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Rogues Paid Gold: Riffraff and Runaways Ch. 14
Riffraff and Runaways is the first in (hopefully) a number of book-length stories in what I am calling "Rogues Paid Gold". It is a fantasy story taking place in a world that I have been working to develop for several years. I hope you enjoy it and are interested in going through the journey along with the characters.
Things are still in the drafting phase right now. This is by no means the final form of the chapter. Critique is more than welcome.
Other comments such as what worked and what you enjoyed are also a big help to the development of this project.
Chapter 1 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/47108770/
Chapter 2 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48752162/
Chapter 3 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/49597363/
Chapter 4 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/52304327/
Chapter 5 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/53094343/
Chapter 6 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478623/
Chapter 7 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478880/
Chapter 8 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56095422/
Chapter 9 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56757393/
Chapter 10 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57532738/
Chapter 11 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/59333072/
Chapter 12 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/60390741/
Chapter 13 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/62118422/
Chapter 14
Rogues Paid Gold
Upon hitting the earth, Kajo’s body gave up its monstrous form, muscles deflating beneath shrinking scales to reduce him to his regular stature. Cade directed Vlakas to land near the still body before sliding along the dragon’s lowered neck and swaggering up to his defeated foe while finally reuniting his longsword with its sheath.
“You were a lot of trouble, weren’t you? No matter. That’ll make the Gold all the sweeter. Just snooze a while, now.”
With a clap, he leapt up, laughing uproariously before Amber rushed by to threaten his balance. Kneeling by Kajo, she prepared her shattered blade like a crude guillotine.
“I’m gonna enjoy this. Have fun in Diesirae, ya spitscorned gash!”
“No,” Elysia shouted. “I’m not watching anyone else die today.”
“Watch the rocks over there, then. Someone hasta pay this chag swallower back fer what ‘e’s put us through. Right, Cade? Syrus?”
Silence greeted her. She stood as if carved from stone with what remained of her blade pointing at Kajo. After a throaty snarl, she spat on his scales before sulking back.
“Right. Let’s get his majesty out of here” Cade pointed at the reptile. “Vlakas, clutch.”
The dragon bounded over, scooping Kajo in his claw like a mere plaything. As Cade issued the party back on the dragon, he stopped Amber by grabbing her shoulder only to receive a violent shrug that dislodged his hand.
“Syrus didn’t really offer you his share of the bounty to step in back there, did he?” Cade asked.
Amber paused before whipping her head to the side, keeping her attention on a pile of rubble as if suddenly finding it interesting. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I might hate yer miserable guts, but I wasn’t about ta let ya git murdered by that lizard.” She faced him, showing her teeth in a sneer. “’Cause if anyone’s gonna skin ya it’s gonna be me.”
Cade grinned. “Just like old times, eh?”
“Pfeh.”
Atop the canyon, with the tremors and raging battle long ceased, Daphne dared to stand from her huddled position on the floor. Leaving the shaking youngsters, she reached a thin hand out and pulled open the door. No sign of Kajo. Nor the weasel and his band. And what of Gabe? Didn’t he go out to help? The elderly fox grimaced at the countless Mori carcasses strewn across the landscape. Before any of the children could follow her out, she shut the door only for them to collect at the window like flies to a honey trap, peering out and searching for any sign of the battle’s outcome.
Walking out amongst the aftermath, Daphne held a sleeve against her face to protect against the odor of death and spilled blood lingering in the air. She stepped over the baked remains, lifting her dress and teasing the blood pools with the hem that hovered out of their soiling reach. Upon swift examination of the corpses, she spied a collection of bands and rings decorating the deceased’s limbs. The weapons gripped in their rigid grasps, crude as they were, could also prove useful as tools or peddling materials.
She lowered herself carefully. Taking one of the rings between her claws, she slid the shimmering band along like a snail painting a leaf with slime as if the long dead Mori waited to attack her if disturbed. With the ring free, she adjusted her glasses, admiring the gorgeous metal between her fingers.
Vlakas shot from the gorge, flying up as if spewed from some gigantic maw. Daphne stumbled back, falling onto her tail and crying out in disgust as her hand squelched against the limp, moist tongue hanging from the slacked jaw of a nearby Mori.
“Miss Daphne, Miss Daphne.” Gabe dismounted before anyone else once the dragon made his landing. “Can you believe it? They won! They beat him, they did!”
Daphne stood quickly, smoothing out her gown and clearing her throat. Gabe ran up to her, pointing at Vlakas who let the limp form of Kajo tumble unceremoniously from his hand.
“See? I knew we could rely on them.”
Before Daphne could respond, the refuge door gave way to a cheering parade of children all racing to reunite with the deer.
“Children. Children. I did not give permission to…Oh, mind the…Children, honestly, give them their space.”
Heedless of her words, the stampede of orphans swept across the dry ground, caring not about the bodies strewn everywhere. They raced like mounts fitted with blinders to reach Gabe, hugging the deer and clapping him on the back, while the younger ones bounced up and down, begging for details of the adventure.
“Gabe, tell us what happened. Please. I need to know.”
“Was it scary?”
“I can’t believe they actually did it.”
Cade left the bard to his interview, approaching Daphne and giving a flourishing gesture toward the body. “Kajo the Monster, defeated as requested, ma’am.”
Daphne eyed the lizard, her muzzle pointed haughtily skyward. “Indeed. The Outlands will be better off with him and his affiliates removed. You have my thanks.”
Cade performed an elegant bow. “My Guild and I thank you for your hospitalities over these several weeks.”
Daphne placed her hands together, connecting fingertips. “Yes, well, there remains the matter of compensation for such.”
“Compensation, ma’am?”
“Quite. Normally, patrons of my refuge pay for the services provided. The food, shelter, and other accommodations all have their price.”
Cade took a dramatic step back, placing a hand against his chest. “Ma’am, what more could you want from us? Were we obligated to assist with your personal affairs? I’d think ending Kajo’s oppression and sparing future coin from the claws of his sand robbers would far supersede any debt our stay has invoked.”
The vixen crossed her arms, but Cad turned away with a shrug. “Maybe we should be on our way and leave our quarry here, since our efforts seem to be unappreciated. I’ll bet Kajo will have a lot to say to you once he wakes.”
