[Mkguild] Dire Situation Part 4

[Stealth]

Last part

=93Be patent and you will return to the keep =96 alive.=94

    =93Ed, I know I=92m not a soldier but...=94 He paused, =93If I stay her=
e, you=92re
gonna die.=94

    Edmund just looked at him for a long moment while his breath filled the
air between them. =93Have faith in me.=94

    =93Maybe you should have faith in me.=94 Stealth answered. He was warmi=
ng to
the idea that he could help defeat those thieves and assassins... =93I=92ve
never done anything for you. Let me help you now.=94

    The paladin looked at him for a long moment. His harsh gaze made the
cheetah uneasy. =93All right but you need to understand just how deadly what
we are doing really is. You need to do exactly what I say.=94

    =93Fine.=94 Stealth answered sharply, =93But only in battle. I know this
armour and my new body better then you... I=92d hazard a guess that I
understand what=92s going on better then you, no offence. You need to hear =
me
out; let me help you with any plan you make.=94

    Edmund took a breath and nodded, =93Let=92s get to work.=94

------------------------------------

    =93A paladin?=94 A well groomed mongoose asked. =93He must not be allow=
ed to
escape.=94

    =93Escape is not his plan.=94 The man answered. =93I=92ll take care of =
the
filthy Follower, You will do away with the other one.=94

    =93Done.=94 Regal answered, =93I took him out easy enough once. This ti=
me I
don=92t think the boss will mind me killing him; not if I bring back someth=
ing
good.=94

-------------------------------------

    =93Then it=92s settled.=94 Edmund said as he looked over his sword once=
 more.
=93We will head to the far hill and take shelter behind the reverse slope.=
=94
The paladin sighed before he continued, =93You will flank them and fell as
many as you can with your bow but you will remain at a safe distance.=94

    =93Understood.=94 Stealth scowled and shifted to his taur form and then
again to his new dire form. The armour melted and contorted into place
though it staggered at times.

    Edmund sheathed his long sword. =93You should use your normal full form;
you need your speed and agility to evade them.=94

    =93Look around, Ed. I need good traction to do those things anyway.=94

    Edmund just looked at him while he pondered, =93I=92d still prefer you =
to
stay and remain safe, at least try to head east to Mycransburg.=94

    =93Then why bother coming here to get this?=94 The large animal motione=
d to
himself, pointing out either his armour suit or new form or both.

    =93To use when you are a better scout and fighter.=94 The knight counte=
red,
=93To use them when the time is right.=94

    =93I can do this, trust me. You know I=92m not the bravest man around. I
wouldn=92t do this if I didn=92t like my chances.=94 Stealth implored.

    =93You=92re still training, you are wearing ancient armour and you=92re=
 in a
new form, neither of which you understand.=94

    =93But you said I=92m here for a reason, you said I got this armour for=
 a
reason. The suit will protect me and I=92ll run fast, I won=92t engage them.
They won=92t even see me most of the time.=94 As he said it, Stealth=92s he=
art
beat faster then he could count the number of beats. He trembled with fear
but he tried to control it.

    =93All right...=94 Edmund said and controlled his feelings. This was no=
thing
new to him; a rookie wanting to do something foolhardy with the likely hood
of being killed. =93You will keep your distance from the assassins at all
times. Do not approach the Daedraenlui. I must face him alone.=94

    =93Fine, I=92ll peg them from a distance and keep moving. Now grab my b=
ow
and quiver, tie them onto the back of my neck.=94 The animal said and point=
ed
a paw to his weapons.

    The paladin quickly wrapped a leather band around the dire cheetah=92s
neck like a collar but to it he equipped the quiver and latched the bow over
it.

    =93Good, now Ed, quickly jump on my back.=94 The dire animal ordered and
kneeled close to the ground.

    Edmund flinched and stared at the large feline. =93I=92ll use my mount =
to
run along side.=94

    =93I need you to be able to keep up; you=92re no good to me trailing
behind.=94

    =93I=92m sorry, there has to be another way. I=92m not entirely
comfortable...=94 the paladin explained.

    The giant cheetah shot him a cold glare, =93How do you think I felt when
you wanted me to disrobe in front of your people?! Our lives are at stake!=
=94

    Edmund sighed. The idea of riding a friend just creped him out. But a
part of him was interested in the challenge of riding a cheetah.

    =93It will be alright.=94 The animal said.

    The paladin quickly climbed onto the dire cheetah. He didn=92t sit up b=
ut
leaned forward and tried to gain his balance. This was vastly different from
riding a horse and it took a moment to get a good seat. All the while he
tried not to think about WHO he would be riding.

