《The Dennen Conspiracy》 Chapter One: All Friends Here Sinda, 6th of Martius, 1970 AA.7pm Felrum Winterum pushed his hood back, wincing at the bite of the icy trickle that dripped onto his face. The storm showed no sign of abating; it had swept in from the Sea of Mulken, drenching the streets and sending all those with more than a lick of sense indoors. The rabbit pulled his rain-soaked cloak tighter in a futile effort to ward off the chill as he slipped from one shadow to the next. Though not one to place stock in superstition, a string of ill omens had nonetheless seemed to pepper his every step since he¡¯d set foot in Eirden. ¡®Mother¡¯s own rotten fortunes¡­¡¯ he thought with a quiet sigh. Crows had crossed overhead on his way to Elfort. In Tirsi, he¡¯d witnessed the full moon in a pond while the skies were thick with clouds. A shock ran up and down his back when he thought over his mission again; each happening and every aspect of it served to disgruntle him further. ¡®Got no choice.¡¯ Scowling despite his caution, Felrum glanced about. The district in which he found himself traversing en route to his destination carried a distinct unpleasant odor that clung to his senses. It quickened his pulse and sent a tendril of fear down his spine. Eirden was a predator city¡ªand as a rabbit, he acutely understood the dangers. There were even whispers of foxes in the area. He¡¯d heard that they considered rabbits a delicacy. Felrum hoped beyond hope they remained oblivious to his visit. Those were the sort of rumors that he was none-too-eager to test.With a nervous gulp, he resumed his skulking; the Garden of Sancus wasn¡¯t far. Hopefully, he¡¯d get some answers. Stepping off the street, he entered a secluded courtyard. Felrum felt his heart pound; a grizzled and ugly figure stood tall beside a great gnarled oak tree in the center of the courtyard. A predator. ¡®Great, just my bloody luck¡­¡¯ Felrum studied him carefully; he looked like a soldier, and the rabbit could easily imagine that he would be a nasty customer in a fight. He was a hyena, and his ears twitched as he turned to face the rabbit with a low growl that was more felt than heard. Felrum flinched at the sound and briefly contemplated slipping away and attempting the meeting later, but he dismissed the thought. His contract required him to be here, and the appointed time was quickly approaching; whether he liked it or not, they would have to share the space for a while. The rabbit pulled his hood down tightly, partly to ward off the rain, but primarily to shield himself from hidden curious eyes. He rose onto his tiptoes in an effort to appear more imposing. Keeping a cautious distance from the hyena, Felrum settled onto a bench near the wall, ready to bolt at any sign of danger. A thousand questions plagued his mind, and the disquieting sense from the omens he''d noticed wouldn¡¯t dissipate. After all, he was in a land of predators. The buildings around him were cloaked in a garb of shadow and mist. The occasional flickering light from nearby windows piercing the darkness. The air bore a m¨¦lange of damp earth, aged wood, and the many other scents of a city that seemed it¡¯d be more awake come nightfall. But at this hour, its usual hustle was subdued and made yet more foreboding by the storm. His left ear twitched as a faint click reverberated from the nearby building, soon followed by the hushed shuffle of paws A moment later, a door opened creakily, a shaft of yellow light spilling out into the courtyard, and a diminutive weasel stepped out onto the cobbles and sneezed boisterously. The weasel rubbed his paws together as though seeking warmth in spite of the cold. Felrum studied the mammal and felt the fur on his ears stand up straight. Despite the expensive attire¡ªan embellished doublet with matching breeches¡ªthere was something off about his demeanor: something dangerous and repulsive. He gave off the impression of a disheveled creature hastily jammed into opulent garments as part of a last-minute production, as if he was playing a role. His beady little eyes glittered with some unknowable malicious intellect. The weasel sneezed again before turning abruptly to face the hyena. ¡°Ah¡­ you are all here. Good, good. Forgive me; it¡¯s been a harsh winter,¡± he spoke in a low phlegmy voice. At this, the hyena snorted dismissively and paced toward him, his paw casually resting on the hilt of his sword. ¡°Welcome to Eirden, good friends,¡± the mustelid seemed loathed to say. ¡°There is no need for applause. I am Jiremar Solster, the assigned representative of your esteemed employer. I trust that the three of you have received important messages explaining why you are here on his behalf?¡± ''Three?¡¯ thought Felrum, confusion flitting across his face as he looked around. Something detached itself from the shadows at the weasel¡¯s words, and Felrum stepped back involuntarily when something out of a nightmare emerged. He had only ever heard of crocodiles until now; the stories hadn¡¯t done them justice. The creature¡¯s over-extended maw was full of crooked yellow teeth, seemingly contorted in a poor facsimile of a smile. Slitted eyes gleamed in the light as the reptile sidled closer, claws clicking on the cobblestones. ¡°Well then, better late than never,¡± Jiremar muttered, barely containing clear displeasure. ¡°Now¡ªI suppose you all have questions, and as they say in Eirden, time is money; so let us get started, shall we?¡± Jiremar said with an oily smile, turning to scrutinize each of them. Felrum felt as if he was being measured for the block. The weasel chuckled; he cleared his throat and hopped onto one of the bricks, edging around the oak tree. The hyena growled softly as his eyes darted suspiciously between Felrum, the weasel, and the crocodile¡ªseemingly trying to decide who was the biggest threat. ¡°What¡¯s this about? The message said nothing about others; I work alone,¡± the hyena demanded. Jiremar looked around and shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°We never guaranteed you exclusivity, as we deemed that the needs of your most generous benefactor exceeded what one hired associate could handle¡ªeven one with your ah¡­ formidable reputation, hah¡­¡± The hyena waved the shallow compliment away with a derisive snort. ¡°Based on your mysterious benefactor¡¯s reputation,¡± began the soldier-hyena, ¡°I thought you¡¯d have the coin to hire real professionals.¡± He did not deign to look at the animals he seemed to hold in such contempt as he continued: ¡°Instead, you bring a rabbit who looks like he should still be suckling at his moms¡¯ tits, and a swamp lizard that looks more dead than alive. I don¡¯t need to tell you that I am in no mood for filthy hucksters, do I?¡± Felrum jumped and felt his ears burn at the insult. Adjusting his hood, he walked towards the weasel, careful to avoid the hyena''s gaze. Warily, he reached into his cloak and pulled out the scroll containing his contract. ¡°I-I was hired for a job. You know this person?¡± Felrum said, his voice delicate yet loud enough for the others to hear. ¡°Of course I know him, he¡¯s your very very esteemed employer, of course¡ªquite generous, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± asked Jiremar. ¡°Very. The sooner I can meet our benefactor the better,¡± was all he could say. He reached out a gloved paw to the weasel, who responded by shaking it firmly. A low rumble caused Felrum to glance over his shoulder. The crocodile who had stood motionless had started forward. He walked with an odd, lumbering grace¡ªa force of nature rolling across the cobbles. His long tail whipped left and right behind him, sending up a spray from the cobbles as he moved. ¡°Brother, where is? Where is my brother; mammals who are?¡± growled the crocodile, a voice that sounded like the crushed rock on which he stood,his inflection odd and heavily accented. ¡°They are your friends, of course¡ªfor the task,¡± said Jiremar with a backward step; ¡°think of them as such.¡± The crocodile slammed his tail heavily into the cobbles. Rolling his head to one side in a strange approximation of mammal behavior, he swept his eyes over Felrum and the hyena. ¡°Friends¡­ No. Have I¡ª I have no friends. Want brother? No pop-up friends!¡± he growled, his left claw twitching spasmodically. Jiremar huffed. ¡°You do now. New friends: a new, cheery, happy family. Unlike your brother¡ª¡± the weasel remarked, but quickly caught himself. ¡°I mean¡­ Forgive me; I don¡¯t know why I said that; that was in poor taste,¡± Jiremar hastily apologized, noticing the crocodile¡¯s eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. Then, without further warning, a thunderous bellow erupted from the crocodile''s maw, the sheer force of it rattling the windows of the nearby buildings. ¡°How dare you y-ou dare? Azlea¡ªwhere? Where is he?!