Day 11

Well, I know Jacob’s not going to be happy today. He, as expected, sent Macy out to gather information on where Jonah stationed his thugs around his brothel. I don’t know if she succeeded, but she was at the baths last night and smelled of urine, despite having just washed.

I had not long walked up and greeted Felicity when Macy walked up to me. The girl’s clothes were in tatters, so I wrapped her in my cloak and immediately escorted her to Jacob’s. I told Felicity to meet me this evening to discuss what she needed to. Judging by her expression, she perfectly understood why.

By the time I got her to her home, Macy’s eye had swollen shut and was turning to a dark purple. Someone obviously not only urinated on her, but also beat on her. Whoever it is better not let me or Jacob find out. He won’t survive long once we do.

Once we arrived, I walked her inside and she ran off the moment we got inside. I planned to swing by later to check on her, but I didn’t get to. Hope she doesn’t think that she upset me by doing that. I do hope, though, that whatever she found was worth the punishment she took to get it.

Once I left there, I returned to Johan’s and tried to get a quick nap. However, that was not to be, as Gladia was waiting on me when I returned.

“Where did you go?” she asked sternly.

“Speaking with a friend, why?” I returned.

“Which friend?” she then inquired, placing her hands on her hips.

“One who helps me stay in touch with the nobles,” I said. “Frankly, I’m not sure why it’s your concern.”

Gladia began to yell. “It is when,” I cut her off by grabbing her muzzle, which seemed to only further infuriate her.

“Don’t yell,” I said. “You’ll wake the others.” I released her snout, and she growled loudly.

“I don’t fucking care!” she bellowed. “Not when,” she didn’t finish her sentence, as a door loudly opened upstairs.

“Why are you,” I heard Starlight begin. “Alakath!” the fox the cried and basically jumped onto me, wrapping her arms and legs around me.

“What’s going on?” I asked. Gladia sighed before answering me.

“She had a nightmare and was screaming for you,” the husky said. “Then she woke up and frantically searched for you.” She began to growl. “When she couldn’t find you, she began bawling.” She jerked me towards her to where I was only a half inch from her snout. “I couldn’t calm her, no matter what I did.” With that she shoved me away.

“Gladia!” Starlight cried at her. “It okay! What he do is important!”

“More so than you?” the husky asked.

“Yes,” the fox huffed. “Right now, Amaka main worry.”

“Last night,” Gladia started to argue, but she was cut off.

“I know what Alakath say last night,” the fox glared at the husky. “Alakath good person.” She looked at me with something of a loving expression. “He not cause us trouble.”

“Fine,” Gladia huffed. “Still, when you’re screaming and bawling because you can’t find him, it would be nice if he’s actually here.”

“I’m here now,” I said. “I had something to discuss with a friend who’s also a contact with the nobles here.”

“Oh,” the husky said. “Playing the fence?”

I shook my head. “No,” I said. “I’m not getting involved in Jacob’s revolution.” I glared at the husky. “Amaka and her sisters are the only reason I’m dealing with him.”

“Why not get them away?” Starlight asked.

“At the moment, he’s better suited to ensure their safety,” I said. “He has an army of men under him whereas it’s just me,” I cleared my throat. “Well, now me and you two. Still, not enough to keep thirteen people safe not to mention helping them free their mother.”

“Thirteen?” Gladia asked. I nodded.

“Amaka and her twelve sisters,” I said.

“What do you think will happen once they free her?” Gladia asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Jacob will probably get her to join his organization.” I furrowed my brow. “I doubt she’ll refuse, but if she does, she’ll take her daughters as well, most likely.”

“You say that like that could be a bad thing,” Gladia said, crossing her arms.

“Jacob’s not one who takes rejection well,” I said. “Amaka’s sisters all have major roles in his organization also. Their sudden departure would likely cause it to collapse.”

“What happen if that happen?” Starlight asked, concern obvious in her voice.

“I honestly don’t know,” I said. “But whatever does happen, I’ve no doubt that it won’t be good for Amaka and her sisters.” I furrowed my brow. “As bad as I hate to, I may have to talk Carla into staying with them once she’s free.”

“That Amaka’s mom?” Gladia asked and I nodded. “Some mother she is.”

“Trust me,” I growled, “she doesn’t want to be there. It’s not by choice that she got involved in that hell.”

“Why doesn’t she run away, then?” Gladia asked.

“She’ll be killed if she does,” I told her. “Many girls have tried in the past. Every one of them have been found dead.”

“Then why hasn’t he been arrested?” Gladia asked, remaining indignant.

“He’s bought off the guard, for starters,” I said. “Even if he hadn’t bought them off, he could claim each of them were stealing and he was just trying to get back whatever they had supposedly stolen.”

“A catch-22,” Gladia said, finally understanding that situation. I nodded.

“Yeah, but since he’s bought off the guard, once they see that he’s behind the killing, they claim to lose the trail,” I said.

“Wow,” the husky said. “Nothing like this goes on back home.”

“That’s why I was going to send Amaka and Starlight there once I was able to leave here myself,” I told her. “It’s a far better place for them.”

“But now?” the husky asked.

“I not go without Amaka,” Starlight butted in. I chuckled and gestured that that was the issue now.

“So, we just wait?” Gladia asked.

“For now,” I said. “This would be a great time for you to do more research on those ruins,” I added, addressing the husky. I then turned to Starlight. “And Johan can keep helping you with your speech and writing.” The fox smiled. “And maybe you help him with some stuff.”

“I do,” she said, smiling. “I help him with cleaning and such.”

“Good, good,” I smiled.

The two girls then yawned and went back upstairs to where Johan had set up a space for them to sleep. I ventured over to a ragged looking couch and laid down on it. But about that time, birds began chirping and I knew at that point, I wasn’t going to sleep.

So, instead, I sat on the couch, pulled out my sword and whetstone, and began sharpening the blade. Like always, I allowed my mind to wander as I rubbed the stone down the length of the blade. I played out in my head various ways that Carla being free from Jonah’s clutches could play out.

First, I pictured what could happen if she joined Jacob’s organization. In that case, most likely what would happen is that whatever Jacob’s grand scheme was would continue as he planned, likely attacking other groups who could symbolize the city’s corruption. This may be the best case for her and her girls.

Secondly, I imagined what could happen if she refused to join, but didn’t make her daughters leave the organization. I’m sure Jacob would be upset, but ultimately I doubt he’ll be harsh with her if she does decide not to join him. It would probably turn into a similar situation as me, having access but not totally. I also don’t see much deviation from his plan, especially if Amaka is his figurehead.

Then, I shuddered as I played out what would likely be the worst case: Carla not only not joining, but making all of her daughters leave as well. Jacob’s organization would likely fall apart, as he’s indicated that the girls all play vital roles for him. Without their support, unless he can fill the gaps quickly, he won’t be able to continue his mission. He’ll likely continue to try, but fail. And beyond that, I can’t imagine what fallout the city will experience if that happens.

By the time I brought my attention back to my blade, I had already turned it and sharpened the other edge as well. Johan had also came down and had begun reading from an old tome.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Memories,” the old wolf said. “My father left this to me when he passed.”

“His journal?” I asked.

“Something like that,” Johan grinned. “Only, it’s not just his tale, but the whole clan’s.”

“Didn’t think something like that would exist,” I said, looking over his shoulder.

“Why wouldn’t it?” the wolf asked, cracking a grin. “We pass our story like everyone else.”

“I knew that,” I grinned myself. “I just thought that’s what the stories you told your children were.”

The old wolf began to cackle. “Only the legends,” he said, grinning as wide as ever.

“So, this is your language?” I asked. Johan nodded.

“Yes,” he said, still smiling. “But I cannot teach it to you. You must have royal blood of my clan for me to pass it along.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“I am no teacher,” he said. “I teach Skaalliit since she is royalty, and she can learn through the rituals her parents passed to her.”

“That explains her rapid learning, then,” I said. He nodded.