    =93I am ready!=94 Edmund said and grit his teeth.

    =93Good! Hold on tight, here we go!=94 The animal shouted and took off =
like
a bolt.

    As the paladin bounced around he said a last quick prayer, =93Eli see us
through... and please don=92t let me fall off.=94

-------------------------------------

    As they approached the tree line, Stealth gasped at the weight of what
they were doing. It wouldn=92t be the first time he=92s... killed someone b=
ut
now he was faced with true combat. All of his training would be put to the
test and it would make the difference between life and death.

    =93Ed...=94 He said in a huff, =93I can=92t do this.=94

    =93Yes you can!=94 The paladin snarled. =93Now is NOT the time to loose=
 your
nerve. Flank them! Flank them!=94 He pulled on the cheetah=92s neck and gui=
ded
it to the right. He guided his friend as he would a horse... =93As soon as
we=92re past the reverse slope I=92ll drop, you just keep running!=94

    With a feral snarl the dire cheetah ran faster and ploughed through the
snow. In the twilight he leapt over a snow bank then up the shallow side of
a slope. Once past the reverse slope he felt a large weight drop from his
back. Having deposited Edmund as close as he=92d dare approach, Stealth ran
onward, while blocking out the hustling and confusion of the bandits he
shifted to his full form. As soon as he reached a safe distance he stopped
to rest. The feline shifted to taur form and reached for the bow now slung
very loosely around his neck.

    After reattaching the belt to his back he shifted to ordinary full form
and took off at another run. His pace slowed from the exertion earlier as he
ran low through the trees and snow banks. He stopped and shifted to taur
form, notching an arrow in his bow. Stealth took a breath and loosed the
arrow. As he shifted back to full form he heard a grunt but he was already
running to a new location where he shifted again and shot another arrow with
the same result.

    As he ran about the pre dawn field he tried to ignore the shouts of
alarm from fleeing bandits. They obviously knew they were under attack but
had no idea at the location or number of assassins =96 perhaps the Keep was
onto them? Stealth shifted to taur form once more but paused in notching his
arrow. Instead he shifted back to Dire form, his harness bunching up around
his neck again, and ran at several people he saw running.

    Suddenly, like metal succumbing to years of rust in mere seconds, his
armour ground to a halt and the animal collapsed in the snow.

    =91No! No! Not now!!!=92 He willed the armour off and it promptly dropp=
ed
like scrap. As he shook off the unwanted weight, the cheetah caught sight of
something glowing.

    Lying in the snow in the remnants was the dagger from the cellar. The
dire cheetah took it hesitantly in his muzzle, feeling a strange warmth flow
over him. He ignored the sensation and ran at the thieves as they galloped
away.

    Stealth reached them in no time and swiped the first horse=92s hind legs
up from under it. It=92s rider fell to the ground on his head with an audib=
le
crunch. He then turned to the next one and leapt, pouncing the bandit out of
the saddle. The dire animal landed hard on the bandit when they hit the
ground. The thief=92s chest completely caved in under the weight of the
feline=92s paws. Stealth then turned on another who currently rode directly=
 at
him.

    The cheetah darted out of the way faster then should have been possible
in his large form. He reached out his razor sharp dew claw and sliced open
the horse=92s foreleg as it ran past. The horse whinnied and crashed into t=
he
one in front. The man, some sort of mongoose, slid into the cheetah=92s
waiting forelegs. Stealth dropped the dagger in the snow near by, he licked
his lips and craned his head down intent on crushing the man=92s skull in h=
is
jaws.

    The mongoose looked paralysed with fear but at the last moment he
grappled the cat=92s neck and slid underneath him out of harms way.

    Stealth hissed and turned about when he saw what he=92d been hearing the
whole time. The dire cheetah saw Edmund clashing with the Daedra follower,
around them three bodies were scattered. Stealth watched the Daedraenlui
with a bloodlust he wasn=92t really aware of. The predator crouched low to =
the
ground and moved silently with intent eyes.

-------------------------------------

    After tumbling in the snow, Edmund stood up and quickly unsheathed his
long sword. He spared a glance at Stealth and his friend was already racing
off. The paladin ran down the slope swinging his blade, the first swipe took
someone=92s head, the second cut into the chest of a companion, spilling
entrails. Edmund thrust his sword forward at a third foe and skewed him
instantly.

    The cheetah paladin then reached the tent and sliced open the canvas. He
looked inside, emanating a long and uncertain =91chirr=92. The Daedraenlui =
was
absent.

