Rogue Wind - The Thieves
During the fourteenth hundred decade in the world of Arbilyth a new continent was found and a foreign civilization was discovered. This continent acquired the name Argurin, the fourth world of Arbilyth. A continent which was filled with rivers, steep mountains, numerous species of Foxes and war torn countries soon to face the tides of battle.
Amongst the east lies Cervalian, a powerful force in Argurin which takes up a healthy portion of both the continents land and sea. Just like all the other major powers in the land Cervalian has its eyes set on liberating the continent of Argurin as one. Only two things stand in the way of its domination, the absolute chaos brought upon the country through civil war and the forces that oppose it.
** ** ** **
It was on a bright and sunny day sitting down on his chair inside his two story manor that Grand General Azuri Korin, a red fox with a small taste for uniforms and hats was growing impatient for his two guests to arrive. Already at the young age of twenty eight Korin was the leader of Kirathain, a beautiful port city soon to face the inevitability of war. Yeah, he was the king but every single person called him one of two names. By a decent amount he was respectfully greeted as Korin, the Grand General. And by most he was Korin, the hang man due to his fairly radical policies to rid the province of crime.
Finally a knock came at the door, 'Come in.' Korin replied taking his eyes from his desk and numerous scattered papers. A wolf with entirely black fur and armor stepped into the room.
'Good afternoon, you're Excellency.' The Wolf greeted graciously as he began to bow down. It was Kuro, the captain of the guard and arguably one of the best sword wielders in Kirathain.
'Thank you. But, you may just call me Korin.' What followed then was a pause. Korin never felt too comfortable when he spoke to anyone. 'Now, what brought you here to speak to me?' Korin finally finished.
'I understand these matters should always be under my own judgment my liege . . . but I cannot help but feel this decision will require your word in this matter as well.' The Wolf stated informingly.
'And what is this matter?' Korin asked clearly annoyed. Why did Kuro always come to him over everything? He was both smart and strong after all.
'A lot of the guards have been receiving letters signed by this stranger that names himself . . . well, take a look at this.' Kuro took out a paper with a few foreign characters on it. He then continued. 'From the contents of the letter he makes it quite clear he wishes to 'volunteer' in our force for payment. . . I speak to you of this matter because our guard's efforts are being exerted and we definitely require aid . . . even if it is from the likes of a vigilante or mercenary.'
Korin thought over the Wolves proposal for a few moments. 'Haven't you also been having a few problems with a little thief hunt of yours? What if the letters are from the same individual?'
'That had entered my mind as well, Korin. I'm thinking of enlisting this 'volunteer' to hunt the thief. That way if he's not then we have another man in our force. If he is the thief then it's simple, I'll be keeping an eye on him and when he slips up his little charade will take him straight to the gallows.'
'And do you believe he is the thief?'
'Not at all, the thief is pretty crafty and I'm doubtful he's dumb enough to even let us know of his hand writing.'
'Do what you believe is best. Your convictions have been far better then mine. Just make sure the guard doesn't fall into chaos from this choice and ensure that this mercenary or volunteer is kept under your control. If they step out of line then have them silenced, or retired if you may. If you have anything thing else to speak to me about then please share. Otherwise, hurry on out, I'm quite busy.'
'Very well, I bid you fare well Korin.'
'Good bye Kuro.' The closing of the door soon followed and once more Korin was alone. There was no doubt in his mind he was a peculiar fellow. While most kings had thrones and stone castles Korin lived in a two story manor and he spent most of his time alone away from servants, civilians, and especially family. He enjoyed working and he knew in the end all this time and effort will pay off in the end, all for the better.
** ** ** **
Elsewhere in Kirathain down by the docks a Fox by the age of twenty one is preparing him self a cup of tea. Though his home is small and his land is little inside the tiny home you would find numerous spoils and treasures stolen from the rich, the royal, and prestigious. It would be awhile before he could sell any of them, at least until early Fall. And boy was he looking forward to that day.
