Down in the Valley- Part I
It is possible to get what you want, but it comes at a price. That was what I discovered during a fateful trip to Africa. My name is Ralph Walter Travers. I'm a Fennec Fox serving with the King's African Rifles. I'm about to go into in a fierce battle in Italy and I can't deny that I'm scared. My paws shake as I try to load my service revolver while my ears are filled with the sound of machine gun fire and mortar shells exploding. You may wonder how a fur of my breed and background ended up in such a situation? Well, it was a sordid and sorry tale that brought me here. After leaving school in London, I took a civil service entrance exam and worked for the British colonial administration in Africa. I was single and cubless. Not having a family enabled me to travel more freely and I claimed that my unmarried status was down to my work. In reality, I chose not to share the actual reason to my colleagues out of fear of imprisonment. By 1939 it was becoming obvious that war was about to rage in Europe, but I had been shipped to Kenya to continue my work for the colonial office. Kenya was new territory to me. I'd worked in Southern Rhodesia for several years but my superior told me that the European community in Kenya was quite different. The British canines and felines I'd encountered in Rhodesia were mostly working breeds. They'd moved to Africa to seek their fortune in the mines or working on the railways. The furs in Kenya comprised of the Aristocracy, or rather Aristocrats in exile. Realising that their status in Britain was dwindling, they had moved to villas in the Kenyan suburbs or ranches out in the hills. I received a posting in Nyeri. It was a picturesque town, surrounded by orange savanna and towering green mountains. The local furs were mostly Antelope and Zebra but hearing British accents was not uncommon. I often observed British furs being chauffeured to the social club opposite my office. The females wore expensive evening gowns and the men were clad in suits. My work was far less glamourous. I was stationed in a small office no bigger than a broom cupboard. It was hot, stuffy and dull. I sank into a routine of working at my desk then retiring to bed as the sun went down. Wireless reports detailing the invasions of Poland and France provided something interesting to listen to, but the war felt far away at that stage. The only contact I had was with my surly feline secretary who disappeared at the end of the day without saying goodbye. I soon grew bored and considered requesting a new posting. However, the situation got interesting when I plucked up my courage and went for a drink at the social club one evening. The interior of the club was a jumbled contrast of wicker chairs, worn wooden tables with a polished tiled floor and art deco lighting. The ceiling was hidden by a stratospheric layer of cigarette smoke. Jazz music crackled from an old phonograph in the corner. I spent the first half of the evening sitting alone at the bar, nursing a whisky. I was about to leave when a trio walked in. I turned and saw a tall and handsome white tundra Wolf with brilliant blue eyes. He glanced at me with curiosity before he took a seat nearby. He was followed by a red Fox with a female black Cougar hanging off his arm. She was talking loudly as if to announce her arrival. I was intrigued to hear that her accent was American. They sat behind me, laughing and chatting. "Excuse me" I heard the Fox call. I turned to face him. "Join us!" He said. I hesitated before smiling and taking a seat at their table. "You're new?" The Fox inquired "I haven't seen a Fennec in here before". He spoke with a drawling, upper class accent. "Yes. I arrived last month" I explained. "I'm Hugo Marlish" he said, extending a paw. "Ralph Travers" I replied as I took it. He attempted to clasp my paw in a firm grip but his paw-pads were clammy. The Cougar introduced herself as Lois Donoghue and the Wolf was called Giles Lockhart. I studied the three of them. Both Hugo and Lois were dressed formally. Hugo sported a grey double breasted suit with a black knitted tie. Lois was wearing an expensive looking blue dress with a string of pearls around her neck. She inserted a cigarette into a holder and puffed smoke up at the ceiling. She was glamourous and would not have looked out of place in a Hollywood feature. However, her shrill laugh and over the top manner soon began to grate on me. There was also a rather intense expression in her black eyes. I sensed there was something wild lurking beneath the pretty exterior. Giles was dressed in a beige linen jacket and a white shirt with half the buttons undone. I could see his furry, muscular chest. I hoped he had not caught me looking, but I remember glancing up to see his bright blue eyes gazing back at me. "What brings you here?" He asked. Like Hugo, he sounded well-spoken but his voice was a resonate baritone. Hugo and Lois were no longer playing me any attention and were laughing raucously at each other's jokes. I told Giles about my work as a civil servant and he nodded with interest. I asked what his business was. He explained that he had originally moved to Kenya to help manage a tobacco farm owned by his father. He grew bored of that and