“She could teach you, although she must first learn the teacher’s ritual,” the wolf added.

“It’s no big deal,” I shrugged. “I’m just curious is all.”

“I see,” he mumbled, resuming reading the tome. “Soon, myself or Skaalliit will have to write the final chapter to this.”

“Couldn’t you two rebuild the clan?” I asked.

“Only if she wants to,” he said. “So far, she doesn’t seem inclined to.”

“She doesn’t?” I asked.

“Not that I know of,” the old wolf muttered. “Don’t you have a ritual to prepare for yourself?”

“Heather’s squiring ceremony,” I said. “I’ve got a few things I need to check on, but shouldn’t take too long.”

“Well, let me read my history anyway,” he sighed. I nodded and let him be.

I didn’t leave exactly then, however. Instead, I returned to the couch and examined my blade. I checked its straightness and sharpness with the tip of my finger then returned it to its sheath. While I did that, I started going over what all I would need to train Heather in to be a proper squire. More importantly, though, would be training her to properly wield a sword with her large bosom. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve trained plenty of women when I was a Captain, but they all were Gladia’s size or smaller. I probably should have made her get at least an athletic wrap to restrain her breasts. I figured there was still time for that.

After running over that in my head a few times, I finally left to make sure I had everything ready. I went to the blacksmith’s first, since Amarlee had said she would work on it overnight. When I got there, Amarlee was standing outside, wearing just her bra and some shorts and was soaked with sweat. She appeared to be exhausted. She opened her eyes and glanced my way when she heard me walk up.

“Long night?” I asked. She just swallowed and nodded. “Everything go well?”

“Yeah,” she panted. “I just finished it. Just needs to cool and a polish.”

“I didn’t expect you to actually be up all night,” I told her. The bunny tried to laugh, but it just came out as heavier breathing.

“Had to make it perfect,” she then said. “Nothing less for you.”

“When can I see it?” I asked, and she smiled.

“Now, if you want. Just remember I need to polish it still,” she barely whispered, closing her eyes again.

“I’ll come back, then,” I smiled. “You need to cool off anyway.”

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered, starting to tremble.

“No,” I said, placing a paw on her matted shoulder. “The way you’re shaking, you need to sit in a cool bath for a while after sipping on a cold glass of water or two.” About this time, Garius stepped outside.

“Girl, why does my shop feel like hell?” he asked. “Before you answer, though, where’s your shirt?”

“Shirt’s somewhere inside,” she whispered. “Flung it off when it got too hot.”

“Okay, why’d it get too hot?” the wolf asked.

“Because I stayed up working on the sword for Alakath,” she panted.

“You know you’re supposed to stay in leathers when forging,” Garius almost barked. She nodded. “But it looks good,” the old wolf then said, smiling. “It’ll be almost perfect once you polish it.” He placed a paw on her head and tussled her head. “It’s your best work in weeks.”

She smiled and whispered “Thanks” as she leaned back against the wall. The wolf then pressed a few Furre into her hands. “Go get you a nice breakfast from the tavern,” her teacher told her. “Take this as my apology for yesterday.” She just nodded, still breathing rather heavily.

“How much is this going to cost me?” I asked. Garius looked at Amarlee.

“Give good massages?” Amarlee asked. Garius chuckled.

“Good enough,” I said. “Out of practice, though.”

She huffed out a chuckle. “I would say it’ll cost you three hundred Furre, but deliver on that massage and that’ll do for me.”

“Massages won’t resupply the materials,” Garius said, a smile on his face.

“I know,” Amarlee gasped. “But fuck it, we’ll make it up elsewhere. Besides,” she dropped her head, “I’m exhausted. A massage would do wonders right now.”

“Well, baths then tavern?” I asked. The bunny nodded. “Grab some clean clothes then. I’ll wait on you.”

She nearly fell down when she went to go inside. Garius quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulder and helped her inside. After a few minutes, she came back out, now wearing a yellow top that was soaked through. Apparently the same top she was wearing while working on the sword.

Due to her level of exhaustion, it took quite some time to arrive at the baths, but we eventually did. The low level of foot traffic suggested I still had time before the ceremony. Of course, I was going to meet Heather beforehand.

The hare was standing at the entrance to the bath, wearing the outfit she had picked yesterday, when I arrived with Amarlee in tow.

“Good morning!” she, rather loudly, greeted us.

“Good morning,” I returned. “You’re up early.”

“Yeah?” she said, her hand on her hip. “So are you.”

“Yeah, have things to ensure are done before the ceremony,” I said.

“Does that include escorting this mop of a bunny around?” the hare asked. I could hear Amarlee attempt to growl, but it came out as more of a sigh. Heather giggled though, “Don’t get huffy, I’m just picking at you.” The bunny just glared.

“I’m too tired to put up with it,” she said after a bit.

“Alright, sorry,” the hare said. “Just trying to be funny.” The hare turned to me. “So, why you bring her here?”

“She stayed up all night working on the sword,” I answered. “She’s too tired to make it here on her own.” Amarlee looked over at me, like she expected me to say something. “I also promised to give her a massage,” I added, and a small smile crept onto her face.

“Gonna give me one too?” the hare asked, a smirk on her face.

“Maybe after the ceremony,” I said, returning her smirk.

“Hah!” Heather guffawed. “I bet you’re gonna start my training as soon as we finish the ceremony.” Her smirk didn’t diminish one bit.

“Was planning on it,” I grinned. “Nothing major, to begin with. Just working on your stance and technique with a stick.”

“Why a stick?” the hare asked, the smirk replaced with a confused expression.

“So you don’t hurt yourself,” I said. “I’m going to train you the same way I trained recruits in the Army. The only difference,” I smirked, “is you’ll also be trained to wield both a shield and a standard, rather than just one or the other.”

“Don’t tell me you’re gonna make me wear heavy ass armor?” the hare moaned.

“Unless Amarlee here forges you some, you won’t be in armor,” I said. “No, I’ll end up making a vest and belt that’ll simulate that.”

“Can we go in now?” Amarlee croaked suddenly.

“Of course,” I said, ushering both of them inside.

I asked the attendant for the key to the chamber with cold water. She handed it to me and noted that we were going there and not to our usual locations. As soon as we stepped in, Amarlee stripped off her clothing and eased inside the water.

“Let me sit here for a bit,” the bunny sighed, her body jerking occasionally from being submerged in the cold water.

It wasn’t long after that that Heather, who stripped down immediately upon entering the room, eased herself into the water and let out a shaky sigh. She gestured for me to join next to her, but I shook my head.

“I’ll bathe in the warm water,” I told her. “Amarlee needs to sit in the cool water for a spell, though.”

“So?” Heather pouted. “You can still relax in the cool water.”

“I’m good,” I said as I sat against the wall.

“You know,” Amarlee said, her eyes still closed, “you’ve got to get in to give me that massage, right?”

“Or you could get out?” I said. I really hate cold water.

“True,” the bunny grinned, “but there’s no benches or tables in here.”

“Too good for the floor?” the hare asked as she leaned back against the wall of the bath.

“No,” Amarlee smirked. “It’s just not the most comfortable place.”

“A few towels under you will help,” I said. I’ll admit to being shocked at the two being amiable towards each other after the dust-up between them yesterday.

“Yeah? You just wanna straddle me, don’t you?” the bunny teased.

“Won’t need to,” I said. “I can reach from the side easily enough.”

“More fun if you do,” Heather winked as she sunk further into the water.

“As long as you don’t stick it in, I don’t mind,” the bunny added.

“I don’t need to,” I said.

“What kind of man are you?” Heather asked. “A gorgeous young girl offering to let you straddle her and rub your dick all over her and you turn her down?” She actually had something of a disgusted look on her face. “The fuck man?”

“Just how I am,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “Unlike you two, I’m not that worried about sex all the time.”