“Very well,” Daphne said, defeated. “You made your point.”
Spinning around, Cade returned to the fox. “Splendid. Then if you could inform us of the closest mainland city, we can turn Kajo in and return to our business.”
Daphne tried not to glare. “Theosis. It’s less than half a day’s march east. Just follow the gorge and don’t stray from that course. You’ll find the gates soon enough.”
“One more thing. We will be needing some form of transport. A wagon and some of your Pakra perhaps?”
Daphne raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t the dragon be the better option?”
“Ordinarily yes. But with night approaching, especially after combat, I wouldn’t want to chance him falling asleep on us while carrying precious cargo.”
Daphne closed her eyes, breathing in before opening them again. “I’ll see what I can do.”
As she walked off, stepping over the mangled bodies of the fallen, Cade called to her with a teasing grin behind her back. “Some rope would be nice, too. Need to keep old scale breeches in line somehow.”
After the guild took time to wash the battle from their fur, the full descent of night greeted them outside. The pair of Pakra hooked up to the canopied wagon snorted their impatience as Cade finished affixing a lantern to the front. Amber sat inside, serrated blade remnants teasing the throat of a now conscious Kajo.
“Don’t even think ‘bout bustin’ outta those. If one bit o’ that red light comes outta yer sorry scales, I’ll gladly free the blood from yer festerin’ neck.”
The defeated lizard wasted no words on her, sitting still both by choice and due to the hefty bindings restraining him. Syrus’s adept knotwork permitted nothing more than pointless squirming even for one of Kajo’s strength and size.
Gabe watched the guild go about their departure preparations from the doorway. With Daphne long retired to her private quarters and the rest of the orphans comfortable in their beds, he stood as the only one to see the adventurers off.
“I suppose this is where we part our ways, kid.” Cade approached the young deer and placed a hand upon his head. “It was a pleasure having you around.”
Gabe wiped at wet eyes. “I’m honored to have helped you out, Cade. Will you ever come back to visit?”
“Hard to say what paths Fortune takes us down. For now, I need to focus on completing my current quest.”
“I’m going to write a song about what happened here, I will. It would mean a lot to me if you came back to hear it one day”
“Haha, I suppose we’ll have to put aside time to stop by then, won’t we?”
Gabe exchanged further farewells to Elysia and Syrus, piling plenty of well wishes upon them. After a final embrace with Elysia, Gabe waved them off before sulking away behind the closed door.
Cade sauntered toward the wagon. “Right. Let’s lay down some tracks. Syrus, I want you at the head driving these beasts.”
“Why me?”
“You have the keenest night vision among us, so you’ll be best fit to warn us of any approaching beast or brigand. Don’t cast that eye on me. You’ll still be able to sit on your tail, so no worries, slothsnout.”
Grumbling, Syrus turned, walking beside the Pakra and giving each of their sturdy bodies a firm pat. “Time to go.”
He hopped aboard the driving seat as the wagon lurched and shook with the animals’ awkward lumbering, departing before Cade could board the vehicle.
“See,” the weasel said, taking up perch on the wagon’s back end and leaning over the side to called to Syrus. “You’re so much better with animals, too.”
He slinked into the back carriage to sit among Elysia and Amber, back turned to Daphne’s refuge as the Pakra lumbered forth. Kajo sat across from him, glaring, but Cade simply wagged a finger at his captive.
“Sorry, Kajo, but naughty boys get a time out.”
Amber snorted, failing to suppress a laugh.
“You’ll come to regret your actions here, weasel.” Kajo’s voice was low and foreboding. “The Outlands will spiral into chaos without me. You’ve sent everyone to Diesirae.”
“Feh, Outlands were always a scat pile even with ya ‘round.” Amber leaned in, whispering cruelly to the reptile. “Ya ain’t that important.”
“Exactly,” Cade added. “This place will always be a dangerous dirt valley of strife. We don’t need the added problem of a false king with a hero complex keeping others under his claws and spitting in their faces by claiming it’s for their benefit.”
“You’re a fool,” Kajo said.
Cade shrugged. “I suppose time will have to reveal that. Tell you what. If you’re right in the end, I’ll be sure to pay you a visit at whatever prison you’re flung in and let you know how correct you were.”
“I’ll anticipate seeing your face again.”
Amber groaned before turning to Elysia. “Ya wanna rethink yer decision ‘bout killin’ ‘im?” If I hafta listen ta these two morons flappin’ their jaws the whole way, I’m gonna crack my skull against this wagon.”
Elysia shook her head.
“It’ll be a while before we reach Theosis,” Cade said, letting Vlakas out from his hood to explore the interior. Claws scrabbled against wood as the miniature dragon scampered about, checking out the new environment. Upon seeing Kajo, his happy traipsing ceased, and he shrank back, arching his spine and treading backwards to Cade with wings prepped for flight. “Until then, we’re all going to have to get accustomed to sharing in this bad company.”
“Wait!”
Cade whirled around. Was that Gabe? He peered towards the refuge, the settlement now laying invisible, swallowed by both distance and darkness. Another shout preceded the deer entering the wagon lantern’s light with the rapid striking of hooves against the ground while he struggled to maintain hold on his lyre and a few books.
“Wait. Cade, wait.” The deer slowed upon reaching the wagon, transitioning his gait to match its speed and following from behind. A wide grin graced his face as Cade looked down at him.
“What’s wrong kid?”
Gabe took deep breaths between words. “Daphne…She said I…could go with you.”
Elysia popped her head over the lip of the wagon’s back end. “Really?”
“I couldn’t believe it either. I asked if I could follow you, and she gave me full permission.”
Cade extended his hand. “Well, welcome to the team, then.”
Gabe took his hand, using it as assistance to climb into the still moving vehicle. Once situated, he endured a multitude of welcomes: a warm embrace by Elysia, a clap on the back by Cade, and the tiny body of Vlakas scaling his garments like a tree and coming to rest across his shoulders. The wagon trundled across the flat tenebrous landscape, and Syrus let his eyes close for a moment, savoring the melodic strumming of a familiar lyre that played in accompaniment with creaking wheels and the Pakra’s periodic snorting.