found work as a bush pilot. I could not help but stare right into his deep blue eyes. They seemed to change like an ocean tide as he spoke about his experiences flying in Africa. He described the awe inspiring beauty of the endless savanna, the crystal blue sky and the immense mountain ranges you could see from the air. I was captivated by his stories and suddenly felt glad I had gone out for a drink. Lois spent the evening hanging off Hugo's arm, but I thought I saw her sneaking glances at Giles too. I asked Giles if he maintained a plan nearby and Lois' eyes narrowed a fraction. Giles said that he could take me on a flight sometime to see the sights. He assured me that it was better to experience it in person. "You've never taken me!" Lois exclaimed, putting on a tone of false outrage. Although she had tried to pass the comment off as a joke I remember her eyes carried a hint of malevolence. Eventually, Hugo seemed to remember that I was sitting opposite him. He announced that they should leave but insisted that I spend the weekend at a ranch up in the Aberdare Range owned by their friends, the Gilmartin's. "Oh, I don't want to intrude" I replied. "Nonsense! We always enjoy having guests. A new face might liven things up" Hugo said with a grin. I glanced over at Giles. His eyes were trying to tell me something but I was unsure what. "That's very kind. I'm on leave this weekend in fact" "Splendid. I'll have a car sent to pick you up" Hugo explained. He gave me a rather effete wave and walked away with Lois in tow. Giles looked back and smiled warmly at me before making his way out. I can't say that I was taken by either of Hugo and Lois' personalities, but I'd been craving a chance to get away from the claustrophobic confines of my office. I was also determined to see Giles again. Something drew me to the Wolf that I could not put my paw on. The next morning a white Rolls Royce Phantom III showed up outside my quarters with an African Wild Dog behind the wheel. He introduced himself as Bandile and took my suitcase. The drive up to the Gilmartin's place took twenty minutes. Initially, the landscape was flat but as the road began to ascend up to Aberdare valley, I could not help but marvel at the sights. The road twisted through a vast expanse of greenery. The hills towered up on either side of the road and the sun illuminated the lush foliage. The Gilmartin's lived on a white painted ranch that was nestled in the hills. It was a beautiful yet isolated spot that offered glorious views over the valley basin that lay below. The lawn was typically English, neatly manicured with a croquet lawn and bed of roses near the front door. The lawn sloped down, ending with a sheer drop into the valley. A pair of Antelopes were cutting the grass while another Wild Dog appeared to retrieve my suitcase from the car. A Border Collie couple were standing on the veranda, watching as I climbed out. The male Collie walked down and took my paw in an assertive grip "Welcome to paradise! You must be the Fennec that Mr. Lockhart was telling us about. I'm Denys Gilmartin" he introduced himself "and this is my wife Elizabeth". Like Hugo, Denys spoke with a drawling voice but the grip of his paw was firmer. He was dressed in a linen suit and a crisp white shirt. I remember Elizabeth as a pretty and petite canine who smelt strongly of lavender. However, she looked down her muzzle at me as Denys introduced us. "And what do you do Mr. Travers?" She asked. I explained that I worked as a civil servant. "Oh. I see" she replied, forcing a polite but unconvincing smile as she struggled to say anything diplomatic. Denys led me into the house. The interior could have been transported from an English country estate. There was an Axminster rug on the living room floor, floral oil paintings on the walls and a large fireplace guarded by two stone lions. Denys explained that Hugo, Lois and Giles had already arrived. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Elizabeth scowl at the mention of Lois' name. "We're expecting other guests to arrive later" Denys had continued "I like to hold social gatherings up here. In the meantime do make yourself at home". Little did I know what Denys' definition of a "social gathering" was at that point. A female Antelope in a maid's uniform showed me to my bedroom. It was a bright, airy room at the front of the house. It had a window overlooking the valley and I threw the shutters wide to take stock of the view. The sunlight streamed in and I felt glad to have accepted Hugo's offer. Once I had unpacked I made my way downstairs to find Hugo, Lois and Giles waiting in the front room. We walked out to the garden and Hugo suggested that we play croquet together. We played for an hour and spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in lawn chairs, drinking iced lemonade. Hugo threw back his head and brayed with laughter as Lois joked with him, but I also noticed her glancing surreptitiously at Giles. I decided that Hugo was too drippy for my taste and decided to stand closer to Giles for company. I noticed the Rolls Royce coming and going as it ferried new guests to the house. I watched as a white Ermine couple arrived followed by a pair of Brown Labradors. Eventually, the maid