“That don’t mean you’ve got to be a prude, either,” Heather smirked at me. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those holier-than-thou temple goers?” I couldn’t help but bust out laughing.

“No, not at all!” I said in between laughs. “I just try to be respectful of everyone’s boundaries.”

“Well, she’s said it’s okay for you to,” Heather grinned. “So, what boundary are you respecting?”

“The fact that she’s seeing someone?” I said, lifting an eyebrow.

“Yeah, about that,” the bunny nervously chuckled. “I haven’t seen or heard from him in a few days. He suddenly stopped coming by or going to his usual hangouts.”

“That’s not good,” I said. “Did you two get into an argument?”

“No,” Amarlee said, shaking her head. “He had promised to go to Siren’s Lake with me.” A tear began to form. “We were supposed to have left yesterday morning.”

“Does his family know anything?” I asked. She again shook her head.

“They’re just as lost about this as I am,” she said as she sat on top of the wall of the bath. “They haven’t seen or heard from him since he told them that...” she stopped there.

“What?” I asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Some cat had came to him with a job offer,” she said. “Told him the pay was great, he’d get to see the world.”

“What does your man look like?” I asked. She reached over to her bag and pulled out a picture and handed it to me. “May I borrow this?” I then asked.

“Why?” Amarlee asked.

“I’ve a hunch where he is, but I need to show this to someone to verify it,” I told her. My hunch was that the cat she mentioned is a guy I know who, for a lack of a better term, recruits for Jonah. I wanted to see if Amaka or Macy had seen anyone who resembled this cat Amarlee is dating.

“Where you think he could be?” Heather asked.

“I’m not saying until I’m sure,” I told her.

“Fine,” Amarlee sighed. “For the love of the gods don’t lose it,” she added. I tucked it away in a pouch on my belt then and there. “Now, can you massage me?” the bunny asked, laying a few towels on the floor already. I just sighed and knelt beside her and began at her neck.

The massage lasted for quite a while. And for that while, all you could here was Amarlee softly moaning and Heather occasionally sighing as she relaxed quietly in the cold water. Sometimes, Heather would quip about how I should just straddle the bunny to make it easier on me reaching for various places on her body, but, given the non-stop moaning from the bunny, I felt it was unnecessary.

Once I finished, I patted her on the head and returned to where I had been sitting before. Amarlee just laid there and groaned for a bit before finally rising up onto her knees. “Out of practice my ass,” the bunny giggled. “You should run a massage parlor,” she added with a wink. “I’d make anything you want for more massages like that.”

I just laughed. “Good to see I’ve still got the touch, then.”

“Hey, when’s my turn?” Heather asked, rising out of the water.

“Tonight, maybe,” I said. “Depends on how well you do with your training today.”

“Well,” she huffed, “if you’re going to get me hot and sweaty, that dick better be in me while you give that massage.”

“No promises,” I said with a smirk. “I’m too old for you, anyway.”

“Hah!” the hare guffawed. “If the bunny’s teacher ain’t too old, you ain’t either.”

Amarlee couldn’t help but chuckle. “And you tell me to leave the past behind.”

“Just saying,” the hare huffed. “Age ain’t but a number.”

“If you say so,” the bunny sighed. “Can we go now? I’m famished.”

“Of course,” I said. “Might have to be quick, though.”

“Why?” the young bunny asked.

“I’ve still got to check on Heather’s uniforms,” I said.

“Uniform?” the hare asked.

“That thing you were fitted for yesterday?” I said. “Your squire garb is technically a uniform.”

“Oh,” she said, her ears drooping. “Have to call it that?”

“It’s easier than saying ‘squire garb’ all the time,” I said. “Does it bother you?”

“Kind of, actually,” she responded nervously. “Makes me think of the pervs at the court.”

“Okay, I need to check on the clothes Andrea is making for you,” I repeated.

“That takes what? Half a mintue?” the hare asked, putting her hand on her hips. By this point, she was the only one still fully undressed.

“Maybe, but I’ve still got to polish and do some other finishing touches on the sword,” Amarlee responded for me. “That will take quite some time still.”

Heather just stood there, her arms crossed under her bust. “You getting dressed any time soon?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Right,” she said, picking up her clothes. “I’m tired of these things. Can’t I go without for a while?”

“Not in my company while in public,” I said. “Besides, if you’re going to the tavern with me, you need to be dressed.”

Heather let out a long, loud, “Fuck” and she stepped into her shorts and tugged her top over her torso. “Better make this worth it later.”

“You’re getting a massage, remember?” the young bunny teased. “It’s worth the torture of clothes, I promise,” she added with a wink and grin. “When’s my next one?” she then asked me, her tone playful.

“Depends on the next time you work yourself into total exhaustion again,” I answered with a smirk. Both of the girls giggled a bit as we stepped back into the lobby.

The walk to the tavern from the bath was short and quick. Before we walked in, though, Heather stopped and crossed her arms again.

“Mind if I skip breakfast? I’ll just meet you at the tailors.” She started to walk off, but I put a hand on her shoulder.

“Why?” I asked.

“I’m not welcomed here,” she crossed her arms. “I’m not your squire yet, so they’ve no reason to allow me in. I know I said I’d meet you here, but I wasn’t planning on going inside.”

“Skipping meals is bad for your figure, you know?” I said, winking at her.

“I’ll figure something out,” she said, her tone and expression remaining serious. “There’s another reason, also, but I’ll tell you later about it.” Her eyes showed that whatever this other reason was, it was significant for her.

“Okay,” I said. “How about I bring you a plate, then?”

“You do that, and Andrea won’t let you hear the last of it,” Amarlee said. “You’d have to bring her one, too.”

I chuckled. “She knows where this place is.”

“Yeah, but she still won’t let you be if you don’t bring her one too,” the bunny grinned.

“You ain’t got to,” Heather said. “I can cook up something at my place.”

“No need for that,” I said. “I can get you something if you want it.”

“What about Andrea?” the hare asked.

“She can deal with it,” I said.

“Fine,” the hare relented. “Get me something with carrots in it. I’m not picky beyond that.”

“Alright,” I said. “Meet me at the tailor?”

“Yeah,” she said and walked off, ears drooping in a way that made it obvious something was wrong, but she wasn’t going to let me help with it.

“She doesn’t think anyone else knows, but she’s lying when she says she’s not welcome,” Amarlee then said. “I wasn’t going to call her out on that, but she does have a reason to not want to be here.”

“Well, tell me while we have breakfast if you want,” I said as I opened the door.

We walked in and settled on the far corner where I could keep an eye on the entryways. Shortly, a petite fox came and took our orders and waltzed off to give it to the cooks. Whilst we waited, Amarlee began to explain what had actually happened with Heather and this place.

It turns out, Heather dated one of the barkeeps at one point. They were together for a couple of years, apparently. One day, though, she came in to see him, and found him in the back storeroom balls deep in another girl. When she freaked out at that, the guy beat her and said that she was only good for making babies. Then beat her some more before saying she wasn’t even good for that, as he had been trying to get her pregnant since they had gotten together.

It was after having her heart broken like that that she had begun to whore herself out. That led to her being arrested after some time and supposedly, she whored herself to the prison guards in exchange for not being beat as badly as the rest of the prisoners. She even briefly whored herself again before working at the court upon her release, but when she was threatened with a life sentence, she finally ceased and started to try and clean up her act.

The tavern owner found out about what happened and fired the guy on the spot. No one knows where the guy ended up afterwards, but the owner wants to try and make things up to Heather somehow. Amarlee implied I could help with that once I squired her. Heather likely has no idea that her former lover has been fired, and he’s why she doesn’t want to come to the tavern.

When I asked how she knew all this, she giggled and said that she’s friends with one of the bargirls who witnessed it all. She also said that what happened is why Heather no longer has an emotional connection with sex. She took what he said to heart, unfortunately. I said I’d still get Heather to talk about this when she’s ready, and Amarlee nodded.