The sun started to grace Aridesca once more with a deep red glow, bright like fresh molten rock in the sky against night’s heavy curtain. The Pakra, ever the sturdy breed, still pulled the cart, unwearied even from their nightlong trek. Cade, having given Syrus a respite once well into the span of night, sat up front, eyes fixed on the steadily approaching gates of Theosis. Twin pillars loomed above, extending as if hoping to hold up the sky. Between them stood a colossal door, ornate and embossed with the image of an armor-clad lion. The mighty felid wielded a great lance, holding it aloft and presenting the pointed end to the sky in a display of heroic splendor.
Extending from the pillars, a stone barricade stretched out like the body of a never-ending serpent, its infinite length vanishing from view in the far distance in both directions. Such a display of resources and decadence proudly proclaimed the beginnings of a world most hailing from the Outlands never had the privilege of witnessing. The true kingdom of Aridesca.
As the wagon approached, a company of five guards stepped out in formation with weapons drawn, ordering a halt.
Cade spread his hands wide. “Is such hostility necessary? I only seek to make a delivery.”
“State your name and business.” A burly jackal clad in red to contrast the green attire of the other guards stepped forward. The rising sun glinted a threat off his saber.
“Cade, my good captain. I come to deliver an item of great interest to your fine city with courtesies from Daphne.”
“Daphne? Theosis didn’t sent word of want to her.” The captain turned to his subordinates. “Did one of you fail to inform me of a delivery request?”
The other guards shook their heads, looking nervously at one another. One examined a parchment dug from a pouch at his waste, going down the rows of scrawling carefully with an index finger.
“No, sir. No requests for Pakra or other products reported from the city residents.”
“Yes, well, you’ll soon see that this isn’t the usual product. Come, I’ll show you.” Cade leapt from his seat, pursing his lips when the guards raised their weapons. “Or wait here and I’ll bring it out. I promise it’s a lot more interesting than Pakra milk or whatever you’re accustomed to.”
Striding to the back of the cart, he rapped on the wood.
“Alright, mates. Bring the goods.”
One by one, Elysia, Gabe, and Amber appeared from around the wagon. Syrus followed soon after, holding a tether connected to the bonds holding Kajo. The once proud king of the Outlands shuffled about, movement impeded by the thick, fibrous bindings around his ankles and dignity further stripped by the blanket hanging around his waist as a crude skirt.
Sunlight flashed off the weapons the guards readied upon seeing the horned visage that graced wanted posters hanging in every Aridescan tavern.
“Gentlemen,” Cade bowed, sweeping his arms out like an auctioneer presenting his audience with the sight of a rare beast. “I give you Kajo the Monster.”
The crimson clad jackal snapped orders to a guard on his left. “Grab the collar. Hurry up.”
The guard threw a quick salute before dashing to the guardhouse and returning with a neck manacle forged from a strange dark red stone. Taking the device, the jackal approached Kajo with a confident gait, placing it around the bound reptile’s neck before snapping it shut. As soon as it touched his scales, the Hyosangrian grunted and buckled as if under a pile of stone, barely able to remain upright.
“You like that, Kajo?” The jackal got in Kajo’s face, breathing his words at the prisoner. “You should be honored. I had this made special for you. Forged from Leechstone. You’ll find it’ll keep you down to size, so to speak. Was your parade of playing tyrant fun? I hope so, because your only companions henceforth will be cold stone, iron binds, and darkness. Get him out of my sight.”
Two guards grabbed Kajo and led the stumbling reptile away into the guardhouse while the captain addressed another with a point of his saber.
“Send a Skycloak to Hestor at once. King Harlod will want to hear of this.”
The selected individual raced to the guardhouse, returning with a small bird perched on his gloved hand. Cream-colored plumage covered its breast and legs while pure black painted the head, wings, and short tail which spread out like a noble’s hand fan. A small, hooked beak preened at its pinions which extended far beyond what would be thought natural for a bird of its size.
After attaching a folded parchment to the Skycloak’s leg with red twine, the guard released it with an elongated whistle. Unfurling its impressive wingspan like an accordion, flew into the fiery skies of the Aridescan dawn. It ceased flapping once reaching its peak, keeping its wings still and spread out to ride the air across the desert.
“Where’s our payment?” Amber suddenly demanded. “We ain’t brought ‘im t’ya fer nothin’.”
“Please forgive my companion’s remark,” Cade said, noticing the jackal’s deeply furrowing brow. “She unfortunately suffers from a great lack of tact.” He gave his own warning glance at the fox before turning back to the captain. “But the matter of compensation still needs to be addressed, don’t you think?
After keeping a disapproving eye on him for a moment longer, the jackal beckoned the party to follow him into the guardhouse. The small accommodation, made smaller by the cage of Skycloaks along the right-hand wall, was lit only by dim sunlight through the small windows. There was no sign of Kajo, but a hatch in the floor near the far end of the room revealed his likely whereabouts. Beyond the trapdoor, a table with stools provided respite to three guards. With helmets and armaments aside, they rested their heads against the table in slumber, happy to leave the duties to those assigned to the morning post. A noticeboard stood against the wall near the table, not unlike the ones seen in taverns. Rather than listings calling for aid or menial tasks, a multitude of wanted posters for enemies of the crown hung pinned to the wood.
The captain plucked the poster holding Kajo’s visage, scrawled something on it with a swift and fluid hand, and presented it to Cade.
“I take it you’re the leader? You can take this to the treasury. Ask for Jesper. He’ll take care of the rest for you.”
Once relieved of the parchment, he moved over to one of the resting guards, giving him a rough push on the shoulder. The guard roused with a snort, gazing around the room in the dim light before focusing on the captain.
“Escort them to the treasury,” the jackal said, indicating Cade and his companions to the still-blinking guard.
The young-faced feline turned his weary eyes to the weasel before following his captain’s orders. Trudging past Cade, he gave him a rough bump out of the way with his shoulder and led the small band out of the guardhouse and up to the city gates, striking the massive iron constructs with his sword hilt.
Duun Duun. Duun Duun. Duun Duun.
