with this?" he grumbled under his breath.
"We'll move him tomorrow," whispered Amaranth, "Let him sleep for now."
"Don't you want to sleep too?"
"I've had a little," murmured the cerise hedgehog, eyeing the bony elbow that'd cut her sleep short.
"I'm glad one of us has."
Amaranth lifted her head to peer over Silver. Shadow had his back to them.
"What's wrong?" she asked, propping her head on her hand.
The black hedgehog sighed. "Master said I'm getting on that horse tomorrow, one way or another."
"So soon?"
"He said we've put it off long enough."
Amaranth bit her lip. She knew he'd been dreading it, but not this much. He sounded scared.
Like him — and every other Erinian noble, for that matter — she had grown up being told the cautionary tale of King Torque the Heirless. One night long ago, that headstrong young king had insisted on leading his army on a night march through a rainstorm.
Somewhere along that highland road, he and his horse fell into a ravine. The Velocian Dynasty fell with them, ushering in a generation of courtly squabbles and Agnian meddling before Queen Auralia took the throne. Her descendants still reigned over Erinia.
Amaranth remembered being twelve when she first wondered why the horse got blamed for all that chaos, rather than the boneheaded King Torque. By then, however, her parents were already in talks about her engagement to Prince Sonic, and what a hedgehog who questioned such a taboo?
"Shadow?"
The black hedgehog looked up. His wife was standing over him, wrapped in a blanket.
"Come sit outside," she whispered, "It looks like Mistress was wrong about the rain."
"What about the boy?" murmured Shadow.
"If our talking hasn't woken him up, why would a little extra space?"
With a mirthful grunt, Shadow slipped out from under the futon's layered blankets, taking one for himself. Together, the hedgehogs padded across the roundhouse's communal area, towards a doorway lit by the dim glow of starlight. Letting Shadow go first, Amaranth glanced back at Silver.
"What was Rufus making him do yesterday?" she wondered aloud, ducking out into the yard.
"He didn't say," her husband muttered, "Asking questions, probably. That's all he seems to want to do at the moment."
Amaranth smirked. "Maybe you could try answering him for once?"
Shadow scoffed softly. "I'd only upset him, assuming I didn't bore him first."
With that, he led the way to the roundhouse's woodstore, a squat lean-to with a sloping thatched roof. Shadow sat down first, leaning back against a stack of firewood. Amaranth dropped her blanket and casually forced Shadow to share his.
"That's better," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
A shiver ran up her spine as an arm enveloped her waist. She shuffled right up against him.
"Why the sudden interest in Erinia?" mused Shadow, "That's what I don't understand."
"He's always been curious," said Amaranth.
"Not to this extent."
His wife sighed. "While you were away, I told him about Sonic."
She felt the sinews in Shadow's shoulder go suddenly tense.
"I didn't say much," she said quickly, "Only that you rescued me."
His shoulder-sinews relaxed. "Did you tell him how?"
"Of course not. I doubt we'll have to worry about that for a few years."
Shadow snorted softly. "What if he runs out of other questions?"
"The way you keep deflecting—"
"Amie, please, what is there to tell?" the black hedgehog snapped, "Why should he have to know about his grandfather put his family's honor before his own son's life?"
Amaranth sighed. "There's always Ashura—"
"What about her? That we used to sneak down to the dungeons, just so we could find someone to talk to that wasn't Marigold?"
Shadow sighed heavily.
"Anyway, you probably knew Ashura better than I did towards the end, what with all those letters you wrote each other."
"Shadow, you're her brother—"
"Who ruined her life in ways I don't even want to think about!" hissed Shadow, "Did she never tell you how excited she was to get married, so she could get away from Pa's castle?"
"No," said Amaranth, rubbing his shoulder, "She didn't."
"She was probably worried someone else might read it first. Now she's stuck there now, thanks to me—"
"Us, you mean," said Amaranth sharply, "I made a choice too that night. You're just the one who posed it."
Shadow smiled weakly. "I just wish the boy would ask about something more…relevant."
"Like what, exactly?"
"Arkadia."