Once she finished telling me about that, we finished our meal in silence. Amarlee propped her head in her hand and at one point nodded off mid chew. I gently prodded her shin and she resumed chewing and pushed her plate away. She then rested her head on her hands and fell asleep again.

Again, I gently kicked her leg and she mumbled something about resting her eyes. I went and paid for our meals and stood her up. She remained mostly limp. I picked her up and carried her, and she nestled up into my chest and fell asleep while we walked.

Garius smiled a bit when I carried her in. He showed me where her quarters are and I laid her down on her bed and covered her with her blanket. She mumbled something about needing to go home, and I just tussled her hair and told her to get some rest. Her breathing indicated I didn’t need to say it twice.

“I doubt she’ll finish it today,” Garius said once we were back at the storefront.

“That’s fine,” I said. “Heather will be training with sticks to begin with, anyway.”

“Same as the Army, huh?” Garius asked, smirking.

“It’s what I know,” I chuckled. “I know it works, so why not?”

“Those ta-tas,” the old wolf said. “They’ll get in her way.”

“That’s why she’s using a stick,” I said. “So she doesn’t hurt herself figuring out how to make the techniques work with them.”

“You know we can make a corset for her that will hold those babies,” the wolf smirked. “We’ll need a hands-on measure, though.”

“I know, and if it becomes necessary and she’s okay with it, I’ll send her to have it done,” I said smirking. “But I’ve got to get going. More stuff to check on.”

“Alright, Alakath,” Garius smiled, slapping my shoulder with an ancient paw. “Take care.”

I then made my way to Mare’s Tailoring. Traffic was slowly increasing, and the heat of the day was starting to set in, telling me I was starting to run out of time to do what all still needed to be done. Traffic was still light enough, though, that it didn’t take long at all to get there.

When I walked in, Mare was standing at the front desk. Andrea was nowhere in sight.

“Good morning,” Mare greeted me. “Checking on the squire outfit?”

“Yeah,” I said. “It needs to be done before the ceremony.”

“So it does,” she said grinning. “It’s a good thing the girl works well under pressure.”

“How much longer will she take?” I asked.

Before she could respond, though, a nearly nude fox stumbled out of the fitting room. Andrea came out quickly, very angry and the reason was obvious. Her top had been ripped open, exposing her bra, which itself appeared to have been torn.

“Get the fuck out!” she yelled, tears starting to well up in her eyes. He started to shove her back into the fitting room, but Mare yanked him by the back of his neck and flung him over the counter. I pinned his shoulder with my foot as soon as he landed.

“You may want to do what she says,” I said, partially drawing my sword. The young lad in a flash, once I lifted my foot off of him, got to his feet and bolted out of the front door. I looked back to Andrea as I reset my sword. The girl was staring at her ripped top and bra, mouth quivering like she didn’t know whether to scream or cry.

“Are you hurt?” I asked as I walked over to where she was standing. She was still quivering as before, only tears were starting to form and fall like a summer rain. Mare pulled her into a hug and walked her into a back room. The old mare walked back out with a purple and crimson bundle.

“I believe this is what you’re here for?” she asked, setting it down on the counter. “She finished it last night, it seems.”

“I see,” I said. “Heather is supposed to be here,” I added. “What’s keeping her?” About that time, she walked in. I started to ask what kept her, but I noticed everything immediately. Her top was ripped to shreds, nose bleeding profusely, one of her eyes swollen shut, and most concerning, she was holding her arm as if it were broken.

“What happened?” I asked, as I ran over to her.

She stammered for a bit before “My ex” could be made out.

“You should have went to the hospital instead of here,” I said.

“He went that way,” she stammered. “He’s going to ambush me again if I go.”

“Not with me with you he won’t,” I said. I turned to Mare and told her I’d be back soon. She just nodded and went to the back, likely to check on Andrea.

I then picked up and carried Heather to the hospital myself. Along the way, I tried to identify who this ex of hers is that assaulted her, but I saw nothing out of the ordinary. When I brought her inside, however, a tan wolf briefly snarled when he saw her. I walked with the nurses as they took her to a room. I glanced back towards the wolf, and he was following her with his gaze, struggling to keep from snarling.

When we got to the room that Heather was to be in, the nurses said that I could wait inside with her until the doctor came by. I sat by her and held her hand. She looked towards me and softly said, “He’s here.”

“The wolf?” I asked, knowing it was him. She nodded.

“Don’t leave me, please,” she said.

“When the doctor makes me step out, I’ll be just outside the door,” I said.

“Not even then,” she pleaded. “I’d rather you be here by me.”

“If the doc will let me, then okay,” I said.

“He will if I say it’s okay,” she said, trying to smile. The pain was too much for her, though, as she immediately winced.

I just sat that and rubbed her hand while we waited. She periodically would squeeze my hand as I did so. After several minutes, the doctor, a chubby, gray, male rabbit, walked in. Before the doc could say anything, Heather spoke, “It’s okay if he stays, please?”

“Fine,” the old man said. “He’s your bodyguard?”

“Something like that,” she said.

“She’s to be my squire,” I said. “The ceremony was supposed to be today, but with this, I doubt it can happen today.”

“I see,” the old doc said. “Shall I send for the guard?” He chuckled nervously. “To take your statement, of course.”

“After you’ve done what you need to do,” I said. “I can’t leave her, though, as the man who done this was in the waiting room when we arrived.”

“I see,” the old man sighed. “Very well. My dear,” he added, putting on some gloves, “did he penetrate?”

“Thankfully, no,” she said.

“Did he injure you in any way in the vaginal or anal regions?” he then asked.

“No,” the hare said.

“Okay, then you won’t need to remove your pants,” the old rabbit said. “Now, I need you to lay back and be as still as possible for the remainder of this exam. I need you to release her hand, please,” he then said to me, and I complied.

He then began to poke at her arms. She yelped when he got just above her elbows. He muttered something about something being shattered. Again, she yelped when he prodded the underside of her arms at that region. He muttered a quiet apology as he continued.

She winced at various points as he prodded her ribs and sides. He muttered at possible bruised or cracked ribs and possible internal damage. He quickly inquired about whether a blunt weapon was used, and she said no, just his fists, feet, and knees. He then checked her neck and head the same way. She didn’t show as much pain as she did with her torso, only the region around her swollen eye was sore to the touch. When he checked her hips and legs in the same manner, she showed no signs of pain.

“Well, I don’t believe these injuries will pose any concern in as far as you dying is concerned,” he said. “However, that arm will need to be immobilized. I also will recommend that you not go through with that squiring thing until at least you no longer feel soreness in your torso.” He then stood up. “I’ll send a nurse momentarily to apply the cast and sling,” he added as he walked out. She immediately reached out for my hand, and I held hers in mine.

After a couple of minutes, I could hear the clanking of armor. Shortly after hearing it, a pair of guards walked in. “Alakath?” the senior of the two asked. “Didn’t think you’d be involved with this hussy.”

“Easy,” I said. “She’s had a rough day. Plus,” I added looking over at her, “she’s trying to live honestly, now.” She cracked a small smile when I said that.

“Sure,” the younger guard huffed. “So why is she with you and not her husband?” she added with a sharp glare.

“Husband?” Heather asked. “Check the marriage registry, hun, ‘cause I’ve never been married.”

“I’ve sent someone to do just that,” the senior guard said.

“Who’s claiming to by my husband, anyway?” she asked.

The junior guard motioned for someone to come, and into view stepped the tan wolf.

“Hi, baby,” he smoothly greeted her.

“Fuck off, Alan!” she yelled. “You’re why I’m here to fucking begin with!”

“Don’t, lie,” he said coolly. “I know you’re just scared of that bad kitty.” About that time, a third guard walked up.

“Well?” the senior guard asked her.

“She’s not married,” she said. “She was registered to be married a few years ago, but she nullified the request not long after it was filed.” The wolf instantly turned livid.

“You lying bitch,” he growled at her.

