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The Year of the Rat. Chapter one.

The beginning.

The resounding echo of a wooden door's latch clacking and the arms groaning as the heavy wood and brass reinforced structure slid open admitting a male Black and grey Rodent dressed in a soldiers armor with a long cloak of blue and white flowing behind him as his belt cape danced with each footfall. the sound of his silver armor clinked and jostled if only slightly as he passed across the marble like ice floor."My dear, there is only one airship left, the Bristlebane she waits for us." another Rodent, a female wearing a simple gown of white and blue leaned over a crib crafted from the same enchanted ice the palace was forged from. her ring endowed fingers were folded against the muzzle of her infant son, barely a week old.the infant rodent held onto the woman's hand and suckled on her fingers."Will it be the same Fritsher?" she turned her head to aim red eyes at her betrothed, countless brass and silver chains and gems hung from her ears. the male rodent holding his silver helm beneath his arm approached the crib and stared in at his son. the infant bore the dull grey and black of their species."He has your snout." spoke the male to his wife, the woman sighed smiling gently and ran her hand along the infants face.''Will we be safe?" Fritsher nodded."The Dragons of Druthaniya and our kingdom have been allies for thousands of years, they will take care of us, they sent the ships, we need but ride them to the haven they have promised us." the woman looked up and peered through a truly massive bell shaped window ten feet from where she and her two boys were. outside of the extremely elegant engraved ice and glass window a ferocious storm raged. the Kingdom of Gorderia was a sprawling community sitting in the most harsh of environments in the entire world they resided. The kingdom sat nestled against a mountain in the vast unending landscape of their home worlds northern icecap. Pelunda wastes. the city was a beautiful union between stone and enchanted ice. the city glistend and gleamed like a round jewel. Gorderia was accustomed and used to ferocious snow storms, the species of rodent who resided in the city were born and adapted here. this was their homeland. Raised in the cold, adapted to the cold since the first Gorderian settlement in the frozen wasteland. But now a new storm threatened them, it was a freak blizzard, a storm rumored about and only ever seen once a thousand years ago. it threatened to freeze everything in its spot. the winds and ice were no trouble. it was the eye of the storm that was the threat, in the eye the temperatures drop so rapidly that not even the legendary Gorderian rats who were born into the snow and cold would survive. No enchantment or shield spell would save them, it was offered but it would only be able to protect the palace for a few hours leaving everyone else to die. the evacuation took an entire day and night and now one final airship waited for its last passengers to board.

The queen and her husband both left the palace room, the royal quarters where they conceived their little prince. the pair marched through the halls of ice and glistening pictures of past rulers moving in their enchanted pictures immortalizing them in a moment of happiness. the halls were devoid of any guards, there were no need for guards when every citizen of the city were gone. Parent and child emerged out onto the gigantic balcony overlooking the entire city, it was tierd, diamond shaped tiers sprawling out until the massive walls of ice stood on the snowy ground. the city was dead, no life, no one to give it life, every single resident had fled on an airship or the back of a Dragon. some Dragons even came with large carriages hanging from their backs by massive ropes.the winds blew snow flakes that would never be individually identified in the hazing white out conditions, the rolling spinning squall was approaching fast from behind the mountains, The queen holding her infant son wrapped in several blankets and a royal cloak stared at the mountains and the near black grey storm beyond them.she lowered her head to the winds and approached the airship, the vessel was hovering by the balconies lip where many speeches were once held when skies were cleared.the woman followed her husband across a wooden ramp flanked by two dragons both looking about warily and making sure the royals boarded . the airship looked more like a flying barge, elevated by magically charged crystals within its bowls, smaller than the other airships that arrived and carried off hundreds of residents a ship. This vessel was small but by no means puny, it was bore a large square hull of at least three hundred feet long and a hundred feet across with what looked like an elegant guardhouse sitting off to one corner of the deck where the operators controlled the ship. Fritsher ushered his mate on to the ship followed by the twin dragons, the ramp was pulled up and the vessel veered away from the palace and aimed in a westward direction, the magic powered engines blasted a violet glow propelling the vessel away from the storm and the city, rising higher and higher up above the clouds and out of danger.

Jharand settled down in the hull of the ship sitting her rump on a wooden chair and cradling her infant son, checking him to see if the cold had not gotten to him yet. Fritsher had remained up deck to keep the Dragons company and to ask the captain of the airship how long the trip would be. "is he alright?" came a flowing almost sugar sweet voice, Jharand looked up to cast her red eyes into the fire orange eyes of a female fox woman. the woman wore leather armor and pants over her armor she wore a thick fur cloak. Jharand gave a slow nod,"Male Gorderian ratfolk do not adapt to the cold until they reach at least their teens, and even then you must expose them to the cold little by little until they can handle it in its entirety." the fox gave a slow nod and settled into a chair near the rat woman, the two were in a lounge area in the yacht."I thought your kind were born with a natural adaptation to the cold." Jharand gave a slow shake of her head,"Not entirely, were supposed to live in a tundra environment, we can handle a little cold, our winter coats do that for us, but to be able to survive in this environment with all of its beauty you have to expose yourself to its weather to adapt, I fear my dear little Ashren will never know the glory of true cold." the fox woman gave a sympathetic smile."We have winter in Druthaniya, not as harsh as here but we do get snow once every year." Jharand smiled and ran her fingers across the muzzle of her newborn son."it wont be the same, but at least he will grow up, at least our kingdom is saved thanks to your people." the rat woman smiled at the fox who beamed pridefully in return."Our society only wants to help those who need help, you as our Allie were in peril, it was paramount we send what ever aid we could." Jharand continued to smile and when the fox woman was caught peering at her infant the rat woman gave a smile,"Would you like to hold him?, I am eager to find some food on this ship, and perhaps some milk for him?" the vixen gave a quick nod holding her arms out and accepting the small bundle of rodent."There should be a relief station on board, we brought supplies help yourself." she smiled and looked down into the eyes of the small rodent, those little red orbs were open and peering up at the fox lady."hey there lil guy, I'm Therecia." the fox woman announced as she gently rubbed the baby rat under his chin, the little creature was shaking and gave out a soft yelp like squeak.

"How long are we talking?" inquired King Fritscher in conference with a Dragon of greens and yellows with some pale tan and white."At our current speed we will reach Druthaniya within a week, but your majesty we are running at full capacity, and the magical charge in the crystals can only do so much before they need to vent, if we continue like this they may explode or worse, they will die and the ship will plummet." the dragon gave a grave stare peering over at a Utaraptor wearing eastern armor speaking with a Gryphon their words were lost on the howling winds."if that happened we would have to choose who to save." Fritscher nodded,"how long running at normal power?" the Dragon gave a relieved smile,"It would take a month, we used a teleportation spell on each ship to get here in time and it put a serious drain on all of us present dragons and the dragons back in Druthaniya who helped open it. the rat nodded rubbing the back of his head wide eyed he whistled,"forty ships and seventeen dragons all in one go." the rat gave an apologetic look to the dragon."I am not ungrateful for what your people did, I am merely curious how long, were alive and that is all that matters." the dragon smiled swishing his long tail back and forth,"Your kind show such clarity and selflessness even after all of these years." the rat gave a slow nod and leaned back against the railing staring down over its lip at the passing of cliffs and mountains below. his red eyes peered up to spy the approach of his lover."if you will excuse me Sire." the dragon dipped his head to the rat and watched as the male ran off to embrace his woman, both shared a kiss in the middle of the deck.