The heavy creaking of the doors and rapid tumbling of crude gears interlocking their teeth answered the hollow knocking. Metallic moaning resounded around the small band of travelers like the lament of an eerie phantasm as the doors eased open, revealing the grand city of Theosis.
Like a trail cutting through a grove of trees, the path from the gate stretched forward, clusters of stone houses on either side. Past the residential area, it led into a sprawling clearing where a wide, circular structure of cobblestone rested in the center like a coronet. The few citizens who elected to rise in the early hours gathered around it, sending buckets attached to ropes down into the earthen mouth and hauling up the precious water deep within.
Just up ahead, a variety of shops awaited the group in a formation mimicking a crescent moon. In the center of the arc of buildings, acting as the body from which all the others branched from, rested a structure surpassing all others in terms of width and scale. The guard escorted Cade’s party up a small set of steps and to the double doors, sweeping his hand out at the sign emblazoned with the image of a stack of gold coins which hung above before trudging back to whence he came.
Inside, Cade was met with meager walking space. A grand desk spanning from wall to wall prevented more than a few paces forward while chairs lined up from behind it like soldiers in a formation. A wide chamber lay beyond, holding shelves upon shelves of books and other records. The only current occupant of the seats at the current hour, a tall, slender male rat dressed in fine green robes, worked to meticulously align a stack of papers. Once satisfied with his work, he opened his arms wide to the travelers standing before him.
“Welcome to the Theosis treasury,” the rat said in a nasally voice that still managed to carry an air of class. “What is it you need? A loan? Can’t be here to pay a debt. Your faces are new to Jesper, and Jesper knows everybody who holds coin they need repay.” Using two ringed fingers, he tapped against his head with a proud grin.
Cade handed over the paper received from the guard captain. “We’re here to collect a bounty.”
“Well, happy day,” Jesper said upon examining the wanted poster. “Kajo the Monster finally brought to chains. Not sure how you managed that. You all don’t look like a particularly impressive lot, but it appears looks are deceiving in this case. When King Harlod gets word of this, I bet he’ll want to thank you personally. That lizard’s been a rusted sword in his scabbard for years.”
“Then ‘e shoulda done somethin’ about it ‘imself,” Amber muttered.
Oblivious to her remark, Jesper invited Cade to wait behind the desk before departing, disappearing behind a door at the far end of the room. After a while, he returned with a large sackcloth pouch bulging from its hefty contents, he placed it on the desk with a generous thump. Pulling one of the papers from the stack he had constructed along with a quill, he submerged the latter’s tip into a jar of ink.
“Caaaaan I have a name, sir?” His words flowed in a slight sing-song manner.
“Call me Cade.”
“Aaaaaand the name of your guild?”
Nest of serpents! What was Theosis’s policy? Would the bounty be forfeit if this rat realized he and his companions were not an official guild? Racking his mind for an answer, his eyes flit about like a dragonfly before resting on the sack of gold lying tantalizingly close.
“Rogues Paid Gold,” he answered.
He held his breath. Had his answer come in time to avoid suspicion? As Jesper transferred the information given onto the document, Cade slowly released the imprisoned air. The rat finished the customs by taking a small flat object by the handle which jutted from its back. After dunking its bottom into the ink, he pressed it near his writing, transferring onto the parchment a design resembling a lion’s head with a mane comprised of the sun’s shining rays.
“The bounty’s too high for one payment, I’m afraid.” Jesper handed the paper to Cade, his mouth turned upside down in an exaggerated frown. “I can only give out one million, but you can travel to any city flying the king’s banner. Show them this document, and they’ll contribute toward the rest.”
Departing with a nod, Cade passed by his companions who followed him out in an orderly line while the treasurer called out his farewell.
“Do have a look around the nearby shops. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of interest in the market. What good is coin if not for pleasures? That’s what I always say.”
The city square gradually filled with an increasing number of citizens trickling into the mercantile area. Many of the surrounding shops stood in the process of opening with the increasing daylight. Shopkeepers helmed their establishments, attending to their opening routines and aiding any early customer flocking in.
“Rogues Paid Gold,” Amber said, glowering at a rabbit maiden who stepped too close when heading up the treasury’s steps. “What kinda asinine name is that fer a guild?”
“And what, pray tell, would you have chosen?” Syrus challenged as they merged into a widening sea of marketgoers.
Amber curled her upper lip at the wolf. “Don’t matter ‘cause I ain’t in no guild with ya. ‘Specially not one with a name stinkin’ o’ scat like Rogues Paid Gold.”
“I don’t know. I think I like it,” Gabe said.
“We can discuss the matter later.” Cade said, stopping short of knocking against a passerby. “For now, I say we find a tavern before heading on our way. Don’t know about you, but my stomach could do with something to fill it.”
“Like chag we are!”
Amber stood rigid, holding her fractured blade out for all to see.
“Did yer small weasel brain forget? Ya owe me a new sword. I feel like a bleedin’ fool carryin’ this useless thing around. People’s starin’ at it like I’m some kinda slow wit.”
“Pardon? I don’t recall promising a replacement. You’re welcome to one of my daggers, though.”
Amber gave the ground a merciless beating with her paw as her voice rose into a raspy scream. “Ya malbrakken chag trough! Yer the reason it’s ruined. You ‘n yer need ta play hero when we both know that ain’t what ya are. Gimme that Gold ‘n drop dead.”
The shattered broadsword clattered to the ground, freeing Amber’s claws to grasp and tear at the air in a fruitless pursuit of the coin pouch. Cade held it out of reach while pushing against her head, subject to the aghast and curious glances of all who passed by.
“Give her the Gold, Cade.” Syrus stood with crossed arms while Kairi shook her head at the squabbling pair. “This pointless arguing is detracting from time we could be using to get Elysia home. She can find us in the tavern when she’s done.”
Cade glanced at Amber. The fox returned his look before abandoning her pursuit of the Gold, stepping back to put on a display of aloofness. He took out a handful of coins, leaving most of the contents in the bulging cloth before handing the sack to Amber. “Very well. You are entitled to a share of the bounty, after all. Just don’t go squandering it. Your next payment won’t be as grand as this.”
