The Furry Forums
Creative Arts and Media => Roleplay => Serious RP => Topic started by: Grace.E on April 08, 2011, 01:05:04 AM
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In the heart of the Cascades in Oregon, deep with the thick forests, lined with ferns, paths invisible to the human eyes. down a tall waterfall, rested an invisible village in the trees. only by invitation or if you knew the code password you were allowed. a rope was slung down, and someone would pull you up.
Willow sat in the back of the mass hall with a small glass of water and a bowl of venison soup, her feet propped up on the empty table, watching as her anthro, human and Sapien Animales men and women talked, laughed, gambled and arm wrestled. Rowdy yet entertaining, this clan was only two years old, but they were a family. from the door way she caught sight of her second in command, Keith, a mountain Lion anthro, a grim look on his face as he bent down to whisper "we ran into some trouble.... Karl and Gerard were...murdered"
Willow looked grim as well as she whispered back "the 'kings' men I presume?"
"I am afraid you are right again" he said sadly, she looked at him "did you at least get the medicine?"
"that was a success"
"good"
he left as he continued his mission, Willow stood up and left the mess hall, taking her bowl of food with her...she felt sick to the pit of her stomach. entering her room, setting down her bowl she went to the washroom, looking at herself in the mirror, seeing the alabaster skin, jet black hair and the greenest eyes you will ever see. her 5'10 structure and slender, athletic body. her body shook as she became even more pale, her snow leopard ears flattened as she puked. her tail twitched, when she was done with that she washed out her mouth, after a brief moment she violently threw something across the room, hotting the other wall with a cry of anger.
"the 'king' is ruining the peace I have worked hard to keep" she muttered angrily, sh left the room and ate her soup again, not feeling hungry but it would be better if she did.
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marco walked his usuall route to his home, he passed a door, the only door he had never seen anyone use, when he heard somethin smash inside. he walked over to the door and knocked loudly, "hay, you ok in there? need any help?"
durako stroled carelessly along the side of a street, people playing and selling in the large hidden markets. he looked around while covering his entire body with the deep crimson membrains of his wings. he noticed some kids running from stall to stall looking for something to eat, they ended up with a small raw fish. he walked past them casualy, never looking away from the path directly infromt of him, he reached out from under his wings with an almost flaming hand and passed it over the fish which was cooked by the time he had passed the group who just looked at him in awe as he disapeared into the crowd.
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Willow heard the vice and composed herself "everything is fine" she came out of the room to see a fox anthro, Stretching her arms "you are Marco right?"
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"uh..yes mam, is everything ok in there? i thought i heard something break." marco looked over the woman standing brfore him, taken by her composure, how calm she was. "if you don't mind me asking...what was your name?"
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"Willow Forsyth...your new I presume" she sat in a deer skin chair, pouring two glasses of water from a scotch jar. "i was going to call on you yesterday but I guess fate has decided to do it now" she offered him the seat across from him " I interview and get to know every, I wan to know who is, just for starters, I hope you are comfortable"
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marco froze, he couldn't beleive what he had just heard. "n...no, i've been in the resistance for a few months, i've heard nothing but rumour about you. in fact a few of the others i normally work with think your just a myth." he slowly walked in and went to sat down, slightly nervous and feeling under dressed, he slowly pulled the large umbrella, that looked like it was from an outdoor table set, from a make shift sheath on his back and set it against a nearby wall so he could sit comfortably before actualy sitting down. "yes, i'm comfortable. so what sort of questions do you want me to answer?"
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Willow smiled gently "I am 'considered' a myth, which is fine because i can get things done better" she then sighed "well, how did you join us?"
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"i was kind of 'recruited'. a few months ago i came across a group of your men, they we're outmatched by the king's forces so i helped them, afterwords i helped them carry their wounded and since then i was pritty much taken in as one of them." marco smiled, hoping she didn't think he was lieing. "the groups leader took me under his wing, literaly, and tought me almost everything i know about the art of war."
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"ah, Jared taught you, well you were in good hands, I presumed he praised me for all the great things I have done" she said softly, sipping her water "tell me, what has he told you?"
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"he spoke of you as a legend, bracticly singing the tales of your adventures. he spoke so highly of you, if i didn't know better i'd say he had a thing for you." marco smiled a bit looking away before he continued, "i can see why he would though....."
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Willow smiled as she stood up, she walked over the window and looked out over the serene tree tops. many people see her eerie calmness as if she was the forest, calm, tranquil and patient. leaning against the window, her body still facing Marco as she looked out the window. "as glorious as my adventures sound..they were never that glorious in my eyes, I am only nineteen and I seem to be a legend that lasted for centuries" she looked back to Marco, her brilliant green yes seemed to hold an ancient knowledge, an old soul behind them , the moon was rising high in the sky. "your a good person in a very angry world right now" she said softly as she drank her water again. dragging her chair to sit next to Marco "I lost two men of mine today, the kings men is drawing too close for my comfort, we do not steal for the pleasure of it, we steal because we need to" she eased herself back into the chair "If i had the choice, I wouldn't be the Queen of Thieves"
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"but what if we could end all the fighting? surely theres a way to cure this world." he comented watching willow sit next to him, he started to grow warm under his fur.
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"Humans have been bread to want and desire power, as long as some seizes he opportunity, it will never stop, there is no cure to this"
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Leo looked on to a river as he neared it after haveing to escape from a nearby community. The feline looked like any other slave. The useual scars hear and there, and the lack of thickness, though muscle was apparent; and of course the rags he was givin that was supposively clothes. Other then that he held a few fresh cuts and injuries as well as a make shift bandage over his tail. He also looked like he was sprayed with blood as speckles here and there could be seen but mostly collected near his wounds and his hands which had blood from someone else.
He glanced behind himself and shook his head. He sighed and let out a soft whistle from disbelife "How did I pull that off." he asked himself before his head back to the river. He carefully rose a single foot and held it over the edge, before leaning forwards and falling into the river below the water surface. He quickly pushed off the ground and sprung back to the surface, paddleing to the other side. By the time he reached the other side all the blood on had already been pulled away from his clothes and fur and floated down the stream.
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Willow merely smiled until she heard something going on outside, looking outside her window, a huge fight between two men, very big men, Willow sighed in irritation as she jumped from her window, slid down a rope onto the forest floor, they would not notice a 5'11 Sapien Animales walking towards the group as the crowd cheered and began gambling. hanging from her belt was a ten foot bull whip, lifting it, she did a over head crack, the sound was loud enough to silence everyone, and then echo through the forest. everyone, human, anthro and animales alike stared at Willow, her bright green eyes shined with stern irritation. most of the men knelt, including one of the fighters, there heads bowed in shame, other, new recruits with no idea who she was started laughing. The other who have knelt tried to shut them up but with no avail.
"who the heck is she?" said a middle age human male. "who does she think she is? she is just a little girl" Willow's ears merely flicked at those words, the eerie calmness about her was not more frighting to the others than ever. Willow merely wrapped up her bull whip, the only weapon besides her short sword she kept on her. she looked at the man fighting the new comer. " are you alright?"
"yes Ma'am"
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marco quickly got up and grabbed his umbrella on his way out the window after willow. he landed naxt to willow and quickly followed suit with the others kneling. he looked up at her face when he heard the human speak, still admiring her ability to keep calm.
durako rounded a corner and saw a large group, mixed with over half kneling and the rest laughing. he noticed the two in the center were lightly beaten up so he assumed there had been a fight. he turned away and headed for a river not to far away.
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"good" everyone stared as she walked into the middle, helping him up "go get that looked at, I don't want any infections" the man nodded and left, she was now standing right next to the new comer "i expect everyone to have good behavior around here, and example like this was uncalled for, you are lucky I am letting you off this one time...other wise" like lightning she cracked her whip so close to his face, the that sound that broke the sound barrier almost made the guy faint in fright. "everyone go back to what you were doing" they left. returning to Marco, she smiled "shall we finish our interview over dessert and wine?"
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"if you wish. i just have to be ready for guard duty inabout an hour." marco rose and followed willow politely, hoping he never gets on her bad side.
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"so Marco, what is your dream?" she asked as they walked
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The feline pushed himself up and off of the ground near the river and made his way into the forest. He placed a single hand over a wound on his stomach and continued walking gritting his teeth to bear with the pain. He weaved between each of the trees panting faintly though his steps a bit unsteady from missing a fragment of his tail to keep his balance proper. The only time he came to a stop was when he heard a crack of a whip coming from just ahead of him. He hesitated for a bit to figure out exactly what direction that came from before carefully moving on to investigate that sound, hoping it wasn’t slavers.
He stopped just short of a large group, who seems to be bowed around a single girl.
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Willow walked past to see a slave boy, probably rescued, her piercing emerald gaze lingered on him, with no judgment, just the eerie calmness and and grace as she walked.
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Leo did in fact feel a shiver going down his spine from that eerie gaze removing his hand from his injury for just a moment as he stepped back in a staggering recoil. His left ear slackened in confusion about what was going on. A bit worried now he removed his eyes from eye contact and looked at the wall they came from taken aback in even more confusion “If you don’t mind me asking… what is that place? Its not marked in any map I have seen”
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"you are known in a place as the state of Oregon, Cascades region" she saw the injury. " are you here alone or were you rescued?" she asked softly, kneeling down she inspected his tail, noticing the collar and shackles "those also need to be removed"
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Leo looked down to his hand, examining the cuff he was a bit hesitant about answering “I am alone” he responded before looking at what held the shackles together “And… I am afraid to remove these, on the fear of slicing my own wrist or slitting my throat.” He said holding up his other hand to show his claws, which was as sheathed as he could get them. Dangerously sharp and enough was revealed to do damage. He then lowered the hand onto the blade he was carrying and adjusted as a way to help him balance for now till he was used to the shorter length.
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Willow took out a pick, picking at the lock around his neck, the thing came free in seconds, then his shackles, then fell to his feet in a useless heap. "take care of those claws, file them down" she smiled and turned to leave
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Once again the cat looked down as the cuffs and collar fell to the ground. He awkwardly crouched down, planting a knee on the cold dirt as scooped up the heap. He looked over it for a second and began to wonder if he could salvage it and shape it into something more practical for later. He then stood up staggering forwards before catching himself on a nearby tree and called out to the girl “Thankyou… and what do you mean file?”
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"your claws, if your so worried about killing yourself, take care of it see you around now, please go find some shelter and clothes, tonight is gonna be cold" with that she gracefully walked away
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Leo could only wave after watching her leave flicking his ear “Thanks for the tip!” he called after her before turning around and continued walking on his own hurried way. He would try to glance up to the sky to see how long it would be till night fall.
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marco watched over the events with the cub and smiled, watching the shackles fall. he followed willow optimisticly. "where did you lern to pick locks so quickly?" he asked adjusting his umbrella so it sat more comfortably against his back.
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'Umm, my father taught me, as the 'queen of thieves' I must know that basic skill " she smiled wickedly at him "so on with my question, what is your dream, that you want to achieve"
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Leo soon sat down on a nearby stump and sighed as he looked himself over. He pulled his tail into his lap, staying very tentative to what around him as he proceeds to work. He slowly removed the bandage from his tail, letting out a hiss as it peeled away from the flesh. Now his eyes started to water as the tail was exposed to the air, burning in a searing pain. “Should have asked for medicine…” he thought to himself as he brought the tip to his tongue and began licking it clean wincing at every lick till it was clean from the dried up blood and dirt.
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"i never really thought about it, i mean i know world peace is waaayyyy to much to ask for but just to end all this useless slaughter would be a start." marco noticed the evil looking grin and couldn't help but grin himself, "so whats with the grin? you expecting something to happen?"
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A lone figure runs through a dark forest, breathing heavily and clutching his left shoulder. He stops behind a tree and grabs a shoulder bag hanging on his right arm. I think I lost them, he thought, grimacing as he rolls up his left sleeve and looks at the damage. He gingerly goes to touch a large gash that he nad received from a shuriken thrown at him by one of the king's soldiers.
"AHH!" he says softly, looking more closely at the wound. It's pretty deep, he thought. I don't think I can heal this myse.. what's that?
Noises of movement were coming from a clearing ahead. Rolling his sleeve back down, he slung the bag over his right shoulder, drew a strange-looking dagger from a holster on his vest, and advanced carefully and quietly. He prepared himself, then stepped through the branches into a large area.
"What in the world?" he murmered, staring in awe at the furry village in front of him. "This shouldn't be here..." He noticed two other furries, a fox man and a female snow leopard, sitting and talking at a nearby table. The girl seemed very wise and powerful, despite her young age.
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(willow is not a anthro, Sapien Animales....she is full human with only snow leopard ears and tail...the village has humans, anthros and mix breeds) the smell of heavenly apple pie reached her nose as the lady placed generous size pie slices in front of them, with a small cup of sweet wine.
"I always suspect that something will happen" she said simple, eating her pie slice. "Its embedded into me"
a man taller than the kid, grabbed him by his right shoulder, looking down at him "hey, kid your not suppose to be here" he dragged him elsewhere
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Leo soon lifted his shirt slightly frowning at his cut, it looked rather disturbing to him. It didn't seem infected however it might as well be from the mix of dirt and fur that was tangled within the wound. It did leave off a stinch but only of dried blood which was putrid enough to make anyone vomit. However the feline looked at it casually already haveing to deal with this for a majority of his life, this was no stranger to him. "I Swear... I am going to die of Gangrene" he thought to himself as he slowly glanced around the area looking for a small pool of hopefully clean water.
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a young man saw the ex slave looking for water, seeing the cut on his body he stopped him "hey, kid..I'm a medical doctor, let me help you with that" he said kindly, assuming he was a new recruit.
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Meanwhile, Rick is still asking the large man where he is.