The cerise hedgehog frowned. "You can't tell him about Master's promise yet. It's too soon."
The black hedgehog looked wounded. "Why? What else does he have to look forward to?"
Amaranth took her husband's left hand and placed it against her gravid belly.
"There's this," she whispered.
Shadow held her gaze until his eyes glistened with tears in the starlight.
"Amie, I'm sorry I ever brought us here," he whispered, biting his quivering lip.
Holding his hand against her belly, Amaranth shifted onto her knees and moved to straddle his lap. She let go of his wrist and cradled his face in her hands.
"I forgive you," she cooed, touching her nose to his, "And if I know Ashura, she will've done the same long ago."
Tenderly, she kissed him.
"We were never really free, anyway. Not at home, nor here. This way, at least Silver won't have to watch us ride off again. We get to be together. All four of us."
At that, the dam burst. Amaranth held the sobbing Shadow's face to her breast, quietly shushing him. Outside the woodstore, rain began to fall.
жЖж
Prince Sonic of Erinia awoke with a start, jostled by the restless Ashura.
"Asha?" he murmured groggily.
"Sorry," his wife whispered, still wriggling.
"Still not comfortable?"
"How can you ever get comfortable, sleeping like this?"
"You'll get used to it."
"After how long?"
Sonic hesitated. Ashura snorted softly.
"Not before we reach Agnia, then," she said, settling on her side, "How much further do we have to go?"
"I don't know," said Sonic, "We don't ever really come out this far east. When there is trouble, the thanes can usually deal with it themselves."
Ashura sighed wearily. "So, we really are depending on that bobcat."
The blue hedgehog suppressed a sigh of his own. Five days into their impromptu quest, they hadn't really spoken about Tiara being part of their travelling party. He hoped that wasn't about to change.
His wife tutted as she wriggled again, cursing under her breath.
"Asha, I'm sure Zoë wouldn't mind sharing the wagon—"
"No," said Ashura sharply, hugging his arm, "I'm staying right here. I'm just too used to courtly comforts is all. I'll adjust."
Sonic smiled faintly. "Then I'll go to the wagon."
He went to get up. She hung onto his arm.
"Why?" she demanded.
"To see if there's any spare blankets we can use."
Sheepishly, Ashura released him. "Umm, well, try not to disturb Zoë."
"I won't," said Sonic, kissing her forehead.
Crawling out of the bevy of bedding on the tent floor, Sonic pulled on a velvet tunic and crawled out of between the canvas flaps. Outside, he found Miles sitting in his armor by the campfire. The wagon was parked behind the fox.
"Styx said she'd take the last watch," said Miles, looking up from a scroll on his lap.
"I know," said Sonic.
"Then why're you up?" asked the fox, rolling up the scroll.
The hedgehog struggled not to clench a fist as he noticed Miles dart a glance at Tiara's tent.
"Asha can't sleep," he said, stalking towards the campfire, "There any blankets left in there?"
The fox blinked. "Oh…uh, yes. Plenty."
"Then if you'll excuse me," said Sonic curtly.
"Sorry," mumbled Miles as the hedgehog passed him.
Sonic stopped. "Huh?"
"You heard me," said the fox, "I can see you're trying with Ashura. It's just…I still can't believe my father made you bring that bobcat along."
"Asha didn't feel she had a choice."
"What about you, though?" said Miles, "Why did you agree to it?"
"I don't exactly feeling entitled to an opinion about all this. Asha's the one taking the risk here."
"You still could've said something—"
"So could you!" hissed Sonic, sitting down beside the fox, "Instead of holing up in your tower for two days. We tried knocking on your door. What were you doing in there?"
"Research, mostly," said Miles flatly, brandishing his scroll, "Take a look."
Accepting the scroll, the hedgehog unfurled it, revealing a detailed sketch of a cat — evidently a male — with not one but three tails. He scanned the parchment for explanatory notes. There were none.
"What is this?"
"A breakthrough, hopefully."
The fox stabbed a finger at the sketched cat's three tails. "See that? When did you ever see another creature with more than one tail?"
