FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

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CHAPTER 28

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"Hoo-yah!" Jason bellowed, appearing with number small goblets and a bottle, obviously not of Zangarian origin, of strong alcohol. "Time to get this party started!

I chuckled and waited as he poured the drinks, it was good to just hang out with them again. Other than Aceh and occasionally Cody I hadn't seen them for a while.

They were all in good spirits and from what Eric had told me, were soon were going to be opening a stall in the market place selling the few wares that we had left in the wagons. Eric was confident that he had a few wares that would be rare around Zangar and would fetch a decent profit.

I had almost forgotten that Eric had given a considerable amount of his savings to the restoration of Rengilar*, and they had to make a living somehow.

I remembered the pouch of coins, a small fortune to be honest, I had found in Xerxes Anaris's chest last night. Anything in that chest belonged to me now apparently, some sort of Anaris tradition. Truthfully none of it felt like it belonged to me, and I wasn't comfortable just taking the coin to use for myself, not without a good reason at least. If I was to use that coin it would be spent on something as worth while as my friends. They had given me so much, much more than that pouch was worth, it was theirs if they needed it.

We had spent the day in the tavern, well it was nearly midday by the time I woke up and headed into town to find them, and now we were waiting patiently for our dinner to be served. The tavern was getting busier and busier, small groups of warriors still clad in their leather armour were filing in more frequently now, intent on unwinding after a hard day.

I wasn't sure if I was being paranoid, but I thought I saw a few of them shoot a less than desirable look our way. I had to assume that they were taking umbrage to either Jason's loud antics, or my friends presence here.

I knew I wouldn't have to worry about their safety if any of them started a fight, Aceh was here not to mention Jason and Michael. Both of which were considerably stronger looking than most of the dragons and knew how to handle themselves in a fight.

But that wouldn't stop me from being first in line to beat the snot out of any dragon who dared to insult, or Asurmen forbid, try and and hurt my friends. I tried to ignore the dirty looks as best I could, losing myself in another one of Jason's dirty and particularly sexual stories.

The looks persisted, but were not constant, I would notice a dragon staring and they would immediately stop. At least no one tried anything.

After dinner Eric said he was going to bed, Aceh escorted him, while Cody Michael and Jason all appeared to have no intention of stopping. I was tempted to stay and join them, but I knew I had to get up early for training tomorrow, and I was wanting to know if there was any news about my joining the adepts training from Kassius. So I said my farewells and promised not to leave it so long before seeing them again next time.

I had a pleasant buzz as I walked home, the alcohol making me feel pleasantly relaxed, I was so relaxed I didn't notice the two armed guards standing at attention at the entrance to the Anaris household before they intercepted my path. Their spears held across one another, making the their intent to stop me from passing clear. Suddenly faced with these two unfamiliar dragons, taking their interception as a hostile act, my nen began to flare in response and theirs flared up as well but they retained a posture that gave no intention to attack.

"What is this!?" I demanded.

"We have orders to detain you upon sight." The one on the right said.

A quick glance at his shoulder guard told me all I needed to know about him. He was a warrior adept, fire bender, and he was considerably stronger than Cairn had been if the strength of his nen was anything to go by. The other, his nen probably on par with Cairn's, was also a fire bender and both were armed with spears and clad in leather armour.

"Why?" I asked, my tone less than respectful.

"We are under orders from General Ortavia to detain you and escort you to him." The one on the right answered. Since he was answering the questions I could only assume he was the one in charge.

"I want to talk to my father!"

"He is with the General."

"Then lets go!" I snorted, letting my nen recede back within me.

Surprisingly enough they led me into the house, I wondered if there were any other patrols out looking for me. Despite their sudden appearance they had been courteous and polite, so I guess the fact I was cooperating was all they needed.

A short walk to the dining room both warriors took positions on either side of the double doors, standing to attention. I heard some voices inside and with a deep breath to steady my nerves and I opened the doors and stepped inside.