Days came and went, the ship continued on its course never swaying or shifting. it began to get stuffy and crampt on the ship as the first week dragged by. the occupants, three Dragons all were medium sized near the size of a typical tyrannosaurus rex. one Gryphon two raptors one a Utahraptor and the other a small Velociraptor. one fox and the cabin crew of a flightless avian Anthro and two wolves. Food began to get scarce and water supplies began to run low as the second week passed by, Jharand sat on a bench in the quarters she and her husband were given to sleep within it was one of four in the bowls of the ship. The Gorderian mother held her child in her arms smiling down at his little face, those eyes wide and large peering around with intense curiosity.Ears swiveling this way and that as he suckled on the nipple of a bottle, minus the bottle. it was to keep him calm and relaxed and it was working wonders. A subtle rapping on the wooden door drew Fritser and his wives attention to the carved decorated iron re-enforced passageway. A groaning creak of the doors hinges preordained the entry of Therecia the red fox woman fond of her leather armor. "Your majesties you are both needed up on deck, the captain wishes to speak about our current food problem, and how to take care of it." Fritscher stood up running his hand over his sons small snout, the little bundle of black was fast asleep bundled up in his blankets."What dose he propose?" the fox woman shook her head smiling in her kind, respectful manner."He said we can either land to gather resources, or find a flock of birds, the look out up top had mentioned he saw a gaggle of geese not to far ah-" Therecia was cut off by a whistle being blown and the booming voice of the Dragon look out."Airship off the stern!." Fritscher gave his wife a look,"An Airship out here?."

Jharand stood and held her son out to the fox woman,"please look after him I must go with my husband." begrudgingly the female Rat allowed the fox woman to take her son from her arms before she ran from the room with her mate. Both Rats climbed up the stairs and emerged out onto the deck both rodent eyes, both crimson red stared at the long looming form of a black vessel several thousand meters away, plumes of black billowed from the stacks behind the large vessels bridge.A mass of iron and wood looming ever close to the small venerable ship.Both rats moved out onto the deck a pair of dragons were standing side by side, one was staring hard peering with his predatory eyes at the ship pursuing them."Its a pirate ship." muttered one of the Dragons, Fritscher spoke up."it dosent make sense, I thought the only airships out this far was your peoples evacuation brigade." the dragon, a stunning creature with a powerful lithe body bearing colors of a clear night sky replied."Evidently not, this is a major problem, where they came from dose not matter, we cant expose the people here to our presence. Exposing the people here with our ships will change their history and cause a heap of trouble we cannot, absolutely cannot afford right now." Jharand held her hand to her chest,"Do we have any weapons?" the words were like stones, she knew the iron leviathan would overpower the small wooden barge even if the small ship was armed to the brim with cannon. the Dragon astride the night sky dragon spoke up in her solemn voice."Only us, we did not anticipate another airship not on a continent where Airships are not even depicted in books.I fear we may have no choice but to abandon ship, were powered by taxed magical crystals, their engines are coal powered." Fritschel's hand rest on the hilt of his sword whipping his tail back and forth irritably ready to battle or flee."Lets do what we need to and do it fa-" the rat yelled and tackled his wife to the deck as a resounding thunder clap emitted from the bladed bow of the massive iron monster spitting a broad hood headed lance towards the smaller ship. the blades of the weapon slammed into the stern sinking into the wooden construction as if it were mere flesh.

"Open fire!." bellowed a Dragon and with out a moment of hesitation the two large dragons standing on the end of the ship began blasting magical bolts from their maws. Rearing up on their hind legs and slamming their for feet down maw agape blasting a glowing ball of ice. the other dragon was blowing fire on the chain trying to melt the metal so the link would snap. the ring glowed red and began to warp, the dragon was already showing increasing signs of strain. then all at once, a ringing clink resounded and the chain fell away. the fire dragon turned around nearly stepping on the two royals their mission demanded live."Pilot!, Fly! evade these brigands!." the chase was on!, the smaller ship ascended doing is best to build up acceleration. the wooden construction of the vessel groaned and creaked in protest. the winds grew from a moaning gush to a shreaking call akin to a banishes. the Dragon who snapped the chain looked down at the pair of Rodentian royals the male helping his mate up to her feet."You two should go to the forward Deck, we cant outrun this monster forever." Fritscher with an arm around his lovers shoulders looked up at the personification of his kingdoms allies."You have a plan?" the Blue and purple dragon stared quietly, sage like almost. the fire dragon continued,"Yes, there is no way that ship, a coal powered vessel got this far out without having followed us through our own portals or their own. i know what their after and they will stop at nothing to get them." now the darker dragon spoke up,"The power crystals." Eberion nodded his red and yellow colored head."There is no doubt in my mind, I will prepare to destroy the crystals, there is not many of us on board, if all of us Dragons take ten or so flightless passengers on our backs we can open personal portals and jump to the ships ahead of us." Jharand shook her head wobbling a bit, having to brace on the floor of the deck as the ship dipped up into the higher clouds, the iron monster trailing behind her."Then what?, if they have the ability to teleport as well we would be more venerable and put everyone else in danger."

Eberion grinned showing his many teeth,"Perhaps, but the ships ahead of us, the rest of the Druthaniyan fleet are large ships armed with cannon and armored with mithril plates never mind there are over a hundred Dragons most bigger than us few here."this made both Fritscher and Jharand smile, but their smiles did not last when a twin strike occurred, the first happened with the voice of the green and yellow Dragon perched atop of the wheel house,"Thunderstorm ahead!." following that was the image of the great iron flat top shark shaped ship bringing its broad sides to bear, a succession of glowing red plumes reflected within Jharands eyes emitting from the stern to the bow of the mighty iron brigand vessel. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach watching in stunned fear the pepper black orbs flying towards the small weaker ship. She closed her eyes and braced for the impact, it happened so quickly a warning would of been to late. The fire Dragon had ran below deck the purple dragon stood there, she saw them to but knew there could be nothing done about it. the Smaller Ship, Bristlebane was just to slow. In a last ditch desperate move to protect the purpose of this mission the Night sky Dragon used her body to shield both King Fritschel and queen Jharand from the onslaught.The heavy twenty pound cannon balls tore into the smaller ship as if its lightly armored hull were made of paper. the entire back end of the hull was shredded, wood splintered and shrapnel was flung every which way, a few cannon balls bounced off of the mithril plates but they were so thin they bent inward, some cannon balls even wound up lodged in the armor plating. the Dragon was hit twice by the volley, her back left thigh bone snapping, thankfully her armored hide kept the heavy iron ball from tearing into her flesh, the second strike was to her back, a glancing blow that snapped one of her back spines like a brittle twig. Had the dragons head not been down the ball would have struck the back of her skull and severely impaired her.