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Leo blinked turning to the man as he sat on the stomp. He glanced up and down the man searching for any possible sign of 'Kings Man'. Finding absolutely no signs he couldn't help but to thank his luck for the conviency, secretly within his own mind he was jumping up and down like a sugar hyped child. "Th-thanks! Talk about a stroke of luck!" he chirpped in a thankful tone.
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the man looked at the wound "well come with me to my clinic, we will get you straighten up, you need a bath and some clothes too" he led Leo to his clinic
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Leo removed himself from the stump and followed the man "A bath? You make it sound..." he started in a somewhat jokeingly offended tone but quickly trailed off thinking about the past and the last time he had an actual bath and not a swim through some random river "Oh... right never mind" he finished flicking his left ear in embarassment.
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the man said nothing an pushed him into a line of others, human, anthro, mixed breed. in a perfect straight line.
"Mistress, your are needed at the recruiter sight" a lizard anthro told, Willow sighed, setting down her fork, nodding to Marco she followed the anthro with fluid grace, reaching the line of people, she looked at each and every one in the eyes with her stunning green eyes. many shivered or winced under her stare, she stopped in front of a kid with a slight wound on his shoulder. nodded to one of the men, who nodded back, code for taking him to the clinic when the 'lecture' was done.
"as you may know, you may of come here, aware of the King's cruelty.." she paused as she stood facing them, "many of heard of the 'legend' I presume?"
some nodded, some utterly nervous. "this is... a clan who is allied with the mysterious 'Queen of Thieves'.." some smiled, some agape. one raised her hand "yes?" Willow replied
"where is she located at this time?"
"I have absolutely no idea where she is located, finding and catching her is like trying to find a flea in a hay stack" the woman looked sad for a brief moment. she looked at the wounded kid for a moment "these humans, anthros and Sapien Animlaes...are your brother and sisters, do not think of them any differently, they will stop you if they see any amount of prejudice"
the doctor smiled "come kid, lets get you feeling better" walking into the clinic, he told Leo to sit in a chair while he grabbed some stuff.
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Leo sat down on the chair and began to scan over the clinic finding it a bit unsettleing to be in. He had an urge to get up and leave but he forced himself to stay on the promise of survival. With that he removed his hand from his stomach and called out to the Doc. "Not sure if this helps but. I also have a serious cut on my back, outer left thigh and..." he trailed off bringing his tail up infront of himself to show off the missing portion of the tail that was void of infections like the rest of the wounds but was at least clean however still untreated "A slightly amputated tail"
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"well you had it rough" the doc said gently as he began treating the wounds "good thing my brother is...a inventor of some sort, this is not the first time I have treated an amputated tail, he has a whole slew of mechanical ones that will fix your balance straight up" he cleaned up the on his stomach, back and bandaged up his amputated tail. then tossing him a pair of deer leather pants and a soft shirt " spend the night here so I can check up on you tomorrow, you can meet Willow"
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The feline looked up recalling a specific word "Sounds like a...pro....protech...prosthetic limb? And... it sounds painful" he added not really enjoying the idea of a mechanical limb being attached to him.
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I I assure you kiddo, he designed it to be utterly painless,it moves just like a regular tail" he smiled kindly, "see I have one" he showed it to the kid, fliking it around like a normal tail. "I am a sapien animales...with only a tail"
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"Well... I will have to take you on your word then" He sighed quirking his brow at the odd contraption and imagining somthing exactly like that on his own tail. He then glanced down to his new set of clothes and back to the man "Thankyou for the set of clothing"
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"anytime kiddo... so I presume you met Willow already?" he said as he went to the other room and called his brother in "this process wont take even a minute" a few minutes later another man came in, he had no signs of animal features on him, with the right sized tail "hey there, what your name, I'm Geb, my brother is Carl"
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The cat paused for a minute thinking back when his actual name was used and trying to recall it "Give me a minute..." he said before finally saying "Leo...Cyrule... man its been some time" he commented rubbing the back of his head with a whistle.
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marco followed willow and listened in on her speach. once she was done he smirked and walked over. "i remember that speach. never thought the queen of theives was the one giving it."
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Luckily no one heard her, she merely shrugged " I was about seventeen at the time" she laughed "oh my, I'm getting old" even though she was nineteen.
"Leo huh?" Carl smiled and Geb attached the tail "there, see, no pain, it will stay on for about tent o twelve years"
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Leo glanced down to his tail and flicked it around, quite pleased to see he did not even have to learn how to move the attachment. He seemed to be a bit perplexed as he continued to slowly curl the mechanical part of his tail, eventually he managed to tear himself away from it and looked to the two. "Who is Willow?" he asked finally.
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"no your not, you've still got plenty of years before you should let people start calling you old." marco joked, secretly meaning it as a complement. "so whats next on your list of things to do?"
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Right on cue a man came up to Willow and spoke quietly in her ear for a moment. she nodded and the man left "its time to give the medicine to the sick, i for one do need to see the medicine" walking to the infirmary, seeing Carl bandage up the kids hurt shoulder "ah, Willow speak of the devil" Willow looked rather puzzled for a brief moment.
"I was just telling Leo" pointed to the kid with the mechanical tail "about him seeing" Willow smiled "well then we meet again...I need to see the cargo Carl"
"its in the back"
"awesome" she mentioned Marco to follow as she went to the back of the room
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Rick watched the wise-looking girl and the fox anthro walk away and disappear from sight, then looked back at .
"So... Carl," he said, looking at the man bandaging his wound. "Where exactly am I, anyway? I'm still not completely sure..."
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marco followed calmly, "i've never seen back here." he looked around while still following willow closely. "so do you have any other questions for me. or are we no longer doing an interview?" marco asked not entirely serious while still looking for a proper answer. "and why do you insist on checking the medical supplies personaly? surely you could have someone trustworthy to do it for you."
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Willow did not answer as she looked ta the stuff, she turned around to Marco "I have chosen you to also become my right hand man, since the first one has been acting funny lately..."
"your in the cascades kiddo" the reply was vauge
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Leo watched the two enter the back room and he got up already braceing himself incase he did fall over. Surprisingly his balance was back. "Nice work," he commented as he took a few cautious steps forwards. "Is it bad that I feel my other half of the tail... even though its not there?"
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marco stumbled back slightly in shock, "what? me? but i'm just a guard, a drone, i'm not qualified for such a position. not that it's unwelcome, but still. and what do you mean funny?" he almost triped over one of the boxes of supplies reaching out and grabbing randomly to stop his fall on to a pile of boxes he ended up grabbing willow, he wasn't quite sure what he had grabbed and quickly let go once he had his balance, he looked at the ground and the box that almost put him into the pile. "sorry bout that...."
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"careful there" Willow mused, but she didn't continue on why she chose him. instead she helped up Marco and left the infirmary "Carl, please give the medicine to the sick as soon as possible.."
"yes Willow"
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"Okay, but where's that?" Rick asked, still trying to process everything he had seen and heard. "And what the heck is a Sapien Animales?"
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"its on the west coast, the Pacific Ocean side, your in the cascade mountains" Carl side, readying the treatment for the ill
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Leo took note of the man getting ready for the sick and he turned his head towards the door to see people waiting."I am just... going to get out of the way" he said blankly shuffleing off to the side towards the door to leave the man to work.
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"Oh. Okay then," Rick said. "But what is the main purpose of this village? Is this some sort of resistance group, but it's hidden in a separate dimention like Cielis from Amulet? And what's a Sapien Animales?"
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"Sapien Animales is half anthro half human... I am not at the liberty to say what group we are, you should of asked Willow" Carl said with a smirk
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"so at your right hand man what do i do? am i like a bodyguard, a message carrier, an adviser? what exactly can i expect to be asked of me?" marco asked, still embaresed and unsure of where he had grabbed and to scared of finding out to ask. he watched as the supplyes were prepared to be given to those that needed them while waiting for willow to answer.
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"you are all of those you have listed" Willow smiled as she began to leave, smiling kindly at her people as they praised her for her compassion
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"sounds like a big job for someone so...un-refined as me. i'll do my best if you think i'm up to it." marco smiled gently following willow closly. he smiled and waved discretly as he saw one of his friends and their groups leader jarad walking over. "so what should i address you as now? seeing as willow seems kind of informal. and it looks like someones looking for you."
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"Willow is just fine Marco" she grinned at him as the walked up a trail, past a few bushes "come on, I wanna show you something"
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Leo left the room leaving the docter to work in piece. He navigated down the small halway and made his way to the exit. Opening it and stepping outside with a bored yawn, streatching in the middle of it. He stepped off of the porch and began wondering around the village wondering exactly what was going on in this small isolated community.
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"lead the way willow." marco mused followed willow closely. "don't break him, i might want him back." smirked jarad as he walked past. marco's former squad mate planting a hand on his shoulder momentarely before the two continued on, disapearing into the crowd.
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she lead the way through the forest, until they were a good ten of fifteen minutes away, the came to the top of a beautiful, massive water fall. the mist sprayed there face, a rainbow against the white water that fell. " this is so beautiful...." she closed her eyes and inhaled the air, then she opened them "what do you think?"
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"it's breathtaking....." he sighed contently while sitting down softly at willow's feet and calmly just soaked up the scene.
durako sighed slowly, he opened his eyes and looked through the wall of water before him, completely unaware of the two beings less than two meters above his head. he streached his wings wide in the cavern behind the waterfall, leaning back slightly from his cross-legged position, his back cracking a good four times throughout the short streach.
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"this is my favorite place...there is a place up stream a ways, a hot spring, there is actually a couple" she sighed "that's where I 'bathe' I require my people to bathe often. good pleasant Hygiene is good" she heard a sound that sounded like an arrow, it cut her and landed in the ground. she picked up the arrow to only hear screams from her village.
"Dammit! Raiders!" she bolted "get ready for battle Marco" she pulled out her sword and ran through the forest as graceful as a doe.
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Leo was walking beside a small pound in the middle of the town enjoying his stroll of freedom. Something caused him to flinched as it wizzed by his ear cuaseing him to quickly spin around to the direction it came from. He had only began to notice the screaming when he caught a glimps of a Raider's sword as it was slung in his direction. He quickly reared back, just barely dodging the sword and stumbling backwards and nearly falling onto his rear in the process.
The raider didn't give him a chance to regain his ballence as he came at him once more thrusting his sword forward. In this position Leo could only sacrafise his stance to save himself from a potentially blow. So the feline spun on his left heel and pulled his right arm back. As the blade passed by his chest harmlessly, the feline through the punch he had been reading into the other's ear.
When the blow landed the man jarred, releasing his weapon as he fell to the opposite side of Leo and they both hit the ground rolling and hopping back onto their feet at the same time as well. The feline quickly took advantage of the others disorientation and quickly grabbed him by the ears and slammed his own forehead into the others nose, before stomping on his knee bringing him back down to the ground. The feline moved his thumbs over the others eyes and unsheathed his claws gouging into them, blinding the man and tossing him away to the side drawing his sword. He than ran to where most of the crys where to lend a hand.
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marco was about to follow when he saw a black blur dash out from under the waterfall and off towards the village. "what the?...." he quickly passed it off as an optical illusion. he ran after willow. once he reached the village he drew his umbrella, which dispite it's apearance was his weapon. he straped his arm onto the handle and grabbed it firmly and heaved it over his shoulder. "who's first?"
at tham moment durako landed on the other side of the village, quickly wraping his wings around himself and stroling into the fight.
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with a loud battle cry Willow charged into the battle, striking down every Raider she saw with the murderous intentions. a woman raider and two other anthro males jumped her, she round housed the woman in the face, knocking her down. she struck the other anthro in the face with her whip, causing him to stumble back. she burst through them as she punched the woman back down before one "and stay down" she snarled, then hearing the cry of a child. she looked up, two anthro twins clung to each other as a raider raised his bloody blade to strike them down. Willow lost control of her calm facade, she charged with a wild cat snarl, with her sword she brought down the man, blood sprayed across her face, chest and hands as the anthro fox twin boys ran to her "mommy and daddy are dead!!' they cried in horror and fear. she hid the boys as she fought off more raiders. her whip cracked across faces, sword brought down bodies... there were to many..taking things, her own people going down, her village like all the others were being slaughtered. as soon as they came, they left... nothing was left... only ten-fifteen peopled remained as her people laid all over...a genocide. Willow screamed in agony and hatred, she cried for the souls, the people she knew... only hours ago were they alive.
"my lady" two men struggled with a anthro she knew well...her second in command struggled with them angrily. "we saw him in the woods, talking with the raiders!" the first man said
"they bargained and we tried to reach you, but the raiders had the advantage of horses..." the second one said, the first one threw down a bag at her feet...a bag made by the raiders, she opened it... Salt, one of the most valued substances. (since money is not of use) "a bounty for your head"
Willow knew her men were not lying and she could see through liars...the man she trusted most betrayed her, she stood up, there was a scary coldness in her eyes as she looked to Carl who survived. "Carl...fetch me my baby" she said with a deadly calmness. Carl left and returned with a whip that was a mixture between a bull whip and a nine tails, everyone alive knew what this weapon meant.. the ultimate punishment. at the end of the white were several inch nine tails with small, iron, sharp claws. hand made by Willow, Willow never used this before, but the betrayer knew that this was his punishment if found out, he always knew that Willow had a vengeful side. They tied him up, back facing Willow. she was crying her eyes out as she raised the whip high into the air and strike down.
***************
when she was done, giving him six strikes, she gave the whip back t Carl as everyone separated to begin the burial of the bodies. Willow got on her knees and began to whisper a burial and death chant with her prayer beads her mother gave her. speaking softly to herself in an unknown tongue. the twins came to her side and sat with her, crying softly.