¡± Growled Zyra as he lumbered toward the weasel, eyes wide and maw gaping. "Easy there, scaly! I don''t have your brother. But if you lay even one claw on me, I swear you''ll never find him!" Jiremar sputtered, rapidly backpedaling away from the advancing crocodile. He held his paws out in a placating gesture, trying to diffuse the tension. The crocodile stopped just a few feet away from Jiremar, fixing him with a baleful stare, his head tilted to one side in a menacing manner. Felrum watched intently as the crocodile seemed to weigh his options, rocking subtly from side to side. A noticeable twitch in the creature''s left paw caught the rabbits attention, signaling the crocodile''s barely restrained agitation. ¡°Listen, I will. For now,¡± he growled, before snapping his jaws shut with a resounding clack. Jiremar hastily retreated towards the hyena, who regarded him with evident contempt. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°I think what the belly dragger means to say is you best start getting to the point if you want to keep your hide intact,¡± said the hyena, putting out a paw to stop the weasel¡¯s retreat. It cost Jiremar a visible effort to collect himself. ¡°Is that a threat?¡± he demanded, attempting to smooth down his waistcoat with an air of decorum. ¡°More like a warning, runt,¡± the hyena said, ¡°I¡¯ll go along with whatever game you seem to be playing, but if you¡¯re wasting my time¡­¡± the hyena¡¯s arm shot out, grabbing Jiremar¡¯s collar and hoisting him off the ground. After giving him a forceful shake, he growled: ¡°I¡¯ll rip your throat out,¡± and then unceremoniously dropped the weasel onto the cobblestones. Stepping back under the cover of a nearby tree, the hyena cast an appraising glance over Felrum and the crocodile. Slowly, Jiremar picked himself up, his glare seething with furious indignation as he futilely tried to brush the mud from his finely tailored attire. Eventually giving up his attempts, he took a deep breath, regaining a semblance of his previous composure. ¡°Okay,¡± he drawled out, ¡°it seems a basic manual on manners might do us all some good. A touch of gratitude wouldn¡¯t hurt either.¡± Jiremar huffed before shaking his head. ¡°Fine, let me distill the situation you three are clearly too unappreciative to wrap your heads around,¡± He then thrust his finger outward, pointing decisively at each animal in turn. ¡°You, hyena, fucked a warwolf and got an entire branch of the league¡¯s army hot on your tail. That lonely scaly over there has a brother who¡¯s gone missing since my last manicure, and our rabbit friend here seeks to get a name pulled from one of the cradle¡¯s deadliest contracts. You all have received assistance to pull you out of this jumble,¡± he continued, his voice rising, ¡°so perhaps a modicum of respect for the messenger wouldn¡¯t be too much to ask!¡± The last word was spat out in a snarl, revealing a set of needle-sharp teeth. ¡°Now we all know what you three did to get yourselves into this mess; perhaps you would also like to know how to get yourselves out of it?¡± he added, glaring at the hyena, who looked back at him unfazed. Felrum shifted nervously; he didn¡¯t enjoy having his secrets exposed, but the weasel might have inadvertently done them a favor by weakening everyone¡¯s position. ¡°How help?¡± rumbled the crocodile, his tone tinged with thoughtfulness. ¡°Small mammal dead, smaller mammal deaders; no see point in helping dead mammals.¡±Felrum found himself agreeing silently. ¡®Scaly has a point. If I don¡¯t get this contract pulled¡­ Well¡ªhow long can I hide?¡¯ He shook his head, dispelling the worrisome thought. Success was the only option¡ªand if aiding these two was necessary for his own survival, then so be it. The weasel spoke up again, his nasally voice adding to the unlikely bunch¡¯s aggravation. ¡°Unfortunate as it may be, scaly, you''re all in the same boat. If you hope to save yourselves, you''ll stick together. Leave now, and you''ll likely find yourself adorning the city gates by dawn. And you hyena, our adversaries will ensure your hide and, let''s say, ¡®personal jewels¡¯, are showcased at the column of New Rushaya as a warning to any lowly creature aspiring to overreach his station within a week. And the rabbit? Run, hide, it won''t matter. The blades will catch up, and that will be your end. ¡°So, I suggest you all make a decision now. Will you take on the job, or not?¡± Jiremar declared rhetorically, pacing and pointing at each of them as he spoke. ¡°Enough with the threats,¡± the hyena growled again, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Just tell us what your boss wants.¡± ¡°Thank you, an actually appropriate question,¡± Jiremar replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The weasel straightened his back and cleared his throat once more, emphasizing the gravity of what he was about to disclose. "Your very esteemed employer has a very simple mission. There are three individuals in this city who need to be, let''s say, permanently removed," he said, making a throat-slitting gesture. He raised three fingers. "A snow leopard in Korssin Barracks, a corsac fox in Starfall Tavern, and a maned wolf in Raichsfort Castle. Each elimination will resolve one of your respective predicaments," Jiremar explained, rubbing his paws together with a hint of malice. Vincenn snorted. "Less gloating, more details.¡± ¡°Very well, the snow leopard is female, and is currently staying in the Korssin barracks, just a few blocks from here.¡± The hyena looked suspiciously at Jiremar, and Felrum had to admit if she was that close, why hadn¡¯t he had her dealt with already? ¡°What will we be walking into? I assume the barracks will have plenty of guards about,¡± the hyena inquired, squinting slightly. ¡°No guards; she is fully exposed, just waiting for your knives to penetrate her repeatedly.¡± The weasel started to choke on his joke, almost coughing, his face contorting as if he was about to sneeze, but he quickly regained his composure. The hyena smirked at that. ¡°You¡¯re making it sound more fun than it¡¯s likely to be. The barracks are going to be crawling with soldiers. I have no problem offing the cat, but I have no intention of dying just so your boss can get his jollies.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± the weasel repeats; ¡°she might have obtained the support of a Rakassar or two to act as her bodyguards, but that is hardly insurmountable.¡± ¡°Never heard of them. But any soldier with a title is bound to be some sort of big shot,¡± snarled the hyena as he gestured wildly at Jiremar, who seemed to wilt under his verbal tirade slightly. Felrum listened to the conversation and felt sick; ¡°Find someone else to be your assassin; I don¡¯t do wetwork unless you can give me a reason why I should kill her,¡± said Felrum as casually as he could. ¡°Growing a conscience, are we? Maybe your enemies will be swayed by that cute little face¡­ before they plunge their daggers into you again and again and again; you have fun thinking about that for the rest of your life, rabbit,¡± the hyena hissed. Felrum opened his mouth to protest, but the hyena cut him off. ¡°A life is a life, and I¡¯ve taken them for less. If it makes you feel better, I¡¯ll do the killing, and you can keep those little paws clean, bunny boy.¡± ¡°Excellent, it is always a pleasure working with professionals,¡± said the weasel, grinning toothily. Felrum hung his head, a sickly feeling of dread forming in his gut; even if he wasn¡¯t the one to do the deed, he was still complicit in murder¡­ but what option did he have? ¡°What did she do to deserve this?¡± Jiremar rolled his eyes in disbelief as he looked at Felrum. ¡°Isn¡¯t it enough that she angered your benefactor? She is a vile thing that dines on fresh rabbits daily; killing her would be a mercy, I assure you. Actually, let¡¯s just say that of all your targets, they have it coming,¡± said Jiremar as he pulled out a heavy bag and shook it. The sound of coins clanking loudly together. ¡°And to help soothe your conscience, we will provide monetary sums after dispatching each of the targets,¡± he continued. ¡°The leopard¡­. what if she knows where brother?¡± asked the crocodile slowly and carefully, enunciating his words. ¡°We¡¯ll just interrogate her¡­ thoroughly,¡± the hyena replied sternly. The crocodile tilted his head, contemplating this, then cracked his maw slightly in what passed for a reptilian smile. ¡°You can kill them afterward, okay?