Kok

[Chesa]

The legends say, that when a Kitten cries, a fairy looses her wings. On the night that the innocent Cat village of Sham was pillaged, many fairies’ flights were halted. Even ten years after peace, the hatred hadn’t been quelled. The cast system that had been employed called for all the Cats and Deer to be punished for causing the unrest in the great kingdoms of Kar. His solution, called for the capture of all these peoples.

The harvest moon itself seemed to be crying as attack descended on the innocent Cats. Sham was sacred to the Cat people. The great god Sine is said to have lived in the forests outside of Sham. His shrine lays not more then a mile outside the village’s boarder, but on this night blood would lie in overturned offering bowls.

Sham village was tucked in the northern most corner of the empire, and for a majority of the collection, it had managed to stay out and continue with life as normal. Cats were a peaceful people. Farmers most of them were, planting small patches of this or that among the trees of the forest, making just enough to feed their village. The people of Sham had never been involved in the war, but by the Emperors law slaughter soon reached their doorstep as well.

The shouts and cries of the imperial hoarse men could be heard from miles away. Young Whittier popped her head out of the door of the hut her mother and her shared. The little one of just 9 years didn’t know what was to come. She was too young to know of the war, and peace had always been her life.

The entire village was in a flurry, as the wise old leaders went through the streets warning the young ones of what was to come. Men let their live stock loose into the woods as woman cooked what they could for the travel. The shouting and clamor was growing louder, and little Whittier’s mind was having great difficulty wrapping around the chaos.

“What’s going on Mama?” She asked softly, looking over her shoulder at her mother. The tall young cat grabbed her daughters arm, pulling her back into the hut. Her mother to was in a frenzy to grab their few belongings. “What’s going on ?” Whittier asked again. Her mother didn’t say anything. Whittier followed her as she moved into the single bed room they shared and into the closet . The young woman knelt down, moving one of the floor stones away and pulling out the box that was kept hidden in the ground.

“Are we leaving Mama?” The young one asked. Her mother rose to her feet again. Tall and slender, her steps were fast and fluid, hard to keep up with. “Yes Kushnen, we leave,” She said, grabbing the sack in which a few articles of clothing were packed. Whittier was on her mothers heels, holding tightly to her tan and blue skirts as they rushed for the door.

The door to their hut no longer opened to their village, but to hell. The imperial soldiers had reached their town. The simple curved blades that the Cats traditionally wielded were useless against the new weapons that the soldiers carried. They were deadly contraptions that were held in the hands of the men, and aiming, small black balls shot from them. This new weapon raked havoc as it took down Cat after Cat with an invisible death grip.

“By Sine,” Her mother breathed. Whittier looked up at her mother. She had just used their gods name in vein, a great sin. “Mother,” She whimpered, suddenly the gravity of the situation crashing over her innocent mind. Her mother grabbed her hand and ran, pulling Whittier behind her.

Whittier could shut her eyes to the horrors around her. Neighbors were being carried away in bundles, crying for their loved ones in a chorus that fell on dead ears. Children that Whittier had been playing with earlier that day laid in pools of shimmering red that reflected the fire that had caught the houses. The great flickering monster devoured houses in single gulps dancing in victory against a bloody moon.

These men were not soldiers, they were beast who’s hearts and been infected by war. “Mother,” young Whittier whimpered, unable to comprehend what was happening. “Why is Alyssa sleeping mother? And why are Carmen’s tears red?” She cried, tears starting to leak from her cheeks. Whittier’s mother ducked into an ally. She crouched down, pulling Whittier close to her as a group of soldiers rushed by. Whittier could feel her mothers heart racing to get out of her chest.

“Kushnen, My dear child,” She said softly, running her hand through the thick curls of her child’s soft black hair. Whittier softly took a tear that was running down her mothers cheek with her finger. Both her mothers slim hands encompassed Whittier’s small one. She lightly kissed the finger that had taken her tear. “Save your tears Whittier, for you will need them in this life, shed them not for your lost mother,” She said softly. Whittier was confused by the smile on her mothers lips on which her tears dripped over.

Her mother took the small item that she had taken out of the box at home from her pocket, and reached under Whittier’s apron, tucking away the small gem. “Do not let them have this child, it will always be ours. It will get you through all you’re troubles, hold your hand against the blade of their hatred,” She said, her deep green eyes locked on the emerald’s of her daughters eyes.

Whittier’s confusion increased until she couldn’t bare it. She couldn’t think against the song of war. “Why do they hate us mother?” She asked as tears burst from the very depths of her young heart. “This child, this is why they hate,” Her mother, touching the small triangle under Whittier’s right eye, then the small dark patch of skin under her own. These small triangles were under the eyes of every Cat, they were their pride, marked them as children of Sine. Whittier didn’t know what she meant. Did they hate triangles? Did they not like them because they had those marks?

