She kept her eyes glued to the side streets pushing the thoughts of why to the back of her head. They had forgotten something and it was her duty to return it, lest Elnora sell it. However, in doing so she didn't notice the two in front of her before she slammed into them sending the book flying and Kelkera to the ground.
“Watch it drunker!" The voice called before turning from annoyance to curiosity. “Kera?" Antony said. Kelkera blinked in the darkness, dazed from the sudden impact. There was Antony, she'd recognize his dull monotone voice anywhere and his round form, something he retained from Elnora but next to him was not someone she recognized. In fact whoever it was leaned close to Antony and whispered something she thought was out of Kelkera's earshot.
“Is that the animal who you were talking about?" Her voice held a tinge of disgust and Antony wrapped his arm around her, seemingly unsure of how to answer.
“Uh.. yeah Regina this is Kera. She worked at the Days End with me." He finally said.
“It's Kelkera." Kelkera responded, picking herself off of the ground and looking around for the book. Regina took a precautionary step back from the Vulpine while she looked around.
“It should really watch where it's going." Regina said and Antony mumbled something under his breath but she couldn't hear.
“K…Kera what are you doing out?" He whispered, glancing over his shoulder and drawing in close to her.
“I was just…" she trailed off as the book came back within view. She snatched it from the ground and held it close. “Looking for those Avians. Have you seen them?" Antony scratched his scraggly beard, clearly uncomfortable with the question and Regina leaned in again.
“Is that the thing you said you fought off?" She asked and Antony shushed her, clearly some tall tails had been said between the two. But Kelkera really didn't care and dipped her muzzle towards Antony who avoided her line of sight.
“They aren't back at the Day's End?" He asked and Kelkera shook her head. Antony lowered his eyes to the ground. “I haven't seen 'em, s…sorry."
“Then get out of my way." Kelkera huffed and barged between the two but Antony called once more.
“Kera, just…" he sighed. “Just be careful?" She didn't bother to look back but the gesture felt hollow to her, especially after hearing his conversation with Tobias. But, he did just barely convince Tobias to wait and that had to mean something. Either way she continued her march through Carran's Rest, hoping that the two Avians were just around the next corner.
“Maybe I can convince them to take me with them." She said to herself, but as she turned a corner to one of the outer alleys she was met with an odd sight. A strong smell of liquor hung in the air and a gaggle of watch members lay crumpled on the ground, groaning and holding their heads. A few crossbows lay unattended on the ground and even a few bolts had dug their way into the wooden walls of the buildings around them. In the very center of the group, was the last person who Kelkera wanted to see. Tobias gingerly rose, holding his head in his hands and looking at the others who were still rolling on the ground. He gave a terse swear and looked out to the fields to the west, hand squarely on the club to his side.
“Demons." He barked and turned just in time to see Kelkera. Her blood froze as shivers shot through her body. Her fur stood on end and she took a few steps back, tail lowering between her legs. “You!" Tobias screeched, pointing a bony finger at her. His face twisted and contorted, shoulders rose and fell with his intense breathing like smoke from a fire. Something had happened here and Kelkera did not want to find out and instead turned and made a break for it. Tobias growled and gave chase but whatever had happened to him made him woozy and he stumbled a few steps giving Kelkera enough of a head start to duck down several alleyways.
There was no real plan, nowhere to go. She couldn't go back to the Day's End, not right now. Tobias could guess too easily and she couldn't rely on Antony doing anything. Maybe Mathias? He had training, he could fight, but no. She couldn't put him in that situation, someone she'd met for all but a few hours. The Day's End was just not going to happen.
Luka! Yes, that was the best option. Kelkera raced to the small house that Luka called home and rapped on the door with all her might. “Luka!" She cried.
A few moments passed, enough to where Kelkera started to wonder if her friend may not be home but after some agonizing seconds the door creaked open, a sleepy Luka staring back at her through the crack. “Kelkera?" She asked, clearly confused at seeing the Vulpine at her doorstep at this hour. Kelkera pushed her way in and slammed the door behind her finally able to catch her breath.
“Tobias, he's coming." Kelkera blurted out and sighed in the relative safety of the house. Luka did not understand and she struggled to come up with words, right as another voice filled the air from another room.
“Who is it, what do they want?" It was husky, clearly from a man who had not fully woken yet.
“Nothing, go back to sleep." Luka responded, a bit of a forced melody in her voice and she turned back to Kelkera. “Kelkera I'm working." She whispered and wrung her hands together.