¡± said Vincenn. The reptile rolled his head from side-to-side, body swaying ponderously. ¡°Zyra, name is¡­ Zyra,¡± the crocodile finally introduced himself. ¡°Summer Stane, a pleasure to meet you all,¡± he said, his voice raspy yet soft. ¡°I¡¯m Alpha-Lieutenant Vincenn, Twelfth Legion¡¯s Fifth Platoon. You two can call me Vincenn,¡± the hyena stated, then shot a stern look at the weasel, "You, however, will address me as lieutenant." Jiremar clapped his paws together, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Isn¡¯t this just precious? All of us getting well acquainted with each other, and¡­ Of course, Lieutenant," He produced a note and a small pen from a nested pocket. Vincenn ignored the weasel''s antics, his gaze shifting from Zyra to Felrum, appraising each in turn. Felrum could feel Vincenn''s evaluating eyes on him. The hyena''s prowess in combat was unquestionable, but their task required more than brute force; it demanded skill and intelligence. Felrum wondered if Vincenn possessed enough of both to succeed. "What''s your specialty?" Vincenn inquired. "Bows, slings. I can track almost anything if you give me the time to read the signs. Skilled with blades too¡ªsabers, daggers," Felrum listed, then shrugged. "When necessary, I do what''s needed," He hesitated, unwilling to confess how this detachment made the act of killing more bearable. As rain pattered around them, a distant hunting bird''s call pierced the air. Vincenn''s ears perked up, his demeanor shifting to one of alertness. "I need to take a walk," Vincenn announced abruptly, turning on his heel and striding away. "H-Hey!" Jiremar sputtered, watching the hyena''s retreating form in bewilderment. Felrum eyed the yeen before slipping into the shadows to follow Vincenn, keeping him just within sight. ¡®He''s moving fast. Must be something urgent,¡¯ Felrum thought as he observed Vincenn¡¯s swift pace. Vincenn navigated through several streets before reaching a small park, dimly illuminated by a couple of streetlamps. He halted suddenly, then let out a loud, piercing whoop. In response, a falcon swooped down from the night sky, a blur of feathers, and perched atop a lamppost. It peered down at the hyena, who extended his arm. The bird ruffled its feathers, then gracefully descended onto his arm. Felrum tried to eavesdrop, but the steady drumming of the rain muffled their exchange. The falcon and hyena appeared to be in deep conversation for several minutes. Felrum contemplated the risks of moving closer to overhear them. Just as he began inching forward, the falcon abruptly took flight, soaring into the sky and disappearing among the black clouds. ¡°You have five seconds to come out rabbit before I gut you like a fish,¡± said Vincenn menacingly as he turned and looked directly at Felrum. Who swallowed nervously before stepping out of the shadows. ¡°Curiosity killed the cat, so they say. I expect it does the same thing to rabbits¡­ or crocs,¡± growled Vincenn, his paw resting on his sword hilt. ¡°Croc?¡± Asked Felrum cautiously as the hyena glowered at him for a long moment before responding. ¡°You¡¯re good at skulking, but the croc is no slouch either. He¡¯s been tailing you,¡± At Vincenn''s words Felrum spun around, scanning the shadows. To his astonishment, he realized Vincenn was correct. Zyra peeled himself from the darkness and approached them, stopping nearby. The only sounds were his slow, reptilian breathing and the steady patter of rain. Vincenn surveyed them again, his expression calculating. Felrum, taken aback, couldn''t hide his surprise. He prided himself on his acute senses, yet he hadn''t heard Zyra¡¯s approach. His heart raced, and he felt a twinge of admiration mixed with a newfound wariness. How had such a large creature managed to approach so stealthily? He glanced at Zyra, reassessing the threat he posed. ¡°Weasel, back inside go, said bring proof for coin, said you are ob¡­ obnoxious bastard- slammed door,¡± the reptile reported, his face screwed up in concentration. ¡°Been called worse,¡± said Vincenn nonchalantly before looking directly at Felrum. ¡°Look rabbit, I don¡¯t know how it is they do things in the playground you call a state, but I am no playmate and this is not a game. You do what you have to do to survive, same for you scaly. I am here for my own hide, and it¡¯s worth more than both of yours combined,¡± The hyena started to walk off, but a low growl from the crocodile stopped him. ¡°E¡­ get¡­ answers together,¡± rumbled Zyra, and Felrum jumped on the opportunity, they needed the yeen if they were going to pull this off, and he had no desire to work with the crocodile alone, the thing clearly wasn¡¯t right in the head. ¡°No offense, but we stand a better chance if we work together. I''m certain you''re skilled. Can you take on two or three Rakassars in a fight and still take on the leopard?¡± Piped up Felrum, trying to drive the point home. ¡°Help¡­ Yena¡­ Yena, help me find¡­ brother,¡± said Zyra. Vincenn grumbled something under his breath. ¡°You do what I say when I say it. We won¡¯t have time for a debate when this kicks off, and if you run, you are on your own... I won¡¯t give a rhino¡¯s ass if you live or die after that. Same for you, scaly.¡± Vincenn leaned down and whispered in the rabbit''s ear. ¡°I catch even a whiff of turn coating, and I will eat you alive,¡± Felrum flinched and nodded vigorously at his understanding. He didn¡¯t doubt for an instant that the hyena was serious. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± said Vincenn as he led the way down Mardor Street towards the barracks in the distance¡­ Chapter Two: The Snow Leopard Vincenn stood in the shadows, his gaze fixed intently on the Korssin Barracks. It was as if he believed that through sheer force of will, he could bring down the entire structure, sparing himself the trouble of having to infiltrate it. Vincent grunted; the barracks, though perhaps not meeting legionary standards, was nevertheless imposing. Before him, the building loomed several stories high, its rough-hewn stone fa?ade exuding a sense of impenetrable strength. The windows, evenly spaced along the walls, were each secured with sturdy wooden shutters. Flags of the Rakassar Guard fluttered in the breeze, their emblems showcasing a wolf''s helmet atop a tiger¡¯s skull set against a crimson background. A pair of substantial wooden doors, reinforced with iron bands, marked the entrance. Above them, a grand stone archway, intricately carved, bestowed a semblance of grandeur upon the otherwise austere structure. The expansive courtyard, with its well-maintained cobblestone pathways and neatly trimmed hedges, contrasted sharply with the barracks'' formidable appearance. Yet, what caught Vincenn''s attention and fueled his suspicion was the front door. Slightly ajar, it seemed almost inviting, an anomaly that didn¡¯t escape his trained eye. No competent guard would leave the entrance so carelessly unsecured unless it was a deliberate ploy. ¡®Mother¡¯s tits, this smells like a bloody trap,¡¯ he thought, his mind racing with the possibilities of what lay within and the dangers of stepping into such an obvious snare. ¡°Okay, boys, here¡¯s how I see it: either the Rakassar are as useless as tits on a boar hog for security, or we¡¯re walking into an ambush,¡± Vincenn muttered under his breath as he carefully scanned the side of the barracks. As Vincenn looked out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a glimmer of steel that immediately drew his attention. It turned out to be a door in the fence extending along the edge of the barracks¡¯ side gardens. ¡®Perfect!¡¯ ¡°There¡¯s a fence door¡­ by the edge of the side gardens. I don¡¯t see anyone inside,¡± muttered Vincenn before looking at Felrum thoughtfully. Felrum flicked an ear in the hyena¡¯s direction. ¡°Should we check it out?¡± Felrum¡¯s mind whirred with calculations as he assessed the distance to the gate and weighed the dangers of picking the lock out in the open. ¡°Here¡¯s your chance to impress me, rabbit; I want you to go over that fence into the gardens and see if you can sneak into the barracks. I want to know how many soldiers are there and see if you can find where the she-leopard is; if we are lucky, you can lead us right back to her, and we can finish this without having to wake up the whole city,¡± Vincenn looked down at Felrum with a smile that was meant to be reassuring, but instead seemed condescending. ¡°Smallest swift go¡­ rabbit¡­ Small rabbit sneak around, yes?¡± Zyra''s suggestion was simple but earnest. Vincenn rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated, and replied, ¡°Thank you for that¡­ obvious insight,¡± his voice dripping with sarcasm. Felrum shot Zyra a sympathetic look, recognizing that the crocodile''s grasp of Circi might not be his fault. Felrum then spoke, addressing Zyra directly. ¡°It can be useful; there¡¯s no denying that,¡± He turned back to Vincenn, ¡°Alright, but I¡¯ll need a believable story if I get caught. Any ideas?¡± Vincenn thought for a moment before responding. ¡°The runt mentioned something about foxes¡­ say you got tricked by them, or you''re trying to hide from them. The latter seems more plausible.¡± Felrum protested, ¡°Seriously, that¡¯s the best you can come up with? After they stop laughing, they''ll start stabbing!¡± He could imagine a horde of angry carnivores descending upon him with blades and fangs. ¡°You¡¯re a rabbit. Just how much of a threat can you possibly be?¡± Vincenn said, a toothy grin spreading across his face, highlighting the contrast between them and the unspoken reality of their predicament. Felrum blinked his large eyes at that, his nose twitching rapidly. ¡°Besides, you just need it to work long enough to haul your cute ass out of there,¡± Vincenn added, his grin widening. Felrum flicked his ears back in disgust. Resigned yet cautious, Felrum muttered, ¡°Fine. This is a horrible idea, by the way.