-
marco rushed into the fight, instantly impaling two raiders before trying to fight his way to willow.
durako walked up behind one of the soldiers, his wings opening enough for his right arm to move freely, his long, armourlike fingers held tightly together more like a dagger than a hand. as he reached the raider he rose his arm, standing over the soldier he saw the expresion of shock on one of willows men as a hand burst through the raiders chest. durako droped the limp body and continued walking through the battle. a raider saw him and ran, sword raised, head on at him. the raider swung downwords at durako's head but found nothing but the metal-like spines on the side of his arm which derlected the blow, causing it to slide down across the other spines and into open air a good foot to durako's right. he folowed through on the block by rolling his shoulder and burying his arm, elbow deep, into the soldieds stomach and up into his chest cavity, where he grabbed the mans heart and riped it out to show to its owner, still faintly beating he crushed it as its owned watched through rapidly dieing eyes.
marco made it to willow as the raiders dissapeared, covered with the blood of both friend and foe alike. once she had delivered her punishment to the traitor he walked around and spat in the pigs face before walking back over to willow and crouching down next to fer and the two kids. "what now?"
-
Corbin had stopped 'interrogating' a passing opossum when he heard fighting going on not too far from his location. He let go of his victim and sprinted right until he heard the fighting stop. He then crept over to a large tree, looking out for only a few seconds and smirked as he spotted the woman he had been hunting for several years now. Instinct told him that direct confrontation would only make her flee as he doubted she forgot, who he is. He deftly readied his rifle, and aimed right for the arm of one of the kids. It wouldn't kill or really cripple the child as long as he kept his arm in the same position...
-
Willow's eyes opened, something else was watching her... she glanced her green eyes, now strangely pale in that direction, she moved one of the twins aside, "marco...take Benjamin and Kevin... get them saddled on my horse Falcon, the Black horse on the far end, to elegant to miss, I will meet you there soon, take one of the owner less horses" she stood up and walked in a different direction so Corbin...we meet again, I'll play your little game and not know who you are... though, I never forget my enemies"
-
When the battle was apparently done Leo crouched down to one of the raiders he had killed and began to search his body (no homo). He began to think to himself as he looked at the corpse belt and rose his hand to give his own ear a scratch. "This could be a better way to keep my sword then currently..." he thought to himself. His blade was currently kept on him by a simple torn cloth that was tied around his waist. So... he had to keep adjusting it so it was completely out of the way.
With this in mind he removed the belt as well as salvaging a dager from the mans leg and strung both the sheath of the knife and his own sword through the beld and strapped it to his waist. He would take a few to tighten it as he stood up and gave his equipment a slight adjustment so it was easier to get to later, his sword being on the back of his hip with the dagger on his right side.
Leo then looked up from his belt and carefully stepped over the many corpses, a bit saddened by the event. "How ironic..." he thought as he stepped over a familie's corpse one step at a time, avoiding looking down to them as he made his way closer to Willow "...the day of my freedom, is the day of this towns destruction."
"Madam..... Willow was it? Are you alright?"
-
marco nodded, calmly picking up the two kids as leo walked over. "kid, you should come with me too." he started walking away when he saw durako, his blood soaked arm getting moved back behind his wings as marco watched, then he disapeared in the blink of an eye.
when marco made it to the horses he quickly saddled both willow's horse and one who's owner he had seen die less than an hour before. he got the kids ready, strapping them into falcon's saddlebefore turning to see if leo had followed.
-
"I am fine...come on we need to move, grab a horse", she began to release the others seeing as though that they will die if they are kept up. Falcon excitedly pranced in place and bobbed her elegant black head. whining loudly, Willow grabbed supplies and more weapons and tossed them to others. "we need to move fast" she didnt want to let those bodies rot, as soon as everyone was clear out of the way, she set the village on fire. once she reached the others she mounted Falcon "come on, we need to make distance before sun down" Falcon jumped into a fast gallop.
-
marco rode alongside wollow silently, his new horse flare, a black horse with dark brown socks and a dark brown patch on its forhead, keeping pase with falcon. "so where to now? or was that our only safe haven?" he asked quietly to break the silence. a dark tone etched his voice as if it were stone. he thought of all he had less then a few hours ago. how happy he had been. "i wont fail you again."
-
"you have not failed me Marco..." Willow said, as they galloped into a large swamp "I am the one who failed...once we pass through the swamp we will be safe.."
-
marco continued to follow willow, sub-conciously deciding that he would follow her over the edge of theworld if she asked him to. "what lies beyond this swamp? and am i the only one who saw that dragon anthro after the fight? or did you see it to?"
-
It had taken Leo a while to find a horse that was either not dead, or injured. And even then it still took him a while to figure out how to control the horse from the lack of experience. Eventually he managed to make the horse sprint, catching up to the two others. He gave the reigns a light tug to make the horse slow down to a gallop and called out to the others "Sorry, lack prior horseback experince" he sighed as he had to kick at the horse side slightly to make him speed up as it went back into a walking pace.
-
Korbin was not going to engage Willow as long as she had people around her, that way he could avoid needless killing of a 'distraction' and keep focused on his quarry. He put his rifle away and kept his hand on his short-blade as he tailed Willow as best he could on foot. When he reached the swamp, he took out his rifle again and aimed at the horse Willow was riding. He did not mind killing a horse or two, as sometimes the demise of the mount lead to the demise of the rider.
-
Reaching the forest she ducked behind trees, she knew she was being followed, avoiding to be out of sight she traveled a rougher track ...until she galloped past the well know border between America and Canada...Canada, her home land
-
Korbin knew that Willow was heading towards Canada, but the bounty was the last thing on his mind. He continued to tail her through the 'rougher' terrain, his feet never failed to let him keep Willow in his sights. He took out his magnum, and tried to steady his hand as he fired a round at Falcon's legs.
-
Falcon fell, luckily it only grazed her, Willow attacked,running at high speed, through martial arts she disarmed him all the way, his weapons scattered out of reach and then pinned him down "what in hell!! did the king give you a bounty for my head, huh she growled then leaned in and whispered "your in my territory Korbin...what do you want?"her tone was infamously cold and deadly, her companions aimed their weapons at him, Falcon, not hurt badly, just shaken and bleeding was being tended to by a woman. The twin boys stared at her, eyes wide. she was going to stay alive to protect everyone
-
marco was dumbstruck by how fast willow had moved. unable to even comprehend what had just happened fully, he watched as willow held down her attacked. "keep your eyes open, there might be more hidden in the trees!" he shouted noticing that everyone was looking at the nutrilized threat willow had taken care of. he dismounted flare and walked over so he stood behind willow, ready to take action if something happened.
-
Korbin yawned behind his covered face, looking up at Willow as she held him down. "Has the 'Queen' forgotten that she had a King? If I wanted you dead, I would have killed you the moment I saw your wanted poster..."
-
stunned my memory, she slowly got up... releasing him, stepping back "I see...what is it that you want?" she asked more calmly, but her shaking hands betrayed her calm facade. "I'm going home... my previous family has been murdered and betrayed by my own commander to blood thirsty bandits that work for the King...you left me!" she snarled "when I needed you the most Korbin" the twins approached her, Kevin looked up at Willow, Ben standing behind him "Mom..." he said in a soft voice "was he like you?" Willow looked down at her now son's, smiling sadly "that is something he should answer himself loves" Willow turned back to Falcon who was stable and glaring at Korbin, it would of been comical if it weren't for her now sadness and rage she felt. "I am going home... though my work is not over" she dared not speak of her past in Canada...no one knew of her special history.
-
Korbin quickly got back on his feet, and dusted himself off. "Let me get this right, I go away for a day, come back to find the camp ravaged and no trace of who did it or where you are. Now, three years later, I finally catch up with you. You know, being hard to catch also makes it hard for me to return."
-
Willow, stunned glared "then what do you want....the bounty?!"
-
marco lichtly grabbed the two boys by the shoulder and moved them back. "ok everyone, lets move on ahead, give willow and....whoever this is some privicy..." he started ushering the others to move on ahead, telling the higher ranking soldiers to find a place to camp nearby and get everyone there for now. he left the two boys with a woman he knew, rasuring them that willow would join them shortly and leaving them to play along with a few other children before returning to willows side along with flare. "do you wish me to go aswell willow?"
-
"don't go too far" Willow whispered "take Falcon with you"
-
"yes willow." he took falcon's reins and lead him over towards where the rest of the group was headed he tied falcon onto a nearby tree and also tied flare next to falcon, he sat on a log not far from the two horses so he could see what was happening with willow without being able to hearher conversation or be seen. he watched carefully, ready to intervein if need be.
-
Willow sat down on the soil, a few feet away from Korbin, her wild green eyes bore into him, she didnt feel that rage, only the peaceful, eerie calmness she had. taking out a dagger she began to clean the dirt from her clipped nails. "soo...what now?" she said slowly, she looked up "we are alone now?" not really... Marco was watching and Falcon, being a powerful war horse she 'stole' will charge at any sign of Willow in danger, along with her other companions. a mist was beginning to form on the forest floor, it was growing cold and she wanted to be by the fire, but she was patient and she wait for Korbin to speak.
His Majesty King Silas George Kane sat in his throne room, dressed in his decoration armor, his stunning wife, Queen Arabella Samantha Kane held the healthy infant Prince Ryder Daniel Kane , heir to the throne of America. who was only a few days old, he was wrapped warmly, Queen Arabella was dressed in the finest silk and satin that hugged her well.
"No sign of the 'Queen' your Majesty, I am afraid that she has evaded us again" a young scout, kneeling before Silas trembled in fear, Silas struck him harm in the face, giving him a bloody nose. "be lucky that I am generous today, otherwise I would of killed you" Silas sneered sadistically. Arabella smirked at the young scout, she was amused by pain, just as much as her husband was.
"what do we do now my love?" she asked as the scout staggered away. Silas sighed, running his hand through his short brown hair "Arthas is still in my way... his powerful kingdom in Canada has drove away my strongest army" he sat down on his throne " I fear that his heir is just as clever and strong willed as the father"
Arabella cooed to her fussy son "do we know of the heir's gender?"
"No my sweet... "
-
Korbin shook his head when Willow asked about them being alone. "I've had experience with ambushes, its too quiet for us to be alone. As for what I will do now..." He put his hand up to his face as he seemed to think something over. He then lowered his hand and looked at Willow. "I have two options, which are: get my equipment and return to America to find a new wife, or forsake my reputation by escorting the 'Queen of Thieves' as far away from King Kane as possible... The second option depends on whether you will tolerate me being around you."
-
Willow looked up at Korbin she sighed, it wasn't an irritated sigh, it was a excited sigh, as she tried not to smile. as she remembered old times, she got up and stepped closer " I've... missed you, I have already forgiven you... though knowing you, I had a feeling you were trying to get revenge on me" she rubbed the back of her neck nervously, her snow leopard ears drooped "I am giving up on that title...its been a long time since I ever was 'Willow Forsyth' " she looked at Korbin seriously, taking a knife from her sheath, she cut it across her hand and lets the blood drip, a blood oath "I am no longer the 'Queen of Thieves' ..." she stepped back and looked towards the sky "YOU HEAR ME! NO LONGER!!" she shouted, her voice echoed through the forest, the mist grew heavy and the moon was rising high. she looked at Korbin, taking his hand and squeezed it gently "its your life Korbin..." she looked up at him, gentleness in her emerald eyes "its yours to decide...not mine" slowly letting go, she stepped back and slowly started walking away.
-
Korbin put a hand on her shoulder to stop her, and flashed a paper with a pen under his thumb. "Just a formality, and for the sake of buisness. If anyone comes to me with a job, I can flash this and say I'm currently contracted to Willow Forsyth."
-
she paused as she looked at the paper, she then nodded and signed the contract "alright" she handed it back to him
-
The contract was then stuffed back into Korbin's jacket as he went to get his guns and swords. "By the way, if you didn't read the fine print, you basically just signed our marrige vows."
-
oh she fell for that one... she turned on her heel, half amused and half annoyed "you little... only you can pull tricks like that" though she smiled in good nature and walked back to camp. nodding to Marco that everything was alright. she didn't bother telling them anything, she went over to Falcon to check on her wound herself, she as she looked at the deep graze, not bleeding but she imagined painful, Falcon suddenly bit her, hard in the shoulders "OW!" she glared at her horse, Falcon raised her head high "yeah, you better I was gonna smack you" she snapped.
she called two men over "hold her down" it was a struggle but they did it, as Willow sewed the wound close to avoid infections, Willow had to avoid getting hit with Falcon's sharp hooves but she managed, Kevin and Ben watched in awed horror, suddenly Nancy had to take them away because Falcon escaped, she was an angry horse and Willow got kicked hard in the thigh, slightly limping after Falcon "come back here you big oaf!" catching her reins she tied wrapped up the stitching with her sleeve. after taking off Falcons tack she sat down on a log "that hurt" Nancy rolled her eyes as she stirred the stew in the black cauldron "your complaining about your leg when you not only have been shot at by three arrows but you have been whipped several times with that very whip you have on your belt?"
"well. its different when a half ton animal kicks you" she hissed, Nancy only chuckled, Willow got up and searched through her bag, she then went behind a tree, then reappeared with a long sleeved shirt with a deer skin vest over it, she then put on gloves "its going to be cold everyone so dress as warmly as possible." she wrapped the twin boys up in a thick blanket. she sometimes envied the anthros for fur coats, for she was human with only a snow leopard ears and tail. tying her hair up she tied up the horses then finally sat down. "Hungry?" Nancy asked
"Starved"
Silas looked over his kingdom, he had a particular vision of the place and he was going to get to it. but the sudden disappearance of the Queen not only bothered him but he had his suspicions. he had heard of the this man.."the Hunter" was so much similar to the Queen. he remembered a time when there were two leaders, The King and Queen of the Thieves, when the King vanished, the Queen became more aggressive and active, but unmatchable and still unknown.