“I just need to hide, nothing else." Kelkera whispered back and Luka nodded her head in response.
“I know I know I know, I'm just trying to think." She whispered but the voice rose again.
“When are you coming back?" It called and Luka heaved a sigh. “Just a minute." She said, the song back in her voice. Kelkera sank down, an ear still listening for the sound of running feet. She really wasn't sure how far he'd fallen behind her but it couldn't have been that far. “The only place I've got is the storage shed out back." Luka said, once again glancing back towards the dark room where the voice had come from.
“The shed? What about here?" Kelkera argued but Lukas face turned dower and she looked away from Kelkera.
“I told you, I'm working." She whispered.
“I'll be quiet!" Kelkera blurted and Luka shuttered, attempting to quiet her friend.
“An animal!" The husky voice yelled and Luka immediately shrunk down further. Out from the darkness of the room a man, wearing nothing but a scowl charged at Kelkera grabbing her by the scruff of her neck. He stood a good two heads higher than her and had no trouble picking the diminutive Vulpine off the ground. He wrinkled his nose and scoffed in her face. “Animals call on you?" He said, the words pushed through his teeth like it sickened him to say.
“No no, Kelkera's a friend!" Luka begged. But the man's face didn't lighten up and instead his iron grip tightened. Kelkera yelped at the pain and dropped the book.
“Animals ain't friends." He heaved and kicked the door, tossing Kelkera out into the dusty streets and then slammed it behind him. Then Luka squealed and Kelkera shot up, rushing back to the door and tried to pull it open. But the door wouldn't budge and felt more like a wall than a door. She desperately pulled on it but a voice once again froze her blood.
“There you are!" Tobias said, victory within his sight. Kelkera's fur prickled and her ears shot back before she fully turned to face him. Tobias stood alone, shoulders heaving as he caught his breath. “Looks like I guessed right." He snarled, taking a few steps towards her. Kelkera backed up against the wall, trying to push into it and still clacking on the door. But nothing came from inside. A curved, wicked smile formed on Tobias's face as he unlatched his club.
“Knew you'd try to find that whore." He jeered. Kelkera felt her claws peeking out of her pads, unconsciously preparing for a fight.
“You and I both know I didn't do anything!" She called back, voice wavering. But Tobias just scoffed.
“You're an Animal, don't belong in polite company! You and your 'ole lot! I'm just getting a head start." He said, raising his club. At once he dove for Kelkera, wildly bringing down his crude weapon on her but Kelkera expected it and jumped out of the way, scrambling to get back to her feet. Tobias whirled around and centered his gaze back on her.
“But an animal wouldn't understand. How could it!" He made another wild haymaker and Kelkera easily dodged it again giving some space between them. She glanced in any direction that could have provided a quick escape but no matter how she imagined it he would continue to follow, there was no escaping his malice.
“After this, I'll take care of the other Animals in town and her!" He gestured at Luka's house.
“Don't you dare even look at Luka!" Kelkera growled, her claws now fully extended ready to attack. A fire billowed inside of her and the very thought of Tobias doing anything to Luka caused her stomach to churn. There's no way she'd allow it.
“Or what, you'll attack me? And prove that you're just a dangerous wild animal!" He ran for her again and this time Kelkera tried to get a hit in herself but Tobias's wild moves made him difficult to track. He swung his club and it connected with a worrying thump on Kelkera's side. She fell and Tobias grunted with excitement. He turned back and quickly tried to bring his club down on her. Then deep within Kelkera, the feeling of overwhelming power surged within her. It was unlike anything she ever felt, like she could tear apart the sky if she wanted. Like the world was hers to command. The club still came and Kelkera tried to protect herself with her pads, but as they moved through the air, bright white lines traced along with them. Tobias immediately pulled back, eyes wide with terror at the sight. He'd seen lines like that before, just earlier in the night.
It was just enough time for Kelkera to roll out of the way and jump to her feet. She tried to draw in a deep breath of air but a pain, sharp as the point of a sword, surged through her side. Her breath grew hagged. What had just happened? Just like with Elnora! Tobias stood back for a few seconds just watching her, studying her movement.
“They teach you that?" He jeered and Kelkera shook her head, she had no idea what he was talking about but decided now was her chance. He seemed distracted. So she forced away the pain and dove for him, reaching her claws out as far as they would go towards him. He stepped out of the way but Kelkera swiveled and followed up with her other pad. They found their target and the sickening sound of Tobias's screams filled the small town. Her claws dug through his arm, tearing through his flesh with sickening ease. He immediately doubled over and covered his left arm with his hand.