“Suck scat.” Amber ripped the sack from his hand and struggled to fasten it to her belt with her single arm. Gabe stepped in to offer help only to be sent back by her bared teeth. Once successful, she shouldered her sword, flicked her tail up at Cade, and marched off.
Things are still in the drafting phase right now. This is by no means the final form of the chapter. Critique is more than welcome.
Other comments such as what worked and what you enjoyed are also a big help to the development of this project.
Chapter 1 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/47108770/
Chapter 2 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48752162/
Chapter 3 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/49597363/
Chapter 4 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/52304327/
Chapter 5 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/53094343/
Chapter 6 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478623/
Chapter 7 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54478880/
Chapter 8 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56095422/
Chapter 9 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/56757393/
Chapter 10 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57532738/
Chapter 11 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/59333072/
Chapter 12 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/60390741/
Chapter 13 can be found here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/62118422/
Chapter 14
Rogues Paid Gold
Upon hitting the earth, Kajo’s body gave up its monstrous form, muscles deflating beneath shrinking scales to reduce him to his regular stature. Cade directed Vlakas to land near the still body before sliding along the dragon’s lowered neck and swaggering up to his defeated foe while finally reuniting his longsword with its sheath.
“You were a lot of trouble, weren’t you? No matter. That’ll make the Gold all the sweeter. Just snooze a while, now.”
With a clap, he leapt up, laughing uproariously before Amber rushed by to threaten his balance. Kneeling by Kajo, she prepared her shattered blade like a crude guillotine.
“I’m gonna enjoy this. Have fun in Diesirae, ya spitscorned gash!”
“No,” Elysia shouted. “I’m not watching anyone else die today.”
“Watch the rocks over there, then. Someone hasta pay this chag swallower back fer what ‘e’s put us through. Right, Cade? Syrus?”
Silence greeted her. She stood as if carved from stone with what remained of her blade pointing at Kajo. After a throaty snarl, she spat on his scales before sulking back.
“Right. Let’s get his majesty out of here” Cade pointed at the reptile. “Vlakas, clutch.”
The dragon bounded over, scooping Kajo in his claw like a mere plaything. As Cade issued the party back on the dragon, he stopped Amber by grabbing her shoulder only to receive a violent shrug that dislodged his hand.
“Syrus didn’t really offer you his share of the bounty to step in back there, did he?” Cade asked.
Amber paused before whipping her head to the side, keeping her attention on a pile of rubble as if suddenly finding it interesting. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I might hate yer miserable guts, but I wasn’t about ta let ya git murdered by that lizard.” She faced him, showing her teeth in a sneer. “’Cause if anyone’s gonna skin ya it’s gonna be me.”
Cade grinned. “Just like old times, eh?”
“Pfeh.”
Atop the canyon, with the tremors and raging battle long ceased, Daphne dared to stand from her huddled position on the floor. Leaving the shaking youngsters, she reached a thin hand out and pulled open the door. No sign of Kajo. Nor the weasel and his band. And what of Gabe? Didn’t he go out to help? The elderly fox grimaced at the countless Mori carcasses strewn across the landscape. Before any of the children could follow her out, she shut the door only for them to collect at the window like flies to a honey trap, peering out and searching for any sign of the battle’s outcome.
Walking out amongst the aftermath, Daphne held a sleeve against her face to protect against the odor of death and spilled blood lingering in the air. She stepped over the baked remains, lifting her dress and teasing the blood pools with the hem that hovered out of their soiling reach. Upon swift examination of the corpses, she spied a collection of bands and rings decorating the deceased’s limbs. The weapons gripped in their rigid grasps, crude as they were, could also prove useful as tools or peddling materials.
She lowered herself carefully. Taking one of the rings between her claws, she slid the shimmering band along like a snail painting a leaf with slime as if the long dead Mori waited to attack her if disturbed. With the ring free, she adjusted her glasses, admiring the gorgeous metal between her fingers.
Vlakas shot from the gorge, flying up as if spewed from some gigantic maw. Daphne stumbled back, falling onto her tail and crying out in disgust as her hand squelched against the limp, moist tongue hanging from the slacked jaw of a nearby Mori.
“Miss Daphne, Miss Daphne.” Gabe dismounted before anyone else once the dragon made his landing. “Can you believe it? They won! They beat him, they did!”
Daphne stood quickly, smoothing out her gown and clearing her throat. Gabe ran up to her, pointing at Vlakas who let the limp form of Kajo tumble unceremoniously from his hand.
“See? I knew we could rely on them.”
Before Daphne could respond, the refuge door gave way to a cheering parade of children all racing to reunite with the deer.
“Children. Children. I did not give permission to…Oh, mind the…Children, honestly, give them their space.”
Heedless of her words, the stampede of orphans swept across the dry ground, caring not about the bodies strewn everywhere. They raced like mounts fitted with blinders to reach Gabe, hugging the deer and clapping him on the back, while the younger ones bounced up and down, begging for details of the adventure.
“Gabe, tell us what happened. Please. I need to know.”
“Was it scary?”
“I can’t believe they actually did it.”
Cade left the bard to his interview, approaching Daphne and giving a flourishing gesture toward the body. “Kajo the Monster, defeated as requested, ma’am.”
Daphne eyed the lizard, her muzzle pointed haughtily skyward. “Indeed. The Outlands will be better off with him and his affiliates removed. You have my thanks.”
Cade performed an elegant bow. “My Guild and I thank you for your hospitalities over these several weeks.”
Daphne placed her hands together, connecting fingertips. “Yes, well, there remains the matter of compensation for such.”
“Compensation, ma’am?”
“Quite. Normally, patrons of my refuge pay for the services provided. The food, shelter, and other accommodations all have their price.”
Cade took a dramatic step back, placing a hand against his chest. “Ma’am, what more could you want from us? Were we obligated to assist with your personal affairs? I’d think ending Kajo’s oppression and sparing future coin from the claws of his sand robbers would far supersede any debt our stay has invoked.”
The vixen crossed her arms, but Cad turned away with a shrug. “Maybe we should be on our way and leave our quarry here, since our efforts seem to be unappreciated. I’ll bet Kajo will have a lot to say to you once he wakes.”
“Very well,” Daphne said, defeated. “You made your point.”