    Edmund hissed and jumped back on his paws when a jagged blade swept past
him. The knight turned to his right and saw the cold, empty gaze of the
unholy warrior. The Daedraenlui stared at Edmund motionless and silent while
three more bandits emerged around him. The thieves looked at each other and
the anti paladin uncertain until one of them bolted.

    No sooner had the long tailed weasel moved the Daedraenlui merely
stepped on said tail and jammed his serrated blade into the morph=92s back,
lifting the sword like a crow bar and prying a portion of spine free.

    =93Stand your ground.=94 He said calmly as the morph collapsed in spasm=
s.

    The other two looked at each other with a great deal more fear and ran
at the same time. The Daedraenlui instantly drew out a chain and twirled it
about, it wrapped around and sliced open one man=92s chest and he cried out=
 as
he fell, the unholy warrior swung it about in the same instant, wrapping it
around the neck of the second. With a simple tug, the chain drew back
causing the morph=92s head to twist and spin free of his body.

    The paladin hissed and drove his sword toward the evil warrior. His blow
was easily deflected as was expected. Edmund used the momentum to spin his
blade about and try to take the Daedraenlui=92s head but his opponent ducked
and they soon stood opposite each other. Edmund=92s ears twitched to the
startled cries behind him. The knight seethed when he realised Stealth had
ignored his order and engaged the bandits directly.

    He blocked out the thought as he twirled with the Daedra warrior and
exchanged blows. As Edmund countered attack after attack he began to tire
but the =91anti paladin=92 showed no sign of tiring. The cheetah began to l=
oose
ground and panted with the exertion.

    =91Eli, give me... strength?=92 The knight=92s eyes widened as a giant =
animal
rose up behind his opponent like a wave and crashed into the Daedraenlui who
slammed into the ground and slid to a halt at Edmund=92s paws.

    The man was almost crushed under the weight of the dire cheetah. Stealth
snarled at the anti-paladin, eyes wide with the thrill of the hunt. The
giant animal craned its neck down and opened its jaws wide around the neck
of the frightened Daedraenlui.

    =93STEALTH! NO!=94 Edmund shouted at the cat.

    Stealth jerked his head back and blinked, =93Oh, sorry. I forgot.=94 He=
 put
a heavy forepaw down on the man=92s back, restraining him easily. =93I hope=
 you
don=92t move; I haven=92t eaten today... I like to eat things that move.=94

    That earned a chuckle from Edmund. The dire animal purred loudly but the
Daedraenlui just shot the paladin an intense and hateful glare.

    =93How did you fare in the battle, Ed?=94 The animal asked and looked a=
t the
three bodies around them.

    =93Oh, I didn=92t kill these ones, he did for desertion!=94 Edmund said=
 to
Stealth=92s other unasked question, =93I fared well; a difficult fight but =
I got
thru it.=94 He answered. =93And you my friend?=94

    The cheetah thought for a moment, =93I feel... different.=94 Looking ba=
ck he
did feel strange. Like he=92d almost enjoyed it... slowly the reality began=
 to
sink in and the thrill began to fade.

    =93Are you alright?=94 Edmund asked softly.

    =93No.=94 Stealth said without hesitation. =93What do you want to do wi=
th...
this?=94 He asked and nudged their prisoner.

    =93Hold him steady,=94 Edmund kneeled close to the ground and searched =
the
man for anything dangerous or interesting. He found a score of poison tipped
darts and the large chain. Ed could now tell the chain was covered in spikes
and they were marred with flesh and blood. Using a rope from one of the
tents, the cheetah paladin tied the man=92s arms, legs and gagged him.

    Once he was secured, Stealth removed his paw from the Daedra follower=
=92s
back. =93Can I get the other ones now?=94 He asked eyes wide with the thril=
l of
the hunt again.

    =93No, I need you here to help me take him back.=94

    =93Okay. I=92m glad we survived...=94 The animal said.

    =93We=92re not out of this yet,=94 Edmund reminded as he watched their
prisoner =96 their only prisoner after the rest fled or died, =93but I am g=
lad
to see you unharmed.=94

    Stealth purred and rubbed against Edmund, causing him to grunt and fall
backward in the snow. =93Ooof!=94

    =93Are you sure you want to take him back with us?=94 Stealth asked and
sniffed Edmund=92s nose.