"Miles, it's a drawing—"
"Which is why I'm going to Agnia," snapped Miles, snatching back the scroll, "To ask the cat who drew it if it's real."
"Where did it even come from?"
"Do you remember Ellidius?"
Sonic's brow furrowed in thought. "Wait, the old ambassador?"
Miles smirked. "In name only. He spent most of his time tutoring me. When he went home, he left most of his library behind. Zoë decided she would try and organize them the other day. That's how she found it."
The hedgehog nodded passively. "So, if it is real, what happens then?"
"You even need to ask?" the fox blurted, "It could prove there's a rational explanation for these!"
He grabbed both his tails.
"An explanation that doesn't involve multiple souls, ancestral curses, and all that other superstitious crap!"
"Prove it to who, though?" asked Sonic, "Nobody important actually believes in any of that."
"I thought so too," the fox scoffed, "Turns out my father's thanes are happy to have a kitsune as king, but not as a son-in-law."
"Sonic?"
The princes looked up. The bare-shouldered Ashura was standing outside the hedgehogs' tent, covering herself with a canvas flap.
"Oh," she uttered, "You're there."
"Sorry, Asha," said Sonic, rising to his feet, "I'll just—"
"It's alright," Ashura cut in, "I moved some things around. It's comfortable enough for now. Don't disturb Zoë."
Sonic stumbled forward, pushed by Miles.
"You heard her," the fox murmured, "Get gone."
Resisting the urge to wheel round and kick the fox, the blue hedgehog walked back to his tent.
"Sorry," whispered Ashura, "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just…"
She trailed off, darting a glance towards Tiara's tent.
"Asha, it's you I'm here for," said Sonic softly, "No one else."
"You'll understand why I have a hard time accepting that," said the black hedgehog, ducking back inside the tent.
Sonic hastened after her. He found Ashura sitting at the back of the tent, hugging her knees.
"What did Miles have to say?" she asked, "Was he berating you again?"
"Actually, no."
"Good. Then I only need to deal with Styx."
Sonic frowned as he lifted off his tunic. "What do you mean?"
"Don't get me wrong, it's nice having allies for a change," said Ashura, crawling across the rearranged bedding to kiss his cheek, "But I'm quite capable of being angry with you by myself."
жЖж
"Ma?"
Amaranth blinked awake. Warmly ensconced in Shadow's arms beneath a shared blanket, she looked up. Silver stood at the woodstore's entrance, silhouetted against the first light of dawn.
"Are you and Pa alright?" he asked.
She nodded vigorously as she furtively elbowed Shadow.
"Hmm?" he grunted, half-opening one eye. He promptly opened both, "Silver?"
"I brought your clothes," said the albino hedgehog, holding out two sackcloth sarongs, along with Shadow's chain-link necklace.
Amaranth reluctantly left her husband's embrace and stood up.
"Thank you," she said, kissing the boy's soot-smeared forehead as she put on her sarong. She bundled up Shadow's things and threw them to him. Turning back around, she found Silver smiling winsomely.
"Please may I, Ma?" he asked shyly.
"Of course you may," she replied, putting her hands on her hips.
The ten-year-old stooped, delicately placed his hand on her belly, and began whispering to its occupant. It had quickly become a morning ritual.
"I hope he's not expecting any answers," murmured Shadow, drawing up alongside his wife.
Amaranth resisted the urge to elbow him, lest she interrupt her son. At length, Silver patted the bump and looked up.
"I don't think your master and mistress are awake yet," he said, "So, can you both come today?"
"Son, what did we say about making unreasonable requests?" said Shadow sternly.
"I hardly think they'll mind," said Amaranth.
Her husband shot her a glance. She shrugged.
"What?" she said, "The fence is as good as finished."
Silver seized them both by the hand.
"Quick, before the sun gets any higher!" he exclaimed, dragging them across the yard.
He was uncharacteristically quiet on the walk to the smithy. Lolloping along the dusty path between his parents, his beaming smile only dimmed when they passed by their burned-out old roundhouse.