Spinning around, Cade returned to the fox. “Splendid. Then if you could inform us of the closest mainland city, we can turn Kajo in and return to our business.”
Daphne tried not to glare. “Theosis. It’s less than half a day’s march east. Just follow the gorge and don’t stray from that course. You’ll find the gates soon enough.”
“One more thing. We will be needing some form of transport. A wagon and some of your Pakra perhaps?”
Daphne raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t the dragon be the better option?”
“Ordinarily yes. But with night approaching, especially after combat, I wouldn’t want to chance him falling asleep on us while carrying precious cargo.”
Daphne closed her eyes, breathing in before opening them again. “I’ll see what I can do.”
As she walked off, stepping over the mangled bodies of the fallen, Cade called to her with a teasing grin behind her back. “Some rope would be nice, too. Need to keep old scale breeches in line somehow.”
After the guild took time to wash the battle from their fur, the full descent of night greeted them outside. The pair of Pakra hooked up to the canopied wagon snorted their impatience as Cade finished affixing a lantern to the front. Amber sat inside, serrated blade remnants teasing the throat of a now conscious Kajo.
“Don’t even think ‘bout bustin’ outta those. If one bit o’ that red light comes outta yer sorry scales, I’ll gladly free the blood from yer festerin’ neck.”
The defeated lizard wasted no words on her, sitting still both by choice and due to the hefty bindings restraining him. Syrus’s adept knotwork permitted nothing more than pointless squirming even for one of Kajo’s strength and size.
Gabe watched the guild go about their departure preparations from the doorway. With Daphne long retired to her private quarters and the rest of the orphans comfortable in their beds, he stood as the only one to see the adventurers off.
“I suppose this is where we part our ways, kid.” Cade approached the young deer and placed a hand upon his head. “It was a pleasure having you around.”
Gabe wiped at wet eyes. “I’m honored to have helped you out, Cade. Will you ever come back to visit?”
“Hard to say what paths Fortune takes us down. For now, I need to focus on completing my current quest.”
“I’m going to write a song about what happened here, I will. It would mean a lot to me if you came back to hear it one day”
“Haha, I suppose we’ll have to put aside time to stop by then, won’t we?”
Gabe exchanged further farewells to Elysia and Syrus, piling plenty of well wishes upon them. After a final embrace with Elysia, Gabe waved them off before sulking away behind the closed door.
Cade sauntered toward the wagon. “Right. Let’s lay down some tracks. Syrus, I want you at the head driving these beasts.”
“Why me?”
“You have the keenest night vision among us, so you’ll be best fit to warn us of any approaching beast or brigand. Don’t cast that eye on me. You’ll still be able to sit on your tail, so no worries, slothsnout.”
Grumbling, Syrus turned, walking beside the Pakra and giving each of their sturdy bodies a firm pat. “Time to go.”
He hopped aboard the driving seat as the wagon lurched and shook with the animals’ awkward lumbering, departing before Cade could board the vehicle.
“See,” the weasel said, taking up perch on the wagon’s back end and leaning over the side to called to Syrus. “You’re so much better with animals, too.”
He slinked into the back carriage to sit among Elysia and Amber, back turned to Daphne’s refuge as the Pakra lumbered forth. Kajo sat across from him, glaring, but Cade simply wagged a finger at his captive.
“Sorry, Kajo, but naughty boys get a time out.”
Amber snorted, failing to suppress a laugh.
“You’ll come to regret your actions here, weasel.” Kajo’s voice was low and foreboding. “The Outlands will spiral into chaos without me. You’ve sent everyone to Diesirae.”
“Feh, Outlands were always a scat pile even with ya ‘round.” Amber leaned in, whispering cruelly to the reptile. “Ya ain’t that important.”
“Exactly,” Cade added. “This place will always be a dangerous dirt valley of strife. We don’t need the added problem of a false king with a hero complex keeping others under his claws and spitting in their faces by claiming it’s for their benefit.”
“You’re a fool,” Kajo said.
Cade shrugged. “I suppose time will have to reveal that. Tell you what. If you’re right in the end, I’ll be sure to pay you a visit at whatever prison you’re flung in and let you know how correct you were.”
“I’ll anticipate seeing your face again.”
Amber groaned before turning to Elysia. “Ya wanna rethink yer decision ‘bout killin’ ‘im?” If I hafta listen ta these two morons flappin’ their jaws the whole way, I’m gonna crack my skull against this wagon.”
Elysia shook her head.
“It’ll be a while before we reach Theosis,” Cade said, letting Vlakas out from his hood to explore the interior. Claws scrabbled against wood as the miniature dragon scampered about, checking out the new environment. Upon seeing Kajo, his happy traipsing ceased, and he shrank back, arching his spine and treading backwards to Cade with wings prepped for flight. “Until then, we’re all going to have to get accustomed to sharing in this bad company.”
“Wait!”
Cade whirled around. Was that Gabe? He peered towards the refuge, the settlement now laying invisible, swallowed by both distance and darkness. Another shout preceded the deer entering the wagon lantern’s light with the rapid striking of hooves against the ground while he struggled to maintain hold on his lyre and a few books.
“Wait. Cade, wait.” The deer slowed upon reaching the wagon, transitioning his gait to match its speed and following from behind. A wide grin graced his face as Cade looked down at him.
“What’s wrong kid?”
Gabe took deep breaths between words. “Daphne…She said I…could go with you.”
Elysia popped her head over the lip of the wagon’s back end. “Really?”
“I couldn’t believe it either. I asked if I could follow you, and she gave me full permission.”
Cade extended his hand. “Well, welcome to the team, then.”
Gabe took his hand, using it as assistance to climb into the still moving vehicle. Once situated, he endured a multitude of welcomes: a warm embrace by Elysia, a clap on the back by Cade, and the tiny body of Vlakas scaling his garments like a tree and coming to rest across his shoulders. The wagon trundled across the flat tenebrous landscape, and Syrus let his eyes close for a moment, savoring the melodic strumming of a familiar lyre that played in accompaniment with creaking wheels and the Pakra’s periodic snorting.
