Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 9:59:34 GMT -5
Ravage ignored the fact that Arabella was backing away from him. Besides, he knew he was a winner with the ladies. So if she was playing hard to get, then he would just have to try harder. He brushed back his greasy hair with a scraggly paw. But he'll worry about that later. For now, the money was the most important thing. "Tell me, Arabella. Did you collect three times as much taxes from the wealthy elderly couple living up on the hill?"
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:03:40 GMT -5
Jag just stood there dumbly for a minute or two, lost in his own thoughts. After a while he turned to the fox. "What about the king? Hasn't anyone bothered to tell him?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 10:06:09 GMT -5
"My family? They paid as much as they owe if that's what you mean." She was getting worried now...was she supposed to get three times as much from her family?! She didn't remember discussing that with the other collectors and guards this morning. Her family could afford triple the amount of taxes, with not many people living in their house, it wasn't a burden. Her grandparents owned the house and Arabella's parents would get it next. Her father was farther up the chain of command and got quite a bit of pocket change, once the house was passed on, not much would change about it.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:10:15 GMT -5
Ravage gave a half laugh. "No, you silly girl. Although, that might not be a bad idea!" He laughed again. "No, the other hill on the other side of town, the one by the river. You HAVE been collecting taxes there, haven't you?" He acted aloof, but his voice was serious. His red eye glinted.
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Asexual
Ƈяσωѕσηg
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Post by Ƈяσωѕσηg on Aug 8, 2016 10:12:45 GMT -5
Jag just stood there dumbly for a minute or two, lost in his own thoughts. After a while he turned to the fox. "What about the king? Hasn't anyone bothered to tell him?" "'Fraid not lad. Anyone who even temps to change Saber's mind is taken to the dungeon, I've seen it happen with me own two eyes. 'Tis why I never bothered saying a word to him about the conditions of the townsfolk, as much as I cared about their well being more than me fellow guard. That's what corruption does to ya laddie, it twists yer mind until the difference between right 'n wrong are switched. All Saber cares about is power, much less this town's people. I do what I can to help, but just one ole fox can only do so much and still make a livin' for 'imself", Vincent said, leading them both out of the alley way and into the main street where the crowds were. "But to me, it's worth what I do. I have the power to give the people hope, simply because I can swallow me pride and give me pay to those that need it more. I'm just one, no family or friends, I don't need no special place but me shop", he added.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 10:16:31 GMT -5
"Oh! That one! Yes I have collected taxes from them. I'm surprised they can keep up with their taxes and still be as wealthy as they are when they have so many relatives living there." She could see that he wasn't really kidding around or joking. Arabella would have liked to attack him but with his position in the castle, it would be suicide. Arabella would have liked to turn into her animal form and run as fast as she could somewhere away from all of his questioning but she didn't want to be put under watch for 'suspicious activity'.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:18:35 GMT -5
Jag felt a new wave of guilt remembering how he used to mess with these people for the fun of it. How did he not realize?! He felt like slapping himself. "I just wish there was something we could do. Even if I do my job right, how could I possibly stop this? My king.. I thought he was such a good ruler.."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 10:24:01 GMT -5
Arabella's eyes changed to the purplish color of her clouded leopard, but decided not to do much more that that, not wanting to make it seem like she was challenging Ravage. She noticed Jag and Vincent a ways down the street and prayed they would get here sooner, maybe Ravage wouldn't be so...Ravage if they were here.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:27:57 GMT -5
"Bwahaha!" He barked a hearty laugh. "There's a good girl. I'll see to it that you get a discount on the next tax collection." He winked at her. "Keep up the good work." He turned to leave.
"Oh yes, before I forget. The other day a guard reported a fox werecreature beating up Jag. That fool makes the kingdom look weak! Anyways, that fox is to join the king's army, by order of the king. Either join, or.." a wicked smile spread across his face. "Do you know where he lives in this disgusting little town?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 10:34:04 GMT -5
"Actually, he's a former guard. He already served his duties in this 'disgusting town'." She quoted him. She shifted when he winked at her Creep... thought Arabella. "And my family can afford full priced taxes by the way. I don't need to be treated better than anyone else," Arabella said this in a tone that was firm but not demanding. She hated being treated special. She was a human just like everyone else in this kingdom. Well, close to human anyway.
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Asexual
Ƈяσωѕσηg
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Check Meowt! I'm purr-etty pawsome!
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Post by Ƈяσωѕσηg on Aug 8, 2016 10:37:56 GMT -5
"Now do you see laddie? The only thing Saber feels at all is greed. These townsfolk pay the price sufferin', while he lives high 'n mighty on the wealth he steals from them. If ya asked me, I'd tell ya to quit, 'tis the best decision I've made in me life when I was in yer pawsteps", Vincent said to Jag, but then noticed just a little walk away was Ravage, Saber's closest servant, talking with Arabella. Quickly he grabbed Jag's arm and pulled him aside with himself into another alley, knowing that if Ravage saw either of them, there would be trouble. He wasn't cowardly, but he saw it a better chance of living if he avoided being seen.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:39:24 GMT -5
Jag- "A former guard, beating up a current guard? The king is gonna love this. And Jag, what a pathetic excuse for a soldier. I should have him fired!" His pink tail lashed. "Very well, my darling. Whatever will make you most comfortable."