"I wish the queen would just get rid of that place," he mumbled as they plodded on.
Soon enough, the forge's smoking chimney hoved into view. Shadow and Amaranth traded confused glances as Silver failed to stop at the usual spot.
"Silver, shouldn't we be saying—"
"Nuh-uh. Today's different, Ma," replied Silver, practically dragging his parents into the smithy's yard, "Just wait here!"
With that, he dashed off towards the forge. His abandoned parents glanced about warily.
"What did he mean by different?" asked Amaranth, "Did Rufus say anything?"
Shadow shook his head. "Not that I can remember."
Amaranth sidled closer to her husband, feeling an odd pang of nervousness. She eyed the broadsword hilt on the chain around Shadow's neck. Was she about to receive something similar?
Just then, Silver came dashing out of the forge, wearing a miniature leather apron over his sackcloth tunic. Practically skidding to a halt, he held out his hands. In his palms sat two rudimentary brooches: simple iron rings pierced with long needle-like pins.
"What are these?" asked Amaranth.
"Gifts, Ma," replied Silver, "Master and me made them for you. Do you like them?"
"For me?" said the cerise hedgehog, hugging her chest.
"And Pa," said the albino hedgehog, "They're for your clothes. Pa's sarong keeps falling down."
"It does?"
"Uh-huh. Didn't Pa tell you?"
"No, Silver," said the smirking Amaranth, "No, he didn't."
Shadow promptly took his brooch, mumbled his thanks, and skulked off.
"Silver?"
Mother and son turned to see Rufus peering out of the forge door.
"Time to get to work, lad," the skunk called out.
"Coming, master!"
The ten-year-old went to run off, almost forgetting the brooch still in his hand. Turning back, he found himself engulfed by his mother's arms.
"You're a good boy, Silver," she cooed, "Such a sw…such a good boy."
Two skinny white arms embraced her waist.
"I love you, Ma," he sniffled.
жЖж
"How much longer does that bat plan on keeping us there?" said Mighty, leaning back against a battlement atop Dalriada's south wall.
"No time soon," said Matilda, "Not now she's calling Cassie her ambassador."
"Ambassador, huh?" her brother scoffed, "Fanciest way of saying 'hostage' I ever heard."
"She doesn't seem to mind it," his sister sighed.
"Did Lady Clovis know this would happen?" asked Mighty.
Matilda shrugged. "I hope so, but if the wolves really are on the march, she'll be safer here than in Pharlain?"
Mighty cocked a brow. "Really? All the trouble I've heard about around here seems to be happening inside that longhouse."
Matilda smiled ruefully. "She's probably running out of warriors to—"
She stopped short. Down the wall, Cassiopeia was standing in the gap between two battlements, her lilac tunic billowing in the midmorning breeze, one slip away from certain death. The armadillo siblings dropped their spears and raced to pull the green pronghorn back down onto the wall-walk.
"What're you doing, my lady?" demanded Matilda, breathless with panic.
"Sorry," mumbled Cassiopeia, "I was just trying to get a better look."
"Of what, my lady?" asked Mighty.
"That," replied the thirteen-year-old, pointing to the southern sky, "I never saw a bird that big before."
The armadillos turned to see a solitary lone creature flying above the surrounding hills towards Dalriada.
Mighty grimaced. "That's no bird, my lady."
жЖж
"Do you always take this long to think about things, Khan?"
The monkey glanced up from the chessboard. "Sorry, my queen."
Queen Rouge of Galderia leaned back in her winged throne and sipped from her goblet. "There's no need for apologies. Just make your move."
The monkey returned his attention to the chessboard, populated with rock-salt figurines. All but the kings were carved in Rouge's image.
"Well?" said Princess Blaze of Agnia, drumming her claws on the throne's stone dais.
Khan grimaced. When the queen invited him to be her new bodyguard, she hadn't said anything about playing chess. In their mercenary days, Percilla had been the strategist, not him. He just blew his trumpet good and loud until everyone was paying attention. Nostalgia was beginning to bite.
