|
Untitled Document
Part 15 - The Feeralls
His heart pounding like a drum, a tall Spotted Kougra
galloped from rock to rock, branch to branch, in a desperate bid to unlock his
memory of his homeland. It had been so long since he was taken out of the Retsinis
Jungle and went to live in Bunbury Acres that he could barely remember the track.
But his spirit still dwelled in this remote part of the island, and neither
rain nor snow nor giant fallen trees were going to prevent him from reaching
his destination.
As he sprinted along, a small Kiko ran out in
front of him and had to dive into the bush to avoid being flattened.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" he squeaked,
shaking a stubby fist furiously.
Rincham stopped in his tracks. "Sorry. Hey,
could you tell me if the Feeralls still dwell here?"
The Kiko looked at him with a surprised expression.
"Uh, yeah… but shouldn't you know that already?"
"I've been out of town," he muttered sardonically,
and threw a "Thanks!" over his shoulder as he darted towards his old pridelands.
The Kiko tut-tutted and shook his head. "What's
the rush with young Neopets today? It's not like it's the end of the world."
~*~*~*~
Throughout her journey into the perilous mountains that bordered Denholm Valley,
Angel had to keep reminding herself that this was NOT the hardest climb of her
life. But it was certainly in the top five. Had she know Rincham was currently
racing downhill, she would have envied him, because going uphill was a million
times worse. After leaving Aren's cave it hadn't taken her long to realise where
the Dragonmist - whatever it was - was being kept. The mountains had always
tried to draw her towards them, even against her will at times, but now she
finally went to them freely. She knew where the Dragonmist was, and she had
to get to it before FiskMerrick did. What she had to do afterwards was beyond
her. Destroy it maybe? Save everyone? Or just doom everyone … she was hoping
for the two formers.
Each footstep was like an eternal struggle.
Her paws hurt and her knees ached, but she had to keep going. Her face was lashed
by the wind and rain, but she had to keep going. Trees whipped their branches
in front of her, tearing her once-glossy fur and mane, but she had to keep going.
For Jen's sake. For Aren's sake. And for the lives of everyone else.
Many times she thanked her lucky stars that
*Bleeper* was there with her. He was a brilliant disciplinarian, making sure
she didn't spend too much or little time at rest. Pretty soon the wear and tear
of travelling far with little or no sleep began to show as Angel's appearance
became gaunt and ravaged with the elements. At one point she stopped completely;
collapsed by a pile of rocks, her side heaving as she tried to get her bearings
and adjust to the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere. Even *Bleeper* - no matter
how hard he pushed - could not move her. Then suddenly a deep voice resonated
from nowhere: 'Keep going! You're so close, Angel!' She looked up and around.
No one. *Bleeper* too looked nervous. And there was no place for anyone to escape
to in such a short space of time, as she heard the voice very clearly and perceptibly.
Thinking nothing more of it, she shrugged and continued along the trail.
The scenery all around her was beautiful beyond
description. The lush greenery and exotic flora and fauna was scattered about
and lifted her burden slightly so the ramble was a little less of a death wish.
She travelled for a full day and two nights over that mountain, and at lunchtime
on the second day, her legs finally gave way and she collapsed on that very
spot.
Luckily she wasn't out long. She awoke rapidly
to the smell of spices ringing through the air … that, and her Avabot was jumping
on her head. She got to her feet and was about to tell *Bleeper* off when something
distinctly caught her eye. Like a shimmer of something gleaming. Metal, maybe.
Coming from an opening in the rock face. She couldn't explain it, but she suddenly
felt a deep connection with that place. Like a memory uncovered from long ago,
only more than a memory. A secret. One all the more mysterious and terrible
than anyone has ever seen.
With a deep breath of pure mountain air, Angel
marched forward - eyes burning with intent - to embrace her destiny.
~*~*~*~
Rincham too was entering all-too familiar territory. All the sights and smells,
the rich, vivid colours of the bush, triggered memories of his cubhood in Mystery
Island. Not all of them pleasant, he had to admit, but now wasn't a time for
dwelling on such matters. His snowy-white fringe was plastered to his head with
speed as he ran through the forests.
Normally he was an especially silent Kougra;
his charcoal paws rarely made the leaves rustle or sand shift. Rarely did he
leave a footprint in the earth. Today he deliberately made his presence noticed
by jumping on rotting tree roots and tearing fruits from the lush foliage. In
no time he was surrounded by a group of Kougra scouts brandishing dagger-like
claws and two-inch-long fangs. Without saying a word they flanked him and escorted
him along the path towards their pride leaders - and Rincham wasn't fighting
back. He may be strong, but being outnumbered thirty-to-one was a bit ridiculous.
And besides, this was exactly what he wanted - to see the pride leaders.
As he was taken through the Kougras' territory,
Rincham could not turn a blind eye to the atmosphere that lingered like a dull
fog around him. There were a few scouts and warriors about, glaring at Rincham
with contempt engraved in their amber eyes. But asides from them, all the Kougras
seemed far too timid. Scared. Shrunken into themselves like trapped prey. There
was definitely something ominous in the air, and they felt it too. A few minutes
later, Rincham found himself standing in front of a small arrangement of plants
that seemed to have been made into a kind of den. The pride leaders' den. Perfect.
As he watched there was a slight stirring from inside, and the long, ropy vines
that hung from the den entrance parted. Out stepped one of the most impressive
Kougras he'd ever seen. The amazingly tall Island Kougra - even taller than
Rincham himself - positively radiated confidence and a slight element of respect
… or fear. Beside him was his mate, a beautiful Desert Kougress who held her
head high proudly, like royalty. Flanking the two pride leaders were their advisors,
two further Kougras, one of which was painted Halloween and whose coat the blackest
of black fur you can ever imagine seeing, and the other of which was simply
green and a non-painted. Rincham recognised each one in turn, but kept his head
bowed low so he wouldn't be recognised too soon.
This wouldn't have been too much of an unusual
scene to describe if the Kougras that Rincham was being brought before were
normal Kougras. But they were far from that. They were the Feeralls - the Kougras
that had held back FiskMerrick's army of Darkgons while the Kumlaas escaped
into the bush. If anyone was willing to help Angel retaliate against the Darkgons,
it would be them. It was just up to Rincham to persuade them.
Nahele, the regal Alpha Male, barely opened
his eyes to speak to Rincham. "Is this another intruder?"
The yellow Kougra guard bowed low to the ground
and replied, "It is, your majesty."
Nahele waved his hand, and the guards retreated
in a circle behind Rincham, leaving him standing alone before the council. Nahele
and Kendra, the alphas, still kept their eyes to the horizon and their heads
held high and proud. The Halloween Kougress narrowed her eyes with contempt
for Rin, and visa versa. The green Kougress watched Rincham, unblinking, like
there was a kind of familiarity about him she couldn't quite put her claw on.
Kendra took over the formal conversation. "Do
you know what the penalty is for disobedience within our pride, stranger?"
Rincham raised his amber eyes to her, and spoke
in slow, solemn tones, as if trying to reason with her. "I know the penalty
for disobedience all too well, Kendra. And I'm no stranger."
To be continued...
Author's Note: Next week: Rincham breaks the shocking news to the
Feeralls. But how will they react to the disgraced warrior?
I love to know the audience's opinions on my stories, so if you have any
compliments, criticisms, whatnot, send
'em on in!
| 