“What?” she asked. “You thought giving me a few Furre would convince me to lie for you?”

“Did you?” the senior guard asked, backing the wolf into a corner.

“So what if I did?” he growled. “The whore deserves what’s coming to her.”

“Turn around,” the senior guard growled, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Instead, however, the wolf barged his shoulder in the smaller of the two junior guards, the same he had attempted to bribe, knocking her to the ground and bolted out. The other junior guard began to give chase while the senior helped the now wheezing guard onto her feet. He slowly walked her out into the hall and helped her rest upon the wall across from the door. Immediately, a couple of nurses came by and helped escort her into a room a few doors down from ours.

Once things settled down, Heather let out a sigh. “Alan is why I’m not welcome at the tavern,” she softly said.

“Why is that?” I asked, already knowing the gist of the story, but wanting to her it in her words.

“He works there,” she said. “I was going to marry him, but called it off when he beat the shit out of me after catching him fucking another chick.” She began to tear up as she continued. “He said that fucking is all I’m good for, so that’s why I started to fuck for money.” She wiped a tear as she struggled to continue. “Apparently, he was trying to get me preggo, but I was taking an herb that’s supposed to prevent pregnancy. I never told him that.”

“What he said shouldn’t matter,” I said. “You seem like a wonderful person, from what I’ve seen so far.” She smiled.

“No one’s said that to me since before he did what he did to me,” she said. “Everyone just calls me ‘whore’, ‘hussy’, ‘slut’, shit like that.” She let out a sigh. “The downside of loving sex so much, I suppose.”

“As long as you get it on your terms, I don’t see a problem with that,” I told her. She giggled.

“No way you’re single, talking like that.” She grinned. “Where’s your wife?”

“Dead,” I said, looking away.

“Sorry,” she said, her ears drooping.

“It’s okay,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Her and my unborn daughter’s memory is why I want to see Jonah fall.”

“Never considered remarrying?” she asked.

“No,” I answered. “Not while Jonah still lives.”

“I understand, I suppose,” she said, squeezing my hand back. “Don’t want to risk that kind of heartache again.”

“That,” I smiled, “and I guess I’m using her as a standard, which is really high.”

“Do I meet it?” she asked.

“So far, you’re close,” I said, smiling at her. She smirked.

“So much for a high standard, then,” she said.

“You’re too hurt still to realize just how wonderful of a person you can be,” I said.

“Now you’re just trying to make me feel good,” she said, smiling. “It’s working, by the way.”

“Just being honest,” I said. “One day, you’ll see it as well.”

“If more guys were like you, maybe I will,” she said. About then, a nurse came in pushing a cart.

“Okay, hun,” she said. “It’s going to hurt while I position your arm for the cast.”

“How bad?” she asked. She screamed in agony as the nurse moved her arm into an angled position.

“That bad, sorry?” the bunny nurse apologized. “Now, it’s going to hurt while I wrap it with this bandage.” Again, Heather screamed in pain while the nurse somehow held her arm off of the bed, retaining the angle she had moved it to, and wrapped it with a heavy looking bandage. The hare’s eyes were bloodshot from the waterworks that resulted from the pain by the time the nurse finished.

“Sorry, hun,” the nurse again apologized, “but that’s the worst of it. Now, in a few minutes, I can put the sling around that and you’re good to go as far as that arm in concerned.”

“Right,” Heather whimpered. “Thanks.” The nurse just nodded and stepped out, leaving the cart where it was. About then, the senior guard from earlier came in.

“Okay, hare,” he said as he walked in. “You ready to give your statement from earlier? Not that it matters now, since he’s assaulted one of my guards, but it could give context for the trial he’s going to face.”

“Okay,” Heather stammered. He grunted and pulled out a notepad and pen from his pouch.

“Whenever you’re ready,” he said. “The more detailed, the better.” He then turned to me. “Alakath, you know the drill.”

“I’ve got to step out while he talks to you,” I said.

“No!” she pleaded. “Please, let him stay!”

“Sorry, girl,” the guard said. “Protocol and such.”

“I’ll be just outside,” I said. “If you need me, just yell for me.”

“No! Please!” she yelled, reaching for me as I walked to the door.

“This won’t take long,” the guard tried to assuage her. “But he has to be outside the room.”

“He won’t hurt you,” I said. “I’ll be right outside the door. If he tries, just yell.” She was starting to quiver from crying. I turned the guard around a quietly spoke to him. “She’s not very trusting, due to what’s happened to her.” He nodded.

“Still, you have to be outside,” he quietly said. I nodded.

“I just want you to understand why she’s so insistent,” I told him. He nodded.

“He’s going to be within earshot the entire time,” the guard said to her. “If for whatever reason you become uncomfortable, he can come in, but your statement is paused while he’s in here.”

“Fine,” the hare finally relented, and I stepped out. Her tone, though, made it obvious it wasn’t actually fine.

As I said I would, I stood just outside the doorway. I could hear her voice, broken from crying, as she attempted to describe what happened to her as best as possible. A couple of times, she completely broke down into a full sob and the guard had me come in to try and console her.

These breakdowns caused the interview to last a few hours, as each one lasted nearly half an hour each, and it took her a couple of hours to get all the details to the guard. Finally, though, the guard came out and told me he was done. I immediately went inside and sat next to her again.

Shortly after, the nurse came in again to place Heather’s broken arm into a sling. This didn’t take long, and since the heavy bandaging kept her arm immobile, it didn’t hurt her anywhere near as bad as earlier. When I asked about the care for her other injuries, the nurse just said that the doctor would talk to us about that.

So we sat and waited for another little while. I was reminded she hadn’t ate when her stomach began growling.

“I knew I should have cooked something,” she moaned.

“No doubt, what I got for you is cold now,” I said.

“Out of curiosity, what was it?” she asked.

“An omelet with carrots and peppers,” I said.

“That would’ve been awesome,” she said. “But I guess I’ll fix a carrot stew when I get home, instead.”

“Any meat in that stew?” I asked. She shook her head.

“Nah, just carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and celery,” she said. “I hate meat,” she then added quickly. “That going to be a problem?”

“I’ll work something out,” I said. “I’ve got to have meat, though.”

“So, it is, isn’t it?” she asked.

“No,” I said. “I’ll just prepare us two different meals.” I smiled. “Your meal can be all veggie filled and I’ll have my meat.”

“That’s a lot of trouble, though,” she sighed, her eyes downcast. “More trouble than I’m worth.”

“Think that I’d carry you here if that were the case?” I asked. “You’re worth more than you realize,” I grabbed her hand, “and I aim to show that to you.” She smiled again, a tear beginning to form.

“There you go trying to make me feel good, again,” she said. “Keep that up, and I’m going to have to make you marry me.”

“I can’t marry you if I’m squiring you,” I said.

“Then don’t squire me,” she smiled. “I can just be a maid, servant, concubine or whatever.”

“Well,” I said as I squeezed her hand, “we’ve got a while to figure it out now. I can’t squire you with your arm broken. You’re not much use as a maid, either.”

“True,” she said.

“But that doesn’t mean you’re worthless,” I said as a downcast look came over her. “You’re injured, so right now your role is to recover.” She squeezed my hand, but didn’t smile. “Once you’re back to full health, we’ll figure out if being a squire or whatnot is best for you.”

“So, you’re just going to leave me alone while I recover?” she asked, a tear forming.

“No,” I said. “We can still stay together as if you were going to be my squire.”

“Why would you, though?” she asked. “All I’ll end up doing is being all needy and shit thanks to this arm.”

“Well,” I chuckled, “if that’s going to make you needy, then someone’s got to be there to take care of that neediness.” She smiled again at that.

About that time, the doctor walked in again. “Well, I see the arm’s immobilized,” he said. “Now, about that eye.” He cleared his throat. “Right now, there’s nothing that can be done for it. We can only let the swelling run its course. If it doesn’t start going down in a week, though, come back. We’ll have to cut into it to force it to start draining.”

