Content Warnings: Violence, Abuse, Implications
Interloper is based in the world of Faian, a world of my creation
Enjoy my second chapter :)
Word Length: 19k+
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Interloper
Apprehension
By Lichard Nixon
Based in the world of Faian

The floor of the dungeon was cold, although not as cold or as oppressive as the frozen feelings Neah was during at this current hour. She didn’t have a chain wrapped about her ankle at least, but she was once again in her cell, and didn’t even have her robes to give her comfort, not that she wanted them anymore. Ulric’s defilement of her past cut deeper than most wounds, and her mind raced with hundreds of fantasies and excuses. In the silence of her cell, without visitors or much else to keep her company, she stirred with anguish. She hoped Baruc would smooth things over but knew deep in her heart and mind that even then her life was effectively on a chopping block. There was no chance, she thought, that she would ever be allowed to remain as a tutor, and no doubt whatever punishment Albrich would cook up for her would be brutal and painful.

In the time it took, Neah was growing bored, and she felt embarrassed for having gone into such a half-frenzied state of apologies, even though she mentally was cursing Ulric and his entire bloodline. She imagined herself as braver, but her father had told her not to rely on such fantasies. She knew she was far from brave; she just did as she was told, and even then, she had failed in this regard.

She suddenly heard the door open far above her which led into the dungeon, two beasts shuffling down the stone stairs. Neah leapt to her feat straight away, hoping it was a friendly face like Baruc coming to tell her that everything was alright in some capacity.

Her heart sank when in the pale light of a torch, Albrich and Ryak appeared. Ryak kept his gaze from Neah, as she backed away towards the wall, seeing Albrich’s cold and uncaring eyes looking down at her. The cell door opened, and both walked in, as Ryak took his place at the back. Albrich approached and Neah tried to act dutiful and bent her head to him.

“You stupid girl. Stop that at once, raise your head, not like it will be there long anyhow.” Albrich said with an annoyed spite. Neah did as bided, and tried to negotiate. “My lord, I am sorry. I am. I didn’t mean to, I’ll double my work, I’ll–“

“Be silent.” Albrich ordered. Neah did this as well as Albrich pinched his nose, grunting in frustration. “Ryak, do something useful and grab me a chair at least. Tell me there is one Otterfolk in Reik Shetfelm that is at least competent.”

Ryak did so, grabbing a chair from some other cell farther off, and once Albrich was sitting down, he squeezed his paws together in front of him. Neah’s heart sank, knowing he was holding back some very considerable anger towards her, and her lips curled as she realized she was now in mortal danger. She begged “My lord, I beg of you, with mercy towards me. I didn’t intend–“

“Neah, I don’t care what you intended.” Albrich shook his head, looking her straight in the eyes and explained “Baruc explained everything to me.”

Neah had a flicker of some hope, perhaps thinking Albrich had a sense of justice. Neah pushed “H-he did? I’m certain Ulric didn’t mean–“

Ryak interrupted, his voice being quite serious which made Neah silence herself. “What Ulric did isn’t the problem. It’s what you did. You are a servant of the household, and a slave of the Autumn Reich. You should have known better.” Ryak sounded like he wasn’t trying to scold Neah, as Albrich went on a tangent as he scolded Ryak in a sudden rant.

“Ryak, if I wanted you to speak, I’d have asked for it. This wouldn’t be a problem if you had brought Ulric to anyplace, anywhere which he could learn to be a bloody reasonable beast! Now my son, my bleeding heir, is a useless brat who thinks he is richer than the Fall Father himself. That stupid boy is going to be the death of me one of these days, and if it comes to that, I’ll have you lashed and banished from my castle post haste, Ryak.”

Ryak shook his head, speaking back to the baron “I did do that, sir. You and Lady Shetmieser demanded I didn’t do that after the last time.”

“Last time, when was–“

“You remember what happened to the Baker’s son?”

Albrich became suddenly silent, remembering something as he had a sudden realization. Neah dared not ask, not that she needed to as Albrich explained unintentionally as he cursed himself and his family.

“To the abyss with me then. How did I forget? I should have asked your order for someone with greater bravery. I still get fearful and angry looks from the baker’s family over the ‘incident’. Why did you let him do all that foolishness to that Kit anyway?”

“Because, my lord, he is your son. I can’t harm your son because you ordered me not to. If you wanted your boy and I to be friends, or friends with your marshal, it should have started much longer ago. I’m not a miracle worker, my lord.”

Albrich returned his attention to Neah who was calmed a bit by the casualness, her hopes returned somewhat. Albrich huffed and spoke up “Neah, do you know much about law? Ratik laws to be precise?”

“Somewhat my lord.” Neah was hesitant to even reply, unsure where Albrich would be going with his line of thoughts. Albrich became informative, not in an initially cruel manner, but in one which had a hint of sarcastic anger. Neah truly knew little of Ratik law, not that it existed in a normal form. Ratik Law was flexible, the only absolute in it was the will of the Great Warlord, and with so many Great Warlords in the world, the laws were contradictory. “Ratik law states that slaves who strike at their betters are no longer in the service of their master, but an enemy that must be dealt with. You struck my son, and from what I can tell permanently scarred his face. Your legacy is secure at least.”

Neah’s heart dropped and she fell to her knees, begging upward “P-please, my lord! Have mercy! I didn’t–“

“Enough.” Albrich grunted “You can drop whatever act of begging because my decision is final. Tomorrow, you will be hanged in the woods and will be buried in the poor beast’s graveyard with the rest of my servants.”

Ryak spoke up, and in a way which was a mix of disappointment as much as surprise. “My lord, isn’t this a bit harsh?”

Albrich turned to him and lifted an eyebrow, silently begging for Ryak to explain himself. Neah sat on the floor and huddled at the wall, listening as she gave a desperate and hopeful glance to the Knight of the Noose. Ryak bowed his head, speaking plainly “My lord, you, and I both know Ulric and his tendencies, and Baruc made it pretty clear on who started this whole debacle. Have her lashed, or sell her to some farmers, but death? It is absurd.”