¡± With those parting words, he slipped off towards the gate, his body tense and senses heightened, ready to face whatever awaited him in this precarious venture. ¡ª------------------------------------ ? ---------------------------- ? ------------------------------------------------- Felrum''s approach to the steel door was cautious, with each step soft and deliberate. Finding it securely locked, his nimble fingers quickly set to work, expertly removing the pins. With utmost care, he swung the door open. Anticipating a potential creak, his heart raced with anxiety. However, to his relief, the bars moved with silent ease, granting him unhindered access to the gardens beyond. ¡®That was easy,¡¯ he thought, slipping through the gate and carefully sliding it back into place. Once inside, Felrum was engulfed by the darkness. He moved stealthily, his ears perked up, attuned to the slightest noise. He navigated through the neatly trimmed hedges and carefully tended flower beds, deliberately avoiding the winding pathways to prevent the crushed gravel from giving away his position. The stone benches and statues, which would have appeared majestic and inspiring in daylight, now cast sinister shadows. The subtle scent of earth and dampness filled his nostrils as he crept along. Ahead, not too far away, a light glowed from an open corridor. ¡®Honeypot,¡¯ Felrum thought, moving silently towards the light, his footsteps muffled by fallen leaves. He soon realized it was the glow of a lantern shining through a partially open door. With a quick glance, he determined the corridor was deserted. Felrum considered going back to inform the others, but the thought of Vincenn''s smug grin held him back. Taking a deep breath and quickly surveying his surroundings, he felt the smooth handle turn beneath his paw as he slid through the door, finding himself in a long, lantern-lined corridor running the length of the barracks. A grin formed on his face as he pressed into the flickering shadows dancing with the lantern light. Moving quickly, Felrum peered into room after room, finding nothing but empty offices. At the end of the corridor, he encountered an iron door. Shaking his head, he pulled off his hood and spent several moments listening carefully for any sound before attempting the door. Locked! He reached into a pouch on his belt, pulling out a set of lock picks and set to work. It took a couple of minutes, but the lock finally yielded to his skilled touch. The door opened smoothly, and Felrum peered out to see another corridor lined with doors stretching into the distance. Voices reached Felrum''s ears as he cautiously moved down the corridor. Although he couldn''t discern the words, the tones were unmistakably male, filled with laughter and amused banter. The sounds seemed to emanate from the end of the corridor, where a bright light spilled out from an open door. ¡°Damn,¡± Felrum muttered under his breath. He had hoped to avoid any complications, but deep down, he had anticipated this. Moving with stealth, he edged along the corridor, sliding between pools of shadow, each step calculated to avoid detection. He peeked into some of the rooms as he passed, finding empty offices and storerooms filled to the brim. Crouching behind a stack of neatly packed crates, Felrum found himself mere steps from the doorway of an office. Inside, two soldiers, likely part of the night watch, were visible. One, a tall and gray-furred wolf, stood by the door, casually holding a glass that appeared to contain wine. The other, a puma of average height with fur matching Felrum''s own, sat at a desk, seemingly engrossed in work. Felrum strained his ears to catch the conversation. The puma, who seemed to be the higher-ranking officer, was speaking. ¡°¡­ Ghost took them out, almost single-pawed. Cothron¡¯s squad had nothing to do but keep them from escaping.¡± Felrum''s ears twitched at the mention of ''Ghost''. He was gathering valuable intelligence without even realizing it. He remained motionless, a silent observer, waiting for the right moment to proceed or retreat, all the while collecting every scrap of information that might prove useful. ¡°The Ghost of Fellya? Did that?¡± asked the wolf, his expression one of surprise as he looked at his superior. "Of course she did. I tell you, I heard she killed a bear with her bare knuckles," the puma officer replied confidently. "By the Mother, she must be something else," the wolf remarked, his tone a blend of reverence and fear. The puma nodded in agreement. "What can I tell you? Shears are elite¡ªthey do nothing by halves. Anyway, she should be here from Cloistin within the hour with her prisoners, Sergeant," said the Puma. "We should probably get going and prepare the stockade," the wolf suggested. "Who¡¯s on duty for that?" The puma shrugged in response. "Not sure, yet," he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. The wolf murmured something inaudible to Felrum, to which the seated puma nodded, then added, "They got the fox siblings, too. The bird said they were in a bad state. Not that it matters. Bloody foxes will walk free in a fortnight.¡± "I¡¯d rather not be the one to take that duty¡ª" the wolf''s words trailed off as he and the puma exited the office and walked down the corridor, unknowingly passing right by Felrum¡¯s hiding spot. Most of the soldiers seemed to have been summoned away to receive prisoners, leaving the corridors less guarded than usual. Felrum glanced around, assessing the situation. From his perspective, the thinning of watchers wasn''t necessarily a disadvantage. However, a frown creased his face as a troubling thought struck him. Where was the She-leopard? Could it be possible that she had already left, forewarned of their arrival? She had to be aware of the enemies she had. Just as Felrum was considering abandoning his search and returning to the others, his keen ears picked up a faint murmur of conversation from further down the corridor. Pressing himself against the wall, Felrum cautiously moved closer, peering around the corner. At the far end, he saw four hooded figures engaged in a hushed conversation. He edged out slightly more for a better view. A lynx, his face partially obscured by a hood, came into his line of sight. Another figure, holding a torch and resembling a tiger, had their identity similarly concealed. The species or features of the other two figures remained a mystery, as they kept their backs turned. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Felrum retreated back into hiding, his mind racing. He observed them again, focusing especially on the one positioned to the left. There was something about the subtle sway in their hips, a hint of femininity that was discernible even from a distance. ¡®That¡¯s her!¡¯ Felrum thought with a surge of excitement. He had identified their target, the She-leopard. Now, all that remained was to find out where she was headed and relay the information back to the others. With heightened senses Felrum prepared to follow, careful to maintain a safe distance and remain unseen. ¡ª------------------------------------ ? ---------------------------- ? ------------------------------------------------- Vincenn shifted from hind paw to hind paw as he waited impatiently as the minutes ticked by. ¡®Tordrin would have been back by now¡­ stupid rabbit. Never should have let him go. Fucking purebloods, fucking elitist assholes.¡¯ He glanced back at the barracks again. ¡°Where the bloody hell is that critter? I swear if that little coward has cut and run, I¡¯ll mount him to the gate myself,¡± He muttered to himself, once again wishing he had his squad with him - Barga, Tordrin, and Sorina - instead of this motley crew of freaks. His people were unwaveringly loyal; they could have easily deserted when the chaos began, but they chose to stand with him. His gaze drifted towards the black gate, where he had instructed them to remain on the city''s outskirts. They were poised to act if necessary, a strategic move to ensure their safety. Now, with an unsettling message from Sorina, Vincenn felt an urgent need to conclude this business and reunite with them. While he was prepared to risk his own life, he staunchly refused to compromise the safety of his squad in the pursuit of a potentially dubious contact. The possibility of it being a trap weighed heavily on his mind, reinforcing his resolve to protect his team at all costs. ¡®Which it will be with the way my luck has been.¡¯ ¡°Wait¡­ long how?¡± rumbled Zyra, and Vincenn rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the headache he felt building. ¡°Look¡­ Whatever your name was. It¡¯s only been ten minutes; give the poofball a little time,¡± said Vincenn, and the crocodile rumbled his impatience. ¡°Time¡­ important, not much waste have,¡± His tail moved lazily on the ground. He started fixedly at the doors, as if contemplating smashing through them. ¡°How long ago did your brother disappear?