The dragon winced rising up to stare spears of fire rage at the iron ship slowly turning its wedge bow towards the smaller ship, black soot billowed from the stacks as its engines and boilers worked overtime to move the cumbersome warship. the Dragon was about to rise and usher the two royals to the fore deck when a sudden flash of orange emitted from the ships bow, those dragon predatory eyes stared in horror at the four cannon ports on the bow of the iron demon. three barreled cannons that fired, rotated then fired again. Those slitted sapphire eyes glimpsed the wick and sparks from the cannon balls flying towards them."Explosive rounds!, everyone brace!." shouted the Dragon once again using her body to shield the two rats beneath her. these rounds were more cruel, Jharand screamed in agony wanting so badly to go below deck to rescue her son but there was no time. the rounds hit exploding on impact destroying the ships engine ports, sending a shock wave so violent it threw the ship off course and right into that encroaching storm. stinging rain hammered the ship as if out of no where, thunder proceeded lightning that threatened the ship and its occupants. The night Dragon rose up and stared in horror at what was once the wheel house, occupied by at least six people, loyal and brave now nothing but a smoldering ruin set ablaze with a fire so fierce the rain could not douse it right away. Grunting and struggling to her feet the dragon was about to speak an order to the Rats when Jharand ran forth wailing all the way to the trapdoor leading below deck."Our son." was all that Fritscher said as he followed in her stride below deck.

Descending the stairs darting around the wooden corridors of the small ship as it leaned and shook violently from turbulence and its crippled engines. Fritscher caught up with his beloved wife and both stared in utter dismay, their hearts falling into the darkest pit of their stomachs at the sight of their room. A gaping hole let in wind and rain where a cannon round had flew through, the room was ablaze and the fox woman Therecia was laying in a pool of her own blood. Roof rafters had collapsed upon her. the crib was knocked over crushed beneath the heavy blazing wood. Jharand held her paws over her muzzle screaming her cries of agony at the horrible sight. Fritscher shed his own tears and felt so weak, but he had to be strong, for his lover. especially when the Fire Dragon Emberion shouted out loudly."Chrystals will die in twenty seconds!." Fritscher grasped his love by her shoulders and shook her,"Come on my love, we must leave." the woman shook her head wailing and actually trying to move towards the destroyed room. Fritschel tugged her away, dragging his wailing heart shattered wife top deck where a dragon waited them. The purple and black and blue Dragon who guarded them against the blasts of cannon lowered herself to allow them to mount her back, both rodents settling where neck met shoulders. The dragon shook moving towards the lip of the ship, Jharand buried her head into her mates chest soaking his gilded chest piece with her salty tears of torment. Fritscher watched as three dragons opened three portals of their own, rings of rotating magic with inscriptions in ancient dragon once the tips of those tails were through the portals dissipated. Fritschel counted down the seconds looking back with a snap of his head when the iron airship bore down upon the smaller ship firing grappling hooks, this time it blasted three of them."Eleven, ten, nine." he muttered, The dark dragon stepped off the hull and threw open her wings, flapping them and soaring through the raging storm with as much ease as walking. the flyer focused and opened a portal, with extreme strain visible in her shaking body all three soaking wet from the torrential downpour, Fritscher stared back at the wooden ship."Two, one." Bristlebane listed forward dropping its bow nearly straight down those red eyes stared at the rope ladders with occupants climbing down he couldn't tell what they were but the moment the small crippled ship listed and began to fall the great iron monster cut its chains off and let it go. "Good bye my son, rest in eternal peace." he whispered and all at once, in a manner of seconds the cold bitter storm was gone, the darkness of iron and fire replaced by the gleaming brilliance of the golden and brass ships of Druthaniya barely meters ahead. it was an awe inspiring sight.

Twenty ships, all elegant in design yet still possibly the most powerful vessels to claim the sky. It was some form of Dragonic ideology, protect everyone. always be prepared to help, to provide evacuation, or asylum. When it became clear that more than Dragons wanted to be a part of this way of thinking, this way of life. Airship were created, first with balloons and props, then one Dragon came up with the idea of Chrystal chambers. Six crystals in a circular formation charged with Dragonic magic connected to a central Chrystal that would have to be eight foot tall no more and no less to handle the immense charge. All of this connected with copper tubes and wires. It was a sound idea and provided the Dragonic society the means to build bigger, stronger ships powered by a union of Magical energy and clean steam. They were easy to build as well, majority of them were shaped like sea faring vessels but with larger, multiple rudders and banners hanging from where their bow sprites would be, no sails save for the ones that acted like fins.the refugees who fell behind were well received and their story told and taken as a warning. the heavier armed ships fell behind the lesser armed ships all of them forming a diamond formation awaiting the arrival of the monstrous iron ship.

As predicted the iron vessel appeared through its own portal, great black square hull and cannons baring down on the many gilded ships. the Druthaniyan ships were waiting for the pirate vessel, the battle was glorious and wholly one sided. swarms of Dragons and smaller skiff airships picked at the iron behemoth like vultures. The Skiffs casting glaives and ballista bolts, some were armed with magical staffs rigged to their ships as forward weapons. The Dragons employed their entire arsenal of magical weaponry and their pure ferocity, landing on the deck of the iron monster, adjusting their bodies to blind the crew with the suns rays reflecting off of their golden armor. Claws, tails, and maws were all employed to snatch up and fling the crew over board to fall thousands upon thousands of feet to the cold ocean waters below. Then the much larger Dragon made airships brought their own guns to bear. Volley after Volley the iron ship was torn to pieces until one lucky bolt of fire, or cannon round hit one of the Black monsters boilers, a truly thunderous explosion of glowing orange and yellow erupted splitting the monster in half. One Dragon was caught in the explosion and injured though he was carried to safety. Fritscher consoled his wife, sitting below deck in one of the many large rooms aboard an Airship dubbed the 'Heron.' she wailed and cried for hours before she emitted quiet sobs. The male black and grey Rat massaged her back whispering soft encouraging words to her. in the Gorderian Rat kings mind he silently swore to himself,'Once everything is settled, and everyone is accounted for in this new land, I will set about ensuring we have another heir.' he closed his eyes and silently weeped with his beloved Jharand, tears trailing down from his eyes and snout. both royals mourned for their loss as the mighty Dragonic air force saw them and their people to safety.