returned and announced that dinner would soon be served in the house and that Denys would like us to dress formally. I made my way to my room and changed into a tuxedo I'd brought with me. My shirt was a little crumpled but it had to do. Downstairs, the men were also dressed in their tuxedos apart from the male Labrador who sported a green military parade uniform. The females wore evening gowns adorned with expensive jewellery. At the table I was introduced to the Ermines, James and Edith Blythe. The Labrador was called Major John Norton (he was keen to stress Major to me). His companion turned out to be his fiancé, Dianne Haigh, although I thought she looked young enough to be his offspring. We were served dinner by the Antelope staff. I noticed they wore nervous expressions and avoided eye contact with the guests. The conversation at the table was polite and refined at first, but the atmosphere grew louder as more drink was consumed. Major Norton clearly thought himself the Alpha male of the group and ensured that his booming voice was heard above everyone else's. Lois continued to shriek with laughter, downing glass after glass of wine. I noticed that Elizabeth shot her irritated glares whenever she laughed. Lois never seemed to notice. Her eyes were fixed on Giles. Once the meal was finished, Denys told us to congregate on the veranda. More alcohol was served as we sat to watch the sun set over the valley. I remember holding a glass of brandy in my paw and staring in amazement as the sky changed colour. The deep blue melted into an intense shade of red. The twilight set in as the moon peered out from behind the hills, bathing the valley in a soft, silvery glow. I was so transfixed that I'd failed to notice everyone had gone back inside. Eventually, I made my way back into the house to find everyone drinking and laughing in the front room. The mood took a sudden and bizarre turn. Dianne was clearly tipsy and flashed her cleavage at Denys, seemingly not bothered that Major Norton was sitting nearby. Meanwhile, Mr Blythe was unwrapping a package of shisha, boasting to Elizabeth that he had brought it all the way down from Tunisia. There was a crash as Elizabeth dropped her glass to the floor. She giggled without a care. Hugo tipped back his head and laughed. He threw his glass into the fireplace before pouring himself and Elizabeth more wine, allowing the empty bottle to roll across the floor. Denys and Dianne were walking out of the room arm in arm. Her eyes were staring at him hungrily. Above the din I heard raised voices in the dining room. I peered around the doorway and saw Giles arguing with a drunken Lois. She screamed something incomprehensible and stormed off. Mrs Blythe was been standing by the fireplace, a glass of port in her hand. She grinned slyly and beckoned me over. I backed away. Hugo, Mr Blythe and Elizabeth were smoking a hookah pipe and reclining in their chairs. Elizabeth was fixing Hugo flirtatious looks through the haze. I tried retreating upstairs, wanting to get away. I heard noises coming from the bedroom next to mine. The door was ajar and I glanced in. I saw Dianne lying on a bed, moaning in pleasure as Denys thrusted aggressively into her. I hurried down the steps and raced out onto the veranda, gasping at the night air as if I had just surfaced from deep water. To my surprise, Giles Lockhart was standing outside. He was dressed in an elegant white Tuxedo and was gazing fixedly out into the night, as if trying to take his mind off what was going on in the house. He turned as I approached. "Welcome to the mad house" he said, fixing me a humourless smile. "Is that why they invited me up here. To join in their sordid activities?" I asked. He shrugged. "Why aren't you inside?" I asked, thinking the question sounded silly. "If you want the honest answer, I only socialise with these furs as I grew up with some of them. My father is a friend of the Mr. Gilmartin. But I hate it up here. They have no sense of shame or self-respect. They have nothing to do but indulge in drink and sex to pass the time" he sighed "when they're not making love to their mates, they're fucking each other's" he added, grinning for a moment at how delightfully vulgar the word sounded. "Yet if I acted on my feelings I'd be considered abnormal" he added bitterly. I walked over and stood by him, clasping the railing with my paws. We stood in an awkward silence, the calm night air was occasionally interrupted by a squeal or cackle of laughter from the house. "Why don't we go somewhere quiet?" I suggested. He nodded and led me down the front lawn. "Lois keeps trying to start an affair with me, but frankly, she's chasing the wrong canine" Giles explained with a wry smile. "Does Hugo know about this?" I asked. "Probably" he replied nonchalantly. "How did an American feline end up here of all places?" "Hugo found her in Paris. She had travelled to Europe from New York and was working as a muse for some artist friend of his. They went to London together before moving to his father's place in Kenya. Since the war began they've been trapped here. I think it's driving her mad. Her way of releasing her emotions is to join in these parties the Gilmartin's hold or flirt with me". We walked until we reached