Chapter 7:

A Rat's Deception

The Wolf Among Rats


My fingers clench my training sword in preparation. I tap my kite shield against the mud to test the grip. My boots shift through the grass, ready to move. Though it's the middle of the night, the moon brightly shines down on our opponent. A terrifying reptilian beast standing stoically with club in hand. Naz, Maheed, and I have been developing a plan all night for this. I look to the old dwarf on my left. The nearly invisible dog on my right. We're ready.

Naz charges Wal with a roar while Maheed disappears into the dark. I linger just behind Naz while peering over my shield.
Naz swipes at his legs while I try to bypass his shield! He deflects my sword again and again. His club twirls, tossing Naz's weapon aside before bonking him on the head. Naz 'oofs' as he's kicked in the gut and thrown into the dark.
Wal's tail whips at a noise in the night and Maheed yells, 'gah!' A splat in the mud later and now his attention is turned on me. Crap.
I raise my shield, block one blow, and block another! I peer over my shield to see his next attack. Low! The bottom tip of my shield catches his club! Ha! My sword starts to go for a counter attack, but my shield is twisting! He's twisting my shield! I spin to avoid having my arm broken and let go, sending my shield sailing off into the dark. I catch his club with my sword- "Gah!" He smacks me in the back with his shield. My sword raises to stop the falling club! But it never comes.

"Never close your eyes during a fight. My last move was predictable. You could've went for the wrist and then my torso." Wal walks off to where Naz landed and growls advice at him. I sigh, stand up, and stare at the moon alone in the sky.
Since last night, after Andre, the grizzled duke's ranger, came into the dungeon we've been in the castle's yard training. Well. More like Wal has been kicking our ass. Turns out he wasn't lying about being traveling mercenary who took too long passing through Solaris.

Andre had wanted to take us out to the forests surrounding Solaris so we could learn how to be actual rangers, but somehow the temple caught wind of Aroura's plan and demanded we be stuck within castle walls at least. Stoler himself came to ensure we didn't leave.

He's taken Andre aside and has been incessantly demanding to speak with Aroura. I've been standing close enough to catch some of what they're saying in between getting beaten by Wal. Stoler has no issue with Aroura freeing heretics. In fact it sounds like he endorses it. What he's so upset about is the fact that I'm alive and relatively free.

It makes me laugh. I must've really pissed him off for him to want me dead so much. Right before we started another bout with Wal, Andre called for us to stop. Andre groans as he speaks. "Listen up heretics. Even though you are her majesty's project, you're still property of the temple. This is Stoler here to make my job even more complicated and explain your conditions."

Stoler's face scrunched at Andre's jab, but he ultimately ignored it in favour for glaring sightlessly at me. He crosses his arms and explains, "Our job as templars is to find and root out evil where ever we find it. We patrol the streets for crime and scour the lands for heretical cults. You will accompany us bound in chains and do what we tell you. Should you show any sign of resistance we'll cut you down and leave your body to rot."

With a nod I chant, "Understood."

Without acknowledging me, Stoler asks, "Can any of you read?"

I immediately lie and say, "I can't."
Best to let him think I'm a big illiterate dumb dumb.

Maheed claims he can't read well. Wal says the same with the caveat that he can read Shlotec. I assume it's a saurian language. Naz sighs and says, "I can teach them if it pleases ya, mi lord."

Stoler raises a hand. "Thank you, but there'll be no need. You'll be enough. I'll have a book of Sol scribed for you. Read it to the others and ensure they can recite certain passages before we let you out. I will show you which ones."

Naz offers his mandatory thanks and Andre asks, "Is that all? Or can I get back to work?"

Stoler bows. "Sorry, but I'd like to speak with them first."
Then he turns towards Naz. "Naz was it? A word if you would."

Oh, he's not asking for me. He's probably going to ask for me last, after gathering all the information he can from the others. Naz leaves his training weapons in the mud and jogs off to join Stoler. Almost immediately they're already laughing about something. What could- guh!

Andre slams a pole into my gut and shouts, "You have a crush on him or something!? Training isn't over!"