Bristlebanes square hull gave the doomed vessel a small amount of lift when she fell below the clouds. the flaming wooden barge plumed smoke gliding in a near nose dive to the world so far below. When the grapple hook wedged itself into the small airship the fox, Therecia had anticipated the pirates boarding and wrapped the royal Gorderian's child up in a green cloak and stowed him away inside a chest of drawers in the bottom to keep him from being killed or used for ransom. She had turned to proceed up deck to fight when an explosive cannon ball flew into the room and exploded throwing her into the wall and crushing her body with the concussive force. The ship fell swiftly beneath the clouds, the crystals that once powered her now dust, the Night Dragon destroyed them by activating a spell to sap all the magic away in an instant. the storm only made things worse, the cross winds causing the ship to roll upside down and enter into a tail spin, planks of wood and sections of the ruined armor plating flew off. The small ship dropped like a stone with paper wings to the forest below.when she struck the ship disintegrated, it flew apart bouncing once then falling one last time on its back never to rise again to the skies above. A lone hunter fending for his family during hard times had a perfect shot on a female deer grazing on the soaking grass in the forest under the abrasive storm. She alerted the man to the falling ship when her head jumped up ears erect and eyes tot he sky, she bounded away to safety just as the ship smashed into the ground impaling itself on trees and ripping sections of its hull apart flinging derbies everywhere like an angry child. The man a stout Human with fare Caucasian skin and a healthy if small beard and mustache going. Dressed in a muddy half cloak and armed with both a sword, bow, and a pack of items to help him endure the uncertain longevity of hunting for food in the wilds.The human slung his bow over his shoulder and ran for the wreckage to find any survivors. It was a complete mess, but thankfully the downpour was dousing the fires and very quickly they were put out. The human stepped up and over hunks of busted decking, a collapsed tree and right into the heart of the chaos that fell from the heavens above, he did not waste time in thinking on what, how, why, or where, all he focused on was finding any survivors and doing what he could to help.

There were a few bodies laying here and there, his eyes bugged out of his head upon seeing bipedal wolves and avian. He knew there were beast folk in the world, he simply had not the opportunity to experience a lot of non human company other than the common elf or stray orc. he did know a non human very well, a Minotaur whom he fought beside in a war twenty years in the past. its motive was over land, the victors were the side he fought on, and it lasted nearly a year. The man carefully entered the destroyed barge through one of the numerous gaping holes in its hull placing his boots deliberately, testing where he could step and not end up falling in deeper. as he ventured within the storm began to lessen more and more as he explored finding three bodies, some of the crew who did not make it out when the cannon volley occurred. it became eerily quiet as the rain stopped and the winds were silent, the fires were out and the only resonance was the drip drop of water off of the many outcroppings of the derbies. Droplets striking the wooden hull from branches and leaves high above in the canvas. the crack and snap of the embers left over from he raging inferno.the human ran his hand over a circular aperture in one of the many cracked and shattered walls."Cannon ball, this thing was shot down." the humans voice was gruff and baritone.he looked around the leaning upside down hall he stood within,"By another skyship?" rumor and legend had spread far and wide across the continent of Ghorn of Airships seen by adventurers or sailors from far off lands, Rene himself had seen one or two from a distance but rarely spoke of them, he rarely spoke of his time in the army.A sound, like a birdsong piercing the veil of enclosing silence echoed through the ship. Sounding more akin to a bat than a bird of song, but the euphemism held true. It was a shrill chatter like squeak so soft and subtle. But it reached the mans ears and he began to follow the sound hand on his swords hilt unsure of what he would come across. He had never seen the designs or wood work of the ship before, it could be from a different nation or even a different land all together as far as the human was concerned. he reached the room where King Fritscher and Queen Jharand had stayed in before the attack and his heart sank upon the gruesome sight of Therecia's corpse mangled and in more pieces than it should of been, no doubt from the crash. The man wanted to leave the room but the cry came again tugging at his heart and curiosity. Carefully the man stepped over what looked like red fox body parts, his eyes peered through the hole where cannon fire had ruined the small room. the collapsed beams had since flown out through the missing ceiling leaving the small ten by ten room vacant save for more ruins and one fox corpse. Again the shrill squeak emanated louder than before drawing the mans partially red nose to a chest of drawers bolted into the floor that was now acting as a ceiling, the wood groaned and complained but never gave way.the wood work of the Dwares was a polished oak and where there could be metal reinforcement and filigree, there was. the wood held Dragonic engravings which made the mans chest lock up, unsure if it was fancy for Dragons or it was made by Dragons. the once elegant and heavy wooden piece of furniture was scuffed and charred black here and there, the wood was cracked if only just a bit. the man shook his head and carefully stepped over the corpse of Therecia and reached up to carefully lace his fingers beneath the upper drawers handle and tugged it open grunting when some garments fell free. he shifted them with his boot but they were of no interest to him, mere gowns of linen.the Chest had a set of five drawers and the man checked each one much more carefully than the last in case what ever was alive inside fell out and either hurt him or got hurt itself. the last and final drawer remained, the man drew in a deep breath and tugged it slowly outward, another squeak and whine came from within, it was distinctive to an infants cry but with more squeaks and scratchy shrills. The man stared up into the drawer as he pulled it free, clothing and garments draping out until a firm little bundle came into view. the man very carefully reached inside to retrieve the bundle of warm cloth and pulled it free of the chest turning it about and cradling it in his thick leather bracerd arm he peered those brown eyes down at something he had never, ever once in his life seen.

The small fragile face of an infant Ratfolk, the whiskers were so short they could barely be seen. those eyes beady red with a black pupil in the middle. the large yet small ears swiveling, the little creature emitting frantic squeaks darting his nose this way and that, the small animal was wrapped up in three different small blankets and a green shawl like cloak. The man frowned and reached a hand to carefully pull down the brim of the blankets to see the rest of the rodent infant he spied a small bottle nipple wedged within the cloth. As gently as the human could he held the nipple to the rodents narrow little muzzle, it took the small creature a moment and a few more squeaks before his nose found the rubbery item and he snatched it up to begin sucking. The sight of the now calmed creature melted the mans heart but what he saw glistening around the rats neck, a golden chain with round silver dollar sized plates bearing engravings and designs of Dragons and upright rat people upon them gave the man pause."How did you survive the crash, more importantly, where did you come from?" the man peered into the infants eyes before shaking his head and far more cautiously made his way from the downed ship. pausing, his boots now firmly set upon the muddy forest floor peered back at the destroyed ship."best leave it as is, wouldn't be right to bury them without knowing their names or who was fighting who." shaking his head again the man wrapped the brim of his cloak over the infant rodent, tugged his hood up and made his way back home.