-
Korbin followed Willow to the camp, but sprinted to the darkness when someone approached. He couldn't show himself quite yet, as his hunting of furs preceded his previous job as 'King of Thieves'. "Do I need to be introduced, or should I just stay out of sight anyway?"
-
Willow, still in pain, glared at Korbin, he was up to something... she sighed "everyone, this is Korbin, he was my partner back in the day" Nancy recognized him though. "goodness Korbin, you have grown so much, well why don't you help Willow in checking out her bruised leg, I think its more than just bruised" Willow gave her a 'don't you dare look' in which Nancy wisely ignored "its not broken Nancy" she growled, Nancy took her hot wooden spoon and whacked it as hard as she could on the bruised spot, Willow howled in pain. Falcon reared and neighed loudly in warning, Willow gripped her thigh. "you! you..." she gritted her teeth and grumbled to herself. but Nancy turned to Marco "how about you, are you good with Medical?"
-
"no unfortunatly. i knew someone but i think he perished in the attack." marco said walking over and sitting not far from willow. he carefully drew his umbrela, examining it before pulling out a peice of cloth and starting to clean it while watching Korbin closely. "are you sure you should be so trusting? after all he did shot at you."
-
Willow would of silently agreed if she wasn't preoccupied with her leg, she knew it wasn't broken, she hated broken bones. she wished there was a hot springs nearby. she ate the stew that was offered. " whats worse, a broken bone or that god forsaken ointment you used on the whip wound" she leaned forward "it burned and stung...at the same time!" a guy leaned over at Marco "in case you haven't noticed, when Willow is in pain, she gets veeery angry"
-
"just when i got a promotion......" marco joked with the man. he shook his head when he was offered something to eat and turned back to willow "it doesn't look broken, you should probibly get it splinted just in case, at least so you don't do it further damage."
-
Korbin joined Marco, and sat down next to her leg. He listened to what Marco said, then got up to get four small planks of wood and three rolls of bandages. He walked back over and fashioned together a splint from the experience he had of having to make one for himself, which was the result of trying to be more acrobatic than Willow. "I don't care how fast you are or how commanding you are, it means nothing if you make noise over something as common as a fractured leg bone."
-
"so how long are we going to stay here?" marco asked looking into a nearby fire.
-
"only the night, we will leave for Cape Breton tomorrow..." she sighed as she looked at her splint. it wasnt broken but it would do her good. " Buisness must be taken care of once we reach the Capital, Arthas is not a patient man I do say" Nancy nodded eagerly in agreement "I am an old woman and that man sure knows how to get on a gentle old lady's temper... mind your tounge though, he is your King after all"
Willow snorted "he may be King but he is aggressive and arrogant, the worst combination ever" she looked at Marco and Korbin " aaaaand he was my dads best friend so I just call him uncle, he treats me as if I am his daughter though...what a weirdo"
-
Adrian raised his head and sniffed in the smells around him, a diffucult task, considering he was wearing a gas mask. his comrades shuffled behind him, fingering their weapons in anticipation. fianlly, Adrain poked his head around the broken car to get a view of his targets. one of the men turned breifly before he and his entire squad were engulfed in an inferno spewing from the Pureist weapons, reducing them to ash in a matter of moments. once the flames had died down, the humans spread out around the ruined gas station before declaring it "pure". a few minutes later, a flag showing a DNA double helix engulfed in flames flew high over the convenience store. Adrian grinned before sitting down at the register, which had long since been ripped apart for its contents, and took out the battered radio he held.
"Come in, Pure Command."
" This is Pure Command. whats your status?"
"weve taken over the target with no causualties."
"excellent. hold your position untill further orders."
"yesssir."
-
"Excuse me but... if he is treating you as his daughter" Leo trailed off searching for a better choice of words, "He must some kind of kind man, unless their is some sort of malicious purpose. Which I doubt." He then shrugged "Or perhaps he's compensating for something?"
-
"well, he was my fathers best friend after all... so naturally after..he died he took on as my father figure when I was young..er" Willow didn't want to go down that painful memory. this is the first time in years since she had thought of his death. Willow got up and limped over to her saddle bag and pulled out a bed roll and a thick, animal fur blanket. "I'm... going to bed now" her voice had hints of pain, she was having a hard time hiding it. she laid down her bed roll and she laid down under a near by tree, she covered herself with a blanket oh dad...why did you have to go...why didnt you just run..
Nancy sighed "its not wise to bring up the subject of her parents...Mother died at an early age, her father, had the most brutal and heroic death, most Canadians know the story, she was only nine when she lost him"
-
Leo's gaze followed Willow as she left then turned back to Nancy. His ear's flicked from a slight annoyance as he let out a soft sigh. "I see... Well sadly I don't share your sympathy for such matters," the feline said dully "He might have died heroically, but brutally may just be an exaggeration in my... adopted standards. This may seem a bit inhuman to say, but frankly... I have a good reason."
-
Nancy gave Leo a sharp look of annoyance "there is nothing more painful then to watch your own father being beaten tortured by the Kings men, knowing that you can't do anything about it!" she stood up and stared down "show some compassion, Willow's father was the greatest Warrior that ever lived and I respect that!"
"Nancy calm down..." some said, she sat down, red faced and stirring the pot violently.
-
The air smelled of ashes and oil as the Fire Purifiers turned the gas station into a fortified purist fortress. a small compund had been constructed, in the middle of which an engineer hurridly worked to upgrade and puece together new weapons for the band of purifiers, while his assitants drained the gas stations last remaining gallons of gasoline from its tanks. the convience store had been converted to a barracks, and the roof had a small tarp covering where a purist with binoculars almost always lurked. the fort had been eshtablished, and all was well. they were in for a rude change.
later that night, a trio of men left behind a burning fireball of Purifiers and gas station, slinging their guns over their shoulders. no one crawled out of the wreckage of the station. the only thing remaining in the morning as the flames died down was the concrete hull of the convience store, with a single message scrawled into it with a knife. JUsTiCe HAs BeEN DoNE.
-
Leo flicked an ear solemnly, obviously he wasn't even moved by the sudden change of emotions. He merely rose a brow for a brief moment, and allowed it to fall back into place. “I see. Well if you would like, I can take over” he offered pointing to the pot and spoon. “But I am not saying this to be cruel. But the concept of a hero died a long time ago for me, as with the terms humane, brutal, and torture.”
-
Korbin picked up a hatchet, throwing it with enough strength and accuracy to pass by Leo's face and hitting the ground three feet past him. "So you're saying the moment this goes sour, you're going to sell everyone out to keep your hide? That only works until you're the last one left."
-
Nancy glared at Leo "Willow can be too compassionate sometimes..." she served seconds to others. Willow had returned, she listened to the whole conversation, sleep was out of reach. picking up the hatchet, she sighed heavily "my father was an snow leopard Anthro... he was captured and brutally beaten and tortured. by the time he died, all his ribs were broken, so were his arms and legs, he was bleeding all over from whips, blades that slowly carved 'Justice' all over his body, his tail was chopped off. he died of a punctured lung from two of his ribs. his face was unrecognizable by the time I had reached him, he had suffered, though death was compassionate and he died quickly" she looked at Leo "I understand where you come from, but since you are now apart of this family, I will not stand having someone who only cares from his or herself." Willow sat down by the fire, her eyes were slightly glazed. "sleep will not come to me tonight, I suggest most of you go to sleep, I will keep watch"
-
Korbin casually walked over to Willow, sitting down next to her and imitating her stare. He took up the hatchet and started sharpening it against a nearby rock. "Then I guess I'll keep watch too, I've got nothing better to do with these guns and bullets anyway."
-
Willow took one of Korbin's guns and inspected it "where did you get one, they are hardly any that are actually working...since the revolution that happened a century ago...no advanced weapons, damn, its even hard to find a decent weapon these days, since Silas took them all" she put the gun back and pulled out her own sword, she grinned at the wicked blade "I made this one" she put it back, she took out her bull whip "stole this one... the very once that gave me the three whip marks on my back"
-
marco stared at the ground, it was all he could bring himself to do as willow spoke. once she was done he silently sliped away from the camp and started walking. he found himself at a wide creek, knee deep water as clear as glass slowly scrubing at the small pebles that made up the floor. in the center of the water stood duraco, cloaked by his wings watchingas marco as he knelt down to fill his flask. "if your going to kill me please at least make it quick." the dragon didn't move nor speak, he just stood there. marco stood up and lifted the flask to his lips, his eyes glued to duraco. "i wouldn't drink that." echoed a voice. duraco stared at marco. "the fish are spawning further up streem. this seemingly clear water is thick with their seed. i recomend you find water back at your camp." he turned to leave calmly, leaving marco staring at his flask. he turned it upside down and realised how thick the liquid was as he watched, feeling sick at how close he was to drinking it.
-
Leo blinked as the hatchet flew passed his head and turned to look glance at it then to Korbin "No I wouldn't sell you out. And if you called that a threat then concider it pointless. The chances of me even betraying anyone's trust its the same as an amputee winning against a bear." He placed the bowl on the ground after cleaning it.
-
Korbin smiled as he put the hatchet down. "Bolt-action rifles are easy to maintain, although I wish I had an ak-47, those things could last a century. The magnum was something I found in a drawer of a house we raided one time. It still had six rounds in it, but I managed to collect at least fifty more during my travels. All of my real kills were done with the rifle, since hunting rounds are commonly found in human settlements."
-
Willow smiled then she frowned "so about all these...marriage vows...should we act like a couple or should we act like just hate each other" she cleaned under nails with a dagger, she waited for his answer but not really expecting one. "unless they are fake?"
-
Korbin took off his hat, his chestnut brown hair sticking above the bandages. "married couples in their 70's can hate each other as much as two 20 somethings. All that the vows state, is that I shouldn't find you having consensual sex with another man. I've dealt with families that curse my presence because I killed their first-born or whatever. In other words I will kill you, and whoever bedded you be it the King of America or Arthas, if I hear about it before you confess. If its a confession, I'll just get angry and kill the guy."
-
Willow frowned "did you really think I would actually have the time to do it?" she said honestly, she could sense his jealousy, "i wouldn't bed Arthas or Silas for that matter even if they were the last men on earth" she shuddered in disgust, she actually never thought about stuff like that, she was so wrapped in the world of protecting her people that every night she slept alone in contempt. "besides, what makes you so jealous? afraid I might be impure, carry and birth a kid? which by the way is bound to happen at some point, but not in several years"
-
He took off the gloves on his hands, showing retractible claws with white-black fur. "Impurity comes with my job, and I assume yours as well. What I'm expecting, is for you to not turn on me the moment things turn nastier than they already have. The formal term for that, is faith. I would use a ring to show this, but I spent all of my money on rounds and supplies."
-
Willow laughed as she laid down "you know me Korbin..I usually run into a nasty fight, its in my nature...like father, anyways, why hide when you know your not a human?" Willow tickled his nose with her tail. she being annoying then flirting (which by the way, Willow is not a flirt) "A ring may be physical proof Korbin, but action also works too, I swear my faith to you, and I shall stay by your side in a fight" she covered herself with a blanket as she checked on Ben and Kevin who were sleeping soundly still. she knew she couldn't sleep tonight but she made the attempt of laying down. she looked up at the stars, looking at the constellations, as cold as it was, the night sky was brilliant. someone reached out and touched her hand, it was Kevin, he was crying. "whats wrong?" she asked, sitting up, the ten year old fox anthro crawled into her lap "ooh there there...whats the matter?"
"I saw..mom and dad"
Willow looked pained as she in a motherly way stroked his head. "its alright Kevin...everything will be alright" Ben woke up too, sensing his brothers absence, the boys rested their heads on her lap, Kevin was still crying, while Ben held his hand. "I was there at their birth...their mom, Rosetta...she was young when she had them, her husband couldn't be prouder...and now...they are lost, as promised, I am now their responsible guardian." the boys fell asleep again. she smiled sadly "Kevin is the older twin, Ben is shyer and more timid...but they'd make very good scholars or spiritual leaders, they have very insightful ideas and occasionally have visions" she was starting to cry, now she was more talking to herself now then to Korbin or any other... "they have immediately started calling me mom..and its stuck on me...is that normal?" she covered the boys up their blanket and hers. she stood "I'm gonna go patrol you may stay and rest or if you so desire join me" she turned and walked away.
Nancy who had listened this whole time turned around and looked at Korbin, straight in the face, she had pretended to sleep. "do you love Willow Korbin, or are you blinded by lust or seeking money...?"
-
Leo began thinking to himself again looking to the direction of Willow, and then to the fire, then back to willow. Hearing the new conversation that started, he thought it would be best to go and follow Willow for now. He leaned down to pick up his blade and pushed himself back to his feet. "I'll come with you Madam Willow." he sighed as he jogged to her to catch up and stopped when he was several feet behind her. "You are... very well thought of with the children?" he asked her with some piqued interest.
-
Marco was almost back to the camp when he overheard the conversation. he saw willow walking away from the camp after the two boys fell back asleep. he walked around the edge of the camp and met up with her and Leo. "if your heading towards the river you might want to reconsider."
-
"I don't drink form the river Marco...this area is polluted with war, you don't even have to looked to find broken arrows and such" she looked back a Leo and smiled "as for the children...yes, when the parents needed help I was there, so I know how to take care of a child" her highly sensitive ears heard something, they flicked around...realizing it was a badger she sighed. "tomorrow morning we head for Cape Breton"
-
Korbin looked over at Nancy, his gaze more hostile than his small smile. "Willow has no wealth that I myself, could not aquire. The same goes for her body. Do not ask me again." Korbin stood up, and went straight towards Willow, taking off his facial bandage to show his face as a white-furred cheetah. "I'll go to sleep when you stop running off..."