¡± asked Vincenn quickly, trying to distract the swamp lizard from doing something stupid. Zyra started squeezing the fabric of his gaiter as he gritted his teeth. ¡°A week ago. Happened should not, impossible are we from, lived we,¡± Zyra said, his speech breaking into a jumble of incoherent words and phrases as he rocked violently from side to side. ¡°Only part of family. Only one I treasure. Gone.¡± As he abruptly lurches into motion, heading towards the door. ¡°Hey¡­ wait¡­ dammit!¡± Vincenn snapped, chasing after Zyra. He couldn''t help but wonder why the Mother seemed to despise him so much. Reaching the door, Zyra hesitated, his black eyes scanning the darkness. His hind paws shuffled anxiously before he finally pushed the door open fully. ¡°Oh, Mother fuck me!¡± With a growl emanating from deep within him, Vincenn locked his eyes on the gaping entrance that resembled a monstrous void, impossible to penetrate. ¡°You stupid¡­¡± Vincenn began, but his words were lost on Zyra. The crocodile stepped inside, disappearing into the shadows. Approaching the door with caution, Vincenn strained his ears for any sound from the vast expanse beyond, but his efforts to pierce the darkness proved futile. Standing there, he shifted uneasily on his paws, a sense of uncertainty gnawing at him. Beyond that threshold, there might be nothing but the foolish swamp lizard, or, worse, an entire garrison lying in wait for him. ¡°Croc, get your scaly ass back out here!¡± he hissed. Only silence answered him. Frustrated, he muttered, ¡°Screw it,¡± and took a firm step forward. Vincenn carefully circled the door, mustering the courage to step into the dark abyss. As he ventured further, he felt as though he had entered a colossal, awe-inspiring hall. The spaciousness of the room became apparent, with its high ceilings stretching beyond his sight. Beneath him, the polished marble floor reflected a faint light seeping in from outside. A constant sensation of being watched plagued him, his heightened senses amplifying his unease and paranoia. The oppressive darkness and silence seemed to envelop him, escalating the tension as he moved deeper into the unknown. Suddenly, Vincenn cursed as he collided with something hard and unyielding. A flash of red crossed his vision as he staggered back, gasping for breath. To his surprise, he found Zyra halted just outside the door''s light. ¡°You¡­ filthy¡­ idiot,¡± Vincenn wheezed as he caught his breath, watching Zyra, who looked back with a head cocked to one side, his expression inscrutable. ¡°Stay by the door,¡± Vincenn hissed. He tentatively ran his paws along the rough wall texture, navigating through the pitch-black void. The sound of his claws scraping against stone echoed in the silence until his paw finally closed around a torch. With practiced ease, he struck a spark, and the torch burst into flames. The crackling fire cast a warm glow, driving away the darkness. As Vincenn''s eyes adjusted to the newfound brightness, a magnificent hall adorned with military regalia and banners unfolded before him, celebrating the valor and service of the noble Rakassars. Wooden paneling enhanced the dignified ambiance, polished brass fixtures, and stern portraits of distinguished leaders in gilded frames. The hall expanded into a network of doorways and corridors, leading to other parts of the barracks. Through the windows and down the hallways, faint signs of activity hinted that this ancient, noble structure was not as dormant as it had first appeared. With renewed confidence, Vincenn strode towards the opposite end of the hall, his hind paws making soft echoes on the marble floor. He felt his pulse quicken when he spotted four figures standing at the end of the hallway. Unaware of his presence for now, but that could change at any moment. Considering his options, he decided to follow an old maxim: when in doubt, bluff. ¡°You there, I would speak with your commander! Now!¡± said Vincenn, projecting as much authority and arrogance into his voice as he could. The guards spun around, reaching for their weapons, their eyes fixed suspiciously on the hyena. ¡°Who are you? Identify yourself, hyena!¡± demanded the tiger, his voice filled with anger. Vincenn puffed out his chest and headed directly for the group. ¡°I am Captain Kuba. I¡¯m here looking for a leopardess that¡¯s suspected of treason!¡± Vincenn barked out authoritatively. The cougar and lynx exchanged glances as they fanned out to encircle him. Paws on sword hilts, their expressions cold and menacing. ¡°And I¡¯m the fucking Caiser at my summer palace,¡± The tiger spat out indignantly as the lynx closed in on Vincenn from the left, ¡°You get one more chance yeen, before we gut you like a squealing hog,¡± With a nonchalant shrug, Vincenn drew his sword, striking with blinding speed. The blade''s edge caught the lynx''s paw, sending his sword clattering away as he yelped in pain. Vincenn then reversed his grip and delivered three rapid blows with the pommel of his sword. The lynx''s muzzle burst in a shower of blood; he staggered back, collapsing against the wall and sliding to the floor, leaving a bloody trail. Vincenn flicked his grip back to a standard hold and positioned his sword in a low guard, facing the cougar with a menacing grin. ¡°As I was saying,¡± Vincenn continued, gesturing lazily with his blade towards the others, ¡°I¡¯m here for the leopardess. Or do any of you fancy a go?¡± The cougar, visibly stunned, stared in disbelief for a moment before slowly lowering his blade. ¡°Lyne, you coward!¡± spat the tiger as he drew his own blade and lunged at Vincenn, who parried his strike and lashed out, delivering an open-handed slap to the tiger¡¯s face. The tigers¡¯ eyes bulged in outrage at the insult. Vincenn started circling to the left, edging towards the leopardess, the tiger seeing the motion lunged and the clash of swords resounded in the corridor. He gritted his fangs and assumed a defensive stance, positioning himself protectively in front of the snow leopard. Vincenn grinned and came at him low, slashing with lightning quick jabs at the tiger¡¯s legs, forcing him to back up quickly. The Tiger parried, then countered, his blade flashing out in a blur. Vincenn actually felt the tiger¡¯s blade crease the fur on his cheek. ¡®Fuck, that was close. Kitty is no slouch.¡¯ Sliding back, Vincenn stepped slowly at first, then came on in a sudden rush, his blade coming in hard, right to left. ¡°Just want to ask your girl some questions, is all. Make this easy and put down the sword.¡± ¡°You think I buy that load of bull, hyena? I know you are here to kill her.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t really care what you think, kitty, but you could make this a lot easier and surrender,¡± countered Vincenn as he delivered a flurry of blows that drove the tiger back. ¡®Gotcha pussycat.¡¯ But then Vincenn felt a stab of fear as the tiger¡¯s blade slipped under his own, and Vincenn had to throw himself backward. He brought his sword across as he did, trying to parry, but the tiger had already retracted his saber by then, his yellow eyes fixed on Vincenn as he beckoned him to come again. ¡®Cocky bastard, but he¡¯s good with a blade, I¡¯ll give him that.¡¯ Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lyne edging towards him. The cougar was trying to cut him off! ¡®Shit not good.¡¯ Vincenn backpedaled, desperately trying to prevent the cougar from getting around behind him. Suddenly, Zyra rushed forward like a charging bear. His tail lashed out as he put all of his force into it, catching the cougar firmly in the chest. His breath went out in an explosive whoosh as he was lifted bodily off the ground and slammed heavily into the wall, his sword clattering to the marble tiles. Scaly might be useful after all, thought Vincenn. As he tried to drive the target toward Zyra, hoping he would catch on. ¡°Just you and me now, pussycat,¡± he said mockingly. Zyra lunged at the tiger, only to receive a swift, powerful blow to his stomach. Vincenn watched as Zyra''s eyes rolled back, and he staggered, reeled, and finally collapsed to the floor. Unfazed, the tiger leaped and spun into action, slashing and thrusting with lethal precision, steadily driving Vincenn back. In a swift move, Vincenn pulled at one of the wall hangings and flung it towards the tiger, using the momentary distraction to regain his footing. He then swept his blade upward, clashing with the tiger''s. The muscles in his neck bulged as he strained, pushing to overpower his formidable opponent. ¡°I¡¯m here for her, even if I have to go through you to do so,¡± Vincenn growled, feeling his muscles burn. Suddenly, the tiger deftly shifted to the side, causing the hyena to hurtle away. He staggered, struggling to regain his balance, but ultimately crashed down hard onto the floor. Lights flashed behind his eyes, and a high-pitched ringing