Toby didn't really have any specific traits that made him stand out. Besides him being the most wanted thief in Kirathain he was pretty much your standard piss poor civilian. Toby was a slightly toned Fox that stood no less then 5'6'' and no taller then 5'9.'' He was decent looking, well toned, and weak. Toby also had the eyes of a predator and he was a very fast runner, these two things would probably be the first things you knew about him if ever saw him.
The running was without a doubt the one trait he had that kept him alive for so long. Toby at last poured himself his cup of tea and sat down at a small table which was beside a window giving a good view of the water. This window was probably the only good thing about the little shack Toby called home.
Day by day Toby always made it through in life by his constant day dreaming. As a child he always day dreamed of being a well respected and well feared pirate. And always he was told by his parents he'd grow out of it. And did he? Not at all, Toby spent more time then he should doing nothing more but gaze out the window. The only thing that changed between then and now was what he dreamed and day dreamed about.
Often times Toby dreamed of a life that would get better when he woke up. A life that liberated him from being a petty thief one day and the most wanted the next. Hell, he never even killed anyone before. Finally a knock was heard on the door and Toby shot right up from his chair nearly spilling his remotely untouched tea all over the table and him self. He answered the door and saw a familiar vixen that was pretty much his height with the same predatory eyes. It was his partner, Alex. Unlike Toby she could actually hold her self in a fight and she was probably smarter too.
'Good morning Alex. What brings you here so early?' Toby asked as he looked into the vixen's seemingly tired eyes. She had the life style of a vampire and Toby was almost certain she hated sun light.
'Just thought I would drop by and visit you, you lucky stud!' She replied in her usual slightly boyish but tired voice. Another thing the two of them shared was that they were playful, in different ways but still playful none the less. Toby greeted Alex in and lead her to the table, being quite sure she was here for something other then simply talking.
'Would you like a cup of tea Alex? You seem kind of tired.' He offered as he once again scanned her. Did she even sleep?
'No thanks Toby, I don't plan on staying for long it's just that I have really good news. I was at the bar drinking and I saw a friend of mine. The two of us talked for awhile and it turns out he has a very good deal for us. We just have to steal one thing and he'll give us enough money to live like one of the nobles!' Toby pictured him self and Alex dirt less inside an expensively decorated bedroom lying down on a bed cuddling each other. He wondered what this thing was that the man wanted.
'So what does your friend want us to steal?' Toby asked Alex.
'He wants you to take a decorative rapier. It won't save you in a fight but according to him the thing's worth a lot. And um . . . I won't actually be coming with you this time.'
'Why?'
'He wants something more then just the rapier. He also wants me to visit him.'
'That's all that's going to happen, right? Just a visit?'
Alex shot him a small smile. 'You're not the smartest guy out there . . .' She then paused for a few seconds before continuing. 'And no, that's not all that's going to happen. The reason why I trusted this friend was because we kind of go back and he likes me.' Toby didn't seem to like what he was hearing.
'Trust me, I'd prefer stealing this rapier with you but think about it; once we finish this me and you will live good rich lives. Heck, we can even say this never happened!' Toby gave her a puzzled look, still trying to find the right words to say even after a minute or two.
'Do you think it'll actually be worth it?' He finally asked her as he eyed his teacup. He didn't feel thirsty at all anymore.
'Do I think me and you being wealthy rich Nobles worth it? Of course I do! We'd live in a nice home with clean clothes, clean fur, tasty food, alcohol . . . who knows, we could probably even get a servant!'
As Toby gazed into her eyes he wondered if she even liked him . . . or if she ever did. 'Where is this rapier?' Toby asked as the dream of him and Alex living happily ever after played once again in his mind.
'Well, according to my friend the Rapier has just been donated to the museum. Besides that the details are very sketchy but it shouldn't be too much of a problem. This might be your last job.'
'Yeah, it might.' Toby smiled back at her. It was probably the fakest smile he ever had. Something didn't seem right about this deal at all; this 'last job' was probably going to get him killed. Alex nodded back and waved goodbye to Toby and not too long afterwards the closing of a door was heard.