Albrich growled lowly at Ryak’s softer suggestion, killing what remained of Neah’s hope. “Ryak, do you know who I am?”

“My lord, I–“

Albrich yelled, anger in his voice which nearly rang across the dungeon. “I am Albrich Shetmieser, you blasted water dog! I am Baron of this castle, and a lord of this tribe! When I pass, it will be Ulric who sits where I sit now! When a peasant family walks into the court, the first thing they will see is a mark across his bleeding face, and they will know it was one of our own slaves who struck him. That spreads rumors, Ryak. Rumors that we are weak, and unfit for our lands! It makes my son look like a fool, before not only his own people, but to all of our neighbors! My son, a descendent of our Prince, a risen master given onto us by the Fall Father, was struck by a slave! It would have been embarrassing enough if it was some common servant, but no, it was a girl less in age, race, and strength. What happens to my son, affects my entire line. It afflicts me.”

Ryak silenced himself, looking a bit shocked. The Weaselfolk baron returned his attention to Neah and spoke with a similar simmer of hate “And you. You made an oath to cause no trouble. You caused trouble, and since you can’t keep your own oath, I will fulfill mine. There will be no trial, you will perish, and that will be that.”

“My lord.” Ryak spoke more firmly again, and Albrich returned with an annoyed sigh. Ryak spoke defensively, trying to reason with the lord.

“My lord, Ulric clearly went after this creature because he is petty and unreasonable. He should have not known where this stupid thing was even sleeping, but he found it none-the-less, as Baruc had said. My lord, there are few witnesses, can we not just say it was your paw that struck him?” Neah looked between the two, almost confused. She had suspected Ryak would be more on his master’s side than hers, and it somewhat made her concerned her what other punishment would await her to avoid execution. She had avoided the cruel sting of a lash when she was a child, only because Micah Tendrov had found her. The thought of such a punishment wasn’t exactly much better. The best fate she could surmise was to be sent to a farm or a forestry, doing hard labor for the rest of her miserable life. Though, she knew she would not be so lucky, no doubt sold to some mine or worse a port, a port where she would likely just disappear from memory as some half-starved galley slave.

Albrich and Ryak exchanged looks with one another, with Albrich looking colder than he had been previously. Neah felt a chill in her spine seeing him lose his anger, as he calmly spoke, his eyes never leaving Ryak.

“My decision is final. Ryak, you will be the one to hoist the rope.”

Ryak sounded shocked “My lo–“

“Speak another word, Ryak, and you will be joining her as well. I will hear no more of this. Tomorrow, this trouble is gone from my home for good.” Albrich returned his icy look to Neah, who slowly began to accept her terrible fate. Her eyes became teary again, huddled far from him.

“Pray to whatever gods you have, Neah Tendrov. They will be the only ones in witness.” Albrich sat up and marched out of the cell, and Ryak gave one last pitiful look to Neah who began to redden in her face and bury her paws into it. Ryak closed the cell door in silence, leaving only in time to hear Neah weep for the last few moments left in Faian.
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There was light shining over the castle, even though its source was obscured by gray clouds and a light drizzle of rain. On the walls of Reik Shetfelm, looking down from the main gate, Albrich Shetmieser frowned when he saw a stranger approach. Albrich was worried, anxious even, and being surrounded by his armed guards, sons, and even his ancestor directly next to him did not provide much comfort. Someone was coming, he had heard a courier had announced an envoy from the capital had been sent to meet with him. Yet, paranoia filled his mind, knowing who was coming and what he was capable of. Now, the figure approached from the road, alone and slow, unhindered by any retinue or any form of beast he could see.

“Had he truly walked all this way?” One of his guards asked. Albrich gulped and nodded. His ancestor was less than impressed, giving a hearty pat on the back of Albrich who did not feel any comfort from it.

“Oh be still your beating hearts, this is but another envoy of the Fall Father. You all act as if it is an enemy army.” Anduyiun yawned, or at least, pretended to. Albrich knew full well he was trying to act proud in the face of whom was coming, and as the being came into better view, he looked so small beneath the gates. It stopped at the moat, looking up at them.

“I’m here!” Albrich heard his eldest son behind him, slightly annoyed. Ulric had not been present at first, coming with his armor and weapon in paw. He complained quite openly “That damnable water dog, Opan. You should execute him next father. For laziness.”

Albrich didn’t speak back on such things, knowing his grim task would be accomplished today as well, but not before humoring an envoy from the Fall Father himself. Ulric looked down, and raised an eyebrow, looking all around before speaking to his ancestor quite casually. “Is this some manner of joke?”

“Oh I sure wish it was, my perfect descendent.” Anduyiun sighed.

Beneath them was a Fearum in a tight-fitting breastplate, with no helm to speak of. He looked up with a cold and bored face at the gathered warriors who feared as much as were mesmerized by him. His iris was red, and a tuff of long fur went down his cheeks which didn’t look groomed, let alone washed. Much of his body was well armored in some degree, but he didn’t look like a common soldier or a noble. He looked more like an adventurer of sorts, although what he held made Ulric and the others a bit more unsure of his intentions. In one of his paws was a trench shovel with a handle at its end, sharpened like a weapon. To his sides of his belt were all manner of tools, and a pack behind him which was stuffed. Albrich to one side could see a pistol of goblin make, although heavily modified and less dangerous looking. Ulric was looking on the other, seeing some kind of small iron war pick, a hatchet, and a bag full of shot.

Albrich knew full well who this was, there was no mistaking that shovel anywhere, a mix of respect as much as fear filled him.

Ardan Reinux.

Undeterred.

Undying.

“Be silent, Ulric.” He blurted out. “This is Ardan. A Prince of the Reich, just as your ancestor is. You will show the same respect to him as you would to me or Anduyiun.”

Ulric groaned “Father, look at him! He does even wear the Fall Father’s image! Anduyiun, my ancestor, is this truly the ‘legend’ we heard so much about?”