    =93It wouldn=92t be right to kill him like this. He should be tried for=
 his
crimes.=94 Ed answered as he got back up and looked around. =93Forgive me f=
or
asking this but may I sling our guest across your back for the time being?=
=94

    =93Sure.=94 The animal said and waited patiently as if he were a draft =
horse
while the burden was hefted over him like a sack of potatoes. =93I=92ll tak=
e him
back to the Keep!=94

    =93No, not without my guidance. He is too dangerous to be left alone.=
=94 The
knight ordered and turned to head back up to the tree line. =93Follow me to=
 my
horse.=94

    =93Ed, wait, my armour.=94 Stealth motioned behind him.

    =93All right,=94 The paladin walked quickly past the splayed corpses and
noted the arrows buried in their skulls. =93You did very well Stealth. Fine
aim.=94

    Stealth just mumbled in acknowledgment; he didn=92t feel all that proud=
 of
what he=92d done, just an unsettling craving... The thought was worse when =
he
remembered almost crushing their skulls in his jaws. Perhaps he was feeling
a little complacent and feral in his new form, Stealth wondered with
trepidation if he had tried to kill the Daedraenlui... or eat him.

    Halfway to the discarded pile the dire creature found his dagger in the
snow. He idly snatched it up in his muzzle and felt its warmth quickly
fading away.

    When they found the suit, Edmund didn=92t have the strength to fully
repower it at that time so he just fuelled it enough to make it=92s weight
bearable and then collected up each plate as well as the daggers into a
gunny sack he took from the tents. It was a slow walk but they eventually
made their way back to the horse. With renewed energy they then left the
Haunted Woods (again) and stepped out into the sunlight of the new day.

-------------------------------------

    As they slowly headed south a distinct cloud of disquiet hung over them.
They were victorious but neither would feel safe until they returned to the
keep. The daunting choice of being trapped in the Haunted Woods or getting
killed trying to leave was behind them but until the Daedra worshiper was
out of their paws they wouldn=92t rest easy. Still, at least they were going
home.

    They forded the creek that once tried to eat Stealth=92s Yule tree. Tho=
ugh
the stream was now frozen solid it was far more risky to cross. Stealth
wanted to jump across but he=92d probably loose his load. He allowed himself
to be lead across by Edmund who held the cheetah=92s scruff in one hand and
the halter of his horse in the other. During the crossing the dire cheetah
wondered who was helping who maintain balance...

    Edmund kept a close eye on the evil warrior on the cheetah=92s back whi=
le
Stealth just lamented. A few hours past he felt thrill and delight which
quickly eroded into despair and now he felt so shook up that he just wanted
to go home.

    =93You are very quiet.=94 Edmund spoke as they walked. =93Something wro=
ng?=94

    The quadruped opened his mouth to speak but faltered.

    =93Amulet acting up?=94

    =93No it=92s not that.=94 He said softly and swallowed a lump. =93...=
=94

    =93Speak to me. Tell me what is troubling you.=94 The paladin ordered.

    =93When I shot my bow and heard a scream...=94 Stealth began but lost h=
is
voice.

    =93I can understand how that would be troubling.=94 Edmund said and hud=
dled
up in his coat. Now that the excitement was long behind them he was cold
again.

    =93I was happy.=94 He corrected and tried to look away.

    Stealth only heard Edmund breathing, was he pondering? ...or was he
judging? =93When I leapt and landed on someone... I was happy, happy that I
crushed him underneath me, happy that he died under my paws.=94

    =93Are you sure?=94 Edmund asked.

    Stealth blinked, he looked up at Edmund with an expression to emphasise
just what he thought of that question...

    =93Well are you sure that YOU were delighted? Or the cheetah within?=94
Edmund countered, =93Humans have always lost themselves in battle. Eons bef=
ore
the curses gave us new instincts to contend with, it=92s the way it=92s alw=
ays
been.=94

    =93Then why do we always come away pained?=94 The animal whimpered in a
churr.

    Edmund laughed humourlessly, =93Because we=92re not monsters.=94

    =93I didn=92t think I=92d ever feel worse then the first time I snuffed
someone.=94 The feline said softly.

    =93You acted in self defence that day, today you made a decision and to=
ok
responsibility for your safety.=94 He placed a hand on his friend=92s shoul=
der,
=93It=92s not meant to be easy.=94

    =93Thanks, Ed.=94 Stealth said and absently nuzzled the paladin=92s han=
d.

    =93If there=92s one to bear the burden it is me; they did this to get to
me.=94 He said and huddled up more in the coat while the knight=92s tail wr=
apped
around his legs.

    =93Because of the Shadow?=94

    =93No.=94 Edmund said bluntly. =93Daedra followers are evil but not stu=
pid. He
knew I have no control over the spirit of the woods.=94

    Stealth blinked, =93Then he told those people, all those people you did
just to...=94 The cheetah slowly turned his head to look at their prisoner.