"And with the defeat of the Terrible Ogre army, the Prince and princess lived happily ever after in their new kingdom." A woman with fire orange hair closed a story book and beamed pride and joy down to her five year old son.The moment she closed the book the door to her modest little home swung open and a most comporting sight did she behold. Her husband striding through that simple carved and sanded wooden door to allow his boots to drive his body along the wooden floor.The young human boy with the same fire red hair ran from the rug he sat on near the fire place in the small sitting room right up to his beloved father. The wife however, as she stood up from her rocking chair and set the fairy tale book in its seat peered at her husband with concern in her eyes."Husband?, have you snared a rabbit or a line of fish?" the man ruffled his sons hair and smiled up at his wife."Darling Helenga I have found something far better." the man approached his wife who held blue eyes lined with disapproval,"What have you found this time Husband?, a rune stone, one of those powder rocks again you know their worthle-." she paused her icy orbs beholding the infant in her husbands arms as he gently pulled aside the cloak brim.her face fair and soft her eyes staring into the red lidded orbs of the infant rodent."Rene is that a..Rat?" the man slowly nodded."Aye my beloved, he is a Rat you will not believe how I came across him." the woman held a disgusted face as she peered down at the rat until the small creature squeaked softly and peered right up at her and smiled, shifting a bit in his burrito blanket bundle he held his little arms out to her. the small creatures lips firmly wrapped around the nipple."Husband, this is not a normal rat, its-" the man nodded and spoke up,"He was the only survivor of a Skyship crash, his entire family might be dead, I saw his vessel crash there were bodies everywhere." The man held the small infant rodent protectively in his arm and gently tucked his arms back beneath the blanket and made sure the nipple wouldn't fall out of the creatures mouth."The ship was shot down in a battle, a bigger meaner skyship boasting large cannons put it down, the whys or whats do not matter now, all that matters is someone had stuffed this little creature in a chest of drawers likely when the attack happened, to prevent their assailants from taking the infant for ransom or something." the woman kept an arm over her son as he listened to his father not knowing what the man was talking about, in the boys mind all he knew was the man had brought home a pet."Wait, Rene what are you saying, that this Rat is some kind of royalty?" the man shook his head and smiled gently pulling the heavy golden necklace from the burrito of sleeping black and grey rat, he held the shining heavy chain up for his wife to see, her eyes bugged out of her head with hunger staring at rubies and diamonds inlaid in pure gold."I am saying he is royalty my dear Helenga." the man smiled letting his wife take the heavy bauble."he is already providing for us, this necklace will make our lives so much easier."the woman blinked a few times staring at the bauble,"A Ratfolk royal in our home." she held the bauble to her husband,"well, you had better make the market before they close the stalls, bring home milk I am sure this poor thing is starved." she reached out to take the rodent from the mans arms. she stared at the small creatures face, the back of his head was black and his snout and throat were ash grey. she gently nudged her finger into the small creatures chest very carefully pulling the blankets apart as she sat on the edge of their old dusty dinner table.she gave a smile revealing the small creature in full. his feet were tucked up against his belly and tail was coiled up between those legs. she nudged his legs apart and checked to see if he were male or female."Rene, what Shall you name your son?" she asked with sincerity in her eyes peering up at the bushy bearded man, he gave a proud smile seeing how a small innocent could sway his lovers heart to understand the difference between a feral rat that chews on food in the cupboards, and an upright walking talking Rat-folk."Flynt, Flynt Wolfwing." he smiled and left the house to go sell the necklace.The man would have little trouble hawking the item off, doing his best to avoid certain areas where it seemed Rat-folk traders had come to the town once again, he had never seen them before and as much as he felt a hypocrite for his actions, he felt a need to avoid them. For all Rene knew the traders knew of what ever kingdom the necklace of office came from and it could cause a lot of trouble that the man was not wishing to endure.He did eventually find a buyer in one of the jewelry houses that forged all sorts of rings and pendants for the elite in the small walled city.

The man was given an immense amount of gold for the gemstones on the bauble alone, no questions were asked where he got it. He was not bothered going home with a potato sack full of gold coins.the milk was goats both man and woman hoped it was good enough as both sat in their sitting room next to one another, the woman bottle feeding the small infant rodent. those lips of black pursed around the nipple sucking quietly, drinking down the warm fluids, eyes closed little body twitching."Were going to have to get rid of all traces of his past, he is our son now." the woman slowly nodded her head holding the bottle end up,"To keep who ever was hunting him to somehow discover he is still alive?." the man gave a slow nod and reached over to gently ran his fingers along the rat-boy's foot.the little pink foot twitched slightly."Were going to love him as one of our own, raise him as one of our own. if he is found by a spy or someone who recognizes the blankets, this insignia for example." the man held one of the blankets the rat was wrapped in up and indicated a gold and white laced insignia of a Dragon in the shape of a 'G'.she nodded and watched as her man rose up and tossed each affect the rat had with him when found into the fireplace, burning the expensive silk and linen blankets, even the rubber nipple was thrown into the fire.

The city of Pier-point was relatively large in size, its walls surrounding it formed a deformed square with lines of homes standing astride one another bulging out the walls. there were at least two churches. it was occupied by typical buildings, taverns, inns, stores and merchant quarters. stables, barracks and larger more luxurious homes the deeper into the city you would go. and towering above it all standing on a hill just before the mountains where Pier-points back was pressed up against.The Castle. Pier-points government was centered primarily around its royal family first and fore most, then its people. The City was mainly populated by humans, there were perhaps only a small handful of non human residents.The few non human residents were hold outs, stubbornly staying in their homes they have lived within for years, the newer residents of only two years or months gave up and left the town for the more accepting City of Narsin. Though it was a long and perilous journey to Narisn on the coast, passing through forest, plains, and mountains. The towns construction was mostly cobble stone and wood. it was relatively large but by no means huge or small with a population of around a thousand.