"Tell me! Where is this fox? I mean to arrest him!"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 10:43:40 GMT -5
"Don't call me darling." She felt a shiver down her spine when he said that. She looked back down the street she last saw them, "Couldn't tell you. I saw them a minute ago but I don't know where they are now." Her palms here getting sweaty but she hid them behind her back.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:44:37 GMT -5
Jag allowed himself to be pulled into the alley. "I say we just take him out, three against one" he snarled, starting to shapeshift.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 10:50:42 GMT -5
Ravage followed her gaze down the street, but he only saw other peasants walking around. "I'll be looking for him. If you see him, don't let him get away." He gave her a sly smile and walked in the opposite direction.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 11:03:07 GMT -5
Arabella breathed a sigh of relief when Ravage left and started down the street where she last saw Vincent and Jag. Hoping they would come out of wherever they were hiding. She put her hand on the hilt of her sword and quickened her pace a bit
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 11:28:25 GMT -5
(Sorry guys, driving through the mountains so I only get reception half the time!)
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 11:30:57 GMT -5
Jag growled. "Fine," he said reluctantly. He peeked out of the alley and saw Arabella coming towards them. "Over here!" he said just loud enough for her to hear.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 11:41:07 GMT -5
Arabella whipped around at the sound of Jag's voice. She came running to him as to stay out of the street and from prying eyes. "It's a good thing you two hid! Ravage was looking for you. I don't think Vincent is going to just be jailed by the way Ravage made it sound. You two need to go into hiding or something! Just get out of the village. Don't tell me where you're going to go either. Ravage is probably going to keep asking me where you are and I'm a horrible liar." She kept looking behind her every few moments, making sure the chief of the tax collectors wasn't near by.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 11:51:20 GMT -5
Jag gripped his giant sword with his paws. Despite being better with his paws than his sword, he felt more comfortable whem we was prepared for a fight.
Ravage grabbed a random villager from off the street and held him in the air. "Where is the fox?" He snarled.
"U-usually in the blacksmith shop!" The villager spluttered.
Ravage grunted and tossed him aside. He walked over to the blacksmith's shop and kicked down the door. "Where are you?" He hissed.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 11:55:06 GMT -5
"Don't fight, unless you want to kill yourself!" she whispered. "Which I'm sure are not your intentions. I'll try to keep an eye on him, until then wait." She changed into her clouded leopard form and climbed up on the roofs of buildings. She jumped from each one until she reached the blacksmith shop. Arabella jumped down to the side of the building and kept close to a window so she can hear see where Ravage was headed.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 11:58:54 GMT -5
"Blast that fox!" Ravage's tail was lashing. "I'll try the bakery next. Maybe those useless reinforcements will get here before I have to search this whole town myself!
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Asexual
Ƈяσωѕσηg
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Check Meowt! I'm purr-etty pawsome!
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Post by Ƈяσωѕσηg on Aug 8, 2016 11:59:13 GMT -5
Vincent peaked around the corner of the ally they were hiding in just slightly only to see Ravage kick open his shop. Thinking quickly he looked at Jag. "Quick lad! I think I have an idea!", he said, then took the dagger strapped to his waist, which was previously his father's and his most prized possession, and cut his paw pad with it, the took Jag's paw and spread his blood on it, then Jag's muzzle, and soon his own. "Make it look like ye've done away with me!", he said, and pretended to go limp on the ground.
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Fernclaw
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~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 12:09:43 GMT -5
"Wha? ..oh! Good idea!" Jag gripped his sword tightly, and got in a defensive stance. If Ravage saw them, he'd be ready to react. For a moment, he thought of how ironic it was that he was standing over the fox, who was currently defenseless. Earlier that afternoon he would have clawed him in fury, but now he was protecting him.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Aug 8, 2016 12:11:11 GMT -5
(Yeah, ikr?! He just has a good time with life! x] ) Fayne noticed her smile and immediately straightened up. "They call me Fayne!" He bowed elaborately, folding back his ears. As he was bowing, he snatched up two tiny wildflowers growing from the dirt road. "For you, Astra!" He held them in her face, smiling, and cocked his head to the side. (xD Sorry I keep responding an then leaving, this week is super busy and tomorrow I'm getting my wisdom teeth out so I have no idea if I'll even be able to get on) Astra laughed at his elaborate bow, he was certainly a goofy one. A crimson blush flew to her cheeks as he offered the wildflowers to her. She smiled brightly and accepted them with a small laugh. "You seem to aim for charm" She said to him lightly with a smile as she turned to the cart and organizing her crops to look nice.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 12:12:29 GMT -5
Arabella continued to tail Ravage from above. When she heard about reinforcements she panicked inside. She wasn't going to lose her friends to this monster or the king, they could jail, her, torture her, kill her for all she could care but no one will be brought down by Ravage's wrath in her presence she silently vowed to herself. She witnessed villagers almost diving out of the way to stay clear of the Rat/man creature that rampaged through town. Arabella looked down in the alley way where Jag and Vincent were in. Arabella was horrified by what she saw. A dead Vincent with blood on his paws and face and Jag with his muzzle covered in blood. She dropped down silently and growled at Jag, "didn't you learn anything?! Why did you do this? For you?"
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Fernclaw
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_yellow.png)
~Sometimes the right path is not the easiest~
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Post by Fernclaw on Aug 8, 2016 12:19:10 GMT -5
Jag was looking down at Vince. He heard steps from behind him, so he mustered up the most terrifying face he could make and growled, "He's dead! My revenge is complete!" He spun around, growling, covered in blood. As soon as he saw Arabella he dropped his sword. "N-no, it's not what it.. I didn't.." he spluttered.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2016 12:24:25 GMT -5
Arabella started backing away from Jag, terrified. "What did you do..." her breathing started to become faster. She turned back to her human form "What did you do?!" She whipped out her sword, "You better have a good reason or so help me I will...I will...okay, I don't know what I'll do but I'll think of something!" Her heart was pounding. She's never killed anyone before and taking down Jag would not be easy
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