The Rescue

(Part Two)

Copywrite©Melina Swiftwind

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The Treacherous Mountains
The City Ut

With the Princess in tow the group began their journey back towards the airship, Arden had accidently put his armor on backwards and was some how making his way along with the other. He was wondering why it had got dark all of a sudden.

The group rounded a bend and he continued forwards knocking into a Kotan guard.

“Hey… fellow watch where your going..I don’t know you”

“Hey Jazz not so loud you might alert someone”

“My name isn’t Jazz...you’ve got ya helmet on backwards.. who are you...a new recruit?”

“Oooh I guess that’s why its so dark around here huh”

The guard was looking at Arden’s feet, the guard moved quickly in front of Arden and brought up his spear.

“What’s your name anyway?”

“Does the name Arden ring a bell?”

With that Arden moved quickly forwards and struck his helmet with the guards. The Guard fell over a low wall into a plant pot and was out cold.

“You sure took care of that guard” Jane said softly.

“Now..er that’s what I call using your head Arden, hehehe” laughed Newton.

“I really gotta stop doing that!” Arden complained.

“This must have been a really magnificent city at some point in time”

“Yes Jazz, such magnificent buildings, but most have crumbled into ruins”

The group came to the large treasury, the domed building had seen better days Ivy and other creepers had grown all over it. The only entrance was an arch way covered in vines.

“I recognise this place from the map, the treasure is supposed to be inside” Jazz said.

Forest drew his sword and with a swift stroke cut the vines down, the group slipped inside. They looked around the walls were dirty but depicted several beings who looked much like Jazz.
“This must have been an important meeting place once” Forest said softly.

“I don’t see any treasure in here….ACHOOO….just lots and lots of dust!” called out Arden.

The group explored the chamber Jazz was looking at a wall again there were more vines. She reached out and swept some aside to reveal something golden.

“Its the other piece of the medallion...I wonder…”

The wolf/cheetah pulled on the necklace and brought out the other half, she reached out and the medallion slipped together. It now read: Only the pure of heart can fine the treasure of knowledge.

As the two pieces settled there was a soft yellow light illuminated the chamber. The medallion became one and fell forwards and a grinding noise was heard the wall the medallion had been on slid upwards. A shaft of light fell on the open doorway.

As the wall slipped into place it revealed a massive cache of gold coins, diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones in huge massive piles.

“It seems Jazz has found the treasure”

“No, we found the treasure all of us”

“No Jazz my friend the treasure belongs to you three” Forest replied.

The unicorn male hugged his sister with a huge smile.

“Being reunited is reward enough for us” finished Princess Jane.

A second shaft of light fell down on a nearby plinth, Jazz noticed it was in the center of the room.

“Look that shaft of light...its making the center of the plinth rise”

“Wh..what’s going on?” questioned Arden.

“I’m not to sure Arden”

“These..er wedge shaped objects look like pure crystal”

“There’s writing on them..I somehow knew this place was special” commented Princess Jane

Suddenly the crystal in front of New began to glow and rise on its own into the air. Newton took hold of it. There were six crystals and each in turn rose in front of one of the group in turn.

“This one says Imagination”

“Mine says Honesty” Arden called out.

“This one says Bravery” Forrest commented.

“This says Trust” Jane said.

“This one says Friendship”

The last crystal rose on its own and the group could see the writing it said: Freedom

Suddenly a ringing note was singing out in the city. Newton jumped as it did so.

“What was that?”

“That was the alarm the Kotan’s must have noticed I’m missing” Jane replied.

“Hmm we best head for the safety of the airship then” Forest advised.

“Yes I think your right Prince Aaron, come one everyone”

The group ran outside taking the crystals with them.

“What about all this treasure?” questioned Arden.

“We’ll just have to leave it, we can’t risk staying any longer” called Newton.

“Oh well easy come easy go” commented Arden as he pocketed a huge diamond.


********


From around a corner Dikat and Bean were watching.

“Look Bean it’s Newton and his idiotic friends”

“They are running away with some pieces of glass maybe we should stop them”

“Let them keep those worthless trinkets, it’s the treasure we’re after!”

The two entered the building Newton and the others had left.

“According to the map, it should be….we found it Bean. The treasure gold and silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds...oh be still my beating heart!”

“It sure sparkles really pretty…”

“Finally Bean all those years of villiany, lying, cheating stealing it’s finally paid off!”

“Gosh what an inspiring story”


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“We must get to the airship it’s our only chance to escape the er oh ah Kotans” exclaimed Newton.

“Uh oh...I think we better run the other way...maybe not maybe back the other way” Jazz commented quickly.

The group began to run the other way and was soon the they where boarding the airship. Arden and Forest started to work the stove so it would create enough hot air for them to lift off.

“What a wonderful device...you have to tell me how it works” Jane said.

“We’ll do more than that..we’ll show you..” Newton said.

Aaron knew the group did not have time to chat so he just sliced the mooring lines free with his sword and the air ship began to lift into the sky.