Anduyiun was silent, even if he kept his smile. His paw leaned upon his swivel sword, his cape flowing with the light wind around him. He knew of Ardan as well, and spoke with a mocking tone of his accomplishments.

“Yes, do not let the outfit of poverty deceive you, Ulric Shetmieser. This is indeed Ardan, Undeterred from noble and bright living, and undying in his quest to bore and insult the sensibilities of more capable beasts. He is indeed the sole beast who had smacked away the Kerks, breaking their supply lines by his lonesome, and defeated countless creatures arrayed by the Leadership during my time. He is indeed the sole wandered who traveled deep into the mountains to destroy the goblin plot to cut down the Fall Father’s favored palace which is hoisted above us. He is indeed the bane of dwarves, a friend of kobolds, and all manner of other sultry titles. None of which compare to our own accomplishments, my boy.”

Albrich frowned, wanting to say something, but dared not to. Ulric felt more at ease, even arrogant. Anduyiun stepped onto the edge of the wall, meeting his eyes with the distant Ardan who was looking up at him. Albrich heard the wind around him stop rather suddenly, flags on the castle’s posts stopped waving. Anduyiun opened his mouth, his voice boomed loudly in all directions.

“What brings a traveler to the doorsteps of my home? You’re welcome is only worthy if you acknowledge our nobility. Where are your followers, your retinue, undeterred and undying?” Anduyiun had a cruel smile on his face, wanting a proper response. His thought was to perhaps play for time with this worn traveler.

His cruel words were interrupted when he felt a sudden gust of strong wind at his back, nearly knocking over Albrich and Ulric from the walls, which got his immediate scowl. A less than pleased voice shortly remarked back to them. “Open the gates.” Albrich watched his favorite helm drop into the moat below, and he got the message loud and clear. He growled out orders, quickly exciting the walls “Open the gates!” Anduyiun’s smile left him, half expecting some smirk from Ardan who only continued to look up at him, until his full attention turned to the opening gates before him. The loud crash and ring of the drawbridge giving him entrance was soon followed by Ardan striding into the castle grounds, with Albrich giving a very desperate bow to him, showing he didn’t mean any ill will by the Prince’s example. “Prince Ardan Reinux! I am Albrich Shetmieser, and these are my sons. Please, we didn’t mean–“

Ardan raised his paw and didn’t speak a word, demanding silence. He took his paw to his belt, taking out a small scroll and giving it to the baron. Albrich inspected it, his heart lowering seeing the kaiser’s wax insignia closing the letter, an orange tree with deep roots. Ardan opened the letter, reading it to himself privately, before giving a loud sigh “I see.”

Anduyiun joined them in a slow manner, coming down from the walls and surrounded by a retinue of guards who were more afraid of Ardan then they were of him. Ardan gave his fellow prince a disappointed look, as Anduyiun spoke with a generous joy, but the words he spoke certainly were neither joyous or inviting.

“Ardan, I did not think you one for such games, though I do hope you do not mean to insult me or cause my family harm for such theater.”

Ardan spoke, his speech as Albrich had been told was very soft and short, as he often didn’t like to speak very much if at all.

“The Fall Father sent me to collect something important, and you will cooperate.”

“You presume I would not? I am insulted in three ways, Ardan. You come as an envoy of our master, yet come as some manner of courier delving some poultry order. You try to fling my descendants over the walls, and now presume I would ever go against our master’s wishes? Oh, such a shame, Ardan, that it is–“ Anduyiun was cut off, with Ardan speaking much more firmer.

“The Fall Father is unhappy with something you did, and he does not often tell me why. I am here to find out, and fix whatever troubles him. I do, however, have my theories.”

“And that is?” Anduyiun gave a mocking yawn. Ardan put his shovel into the ground and held it’s handle, and although he did not look angry, he certainly did not exactly look amused.

“You were warned Anduyiun. Forestwatch and the lands beyond the treeline were not to be prodded at by anyone, including you or your minions. The others have kept to that demand, and you haven’t. I got information, beasts talk, and I hear there was another incursion to the north? This is your final warning.”

Anduyiun’s face remained smiling, but even Albrich could tell that his charmed form was fraying at the edges in anger. Albrich interrupted “My lord, that problem is being solved as we speak, we can discuss the Fall Father’s wishes inside, in a warmer court.” Ardan gave a confused look to Albrich who was somewhat taken aback. Princes disguised themselves in strong magic which hid the rotting features, but Ardan had very specific and animated expressions. Ardan paused, explaining in cautious details “The last ‘gift’ my ancestor gave to us, was not welcome and is being removed as we speak. It will not be a problem for much longer, but there are legitimate issues that need to be discussed, within reason.”

Ardan nodded and proceeded to invite himself inside. Albrich was the one who followed, speaking as he came to the front to lead Ardan further into the keep. “As you know, my lord, we border the treeline itself and we have had little room to expand or grow. The Fall Father is merciful and generous, but we cannot just sit idly by while Forestwatch breathes down our necks. Our great master demands I give you free reign to complete your task, but I ask, what exactly is that task?”

Ardan didn’t speak at first, as Albrich turned to see his retinue slowly fading, and seeing as to why made him pause as well. Ardan was looking at a grim sight, as being led past them was Ryak and a few guards, escorting Neah who held her head down as her paws were tied in tight rope. Ryak didn’t look at Albrich in shame, but they were temporarily followed by Hegwer and Opan who looked sadly on, and Baruc collecting them both to bring them back inside. Baruc exchanged a nasty look to Albrich and Ulric and didn’t say a word.

Yet, Ulric was not around to see Baruc’s silent glare, as he and Anduyiun soon found themselves joining Neah’s deathly procession outside the castle grounds. Albrich explained “A recent capture from a raid and a problem, my lord. May we continue?” Ardan sighed and nodded, continuing into the castle. To him, this was just simply life, as short as it was for some. Yet, Ardan stopped when he heard something behind him, distant as it was which caught his attention.

“My ancestor, that blasted cretan nearly killed me and pa! Can we not do something about it?”