-
Willow said nothing, she then suddenly smelled something...smoke, Wilow paled as she turned around "no, no, no, no!" she dashed off into the forest, reaching the cliff, she saw Cape Breton on flames, her eyes wide as she saw the King's men, their flag waved in the wind. her human eyes became cat like, she let out an animalistic snarl, she removed and arrow from its quiver, stringing her bow, she took aim, it was far but she searched, her green eyes set sight on one of the men with a extravagant helmet, with perfect aim she it the arrow fly, the man fell from his horse.
-
Leo's head twisted after her as she took off running, and then he himself quickly followed behind her. He grunted as he sped his pace up to stop her from shooting the arrow but found himself late as he came sliding to a halt only a few feet behind her. He tried to grab her by the arm and pull her down to the ground with him as he fell to his knees in the brush. "What are you doing?!" he would hiss in her ear as he moved a leaf slightly out of the way, "Reveal yourself and everyone's at stake! Madm, we need to move now! I've had enough problems with two of them."
-
Willow snarled and got up, she ran back to camp, shouting orders angrily, the twins were saddled up on a different horse who neighed in protest. as camp were cleared " everybody move fast, we got Kings men on our hands" her true, homeland accent was showing and she was pissed that her home town was being destroyed. mounting Falcon, the black mare reared excitedly, eager for a fight. Nancy and the boys rode off, others prepared themselves for a battle.
-
Leo knelt their, left completely dumbfounded by how quickly she ran back to the camp so quickly. He stayed their for a while staring off into empty space till he heard some voices collaring from behind him followed by thrashing in the bushes. He stood up and placed a hand on his blade's hilt, and with the other he reached up and scratched his left ear “Maybe I can slow them down while I am here...” he thought to himself before finally catching a small glimpse of one from within the brush. Almost immediately his brows dropped to a solemn glare before quickly spinning to a crouch inside the bushes waiting for them to come closer “No... I'm just going to die.”
He slowed down his breathing as he heard them come closer, and finally past him. Silently he rose to his feet when he was sure all had past He casually planted a foot on a nearby decayed log and shoved it down the hill behind them, smilling as he watched the tree trunk comically bowls over several of the group if not all. He quickly drew the sword and held it in a firm graspe as his eyes flicked to count each individual who picked themselves back up and turned to him. “Ok... I managed to kill one before... I think I can manage.... two this time” he said to himself as he laid his ears back prepping himself. He pulled the blade closer to his body and gave it a quick flip changing it from an upright position to an upside down as he watched a several of the kings-men charge him.
-
Marco slid out in front of Leo ready for a fight. his lance in hand as he charged the group, just before he reached them he dropped to one knee and slid catching one soldier thought the neck with his lance. he quickly punched his own arm to force the lance to sweep to the right as he spun around knocking down a few of the others. "kid this is not the time, get back to the camp I'll be right behind you!" he called standing up and flicking a small switch whiched caused the lance to open up knocking down the remaining soldiers that were standing before turning and running back towards Leo.
-
When a soldier reached him and swung his blade, leo quickly pulled his own across the space between the effectively parrying the blow before flipping sword and bringing it back around the mans neck. He duck under another's swing and through a heavy kick at the man's knee, which created a sicking crunch on impact and caused the man to fall to the ground screaming.
"Just wait..." he said to Marco as he took a glance behind himself hearing horses he had reached for a nearby branch and pulled it back "You see... King's man are hardly on feet... and the horses are bad news. But they aren't exactly loyal."
He then released it when the horsemen came closer knocking a few off their horses "GET A MOUNT" he shouted to marco before grabbing hold of one and hopping on its back.
-
"your crazy kid.......we might just get along, if we make it out of here that is." Marco laughed kicking a soldier and jumping up onto a nearby horse. his lance seemed to instantly react, growing longer as he flicked his wrist causing the straps along the handle to wrap around his forearm and lock. he spun around and charged towards another mounted rider, breaking the soldiers ribs with a solid crunch. the soldiers sword flew through the air and into Marco's hand in time to block an attack from another soldier.
-
Willow, on top of Falcon, who reared and let out a battle cry before charging into the group of footmen, mowing them down, there was allot and tonight would be a blood bath if this continued. with her arrowed she brought down mounted men. Falcon was one of the fastest horses in the country, mounted riders charged at her from all directions. she avoided them by knocking them into each other, effective, she felt pain through her arms and legs, not noticing an arrow in her arm and an arrow in her leg. out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash of white. a cold chill went through her, then another...white robes. In Willows mind it could only mean one thing.... some pricked in her neck as she froze, her eyes wide as she feel onto Falcons neck, her eyes closed.
A hooded figure in clean whites and red robes jumped onto Falcons back behind, in the heat of a battle. grabbing the reins, he turned Falcon into an entirely different direction, the black mare, the man in white, Willow...was gone in a sudden cloud burst. out of that cloud burst was an army of Canadian soldiers who had followed the Kings men and now caused the slaughter.
-
During the fight and up until Willow fell onto her mare's neck, Korbin had taken a hightened position and took his time eliminating the riders on top of the horses. When she fell, he immedeatly put his rifle away and unsheathed his katana while trying to get to her. He was within fifty feet of her when the hooded figure took control of Falcon and rode off into the now rising smoke cloud. He hijacked one of the King's horses, trading his katana out for his magnum while he grabbed the reins with his left hand and lead the horse through the smoke and past the soldiers.
-
the hooded figure drove Falcon to the side of a mountain. he looked back, sensed that he was being followed, Willow rested comfortably on his chest as he continued to ride, constantly looking back. he made a bird call, and waited,a man in grey suddenly appeared, disguised as a rock.
"we are being followed..." he whispered, looking back "everything is working as panned....make sure to round up the others" the man in hooded grey nodded and bolted away like the wind.
-
May i join?
-
Korbin had already lost sight of Falcon and the hooded one, and had to rely on the tracks that Falcon left behind. He was confident that the tracks were genuine since the time between their exits from the battlefield is too close to have false tracks prepared during his 'escape'. He came up near a mountain, and aimed his gun at the figure. He kept the horse still so its steps wouldn't throw his aim off and likely hit Willow. "You will get off that horse if you value your head."
-
"you will not move if you value this girl..." the man in white replied coldly, he smiled as he turned Falcon and galloped up the cliff trail again.
-
Who would honestly think I would stop after I just charged through the Canadian army to get her?! he thought to himself as he made his commandeered horse chase the man up the cliff trail...
-
Leo gave a quick tug on the horse's reigns to keep it steady as he squinted his eyes to get a better look at the distant man. It took a bit for him to finally identify Willow, which her current state quickly alarmed him. He was about to give chase, till he hesitated for a moment and glanced in the direction the hooded man was going, and down to a mess of rope that was attached to the side of saddle. Glancing back up and down he pulled the reigns to angle the horse, before charging off at full speed to pull ahead.
-
two grey hooded men attacked with sleeping darts, each one landed in Korbin and Leo's neck. the white hooded man steered Falcon father up the mountain. the mare wheezed and snorted in protest, usually she would buck off the foreign rider but her mistress was unconscious and that worried Falcon. she whinnied really loudly, as a call for help. the new rider only kicked her harder in the side, which was an outrage! Willow talked to her not kicked her!
-
marco, finaly through the group of soldiers he had been caught up with, charged after the hooded man, determined to free willow he rode perpousfully with his lance raised and aimed at the back of the mans head in a way that it should miss willow completely.....he hoped.....
-
The feline felt something thud against his neck and quickly by reflex, pulled a hand up to grab it and pulled it out. He held it in front of him examining it slowly before cursing his luck as his vision began to blur along with his body turning heavy. Eventually he lost feeling in most of his body and slumped over to the side falling off the horse and tumbling against the ground at high speed. He bounced up occassionally like a little rag doll before landing face first into the dirt.
Lieing there for a bit breathing heavily he barely managed to prop himself up to glance up at the two, then collapsed with the dart still in his hand.
-
Korbin almost fell off the side of his horse when the dart hit his neck. However, he was able to recover and pull the dart out so it would not cause more damage by bouncing around. When he felt exhaustion set in, he raised the reins and put his arms and head through it and gripped onto the horse's neck before making a valiant effort to stay awake. He couldn't stay awake long enough to outlast the drug, but the reins kept him on the horse as he went to sleep.
-
the men in grey took hold of Korbin and Leo, tied them up and put them on their horses and followed the man in white robes.
Willow woke up in a bed...she was running a fever and she was in a strange place. she tried to sit up but she was too sick to move just yet. wrapped in fur blankets she heard the sounds of horses and banging metal, voice and different smells that were unrecognizable. "Mistress Willow" Nancy spoke, Willow turned her head "w-w-where am I?"
"somewhere safe...I promise" she said before Willow fell unconscious.
-
Leo awoken with a quick jerk. He was trying to figure out where he was as he pushed himself up off his back, grunting in pain from his soreness. He noticed he still had the dart grasped in his hand and quickly pocketed it for later use.
-
Korbin had awakened in the same manner, but kept the appearance of still being asleep. He glanced up for a short moment to see that he was tied up, and sitting on the ground just a short distance from Leo. "So I wasn't the only one who chased after her, huh. Did the dart get you too?"
-
"No, I am just a paying customer in this fine Inn," Leo replied with an exaggerated amount of sarcasm as he attempted to stretch. "Tied again... fun. Let's hope I don't lose something else like my tail... this time around" He sighed as he wiggled around to get some play room for his hand. He extended the claws in his right hand and stretched the rope by pulling the other. He began rasping his claws against the threads of the bonds. "I am surprised you have yet attempted anything yet"
-
Korbin shrugged, looking around before standing up on his feet despite having bound arms. "Because we're probably not going to survive a second round against whoever drugged us. I'm a bit surprised they didn't try to tie us to a pole or chair, but then again, they were probably with the hooded guy. If my observation skills are still intact, that means that we've been captured by the Canadian army or at least their allies. I saw the hooded man go through a group of canadians, grab Willow, then dash back through without even getting a second glance from the ground troops. Should I go into more detail, or is that alone too much for you to understand?"
-
Leo's ear flicked at the sound of a sharp snap, followed by the rope falling from him "I see.... please do continue. I rather not remain ignorant of our current... host". He raised his arms up high into a stretch, before standing. He walked closer to Korbin and raked his claws across the rope, tearing it apart. He noticed he was off balanced slightly and sat back down to remove the mechanical portion of his tail and adjust the bearings. "I also should assume it's currently a no hurry situation?"
-
Willow turned and moaned in her feverish sleep. in her weakened state she had horrible nightmares, blood, death, rage. Nancy rushed out of the tent to the healer "willow is having a fever, she can't awake, she is having nightmares" the healer rushed in and checked up on Willow. "Get her companions" two men rushed out of the tent and ran to where Korbin and Leo were tied up. "if you are her loyal companions, we are here by ordered to release you, Willow is suffering" a tortured, female scream seemed to capture everyone's attention.
-
"Yes, I am her lo-" He had already left the tent at the start of the scream, making his way right over to Willow's side, then turning to Nancy. "Is there anything I can do to help?!" His breathing sounded labored, but he did not make any exaggerated head or neck movements.
-
"we are doing the best we can, but she having an allergic reaction to the sleeping potion!" Willow was now compulsively shaking. she opened her eyes, hazy, glazed and bloodshot, seeing Korbin she gripped onto his arms "I'm scared" she sobbed. the doctor had to rip Willow away from Korbin "willow, listen to me, your safe, everything is alright!"
"NOOOO!" Willow screamed as others had to hold her down, she was trying to make an escape. Willow was living in a nightmare that wouldn't go away. "KORBIN! HELP ME!"
"That *******" the doctor cried. the man in white came in, though he was wearing something different. the doctor punched him, sending stumbling back "you fool! do you realize that Willow is deathly allergic to the main ingredient you put into this crap!"
"The Lezia flower?" he questioned, the doctor, pulled out a syringe " Willow, this should help" he jabbed it into her arm, she was starting to calm down, the she sat there, staring at her violently shaking hands. though her eyes were now clear, not as blood shot. "you blundering fool, in case you didn't notice, she had a deathly fever of 106, she would of died in the next two minutes if the doctor not had the treatment" Nancy hissed. Willow was now a ghost pale, but stable.
-
Leo left the tent, following after Korbin. He could only scratch his head as he kept away from the commotion to stay out of the way. "Korbin, I know this seems like a terrible time. But it may be best to keep your distance and allow the doctor to keep watch over her."
-
Falcon heard Willows scream and she immediately thought she was in danger, though tied tightly to the post, Falcon reared up on her hind legs and neighed loudly, her front hooves pawing at the sturdy rope that tied her there. she backed and reared, pulled and tugged, even bit at it. she reared again, panicking.
-
Marco woke up slowly, a camp fire crackling not far away, his head pounding as if split in two "what happened?" he asked himself outloud grabbing his head and sitting up slowly. he looked over at the fire and saw his clothes hanging up on the other side of the small forest clearing, "how in the hell?" "don't bother trying to get up for a little while, a few of your ribs were damaged by the hit." "hit what hit?" Marco turned around holding his head and saw the dragon from earlier sitting next to the fire watching him. he felt a sharp pain in his chest and grabbed at his torso, his eyes clenched tight as his fingers dug between the tight bandages, the pain spreading quickly to the fest of his body causing him to scream out in pain before passing out again. "sleep tight kid, you'll need it."
-
Korbin sat down next to Willow, putting an arm around her shoulder while pulling her closer. "I did say I would not leave you, now are you fine on your own, or would you rather have me stay in the tent with you?"