filled his ears. Instinctively, Vincenn rolled to the left, feeling marble fragments graze his face as the tiger''s blow struck the ground, missing Vincenn''s head by mere inches. A foot-paw then slammed into his chest, pressing down painfully. Vincenn squirmed futilely, gasping for air. Above him, the tiger raised his sword, its edge gleaming in the torchlight. Scimitar-like claws extruded, gripping the hilt tightly, poised for the final strike. ¡°Deiken takes you, hyena,¡± The tiger snarled as he brought the blade down, time seeming to slow. Vincenn squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the end. ''Sorina, I''m sorry,'' he thought. Suddenly, a roar of agony snapped Vincenn''s eyes open. He saw the tiger staggering back, trying to pull out an arrow that had suddenly sprouted from his shoulder. ''¡¯Bout time, rabbit!'' Vincenn thought, seizing the opportunity. He drove his foot-paw hard into the tiger''s groin, feeling it collide with bone and something rubbery and soft. The tiger dropped his sword, clawing at the air, and sank to his knees before rolling over on his side, writhing in silent agony on the floor. Vincenn, panting heavily, rolled to his feet and kicked the tiger¡¯s sword away. He spotted Felrum leaning nonchalantly against the far wall and snapped off a quick salute in his direction. But a slight movement caught his eye, making him spin around. ¡°Shit,¡± he snapped, seeing the snow leopard. She had used the confusion to slip away and was moments from reaching a door at the far end of the hall. ¡°Don¡¯t let her escape!¡± Vincenn shouted, lunging towards the snow leopard. He realized almost instantly he wouldn''t make it in time. Startled by his cry, the snow leopard seized the moment and sprinted towards the door at full speed. Vincenn watched as Felrum dropped to one knee, his ears twitching in concentration. He took aim and released an arrow, which flashed out from the darkness. The snow leopard let out a sharp yelp as the arrow struck her upper leg, sending her tumbling to the floor. Chapter Three: Questions at Knifepoint Anuki Simnin groaned softly, her leg burning like fire while her head throbbed from the impact with the floor. Her parents had warned her, insisting that seeking justice alone was too dangerous. They had pleaded with her to stay in Zweiqin, but she hadn¡¯t listened. Despite understanding the dangers, she had never anticipated this grim outcome. ¡®Mother, make it quick, please,¡¯ she thought, hoping they would spare her Rakassars. After all, they were only involved because of her; they didn''t deserve to share her fate. The sound of claws slapping against stone made her crane her neck. Panic surged through her as she saw the crocodile approaching rapidly, its muzzle gaping to expose menacing fangs. Ignoring the agony in her leg, she pushed off the floor with her good leg, her paws scraping against the wall as she desperately tried to pull herself away. ¡®Not like this, not like this!¡¯ she thought, terror-stricken at the prospect of being devoured alive. But the crocodile was relentless, rapidly closing the distance. She felt its scaly paws grasp the scruff of her neck. A yowl of pain escaped her as he yanked her upright, bringing her face within inches of his maw. His hot, fetid breath stirred her whiskers, and each shake sent fresh waves of pain coursing through her body. ¡°Leopard. Brother where, Azlea, is he where? Vanished week¡­ ago. Looks like me. Talk or pain!¡± growled the crocodile. She felt his spittle splatter her face with every word. ¡°Zyra, don¡¯t do anything stupid¡­¡± she heard the hyena say, "Rabbit, help me get them up and against the wall. It will simplify the interrogation." Hope surged within her at these words. They didn''t intend to kill her yet, and the longer this lasted, the greater the chance of a rescue. Glancing over the crocodile''s shoulder, she noticed the hyena and the rabbit tearing down nearby banners, cutting them into strips to bind their prisoners. ¡°Also, if they have any medical supplies on them, Summer will patch them up as best he can. Maybe it''ll make them more cooperative. I¡¯m not wasting my own,¡± the hyena added. Suddenly, Anuki''s blue eyes locked with the expressionless black orbs of her captor. In that moment, she felt an indescribable sensation, a tingling that started at the base of her skull and cascaded down her spine like a wave of electricity. It was as if the air around her crackled with unseen energy, a manifestation of magic that she had only read about but never truly experienced. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, filling her with a newfound sense of power and vulnerability. Caught in a spellbound, the crocodile halted abruptly, his entire body becoming rigid as if he too sensed the energy emanating from Anuki. The air seemed to thicken, charged with the terrible unknown. ¡°Well, bunny boy, that turned out better than expected,¡± said the hyena as he let off a high-pitched laugh. The sound snapped the crocodile out of his fugue. ¡°Answer feline! Where is he? I need to know this instant!¡± He snapped, his paws gripping her shoulders tightly as he violently shook her. Her cloak was ripped off her as she felt her body being whipped back and forth. ¡°If you¡­ stop this. Maybe¡­ I¡¯ll talk,¡± she said. Zyra stopped abruptly, emitting a low, menacing growl as he fixed his intense gaze upon her. ¡°There, happy? Now tell me. Where is my brother?¡± Anuki took a deep breath, her vision swimming. Squinting, she studied the crocodile, her mind racing. She pondered if the male''s elongated face reminded her of any reptile she had previously encountered. His features bore a resemblance to one she had seen in Lagadha, yet she couldn''t be certain of its significance. As these thoughts swirled in her head, she absently fussed with her long, untamed mane, trying to untangle both her hair and her jumbled thoughts. Hesitating, Anuki contemplated lying, feigning ignorance. What if her assumption about this crocodile being his brother was wrong? The risk of provoking his anger and endangering her life loomed large in her mind. ¡°What did he look like?¡± she asked slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. The crocodile paused, taking a deep breath as if to steady his nerves. ¡°Left eye, white mark, swirling smoke. Unmistakable.¡± Recognition flickered in Anuki''s eyes. ¡°All secured, Vincenn,¡± called out the rabbit known as Summer. She had thought his name was different. Vincenn! The name triggered a memory. She recalled a hyena, an officer named Vincenn, embroiled in a scandal that had ruined his reputation. A hyena wanted by the Department of Purebreds, an entity not known for its leniency. Making an enemy out of any branch of the League was dangerous, but particularly so with them. ¡°Alpha-Lieutenant Vincenn?¡± She asked, willing her voice to remain tranquil, refusing to show any more fear than she already had. The hyena¡¯s head snapped towards her, a surprised look on his face. ¡°You know me?¡± he demanded sharply. ¡°Brother where? Talk or shake more,¡± rumbled the crocodile. Reminding her she had best not push her look too far. ¡°Hmm,¡± she said, furrowing her brow as she delved into the depths of her memory. ¡°I got lost during my recent travels and found myself in the Circle. Your ¡®brother¡¯ noticed my unease and gave me directions,¡± she then looked away. ¡°I¡¯m still interested to hear how you know who I am,¡± Vincenn¡¯s voice dripped with suspicion as he demanded. She met his gaze directly, her eyes locked with his, unyielding. ¡®I won¡¯t let him or anyone else intimidate me. Showing vulnerability will only complicate matters further.¡¯ ¡°One at a time,¡± she snapped at Vincenn, her voice filled with irritation, before refocusing on the crocodile. ¡°As I walked away, I glimpsed a group of predators gathered around him, engaged in a lively discussion. I can¡¯t recall their appearance or species, but I distinctly believed they were familiar with him.¡± ¡°He¡­ told never me. How know him? I know not.¡± Zyra let go of her suddenly. She staggered and would have fallen if she had not managed to catch his scaly paw. He let out a low rumble directed at her, then paused to take a deep breath before continuing. ¡°Thank you for telling. I¡¯ll remember it. Apologize for aggression. Needed information.¡± Anuki nodded quickly, unsure of what to say. Vincenn tapped his sword impatiently against the wall. ¡°That¡¯s one topic down. Now, how do you know me?¡± As she spoke, Anuki made her way toward the gruff hyena, leaning heavily on the crocodile''s arm for support, using it as a makeshift crutch while she limped. ¡°You''ve been a hot matter among certain carnivores I know. There are rumors about your transformation from a criminal to a high-ranking soldier. You¡¯re seen as a symbol of redemption, a perfect poster child for the League¡¯s war propaganda,¡± she said, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. Vincenn¡¯s chest puffed up with pride at her words. ¡°But there¡¯s more to it. There''s fear and, particularly among the males, jealousy due to your... let''s say, ¡®colorful¡¯ personal life.