“What happens if I don’t?” she asked.

“Infection will set in,” he said. “It could easily leave you blind for the rest of your life.” She nodded at that. “Likewise with all the sore spots along your torso. They shouldn’t swell, and as long as you rest properly, they should heal on their own over the next couple of weeks.”

“How long will the arm take?” she asked.

“That depends,” the doctor said. “Mostly on your diet and how still you can keep it.”

“What kind of diet would help it the quickest?” the hare asked.

“Lots of milk and cheese,” he said. Heather grimaced.

“Any veggies that can help?” she asked.

“Dark, leafy greens are your best vegetables,” he said. “Mainly need iron and calcium,” he added, “and dairy is the best source of both.”

“Okay,” she sighed. “I hate dairy though.”

“Add a little carrot juice,” he said. “Makes it a little sweeter.”

“I’ll try that,” she cooed. “Never thought about that.”

“Good,” he said, filling out and handing her a piece of paper. “Follow those instructions and you’ll be back in tip top shape in no time. Now, have a good day.” He quickly added as he left.

I helped her onto her feet and we made our way back to Mare’s. By now, the sun had begun to approach the horizon, indicating it was fairly late in the afternoon. To help preserve her modesty, I wrapped her with my cloak. When we walked in, like this morning, Mare was standing behind the counter and Andrea was nowhere to be seen.

“Evening,” the old horse greeted us. “Feeling better love?”

“Not really,” she said. “Still sore as hell, but I’m not going to die.”

“Good, good,” Mare said. “What of the delinquent who did it?”

“Guards are after him,” she said. “Idiot tried bribing a guard and it backfired. He knocked the wind out of her when he hightailed it away.”

“I’m shocked, darling,” the horse said. “Most guards are quick to take bribes.”

“Oh, she took it,” Heather said. “She just didn’t do what he wanted.”

“You’re lucky that it was that group of guards,” I said. “Their commander doesn’t tolerate bribery or corruption.” I sighed. “He’s one of the few like that.”

“Well, good,” Mare said, leaning onto the counter. “But I take it you didn’t do the ceremony?”

“No,” I said. “No point in going through with it with her injured as she is.”

“I swear, I’ll be fine just as a maid or something like that,” she said. “Like I said when I agreed to this, as long as you take care of me, I don’t care what I am to you.”

“If it were any man but Alakath, you’d come to regret those words,” Mare said. “But he’s one of the only true gentlemen in this city.”

“Don’t give me too much credit, Mare,” I said, rubbing my neck.

“Don’t be so modest,” the old horse smiled. “If any man can turn this girl’s life around, it’s you.”

“I hope so,” Heather nervously chuckled. “But it’s not like I can be any worse off that I am if he can’t.”

“Oh, things always can be worse,” Mare said, straightening her posture. “Never believe that where you are is rock bottom.”

“Yeah? Well, you’re not the one with a broken arm and swollen eye, now are you?” Heather glared as best as her one eye would let her.

“No, but you’re in good company,” Mare said. “That man right there will not let you fall.”

“Right,” the hare sighed.

“So, I take it you’re here to pick up Andrea’s work?” the horse asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “How much do I owe?”

“Nothing,” the old horse said. “Consider it a gift for trying to help this unfortunate hare. Don’t worry,” she cut me off before I could protest, “she’s already made up for its cost today in our revenue.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking the bundled package.

“I think she might be more ready than I give her credit for,” she said, more to herself than anyone else.

“Well, she learned from the best,” I said. Mare smiled.

“That she did,” the old horse cooed. “She’s at the tavern if you want to see her, by the way.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.

“How do you do it?” Heather asked.

“Excuse me?” Mare asked, caught off guard by the question. “How do I do what?”

“Keep yourself so elegant and gorgeous?” Heather asked. “Most people up there in age look horrible, but you’re still stunning.”

“Proper diet and exercise, love,” Mare strutted out into the center of the room. “I admit, as I’ve gotten older, it’s gotten harder to maintain the firmness,” she squeezed her bosom to her to emphasize them, “but that’s just made me work harder at it.” The old mare lifted the hare’s chin to be level with hers. “While good looks are nice, what draws a good man is what he sees in a woman’s eyes,” she coyly told the young girl. “Right now, a man would see nothing but hurt in your eyes, a life of pain and self-loathing.” She pulled the hare to where there was a hair’s breadth between their lips. “A gorgeous shell hiding a broken soul.” Mare pulled back right as Heather moved in for the kiss. “Your outward confidence is just a facade for the worthlessness you feel.” Mare again pulled the hare to where they were almost touching.

“You need someone, or some people, to help guide you to your potential,” she said, this time allowing the hare to kiss her. “You have to allow them to help you, though,” she said and the hare kissed her again. “Allow them to show you your worth.” With that, Mare pulled Heather into a full, deep kiss herself.

About that time, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around, and Andrea was standing there, smiling.

“Hi,” she said, trying to get her teacher’s attention. Mare pulled back from the kiss and Heather just looked at the mare with a gentle smile.

“You’re back early,” the old horse said, smiling at Heather.

“Yeah,” she said. “I was hoping Marle would wanna chat over dinner, but all she was worried about was finishing a sword,” she eyeballed me as she finished.

“Well, I don’t think she’s aware what’s happened, either,” I said.

“No, I told her first thing” she said. “She still wanted to hurry and finish it.” Andrea smirked. “She said something about earning another massage?”

“I was joking about her having to earn them,” I couldn’t help but laugh. “All she, you, Heather, or any of your other sisters need to do is ask.”

“Uh huh, sure,” Andrea winked.

“Fine, Mare gets yours then,” I smirked. Andrea just huffed.

“Fuck you,” she gently shoved me.

“You’re too young,” I said, winking.

“Fine,” she stuck her tongue out. “Fuck off.”

By this time, Heather was standing behind me and Mare had made her way over to one of the shelves nearby, looking over everything on it.

“Well, we need to be going, anyway,” I said, looking at Heather. Her eyes were glued to Mare’s figure, a small smile still on her face.

“Sure you do,” Andrea narrowed her eyes. “You just wanna feel up Marle again. I see how it is.”

“No,” I said. “It’s nearly dark out and Heather’s been through enough trauma today.”

“I wouldn’t mind staying,” Heather said, still admiring Mare’s body. Andrea stepped right in front of the hare, and said hare immediately blinked a few times. “Sorry, she’s mesmerizing.”

“Real confidence will have that effect on everyone,” the mare said, adjusting some items on the shelf she was looking over. “You’ll learn once you overcome your insecurities.”

“Having a sexy bod like you helps,” Heather said.

“You do too, you know?” Andrea asked.

“Ha! Compared to her? Fuck no I don’t,” Heather put her one mobile hand on her hip. Andrea pulled her into a hug.

“I think you are,” she said, looking the hare in the eyes. “I know you don’t feel it now, but you are.”

“Thanks,” the hare smiled, returning the hug as best as she could. “But maybe we should go ahead and leave. I’d hate to set us up for an ambush lingering too long.”

“We’ll be back sometime soon,” I said.

“Okay, take care,” Mare said.

“Bye!” Andrea said, giving me a brief hug.

Due to the impending darkness, I escorted Heather to her home. She, like last night, offered for me to stay with her. I thought about it, but then I remembered telling Felicity to meet me at the baths again tonight. Also, I felt bad about not being there when Starlight needed me. So I told her that, since my belongings were still at my friend’s, I would stay there again. She pouted, but said she understood. There appeared to be a tear forming in her eye as she shut and locked her door.

I made my way to the blacksmith’s to see if Amarlee was awake, and if so, how far along she was with the sword. I also wanted to check on her in general, knowing that she had worked herself into pure exhaustion last night. When I arrived, however, Garius, Amarlee, and a few guards were standing outside.