-
"S-stay...please" Willow gasped weakly as she rested her head on Korbin's shoulder. the doctor coughed uncomfortably "its gonna take a while for the medicine to get everything out of your system... but you are doing well, responded well..." he looked at Korbin "anything unusual, call me" he left the tent, Willow slowly stopped shaking. beads of sweat on her brow indicated the fever broke. she noticed at brace on her injured thigh. her shallow breathing, she looked around the tent. Nancy got up and said she was going to check on the twins and left, only leaving Willow, Korbin and Leo alone in the tent.
-
Korbin nodded to the doctor before he left, and also to Nancy when she went to go check on the twins. "So what got my Willow so spooked that she gripped onto my arm for all she was worth?" He was fine with her not answering, he just wanted her to get some laughs out and hopefully lighten her mood.
-
Willow paused for a long moment. she closed her eyes and remembered the hideous sight, then she spoke " the eyes of death has set on me... I felt the cold hand of death close around me as I lay there..." Willow began to silently cry "I heard your voice and fought...the most terrifying moment of my life... almost as scary as my near death when I was a little girl...those hands were my father's hands" she collapsed into Korbin's lap "d-don't leave me again..." she whispered weakly before she fell unconscious again.
-
Korbin looked down at Willow, then over at Leo. "I will spend the night with her, she obviously went through more emotional trauma than both of us." He pulled up the sheets, sliding off his boots before laying down next to her.
-
Willow groaned as she moved to the side, laying on her side, facing Chrono.
a group was gathered outside by the fire place. all staring at the near murderer of Willow Forsyth. though slowly forgiving him, they thought it was best to tell a little about her. "if you would of killed Willow, Korbin would of merilessly killed you"
"that Cheetah kid?"
"yes you moron, him!" the doctor stewed a pot of soup that was smelling really, really good " Willow, like her father is deathly allergic to it... its basically a toxic poison to her, for us who are not allergic its a knock out ingredient"
-
One of the Canadian soldiers brought the weapons Korbin had on him, and showed them to the hooded figure. "This is what he had on his person when he chased you, hard to believe anyone still uses guns anymore, and they're in such great condition!"
-
"all the more reason why not to mess with Korbin" the doctor said darkly, serving soup "take his gun to him now...he may want it"
-
The soldier nodded, carrying the equipment to the tent and placing it next to the boots.
-
Willow awoke from another nightmare, she violently sat upright and gasped. she stared at the tent wall, feeling a cool breeze flow in she closed her eyes and sighed heavily, she was running a slight fever and she felt like she was going puke but she had nothing in her stomach. though her whole body ached, she looked at Korbin teary eyed oh...this is...
-
Korbin had yet to fall asleep, his insomnia making it difficult. "Feeling better, or just another nightmare?"
-
"another nightmare... Do you remember how we met... do you remember the time you rescued me from that river when I was trying to impress you that I didn't need help...?" she sighed again.." i dreamt of being underwater without breath... drowning"
-
"Of course, your nightmare always wakes you up before the good part happens, where I jumped in and pulled you out of the river, letting my spare katana float down the river and flow into parts unknown." He kissed her cheek and rubbed her shoulder. "I think that was the first time I saw you blush as well."
-
"Okay... this is where I see it fit to give you two time alone" he spoke finally as he quickly spun on his heels. "I am going to go check on Marco" he said as he walked out the tent into the other.
-
"yeah...you yelling at me for how much of an imbecile I was.." Willow smiled as Korbin kissed her cheek. "you have to admit...I was an idiot" she sighed, laying back down, staring at the celing. "an idiot in love...who still is.."
-
Marco sneezed in his sleep, causing durako to look over curiously. "i wonder if they're looking for him. he did seem important. oh well, it's not like they're close enough to find us any time soon." he looked up through the 20 foot tall trees before putting out the fire with a scaled hand, and laying down in the darkness.
-
"Finally awake Marco? Or are you just now going to sleep?" Leo asked taking note of the fire.
-
"Well, people like us are only capable of short moments of idiocy. I chased after you without a second thought, almost killing some canadians as I rode my horse past them. I figure our 'idiot' clocks have synchronized in a way that only one of us is going to be the 'idiot' at any given time. I still can't figure out if I had an idiot moment when I decided to 'hunt' the Queen of Thieves, trying to locate someone that doesn't want to be seen. Finding you was probably a physical metaphor of my desire to wake up from the nightmare of solitude."
-
Willow wanted to laugh but she was too weak to but she smiled "Solitude eh?" she sighed "well, I have been in solitude as well... only putting myself on the line to protect those I loved...in the end they were slaughtered. by Barbarians who were paid by a traitor who worked for the king...in the end, I whipped him and have him killed" she then thought for a moment. "and yet the king still searches... for he claims my death is worth a thousand deaths... if I die..the hope of peace dies" she bored her green eyes "but you did find me...by mere chance..." she smiled "I'm glad you did"
-
Korbin smirked as he turned to face her on the bed. "Sorry for trying to shoot at one of the twins, I just wanted to get you away from them so we could talk... Now here we are, in the same bed once again." Korbin chuckled, shaking his head lightly before lying on his back again. "If you weren't so tired, we wouldn't be going to sleep just yet."
-
Willow let out a 'tsssk' noise and barely punched him in the arm "your hilarious" she said with a weak wink. a messenger came in and brought a note to Willow. taking it she read it. her eyes grew wide as she sat up, more energetic. "what! King Silas had a son!" she read on... "Prince Ryder Daniel Kain..." her mind began to work and calculate as she began to think. "I may have found the kings weakness"...
-
Korbin got up and put an arm in front of her as if trying to keep her from getting out of the tent. "Hold on, you were bed-ridden just five minutes ago, if someone is going to go after the prince, I'll do it. I'm not going to be the one to tell Nancy that you just ran off alone to get a high-value target."
-
"Its took risky to kindnap Prince Ryder alone...although, when I am well and we go together, if we do it now, they will suspect... unless ...we may be able to if we do it later, my plan is to simply capture and raise him, teaching him of peace...to go against his father..." she smirked "it would be nice to finally meet Queen Arabella..." she looked up at Korbin "my strength returns quickly..if you haven't noticed" though, she paled as she began to cough violently, grabbing a rag she coughed up thick, gross mucus caused by the allergic reaction. she could breathe easily again. "every child is born innocent"
-
"Yes, lets do it later. Unlike you, I rarely sleep due to being an undercover cheetah as well as being a fur hunter. I can stay up for another day before crashing, but I'd rather rest now and let that one day become three by tomorrow."
-
Willow yawned "alright" she cuddled up next to him, not caring anymore "good night Korbin...I hope to be better by tomorrow" slowly she drifted off into a dreamless slumber
-
He kissed her on the forehead after she went to sleep, then joined her within half a minute.
-
**Morning!**
Willow awoke, yawning and stretching before Korbin. she was sad she had to leave his side...that was until she smelled herself. she let out a "YUCK!!" a little too loudly. then she looked at Falcon "YUCK! you need a bath!" taking Falcon to a secluded place at the river (after finding some soap)she undressed and bathed herself first. then Falcon. which took longer. finally when she was done, she was about to step out when she heard something. stepping behind Falcon so no one would see, a young, half awake Canadian solider washed his face with the cold water. when he looked up and saw her, all she said was "hey there" he ran, screaming "NYMPH!!!!!!!" Falcon nickered at her quizzically.
after drying off, dressing in clean clothes, jacket and boots she rejoined the camp. Nancy saw her and looked ta her crossly. "you should be in bed missy"
Willow shook her head as she dried Falcon "I'd get bored stiff...besides, I smeeeellled really badly" Nancy sighed "you don't stink."
"now I dont, besides, I am refreshed and renewed!" she grabbed a big bowl of stew and ate it "I don't care if Korbin drags me back!" she said with a mouthful "chew before speaking" Nancy said. Kevin and Ben greeted her "sissy! are we gonna play today?"
"maybe" Willow sighed, then she leaned in "depends if that cranky man in the tent lets me" she pointed at the tent Korbin was still in. then she left to check on Leo and Marco. "MORNING BOYS!!"
-
Leo was lying on his stomach with his eyes burning red. He let out a rather loud sneeze and sniffed "When you said it gets cold at night in canada, you forgot to mention how badly. Normally I stay away from fire like the plague, but I ended up sleeping next to it and caught a few embers in my fur" He pushed himself up and stretched with a groan "At the end of this, I just may find a way to head back to my homeland where it's warmer."
-
"sorry about that, I'll make sure you get some warmer clothes and some blankets" she grinned "Canada is not kind to Foreigners I will have to admit to that" Willow stoked the fire and looked at Marco and the new comer "oh? who is that?"
-
Leo rolled his eyes and grumbled "Sure sure... I am sure us desert folks adapt real well within this here climate."
-
"awwwwwww come on, dont be a sour puss" she said with a fake sad look. she was happy and cheerful this morning...maybe she is feelin good that she was alive
-
Leo gave her a very peculiar look, raising a eye brow to study her before narrowing his eyes into a suspicious glare followed by a grin "My dear Willow, what exactly happened in that tent last night?"
-
Leaves crunched and rustled underfoot as Kitt walked slowly through the woods. Early morning light spilled between the trees onto the earthen path below and an identical pair of boots followed just behind him, stepping in time to his own footsteps. Kitt stopped suddenly, turned to the second figure, and demanded "Why are you walking?"
The second figure, a young woman who could have been considered a non-identical twin to the first feline, grinned at the strange question "Well, the very same reason why you walk... Neither of us has wings."
Kitt snarled and narrowed his eyes "You know that's not what I mean." He turned and continued walking, all too aware that Katka was following just behind "You dont exist, your not real... You can do anything you want!"
At this Katka laughed and reached out to brush a hand across his cheek "Do I not exist? You see me, you hear me. Doesnt all of this-"
With another snarl Kitt lashed out, slapping the hand away "Dont touch me!" He turned to face her, pointing in accusation, shouting now "Shut up! You don't exist, you cant... Just leave me alone!" And she was gone, leaving only a small squirrel watching the feline with a bemused look on its little face. Kitt kicked out at it, sending the squirrel scampering up the nearest tree to safety. Still scowling he turned back to the path and continued to walk in silence.
-
Korbin finally woke up, putting on his boots and putting on all of his weapons as he leaves the tent. He looked absolutely tired, but it was probably just insomnia catching up with him. "Food... Fooood..."
-
Nancy came into the tent with breakfast and placed it before him "once you are aware, you should eat quickly and find out what Willow is up too...she is a chipper as a bird right now..." she left the tent. Willow was playing a drawing came with a stick and dirt as pen and paper. Nancy had a small smile on her face as she went back into her tent.
-
Korbin nodded, wolfing down the entire bowl of stew within a minute. She can't be that happy about finding the prince, can she? He walked over to Willow, rubbing his snout. "So what are you drawing, Lady Willow?"
-
Kevin and Ben laughed loudly at the failed drawing of Falcon. the horse looked offended at the drawing and blew on it, erasing it. Willow stood up and stretched "don't call me that Korbin... I don't exactly have a sta-" suddenly she was engulfed into a huge bear hug. and it wasn't Korbin. "WIIILOW!!!" as she felt someone lift her off the ground and rub its face against hers. "hows my widdle dauuughter doooin!"
"ARTHAS! LET MEE GOOO!" the situation was comical as the almost seven foot fox anthro held her tight "I heard about your reaction and I was on my way here and I was soo excited to see you!"
"AUGH!"
-
Korbin tilted his head to the side as he looked at Arthas. "You know, I was expecting a black bear or a panther when I heard the name 'Prince Arthas', you're just a really tall fox. I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed. I'm Korbin by the way, I kept Willow out of trouble for the most part until she... left."
-
"its King now..but thank you for watching over her" he set down Willow who glared viciously at him. he merely smiled " good to meet you Korbin...I have heard many things about you" he said with a wink. many who saw him stared in awe. he looked down at Willow with teary eyes "my baby girl is all grown up!" he grinned. Willow turned around, arms crossed with a flushed look "meh..." she looked at Korbin and blushed even further.
-
Korbin glanced at Willow just in time to see her blush, and it spread to his face only to vanish as he coughed. "I notice your vague opinion on my 'many things', is this about my contracts?"
-
Arthas waved his hand back and forth "that and a few personal things she admires about you" if Willow could steam, she was doing so right now as she hung her head low. "anyways, I want to know about King Silas's trading achievements...anything new?"
"he has people across sea...i think he is planning to expand his empire even further..."
-
Korbin looked at Willow, then back to Arthas again. "I don't think this counts as a trading achievement, but we found out about Prince Ryder, the heir to the American Empire. We contemplated finding him, but we were both sharing a tent and agreed we were not in any condition to kidnap him."
-
"kidnap him!" Arthas boomed with laughter, then suddenly stopped and Leered at Willow, Willow flinched at the dark angry cloud Arthas began to form "I believe it was your idea Willow?" willow flinched again as he leered closer "I forbid you to do such a thing"
-
Korbin was about to draw his katana, but he remembered he was going to threaten the figure-head of the entire Canadian army. So, he clicked his revolver and held it in between Willow and Arthas. "I couldn't agree more, but the important part is that we do have the chance to gain leverage. Now, can you please stop glaring at my wife?"
-
Arthas stood up and glared at Korbin then at Willow "wife eh?" Willow smirked, Arthas sighed and rubbed the back of his head "is there gonna be some sort of proper wedding or did you just say I Do?" Willow rolled her eyes "...father, there was no...wedding"
Arthas looked like delightful child "did you hear that! she called me father" he hugged (again) "ooooh! Dddy loves you so much!!" Willow looked irritated "you can let go of me..."
"why didn't you have a wedding? too busy doing your thief stuff??"
-
Korbin put his revolver down. "Actually, it was because we were in a rush to meet with you and the Canadian army. The last time we did any thief stuff together, probably three or four years ago..."
-
Leo simply staid by the fire with a bowl in his hand full of stew. He simply decided to stay out of what ever was going on now that he was having a hard time keeping up. "So... Nancy.. who is this prince?"