It was not easy being raised in a city populated primarily by humans who have had little to no experience dealing with beastfolk other than the odd trader of passerby. It was unheard of to have one living in the town. The first few years were quiet and peaceful Flynt aged like a human and both Rene and Helenga began to notice, as he breached the six year mark his body was showing interesting traits. Slender and lithe, though he was only a child the pair thought nothing of it. Bathing him and feeding him was easier than with their own child, Flynt rarely cried and when he did he made scratchy squeak sounds until he began to learn how to speak in their language. Adopting their old English accent.The family gained a substantial amount of wealth, the purchased a new home, a better home and the Husband Rene began constructing a blacksmith. The remainder of the money was split into three sections. Food and clothing, education, and lastly savings.The two were taught in the way Helenga thought best to teach them, buy or borrow books from the library or library and teach her boys, Flynt seemed to learn faster than her human son. They had bought a new home a little more inward in the city. They had purchased a two story L shaped home with an attic. the first floor consisted of the doorway that allowed entry into the arm of the house, a coat rack, a table and stool for shoes and cloaks.direct in front of the door was the stairs leading up into the second floor. The body of the house was separated between a dining room and a sitting room and the kitchen with a pantry closet. The sitting room had a fireplace, that was a must have. Would seem almost every night Flynt would wake up from a bad dream sweating profusely and come down stairs to curl up in front of the fireplace weather it was lit or not. Helenga or Rene would find him in the darkness simply laying on the cold wooden floor, to the Rats credit there was a rug in front of the fireplace. Helenga would usher him back upstairs with a kiss to his forehead and a promise everything would be alright. when Rene found him, the man would sit with the rat and hold him, rocking him back and forth and letting the rodent fall asleep in his arms. The Day when that one question swam from Flynt's lips,"What am I?" it was an awkward moment, thankfully it was not him being oblivious to the difference in species, he was merely five years old when he asked and from then on he understood, he was different. Though to both human parents relief the rodent did not hate or distance himself from them, in fact the rat became extremely dependent on them. And his older brother especially.Rene had gone back out to the crash sight nearly eight years after he found Flynt. The wreckage was in horrible condition, the forest was reclaiming it all back, the man had gone with the intention of burning the derbies but seeing that it was almost indistinguishable from the forest he let the ship rest.The man would return home to find his wife kneeling in front of his adopted son, the rat looked like he had been dragged behind a horse for a mile. his other boy Cedric had a few bruises about his face but not as near as much hurt as Flynt. Helenga was whipping the rats nose with a cloth, she had put the rodents arm in a sling. Rene demanded to know what happened with a stomp of his boot, as it turned out Flynt and Cedric were out playing tag in the town center when a group of boys began throwing rocks at Flynt the first rock hit him in the head and knocked him to the ground, when the rat got back up with the help of his bigger brother a volley of more rocks fell upon him. The human boy,Cedric used his body to shield Flynt's. The group of boys were upon them both swinging and trying to separate the two, Cedric told Flynt to run home bu the rat refused not wanting to leave his brother behind and so he paid the price. four boys out of the six beat the rat, when he was knocked down the boys stomped and kicked him. eventually Guards arrived and broke up the scuffle, they offered no help but a warning to the rat to go home and stay inside so this would not happen again.Furious the man wanted to storm off and confront the boys parents, but he allowed cooler heads to take over and sent his wife to deal with it, her human son Cedric was pulled along, the freckled faced boy gave Flynt a pat on his shoulder."You will be alright, its just sprained." the rat smiled showing his protruding frontal teeth and nodded,"Their not so tough.'' Rene would check over Flynt before scooping him up in his arms like a doll and carried him off to a healer.What occurred was not good, threats from the parents, apparently Flynt had clawed two of them pretty bad, Helenga had seen the wounds they were self defense but it did not seem to matter. Racial tensions had always been bad in Pierpoint, the parents were hysterical calling Flynt a monster and informing Helenga of what she should do with Flynt. Guards were thankfuly not involved, if they were there were a high probibility Flynt would either be hauled off to jail or thrown out of the city.She had no choice but to return home and wait for her husband to return with her little Flynt. The cities healer was a good man, more concerne with the health of others than their species. the man cast a few spells and gave the rat a carrot flavored potion. The man even got the rat to laugh and smile before sending him and his adopted father back home.

The second floor of the home was where the bedrooms were set up at, the arm was of course just a hall with a rug thrown down for aesthetic sake, a ladder was set against the wall and a lounger with a few tall book shelves with Flynt in mind. He would sit in the lounge room snout buried in a book.The Wolfwing family could afford to give the rat and his human brother birthdays, even baking cakes for them.For Flynt he would get clothes and books, he would always get so happy when he would receive a book. There were two bedrooms side by side. the outer room was Flynt and Cedric's, the other was their parents.then the Attic, it was relatively empty save for a few odds and ends tossed up there.Rene had built a blacksmith across from the house and started up his business, crafting tools and horse shoes and the occasional axe or piece of armor.Rene began to notice several things about Flynt. For one his diet, they at first would feed him primarily vegetables neither truly knowing exactly what he was supposed to eat. One evening they allowed him to sate his curiosity and allowed him to eat pot roast how ever he later that night became very ill. Thus he would only be fed a herbivorous diet that gradually became slightly omnivorous, he could handle lighter meats such as pork and poultry in moderate quantities, heavy meats such as beef he could only handle very little. The next realization the family learned about their rodentian son was his love for winter. His first snow, first real snow happend when he was thirteen and he relished it, he ran outside with barely a warning, was all Helenga could do to get him into proper winter clothing, making sure he wore a scarf and had on a hood. she couldn't get her other son up so she sent her husband outside instead. Flynt would roll around in the snow and run through it with hsi father desperate to keep up, was all the man could do to keep him out of trouble.The next thing that Rene had noticed, and true enough his own wife and son had noticed. Flynt's body resembled a females. He bore all the attributes of a young girl!. narrow shoulders, defined hips and butt. his face was soft and not jagged or ridged as one would expect a males face to be. His entire torso seemed narrow. Rene convinced himself it was just Flynt being lithe or slender. His wife and human son bought it, yet the man could not keep his eyes off of the small rat's features.The man wouldn't try anything with the small rodent, but that did not keep Rene from thinking of his Adopted rodent son's feminine body. From the incident on the Wolfwings would keep the rat inside only letting him out when he was being escorted by the father.

It was raining, It had been raining since before the morning had begun.Upon a maple table, atop a linen cloth of white four bowls were being set out with spoons sitting in them amidst the steaming stew of meat and vegetables. A pair of pale furless hand dusted each other off while a set of blue eyes scanned over the table and the food set out and prepared for a pair of children and a husband.The glow of a silver candelabra with three flames dancing atop three white candles sat in the middle of the rectangular table danced shadows across the walls cast from its glow, a young Human boy no older than twenty shouldered open a thick reinforced wooden door his baggy tunic and pantaloons dirty. a bow and quiver slung over his shoulder,the young human was followed close behind by a tall fire red bearded man with sun tanned skin.A heavy blade dangling at his belt,over his shoulder a bag of items purchased from the market place.he dropped the pack with a metallic clank onto the floor of the home next to a sturdy carved wooden side table holding up a flower potter.the man walked through the arm of the home, peering up at the stairs directly in front of the front door for a moment before he entered the dinning room and pressed a gentle hand to the fiery haired woman's cheek and leaned in to press his lips to hers in a gentle kiss."Whats for Dinner my love?" the mans voice was thick and borderline gruff as he looked over the table rubbing his dirty hands together while the son tossed his bow to the side quiver and all,arrows rattling and falling free of the sleeve.The boy mounted upon the chair and greedily took hold of the spoon before he could shovel the gruel like meal into his hungry mouth the mother clapped her hands together,"Ah ah ah, go get your brother and all three of you boys wash your hands." the Husband smiled dismissively admiring his wife's cheerful nature and nodded at his boy before the man himself went into the back room passed the kitchen his heavy boots clumping loudly.the small human crossed his arms and grumpily shoved back in his chair,"He dose not have hands." the mother glared at the young boy,"Of course he dose."

with a guffaw the red haired human stood from his seat and looked to his mother.shaking his head again,"he has paws mother, why cant he ever come outside and play with me and the other children,why dose he have to always wear that stupid hood?" the husbands clopping boot falls returned as each floor board creaked under the stout mans weight his arms heavy and hair laden wrapped about the young fare skinned boy."You know why son, now git, you go bring him down for dinner." the boy leaned back into his father Rene's arms feeling deflated,shrugging from under those arms the boy frowned before turning to trot upstairs,the husbands blue eyes stared affection to his wife before both humans were pressed against one another in an affectionate embrace.