Toby didn't even know what it was that he liked about her. There relationship was some what complicated. They weren't a couple and they certainly weren't boyfriend and girlfriend. Partners; that was the word Alex liked to use and Toby just went along with it. In basically every case she did the planning, she acquired the information, and she was definitely out there with him stealing. Yeah, partner seemed like the right word to use but in Toby's mind it just seemed odd or foreign.
In his mind they weren't just partners. The two of them celebrated together, drank together, and a lot of times in public during the day time when Alex wasn't sleeping they walked together sometimes even holding paws. The two of them even mated a few times, that had to mean something. The best thing for Toby to do right now would probably be to go back to bed and rest, that way he would be awake and prepared for later tonight. What a shame that he just woke up. Toby would spend an entire hour doing nothing more but sitting down atop his chair. For the first five minutes he spent his time trying to decide what to do for the day and for the rest he began to day dream.
His eyes were set on his cup of tea and it didn't take too long for the black liquid to transform into an ominous sky of black which lurked over the state of Kirathain. Outside there was heavy rain pelting the streets of Kirathain and despite the cold and merciless weather outside Toby was kept warm in a decent sized house and finally Alex, his partner was something more. A home with actual food, actual shelter, and comfort he could never even dream of. And maybe he could finally be something more then just a pathetic thief.
Toby got up off his chair and picked the cup of tea up soon to finish off quickly. He hated cold tea, but wasting was a terrible thing to do when you hardly made any money like he did. Toby was going to head over to the church and pray to the god's for the safety of both him and Alex. Pray that everything will go fine, both of them won't die, and maybe even ask that Alex isn't touched by her 'friend.' Besides that it was going to be a very dull day for Toby and it wouldn't be until at least late night that he was going to find out whether or not things would go well or not.
** ** ** ** **
It had been an entire forty five minutes Toby had spent praying to the gods. His prayer wasn't long nor was he very religious; it took him forty five minutes because thirteen gods was just too damn much and unless he wanted to burn in hell or end up being hanged he had to pray to each and every one of those gods.
When it was finally late in the evening Alex was at last knocking on the manor door of her old friend Alexander Harmund. After waiting about two seconds she began biting on her claws which were quite destroyed because she bit them quite often. Out of all the Foxes in the world she probably had the very worst.
A well groomed Fox with perfectly white fur then opened the door and greeted her in courteously. 'It is nice to see that you made it here without running into any of the guards. I'm sorry to make you come here this late; I was hoping the two of us could catch up.'
'I am too, actually.' Alex replied feeling an old but cherished feeling in her heart.
'Very well then, maybe you can go freshen up a bit while I prepare a fine meal for the two of us? It has been far too long.'
'It has been too long . . . where do I freshen up anyway?' Alex asked as she had her attention entirely set on the extravagantly decorated wall.' Just follow me Alexandra.'
Alex blushed. 'You can just call me Alex.' After travelling a bit through the mansion they finally reached the room they were heading for.
'There are towels in there if you need any'
Towels? Alex thought to her self as Alexander opened the door for her.
'When you're done just meet me in the dining room, I'll be waiting.' Alex stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. What a weird room, it was empty all except for a square filled with water in the middle. Besides the bay water she swam in time after time she never bathed. Once she had that money she was definitely going to get her self one of these.
** ** ** ** **
After climbing up one of the many museum balconies found on the second floor Toby was laying his back against a door while he gazed at the numerous and many stars. Though his eyes were set on the stars his mind was elsewhere with only the wind breezing through his fur to remind him where he was. To say he was nervous was putting it lightly, if he messed up just once Toby would have no one to cover his back. Numerous visions of his inevitable deaths invaded his mind, it was incredibly likely he was going to die here in the dark or outside at the gallows tomorrow morning.
He could practically already see him self slowly walking up the steps as crowds of people watched and judged him. There would be no doubt in any of their minds that this pathetic thief had it coming and he deserved it. Toby sighed and got up on his feet and spent two minutes gazing at the black museum door, staring at it as if it were an ill omen of some kind. Well, this was it. Toby opened the door slowly and stepped inside the dark museum with only the rays from the moonlight outside to guide him. His ears were perked up and his eyes were eyeing the darkness carefully. And for his snout he smelled the disturbing and strong scent of some sort of perfume which was undoubtedly downstairs - he didn't like this one bit. No guards visible and a scent to throw him off guard, there was definitely going to be a trap.