Kelkera looked to her pads, streaks of blood radiated from her claws and small bits of flesh, Tobias's flesh, still stuck to them. Her stomach turned on its end, nausea replacing the feeling of power. Then another scream filled the air, a cry of battle! Tobias was once again racing at her, club raised high above his head as blood gushed from the gash in his arm. She ducked and swiped again, only this time connecting with his face. The same feeling of tearing flesh and bone resonated through her body. Tobias howled in pain and dropped to the ground, curling up into a ball and covering his face, the sounds of his wailing filling the air.
Kelkera froze, pads trembling at what she'd just done. Blood dripped from her claws, its smell hit her nose and she gagged, nearly doubling over herself.
“Tobias!" a voice rose above his cries and Kelkera turned to see two others racing towards her. But as they got closer they stopped in a stunned silence. There was the Beast Tobias had told them about, the one he complained about nonstop, standing over his bloodied body. The larger of the two made the connection first, raised his club and bolted towards Kelkera. She made a desperate dodge to avoid his first attack and was about to try and run for it when the club hit its mark on the follow up square on her back. She fell to the ground and quickly tried to scurry away, out of reach of the attacker. But her escape was cut short. A large hand wrapped itself around her scruff again and plucked her from the ground as Kelkera struggled against it.
“What's all the commotion!" The husky man grunted and the other watchman who had yelled for Tobias ran up to Kelkera, still struggling against his strength.
“She killed him!" He screamed and raised his club at the defenseless Vulpine.
“Stop!" Was the last thing Kelkera heard before the darkness came.
***
It was her sense of smell that came back first, a dank musty odor with a hint of manure flooded her head. It most certainly didn't help the intense nausea that sat in the pit of Kelkera's stomach. On top of that, a shooting pain surged through her from right behind her left ear and left arm that seemed to bounce off every part of her body in a terrible roll call of pain. She tried to flex her hands but they felt odd, it didn't hurt but something was off. They felt empty, as if someone had pulled all the bones out of them and kept the flesh. She rustled and groaned before finally attempting to open her eyes.
Brightness assaulted her vision and Kelkera instantly winced before trying again, this time slowly opening her eyes to grow accustomed to the dim light. Once accustomed, Kelkera found that the light was coming through a small window in a stone wall. It illuminated the ground she was laying on, a rough cobbled stone bare of any distinct markings save for the odd piece of hay. She looked around, the other walls were made of rough wood and there was nothing else in the dank space except for a bucket.
She attempted to move, first by looking at her own pads. To her surprise her fingers were covered in bandages. That was strange, Kelkera didn't remember getting hurt, at least not on her pads. After a herculean effort to sit up she succeeded and was met with very shallow, labored breathing.
“What's happening?" She whispered to herself, outloud just to hear her own voice to make sure it was there. Thinking that the window could help shed light on where she was, Kelkera pulled herself to her feet, more pain radiating through her body but she pushed through it and limped to the small window. Peering out provided no clue or help as to where she was, all that was outside was a small alley and a brick wall. Turning around she saw that opposite to the window was a door and in it, an incredibly small window at eye level. Kelkera limped towards the door and tried to push it but was met with a secure rattling of a lock on the other side. She peered through the small window with one eye to the musty room.
“Hello?" She called out, half coughing as the word left her muzzle.
“Kelkera!" A voice called out, it was small and wavered slightly but she could have recognized it anywhere.
“Luka? What…What?" It was the only question her brain could wrap around at the moment. Everything and anything hurt, like she had taken a bad fall and just happened to hit every single part of her body on the way down. Then Luka's face appeared in the small window, her mouth agape.
“Kelkera! You're alive!" Luka cried, tears welling in her eyes. “I'm so sorry, so so so sorry." She belted but Kelkera had no recollection of what she was even sorry about. It hurt too much to even think. She leaned against the door, thinking hard about the hazy moments before the blackness had enveloped her sight. Luka still pleaded. “It's all my fault! If I had just hid you quicker."
Then, like a fog lifting from the plains, visions of her leaping at Tobias filled her brain and the feeling of her claws digging through him flooded back. That in combination with her pain and immediate smell of the area forced her to double over and wretch.
“Kelkera." Luka whispered and Kelkera wiped her muzzle, leaning against the door again, eyes square on the floor. She opened her muzzle and sat motionless for a few seconds in a daze.
