Tarilamor shoved one of his patrol cats to the ground. “She got away? And one of the patrol cats died in the process....” The black fox’s voice was quiet, making the dark furred cat on the ground bristle in fear. “You told me that mission wouldn’t fail.” His yellow eyes flashed. “Then what about the poison? Tell me that didn’t fail as well.”
The cat swallowed nervously, unable to meet the fox’s hard gaze. “One of the patrol was able to put the poison in the food when Whitefire left, but she didn’t eat it. Some kid did.”
“Idiots!” the fox yelled at his patrol. Then his voice became hushed again and he looked down at the cat on the ground. “I’ll give you one more chance to either capture her, or kill her.” His hand flashed out and grabbed the cat’s neck, pulling the cat to its feet. “If you prove yourself undependable, you will find yourself with a slit throat, Captain Gustaf.”
I was half asleep, lying on the battlements in the warm sun, when someone finally found me. I opened my eyes slightly and peeked as I heard quiet footsteps nearing me. A somewhat sleek golden pelt flashed in the sunlight and I opened my eyes all the way, finding Zuer standing over me. “Hello.” I greeted him with a smile, my bright orange eyes meeting his brown ones as he gave me a hand to help me up. He didn’t make any comment about me being out of my room, or even asking how I got out. He’d probably guessed it was his own mistake.
He raised an eyebrow at me. “I heard you had some fun teasing the guards while I was gone.”
“Haha! Yeah, actually.” I laughed.
The otter just set his jaw, looking unamused. “Where’s the gun.”
I frowned, folding my arms.
He grabbed my arm before I could dodge him and he pulled the gun out of my pocket. I groaned. Great. Just wonderful.
Zuer leaned over the inner courtyard wall and shouted down to someone. “Who’s missing a gun?”
“Here!” The fox I’d borrowed the gun from waved a hand.
Zuer dropped it down to the other guard and then turned to me. “Why didn’t you just scale down the outside wall if you’re so smart, eh?”
I glared at him. “It’s harder climbing down than it is up.” Then I sighed. “And I’m not sure I want to leave anymore. If we have problems with the patrol cats getting in the castle, it might be worse out there....” My voice trailed off and I became quiet, staring out across the tree tops.
I jumped, ever so slightly, as Zuer put his hand on my shoulder. “Come on.” He took a rope from his belt and tied it to part of the battlement, throwing the rest down into the courtyard. Grabbing the rope, he started scaling down.
Looking over the side, I decided not to wait for him to get to the bottom, and I jumped. There were some gasps from people down in the yard and I laughed. Just before I hit the ground, I grabbed the rope, my claws splitting it as the rope slowed my fall. I landed softly on my feet, waiting for Zuer in the grass below.
When he set down beside me, giving me a look of amazement. “Impressive.”
I shrugged. “Thanks.” Suddenly I noticed the orange fox from earlier was walking towards me. He’s probably gonna freak out on me.
Zuer took the fox’s hand in a friendly handshake, and then the fox extended his hand towards me. I was a little surprised, but shook his hand strongly.
“What you did there was pretty amazing.” He said, with what sounded like a hint of awe in his voice. “Are you, by any chance, the outlaw I’ve heard is staying here?”
Chuckling, I nodded. “Yes, actually, I am.”
Before the fox could answer, there was a loud bang as Mauriz slammed a door, striding into the courtyard with a tense look on his face. “Atten- tion!” he snarled.
All the guards who were in the yard immediately lined up side by side in front of him, including Zuer....and me, because I felt awkward standing off to the side. I stood stiffly, my eyes looking straight ahead as Mauriz walked along the line, scrutinizing everyone with a sharp eye.
I practically held my breath as he stopped in front of me.
“Whitefire,” he growled. “Step forward.”
I did as he asked, stepping out of line.
“You,” he practically hissed through his teeth. “Will come with me.” He glanced away for a moment. “Zuer, you as well.” He waved his hand to the rest of the guards. “Dismissed.”
The silver wolf led us away, and when we were in the hallways, and the door had closed, he turned on me, shoving my back against the wall and pinning me there. “What do you know about arsenic, outlaw?” He snarled, my eyes widening at the word.
“Arsenic? Why are you asking me about poison?” I suddenly had a sinking feeling as Mauriz paused for a moment, a pained look on his face.
“Ari is dead.”
The sinking feeling quickly turned into disbelief and panic. “What? No!” I shoved the wolf away from me, rubbing my now sore neck. “He can’t be!”
Zuer’s face didn’t show much emotion to the information, but he stiffened slightly.
“The food in your room had been poisoned.” Mauriz snarled.
I swallowed, my voice shaking as I spoke. “Zuer and I had eaten some before-hand. If I was trying to kill anyone, I would have done it then!” My mind raced, trying to think of a reason why… Eyes widening, I looked back up at Mauriz. “The patrol cat might have done it after Zuer got out of my room.” My stomach tightened. “No…” Ari can’t be dead. “Let me see him.” It didn’t seem real, just hearing the words. I had to see it for myself.
Mauriz didn’t say anything, but started walking down the hallway. Zuer and I looked at each other, and then followed him. The walk was dreadful. My heart felt it was about to burst it was beating so quickly.
The silver wolf slowly opened the door to his room, letting us inside. There were a few others in the room, and everything was hushed and reverent. I stepped forward, my eyes tearing up as I saw the little bundle on the bed. No movement, no breathing, but the little wolf’s face was so calm. I did this. If it weren’t for me he would be alive. Why am I so stupid! I knelt beside the bed, silent tears streaming down my face. How must Mauriz feel? First his mate, then his little Ari to follow?
Zuer stood beside me, looking down on Ari with sad brown eyes. He put his hand on my shoulder, sighing quietly.
I turned to look at Mauriz, getting to my feet. “I’m sorry…” I whispered, my voice nearly inaudible.
The wolf looked up at me, his green eyes dimmed slightly in sorrow. “I suppose it isn’t your fault. We just need to be more vigilant.” He ushered us out of the room. “I’ll just tell the guards to station themselves throughout the castle, and on the battlements.” As Mauriz walked us to my room, I studied him quietly. He looked tired; nothing about him was sharp and confident anymore. But who would be if they’d just lost a child?
I wished I could have said something, but what difference would it make, coming from the one who caused it? Suddenly I felt just as tired as Mauriz.