“Mother I don’t understand,” She cried. Loving arms wrapped around her, holding her in a tight embrace, her last embrace. “Do not struggle Kushnen,” she said softly, before pulling both herself and Whittier to their feet. They had been still too long, they must escape while the Chaos provided cover. “Come now,” She said, taking Whittier’s frail hand. They dashed out of the ally and again into the roads.

They ran, ran faster then Whittier ever had in her life, faster then when she had dropped laundry in the river and had to run to catch it, and faster then when Grun and Goorn Alron’s hog had chased her down the street.

The shouting of the soldiers suddenly got louder. Whittier turned to see where they were, and found herself looking down the shrinking barrel of one of the new weapons of death.

One Bang.

Whittier wanted to stop and cover hear ears, the noise was so loud. She looked at her mother and saw a rose blooming in her shoulder. “Mother!” Whittier cried.

Two Bangs.

Her mother tumbled to the ground. With the last push of life she had she flung Whittier forward, giving her the extra boost towards the woods. Whittier paused for only a moment to look into the dying eyes of her mother. The shouting from the soldiers drew her back into reality.

Save your tears

Her mothers words echoed in her ears. She didn’t want to. She wanted to cry, to drop where she was and let her heart out for the pain that befell her, but with her tears would fall her blood if she were to stop. She had understood that. With one last dash of speed young Whittier stumbled into the forest, running deeper and deeper until she felt lost in the great Yevnon trees. Once she could no longer hear the melody of death, she dropped to her knees, and wept.

[Chesa]

War in itself is a nightmare. Bullets and bombshells fly, sending foreboding fireworks dancing in the sky. It wraps itself around a land like fire, engulfing and decimating anything and everything it touches. From it’s ashes rise death tolls and tyranny. It’s song is a sad melody. It’s sung by the mothers who’s children lie dead at their feet, but the husbands who’s wives have been taken away, and by the orphans who crowd the street chanting calls for parents that will never return.

When disaster strikes a city there is no way to stop the raging disease of war. It’s virus, infecting man and woman alike. Neighbor strikes neighbor in an endless game of roulette. Before the world knows, its consumed in hatred.

There are no compromises in war. Man’s trust has been shatter. Someone must be blamed. Someone is lesser because of the war. Casts are formed. People are demeaned. It’s the solution, place all the blame on a single persons, and everything can be peaceful again.

Punish.

Through the fighting and pain a single warrior can emerge victorious. There is no compromise. An iron fisted man appears to have the solution. His solution cures the world of it’s infection. Order is enforced and peace begins to roll across the cities like a wave crashes upon the sea shore, quelling the fires of war with the single solution.

Punish.

With the calm comes harsh rules. Is this peace really worth it? While the wealthy thrive in this new regime the poor are suffering. Lower then poor…that’s a life no one wants to even think about, especially those who live that life. Still hatred and fighting dances in the garden’s of peace. Will there ever be a calm?

[Chesa]

Chapter 2

“The siege is complete sir,” The young Fox corporal reported. Captain Christophern Frungio let out a heavy huff, staring down at the map before him. He picked up the ink pen and put a small X over the name ‘Sham’. He turned to face the Corporal. “How many captured?” He asked, the bitter scowl with the combination of the steely eyes that the Frungio Wolves were known for made him quite the force, almost impossible to lie to. That’s why the young Corporal had been sent to give the report instead one of the other officers. They knew better.

“None sir,” the weak willed fox replied. The icy rage seemed to simply emanate off of the Captain. “None?” He asked. The Corporal flinched. There was no need for the Captain to raise his voice to spur fear in his subordinates. “Y-yes sir,” The newest victim of Captain Frungio’s rage stuttered. The steely eyes that had earned Frungio the title ‘Arctic Wolf’ flared with their chilled ferocity.

There was the deep thud as a dagger was driven into the desk beside the Captain. “Out of four hundred and fifty citizens, not a single captive?” He asked. The fox nodded meekly. “Y-yes sir,” he answered, unable to keep the fearful stutter out of his voice. Frungio ceased hold of the collar of the Corporal’s uniform, pulling him close. “Tell Siege Commander Bright I want him to report to me, immediately,” He said. Though his voice seemed cold his words were demanding enough that they could make the Palace Lords themselves comply.

The moment the young man was released he sprinted out of the Captain’s tent. The Captain growled to himself, crossing his arms and staring at the map. 14 years in the National Army and 41 successful sieges had earned him the rank of Captain. At the young age of twenty seven he was the second youngest man to ever achieve Captain. His Highness Emperor Nicholie was the only man to have reached the rank at a younger age. His status in the army was something Frungio was proud of and had fought long and hard for.

In the 41 sieges he had taken part in he had always returned with a proper catch of Cat and Deer captives. By law he was to return with captives, and not deaths, though the law was sorely overlooked. The laws stated that Cats and Deer were to be put under the protection of the Emperor. A cast system had been affected to help control the many countries that had come together.

The cast had been employed at the beginning of the Great Peace by His Highness Emperor Nicholie. The Tiger’s were the royalty, as they should have been. Even in the great scriptures was it written that the Tiger were meant to rule. The Dragon’s served under the ferocious leaders, acting as Lords and Governors.