The sun started to grace Aridesca once more with a deep red glow, bright like fresh molten rock in the sky against night’s heavy curtain. The Pakra, ever the sturdy breed, still pulled the cart, unwearied even from their nightlong trek. Cade, having given Syrus a respite once well into the span of night, sat up front, eyes fixed on the steadily approaching gates of Theosis. Twin pillars loomed above, extending as if hoping to hold up the sky. Between them stood a colossal door, ornate and embossed with the image of an armor-clad lion. The mighty felid wielded a great lance, holding it aloft and presenting the pointed end to the sky in a display of heroic splendor.
Extending from the pillars, a stone barricade stretched out like the body of a never-ending serpent, its infinite length vanishing from view in the far distance in both directions. Such a display of resources and decadence proudly proclaimed the beginnings of a world most hailing from the Outlands never had the privilege of witnessing. The true kingdom of Aridesca.
As the wagon approached, a company of five guards stepped out in formation with weapons drawn, ordering a halt.
Cade spread his hands wide. “Is such hostility necessary? I only seek to make a delivery.”
“State your name and business.” A burly jackal clad in red to contrast the green attire of the other guards stepped forward. The rising sun glinted a threat off his saber.
“Cade, my good captain. I come to deliver an item of great interest to your fine city with courtesies from Daphne.”
“Daphne? Theosis didn’t sent word of want to her.” The captain turned to his subordinates. “Did one of you fail to inform me of a delivery request?”
The other guards shook their heads, looking nervously at one another. One examined a parchment dug from a pouch at his waste, going down the rows of scrawling carefully with an index finger.
“No, sir. No requests for Pakra or other products reported from the city residents.”
“Yes, well, you’ll soon see that this isn’t the usual product. Come, I’ll show you.” Cade leapt from his seat, pursing his lips when the guards raised their weapons. “Or wait here and I’ll bring it out. I promise it’s a lot more interesting than Pakra milk or whatever you’re accustomed to.”
Striding to the back of the cart, he rapped on the wood.
“Alright, mates. Bring the goods.”
One by one, Elysia, Gabe, and Amber appeared from around the wagon. Syrus followed soon after, holding a tether connected to the bonds holding Kajo. The once proud king of the Outlands shuffled about, movement impeded by the thick, fibrous bindings around his ankles and dignity further stripped by the blanket hanging around his waist as a crude skirt.
Sunlight flashed off the weapons the guards readied upon seeing the horned visage that graced wanted posters hanging in every Aridescan tavern.
“Gentlemen,” Cade bowed, sweeping his arms out like an auctioneer presenting his audience with the sight of a rare beast. “I give you Kajo the Monster.”
The crimson clad jackal snapped orders to a guard on his left. “Grab the collar. Hurry up.”
The guard threw a quick salute before dashing to the guardhouse and returning with a neck manacle forged from a strange dark red stone. Taking the device, the jackal approached Kajo with a confident gait, placing it around the bound reptile’s neck before snapping it shut. As soon as it touched his scales, the Hyosangrian grunted and buckled as if under a pile of stone, barely able to remain upright.
“You like that, Kajo?” The jackal got in Kajo’s face, breathing his words at the prisoner. “You should be honored. I had this made special for you. Forged from Leechstone. You’ll find it’ll keep you down to size, so to speak. Was your parade of playing tyrant fun? I hope so, because your only companions henceforth will be cold stone, iron binds, and darkness. Get him out of my sight.”
Two guards grabbed Kajo and led the stumbling reptile away into the guardhouse while the captain addressed another with a point of his saber.
“Send a Skycloak to Hestor at once. King Harlod will want to hear of this.”
The selected individual raced to the guardhouse, returning with a small bird perched on his gloved hand. Cream-colored plumage covered its breast and legs while pure black painted the head, wings, and short tail which spread out like a noble’s hand fan. A small, hooked beak preened at its pinions which extended far beyond what would be thought natural for a bird of its size.
After attaching a folded parchment to the Skycloak’s leg with red twine, the guard released it with an elongated whistle. Unfurling its impressive wingspan like an accordion, flew into the fiery skies of the Aridescan dawn. It ceased flapping once reaching its peak, keeping its wings still and spread out to ride the air across the desert.
“Where’s our payment?” Amber suddenly demanded. “We ain’t brought ‘im t’ya fer nothin’.”
“Please forgive my companion’s remark,” Cade said, noticing the jackal’s deeply furrowing brow. “She unfortunately suffers from a great lack of tact.” He gave his own warning glance at the fox before turning back to the captain. “But the matter of compensation still needs to be addressed, don’t you think?
After keeping a disapproving eye on him for a moment longer, the jackal beckoned the party to follow him into the guardhouse. The small accommodation, made smaller by the cage of Skycloaks along the right-hand wall, was lit only by dim sunlight through the small windows. There was no sign of Kajo, but a hatch in the floor near the far end of the room revealed his likely whereabouts. Beyond the trapdoor, a table with stools provided respite to three guards. With helmets and armaments aside, they rested their heads against the table in slumber, happy to leave the duties to those assigned to the morning post. A noticeboard stood against the wall near the table, not unlike the ones seen in taverns. Rather than listings calling for aid or menial tasks, a multitude of wanted posters for enemies of the crown hung pinned to the wood.
The captain plucked the poster holding Kajo’s visage, scrawled something on it with a swift and fluid hand, and presented it to Cade.
“I take it you’re the leader? You can take this to the treasury. Ask for Jesper. He’ll take care of the rest for you.”
Once relieved of the parchment, he moved over to one of the resting guards, giving him a rough push on the shoulder. The guard roused with a snort, gazing around the room in the dim light before focusing on the captain.
“Escort them to the treasury,” the jackal said, indicating Cade and his companions to the still-blinking guard.
The young-faced feline turned his weary eyes to the weasel before following his captain’s orders. Trudging past Cade, he gave him a rough bump out of the way with his shoulder and led the small band out of the guardhouse and up to the city gates, striking the massive iron constructs with his sword hilt.
Duun Duun. Duun Duun. Duun Duun.
The heavy creaking of the doors and rapid tumbling of crude gears interlocking their teeth answered the hollow knocking. Metallic moaning resounded around the small band of travelers like the lament of an eerie phantasm as the doors eased open, revealing the grand city of Theosis.