And being fully aware of the inevitable danger was Toby smart enough to run back? Of course not, even though he was a complete coward he had to get to the bottom of this, he had to get that rapier. In his mind the dream replayed in his head that him and Alex were gazing at the sunset in a humble little patch of green which the two of them owned.
And Toby knew if he didn't get that rapier this dream would haunt him for as long as he lived each and every harsh morning and each and every tiring night. Making his way through corridor was easier then he expected and luckily for Toby he hadn't stumbled into any objects, pictures, or guards. Of course that wasn't to say this was simple. In the end Toby didn't even have a clue where the rapier was and Alex was definitely not with him. The Rapier was probably in the weapons exhibition but he didn't know where that was . . . oh, and he certainly wasn't going to forget about that threatening perfume any time soon.
** ** ** ** **
As soon as Alex reached the dining room Alexander pulled out a chair for her to sit in while he looked her over approvingly. It was probably the very first and only time he ever saw her clean and well dressed. She gazed at him and the chair for about two seconds in a curious way. 'You're not going to pull that from under me at the last second are you?' Alex asked. Alexander shot her a hysterical look as if she just killed someone.
'What? No! I would never do such a thing!'
'It just happened to me the last time someone offered me a seat.' Alex replied as she sat down. Remembering how Toby had done it as a prank to her once. At the time Toby thought it was a good idea but that was before Alex got back up on her feet. Once she did he ran as far and fast away from her as he could - they both knew if she caught up to him it would end with a hard kick to his fox nuts and a loud scream of pain. Thank god she grew up though, now she handled everything in a far better light.
'That's just awful. Now please just wait there a moment while I get us a few glasses and something to drink.' Alexander left the room meanwhile Alex wondered where the slaves were. And then she remembered what a kind and cute boy Alexander once was and memories of their child hood flooded her mind. Maybe he didn't change after all, maybe he was still that one boy that befriended her years ago.
At about 12 thirty A.M Alex was all alone in the fanciest room she had ever been in. Logically it would have been best for her just to marry Alexander. He was handsome, polite, noble, rich, and still she had feelings for him. Of course though that wasn't why she came here. Besides getting him his precious rapier and getting more money then she ever needed she also wanted to see him a final time and to be honest she wanted to mate with him.
Alexander returned with two glasses and a liquor bottle. First he set down a glass for Alex and he poured them both a glass of wine.
'So . . . Alex you wouldn't mind if I asked you a personal question, would you?' Alex took a small drink of her wine before replying to Alexander's question.
'Not at all; you may ask me anything as long as I have a wine glass in one paw and perhaps a pipe in the other.' She replied with a friendly smile.
'And you haven't lost your wit either I see. Well, I'm sorry to ask this but . . . what is your relationship with your 'partner' you speak of?' Alex tapped her paw against the wine glass lightly few times. She couldn't really think of a good answer; and it was incredibly rude for him to ask such a question.
'It's kind of complicated . . . but, we're just friends and we're just partners. There isn't a need in the world for you to be jealous of him either. He's just a petty thief and a coward.' She replied before drinking some wine.
'Just a petty thief and a coward? For his friend you certainly sound like you hate him.'
'I don't hate him at all. I actually grew to find his cowardice more of a quality; at least I don't have to worry about him stupidly running into the danger because he'll be running away from it.'
The two of them were quiet with the exception of Alexander lifting his glass to drink some of the wine. He finished it off and poured himself another glass.
'You're jealous.' Alex stated as the White Fox put the wine bottle down. He then looked at her with both eyes failing to conceal a blush and again Alex felt that feeling for Alexander. He looked really cute when he blushed, and more then anything it cheered Alex up that he still cared for her.
Maybe he was the same guy after all?