    The man bound and slung over his back could not speak but through the
gag he seemed to grin.

    Edmund=92s reaction was swift and unexpected. He lashed out with his fi=
st
and punched the man dead square on the nose. =93Your real punishment will c=
ome
soon enough.=94

    The Daedraenlui grunted and choked a bit on his gag.

    Stealth turned away and blanched. Edmund said that man killed his own
people. And he lied to them to obtain their help in killing the paladin...
They=92d not have been so helpful if they knew the Shadow was still a threa=
t.
Had they succeeded all of them would have naively gone to their deaths at
the hands of the Shadow Fox. And he was proud of it! As troubled as Stealth
felt at their fight that morning, it was comforting to know that at the very
least he wasn=92t a sadist...

    After the fist to their prisoner=92s face, their conversation died down
again. Edmund pondered everything that had happened and everything that
would need to be done. George will want a debriefing, those ashes in the
cellar would need to be collected respectfully and he=92ll need to give
Bridgette a big hug and kiss.

    Another matter of concern was obviously the armour and =91dire=92 form.
However of more concern to the knight was Stealth himself. Edmund was a bit
surprised and a little amazed that Stealth did so well. He did have a
problem with following instructions but Edmund was already aware of that.
What gave him pause was Stealth=92s attitude; he did almost falter but besi=
des
that he seemed eager when at other times the feline acted much more timid
and reserved. Perhaps the new form or suit had an affect on the lad.

    =93Ed.=94

    Edmund blinked out of his revere, =93Yes?=94

    =93What was a Daedraenlui even doing here in Metamor?=94 The animal ask=
ed as
he navigated a large mound.

    =93Good question. One that many people will want answered. Especially
myself.=94

-------------------------------------

    It had only been just over a full day but to the returning cats it felt
like weeks. Edmund and a score of his men escorted their guest to the
dungeons. Stealth took the sack containing his belongings to the Guild Tower
for recharge and analysis. The mages wanted to keep it in their possession
for some time to understand its transformation but it refused to stay put
and merely blobbed along the floor and back to its wearer.

    Stealth shrugged and left, promising to return for them to study the new
suit when he had the time to sit around. He left in his dire form =96 he=92d
been in that form since early morning =96 and walked towards his next
destination.

    As the large animal walked through the halls of Metamor, people stoped
to gawk. Some chuckled while others were gobsmacked. Some looked on in
curiosity and made appraisals while others cowered in fear. To think, if
he=92d been a normal, ordinary taur in a tunic people wouldn=92t even spare=
 a
glance.

    Late that day the dire cheetah in golden armour lined with black
splodges slowly and with natural grace entered Long Hall. Misha spared with
some of his fellow Longs in taur form, everyone stopped in their training to
gawk and the horse-sized feline.

    Stealth turned his gaze down and saw a metallic animal standing in front
of him.

    =93Rawr!=94 The cheetah said to the metal fox.

    Madog promptly =91yipped=92 and scurried to hide underneath Misha=92s l=
egs,
peeking up shyly from underneath.

    =93Hello Misha,=94 The giant animal said in hypnotic low hiss.

    =93Stealth? Is that you?=94 The fox asked, confused.

    =93Yep, I learned a new trick...=94 The cat grinned.

    =93What happened?=94 Misha asked, unsure of how he should react.

    The cheetah sat on its haunches, =93I went out to the woods the other d=
ay
and got a new suit. Then by accident while I was trying to get out of it I
discovered a new forth form. I call it the Dire form.=94

    =93Very impressive Stealth! You are some sort of mega sized cheetah.
Almost like a throw back to some ancient long extinct giant cheetah!=94

    =93Oh, yes. Now Oberon can be the little cat.=94

    =93Can you teach me this new form?=94 Misha asked enthusiastically.

    Some people around the taur rolled their eyes or sighed. They weren=92t
all too excited about the idea of a bouncy dire fox.

    =93I don=92t know; I don=92t really know how to teach people stuff.=94 =
The
animal shrugged.

    =93Stealth.=94 Said the taur and placed his hand on the cheetah=92s sho=
ulder,
=93You need to teach me new things!=94

    =93Okay, I=92ll try, though I hope you don=92t mind loosing your upper =
half.=94

    =93No problem.=94 He handed his staff to Georgette and removed his vest.
=93I=92m always happy to try a new form.=94

    =93Good!=94 Said the dire cheetah. =93Now close your eyes. Picture your=
 own
body...=94


Dire Situation
Copyright (c) 2008-2009 Michael Nastov
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