FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown

Ch 8.1, Rude Awakenings

Other than the orange-colored Dog named Gregory the men that had tried to overpower the group had been placed in the carriage. once they were all inside, Kesst breathed on its doors one after another, the fire he exhaled sealing them tight. After that, Princess Noriene casually urged the group on, putting Gregory out front as they headed up the street on foot.

Despite being somewhat familiar with the ways of the Stone Tribe, Gift-of-the-Earth didn't completely comprehend all of the interplay involved with the group and the men who had stopped them. He also didn't understand why they had met with such a dedicated resistance (dedicated until Kesst showed, anyway.) Despite his ignorance, however, he followed; the feelings of anticipated danger were far too acute for him to ignore them and his traveling companions would surely need his help.

Traveling directly behind their orange-furred guide was the Wolf woman's Bull, Errol, who had taken the riding crop from the carriage and was holding it at the ready. Gift-of-the-Earth had seen enough wagons in his time among the Stone Tribe to know what use it had, but he had never considered it as anything more than what he'd seen its use to be. Behind the Bull walked the Princess and Kesst speaking quietly to one another and seeming much more in-step than they had in the past.

Gift-of-the-Earth walked along at the back of the group with his brother; Roaring-Flood seemed distracted, but it wasn't until the large black Bear spoke up that the jeweler knew exactly what was on his mind. "How will Sanmer find us in this big place?"

Resting a paw on his brother's shoulder, Gift-of-the-Earth reassured him calmly. "The Stone Tribe live in this place... they know it as well as we know our village."

The answer was a straight-forward one but it did the job of calming Roaring-Flood enough that he returned his attention to the present. "It sounds like the people don't want the Wolf woman to get to where we are going."

Gift-of-the-Earth nodded, grunting his agreement. "They thought she was someone she is not... or someone they were led to believe she was... I still do not know."

Theo, who was walking ahead of the Bears with his sister turned to regard him, apparently knowing just enough of the People's Tongue to have an idea of what they were saying to one another. He offered a very haphazard response. "Those men were lied on. Others are who want to stop her."

The female white Weasel beside Theo looked at him with a gasp, speaking in the Stone Tribe tongue. "You speak Tribal?"

The brown Bear answered for him. "He is learning very good. Soon he will speak like it is his first voice."

Metal-Eyes had once told Gift-of-the-Earth that the surest way to earn a man's trust and favor is to help him look good in the eyes of his family. Judging from the smile Theo was suddenly wearing at the praise, it was apparently good advice. They marched on down the strange black pathway until they arrived at the building the group had visited some days past. Gift-of-the-Earth was surprised at how different it looked at night... much more like the foreboding mountain caverns of the Heart-Eaters from his tribe's old stories.

Roaring-Flood must have been thinking the same thing. "This place looks like it is a cursed den of the Unclean."

The Princess had stopped and had turned to regard the group; Gift-of-the-Earth realized she was waiting until they were done speaking before she said anything. The jeweler cleared his throat and waved his brother to silence. The Wolf spoke in an even tone at an even volume, but he could tell she was concerned. "By affiliation, my enemies are also your enemies. Perhaps it did not start that way but they know you have aided me at this point, and so you are assuredly not in their good graces."

They were eloquent words, and, while it was difficult for Gift-of-the-Earth to keep up, his brother simply stopped trying, and busied himself checking to make certain his leather straps, belts, and harness were all in working order. Princess Noriene continued, heedless of Roaring-Flood's inattention. "I do not know how many enemies I have within this house of knowledge, but I intend to find them, and restore the University to good standing. I will not hold you to join me, but I hope you know that our best chance is to stand together, lest we fall separately."

It was the female white Weasel that was first to speak up. She kept her voice subdued to avoid waking the little one in her arms, but her words were sure. "I am pledged to serve you, Princess... and where you go I will help however I can."

Theo, standing beside her, rested a paw on his sister's shoulder as he spoke, delaying only long enough to stick a small wooden stick into his muzzle. "I'm not done dealing with whatever's going on in there, but, whatever it is, I can tell it's not right. As you said, your Highness, the University needs to be restored, and I'd be foolish to just walk away."

The Wolf's eyes slowly found their way to Gift-of-the-Earth. "And you?"

The Bear felt comfortable enough speaking for himself and his brother. "Metal-Eyes, the Bear you called Julius Blackburn was a part of my tribe. He may not have been born of my tribe, but he was like my father. He trusted you, Princess... and so we will trust you too. If you need help in this then we will help you."

The Bull moved the riding crop he carried to his belt and drew out the thunder stick he had taken from one of the men who had stopped the carriage. Turning to the Wolf, he bowed his head. "What is your desire with the University, your Highness?"

The Wolf glanced around at everyone and spoke clearly. "We are going to enter the University and find Professor Milhoy."

Theo seemed taken-aback. "Professor Milhoy? Why?"

The Princess' response was very simple. "He is a high-ranking member of the Mechanists, and is most likely the individual responsible for the attack on my home, the attempts on our lives, and, quite possibly most important, the large crater in the middle of Newport."

Kesst's eye ridges raised. "I thought that was some university experiment gone wrong."

She nodded. "It was sabotage... and, if I were willing to place a bet, I would wager that he had something to do with it."

Theo removed his paw from his sister's shoulder and took a step forward. "Are you sure, your Highness? That is quite an accusation."

The Wolf smirked. "The men attacking my manor had the same tone-activated volatile chemical bomb that created the explosion at the unveiling."

The white Weasel wasn't apparently satisfied. "They were wearing Wyranese colors... weren't they?"

The Princess' grin grew. "Yes... but one of those men had University issued spectacles on. Wyra does not operate clandestine attacks on private parties... not even royalties, my good man... it was subterfuge, clear and simple. Whomever was responsible is in the University, and I still place all my coin on Milhoy."

A voice called to the group from somewhere up above. "That is quite a wager, your Highness."

A Human stood on a section of building jutting out from a large double-door; if Gift-of-the-Earth recalled correctly it was called a 'balcony'. The man was on the slightly heavier side and his hair was well on its way toward graying. Apparently the Princess knew him. "Thank you for making this easy, Professor Milhoy."

The man smiled, and gestured with his hand. "I make no such promises."

A loud, resounding bang preceded a sudden start from Princess Noriene, and she fell backward, clutching her chest. All remained silent for just a split second and then, suddenly: chaos.