A pair of pupils stared through a glistening pane of glass bordered by wood at the thundering clouds of dark grey over head glowing now and then with webs of lightning precursing the rumbling roll of thunder.Candles hung in their scones glistening off of brushed whiskers bordering a narrow snout and faded pink nose that twitched ever so slytly. Long pink tail curled around beneath a loose robe. its end laying in the pair of furless pink paws squeezing and rubbing it those ruby eyes looked from the clouds to the cobblestone street below,the clopping of hooves drew his velvety ears forth to listen, Black pupils sitting in a sea of crimson iris watched as a cloaked figure on horse back galloped full tilt around the crook like building that was the rodent's father's Smithy.a long sea blue tail gleamed by the rat for a split moment told him what the flying rider was, pink lips silently spoke,"Lizardfolk." the creatures eyes looked back at his door turning around completely and wandering over to his bed,the room was small and crowded somewhat with two beds the room was shared with the young human. sighing gently and closing his eyes, ears forward, bum resting on the bed, blanket tugged up around his shoulders, a loose sleeveless robe lengthening to his knees.Each distant step of his younger brother climbing the steps counted in the mind of the Rodent until the door was pushed open admitting the young human male, Daniel.

"Hey Flynt its time for dinner!." the boy walked into the room and held a hand out to the jet black furred creature who's raised ridge snout looked up, a small smile spread across his muzzle. rewarding the boy with a nod he reached out a paw to take the boys hand letting the human help Flynt to his feet.

"what are we having?" asked the rat a tad shorter than the human.the boy just shrugged,"Stew, I think c'mon after we finish I will take you outside when it stops raining." a paw held the rats tail against his chest soft patting sounds echoed in the room with each foot fall of Flynts pink furless feet to the wooden carpeted flooring,"b..but mother said I cant go outside becaus-" Flynt was cut off by the human,"Oh dont worry we will find you a hood to hide your face,like always." those last words were a grumble.a clawed hand rubbed over its owners cheek ruffs the rat stared at his step brother as the duo descended the steep stairwell,"W-why?" asked the timid rodent, both boys brushed past the two adults to disapear into the back room past the kitchen where a large crock pot sat with steam billowing from neath its lid. the human boy paused at the large glass bowl filled with slightly grimy water and a bar of soap sitting on its rim showing signs of recent use.the boy dipped his hands into the bowl washing the grit and filth from them, the human boy looked to the rat standing there hands folded at his chest in a nervouse fashion.the human boy dried off his hands on an old towel watching as the rat dipped his furless paws into the water,getting the wrist tufts wet he rolled them over one another in the fluid lathering them with the soap before he took a turn at the towel.the human simply ruffled the robed rodents head,"Because you might get hurt or yelled at, and because we humans say so okay?." the rat stifled a bit as he was given that head ruffle,he nodded gently to his step brother and followed him to the dinner table. The rodent smiled up at his human parents swaying his tail back and forth, a sign of his joy, both woman and man would smile back at him watching as he and their other son mounted the chairs. there were four chairs, each were sturdy and polished wood even Flynt's chair was sturdy and of carved wood. No particular designs embroidered the chairs.They were simple in most aspects but none the less decent.decent. Flynt smiled and took hold of the wooden spoon in his bowl and ladled the warm broth to his lips pursing his fur veiled pink lips and blowing on the spoons contents. He would gingerly sip the soup there was no meat in his soup only diced vegitables and a thick broth. he smiled up to his foster mother who beamed at him from across the wooden table nothing but love in her eyes for her not so human son."Oh m-mother this is deliciouse" he exclaimed. The Rats lips were spread in a smile as he raised that wooden spoon to his lips again the scoop dissapearing into his maw, resting upon his tongue for a moment before being tugged out the lips held tightly pursed over the wood keeping the broth and a few vegetables inside his warm little gob. Flynts molars processed the cabbage and squash into an easily swallowed mush before his tongue rose to squish it down his confined little throat.The family sat in silence for a few moments dining on the simple meal enjoying one anthers company, sharing smiles and winks. then the father pushed his now empty bowl away rubbing his gut the man offerd his adopted son a smile. then looked up when his wife spoke."Did you get many orders today dear?" the man smiled and nodded to his soul mate.

"Aye that I did, just a handful of axes and a set of horse shoes.I had time to make you a gift my little Flynt." the man peered to the rodent who returned the gaze with a surprised gasp.The grizzly man smiled and pushed himself back from the table and rose to his full height, the mother smiling softly watching as her husband was about to gift the young rat they had adopted so many years ago.The Bearded man disapeared into arm of the L shaped home returning only moments later both arms behind his back,"Hmmhmm now close your eyes lad." the rodent obediently clasped his furless paws over his beady crimson eyes. a long thin,cloth wrapped gift was lain on the table in front of the rat,"Alright Flynt, open em up." spoke the man with a smile. Rene looking to his wife and child as the Rat they had raised as their own unwrapped his gift.the rats ash capped muzzle released a gasp of surprise, his ears round and upright.those eyes stared wide down at the dark purple boiled leather sheath hiding the blade of a short sword.the handle was of oak and a simple cross guard.The rat wrapped his fingers around the blades grip,and while picking the weapon up he drew its blade the sliding of steel on leather echoed in the dining room as the blade was exposed, it was a dull sword and the steel was hammerd and brushed."Oh father,Its beautiful!." exclaimed the rat slipping the weapon back into the scabbard.the large man chuckled,"Well c'mon lad get up, try the thing on lets see what it looks like on ya!." while the rat excitedly rose from his seat and buckled the sword to his hip with the old belt it came with the husband had turned to rummage in his pack of goods he acquired from the market.The mother clapped her hands together smiling at the rat with pride in her eyes,the human boy wandered over to look at the sword with a smile. Flynt smiled back to his step brother and was about to shove him playfully when the older mammal dropped a pack on the table. then lay his hands on the rats shoulders Flynt was fifteen years of age and even at that juvenile state the rodent showed an advanced intelligence, mainly due to his immense love for books. though he had always wanted a sword of his own.The large bearded man clapped his large hands together and approached his rodent son."Look at you!, now you look ready for some exciting adventures." the man would smile but that happy gesture faded, if only slightly and his lips parted to emit words once again."Now boy, I do not see any point in keeping this a secrete from you little Flynt."