"Khan!" snapped Rouge, interrupting his daydream, "It was a pawn she took, nothing more. Save your concentration for when after she takes—"
"My queen!"
Startled, the bat almost dropped her goblet.
"Trogg's balls," breathed Khan.
On the far side of the high-ceilinged hall, a broad-snouted cobalt bat stood hunched in the longhouse's entrance. Dressed in a frayed purple tunic and sword-belt, he was gripping both sides of the doorframe for support.
"Gordian?" said Rouge, rising to her feet. Khan and Blaze promptly did the same.
The brown lynx guarding the door came forward to help him. Pushing her away, Gordian limped across the hall, one hand on his sword's hilt. Rouge and her warriors watched in silence.
"My queen," the cobalt bat grunted, dropping to one knee before the throne.
"Why are you here?" asked Rouge sternly, "Where're—"
"Dead," Gordian cut in, "All of them dead, my queen."
"All except you," said Rouge.
"I was able to prepare myself. The others…they never stood a chance. Everything's gone the way that Erinian planned. Everything."
"What're you talking about—"
"The jackals have the Moon Wolf, my queen!" he snapped, "Now, where is the Erinian?"
"Which one?" muttered Khan.
"You know very well which one!" growled Gordian, "Take me to her!"
"No," Rouge interjected, "Khan, bring her here. Now."
жЖж
"Hold it there, Amie," said Xhade, dropping to her haunches, "This won't take long."
"Yes, mistress," said Amaranth, dutifully gripping the wicker fence panel while the echidna attached it to the neighboring panels.
Once she was done, the roundhouse's yard would be fully enclosed. Then, they could look forward to however many days of carving components for Xhade's loom. Amaranth assumed it would be less tedious than weaving sticks into fence panels, but she was already bracing herself for disappointment.
"Working hard, your ladyship?"
The hedgehog looked over her shoulder to find Khan was strolling down the dusty path.
"Mistress, it would appear you have a visitor," she murmured.
Xhade looked round.
"What does he want?" she said, standing up, "Knuxahuatl isn't here."
"I don't care," said Khan, "I'm here for the hedgehog."
The echidna frowned. "On whose authority—"
"The queen's," the monkey cut in, "Hand her over."
Xhade put a protective arm around her slave. "She belongs to—"
"She belongs to the queen."
"Who entrusted her to—"
"Mistress, stop," Amaranth piped up, "I'll go."
"Not by yourself," said Xhade.
"She won't be by herself," said Khan.
"Indeed not, because I'll be with her."
The monkey locked eyes with the echidna, then threw up his arms in exasperation.
"Whatever," he muttered, turning around, "Just try to keep up. Take it from me: she's not in a patient mood."
"Thank you, mistress," whispered Amaranth as they started up the path behind the monkey.
Trusting Xhade to steer her safely to the longhouse, the hedgehog lowered her gaze, focusing on her belly and the brooch on her hip. She couldn't think why the queen would want to see her, nor did she try to. Instead, she concentrated on behaving as submissively as possible. Self-discipline had never come easily to her, and in Rouge's presence, it tended to abandon her entirely.
Her solemn reverie continued all the way to the longhouse's steps.
"We're here, Amie," murmured Xhade.
She went to withdraw her arm. Amaranth snatched at her wrist.
"Please, mistress, don't let go," she said as they climbed the steps, "This feels safer somehow."
The echidna nodded. Khan glanced over his shoulder at the saronged duo, then led them inside.
"My queen," he called out, "As you requested—"
"Amaranth!" roared Gordian.
Snatching an unsuspecting guard's spear, he spread his wings and swooped across the hall. Amaranth and Xhade dived in opposite directions. The spearpoint shattered on the flagstones as Gordian landed. Letting out a deafening screech, he drew his sword and pursued the scrabbling hedgehog.
"Thought you were rid of me, didn't you?" he snarled, hauling her up her quills, "Think again!"
Pushing her against a column, he pressed the edge of his sword against her throat.
"That bleeding heart finally got the better of you. Turning those wolves loose simply wasn't enough, was it? You had to go give them that hammer, too."
He spat in her face.