“Sadly no, Ulric. We’ll just have to happy with this show. Besides, that impoverished thing will not stay here long. He’ll return to his decrepit hut in the woods, and remain there, doing as he always does. Nothing of importance.”

“He lives in a shack?”

“A shack? Oh, my dear boy, do not speak ill of shacks. The hamlet he lives in would give such homes of slaves and hermits a bad name.”

Albrich’s voice sounded more distant, as he spoke about more political affairs. When he didn’t hear an answer to one of his questions, he looked behind him and didn’t see Ardan, having disappeared.
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Neah slowly waited near a guard, silent as she was, her head hurting as she kept finding herself staring up at Ryak who was not far away, with a long length of rope in his paw. Ryak was frowning, slow and mumbling to himself as he worked his paws to making the rope into something which he was all too familiar with. Soon enough, a noose was in his paw, but he had set it down and began looking around at the trees. He was looking for a strong and high up branch, one which Neah would soon be swinging from, she sniffed at the thought and tried to block it out of her head. She looked to the forest, hoping in her mind to see the Tendrov ancestor walking to her and bringing her back home again, but she knew that it was a vain hope.

Neah was not foreign to a hanging, she had seen one before while with her adoptive family. Kerks hanged their criminals. One of her uncles was caught stealing money to buy Fuus berry wine in large quantities, and the clan had hanged him. She had not seen the hanging itself, she excused herself from it, but she did see the crowded tree which he was executed on. She remembered the old white willow tree well, a sorrowful and grim place for which hundreds of bodies remained strapped to or swayed from the tree, the ground littered in bone. Two of her cousins guarded the tree, her father having said it was an ancient custom. The Kerks called them Silent Groves, which warned those who visited the clan of the fate that befell thieves, bandits, and those who came to harm them. Her father once told her that being hanged was a terrible and criminal way to go. It was an execution meant for bandits, and little else. Now here she was, looking up as Ryak swung the noose over a tree branch and her end dangled not far from her, hovering over the orange and red grounds.

She was going to die here, and she did not want to step forward. So her guards forced her forward.

Neah was pushed by her guard as Ryak held the rope. One of the guards slipped the noose over her neck, as she shook in terror. She looked to Ryak, asking but one question.

“Will it hurt?”

Ryak did not answer, having had such experience before. In a way, he tried to give one last comfort to her “No, it will be–“

“Painful and long, my dear.”

Ryak and Neah turned to Anduyiun and Ulric who arrived on the scene, the Prince got his bows from the guards who moved out of the way of him and heir. Ulric scoffed, touching his face where Neah had struck. She could see her marks having dug very harshly into his fur and flesh, and despite some expert stitching, his face looked damaged. She dared not utter a word, fearing a worse fate would befall her. Yet, Anduyiun seemed quite jovial as he circled her. “Our dear friend should a Kerk’s honesty, isn’t that right Knight of the Noose? Is not one of your vows honesty? No need to shame your order over a disobedient creature.”

Ryak didn’t answer, as Ulric shoved him partly “Answer my ancestor, water dog.”

Ryak sighed and slightly mumbled “It is one, my lord. Mercy is another one, and justice.” He looked at Ulric in particular, who simply huffed and turned his full attention to Neah. She had somewhat hoped her death would be stopped by some manner of bad weather or a sudden call for mercy, a delay of any kind. This though? This was the worst way she could think to go about it, as the two got a kick out tormenting her.

“You see, Neah Tendrov, when a creature is hanged, it is a slow and painful demise! The neck grips at the rope, and one’s weight plays such a big role in things. I am certain in some ways, you might leave Faian in a timely manner, or not before the rope cuts into your ears or jaw. Struggle and struggle, you will, and in your ending days, you will give us quite a thrill.” Ulric snickered at the rhyme which made Anduyiun give a big, fake smile to show he was pleased.

Ulric came forward, giving a wide and cruel grin “Maybe if you apologize rightly, beg even, I’ll forgive you. Let you live about two or three more days, till I get bored.”

Neah didn’t say anything and wondered if her dignity was worth her life. The opportunity passed when Ulric yawned and spoke up at Ryak. “Hang this witch, already. I’ve always been curious, Ryak, what your own hanging was like. I’ll get a good picture of it, maybe even respect you.”

Neah began to mumble out in Kerkian, to her gods, one final attempt to gain their favor.

“Mountain gods, receive me. Forest gods, protect me. River gods, hear me. Please, receive me as a creature of merit, please give m–“ Her words were cut off as she felt her throat tighten and she was being lifted off the ground. It was at long last happening.

And it was painful.

Extremely painful.

Her paws were held in rope behind her back, her legs trying to reach for anything as she began to choke, and just as soon as she was being lifted upward, she suddenly plummeted.

She heard a loud crack into wood, and she fell to the ground, landing onto the dry leaves below, coughing and gagging. She looked up, seeing a trench shovel having imbedded near the top of the tree, cutting the noose. She was confused, mortified as she looked around with a mixture of gasps. Anduyiun’s smiling face became much colder, and Ulric looked flabbergasted. Ryak let go of the rope in shock, as everyone turned to see Ardan Reinux standing and walking closer to them.

Ardan reached out his paw, runes upon his gloves glowed orange and his shovel returned to him as it flew back into his paw. Neah was speechless, partly because she was coughing still as Anduyiun spoke in a newly mocking tone. “Ardan, do you intend to insult me further? You think this beast is worthy to be a Knight of the Noose, for slapping my descendent? Shall I tell the good news to every bandit and criminal the wonderful news that you will be filling the ranks of their orders with little creatures and petty thieves?”

Ardan didn’t speak up, which likely made Anduyiun more and more furious. Ryak’s attention to them ceased as the two Princes began to argue, or more accurately, Anduyiun trying to shame and deride his fellow Prince. Yet, his attention returned to Ulric and Neah, and his eyes widened when Neah had only just begun to stand up as Ulric approached her, his paw on the handle of his sword. Ryak leapt quickly into action, as Neah was soon being pulled away in time by Ryak as he put himself between her and Ulric. Ulric yelled “Get out the way, you fool! My justice won’t be denied!”