“Look that nice old lady left her wrap” Arden said.

The small bedroll began to roll forwards and Jazz caught it as it fell from the upper deck. She opened it and blinked in surprise.

“It’s the real treasure map…”

“Then that old lady was really….”

“..Dikat...I should have know what a fool I was, and we gave him free passage right to the treasure...that’s what he was after all, along!” exclaimed Newton.

“It can’t be helped now Newton, we have other matters I think” Jazz answered.

There was a strong buzzing noise in the air, something like bees but louder and more ominous. Below the Kotans had been busy, there had been a few half hearted throws of spears as the airship had taken off there was a spear sticking out of the airship’s wooden keel.

Forrest had taken to the propeller at the back of the airship and was turning the crank. He was looking at his sister when a huge boulder came and smashed away part of the stern and the propeller leaving him holding the hand crank. Suddenly a large grapple appeared in the hole the rock had made.

“Let me see if my sword can cut that” said Aaron.

The prince went over and his sword cut a few strands from the grapple.

“It’s metal and the Kotans are pulling us back”

“Oh well things can’t get any worse” Arden commented.

From below a voice called out ‘Kotans to your flying machines!’

“Me and my big mouth” said Arden with a sigh.


********


Meanwhile in the treasury Dikat and Bean had been very busy the two had collected as much as the treasure as they could and put it into a large chest. The two were busy dragging it out of the building and towards their cart. As the managed to get the chest on to it Dikat grinned.

“You know this could have not gone better, that ding bat Newton is keeping the Kotan’s busy”

“Yeah well lucky us then right...should we keep moving like boss?” questioned Bean

“We might as well” Dikat replied.


********


It was looking bad for those on the airship closer and closer it came to the Kotan camp. That odd buzzing sound was back as well. The group had soon worked out that the nose was coming from the Kotan’s aircraft.

“Isn’t there anything we can do?” questioned Jane.

“Hmm..perhaps...Forrest bring out the sling shots we made..Arden bring out your stew I have a idea” Jazz said with a grin.

As Jazz finished what she was saying four arrows shot past three burying themselves in the airships wood work.

“I say that was close!” Aaron commented.

“Seems like a strange time to be having breakfast”

“It’s not for eating Arden, it’s ammunition!” Jazz replied.

Jazz scooped a good amount into the slingshots cup and waited as a Kotan came past in an aircraft she left fly. The goopy sticky stuff got stuck in the aircraft’s propeller, which stopped and then fell out of the sky, the blue Kotan jumped out and parachuted to safety.

“Hurray...er yes that seemed to work well!” Newton said gleefully.

“I’ll say I bet Arden’s strew is the stickiest stuff there is!” Jazz commented.

The wolf/cheetah hybrid had just moved when an arrow passed where here head just had been.

“Let me try that!” called Jane.

The Princess took hold of a slingshot and some of the stew, she watched and lined the next aircraft up and fired. The glob hit the aircraft’s instrument panel making it seize up and catch fire. The pilot made a face and the jumped out of the aircraft on a parachute.

“Oh I say what a great shot!” commented Aaron.

The planes erratic course took it down and down when it smashed into the cable drum of the grapple breaking it into pieces.
“Aaron look out!” called Jane.

The prince fired and the next plane was soon sent spining down wards towards the ground. Another four arrows thudded into the airship’s side. The group looked over the airships side.

“Good work we’re matching them shot for shot!” Aaron called out.

“I er am afraid we’re about to be out numbered, they are starting up more flying machines!” called Newton.

“Uh Oh...we’re starting to run out of ammunition” Arden said quickly.

Something was climbing the mountains it was hairy and purple, it was also nearing the plateau.

“It’s Tol...by the heavens he must have climbed the treacherous mountains...no mean feat in it’s self. I err think the Kotan’s are in for a very nasty surprise!” exclaimed Newton.

“Oh I say they are in for a very bad time” replied Aaron.

Tol, climbed up and over the lip of the wall and onto the plateau. The huge purple furry being soon got to work. In short order a dozen aircraft where wrecks and their pilots fleeing.

“I think we have a good chance of beating the Kotan’s now” Jane commented.

Another dozen planes were ruined as Tol went on a rampage of breaking and smashing planes as he went. Soon the rampage was showing massive results. Only a few aircraft were in the air now as Tol‘s rampage continued, none of the Kotan’s wanted to fight him.

One of the last planes let lose with some arrows and Jane managed to him the pilot who jumped out on to his parachute. However a single arrow scored a hit.

“Oh good heavens the air bag has been hit, we’ll err lose all our air!” Newton exclaimed.

Jazz quickly climbed the mast and headed up onto the air bag. She threw the spoonful of stew at the hole and it splattered over the hole sealing it.

“Hahaha seems Arden’s stew will stick to anything!” exclaimed Jane.

“It’s good for almost anything, including eating” Arden replied.