-
"King Arthas is King of Canada... he is the force that fought back King Silas several years ago" Nancy said, then looked at Willow who had returned to the fire. she sighed as she bowed her head, since Arthas had randomly left. "I swear..." she looked over at Leo, she smiled " I am going to need your help on a mission Leo"
-
Leo looked up raising a brow in confusion. "Yes? And what would that be Nancy?"
-
Korbin sat down next to Willow, looking at the ground even though his eyes were unfocused. "I think that went well, with the exception of me pulling my gun on your uncle..."
-
(you mean Willow Tail?) she brought Leo and Korbins heads close to hers. "I'm not sure if this is going to work but" she looked around then whispered "I believe we have a war brewing...and we are not match...I propose we go to Alasaka... it's going to be dangerous"
-
Leo's eye fidgeted as he thought about going to such a brutally cold place. "Please tell me this is some kind of sick joke..." he groaned as he placed his hand across his face, the other resting on his knee.
-
Korbin shook his head, then turned to face them both. "Whether is fails or works, nothing we would do should ever endanger us more than just being that close to enemy royalty. I know you want to get a peaceful end, but your uncle was doing the 'right' thing forbidding you to go. The moment we get there, it will likely be kill on sight, and every small disturbance will probably be looked into."
-
"Alaska got its independence several centuries ago... did you ever study history? anyways...there is a kingdom there that is .... unusual but strong in technology. the king moved from Alaska to the east coast several years ago." she sighed "its gonna be a harsh trip but I'll make sure we get there alive...we need to leave now if we are gonna get there"
-
Korbin slapped the front of his face, and nodded. "Yes I study history, but its pre-nuclear history. You know, when North America and Canada were not lead by 'Kings'. The only reason I didn't study the history after the nuclear war, was that I had to pawn that book to pay your first and last bail bond."
-
"Riiiiight....but still" she sighed heavily "we need to get ready"
-
Korbin gave her a friendly jab, smiling in a reassuring way. "Hey, I would've pawned my guns as well, you're more than worth it. Now as far as getting ready goes, we'll have to pack light and hunt on the go. Alaska in the winter time is not fun in the slightest."
-
"noooo....it wont be fun at all..." she looked at Leo "this is a journy you wont forget, it will make you stronger"
-
Leo lets out a long painfully low groan. "I just hope I adapt to this before we even get close to alaska."
-
"Adapting to Canadian weather for Alaska is like going to Mexico or Florida to prepare for Death Valley." Korbin got up, pecked Willow on the lips, and went right for the tent.
-
Leo raised a brow to Korbin "Actually, I like the weather of death valley, it's nice and warm." he said looking down to his main, and straitening some of his feathers by instinct.
-
marco woke up again, groaning loudly and noticing he was moving. "what's going on?" durako lent over him for a moment silently before going back to watching the trees go passed from the back of the cart the two were in. "were heading to alaska. once there you'll be treated properly for you injerys. but untill then you should try to move as little as possible." "good to know. but why are you doing all this for me?" "because we're good people, thats why." said an old man driving the cart.
-
"toalaska it is then...we must go on foot, taking our horses may be faster but more dangerous".
Willow gathered everything she needed, furs, smoked meats, weapons, suppiles, etc. she felt a tap on her shoulder as she was packing her bag. she turned and saw Arthas "hello your Majasty" he sighed "I over heard your dangerous trip to Alaska with Korbin and Leo."
"yes, we are going there"
"whatever it is, it must be important...I have someone you may want to go with" he stepped aside as a giant, white (feral) polar bear stepped forward. Willow smiled in delight "Ragen!" the polar bear stepped forward and licked her face, growling happily. "hey buddy, its been so long!" she hugged his head as he grolwed happily. "he will carry your heavy gear and be your fearsom protection" Willow smiled at Arthas, then turned to Korbin "Korbin! remember Ragen!" as she strapped the heavy gear on him good and tight.
-
Leo quietly placed his face into both of his hands after seeing a polar bear trot in front of him "Oh dear god...." he groaned realizing they were probably close to a more colder area then he originally thought. He eventually uncrossed his legs and got up stretching "Well... should we head out now before we burn any more day light? Or do you have any unfinished business"
-
Of course, the brief respite was exactly that, brief... Katka was there again only a few turns down the winding path, leaning languidly against a mossy rock. Kitt stopped walking and clenched his fists "Stop following me!" The shout roused a flock of crows from their perches in a nearby tree. Katka merely grinned and pushed herself away from the stone. She walking in the way that annoyed Kitt the most, hands clasped behind her back and with slow purposeful strides. He shuddered where he stood and clenched his fists tighter until he could feel his claws piercing flesh.
"Me, following you?" She finally reached him and put an arm around his shoulders, leaning close and smiling a Cheshire-cat smile "Perhaps it is the other way around. Have you ever thought of that..." Kitt growled and shoved her away, staring with venom up at the cold blue sky. He needed to find a settlement, or even just a group of travelers, get away from the solitude and madness.
Katka grinned another of her smiles and stepped up beside him "Solitude? You have me. silly. Your never alone with me around... Besides, there are people nearby. A large group of them in fact, getting ready to travel if I'm not mistaken-" She stopped mid-sentence, watching as Kitt set off at a run down the path. Funny, he always did that when she mentioned there where other people somewhere nearby. Of course he never waited to let her tell him where they where, but this time he was actually running in the right direction.
-
Korbin forced a smile when she asked him about the polar bear. "Yes, I remember... Ragen. Has he been de-clawed yet?"
-
"of course not! I'll make sure he is on his best behavior though" she said, then she giggled and continued to gather essentials. Arthas approached Korbin. "there is something you should know about the Alaskan king... he is fairly young...about fifteen. Willow used to baby sit him when he was younger....just so you know...you may have a rival" Arthas got on his wite horse and nodded to him "RIDE OUT MEN!"
-
"I've dealt with snooty nobles, attitude goes away after the first two hits to the head." Korbin slung his rifle over his back and pointed a finger at Ragen. "You already know what I'm about to say, so just keep your distance, and you'll live to see tomorrow."
-
Ragen growled at Korbin but was silenced when Willow stroked his head "ohhhhh.... you guys need to get over it..." the bear rubbed against her face, making happy grunts. "Leo! are you ready yet?"
-
Leo was already standing with the one of the few packs on his back and his own equipment. The feline slowly looked onto his back then back to willow with an expression that asked if she was kidding. Eventually he shrugged and came forward after adjusting the pack giving his answer in a form of a question "Does a cow have moo?"
-
Undergrowth crashed and clawed at Kitt as he ran, jumping over fallen trees and careening through brambles and bushes. Finally he stopped for a breath, leaning heavily against a gnarled tree as his chest rose and fell heavily.
"My, my... You do seem desperate to find these other people..." From around the trunk of the tree Katka had slunk quietly. Her own breaths where low and silent, and there was no visible sign of her having ran at all. Kitt merely growled a low offence at her and continued on in a much slower manner. Behind he could hear the sounds of Katka following, but he tried to block it out. He needed to find people, real people who where definitely there, people who didn't spend their entire existence torturing him.
Suddenly his ears flicked up and his pupils dilated in excitement. The sound of conversation, rather distant but still audible through the clear cold air. Katka stepped up beside him and twisted his whiskers around her finger. With a shout Kitt swung around with his sword, blades extending with a rasp of metal and slicing through the thin-air where she had been. He panted and then slid the sword away again as he continued on towards the voices and a way out of the madness that had become his solitary life...
-
Willow looked at her companions. "now we must journey to the ice kingdom....ugh its not gonna be a fun journey" she pulled on Regans reins gently and he growled as she began to walk, it was going to be long but she knew that they would make it. in her bag she searched her map, taking it out, the would have to travel north... by ship it would be faster but more dangerous since the ocean was now more unpredictable and angry. "Korbin, Leo, we need to find out what is the quickest route"
-
Korbin walked a small distance ahead of them, climbing up a tree and looked through the branches. He jumped down the tree and went back to Willow. "We could hide through the trees, make use of their bark as projectile shields in the event of being spotted and attacked."
-
she stared at him as if he was an idiot "you obviously have not lived long enough in Canada" she said with a frown "beyond those mountains is basically ruins"
-
Korbin shrugged "I've been an American Fur all of my life. This is the first time I've been to Canada, Willow. I remember the map of Alaska, but that is it. Heck, I don't even know how far into Canada we were just dragged to."
-
"WAIT!"
Rick ran up to Willow and handed her a bag.
"This is a very important artifact. Treat it with great respect, for it might just be the one element that you need to restore the former glory of this nation."
A strange light formed around Rick, causing him to turn into an entity of light and evaporate.
"May your swords stay sharp!"
With that, he vanished.
-
Leo rolled his eyes as he plucked one the bent feathers from his mane and dropped it "This would be the first I have been in the America's period. I hardly know my way around here much less then Canada."
-
Korbin shared the same stare as Willow when he looked at Leo. "Leo, we're in Canada now, we just left American soil. The soil of Washington state if my short-term memory is still short-term."
-
"Obviously we are getting no where, lets go, we need to stay along the coast line in order to get there...at least its a tad bid nicer scenery" Willow began to walk west, she knew where the coast was, and getting to Alaska was easier then in was...several centuries ago...easier trail bit harder weather.
-
Korbin walked next to Willow, making sure that Ragen was not between the two of them. "So... what do you think the young prince is going to say when you walk in with the figure you have now obtained?"
-
"what young prince?" she said, confused. Ragen kept pace with willow, he eyed Korbin warily.
-
Korbin looked at Willow with just as much confusion, then it hit him. "Oh, he said he was a king, that's right. Your uncle was talking about some five-year old you apparently watched over in Alaska. I just said prince because part of me thought it was ridiculous, that someone who hasn't even been alive for twenty years is now the King of Alaska."
-
Willow paused then, the realization was clear as words in the book Rick gave her. "Micah?!" she looked at him "seriously! that is gonna be...awkward" she said with a look of surprise on her face " the little brat... always talked about marrying me, he had the nerve to ask Arthas for permission when he was about...fifteen...I was seventeen... he is probably seventeen now." she rolled her eyes at the thought "he was attractive to every girl he looked at....blond hair, big blue eyes, tall, big build...stalked me around when he was thirteen"
-
Korbin couldn't stop smiling, but was able to keep from laughing. Even though his own ego rarely got any bigger than the bullets he fired from his hunting rifle, this 'King' sounded like someone he could easily take down. "Willow, you're making him sound like someone that deserves to suffer."
-
IIn a way yes...but I am definitely not that cruel" she looked at Korbin and smiled "I believe this is fueling your ego?"
-
Korbin forced his eyes to roll around as he chuckled. "If I needed an ego boost, I would have shown off already. I'll only do that if he bothers to confront me even though I'm armed."
-
Leo rolled his eyes as he adjusted his pack and began to straighten out his mane of feathers as he walked past. "No, but you certainly showed off how easily you can kill me by throwing an axe near my head."
-
Willow lightly punched hus arm, playfully as she giggled, rolling her eyes. "boys..." she mumbled to herself
-
"That was not to show off, I was just pointing out that I don't give empty threats. I probably could have shaved part of your plumage if I really wanted to be that close to hurting you."
-
"Boys..." Willow warned as she pulled Ragen up the trail, roller her eyes in sheer annoyance now as she continued west ward, she wanted to reach the coast be night fall.
-
Leo continued following Willow as he turned his head to look to Chronin. "Not an ego boost? Tell me. Why would I, an ex-slave, assist the same people who enslaved me, beaten me, and forced me to fight for most of my life till now?" he chuckled.
-
Willow turned and stared at both of them "both of you need to be quiet" her tone was heated "I am trying to get all of us to the coast safely, now will you guys save your male power struggle for later because I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" she turned around and marched forward
-
Korbin unwrapped some gauze that was in his jacket, and wrapped his muzzle shut. He didn't mind the inability to talk, as he was used to talking with his bullets and blades. I'll probably have some issues when the time comes for me to eat, but I'd rather go hungry than sleep alone.
-
"Oh for heaven sake" Willow stopped and unwrapped the gauze from Korbin's muzzle "Honestly..." she gave Korbin a look that said 'now your being immature' she sighed heavily, a sign of forgiveness before she turned around and moved on, Ragen growled at Korbin savagely.
-
(Excuse me, but is my new character okay?)
-
The feline's ears would quickly pin themselves to his skull as they flipped back after being snapped at. They came back up slowly when she turned away and his eyes fell to Ragon who was growling savagely now. He would whisper to Korbin "I take it the bear and you go way back?"
-
Marco woke up laying against a tree, his umbrella back to normal laying next to him. "THAT SON OF A DRAGON B ......!!!!!!" he grabbed his ribs again as pain cut him short. he went quiet in time to hear what sounded like willow not far away. he struggled to his feet using his umbrella as a crotch to keep him standing while walking towards where he heard the voices. not long after he saw willow, korbin and leo along with a bear further down the road and smiled weakly, speeding up a little to catch up with them. "hay, forgetting someone?"
-
Korbin seemed to be in visible pain as Leo brought up the relationship between him and the polar bear. "First we were on neutral ground since I saved his 'caretaker', then it all went south the moment we shared beds to save money. But he went away for awhile... we got closer... and here we are."
-
"Marco! where have you been you sill man" Willow stood and waited for him "beware of the polar bear"
-
Korbin chuckled when Willow said 'beware of the polar bear'. His smile was almost mocking as he glanced at Leo and then motioned towards Marco. "Leo, I won the bet. I told you we wouldn't be able to ditch him even if we tried."
-
Willow slowly turned her head to face the pair, shaking her head she looked at Ragen, the bears big eyes stared back, he may be a wild bear but he wasn't dumb "those two are awful aren't they?" he growled in what seemed to be an agreement as he rubbed his face against her belly, she scratched behind his ears.