Ryak argued, his voice straining “Ulric, you idiot! Don’t you know what is even going on!? A Prince had just pardoned her. Leave this be, and let your fath–“ Ulric tried to push Ryak aside, but he was soon launched backward by the Otterfolk. Ryak took out his sword, and the guards surrounding him and Ulric took out theirs, and were pointing it at him. Neah was barely paying much attention, as she huddled near Ryak’s legs.

Anduyiun turned to this as Ulric shouted “I will not have my vengeance sullied because some hermit decided to make this creature a bleeding knight, you stupid thrall! She did this to me, your future lord!” He pointed to his scarred face, but the insult didn’t go over well. Ryak gave a very firm warning to him “Ulric, this isn’t just for her sakes but yours. You can’t just defy the will of a Prince. If they interrupt an execution, that creature is freed of their crimes. If he decides to make her one of my order, that is Prince Ardan’s wishes. Ulric, listen to reason for once in your bleeding life and leave this alone!”

Ulric breathed in and out, turning to Anduyiun for guidance. Ryak, in some vain hope, wanted Anduyiun to diffuse his descendent, but much to his horror, he instead egged him on. “You are a son of this land, Ulric Shetmieser. Letting a slave, and a slave with fancy clothes and a nice sword, give you commands? Such an insult is quite grave, isn’t that right, Ardan?”

Ardan finally spoke up, giving a much firmer and darker warning.

“Anduyiun, if you go through with this, there will be violence.”

The two Princes stood apart from each other, as Ardan was stoic as he held his trench shovel in paw, the pole in his grip. Anduyiun lowered his feathered, wide hat to obscure his face, gripping his sword tighter. Before further trouble was made, a loud voice peak up over at them, speaking in a mixture of terror and anger “Enough!”

Albrich and his guards entered the scene, as Albrich looked to see Neah having a broken noose wrapped around her neck, hiding beneath Ryak whose sword was pointed at his son. Albrich had seen and heard enough, marching over the Ulric who calmed partly at first as his father slapped the sword from his paw. He seethed “I thought I taught you right, do you think our customs and laws jokes, Ulric Shetmieser!? Ryak! Take her to the dungeons, I’ll deal with her later! Anduyiun, my ancestor. Ardan. I am no longer asking; I demand you respect my rights as Baron of this realm and meet me in my court! I will not have violence because of poor judgement, not on my watch!”

Neah could only silently blink as she was picked up by Ryak and hauled away, the arguing Weaselfolk continued to bicker, all except Ardan who had a strange smirk on his face. He looked in her direction, but something strange happened. She swore his face began to soften, and then rather suddenly, look surprised. She did not know why, and she dared not even ask. She just mentally thanked her gods as she was returned to the castle to live for perhaps a few more days.
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Neah sat in her cell, as she could hear things were going on above her. As she was dragged back into the castle, Baruc had come up to Ryak, asking what was happening. Ryak had brushed him off, but even as the chief servant pestered the Knight of the Noose all the way to the cell, she could hear the two discussing things. She didn’t know what was happening, and she honestly wanted to know what was going on. Albrich’s voice was distant, but his words were filled with anger, and an absurd amount of fury. Ulric’s voice was filled with pleading, and Anduyiun’s voice boomed. When she ended up in this land, expecting is disappear as some thrall forever trapped in the household of foreigners, she did not expect to cause so much trouble. She had cursed herself a lot, but now she wondered if she was cursed in some capacity.

The familiar sound of footsteps walking down the stairs of the dungeon, as she could only guess who it was coming to meet her. In a dim light, Albrich made his appearance, and she arose to greet him, wanting to make a new impression. Yet, he walked past her cell, as if in a daze, dragging in two chairs to her cell when he opened the door and gave a chair to her while he set up his own opposite of her.

“Take this and sit.” He ordered, his words harsh and yet tired.

Neah did as ordered and slowly sat across from him, dusting off her orange dress and awkwardly clasping her paws together. Although free of her bindings, she felt the lasting pain of their tight fit around her paws. Yet, it did not compare to the soft tissue at her throat, which was made worse by her iron clasp. Albrich sniffed, staring at her in silence. Neah felt awkward, giving him an anxious look. Thinking that she had to start a conversation, she had begun with a simple “My lord, I–“

“Be silent.” Albrich ordered. Neah silenced herself, not daring to apologize. Albrich gave a long sigh before straightening his back and speaking in a slow way.

“I suppose the good news for the both of us. For you, Ardan Reinux has pardoned you of your crimes against my son, and for whatever reason has ordered me and my ancestor to not bring harm to you.”

“Oh.” Neah didn’t sound relieved, and asked “Do you know why?”

“Does it matter?”

“I mean, I’m not sure. My lord, not being sure frightens me.”

Albrich could tell Neah was not lying and he shrugged “If I had to guess, from the way my ancestor and the other Prince spoke, it’s a feud. You weren’t freed because you were worthy of it, Neah. You were freed because my ancestor and my son made an insulting comment and are now realizing there are consequences to their actions.”

Neah nodded, although a smile came across her face “Oh. So I’m good then? I swear, my lord, I–“

“Now the good news for me.” Albrich interrupted, and Neah paid attention. “Ardan demanded an apology, and I had my son grovel at his feet for insults against him. I watched my boy, my first born and future heir to my lands grovel like a slave to another on the behalf of your mistake. That Prince at least gave me the mercy of not sending you to be honored as a Knight of the Noose, something you sorely do not deserve. Normally, a pardon of this kind is only meant for those the Princes find valuable, and I would sooner fling you off the walls then have you sully one of the orders of the Reich’s knights because of this petty foolery.”

Neah blinked and found it kinda funny in her head. She was hardly much of a warrior of any sort, and she swore she was prone to some manner of sensitivity. To see her as some knight like Ryak would have likely truly been an insult of some kind. She tried to be cheerier on the matter “My lord, I suppose that’s good. Right?”