“Did I-" she stopped. She didn't want to say it, scared to even think of the possibility, but it had to be asked. “Did I…kill him?" Her voice trembled and she pulled close to the wall and wrapped her arms around her body as if to protect it. Tobias may have been a pain, hell he was trying to kill her but the mere thought that she had taken his life haunted her, both at the fact she might have and the potential consequences. A pregnant silence filled the air and a tear started to well in Kelkera's eyes but then Luka spoke.
“No."
An immense wave of relief washed over Kelkera, so much so that her pain subsided for a second and she drew in the best breath she had until then. Except, Luka wasn't finished.
“But he's in a bad way, he lost an eye and part of his cheek. It's still touch and go."
The words echoed through the small room. It didn't feel real, it couldn't be right. This kind of thing didn't happen! At least not in the small town of Carran's Rest and it most certainly couldn't happen to her.
“Where am I?" Kelkera said after a long pause.
“A makeshift cell was made for you in the building near the grain house and coop." Luka said.
“That explains the manure, first thing I s- Wait!" Kelkera interrupted herself “Why not the jailhouse? I know for a fact they have places like this that aren't so-." She motioned to the cell. “-like this."
Luka looked away from her eye line and pursed her lips, trying to come up with a softer way to put it.
“Well, the Magistrate said that you are…" Her voice trailed off, trying to avoid the words.
“Are?"
“A danger."
Kelkera felt the rage fill her again and she instantly shot a glare back at Luka. “A danger! Me? I've been here my entire life! He knows I'm not, you know I'm not!" Kelkera protested slamming a fist into the wooden door only to be met with an echo of further pain. “He came after me! Chased me through the entire town, I had to do something!"
“I know Kelkera, I know! But, they don't care, all they have is a mauled member of the watch with witnesses saying you tore into him."
“Nobody even saw what happened!"
“They don't care, they just saw an…." her throat croaked. “An animal." Kelkera's heart sank, that Luka would use that word, even when just repeating back the facts. “The Magistrate even ordered that, um, to make sure you are…to make it safe for people that your claws…". Kelkera welled with dread and she looked down to her pads, the yellow tinged bandages on her fingertips were each tipped with splotches of blood. She tried to extend her claws but there was no sensation, her brain told her muscles to do the familiar action but her body didn't respond, or rather it couldn't. Kelkera ripped off the bandages and where her retracted claws normally were was a small hole where they had been yanked out by some crude tool.
“They took my claws?" Kelkera questioned flexing her fingers in a vein attempt to get them to extend, but there was nothing there.
“The Magistrate likened it to letting a murderer keep the weapon with him." Luka whispered.
“Murderer! What are you talking about? You said I only hurt him."
“Kelkera!" Luka cried. “They don't care! He heard from a few who had seen the attack and they all said you just lunged at him."
“I told you! Nobody was there! Nobody saw it!" She argued but Luka just shook her head.
“That's better?" She said. Kelkera dropped her muzzle in resignment and leaned against the locked door. “Kelkera, they want to put you to death!"
The world dropped out from under her. All meaning fell away, her body no longer felt like her body and her head started to spin in ways she couldn't comprehend. Her legs give way and she slid to the ground still leaning against the door, completely vacant and expressionless. Words tried to come to her mouth but they just fell out of the side of her muzzle in an unintelligible mess. Luka didn't say anything further, instead just letting her friend attempt to comprehend the words she had just spoken.
“So I'm a dead Vulpine walking." She said, looking right into the small window that had first introduced her to the small cell.
“It's not set yet." Luka said and a small inkling of hope sparked inside of Kelkera. “The Magistrate said that if people can demonstrate your worth then servitude could be an option." Kelkera looked up so she could just barely see the opening in the door above her.
“Gods Luka, lead with that!" She grunted.
“I just thought that it be best you knew. I mean you should know what you're looking at." Luka said.
“Will you speak for me?" Kelkera asked.
“Of course!" She immediately responded and Kelkera's eyes dropped.
“Well that's one, don't think that Elnora or Antony would be lining up to my defense exactly." She said, just about resigning to her fate again.
“Two actually! A Cervine said that he would be willing to speak for you. Said he knew you." Luka said.
“Mathias?" Kelkera questioned and attempted the painful process of standing up again.
“I don't know his name, I just heard that he was willing to talk to the Magistrate. But look, Kelkera I need to go. I'm glad I was here when you woke up, I was beginning to think you wouldn't, I'll be back later and will try to bring some food." Luka backed away from the door and gave her best hopeful smile. Kelkera nodded in return and Luka left the small field of vision allotted to her by the door. She limped to the back wall and slid down it with nothing but her own thoughts.
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