Amarlee was wrapped in just a towel, which was soaked in blood. She was standing in such a way that indicated that whatever injury she had was located on her side, underneath the towel. Garius, meanwhile, had a bloody nose. His paws were also stained in blood, but it appeared to be from injuring whoever had attacked them.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Some thugs tried to abduct Amarlee,” Garius said.

“We’re trying to determine whether that’s the case or not,” one of the guards said.

“So one of them saying ‘Come with us or else’ isn’t evidence enough?” the old wolf growled.

“Have evidence they said that?” a different guard asked.

“Both us claiming it isn’t?” the bunny asked, half growling, half groaning.

“No,” the third guard snorted. “Old wolf here could be forcing you to say it.”

“Or the other way around,” the first guard said. “Either way, you’ve no evidence to back your claim.”

“You haven’t even examined the place!” Garius howled. “What am I paying taxes for if you’re not going to do your damn jobs?”

“Easy old man,” the third guard said. “You’re already suspect number one here.”

“Me?” the wolf yelled. “Why on earth would I abduct my own apprentice?”

“Maybe you didn’t,” the first guard smirked. “Maybe she didn’t do her duties correctly and you went overboard with her discipline.”

“That’s bullshit,” Amarlee snarled. “He wouldn’t bust up his own business!”

“That’s what it looks like to us,” the third guard said, placing a hand on his sword.

“How do you explain the blood on my paws, then?” Garius screamed. “It’s too much for it to be from her!”

“Maybe you cut your hands open on the window,” the first guard said, pulling out a bundle of rope from his pouch. “Now, turn around and place your hands behind your back.”

“I’ve done nothing save protect my assets!” the wolf argued, refusing to comply.

“Don’t be stupid,” the third guard drew his sword and pointed it at Garius’ chest. “Turn around.”

“Don’t get involved, Alakath,” the first guard said as I began to draw my sword. “For you and your friends’ sakes, let us do what we must.”

“I’ve still an oath to uphold,” I said, drawing my sword and aiming it at the face of the guard readying to pierce Garius’ torso. “You know this.”

The third guard swallowed a breath as he slowly lowered and sheathed his sword. He and the second guard then bolted down the way as quickly as they could.

“You’ll come to regret this,” the first guard huffed as he turned to follow his comrades.

“Jonah’s got to be involved,” I said once the guards were out of earshot.

“What makes you say that?” Amarlee asked.

“Those guards were rather blatant about dismissing this being an abduction,” I said. “The fact that they were refusing to investigate the crime gives away his influence.”

“Now what?” the bunny asked.

“Now, we need to get you to the hospital,” I said. “How long have you been bleeding?”

“Too long,” Garius said. “I’ll carry her there. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you what happened.”

“Of course,” I said.

“I can walk,” she said as she stumbled forward, nearly allowing her towel to come undone.

“No you can’t,” I said, helping her regain her footing. “Let Garius carry you.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “Just be careful with the wound, please?” Garius nodded as he gently lifted her in his arms. Her sad gaze stayed fixed on me, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

Once they were out of sight, I made my way to the baths. Felicity was waiting on me when I walked up. I ushered her inside, where there was light and less opportunity for prying eyes and ears to eavesdrop on us.

I asked the attendant for the key to the cold water chamber and she gave it to me, noting that I had been given it for the second time today. I locked the door behind me as soon as we got inside. She leaned up against a wall and sighed.

“I think Jonah’s starting to get the better of Father,” she said.

“How so?” I asked.

“I overheard Father and some guy talking about how much noble girls are worth,” she said. “And there’s only one noble girl in my family.”

“You,” I said. She nodded. “Surely he doesn’t need the coin.”

“No, he doesn’t,” she said, gazing into the water. “What he does want is a grand-boy to leave his fortunes to.” A tear began to form in her eye. “He’s taking my not being wed as me refusing to give him one.” I walked over and pulled her into a hug. She looked up at me, tears flowing freely.

“He thinks the only way he’s going to get what he wants is to whore me out. He hasn’t bothered asking my opinion, or why I haven’t wed or anything,” she sobbed. “Instead, he’s just doing what he wants to get what he wants.”

“Have you tried to talk to him?” I asked, rubbing her hair.

“Only every night!” she cried. “He just says that what I feel is irrelevant.” She tried to give her best impression of her father. “As the daughter of nobility, it is your place to accept the wishes of your husband and father.” She choked back a breath. “That’s what he always says.” After that, she just pressed her face into my chest and stopped trying to restrain herself.

“You know what you have to do, then,” I told her as I held her in a loose hug. She didn’t stop sobbing, but managed to nod her head.

“But where do I go?” she asked between sobs. “There’s nowhere Father won’t find me.”

“That may be true,” I said, rubbing her back, “but there’s people who can protect you while you find a way to leave his grasp for good.”

“You’re the only one I trust,” she said. “You’re the only one who won’t try to take advantage of me.”

“I’m sure there’s other people out there who won’t,” I said, although I couldn’t think of anyone off the top of my head.

“Sure, but they won’t be much protection,” she said. “I know you can’t, right now, but please,” she looked up at me, tears still flowing down her cheeks, “take me away as soon as you can.”

“I’ll figure something out,” I tried to reassure her.

“I know,” she whispered, hugging me. “It needs to be soon.”

“I’ll do my best,” I told her as I pulled her in for a tight hug and rubbed her back.

“Guess that’s all I can ask,” she whispered, going back to sobbing uncontrollably.

We stayed like that for quite some time. Eventually, she regained enough composure to talk again. By the time she lifted her head from my chest, her tears had soaked through my shirt and fur. She eventually was able to speak again.

“Why can’t all men be like you?” she asked.

“Men would be boring, if that were the case,” I said. She smirked a little.

“I’ll take that over the rude pricks that most men here are,” she said. “Maybe I wouldn’t be so heartbroken all the time.”

“No need to let anyone hold that much sway over your heart,” I told her, rubbing her hair. “It’ll make you turn old and gray sooner.”

“Well,” she nuzzled against my chest, “how am I to find love, then?”

“Loving someone doesn’t mean allowing them to control you,” I told her.

“Easy for you to say,” she said, a peek of a smile on her face. “You’re not raised to be a submissive little bitch, either.”

“Well, it’s up to you to be what you want,” I told her. She looked up with a grin.

“Yeah, well you common folk have that luxury,” she said. “Us nobles have stations we’re to live up to, and mine is to be a prim and proper submissive slave.” She almost snarled the last few words. “I don’t fucking want the gods forsaken titles. I just want to be loved!” She began sobbing again with that. “What’s so fucking hard about that?”

“They say that there’s only one love out there for each person,” I told her, rubbing her back as I pulled her into another hug. “You’ll find yours by being the beautiful, honest woman you are.”

“Not if my father has his way I won’t,” she continued to sob. “If he does, I’ll just be some fucking whore that births him many grandchildren, all of whom he’ll place above me!” She pulled at my shirt, trying to bring herself even closer to me. “And I won’t have a fucking say in it! I’m expected to just fucking accept it and submit like the little bitch he’s raised me to be!”

“Why don’t you tell him no?” I asked.

“Because he makes me hide for a week after so people don’t see how badly he fucking beats me!” she yelled. “I’m lucky if my eyes don’t swell shut, and I’d be covered from the neck down in bruises and cuts!” She began to tremble. “And gods forbid I dare threaten to tell someone!” She reached into her mouth and pulled out a set of fake teeth, which while in place are indistinguishable from real ones. Nearly all of her back teeth weren’t real. “That’s when he grabs shit and breaks my jaws with it.”

“Someone else must know of this,” I said. She shook her head.

“Nope, at least, not anyone who isn’t threatened with the same,” she said. “Plus, he’ll just deny it, and who do you think the court is going to believe?” She sighed. “As far as the other nobles care, I’m just a clumsy bitch who’s broken her jaw falling down stairs and whatnot a few times.”

I pulled her into a tight hug. “I’ll figure out a way to get you away from that,” I told her.