Albrich didn’t answer and rubbed his head, clearly anxious. Neah frowned and apologized. “My lord. I am sorry I caused such stress. I never meant to–“ Neah silenced herself, thinking it over. Albrich lifted his head to her and admitted “I am certain you didn’t, but it happened regardless. I am here to inform you that you will be continuing your service to me.”

“Y-yes, my lord.”

“You will also be continuing to tutor my grandchildren.”

Neah paused, giving a shocked look. Albrich looked back and explained “My missus is happy you will be alive to continue what we were discussing. That day, I was coming to ask you questions of my own. My son’s little, adorable mistakes are still of my blood, and my missus doesn’t want to tutor them forever.”

“My lord, may I be honest?”

Albrich lifted an eyebrow and nodded to her. “My lord, I honestly thought your missus would want to kill me more, considering–“

“She is angry about that, but not as angry at my son for being the way he is. Baruc spoke ill of my son, but his disrespect towards his future lord pales in comparison to the words my missus spoke of her own flesh and blood. She would prefer a teacher takes those two off her paws.”

Neah could see something in Albrich, a softness which she had not seen before. She cautiously asked “My lord, those two youngsters. They are–“

“My grandchildren, and nothing more.” Albrich firmly said. Neah quickly apologized “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to speak on a poor subject, my lord. I–“ Albrich held up his paw to get her to stop and she did. Albrich sniffed and shook his head “My son’s ‘gifts’ had always been a poor influence on him, I was hoping by denying him that he would improve. Yet here we are, Neah Tendrov. I can’t even tear you away from him without degenerating ever further. Had I acted sooner, those who little mistakes would have not been here. Instead, the whole affair was hidden from me until it was far too late.”

Neah kept silent, knowing enough that speaking any further on such a subject was uncomfortable as it was tragic. Albrich arose, and she did too as his voice darkened again. He came close to her, spoke downward at her.

“Neah, I will tell you this only once. I cannot have you killed, but as your master, I can have you punished in other ways, so do not think this spot of luck you have is anything less than that.” Albrich folded his paws as Neah slowly backed away. She frowned as he continued “My son will have that scar on his face for the remainder of his life, not unless I can pay out some manner of absurd sum to have magic heal him. You now owe me a considerable debt in that regard. If you step out of line again, Otterfolk, the lash will look like a mercy.”

Neah slowly nodded, although she also looked pathetically fearful. She blurted out “Y-yes, I’m sorry. I’ll–“ Neah didn’t continue as Albrich left, slamming the cell door behind her. If it wasn’t made clear, she would be spending the night in the cell, partly thankful for being alive. She sat on her tail, praying to her gods for thanks, and praying for further relief.

“Mountain gods, praise unto you. Forest gods, thank you. River gods, I bend my head to you. Please, please help me.”
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The next week had been strange for Neah, as Baruc collected her one morning and guided her back to her small room, although with a surprise of an added pillow and partly renovated to be less humiliating to sleep in. Neah rejoined her fellow slaves for about a day before being called by the castle’s lady to her chambers, where she formally introduced herself to the youngsters of the Shetmieser family. Neah was somewhat shocked in a way, the two youngsters looked almost excited and were friendly, constantly asking questions as Neah showed them to the castle’s library to begin her work. She was not alone in the first few days, as she was accompanied by the castle’s priest whom kept some order and gave Neah some tips and tricks in reering the two.

She learned their names were Ulwitch and Urmis, and although they had the same eyes and face of Ulric, their personalities surprised and relieved Neah. Both were incredibly kind and even patient, but yet both were also full of energy and got easily distracted. More than once she chased the two around the library to get them to sit, having fun seeing Neah go after them, and thankfully a harsh smack on the table from the priest had gotten them to sit. Neah was ever fearful of wanting to bring any form of punishment on the two, partly because they spoke so kindly to her, and partly out of fear of what Albrich would do to her.

From lunch till evening, every day the group would gather in the library as looked over a group of tasks written to her by Lady Shetmieser, and she hopped to it. The week was full of learning for all three of them, as Neah pulled ancient books off the shelves and put them in front of the youngsters, helping them learn how to read the language of their own empire. There was only one good beginner’s book she could find in the library which didn’t have absurd numbers of fanciful words, which was a massive and extensive tome of family history.

“Alright, and this one here. It is a P. It looks like an fancy axe, facing right. Best way to remember it is that P cuts into O.”

Ulwitch slowly spoke, focusing a bit too hard on the letter he was looking at “Pe-Pe-Pffp.”

“Your nearly there, but it is P.”

Ulwitch tried again, although he did look a bit tired. Whatever excitement he had in learning was going away and Neah could see that. He tried again with a huff in his tone “P.”

“You got it!” Neah tried to give a good smile, but she knew the youngsters near her were a bit tired as they had been. She had an idea and went off, pulling another book from the shelf “I think we are good on that, lets look into something that’s a bit more exciting!” The two youngsters turned in time as Neah put another large book on the table they had been working at, which their eyes widened with. It had a big, fanciful cover with the Fall Father’s insignia, a book Neah herself wanted to look into. She read the title aloud “Tales and Accounts of the Heroes of the Rebellion against the Great Horde, History of the Princes.”

“Is Prince Anduyiun in der?” Urmis asked, and Neah shrugged. “I mean, I haven’t read this myself, but I’d think so.”

Neah opened the book as the two youngsters climbed on the table and drew close, as Neah read aloud for them to read along with her, encouraging them to use their newfound knowledge to read as well. The first Prince that came up shocked her somewhat, speaking aloud “Account of Ardan Reinux, Bane of the Kerks, the Goblins, and Dwarves.”