Like a trail cutting through a grove of trees, the path from the gate stretched forward, clusters of stone houses on either side. Past the residential area, it led into a sprawling clearing where a wide, circular structure of cobblestone rested in the center like a coronet. The few citizens who elected to rise in the early hours gathered around it, sending buckets attached to ropes down into the earthen mouth and hauling up the precious water deep within.
Just up ahead, a variety of shops awaited the group in a formation mimicking a crescent moon. In the center of the arc of buildings, acting as the body from which all the others branched from, rested a structure surpassing all others in terms of width and scale. The guard escorted Cade’s party up a small set of steps and to the double doors, sweeping his hand out at the sign emblazoned with the image of a stack of gold coins which hung above before trudging back to whence he came.
Inside, Cade was met with meager walking space. A grand desk spanning from wall to wall prevented more than a few paces forward while chairs lined up from behind it like soldiers in a formation. A wide chamber lay beyond, holding shelves upon shelves of books and other records. The only current occupant of the seats at the current hour, a tall, slender male rat dressed in fine green robes, worked to meticulously align a stack of papers. Once satisfied with his work, he opened his arms wide to the travelers standing before him.
“Welcome to the Theosis treasury,” the rat said in a nasally voice that still managed to carry an air of class. “What is it you need? A loan? Can’t be here to pay a debt. Your faces are new to Jesper, and Jesper knows everybody who holds coin they need repay.” Using two ringed fingers, he tapped against his head with a proud grin.
Cade handed over the paper received from the guard captain. “We’re here to collect a bounty.”
“Well, happy day,” Jesper said upon examining the wanted poster. “Kajo the Monster finally brought to chains. Not sure how you managed that. You all don’t look like a particularly impressive lot, but it appears looks are deceiving in this case. When King Harlod gets word of this, I bet he’ll want to thank you personally. That lizard’s been a rusted sword in his scabbard for years.”
“Then ‘e shoulda done somethin’ about it ‘imself,” Amber muttered.
Oblivious to her remark, Jesper invited Cade to wait behind the desk before departing, disappearing behind a door at the far end of the room. After a while, he returned with a large sackcloth pouch bulging from its hefty contents, he placed it on the desk with a generous thump. Pulling one of the papers from the stack he had constructed along with a quill, he submerged the latter’s tip into a jar of ink.
“Caaaaan I have a name, sir?” His words flowed in a slight sing-song manner.
“Call me Cade.”
“Aaaaaand the name of your guild?”
Nest of serpents! What was Theosis’s policy? Would the bounty be forfeit if this rat realized he and his companions were not an official guild? Racking his mind for an answer, his eyes flit about like a dragonfly before resting on the sack of gold lying tantalizingly close.
“Rogues Paid Gold,” he answered.
He held his breath. Had his answer come in time to avoid suspicion? As Jesper transferred the information given onto the document, Cade slowly released the imprisoned air. The rat finished the customs by taking a small flat object by the handle which jutted from its back. After dunking its bottom into the ink, he pressed it near his writing, transferring onto the parchment a design resembling a lion’s head with a mane comprised of the sun’s shining rays.
“The bounty’s too high for one payment, I’m afraid.” Jesper handed the paper to Cade, his mouth turned upside down in an exaggerated frown. “I can only give out one million, but you can travel to any city flying the king’s banner. Show them this document, and they’ll contribute toward the rest.”
Departing with a nod, Cade passed by his companions who followed him out in an orderly line while the treasurer called out his farewell.
“Do have a look around the nearby shops. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of interest in the market. What good is coin if not for pleasures? That’s what I always say.”
The city square gradually filled with an increasing number of citizens trickling into the mercantile area. Many of the surrounding shops stood in the process of opening with the increasing daylight. Shopkeepers helmed their establishments, attending to their opening routines and aiding any early customer flocking in.
“Rogues Paid Gold,” Amber said, glowering at a rabbit maiden who stepped too close when heading up the treasury’s steps. “What kinda asinine name is that fer a guild?”
“And what, pray tell, would you have chosen?” Syrus challenged as they merged into a widening sea of marketgoers.
Amber curled her upper lip at the wolf. “Don’t matter ‘cause I ain’t in no guild with ya. ‘Specially not one with a name stinkin’ o’ scat like Rogues Paid Gold.”
“I don’t know. I think I like it,” Gabe said.
“We can discuss the matter later.” Cade said, stopping short of knocking against a passerby. “For now, I say we find a tavern before heading on our way. Don’t know about you, but my stomach could do with something to fill it.”
“Like chag we are!”
Amber stood rigid, holding her fractured blade out for all to see.
“Did yer small weasel brain forget? Ya owe me a new sword. I feel like a bleedin’ fool carryin’ this useless thing around. People’s starin’ at it like I’m some kinda slow wit.”
“Pardon? I don’t recall promising a replacement. You’re welcome to one of my daggers, though.”
Amber gave the ground a merciless beating with her paw as her voice rose into a raspy scream. “Ya malbrakken chag trough! Yer the reason it’s ruined. You ‘n yer need ta play hero when we both know that ain’t what ya are. Gimme that Gold ‘n drop dead.”
The shattered broadsword clattered to the ground, freeing Amber’s claws to grasp and tear at the air in a fruitless pursuit of the coin pouch. Cade held it out of reach while pushing against her head, subject to the aghast and curious glances of all who passed by.
“Give her the Gold, Cade.” Syrus stood with crossed arms while Kairi shook her head at the squabbling pair. “This pointless arguing is detracting from time we could be using to get Elysia home. She can find us in the tavern when she’s done.”
Cade glanced at Amber. The fox returned his look before abandoning her pursuit of the Gold, stepping back to put on a display of aloofness. He took out a handful of coins, leaving most of the contents in the bulging cloth before handing the sack to Amber. “Very well. You are entitled to a share of the bounty, after all. Just don’t go squandering it. Your next payment won’t be as grand as this.”
“Suck scat.” Amber ripped the sack from his hand and struggled to fasten it to her belt with her single arm. Gabe stepped in to offer help only to be sent back by her bared teeth. Once successful, she shouldered her sword, flicked her tail up at Cade, and marched off.
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
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