** ** ** ** **
In the shadows of the darkened corridors Toby had cursed his luck, twice he had checked through every room on the second floor and twice he found absolutely nothing. It was lucky this place had only two floors, but even with that in mind Toby wasn't too pleased. He was going to have to go downstairs, where there was a strong disorienting smell which was actually hurting his nose.
Toby walked down the staircase and covered his muzzle - the smell was getting stronger just like he thought it would. Once he reached downstairs the perfume's strong scent was nearly unbearable. He turned his head to the wall which the scent came from for and as predicted he saw nothing - just a wall.
Toby heard a clang from behind him - the sound of metal hitting the museums hard marble floor and it was then Toby knew where the rapier was as the horrible smell of perfume was behind him as well.
'Kuro?' Toby called out in a nervous and almost inaudible choked voice; he could've sworn he was losing his voice and maybe even his mind for there was no reply. Toby merely stood there frozen with his ears perked up and his heart beating no, hurting in his chest. He was waiting to hear a foot step, a voice, or even clothes shuffling from movement. And yet, he heard not a single thing.
More then anything he wanted to run as fast as he could with his legs which now felt like weights, but it wasn't his fear, the smell, or his legs that was stopping him from running. If that was the rapier then he had to get it, even if it meant the possibility of meeting a guard or even Kuro him self.
Finally Toby turned around and what he saw didn't belong in the museum nor did it belong in Kirathain. The Rapier was on the ground just as he had predicted but standing in the distant darkness from Toby was a distorted figure. This figure didn't belong in reality; it belonged in some dark twisted nightmare. Toby wasn't even sure if the apparition was real or not and he continued to scan every small detail wishing and hoping desperately his eyes were just playing tricks. In the darkest part of the museum - the centre which had two staircases and not a single window - Toby was staring at some creature wearing the hide of an animal on its back and over its face. In the darkness the figures eyes were completely hidden and Toby could see only the empty hollow sockets that seemed to be from a wolves head.
Very randomly Toby shot out and swiped the Rapier from the ground and he ran as fast as he could not daring to look back and see if the shrouded figure had moved a single muscle - which it had for as Toby fled the figure drew out a crossbow it had been carrying on it's hip and fired.
A bolt had pierced Toby's leg and screaming perhaps at the top of his lungs he fell down painfully on the floor. Hopelessly he tried to crawl away from the figure as it approached him menacingly. Good god, there was no way this was real! The pain was all too real and the scent of perfume was all too awful but there was no way this was real!
'Whatever you are, please don't kill me!' Toby pleaded hysterically. If he had to sacrifice his life or dignity he certainly could do without the latter. The pain in his leg was still apparent but it was fairly left unnoticed due to fear. The creature then looked down at him with the wolves face glaring down right at him. It was around then the figure would do something Toby would never expect. . .
It spoke.
'If you're not killed by I self then how long might a tiny Fox like you walk the gallows?' After the figure finished speaking Toby's impression turned from fear to confusion. The creature spoke in a Friendly, calm and intelligent voice - even if he did pronounce a lot of the words incorrectly.
'What?'
'Forget it, paws out and if you don't fight back I might give in a good word.' Toby did as he was told and reached his empty unarmed paws out. If there was one bright side it was that he wouldn't have to put up with that smell. Toby's captor tied a rope around his arms and inspected the Foxes leg which he (or I self as the stranger would say) had injured. He then looked at the incredibly confused Toby and plucked the rope into the Foxes mouth just before grabbing the arrow and very quickly removing it with his right paw - in the seconds following the arrow's removal Toby had let out muffled curses, screams, and maybe a whimper or two.
Finally the hide wearing stranger had bandaged Toby up, took his rope back, and helped the thief back up on his feet. With the strangers shoulder wrapped around Toby they made there way outside of the museum with Toby limping. 'What about the Rapier? It's still on the ground!' Toby informed.
'The Rapier doesn't matter and it has absolutely no value; a sly fox such as your self just fell into an obvious trap.'
Toby sighed gloomily. He knew from the beginning this was a trap. When they both exited the museum Toby at last made a few discoveries about the stranger. First of all, he was a Fox with silver and bluish fur and a poofy tail. Another thing Toby had noticed about the odd Fox was that he had green eyes which glimmered in the moonlight. Oh, and that smell never disappeared because the Fox was wearing it as some damn perfume for some reason.