The account was massive, nearly taking up quarter in the tome’s size, and she wondered if the author had some bias. If anything, however, her silent savior had a history she found interesting as much as the youngsters next to her did. It spoke of hundreds of accomplishments, embellished as it was, but no less impressive. It spoke of how he had single handedly stopped a Kerkian division, how he broke apart a supply train in the dead of night, tricked the Kerks into a goose chase into the marshes of Cousland. It spoke of his endless deeds in defeating Gnoll captains, Kerkian blackshirts, and other forces Neah was not at all familiar with. It continued on and on, the words spoke to her of a being who had crushed the goblins of Huesforga-Duurn, of his accomplishments in destroying some vague threat in Vag-Rumbard.

“Neah, can you turn to our ancestor’s page? I bet it’s a lot more interesting. Papa says Prince Ardan lives in a shack, I bet the rest of the book talks about Anduyiun and the Fall Father.” Ulwitch asked. Neah turned the pages, going past other Princes and their account, until finally stopping to see an image of Anduyiun in a garb she was not familiar with, cartoonishly plastered onto a page. Yet, the three were taken aback to not find an amazing and brief account, but the briefest of all accounts. Anduyiun’s cartoonish image depicted a more common chieftain, well dressed and well-armed with a spear and shield, a grim expression upon his brow, a helm of warg hair flowed down and imagery of snake bones about him, a symbol neither she nor the youngsters were familiar with.

Yet, the writing about Anduyiun was quite brief, if not downright comically small. She read the words in her head, as it spoke quite poorly of him.

‘Anduyiun Shetenux, Chieftain of the Shet-Fearum, Kneebender to Argulux. In his time, he joined the Fall Father when he visited the Shet-Fearum during a time of great troubles and great doubt. Anduyiun asked the Fall Father for food and comfort for his people and was granted greatness. In battle against the Great Horde and the non-believers, Anduyiun accomplished himself by slaying the Ratik captain Juraux the Black Pawed, and crippled his son Faunux. Anduyiun raided the lands of the Ratik, bringing back tribute to the Fall Father and the Shet-Fearum where he meandered for a season. He appeared lately upon to the battlefield against Lanyak and the Great Warlord, where he turned the tide briefly against the enemy.

Anduyiun returned home where he languished until called south, where the Shet-Fearum faced against the Kerkian Black Army. Anduyiun was slain fighting the Ratik Kerk-Born captain Joseph Coldfinger who had cut off his paws and stuffed him in his mouth. On the day of resurrection during the final sermon of the Fall Father, Anduyiun arose in the marshes, confirming he was not brought back home and died heroically in the battlefield.’

That was it.

“Kids!” Neah looked up suddenly, having what she at first thought was Ulric’s voice and fearfully looked towards the library’s entrance, but the beast who stepped in was both familiar and not so, as the two youngsters exclaimed “Uncle Alban!” The two rushed and hugged at the legs of a large and imposing Fearum, well armored in a knightly garb, and looking rugged. His fur beneath his nose looked like it was groomed in a oddly specific way, giving him a ‘mustached’ appearance as he bent down and hugged his illegitimate nephews whom Neah was warmed to see he had given his love to. Neah kept herself silent, until Ulwitch exclaimed her presence to the imposing creature “Uncle Alban, dis is Neah. Our tutalalor.”

“Ulwitch, that was close, but it’s tuet-or” Neah corrected. Alban smiled, and Neah felt a slight bit of concern as he was followed in by two other Fearum in royal garb. One of them spoke quickly “Ulwitch, Urmis. Let the poor beast sit down, it’s been a long journey.”

“You were at the capital, Uncle Alban? How was it!?”

“Boring as heck!” Alban sat down and lifted the two onto his lap, giving a dramatic account “More tree and leaves than beasts I swear! Most boring month of my life, and more so! Fall Father should be so ashamed of the state of such a place. You’d have hated it.”

The two frowned until Alban began to chuckle, realizing he was only joking. “Oh it was quite a spectacle, but nothing less than any other trip.” The other two Neah got a good look at as they took their seats near Alban, somewhat ignoring her. She had seen the other two before, they wandered the castle often, but she never interacted with them much. She had a guess of whom they were, the other sons of Albrich, but considering her experiences with Ulric, she had good reason to avoid them. Now there was an entire brood of Shetmiesers near her, and she thought of nothing but of scenarios of doom and crippling amounts of bullying. Alban looked at her and cocked his head, squinting “Aren’t you a strange looking one, eh? Which part of the Marshreich are you from?”

Neah fumbled her words and arose “N-neither, my lord. I’m from Reidland, but my home is in Gurchland.”

Alban grunted, and she expected that is how her descent into being tormented would begin, but instead, Alban somewhat spoke in a curse. “Let me guess. Ulric.”

The fellow adult next to him nodded his head, as Arban returned his attention to Neah. “You come from the Confederacy then? I’m surprised the Ratik would allow your kind to read.”

“They didn’t, my adopted clan taught me.”

“Adopt–“ Alban paused and cringed “Kerk-born?”

Neah nodded. Alban gave a loud sigh, turning to the beast right of him “Orfux, the heck. I go away for a month, and Prince Anduyiun is doing that foolery again. Any other ‘gifts’ I need to be aware of?” Orfux shook his head, a beast who was thinner and lengthy, wearing a big royal collar and a cap upon his head. He looked nothing less than a royal scion, but the beast to his right was a near opposite. He wore a simple garb, an orange tunic, and comfortable pants. He wore a short copper chain around his neck, which was about the only expensive thing he wore. He was spoken to by Orfux, unintentionally introducing him.

“Honestly, Odo. I’m surprised you weren’t in the know. You got a good look Ulric at least?”

Odo nodded, and Neah couldn’t help but ask. “Odo. That’s a, umm, odd name.” Neah paused again before quickly apologizing “I mean, it’s a good name, my lord. I didn’t mean to–“

Odo chuckled much to her surprise “Aye, it is. About the worst name pa could have given me, being the youngest. We were originally here to talk to our brother about his time in the capital, I do hope we weren’t interrupting something.”

“I was, erm, tutoring my lord.”