the very edge. The ruckus in the house had faded and suddenly we were in peace. A full moon shone down on us like a giant mirror. I remember a cool breeze blowing up through the valley and Giles swishing his tail into mine. At first I thought it was an accident but he swished again. I smiled and did it back. A flurry of emotions gushed through my mind. Surprise, confusion and then excitement. Giles turned to face me. "Whenever they invite guests up here I warn them not to come. But with you I sensed something different. I wanted to get to know you better. I just wish the circumstances were nicer, but I got a feeling you were..." he struggled to find a word. I didn't say anything. Instead I took hold of his paw, closed my eyes and kissed him in the moonlight. I broke off as I heard drunken laughter from somewhere behind us. Giles took hold of my paw and led me to a dark spot near the edge. We lay down as I shed my jacket. Giles unbuttoned my shirt before removing his. He straddled over me, his blue eyes glimmered and his soft white tail wagged with contentment. Holding my arms gently, he went down for another kiss. I closed my eyes as his tongue stroked the roof of my mouth. He reached down and slipped a paw under my slacks. He continued kissing me as he stroked my balls and sheath. I had not felt this sort of pleasure in years. I moaned and yipped as he continued stroking. Giles smiled as he unbuttoned my slacks and began licking my balls and member. I gritted my teeth and squirmed limply as his rough tongue continued to stimulate me. He was gentle yet passionate and I moaned as he continued licking. I felt a surging sensation and I came into his muzzle. Giles swallowed a load and the remainder splashed over my stomach. I reclined back on the grass and panted as Giles lay down beside me. He smiled as his blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight. My initial revulsion at the party had completely vanished. For the first time in years I felt like I was in heaven. "Giles! Are you down here?" A voice called. We sat bolt upright and tried to pull our clothes back on. I was horribly aware of the sticky mess on my fur as I buttoned my shirt up. I looked up to see Lois stomping down the garden. "Should we hide?" I whispered. However, with Giles' tall and white form it was almost impossible to crouch down, even in the darkness. Lois had seen us and was tottering in our direction. "What... what are you doing?" She asked. Her speech was slurred and barely coherent.
She stumbled and Giles lurched forwards, stopping her from falling over the edge. "Let's get you back to the house" he said. He cast me a regretful glance as he'd carried Lois back up to the house. I'd sighed in frustration, sat down on the grass and continued to gaze up at the silver moon. I wondered how I'd stumbled into such a surreal situation. The next day I made sure I was thoroughly clean and my way outside to find everyone taking breakfast on the veranda. The food was served by the unsmiling house staff. After last night I could understand why they looked unhappy. The conversation at the table was civilised and polite as if the drinking had never happened. "Anyone seen Miss Donoghue?" Denys eventually asked. Everyone around the table shrugged and claimed they had not. "Maybe she's still in bed?" Major Norton boomed. "No. Lois never came to bed" Hugo replied "she's probably wondered off somewhere. She's done that before but came back after a couple of days". I was surprised at how blasé he seemed. Giles explained that the last time he had seen her was during the party. Casually avoiding our intimate moment on the lawn, he had explained that he'd taken Lois up to her room and sat her on the bed to sober up. He had checked on her again ten minutes later but she had wondered off. After breakfast the staff sniffed about the garden to no avail. Denys, Hugo, Norton and Giles went off for a quick search of their own but came back with nothing. "She'll be back. I'm sure of it" Hugo remarked with a shrug. With that, everyone had continued on with the day as if nothing was wrong. I was sure that I heard Elizabeth muttering "I found that girl far too brash anyway" as she left the table. I asked Giles if it was still possible to go flying. I still felt uneasy and wanted to get away from the house. He hesitated, but said yes. We had done all we could for now and everyone had hoped that Hugo's prediction of her returning would come true. I promised him that we would keep our eyes peeled for any sign of Lois and he shrugged impassively. Giles was waiting for me by his Chevrolet convertible. We drove down the valley road and as soon as the ground levelled out, the Wolf planted his hind-paw on the gas pedal and we sped along with the wind howling over the windshield. I remember feeling bewildered at Hugo's indifferent manner to Lois' disappearance but also intrigued by Elizabeth's apparent dislike of her. However, as Giles and I sped along the dusty road my worries momentarily melted away as I looked forward to our flying excursion. I turned to him and grinned. His blue eyes shone back at me as they reflected in the glorious sunshine. If only that moment of bliss could have lasted. What happened later turned my blood to ice.