All talk immediately ceased and everyone in the room turned their attention to me. General Ortavia, Callidus and my father stood round the table, Jovani stood in the corner of the room. Kaldor and Ortavia stood at either end of the table, Callidus stood in the middle, acting as an intermediary if the agitated expressions of Kaldor and Ortavia was anything to go by.

"What is going on?" I asked, trying to keep calm. "Why was I 'escorted' here?

"What's going on?" General Ortavia snorted, walking up to me. "That's what I want to know boy!" He yelled, spitting his saliva onto my muzzle as he spoke.

"Mind your tone Ortavia!" Kaldor growled. "You will speak to my son with respect!"

"Respect?" Ortavia laughed. "The same respect that he has shown my warriors?"

"What are you... oh..." I suddenly realised what this was about, and I was really hoping I was wrong about my assumption.

"Yes... oh!" Ortavia snorted. "You assaulted three of my warriors, giving them quite a beating I might add! I would like an explanation!"

"I told you to watch your tone Ortavia! NOW BACK OFF!!" I felt Kaldor's nen flare slightly, his nen felt like a raging fire, on the brink of becoming an inferno.

Ortavia huffed and went back to his original place at the end of the table opposite Kaldor.

"I think if we ask him, Malakye could provide an explanation that could explain everything." Callidus suggested, the voice of reason in the room.

"I could." I said with a sigh, I wanted to do nothing more. "But I can't tell you."

"WHAT!?" Ortavia snarled.

I closed my eyes and pictured the scene, how weak and vulnerable Kassandra had looked. She had sworn me to secrecy, and I have no intention of breaking her trust no matter how much I wanted to save myself right now. Those ass-holes deserved to be punished, whether it was by General Ortavia or by Kassandra herself, but I would not betray the trust she had given me. No matter what it cost me.

"I cannot tell you what happened. All I can say is that they deserved a lot worse than a simple beating!"

All three of them stared at me, with varying degrees of surprise. I don't think I could blame them for that. I stood there braced for whatever fall out was going to come from this.

"What fucking nonsense is this!" Ortavia snarled.

"General!" Kaldor growled.

"NO! No-no-no-no-no-NO!" Ortavia raged, slamming his fists against the polished wooden table. "This will not stand Kaldor, I don't care if he is your son or not! I cannot! will not! Permit this kind of behaviour!"

"You..." Kaldor began but was silenced when Callidus raised a paw.

He levelled his gaze at me, his cold blue eyes meeting mine, unlike the other two he was completely calm. I was not sure if that was in my favour or not, but he was the only one going to be able to salvage this situation without it broiling down to fight I feared.

"Kaldor, calm down. You as well General, your behaviour is most unbecoming a dragon of your position." The two of them seemed to calm, their anger not receding but seemingly suppressed for the moment as Callidus spoke down to them. "Now there are procedures for this kind of thing."

"Thank you Callidus, finally some sense." Ortavia smirked.

"Please allow me to finish General." Callidus's tone suggested he wouldn't be taking any further interruptions kindly. "Now." He said turning his attention back to me. "I would say that arresting the son of a House of Anaris would be unseemly, and I'm certain, entirely unnecessary."

"What do you mean?" Ortavia asked.

"We as the leaders of Zangar must show a united front, and I can tell you now that Kaldor will not allow you to take his son to the cells."

"Damn right I won't!" Kaldor seethed, glaring at Ortavia, standing with his arms crossed.

"And I know you won't let this crime go unanswered, without a reasonable explanation." He looked from Ortavia to me, suggesting that what ever was going to happen wouldn't if I would just tell them.

"Of course I won't!"

"And that is reasonable, it would be scandalous seemingly allow a member of a house away with a crime." Callidus looked at me again. "So I propose that Malakye is placed under house arrest. He may not leave the Anaris household without suitable supervision, until his hearing is held. Does that sound reasonable to everyone here?"

There was a long silence in the room.

"Kaldor?"

"Fine..." Kaldor huffed. "But I'm still not happy about this."

"Duly noted. Ortavia?"

"I can agree to that... if he is placed in galician* bands."

