FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 7.4, Proclamations

Sandoval's 'apartment' was actually little more than the top floor of an abandoned cloth warehouse but he had managed to make it welcoming enough for the short time he'd planned to stay there. Then again, he hadn't really expected to have guests. The swordsman motioned to the two crates covered with linens he had used as a bed. "You may set him there."

The three scholars, although injured themselves helped move the limping Coyote to the indicated spot. Despite the severity of the combat they'd seen, Sandoval admired the fact that they had escaped with only moderate wounds. A lot of it he attributed to the heroism of the only armored warrior among them but, then again, the blind man was uncannily accurate with his thrown concoctions.

Sandoval was pulled from his musings by the Shepherd-Husky mix scholar who took a seat beside the Coyote. "We need some fresh bandages."

The blind man turned aside to the Wolf-Husky who was holding his arm as a guide. "There's the faint smell of smoke... cook fire maybe? We need to find it if we're going to boil some rags, Rolly."

Sandoval made it easy, motioning for the benefit of the silver-furred scholar. "The hearth is behind the boxes there, sir. But I already have a fine collection of bandages at the ready... the box to your left should have more than enough."

He considered his ability to get along with the scholars to be of great benefit. When he'd first spied them they had been fighting off Bartholomeu's lackeys; he'd watched the whole thing from the third story window of the miller's windmill. It was a quick trip down to ground level thanks to one of Bart's henchmen, a particularly plump boar; landing on him certainly made for a dramatic entrance.

His thoughts were disrupted yet again as the rest of the group finally caught up. "I'm surprised to see you back in Vallara, Sandoval."

The swordsman bowed, "Perhaps it is simply for no reason other than because I enjoy reminiscing so very much, Lady Farika."

Sandoval had encountered her when he and the scholars had gone to the militia barracks in attempt to retrieve the other members of his new friends' group... apparently the Otter and Dragon had been arrested due to the civil unrest. What they found upon arriving however was that Farika had seen to their release; it WAS rather helpful to be on the good side of the seneshel of the Arnswold Estate. He counted himself one of those as well.

The Bat walked up and gave him a hug. "Father said he had a feeling you'd be back in town soon."

The swordsman smiled, returning the embrace. "Ah... your father has an insight few men can match, Little Princess."

The white Dragon, who'd been introduced to him as 'Crook' took a step forward. "I assume this man can be trusted then, Miss Farika?"

The Otter crossed her arms and her face took on a familiar smugness. Although Sandoval hadn't recognized her for all the years since he'd met her, it all came back at her next comment. "Trust is a little too strong of a word."

Several eyes turned to look at her but it was Sandoval who spoke up in response. "The years have done nothing to dispel your beauty, Sahjah."

Crook continued watching the Otter. "Sajhah?"

She nodded, "My name... before it was changed... when he sold me to the Bone Tribe for passage through their lands."

The swordsman slowly disengaged from Farika. He knew his reasons for having done so, but there was no response he could possibly give to rid himself of the stares he gained from the gathering. In the end, he settled on honesty. "My options were limited to death or slavery, Sajhah... I knew you were strong."

The Otter woman bristled slightly, but she recovered quickly. "All so you could continue working for that horrible woman?"

Sandoval was surprised when Farika came to his aid. "HE is the reason my father and I are still alive."

Sajhah didn't seem convinced. "And apparently he's the reason I'm alive as well... such a pity that I couldn't be set up in some fine manor and given the adoration of an entire town. Ah well... that is life, I suppose."

The swordsman stepped between the two. "Ladies, please. I am at fault for much evil in this world-- sometimes for the sake of following orders--" he glanced first to the Otter, "and sometimes for the sake of doing good." his gaze returned to Farika.

The injured Coyote spoke up while the dark furred Mutt began wrapping his leg. "Did you really sell Sada into slavery?"

Sandoval nodded slowly and returned his gaze to her. "All I ask is that you understand that I regret the pain it had caused. Given the option of slaughtering you like she did to the rest of your party and giving you over to the Bone Tribe, I took the coward's route and left your fate to the Jackals."

The Otter woman rose up to her full, short height, putting on the airs of a noble woman as she stated simply, "Yes... yes you did." She turned and swept out of the room. The White Dragon looked to him for a moment before turning and following Sajhah.

The blind Scholar smirked speaking up from where he was seated on a crate. "She likes you... I can tell."

Although still hurt by the memories of his past, Sandoval was quick to replace his sorrow with a smirk at the man's declaration. "Is that so? How can you tell, my friend? Because I am still alive?"

"No... because she left in a tizzy... if she didn't like you she would have stuck around and bitched."

The comment got the blind scholar a light punch to his shoulder from the Wolf-Dog beside him. "It's reasons like THAT why other scholars think you can't play nice, Shew."

The Human responded with a smirk. "Well... at least YOU know I can play nice, don't you, Rolly?"

The Coyote let out a wince, leaning back as the Mutt by his side tightened the bandage around his thigh. "That's good, Alvis... thank you... I'll be fine."

The Dog, Alvis, by name apparently looked around, "Mr. De La Rocha was right... there's more than enough here to bandage everyone... Joshew? Did you need me to look at that cut on your arm?"

Alvis continued addressing everyone's wounds while Sandoval sat down next to a crate, using it as a table as Farika laid out a collection of papers atop it and reviewed her plan. Once she had gone over the basics, he attempted to paraphrase, surprised by what he heard. "So... your father sent you to the barracks to retrieve Nicole's companions before Bartholomeu could attempt anything?"

She nodded. "Yes... and between the two from the jail and the scholars you gathered that only leaves the Fox they shipped to Dr. Brownell's."

Sandoval cleared his throat. "And... ah... where is Nicole now, exactly?"

Farika's eyes migrated up to his face; he could tell she was appraising him. Her next words confirmed it. "If what Father says is true, you know she is going to try and kill you if she sees you, don't you?"

Sandoval put on his most winning smile he could manage. "My dear Farika, when have you ever known me to be anything other than a daredevil?"

Sighing, the Bat woman shrugged. "I don't know why I even try. Fine... follow us to the Doctor's and then, if you REALLY want I'll bring you to see her."

He nodded, smile disappearing. "Excellent. I thank you. In return, I promise not to let her shoot me inside the manor... we both know how difficult it is to get blood out of a fine carpet."

She rolled her eyes. "You're such a gentleman."

"I know."