-
"if your talking about ditching me then go for it, with how strange it's been since that attack I'm sure i could handle it." Marco walked over to the group, his umbrella lance on his back and the bandages around his chest and fighting shoulder now visible. "so, how long was i gone anyway? i wasn't told much when i was awake. just that we're somewhere in Canada." he stood clear of the polar bear and looked to the others holding an arm across his chest, "so is this it? just the four of you? is that all that survived?"
-
Willow nodded slowly... "I was sick with a...allergic reaction I had...we are going to Alaska and I recommend you come along, I was beginning to worry where you went..." Willow smiled and Ragen smelled Marco, he snorted and partially accepted him.
-
Leo only shrugged as he looked to the other "I actually went to go see you while you were out. But... you were asleep so I left you alone." he said. He would then pull something out from his pocket and hold it out to Korbin to go along with his joke.
-
"oh yea?" Marco looked at Leo after the bear sniffed him "so if you came to see me then who was the a hole that dragged me out here? cos he was there the whole time i was out." he smirked and looked away, hoping the dragon would show himself so he could give him an ear full for leaving him in the middle of the forest alone. "so what have i missed, and furthermore, how long was i gone?" he looked back at willow waiting for an answer.
-
Korbin took the coin out of Leo's hand and slid it into his jacket. "Don't bet against a man that makes odds go in his favor. He walked right up to Willow and he kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you for yelling at me instead of hitting me, I needed our friend to find us when he woke up."
-
"a day or two, not long, I am not mad" she sighed as Korbin kissed her cheek "your welcome" she said as she turned and walked "come on lets goooo!"
-
"We're going north and along the coastline, so we should just race up until the land makes a sharp curve to the west." Korbin ran ahead, stopping only when he was barely within earshot. "Come on Willow, Raegan can catch up on his own!"
-
Leo spinned on his heels to follow the others "Hey... be nice to the polar bear before he bites your face off at night." he chuckled as he looked down to the bear.
-
Willow followed, Ragen catched up easily as she ran past Korbin up the hill and then down it towards to the otherside, the coast was not far off and she could smell the ocean breeze, giving her life stamina
-
Korbin thought he should just wait as Willow caught up to him, then start racing her when Ragen passed him. He caught up to Willow in seconds, blowing her a kiss before outpacing her and leaving a trail of dust and dirt behind.
-
Marco walked next to willow, not sure what was happening with the others due to an honest lack of caring. he smiled calmly looking around and observing the area. he was happy to be back around willow rather than some stranger working an unknown angle.
-
Willow rolled her eyes as she stopped running, she didn't want to race him up a hill. "Hey Marco..." she said calmly as she glared in Korbins direction. "I seriously hope you are ready for this"
-
Korbin went up another hill, then dropped his silly act as he pulled out his rifle and looked through the scope. He turned around and rushed back to the hill that seperated him and the snow leopard. "Willow, I'm picking up four or five bipedal creatures, but they're too far away to determine species. I can take them out from this distance, but its your call."
-
"If we dont get in there way they wont harm us Korbin, we just need to stay up wind from them so they dont smell, though honestly, we probably dont smell very good, let alone taste"
-
Leo raised a brow as he finally caught up with Willow and smiled. "Taste good?" he chuckled as he raised his nose into the air to sniff at the other's scent. "Obviously you never have tried taking a bite out of someone. The skin is what has the varying taste, after that it's all the same."
-
"that's disgusting Leo" Willow said with a look of disgust on her face as she finally caught up with Korbin, Ragen stood up on his hind legs and growled at them to follow. she sighed and lightly punched Korbin in the arm as she walked ahead. "by the way, I can hold my own" she then made a maiden pose "I am not some damsel in distress" she cooed in a mock female tone, she fluttered her eyes, before going back to normal.
-
Korbin's eyes popped open and his jaw dropped when Willow changed character. "That... was the oddest and yet the most attractive thing I've seen you do with your clothes on." He was able to return to reality though, catching up while keeping his rifle in hand. "I never said you couldn't hold your own, but as your contracted guard..." his left hand vanished under his sleeve, then pushed back out with four bullets in hand. "I'm ready to fire on your command, and am obligated to inform you of approaching threats." his hand retreated again, returning with no more bullets in hand.
-
Willow rolled her eyes will he ever be appropriate...I think not..." she thought to herself as she saw the ocean and sighed with a smile. "god, we are finally here!!" Ragen let out a growl as he made his way down the trail. when they finally reached the beach, taking off the packs off the large bear and ran along the waves, though making sure not to get wet. Willow sat down on the sand and chewed on some jerky. loving the ocean breeze.
-
Korbin left Willow alone, scouting with his scope before putting it down and then glancing back. I wonder... He walked over to Willow and sat next to her. "Why did you stay with me for that long, then just leave without even waking me up?"
-
Willow stared thoughtfully, trying to remember. "do you remember Candice? that one fox woman who was my age and wanted you so badly?" she looked at him "well, she basically threatened me to get out of your life or she'll tell the king who I am, kill me infront of you then take you for herself...as she quoted 'we are a much better couple' " Willow digged her boots in the sand, "I planned to return later that night but...something happened"
-
Korbin looked at her oddly. "I think I remember a fox woman, but I don't know if she was a bounty, or some harlot I pistol whipped when she started talking ill of you."
-
Willow chuckled "you only remember me clearly" she rolled her eyes as she mumbled "clothes and all" but the memory that happened after that incident sent chills down her spine.
-
Korbin chuckled as well, looking out into the ocean. "What can I say, you're the first woman I've met that didn't want to offer 'hospitality' before even giving her name. So, what kept you from returning? I waited for almost a week before conducting searches..."
-
Willow's face turned into a frown as she then began removing her jacket then her , moved her top up just enough to see her back, six, faint but pearly scars across her back. before she lowered her top "thats what happened, I was captured by bandits. one had a liking to whipping people till they passed out... I have more down the backs of my thighs...I was too far away to go back, dont worry, I killed every single one of those bandits"
-
Korbin glanced at the scars on her back, and nodded. "That would explain why it took me so long to get a lead. If you had left one alive, I might have found you sooner. Then again, you have improved rapidly since that time. I however, just died more on the inside as I took the King's contracts so I could use his network for locating you."
-
"I also broke Cadince's neck when I met her again... two days later she was found on the river, her neck snapped completely in half" she didnt feel proud though as she stared at him. "life sucks most of the time but it has its wonderful moments"
-
Korbin smiled, not going right for the kiss, but wrapping an arm around her and giving her a side-ways hug before letting go. "I think it should go without saying that you're a majority of those moments."
-
Willow smiled but then laid down on a bed padding in the sand and closed her eyes, it was getting dark. "we must get to sleep soon, so we dont lose time"
-
He readied his rifle, doing another sweep before sitting next to Willow again. "I'll keep wa-" he went silent, his insomnia seemed to have finally caught him off guard as he still held his rifle and the finger still on the trigger.
-
Willow narrowed her eyes and sat up and then sighed "there he goes...again...." she pulled a blanket over him and she smiled. before she then realized that her sleepiness had gone, she glared at him "you took my sleep away Korbin...."
-
marco watched the two smirking, he sat just off the sand the whole time, his view drifting from the two, over to the water then up to the sky before turning back too willow and korbin. he carefully got up when korbin seemed to sense something was wrong. "something wrong? if so just tell me which way and I'll go check it out while you stay here."
-
Leo grabbed Serpinton by the caller and began to pull him off to the side, huming idily to himself. "Come you," he chuckled as he looked to the two "Give the lover's some space"
-
Marco was taken by surprise when Leo pulled him away managing to end up tripping over while walking backwards. he set up holding his side in pain, managing to get back to his feet and whack Leo on the back of the head as the pain started to go away "that's for grabbing me by the collar"
-
Korbin quickly woke up, not aware of the blanket until it fell off his back as he stood up. He quickly crouched to pick it up and handed it to Willow. "I was going to sleep when we got the palace, but I guess I overestimated my mental vigilance."
-
Willow pushed Korbin back down without looking at him, she was looking at the other two. "boys..." she warned in a motherly tone. "Marco let go of him before I do the same thing to you..."
-
He sat back down, arranging the blanket for the both of them. "Willow, do you think Ragen can handle those two while we sleep? Not to be rude, but both of us had a habit of staying up for more than one day."
-
Marco walked back over to where he had been earlier, sitting back down and watching Leo
-
Willow heard something in the distance that wasn't Regan. she stood up and pulled out her dagger as Ragen was growling in a direction, they were up wind but something was wrong. she got closer as she pulled aside some grass...she then saw a horrific sight of a decomposing, decapitated body of a male. she stepped back, startled by the sight, the smell was foul and disgusting and churned her stomach. no wonder she couldnt smell it, the wind blew the smell away.
-
Korbin got up and followed her to the body, then he started searching while at the same time covering the time of death. "Relax, whatever killed this guy has been gone long enough for the bacteria to set in. Although, I would recommend not touching or stepping near the midsection. Stomach acid in a decomposing body is one of the least pleasant smells I've experienced, up there with skunk spray and the sulfur crystals I harvested for bullet manufacturing."
-
"what killed him....?" she asked, her face now green with sickness as she held her sensitive nose closed, she felt the need to throw up.
-
Korbin checked the injury, and had the temptation to be a smart-mouth. "Well, his head is missing for one, can't live without a head. The tool used was a thin wire, as the blood pools in the front first as well as an indent around the point of incision. Whoever killed him is either obsessed with wire-combat, or is no stranger to close range assassinations."
-
Willow didnt want to look to see if he was right, she just nodded and walked away, she made it past the camp before she puked her guts out.
-
Marco walked past willow while she puked, heading over to the body with his lance. looking away from the body not wanting to vomit with his ribs the way they were.
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Korbin looked at everyone with amusement after picking up the discarded and bloody wire. "Does this mean I'm the only one who actually checks the bodies that they kill? Seriously, how do you people survive without scavenging?!"
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snapping her head in Korbin's direction, there was an angry fire in her eyes as she stood up and wiped her mouth before she went over to camp and snatched her things and dragged them away. ranting loudly about how she hated being near those sort of...things and that Korbin should keep his options to himself on what she does. she may have been a thief but she was no scavenger.
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Korbin looked at Willow in confusion, then he remembered the last time she was with him after a kill. "The King of America definitely stretched the definition when calling her the 'Queen of Thieves'." He muttered as he went over to the ocean water and cleaned off the blood before rubbing away the saltwater that would damage them.
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with a pounding headache, she sat down and made a new camp with a bigger fire. Ragen layed behind her, she rested herself against his warm belly, her eyes heavy with drowseyness as she felt the great urge to sleep, but her stomach would not allow that. she waited for the others.
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Korbin set up on a hill, not letting his head reach the peak of the hill in case there was another 'hunter' out in the woods. He didn't go back to the fire, his body was already tired from the insomnia and the fire would just make it harder for him to stay alert. Willow needs to calm down as well, and I'm really not the first person she would like to see right now.
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Willow sensed something, pretending she had to go use the bathroom, she ventured into the dunes. vanishing in shadow, she followed her gut and nose, the wind had stilled and something wasn't...normal here. silently she looked through the tall grass, thats when she noticed something... tracks, they were rather large for a dune resident, followed by smaller ones. then she realized oh no... she had ventured into a nesting ground, that could only mean one thing. she heard a snort then a snarl.... Willow slowly turned around and saw the most ghastly creature she had ever seen, it was dragon like crossed with a mammal of some sort, no wings ...but huge black teeth instead of lips. its long, lizard tail swished slowly, anger and feral savageness gleamed in its yellow eyes. it smelled of sea water and death, Willow stood very very still, ready to move at any moment. it sniffed her, drool dripping from its jaws. then it roared, now im in trouble! she bolted and it followed
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Korbin heard the roar, and suddenly did a full-circle scan of the land around them. He then caught Willow running off towards the fire and a massive animal following her. He took aim at its' back legs, aiming for the hip, and fired.
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the thing didn't go down but turned, Willow bulled out her bull whip and cracked it, regaining its attention, she didnt want to kill the thing, but she didn't want it to kill everyone else. Willow and the animal paced each other, waiting for the other to attack.
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Korbin took aim again, going for the arm on the same side. The small voice in his head told him to let Willow deal with the creature, but he shut it out. I don't care if she wants it alive or not, she is in danger, and I'm getting her out. He lined up the shot with the pace of the animal, and fired again.
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Marco lept up at the sound of willow in trouble, ignoring his pain and grabbing his lance and running over to where they were, jumping up and throwing his lance at the animals side with the intent of either killing or wounding it to same willow
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Willow moved like lightning when the animal turned and attacked Marco, but Willow pushed him away as she snarled "don't do that again..." she turned back to the wounded female creature, she noticed the young-lings in the bush behind the beast, whimpering and making noise. Willow made quick movements and clicking noises, the creature backed away as Willow suddenly managed to remove the lance from her side. "go on...get!"
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"my main concern is you willow, if i think you are in danger i will step in." Marco said flatly putting away his lance. "and it wasn't anything major, the thing should live." he walked over and sat against a rock, feeling the effects of his actions from his injured ribs
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Leo allowed his eye lids to narrow as he watches Willow pretty much handle the situation on her own. He lets out a sigh and pats Serpinton on the shoulder, being very mindful of his injury this time. "I don't think you need to bother with helping her for a while." he stated, seeing this, and the past battle they had been through already.
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Korbin, understanding that she finally had some control of the situation, lowered his rifle as Willow seemingly convinced the creature to no longer attack the others. I see she still has some of that bravery that convinced her to go 'swimming' in a river...
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the creature left, Willow sat down and exhaled deeply. "wow...just wow"