“Ah, so ma did finally find some beast to pass that off to. How’s everyone’s favorite nephews today?” Odo turned his attention to the two youngsters who gave him reassurances of their happiness as he patted one of their heads and ruffled their ears till they pulled away their head. Odo smiled and then sighed “You must be the one pa tried to have hanged.”

The group turned to Neah who sat down and nodded, as Alban scoffed “Hanged for what exactly?”

“You saw Ulric, right?” Orfux asked Alban. Alban nodded as Orfux drew with his own paw across his own face, indicating the awkward subject. Alban looked surprised, looking between him and Neah. He asked quite bluntly “So you did that to my brother, huh?”

Neah wanted to lie, but she slowly nodded as a sickness entered her stomach. Alban asked again “Well, what was it for? Must have been something quite important for one of your kind to do that everyone’s favorite golden boy.” There was a very unsubtle hint of sarcasm in his voice, as the two youngsters turned to Neah, with interest as well. Neah explained in a cautious way “I didn’t mean to, my lord. I was gardening when Ulric came up to me, with my old scribe robes. It was, well, the last thing I had from my family. He began to tear at it with his knife, and–“ Neah grew silent, and grew somewhat teary eyed. She had in some way expected a cold rebuke from them all and the matter would be dropped, but Alban nodded and then happily scoffed.

“Ah, as I suspected. Deserved as always.” Neah’s eyes widened in confusion, as the three brothers joked at the expense of their elder.

“I wasn’t there for it, but you know how pa is. I’d swear we’d be living in a ruin if that dumb lout got his way. Not offense, Ulwitch and Urmis, you two got what was left of your pa’s brains. And now you got what is left of his looks! You met Ryak I take it?”

“Aye, same ol’ creature he’s always been.”

“Pa had him do it, or well, attempt to. You can curse and berate him for keeping Ulric alive for defying a Prince and his mercy.”

Alban rolled his eyes “I’ll be sure to give that Knight of the Noose a piece of my mind for that. Had it been any other Prince, I’d be the next heir and we’d be all having a funeral. Hmph. I take the ancestor was still egging him on as usual?” The group collectively nodded. Neah continued to be surprised, as even Ulric’s children didn’t seem all that bothered by the three speaking so ill of their brother. Neah coughed, getting Alban’s attention as she asked “My lord, if I may ask. Defying a Prince?”

“Aye. Every Prince has the Right of Heroes, giving them free reign over the lives of others. If a Prince doesn’t like you, they’ll kill you and that is fully legal. If a Prince likes you, he’ll delay or stop an execution. Normally they agree on things and don’t bother with mortal affairs for very long, so if a Prince pardoned you of a crime, we all must respect it. Even my father, or the emperor, must respect a Prince’s demands and wishes, no matter what they may be. The Fall Father saved us from the evils of the Ratik, and for that, we willfully allow them to rule and guide us. Tis why we live in castles of stone, while they dwell in lodgings of wood.”

Odo smiled and intervened “Also why I am named after a human king from the far west. The Fall Father brought much to the Fearum, and lifted us up.”

Neah listened, although the idea that the Prince of Princes lifting beasts up didn’t exactly give her much comfort. Her only thought seemed to be ‘how could any beast give a cruel and unrepentant murderer like Anduyiun immortality and magic?’ Yet, she dared not speak it aloud, even to those who seemed friendly. This was their home, and Anduyiun was their ancestor. The little ones on Alban’s lap spoke excitingly, asking him a slew of questions.

“Uncle Alban, did ya see him? Did you see the Fall Father?”

Alban nodded and smiled “Aye, in the cathedral itself. Listened to all five of his sermons while I stayed there. You’d two would have been bored to heck and ba–“

“What he sermon-izing about?”

Alban chuckled, but Neah could see the other two brothers drew closer to listen “He spoke of our commitment to the rot, my little devilings. He spoke with wind in his voice, of our souls returning anew beyond the world. He spoke of falseness of the circle, of the wind’s rebuke of the Ratik, and the fall’s embrace eternal. Always look around you, Urmis and Ulwitch, at all that the Fall Father gives, and know that so long as we remain here, we are always safe.”

Alban looked at Neah, and then down at the book they were reading. He gave another chuckle “Ahh, my least favorite book.”

Neah raised an eyebrow to this, as Orfux nodded “History of the Princes, and the family’s most interesting history. No need to speak ill of the past, Alban.”

Odo huffed “Not speak ill? Every other bleeding Prince heroism is sung in tales. Ours? Got killed by a Kerk-born Ratik. Best he ever did was kill a pirate.” Odo folded his paws in contempt, as Alban firmly spoke to him “Be silent on that, brother. He is still your ancestor and our Prince. You owe him everything you have. Like every other family.”

Neah interjected “My lord, did Anduyiun die?”

The group looked at her, and Neah was still somewhat confused. She knew that the Princes were ancient liches, but it never occurred to her till now that they had died in battle. As far as she knew, Lichcraft was a delicate and difficult process, which took years of study and meditation to even attempt a part of rituals to perform. So much could go wrong, and of course, needed a mage to accomplish. She scanned the pages again, seeing no mention of Anduyiun being Drenched, or being gifted with magic. Alban explained, partly to Neah, and partly to his confused nephews on his lap.

“He did, like all Princes. No chief or hero survived the conflict between us, the Great Horde, and the Kerks. He perished fighting them in the marshes, as you can read. Like all Princes, as was promised to us by the Fall Father, on the day of his victory over all threats did he raise his paws and all of our heroes and chiefs returned to us in his image, and the forest became as they are. On that day, we were made at long last safe. Now, ya two, keep obeying your tutor, I’ve only come to say my hellos. We’ll get to doing fun stuff later, but I gotta have a big talk with your grandpa and pa first.” Alban kissed each of their little heads and they nodded. One by one the brothers left as Neah was left alone again with the youngsters. In some part of her heart, she was relieved at their tolerance.

In another way, she was confused.

‘If Ulric’s brothers are like that. Then why is Ulric the way he is?’ A question, like many, she dared not ask at her current time.
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(Continued in the Document)