¡± She gestured with her paws to emphasize her point. Vincenn¡¯s expression turned sour upon hearing this. ¡°Polygamy is merely a byproduct of circumstances. My duty is to my family. If it wasn¡¯t part of my responsibilities, I wouldn''t be here trying to mitigate a scandal,¡± he retorted. Anuki raised her hand, signaling to the hyena that she wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Furthermore, I¡¯ve overheard whispers among the Purebreds. They seem unusually intent on pursuing you for reasons they haven¡¯t made clear.¡± ¡°Sounds about right,¡± a soft chuckle escaped his lips, the sound filling the air. ¡°Hmmm. You wouldn¡¯t know anything about a jackal, would you?¡± A look of slight perplexity crossed Anuki¡¯s face, causing her to frown ever so slightly. ¡°What jackal?¡± ¡°Before we arrived here, I was informed that my mammals were attacked. I suspect the jackal we apprehended might be working for the Purebreds,¡± Vincenn mentioned, watching Anuki intently, his gaze never wavering from her. ¡°Can you tell me exactly where this happened?¡± Anuki asked, her voice steady. She noted the hesitation in the hyena¡¯s eyes, a flicker of uncertainty betraying his internal debate on whether to trust her. After a moment, Vincenn replied, ¡°South of here, just past the Black Gate, near the Quarter of Orchards.¡± Anuki shook her head. She did not know what jackal he was speaking about; she felt a shiver of fear as the hyena narrowed his eyes. ¡°Not that¡¯ll concern you,¡± Vincenn started, his paw casually resting on the hilt of his sword, ¡°after I¡¯ve decided what to do with you.¡± Anuki instinctively retreated, her heart pounding as her back pressed against the wall, feeling the chilling touch of Vincenn''s blade at her throat. ¡°You¡¯ve made powerful enemies who are willing to pay a handsome price for your head,¡± he stated, stepping closer, the steel of his sword cold even against her fur. Anuki''s fear was palpable, but she knew she couldn¡¯t let it immobilize her. She had to find a solution. Gathering her courage, Anuki''s voice quivered as she offered, ¡°I can help you!¡± Vincenn''s smirk widened, his grip on his weapon''s hilt tightening, ¡°And you expect me to believe you can get the department off my ass?¡± he questioned skeptically. Anuki cast a desperate look towards Zyra, silently pleading for his intervention. ¡°No¡­ hurt catkitty. Must keep word,¡± Zyra growled in response, his tone firm. Vincenn snorted dismissively. ¡°In case you haven¡¯t noticed, lizard, they hired us to do a job. Failing to complete it means you won¡¯t find your brother, the rabbit won¡¯t be able to clear his name, and I¡¯ll lose everything.¡± It was then that Summer approached, his presence marked by the fluttering of his cloak in the breeze. ¡°Zyra¡¯s correct; we can''t execute her without proof, Vincenn. As a ranger, my duty is to protect the innocent. To kill without cause goes against everything the code stands for,¡± Summer asserted firmly. Vincenn responded with a snort of sarcasm. ¡°So, it''s against your principles, is it, snowball? But I can do it swiftly and painlessly, allowing you to keep your pristine paws unsullied,¡± Anuki flinched as the blade pressed slightly into her skin. ¡°Jiremar¡¯s story has too many holes, Lieutenant. There¡¯s something amiss with this contract. We don¡¯t have solid evidence that he can fulfill his promises. His mere knowledge of our situation doesn¡¯t guarantee his capability to resolve it!¡± the rabbit argued with fervor, igniting a flicker of hope in Anuki. ¡®Come on, mother¡¯s light, come on!¡¯ ¡°And you believe she has the answers? Listen, bunny, I¡¯ll admit that he¡¯s a shifty bastard, but the information he has on us must have a credible source. Crossing someone with that kind of pull could mark us all for death,¡± Vincenn retorted sharply, his glare directed at Summer. At this, Zyra emitted a low, warning growl. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Kill catkitty is wrong, I felt¡­ something, will not¡­ kill. Her refuse,¡± he said with finality. For the first time, Anuki found herself feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the power that lay within her. "Consider this, Lieutenant," the rabbit implored Vincenn, "We need to delve deeper, gather more intelligence. Jiremar is determined to eliminate the leopardess, but if he gets his way, the truth might forever remain hidden. All I''m asking is for us to pause and assess the situation fully before acting," he urged, noting Vincenn''s eyes narrowing and his grip on the weapon easing slightly. Vincenn''s voice was tinged with skepticism, "And how exactly do you propose we do that?" Anuki inhaled deeply, her thoughts racing. "I have a contact who could be of help. He''s well-connected, involved in nearly every significant event in Eirden." Noticing a subtle change in Vincenn''s demeanor, a flicker of curiosity now evident, she pressed on. ¡°Prove it. Give me a name.¡± With her heart pounding against her chest, Anuki knew this was her moment of truth. "I don''t know his name," she confessed, bracing for the worst. Yet, for some reason, Vincenn refrained from acting on his threat. Encouraged, she continued, "He''s elusive, always on the move. He''s a fox. I know his whereabouts." "And where might that be?" Vincenn pressed, his voice firm. Anuki took another deep breath, aware that revealing this information left her with no further cards to play. "He frequents the Starfall Tavern here in the city," she divulged, hoping her gamble would pay off. Vincenn''s grip on his weapon loosened further as he mulled over her words. "That¡¯s the second location the weasel mentioned¡­" he murmured, seemingly connecting the dots. Anuki held her breath, silently hoping her risky move would bear fruit. After a tense moment, Vincenn finally responded, his tone wary yet decisive. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll hold off for now. I''ll figure out who''s pulling the strings. If you''re telling the truth, your life¡¯s spared. But make no mistake kitty, if you''re hoodwinking me, I won''t hesitate to end you. Consequences be damned.¡± Anuki nodded earnestly, a wave of relief washing over her. She realized that this was merely the beginning of a perilous path, but she had managed to secure a vital opportunity for herself and her allies to navigate the dangers ahead. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a voice filled with contempt. ¡°The division will soon have your head, hyena,¡± growled the cougar, his eyes seething with animosity as he glared at Vincenn, who simply smirked in response. ¡°Let them bring two divisions. Then it might actually be a fair fight,¡± Vincenn taunted, a sly grin playing on his lips. ¡°I thought he had been dealt with,¡± Felrum murmured, his voice fading into a whisper as he vanished into the shadows. He moved to scout the entrances and exits, vigilant for any signs of approaching danger. Zyra¡¯s gaze shifted between Felrum and the cougar, taking in the tense atmosphere. ¡°Not hit hard enough. Has thick skull. Tough¡­ catkitty,¡± Zyra muttered, his tone tinged with apology. Anuki perceived his frustration even as she winced at his words. Her strategy to diplomatically navigate this situation with the trio was showing promise, though the hyena''s guardedness in sharing information posed a challenge in understanding his true intentions. She recognized the need for more time to develop an escape plan. Her current strategy hinged on their apparent hesitation to harm her, banking on the hope that their leniency would continue as long as she cooperated. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lyne Hacar,¡± she reassured him calmly. ¡°Let me handle this.¡± ¡°Forgive me, my lady,¡± Lyn responded, his voice heavy with disdain, ¡°but I do not think it wise to squander your time on these... mongrels.¡± ¡°No use, he be knock unconscious. We shall?¡± Zyra inquired with a glare directed at the cougar. Vincenn, with a menacing look, locked eyes with the cougar before shifting his gaze to Anuki. ¡°Speaking of wanted individuals, why exactly is there a bounty on your head?¡± he queried. Anuki flinched, feeling a wave of dread wash over her as she suspected who might be responsible. Yet, she chose to keep her suspicions private, uncertain of the trio''s true intentions. Her current safety didn''t assure their motives wouldn¡¯t shift if she divulged too much. ¡°These ''useless males,'' the tiger and the others, are elite bodyguards, the Rakassars. They are also Purebreds allied with me,¡± she explained to Zyra, whose expression remained unimpressed. At that moment, Summer hurried toward the group, his cloak billowing behind him. ¡°I hate to interrupt, but we need to conclude this or relocate. Someone¡¯s approaching, and being caught here would not bode well for any of us.¡± ¡°Prisoners, what we do with?