Dickhead. Since we couldn't beat Wal with Naz, Andre started dueling him instead while Maheed and I fought. Whenever I'm not scanning the darkness for Maheed, I take pleasure in the fact Wal can easily crush Andre.

After a long while, Naz comes strolling back telling more stories of his students to Stoler who happily listens to every word. Once Naz's final story is over, Stoler asks for Wal. After quite a few more sparring sessions, Stoler asks for Maheed. Finally after a slightly shorter conversation, Stoler returns for me. "Kar'Desh. A word."

Ugh. I groan and throw my weapons off to the side. I follow Stoler and study him. He has a hand on his sword, ready to draw it in a moment's notice. And based on his sour expression he's hoping he has to. I'll have to be careful. If I say the wrong thing, he won't hesitate to kill me. Once we're a good distance away from the others he finally says something. "I was hoping it wasn't you. How did you manage to fool the princess into freeing you."

How to go about this? It seems like the only thing keeping me alive right now is my connection to the princess. After a brief moment of thought I respond with, "I ask you don't insult her majesty in such a manner. She is no fool."

Slightly surprised by my answer, Stoler took a step closer and lowered his voice to appear more threatening. "Are you pretending to be a loyal subject? Now? After terrorizing a child?"

I scrunch my brow and add as much anger and regret I can to my voice. "You think I wanted to do that, genius? I was paid to do more than just terrorize but couldn't push myself that far."

"Paid by who?"

I throw my hands around like I'm unsure what to say. "I don't know. I was always paid through masked middle men."

Skeptical of my lie, he asks, "And you just went along with this obvious scheme?"

"I didn't have a choice, Chosen of Sol. Not all of us have access to the temple's treasury."

Only slightly annoyed by my jab, he presses on. "And why wouldn't a regular job suffice?"

"Do you have any idea what medicine costs? A regular job would mean either my siblings starve or my mother dies. I'm not letting the kids lose their mother too."

That seems to have struck a chord with him. He softens his tone as he asks, "What about now? Who's taking care of them now?"

"I... I don't know. There's a nice old family next door that might feed the kids. But I don't know what mother will do."
I hesitate and continue, "Her majesty has granted me so much already, I feel it improper to ask more of her."

He crosses his arms. "You're suddenly very cooperative. Where was this character when I met you?"

"I'm a simple man Stoler. I'm not loyal to any city, idea, or absent god. But I repay the debts I owe. When you tortured me, I had no reason to give you anything. But now? Her highness sees you as an ally and this city as her home."
I add genuine spite to my voice as I say, "I will never forgive this city, the temple, or you. But I can set aside my grudges to help the person who saved my life."

Unfazed by my speech of conviction, he asks, "And when your debt is paid?"

Good question. What would Wal say in this situation? I'm borrowing his whole 'repay my saviours' bull crap, so might as well run with it. "When that happens, I'll ask for my freedom. After I earn it."

He grunts, unimpressed. "For your sake, I hope you're telling the truth. I will warn the princess of your house of lies and pull her out before it comes crumbling down around you. When that happens, don't expect your cries for help to reach any ears."
He turns towards the castle gates and marches off. "For now I'll play along with your little scheme. You may return."

Tsk. He didn't believe a word I said. I'd be rationally upset if I wasn't lying out of my ass. Whatever, it got him off my back for now. If we can find just one opening to escape, that's all the more I'll have to deal with him. I wonder if I can swindle some random human into being my middle man before I leave? Really throw Stoler through a loop.

When I return to the others, Andre sighs. "Oh good. He didn't kill you. More work for me then."
He throws me a few other complaints and orders me back to fighting Wal. Ugh. Great. Let's go fight the mercenary.