“You do that, I might just let you sire my first litter,” she tried to wink at me, but a few tears were still coming down.

“Let’s not worry about who sires your kittens, yet,” I said. “First, we need to make sure you’re as safe as possible.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. “How will I know you’ve found a way?”

“I’ll come visit,” I said. “I’ll arrange some kind of business with your father, which could involve you, and go on from there.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll see you then?”

“Of course,” I said. “Sooner, if you want to meet here in the meantime.”

“I’m not sure if I can make this trip too frequently,” she said. “He’ll start to pry.”

“Well, whenever you can, then,” I told her, giving her another hug.

“Thanks,” she said, a full smile on her face. “I need to be going.”

“Okay, be careful,” I told her as she walked out of the door. I heard a scream immediately afterwards, however. When I stepped out into the lobby, an older cheetah had grabbed Felicity by the hair and was tugging her out of the building.

“Hey!” I yelled. The older nobleman looked in my direction.

“Oh, Alakath,” he greeted me, not releasing his grip. “I thought she had sneaked out again to see some delinquent or another.”

“That’s no reason to be so rough with her,” I said.

“How I treat my daughter is none of your concern,” he glared at me. “The rebellious cunt deserves every bit of what she gets.” He jerked her closer to him, and she screamed. “She keeps this up, I’m going to have to have her publicly flogged.”

“She hasn’t done anything to deserve it,” I said.

“She’s a disgrace to my name!” he growled. “She makes me look like a weak, pathetic fool of a father.”

“You do that yourself!” she groaned. That caused him to twist her hair further. She began to growl. “And you wonder why I fucking hate you!” With that, he yanked her in front of him and viciously backhanded her.

“You’ve forced this upon yourself!” he yelled back at her. “You refuse to respect those above you!”

“Fuck you!” she cried. “I refuse to respect anyone who doesn’t respect who I am!” Again, he backhanded her, causing her mouth to begin to bleed.

“Enough!” I yelled. “Let her go and leave,” I then said, placing a hand on the hilt of my sword.

“Why should I?” the abusive father asked. “I’ve a right to raise my child as I see fit.”

“Yes, but beating on her isn’t part of that,” I said, slowly drawing my sword.

“Pity,” he said, pulling her closer to him, as if to use her as a living shield. “I figured being an Army man, you’d know what it takes to build respectfulness in a disrespectful, undisciplined kid.”

“I do,” I said, holding my sword by my side. “Senselessly beating on them makes them more disrespectful and undisciplined.” At that moment, three guards and the attendant came in the front door. It was the same group that was at the hospital. I continued. “No, you instill respect by showing them what respect is.” The guards immediately drew their weapons.

“Let her go, Cas,” the senior guard said as the attendant ran and ducked behind her counter. “No need to make things worse.”

“You do know who I am, right?” he growled, looking over his shoulder at the guard.

“I know who you were,” he said. “I have in my possession a decree from the Court declaring you unfit for the nobility.” He pulled out a paper from his pouch and began reading from it. “All of your wealth and status is now bestowed upon your first born, Felicity Skye Fellington, or an individual of the court’s determination should she refuse. You, Casanova Crassius Fellington, are hereby under arrest for behaviour unbecoming of nobility, assault upon nobility, domestic assault, conspiracy to defraud the nobility, and treason.”

“I demand proof of those allegations!” the male cheetah growled as the two lower guards pried his hands off of Felicity, who immediately ran behind me. The guards bound his hands behind his back and forcibly walked him out of the building.

“Your daughter is all the proof we need,” the senior guard told him. Once the guards had her father out of the building, she walked to the guard.

“Who pressed the charges?” she asked.

“The declaration was initiated by the Honorable Clemence Highwater and signed by five other members of the nobility,” he told her. “Now, how he came to know of everything is beyond my knowledge.”

“I think I know how,” she said, smiling. “How long do I have before deciding whether I want his stature?” she then asked him.

“Uh, let’s see,” he said, looking over the document. “Five days,” he said, pointing to a place on the paper. “You’ll have to talk to Mr. Bradshaw about it.”

“Does it happen to mention what happens to me if I refuse it?” she then asked. He poured over the document to see.

“No, it doesn’t,” he said. “Mr. Bradshaw could probably tell you.”

“I see,” she said. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure and my duty,” he said, bowing slightly. “Any other questions?”

“Just one,” she said. “How did you know we were here?”

“One of your concierges said you and your father were here when we went to your home,” he said. “Also, we happened to be the guards the attendant ran into for help.”

“Oh,” she said. “That makes sense. Thank you, again.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, walking out of the door. She turned to me and began trembling.

“You okay?” I asked, pulling her into a hug.

“I will be,” she said. “I just don’t know what to do now.”

“Well, did you mean what you said earlier?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she said. “But I’ll be expected to accept his stature. Plus,” she nuzzled into my chest, “the Court could just determine that I’m who gets it anyway if I refuse, although Mr. Clemence already knows I don’t want it.”

“I take it you and the old judge are familiar with each other?” I asked. She nodded.

“Yeah,” she said. “I’ve vented to him a lot. It’s how he knew of Father beating me.”

“I see,” I said.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “But now, I need to talk to you about what I’ve been meaning to for the past couple of nights.”

“So, earlier wasn’t all of it?” I asked.

“Well, yes and no,” she said. “That bit about you getting me away?” she looked up into my eyes. “That was in case Mr. Clemence couldn’t get the support for that declaration. I really want to refuse the title of my father, but I’m afraid that will leave me with no place to stay, as my home is part of my father’s status.”

“How do I fit into that?” I asked.

“May I move in with you?” she asked. “I’ll earn my keep, I promise.”

“You do realize my home is under repair and I myself am having to stay with a friend, right?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. “If I’m right about being forced out, then once I decide, they have to give me a week to move out.”

“It may take a month or more for my home to be livable again,” I said.

“I know,” she sighed. “I’ll help your friend in the meantime.”

“I’ll talk to him about it,” I said. “The place is already crowded.”

“Thanks,” she said, pecking me on the cheek. “Walk me home?”

“Of course,” I said, ushering her outside.

We walked to her home in the Noble District in silence. I thought about trying to talk her into keeping her father’s estate, but decided against it, since to her it’s likely a painful thing to keep. Plus, each time I looked over at her, she appeared to be deep in thought herself. Given how her fortunes had suddenly just changed, it doesn’t surprise me.

When we walked up, an elderly female dog was standing outside the front door.

“Madam,” she greeted Felicity. “We’ve only just received the news about your father.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I’m still in shock, myself.”

“Shall we expect you to take up his station?” the old woman asked.

“I still need to think on it,” the younger girl said. “You know I’ve no desire for it, Sadie.”

“Oh, I know,” her servant said. “But you must think of us, too. If you don’t take up your father’s place, we may well lose our livelihood.”

“I’m sure that whoever takes his place will retain you all,” Felicity said. “I mean, you’re such a wonderful staff. I’ve no idea why anyone wouldn’t want to keep you all here.”

“Well,” Sadie walked up to Felicity, “some of the younger staff may only stay if you take up his station. Also,” the elder took the younger’s hands, “you’re the daughter I never got to have.”

“And you’re the mother I’ve gotten to know,” Felicity said, smiling. “But as I’ve said, I need time to think over what all is best for everyone, myself included.”

“I understand, child,” the old maid said. “Come, let me wash those tears away.” And with that, they entered the residence.

I contemplated seeing if Jacob was okay with me checking on Macy, but I was tired from everything that went on. I instead came back here to try and get some rest. Everyone had retired to bed when I arrived, so I’m sitting here enjoying some quiet whilst I write this. Tomorrow, I’ll see if Heather would be okay with coming here. I can’t in good conscious leave Gladia and Starlight here in Johan’s care just so I can keep Heather happy. I’m reminded now why I’ve always tried to avoid women’s drama. But I guess it can’t always be avoided.