"What!? You can't..." Kaldor growled, but was cut short by Callidus once again.

"It is a reasonable request Kaldor, and perhaps we should ask Malakye?" Callidus suggested, Kaldor turning away and huffed. "Malakye, would you agree to wear them?"

"What are they?"

"Put simply, they will suppress and prevent you from being able to use your nen while you wear the bands."

I felt a little uneasy about that. If I was to get into a fight with another bender, I very much doubt I'd be able to defend myself. But I suppose that was the point. Ortavia didn't want me to go round attacking his guards, or attacking the guards that would be 'escorting' me if I wanted to leave the house.

"How long would I have to wear them?" I asked.

"Until your hearing, and I'd have little doubts it would be longer than a day or two. After that I'm afraid I don't know."

"What is this hearing?"

"The hearing is held by a council seven dragons, one of which must be head of one of the Zangarian Households. They will listen to the evidence presented, and shall decide if the individuals are guilty or their actions justified." Callidus explained. "Since Kaldor has a vested interest in this case I shall be presiding over the hearing, since I am to be impartial. The remaining members of the hearing will be chosen by Kaldor and Ortavia."

"Okay..." I said, a little overwhelmed at the explanation.

"If I were to advise you Malakye," Callidus began, his tone sounding rather hypothetical. "Agreeing to Ortavia's terms would probably go a long way to show your willingness to cooperate, and such behaviour would be considered during your hearing."

"Callidus..."

"Kaldor, I am giving him the choice. If he refuses then we shall discuss the matter further, but for the moment it is his choice."

I didn't like the sound of this at all, and what ever was going to happen at this hearing... I didn't want to think about it. I could explain, tell them everything that happened, and I have little doubt that I would be freed of this scrutiny and those responsible would be dealt with. Why did I have to go and agree to not say anything?

"Malakye?" Callidus asked, obviously waiting on my answer.

I didn't have a choice right now, I couldn't tell them why I beat those three warriors down without being forced to tell them who it was. They would want to follow up on my story, and if Kassandra was questioned she would know that I had told them, and without any witnesses willing to talk, because I highly doubted that any of those taking part in the rape would side with me.

"I agree." I sighed. "I will wear the restraints." .

"Very good." Callidus nodded. "I take it you are satisfied for the moment General?"

"I am." Ortavia huffed, giving me the evil eye.

"I will arrange the hearing then, I expect your choices for the committee by midday tomorrow." Callidus ordered and with a curt bow he made to leave.

He slowed slightly as he passed me, looked me in the eye and gave a nod. I'm not sure what that nod meant, but it did give me a little comfort, even coming from Callidus himself.

Ortavia on the other paw just stood there staring a hole through me, I was beginning to dislike him more and more, and considering he was talking about potentially offering me Luna's paw in marriage the other day... even if I had been half considering the offer I very much doubt that I'd accept it now. I certainly didn't want him to be that closely related to me either.

"I will send one of my men with the bands shortly." Was all Ortavia said before storming out.

Kaldor blew out a heavy breath, sounding much like a snort, as Ortavia left. Kaldor seemed even less pleased about the whole thing that I did. We stood in silence, only the sound of the fire could be heard in the room.

"Shall I bring some refreshments my Lord?" Jovani asked, stepping from the corner of the room.

"No... yes." Kaldor mumbled. "Bring me something strong to drink, I don't care what it is. My son and I need to talk."

I felt a lump form in my throat, this was going to be unpleasant. At the very least he was going to want to know just what had happened. At the very worst he was going to be mad at me for doing what I did, but in either case he was going to be angry when I continue to tell him that I can't tell him why I did.

He slid a chair out, it screeched noisily on the stone floor, and he slumped down into it. He stared at me and I made my way to the opposite end of the table, wanting to keep as much space as possible between us for the time being. He just stared at me, his intense amber eyes staring at me with a slight scowl, it was unnerving. And quite intimidating. Kaldor was a giant of a dragon, I had only seen one other that even came close to his size but Kaldor was definitely bigger, and he seemed even bigger as I sat there under his gaze.