'You know, up until you actually spoke you were probably the scariest thing I ever saw in my life.' Toby said. He was hoping that being kind and polite to the strange Fox would make him be merciful.
'I couldn't help it; you were panicking before you even laid eyes on I self.'
Toby had half a mind to lecture how 'I self' sounded completely ridiculous but he kept his trap shut as the two of them made there way through the streets of Kirathain which had no lights in almost any of the buildings. The two of them talked *or more like the blue fox talked and Toby flattered and cursed under every breath for each time he limped* until they reached the magistrates office, the only fully lit up building.
As soon as the two of them entered the building they had Kuro glancing at both of them. 'So, this is the thief, yes?'
'Definitely, with the exception of an injured leg he's in good condition - but I assure you he'll walk the gallows quite fine!'
'You said you'd give in a good word!' Toby exclaimed after discovering his efforts in flattery failed. The other Fox just shrugged before continuing to chastise the thief.
'Also, he's a terribly naïve coward who tried to flatter I the entire way here that way he wouldn't be hanged - there is not a single doubt in I's mind he is the Thief and if you were to free him or show him mercy he would only go back to being a petty thief. In the end he's a lost cause where the only way for him to redeem or liberate himself is through death's release. It's justice to kill him and its mercy to end his miserable existence, ai?'
'I'm not a bad person! I only steal because- 'Kuro slapped a paw over his own face. 'Shut up!' Kuro shouted and instantly Toby's mouth closed like magic. 'Whatever the hell you are' Kuro said to the blue Fox. 'Bring the Thief down to the dungeons.'
The blue Fox nodded and helped Toby down to the dungeons.
'You- you're a sadist.' Toby said on the verge of tears. He knew how pathetic he was being but he didn't really care, the thought of him being hanged in front of thousands continually entered his mind.
'Calm down cuddle snout. Once I get paid you'll be free, just don't worry about it.' The Blue Fox took out a key and with great troubles he tried to open the door, cursing under his breath. Toby had half a mind to blurt out a comment but he knew it best to keep his mouth shut.
'You're room is prepared. Please have a nice stay.' The blue Fox lined up against the door as if he were a butler greeting a noble inside.
'You're not being funny at all.' Toby said before he entered the room. Behind him he heard the door closing softly and a click - the last two sounds of his freedom. The blue Fox turned to leave and he yelped as he felt a sudden pull on his tail. A few prisoners laughed - Toby included and the blue Fox turned his head and saw the culprit was a prisoner in another cell. The blue Fox gave the prisoner a threatening glare and then he suddenly turned his head to Toby who instantly stopped laughing when there eyes met, this guy must have had an awful temper. Finally the blue Fox broke the gaze and looked at the prisoner instead.
'Just so you know, I got this hide of mine by skinning a prisoner alive that did just about the same thing as you.'
The prisoner stopped laughing instantly and the Blue Fox stormed away.
It would take Toby an entire minute to realize he just pissed off his only way out of this place. Toby would lie down on the floor and gaze at the black ceiling for god knows how long. Besides being nervous and worried he also wondered if Alex had slept with that friend of hers she spoke of. Throughout the night he thought of the Blue Fox, his fate, and Alex. Once his mind could take no more of the stress, worry, or anxiety he blacked out into an unexpected but inviting dream.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
There, the first chapter is complete. The inspiration for this writing is from Brian Jacques, the man who wrote at least seventeen books using a typewriter and the author of Redwall. I have read only one book by him but despite that I'll admit that this series has a lot of little tributes to them and I'll go ahead and say it, the blue Fox in this series isn't inspired from Urgan Nagru, in a way he is Urgan Nagru - except for the personality of course.
If you don't have a clue what I'm going on about then brave the internet and google search Urgan Nagru, the first picture pretty much perfectly depicts how the blue Fox character looks; except he has green eyes and the fur is slightly more blue.
Please leave comments, cookies, and constructive criticism, you may be granted a hug in return.