Beneath them were the Wolves and Foxes. The middle class, the normal folk. At the lowest were the Deer, and then the Cat. The filthy creatures that were just farmers and healers. Weak by nature, they didn’t deserve any rights, they were just animals. There weakness had caused the unrest that started the bloody war that killed so many, including Frungio’s family. They needed to know their place! Frungio thought, slamming his hand onto the desk. It was written in the Holy Scriptures, all of this, he had seen it with his own eyes. One single ruler, that’s what they needed.

The almighty Emperor had save the dying Kingdoms of Kar. It used to be that each of the races had their own kingdoms. Cat, Deer, Wolf, Fox, Dragon, and Tiger, all ruled by their own king with their own lands. That might have worked, if the Cat and Deer hadn’t gotten greedy, and tried to steal the lands of other kingdoms.

Those filthy creatures had killed the King of the Wolf Kingdom. Before any of the people knew it, the Kingdoms of Kar were at war. It had been five awful, bloody years of fighting, but out of this fighting His Highness Emperor Nicholie had arisen, and united all the kingdoms, and he had punished those who had started the war.

The cats are getting what they deserve! I had no qualms with punishing them, all of them! Every last one needed to know what their people had done wrong!

“Sir?”

A dull, drowned voice cut through Captain Frungio’s raging thoughts. He turned his head slightly, looking at the tall, lanky Commander who was staring, bored, at him. The Black wolf that was Bright had gotten into trouble with his superiors on more then one occasion. He never followed orders. He was a mighty warrior, with speed and strength that was unmatched. His physical attributes were the only reason he hadn’t been dismissed from the National Army yet. The generals had attached the unruly man to Captain Frungio’s company for this siege in attempts to break his wild spirit. So far their idea was failing.

Bright stared nonchalantly at Frungio, as if he were looking at a pouting child and not his superior. Frungio was not appreciative of such disrespect. “What were you thinking!” He snapped. His prior thoughts had caused him to become a bit unruly. He rarely snapped, but looking at such cheeky man made his skin crawl. Bright was thirty five or so, fast, strong, and he knew he was so. This cocky man was driving him insane.

Bright chuckled a little, the dark eyes gleaming with joy. He was told he wasn’t going to get under the hardened Captain’s skin. “It’s these new weapons sir,” he said, holding up the rifle he had recently been issued. “They’re so much fun, I can’t put it down,” He said, his entire being laughing at Frugnio’s anger. Frungio knew full well that Bright was just making excuses.

“Are you going soft for those pathetic creatures are you?” He asked. Bright cocked an eyebrow, looking down at the captain. Now Frungio was tall, but at almost seven feet tall Bright just towered over everyone. “Of course not sir,” He said, looking directly into Frungio’s biting eyes with the eyes of a trickster. Gasper Bright, the first person to ever bold face lie to Captain Frungio.

Frungio knew there was nothing more he could say to Bright. “You’ve got the night watch Bright,” he snapped. Bright’s face immediately paled. “Night watch? Really sir? That’s a Private's job,” he whined. “Don’t be a cub Bright!” he growled. The Capitan turned his back to the commander and left his tent.

The base of operations for this siege had been set up at the shrine to the Cats little god. Ironic, Christophern thought. He moved swiftly through the throngs of men, past the mess hall tent, past the barracks, and past the cages, that should have been full. He left the entire base, and started into the forest. He desperately needed a walk to calm himself.

The forest was dark, the light of night filtering through the trees, leaving only speckles of silver on the ground. He let out a long sigh, gripping the hilt of his sword as he walked. The silence wrapped around him, shrouding his anger in the calm bleakness of the night. He prowled through the trees, moving swiftly, with no intended destination, when a small whimper broke through his silence. He froze in his steps, eyes sweeping through the tangled groves to find the source of the cry.

Carefully, making sure that his movements remained unheard, he crept through the trees. The crying grew louder, but the tone softer. Soon a small form became visible, on the ground, hunched over. A small form, a child's. He grew even closer. The child was a young girl. Bewilderment over took the young captain. What is a child doing out here He thought, walking up to stand before her. Her tiny head tilted up, looking at him, and she jumped in fear, but when he saw the small triangle on her cheek, he wasn't surprised. She was a Cat.

A burning hatred started growing up inside him. “Child,” he snapped, making the girls eyes lock on him. There was his catch, sitting in front of him. “You are here by put under the protection of the Empire of Kar,” He said, reaching down. He gripped the trembling kitten by her collar, pulling her onto her feet. She started rattling on in her native tongue, which of course he didn't understand. The short, clipped sounds that made up their language were grated and harsh, an annoyance on the ears.

“Silence!” He bellowed, pulling the leather restraints from his belt. He yanked the confused child's arms behind her, twisting the strips around her wrists. He said not another word, just shoved her towards the camp. As his grip on her tightened, his anger slowly disappeared. He had his catch.