Jazz carefully climbed down to the deck and sighed softly. They would need to make full repairs to the air bag but at least they were safe now. Tol noticed another plane and jumped off the plateau catching the planes tail. The pilot bailed out and the plane and Tol went crashing to the ground.



********


The Airship touched down close to wear the plane and Tol fell, they grouped around him and they sighed.

“The poor nobel being!” Jane said softly.

“Hmmmph” Tol said.

“Tol your alive!” exclaimed Jazz.

“Hmmm sure am a fall off some dumb old mountain wont kill me”

Jane ran over and hugged Tol tightly.

“I’m so glad your alright Tol, I thought you had been killed. I’m so glad your alright”

“Gee are you Princess Jane?” Tol questioned.

“Yes, yes I am!”

“Awww gee I was hugged by a Princess!”

“My friend your nobel help should be rewarded, name it and you shall have it” answered Aaron.

“I got my reward already, I got a kiss from a real livw Princess hehehe” replied Tol.

Aaron nodded and turned to look at Jazz, Newton and Arden.

“Now about your reward for saving my sister…if there is anything you want just name it”

“Aaron we didn’t rescue your sister for a reward” replied Jazz.

“Welll...at least keep the crystals we found” answered Jane.

“Yes I think some how they were ment for you three” Aaron said.

“Hmmm I wonder what these crystals really are?” Newton wondered outloud.

“I think some how I think they will make all that treasure look like some sort of illusion” Jazz said.

“Well I took a little sample and it looks pretty real to me!” Arden commented.

The calico feline brought out a large diamond which flashed a few times and faded away. The Calico feline looked surprised and then to the others.


********


On the other side of the city, Dikat and Bean were busy hauling away their treasure. As they passed the outskirts of the city the two stopped to look at their haul.

“You know Bean, I’m easily in the Villain and Blackguard Organisation with this little lot. Plus Mommy will be so proud of me. I could even be a shoe in for the Dictator/Supreme Oppressor”

“Yeah, I’m not even sure Grimtail would let you just push him out of the way”

“I’d like to see ….OH” exclaimed Dikat.

The two had stopped and were looking into one of the large chests that were on the carriage. The coins and gems where starting to flash and one by one were blinking out of existence. Soon nothing was left.

“Oooh Grimtail is going to blow his stack, I told ya not to send any messages to the Vee Bee Oh. He’s gonna be expecting you at the headquaters...he’s gonna be so angry if you can’t even pay your membership dues Boss”

“Hmmm….” commented Dikat.


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The Airship continued on it’s way the small group had landed about two hours ago repaired the stern and set off again. Everything seemed to be alright, Prince Forest was looking at one of the crystals.

“You know I think these will be worth all the trouble some how”

“I think your right Forest” Jazz replied.

In the far distance a castle could be seen, far to the east where the Elven States. Near to them was the lands that made up the kingdom of Cathar. The towers of the castle and walled town began to reflect the evening sunlight.

“That’s it...after long last we can see home...we’re home dear sister” exclaimed Forest.

Jane could not help but grin, she hugged her brother as best she could and the two grinned from ear to ear. Using a telescope Newton could see the gates of the large town where still open.

“Well..er we should land as soon as possible..perhaps not near the ahem castle. That might not be such a umm good idea anyway”

“We’ll be fine if you need to land outside the walls” answered Jane.

The Airship began to go lower after less than an hour it managed to pass over the walls easily and settled down in one of the parks. As soon as it settled a city guard came running up, and looked upwards slightly and challenged them. Both Jane and Forest came down the small ramp.

“Oh..your Highness’s I’m sorry I was going to….I beg your forgiveness”

“It’s quite alright guard, please let the captain of the guard and my father know we have returned home”

“Oh yes, of course Prince Forestwalker”

With that the Otter male was off as fast as he could as go or as fast as his armour would allow him to.

********


Inner Town Cathar Castle
Entertainment District

Darius and Niko were just enjoying the warm evening weather, normally most kept out of the large fountains, but it had been a very hot day. Little than the usual day to day events took place as the people milled around, worked and got on with their lives. Someone was trying to get Niko’s attention.

“Guard Captain, the Prince and Princess have returned to Cathar….both are unharmed but….”

“Take your time Commander, if the Prince and Princess is back then we must inform their parents of their return. Darius I’m sorry but we will have to take a rain check on this for now”

Darius sighed he knew that this would have to take his love away. He nodded and licked his lips.

“You better make this up to me”

“Oh I know and yes I will, I have to go” Niko answered.

The two shared a kiss and Niko was off, the last few words Darius hear were: You have all the details?

Other than that Darius sighed pulled his feet out of the cold water dried them and headed home to wait. The giraffe male did think if things would be better if Niko changed jobs. However he also knew that the muscled raccoon male would not be happy with any other job. Niko enjoyed the chase and work of being Guard Captain, he’d be unable to do anything else, plus the fun time they had after going to the Rambling players well it made it all worth while.


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An Uninvited Guest