"You really never could do enough for those mutts."
Too scared to speak, Amaranth could only hold his gaze as the hot breath from his snout washed over her face.
"This must be the quietest I've ever known you—"
"Gordian!" snapped Rouge, "Release that slave."
"Not this one, my queen!" the cobalt bat retorted without looking round, "This one's got blood on her quills."
"Khan, disarm him."
Gordian's nostrils flared as he looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with Khan.
"Percilla's friend, weren't you?" he sneered, "Not interested in a little revenge?"
The monkey bared his teeth.
"You heard the queen's command," he said, brandishing his mace, "Step back."
"Just as soon as she confesses," growled Gordian, "Then we'll see who you want to swing that spiky ball at—"
He stopped short, staggered back a step, then collapsed onto the flagstones. He landed beside his sword, and Amaranth's sackcloth sarong. Her brooch's needle-like pin protruded from his chest.
Looking on, the stunned Xhade flinched as Khan thrust his cloak at her. Taking it, she padded past Gordian's body and draped the woolen overgarment over the naked hedgehog's shoulders.
Oblivious, Amaranth stared silently at the dead bat, clutching the other half of Silver's brooch in her fist. A single tear ran down her cheek.
"Tears, Amie?" said Rouge, landing beside the body, "Is there no one your heart won't bleed for?"
"Not for him, my queen," said Amaranth solemnly, "I spoiled my son's gift."
"You've spoiled a good deal more than that," the queen sneered, "If only you could always be this cold, I might yet have had two of my best warriors when I need them most."
"You still could, my queen—"
"Don't be absurd," snapped Rouge, turning to Xhade, "You, remove your slave from my presence."
The echidna bowed her head and steered the hedgehog towards the door.
"But first, return Khan's cloak. You both seem quite comfortable exhibiting yourselves. I doubt you'll notice a difference."
Xhade hesitated. Amaranth didn't. She shed the cloak and ran away.
"Poor sweet Amie," mumbled Rouge, walking over to pick up the cloak, "May you never know the favor you just did me."
Turning on her heel, she threw the cloak over Gordian's body.
"Khan, round up some wolves and put him in the burial ground. There will be no ceremony."
"There won't?" gasped Blaze.
Rouge looked to the cat. Her mouth was agape.
"What's that look for?" the bat demanded.
"Gordian, my queen, he was one of your longest-serving—"
"So what if he was?" snapped Rouge, "His usefulness to me expired the moment he flew away from—"
Stopping short, she narrowed her eyes. Stepping over the body, she lunged at Blaze. Grabbing her by the ponytail, she dragged the cat stumbling across the hall to a door beside the winged throne. She kicked it open and hurled Blaze inside.
"You have your orders, Khan," she called out, then slammed the door behind her, "As for you, princess, that had better be the last petulant outburst I hear out of your mouth."
Blaze meekly picked herself up off the chamber's floor. "My queen, I didn't mean to—"
"I don't care what you meant. Ever since Honey died, you've been like an overgrown child in want of a nurse. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put you on a horse back to Agnia this instant?"
"Maybe you should, my queen," mumbled Blaze.
Rouge cocked a brow. "Excuse me?"
"If it's true what he said, about Percilla's warband being…well, you're going to need more warriors, my queen. Good ones."
"An astute observation—"
"Agnia is full of such warriors. Most are retired, but not through choice. When my uncle Magnus deposed my mother, he disbanded whole regiments—"
"And what, you think you can reunite them under your uncle's nose?"
"I know cats who can, my queen. They fought under General Honey."
"And what makes you so sure they'll fight for me?"
"Many simply live to fight, my queen. War is all they know."
"This all sounds rather too good to be true," said Rouge, folding her arms, "So good, in fact, I almost wish I had the luxury of saying no."
Blaze brightened. "Conifer and I will leave at dawn, my queen!"
"Why wait?" said the bat, "It's still bright out. You'll leave today."
The cat bowed deferentially.
"As for your escort, leave Conifer out of this," Rouge went on, pinching her emerald necklace, "I have someone else in mind."