We sat in silence, even when Jovani appeared. Jovani went about his business, serving us our drinks before departing. I stared at the amber coloured liquid he had poured us, the decanter sitting next to my father at the far end of the table. I watched Kaldor down his drink and pour himself another.

I sniffed the drink, recoiling slightly from the strong smell of alcohol, taking only a sip of it. The liquid burned the back of my throat, overpowering my sense of taste and smell, I coughed slightly. Kaldor downed another shot of it, his gaze still firmly planted on me.

From the ongoing silence it was obvious that Kaldor was waiting for me to speak. But what could I tell him? The truth? If I was able to tell him I would have already. I had sworn to Kassandra, who in a moment of weakness begged me to say nothing, and if I had learned anything in life it was that in the end all you had was your word.

The silence was torture, I would have preferred it if Kaldor had been yelling at me, but he just sat there staring. A stern and angry scowl in his muzzle. Truthfully I didn't know if his anger was directed at me or not, but right now it didn't matter.

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why would you agree to the bands?" He asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" I replied. At least he wasn't trying to get me to explained what happened. "Callidus said..."

"I don't give a damn about what Callidus said!" He growled, slamming his fist on the table making it shift and everything on it jump. "Why would you agree to it?"

"It seemed like the best choice at the time." I sighed. Picking up my drink and taking another sip. It didn't taste so bad this time, and it's bitter taste seemed to distract me from how nervous I was feeling right now.

"Don't you... no I suppose you wouldn't."

"What?" I asked.

"You don't know what those bands represent." He sighed. "I would have preferred that they restrained you with galician* shackles. To willingly accept the bands shows that you acknowledge the fact that your honour has been sullied. If you had been shackled, at least it would show that you still believe your honour was still intact, at least until the hearing decided otherwise."

"Oh." What else could I say? I had no idea there were both bands and shackles, let alone what each represented.

But in a way it almost seemed fitting, almost ironic. If I had told them what had happened, my honour would have been sullied by breaking my word. The fact I had accepted still didn't really bother me, if I had known I'd have requested the shackles, but there was no point complaining about it now.

"So what happened?"

"..." There it was, the dreaded question. "I can't tell you."

"So you said before." He sighed. "Forget that I am Lord Anaris, forget that I am the leader of this village. Right now... I'm simply your father trying to under stand what happened."

His voice was pained, he sounded close to tears even though he didn't look it. And hearing that pain in his voice made me want to tell him all the more. But I still couldn't tell him.

"I can't." I said. "Even if I forget that you are Lord Anaris or that you are the leader of Zangar, I can't tell you... because I swore not to tell you or anyone... but especially you."

"You swore..." He looked visibly hurt to my statement.

"I gave my word."

"Fine... I will accept that, I'm not happy about it, but I can accept it." He said taking another drink. "Just tell me this... no swear to me! Swear to me that you did what you did because you had to, that it was something that you 'had' to do!"

"I swear to you." I said solemnly. "I swear to you that I couldn't just walk away, leave someone in that situation, and live with myself." I could feel the tears building in my eyes now, my vision blurring and the heat of them rolling down my muzzle. "And if I had the chance to do it again I wouldn't have done any different! They deserved everything I did to them... and more." I chocked out the last few words, my voice breaking under the strain my rising emotions.

My emotions got the better of me, everything that had happened hitting me now. The whole weight of the situation I was in finally hitting me. Most of all how I had felt when I had seen Kassandra like that. Her rape had been much worse than my own, but it still brought back all those painful memories. I had buried those feeling earlier, Kassandra had been weak and vulnerable and I had to put up a strong front for her. But now... now I couldn't stop the tears. My emotions bubbling up to the surface. This whole situation was fucked up!

I hadn't heard Kaldor get up, I only realised that he had when I felt his arms wrap themselves round me. I hugged him tight, crying into his massive chest, feeling a better having him here with me.

"Thank you." I heard him whisper.