¡± Asked Zyra, still glaring at Lyne. ¡°Leave them behind,¡± Vincenn insisted, his tone firm. ¡°Before we¡¯re discovered, let¡¯s continue this conversation in a different setting.¡± Anuki rocked her head, the thought of being separated from her bodyguards unsettling her deeply. ¡°They are coming for you! You¡¯re all doomed, do you hear me? Doomed!¡± hissed Lyne. Vincenn glanced at Lyne and growled in response. ¡°Maybe, but not before you,¡± he retorted, quickly turning to his companions. ¡°Quick! Where to now?¡± ¡°Outside?¡± Zyra, already moving toward the front, tilted his head thoughtfully. ¡°I not good for fight¡­¡± ¡°Wait. Release these mammals, and I¡¯ll answer your question and help you escape. They listen to me, as I''ve said before.I know how to get out of the barracks without being seen,¡± the leopardess stated firmly, locking eyes with Vincenn. It was a risk; her influence was uncertain, but surviving the next few hours was critical. ¡°You can''t trust them, my lady,¡± Lyne interjected urgently. ¡°They''re here for your head.¡± ¡°Front gate is out unless we want to commit glorious suicide,¡± Vincenn muttered as he glanced out of a window before, walking back to the group. ¡°Well, rabbit, what do you suggest?¡± Summer pondered for a moment, eyeing the leopardess. ¡°We¡¯ll release you. Let¡¯s say you invited us to the barracks for a good time. Our loud friend over there got overly excited and had to be restrained, causing some minor injuries. Does that sound plausible in case we''re caught?¡± Summer proposed. Anuki barely managed to suppress an eye roll. The cover story was flimsy at best. ¡°Perhaps. Time will tell,¡± she responded, then shifted her focus back to Lyne. ¡°It appears that this hyena has targeted me specifically because of the decisions made by your department. What exactly did he do?¡± Demanded Anuki, crossing her arms as she looked sternly at Lyne. Lyne¡¯s tone was sulky as he replied, ¡°I have no knowledge of any activities in the Departments, my lady, probably some degenerate filth,¡± Vincenn resisted the urge to spit at the cougar. ¡°Whatever we do, I suggest we get as far from here as possible to avoid arousing any more suspicion,¡± said Vincenn. The cougar glared spitefully at Vincenn. ¡°Your days are numbered, Yeen - there¡¯s no escaping it!¡± Vincenn took a step towards the cougar, arm raised to strike. ¡°Oh, shut up already!¡± growled Vincenn. ¡°Agreed. We are not supposed to be here either,¡± She looked toward Lyne, scowling. ¡°And keep quiet, Lyne. Your opinion of them doesn¡¯t matter right now. We are leaving together, and you are not to show hostility towards these males unless I command it. Am I clear?¡± the leopardess declared sharply, her voice resonating with authority. Lyne grimaced, his expression akin to someone who had swallowed something bitter. With a reluctant nod, he dipped his muzzle in acquiescence, signaling his agreement, albeit begrudgingly. "Fine," Vincenn finally conceded, walking over to begin untying the prisoners. As he reached the cougar, he pressed the blade subtly against his back and growled a warning, "But if you interfere, I won¡¯t show mercy again." After releasing the cougar, he stood and surveyed the area, then turned to Summer. "Which target is furthest from our current location?" ¡°The fox near the tavern, I believe. We can make our escape through the garden. That¡¯s how I came in undetected,¡± Summer replied, his demeanor remarkably composed, Anuki noted. Feeling the urgency of the situation, Anuki voiced her concern, ¡°Can someone help me with my two unconscious companions?¡± ¡°I got this,¡± Zyra responded promptly. He hoisted the tiger under its shoulder and draped it across his back, the tiger''s limbs hanging limply as Zyra prepared to carry him. ¡°Catkitty heavy,¡± rumbled Zyra, his muscles bulging with effort. ¡°Thank you.¡± She glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of Lyne and the hyena; their expressions filled with hostility. ¡°One of you gets Aric.¡± The cougar dutifully lifts the unconscious lynx from the floor, shouldering the responsibility of carrying his comrade. ¡°I still think this is a grave mistake,¡± Lyne protested, but Anuki dismissed his concern. The situation had evolved beyond the point of no return. Bending over, she grasped her guandao, a versatile long pole weapon, using it to steady herself as she walked. ¡°Who shot me?¡± Anuki asked. ¡°That was our sharpshooter,¡± Vincenn replied with a smirk. Anuki, leaning on her guandao for support, knelt down, wincing from the excruciating pain as she swiftly yanked the arrow from her leg in one fluid motion. Her paws trembling, she reached into a small pouch for herbs and salves, applying a quick treatment to the wound. Thankfully, the bleeding was manageable. She then tightly wrapped the wound with a strip of banner and cautiously tested her leg. It could bear her weight, but only a slow walk was possible; running was out of the question. After inspecting the bloodied arrow, Anuki tossed it aside. ¡°We should find an apothecary. Some of us are injured,¡± she suggested. The cougar glanced at her wound, assessing both her injury and Aric''s. ¡°I agree. It might be wise to leave the unconscious guards there as well,¡± Vincenn remarked, glancing at the guards. ¡°The apothecary is close by. We can seek shelter and tend to our wounds there,¡± Anuki stated, and Vincenn scanned the group, his expression thoughtful. ¡°If we¡¯re finished here, we¡¯ll need a diversion,¡± he said, and with a swift motion, he hurled a torch at the window curtains. As flames began to engulf the fabric, the room filled with the smell of burning material. Muffled voices and footsteps were heard approaching, the sound of guards growing louder. A voice from the corridor heightened the tension. ¡°Thorin? Lyne? Is everything alright?¡± The cougar looked to Anuki, awaiting instructions. ¡°That should keep them busy,¡± Vincenn said, offering to help Anuki. She turned to Lyne, whispering her frustration, ¡°You didn¡¯t mention guards in the barracks who knew us.¡± ¡°We have connections here, my lady. That¡¯s why we''re here,¡± Lyne responded simply. ¡°Talk later we can? Guards on the way back, getting tired¡­¡± growled Zyra irritably. Vincenn glanced at the rapidly rising flames with a satisfied expression. Vincenn reached down and took hold of her arm. "I appreciate it, Lieutenant," Anuki said as Vincenn grunted and helped her out the door. The heat from the growing fire and the thick smoke swirling around made her eyes water. The group hastened through the corridor, with distant voices shouting about the fire and smoke becoming more audible. Soon, they reached a more secluded wing of the barracks. Vincenn paused and turned to the rabbit. "Which way to the garden?" "We should head that way," Anuki suggested, pointing towards an exit that led to the courtyard. "There''s a postern that leads directly to the garden." "Smart. Let''s move to the apothecary and quickly," Vincenn urged, steering the group towards the exit. Stepping out into the rain, Anuki felt the cold droplets immediately soaking through her clothing. She led them across the courtyard, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The postern gate to the gardens, a discreet escape route, was just ahead. She reached for the door, giving it a firm shake, but it rattled, locked. "It''s locked!" she exclaimed in frustration. "No problem," said the rabbit, moving forward. He took a lockpick from his pouch and began to work on the door. Anuki glanced aside and saw torchlight flickering, growing closer to the inner courtyard. "We''ve got company," she whispered urgently, just as the gate rumbled open. In the downpour, Anuki saw a heavy wagon entering the courtyard, escorted by a dozen alert Rakassars. She scanned for another escape route, the shadows and rain concealing them for now. "I''m almost there," the rabbit whispered. Suddenly, a primal howl cut through the night, causing Felrum to drop his lockpick in terror. Vincenn cursed, snatched the pick, and began working on the lock himself. Then, a massive barghest burst into the courtyard and barreled into the open space. His enormous paws, each the size of a dinner plate, pounded against the cobblestones with a resonating thunder. It was muscular, with dark, shaggy fur that seemed to absorb the dim light around it. Its eyes, glowing with a predatory intensity, scanned the group with a chilling focus. As he exhaled, his hot breath mingled with the chilly night air, creating swirling wisps of steam that billowed around his sizable head. "Go," Vincenn hissed, pushing the door open. Anuki acted swiftly, grabbing the rabbit and pulling him through the entrance. Lyne, burdened and struggling, followed close behind, along with the crocodile. Vincenn gestured for silence and motioned them to follow. Anuki''s heart pounded as they navigated through the garden, hoping their escape remained unnoticed. Felrum whimpered beside her. "Who was that?" Vincenn demanded, his face tense. "The Woemaker..." the rabbit said.