We fight over and over throughout the entire night with Wal and Andre critiquing our form or whatever each time we lose. I need my sleep damn it! Whenever we start to appear a little too drowsy for Andre's liking, he smacks us over the head with a stick. Asshat. At least I picked up a good trick with the sword.
Ditch the sword and use a spear. I can stab people from far away, or if it gets stuck, bash 'em with a shield! Then stab 'em. It's so easy. I even managed to land a hit or two on Wal.
Maheed found the opposite to be true and went with a dagger in his off hand. He never really used his shield properly anyway. When we fought, he would always try to dodge my attacks because he hardly has the strength to fully block attacks. But he's preforming significantly better now and able to avoid some of Wal's attacks. I suppose it fits his 'disappear into the darkness' strategy. He's fast enough to run circles around each of us and quiet enough to become forgotten during a fight.
Naz says his preferred weapon is the axe for its utility while traveling, a sentiment to which Andre agreed. Wouldn't a knife work better? Apparently Naz has a custom one-handed wood-cutting axe that he used to defend himself while traveling, currently in the custody of the duke's men.
Wal usually uses a cudgel and kite shield with a mace he attaches to his tail, also in the custody of the duke's men. He claims he can't get the edge alignment right on bladed weapons. Says he ends up using them like clubs anyway. Probably for the best. He doesn't need to be any more dangerous than he already is.

By the time the Sun's light becomes visible from the South-East, we're corralled back into the dungeon where we can finally sleep.

I snuggle into my cold, dark, welcoming corner and fall fast- "Good morning my penitent heretics!"
Son of a bitch!

We each stand and bow to the princess. I greet her politely. "Good day princess. What brings you here?"

She gestures to the maidservant behind her carrying glass vials. "I require more of your blood."
Already? She makes her way into the cage alone and idly chatters as if she was strolling into a friend's house. She trusts us way to much. She doesn't leave any room for us to speak so I start to doze off. Forcing myself to stay awake so I don't appear disrespectful, she makes the cut on my arm and asks, "Your accommodations appear... Lacking. Do you require furniture?"

The only thing I need is for you to leave so I can sleep. What would my character say? "We only need rest, princess."

Her curious yellow eyes lock into mine. "You may drop your facade whilst I'm your audience. Honestly, how trite."

What? She knew? Naz breaths a sigh of relief and says, "Oh good. I thought we'd have to put up with that act every time ye rolled around."

Her head whips around to face Naz. "Oh fascinating. Your perception is more impressive than I had originally imagined."

Naz laughs. "Oh no, tavi. He just doesn't act around us."

She looks back at me offended. "How rude! I specifically ordered you treat me as a friend!"
She turns back to Naz, excitement plastered on her face. "How is he typically?"

Naz nods and grunts. "A true bastard he is."

Wal growls, "And arrogant."

Maheed hisses, "And invasive."

Alright alright enough. I groan, "I can speak for myself jerks."
Since we're testing her boundaries, I'll see how far we can reach. "What was the original question? Something to sleep on would be nice."
She nods as expected so I continue. "And better food than pig slop."
She nods again. Awesome. I keep asking for more and more until I've essentially asked for a house inside the cell with good food. She drew the line at what the temple specifically demanded we weren't allowed. So we have to stick with the ragged pants and boots as our only clothes besides the cheap cloaks she's having made for us. We can't become anything other than rangers, and must remained leashed outside the cell.

The princess is turning out to be a greater asset than I had hoped. I wonder what I else I can get out of her before I leave? Although I need to get her on my side before Stoler convinces her I'm someone to be disposed of. But how? Hmm... Based on her interactions she probably hasn't spoken much with equals or even friends. All I have to do is act like her friend to win her over. Easy.

I finish my prodding with, "I can't think of anything else we could use. What about you guys?"

Wal grumbles, "I say you've asked for too much already. How greedy can you get?"

I shrug. "We're living in a cage, we might as well get what we can. Besides, you're the ones who told me to quit acting."

Naz yawns. "Who cares, we're gettin' beds."

Oh right, I'm exhausted. I turn back to the princess. "Sorry Aroura, we're incredibly tired. What else did you want to talk about?"

She smiled a bit at being called Aroura. Good, that means I'm on the right track. She waves her hand. "I've all that I came for. You may rest."

Awesome. One last thing. As I settle into my corner I add, "Oh yeah, next time let me know what you're doing with our blood. I'd ask now but I want to be awake enough to comprehend it."
I laugh weakly which turns into a yawn.

In the moment before she responds, I fall completely into sleep.



Author's Note: I'ma rework this chapter at some point, but for now I'll move on. All the important bits were covered (I think) but could use some work. I'm not sure why this chapter always throws me off my game

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