the rats ears went half flat as the words from the man's voice were Grimm, Helenga even sighed and busied herself with gathering the dishes."The lady of our city has put out an order,a warning for all races non human to leave the city of Pier-point by nightfall or face prosecution." the woman returned to the table and held her hands to her mouth stifling her cries to muffled whimpers.the mans hands squeezed Flynts shoulders a bit tighter."I waited till now because i wanted to spend a few final moments with my boy." the gruff man picked Flynt up with ease,and held the rat in a cradle against his chest, the bushy bearded man pressed his head against the rats shoulder.The humans love for the rat dared to go beyond that of father and son, but the man was honorable and wouldn't do anything to his Rat unless it was concentual,lords know he thought about it though."I sent out a messenger hawk this morning and got word back from an old friend that this news is not new, the king of this city has died, and his daughter an extremely Xenophobic woman is now in power." the human squeezed his son tighter as mother and Danial watched on with eyes full of sorrow." She sent out the warning as a joke, sent it so late last night that there was barely time for any non humans to flee." the man held the small rodent in his arms, burying his bearded head into Flynts shoulder,"A caravan from a city bigger than even ours is not far now, they come to rescue anyone who need help from our home. Briar is coming at this moment to take you out of the city he will be here at anytime, you must not fear him Flynt, he is a Minotaur." Flynts eyes went wide at the notion of meeting a Minotaur, a beast he had only read about in his books.The man set the rat down and patted his butt and perhaps left his hand there for a little longer than intentional. The human felt dread wash over him when the rat looked back at him, but that dread was washed away by joy when his feminine little rat boy weakly smiled. he cleared his throat and spoke before his wife or other son noticed"N-now go lil rat, go gather your things, only what you cant live without and dress in layers it will be cold out." with a pause the rat looked up at his father tears welling in his eyes, then to his mother, he turned on the Man and buried himself in the large humans warmth.the human bit back a scream as he patted the rodents head resting just a tad above the humans waist line."Get going laddie, aint got time for this." Flynt whined and nodded gently. he turned around to run upstairs to his room,his step brother right behind him. the wife was in tears staring at the man accusingly.

"Its not fair." the woman commented sitting down on the edge of the table, the man sighed nodding to her, he hefted the pack up and set the thing on the table, it was a leather pack full of provisions the man had collected for the rat, cheese,bread,a water skin bloated with water, paper,a quill, a journal,the man had thought of everything."I know,I dont know why she has to be so harsh,a great deal of the cities income is from the Lizardfolk alone, and they get their fish and grain from rats from the river towns." he sighed in defeat he was about to speak up again when a heavy beating came from the door,the man growled standing up and gripping the leather wrapped hilt of his heavy broad sword tight."Who is it?!" he cried walking slowly into that corridor, eyes glancing up the stairs then to the door boarderd by a coat rack and flower pot.a moment passed then a voice, deeper than even Rene's voice,"Its Briar." the brown haired man quickly went to the door and pulled it open to allow the towering Minotaur inside,the great bovine had to nearly crouch to enter the home, the heavy clumping of his hooves on the wooden floor dared to break the board work closing the door the man looked up at his guest, and close friend.friend. Briar was wearing a long cloak of thick leather with rings sewn into it,the mantle was of chain mail and segmented pauldrons of splint steel.His horns were swept forward giving him a near demonic look,the heavy Minotaur leaned his chosen weapon a massive two headed axe against the wall below the coat hanger but he did not remove his cloak before following Rene from the entry of the home into the dinning room. Briar approached Helenga and took the lady of the house's hand and kissed it gently,"A pleasure to see you again Helenga, you are as radiant as the day I first lay eyes upon you." the large well built Minotaur frowned to the woman as she smiled and even blushed a little,"I only wish it were under better circumstances." he looked back to the human father and husband who stood there hands at his hips giving the cheeky bovine a disapproving look.The bovine cleared his throat,"So where is this cub of yours,time is short I saw a pack of humans executing a trio of orc in the street." Rene balled up his fist and exclaimed,"What!?,their not even letting them leave now? their killing them?" the Minotaur huffed and nodded up to Rene,"Aye not even arresting them. killing em on sight, anyone not human are being cut down like cattle." the creaking of wooden planks acting as stairs proceeded the small rat Flynt's return. the creature had donned a second robe this one of deer hide with a white rabbit fur trim.he wore gloves with holes for his claws, linen wraps over his feet and ankles, a pair of leather sandals,a satchel with the few belongings he had inside, and lastly a light wool cloak.His Crimson ruby eyes were locked on that Minotaur, in both shock and awe."Flynt this is Briar he is going to take you out of the city." spoke up the man,Rene. Briar nodded up at the rodent stepping towards the dining rooms entry where the vermin stood.the towering Minotaur knelt to the small creature,"Hey there buddy,I'm Briar, you all set?,ready to head out?" the rat squeaked at the Minotaur his lip quivering as his eyes were still wet from tears.The cow sighed a bit reaching a hand out to the rodent,"Come on boy, I know its hard but you gotta roll outa the nest at some point in time,its better this way, not all humans are good as your parents, and for this fact i need to get you out of here." Flynt cried out in anguish and ran around the wall of bovine and threw his arms around his mothers waist,"Why cant you come with me!?, why must it only be me?!" the woman shed her own tears kneeling to embrace her son, Briar stepped forward ready to grab the rat and pry him away but paused when his friend and battle brother Rene shook his head, gently walking over to embrace the rodent and his wife. Daniel joined the huddle."Because little Flynt, we are bound to stay here by contract as the Blacksmith." explained Rene,"We haven't the money to pack up and go, we would need weeks in advance to prepare, to know where to go, and even if we just picked up and ran from Pier-point tonight, the queen would send guards to haul us back or execute us for desertion." the man sighed and pulled away from the embrace his heavy hand giving the rats shoulder a squeeze."Come on Flynt you understand how this works. your smarter than this." the rat sniffled pulling from his mother and brother, whipping his nose. he gave a slow begrudged nod."Its not fair." grumbled the rat,the man Rene shook his head."Flynt I know, one day we will be re-united, but for now you have to leave." the rat winced showing his pain,tears soaking his eyes and the fur around them."I don't want to leave." Rene sighed and nodded peering up at Briar quietly thanking him for his patience."I dont want you to leave either little Rodent." the family never caleld him by his true species, feeling the word may be a little harsh."But if you dont leave, the city guard will come in and take y-" the rat yelled shaking his head,"Then hide me!, in the attic or someplace!." the man frowned and shook his head."They would find you, and they would kill you little Flynt, right where you stood for being what you are." the rat hissed and shook his own little fists balled up.he was going to retort or make some remark of hatred, but he merely broke down, crying hard and leaning his forehead into the mans. the Human nodded and stood up away from the rodent,"Now go boy, go with Briar he will get you out of this city,we will find you little Flynt one day we will be a family again." the rat sniffed turning around to look up at the Minotaur who smiled tryingly and knelt down to speak to him only to go wide eyed when simpering rodent threw up his arms to hug the Minotaur. blinking in surprise at the sudden show of desperate affection Briar frowned. the hardened warrior wrapped his arm around the small creature and rose, slowly.Tugging the rat against his chest,he looked at the humans with apologetic regard,the woman was in the mans chest balling her eyes out the son sitting in his chair crying as well his own arms crossed in anger."Don't worry, I will be sure he is safe." the Minotaur took up the strap of the rodent's pack and quietly slipped from the home.Hating long goodbyes the bovine had no time nor would he dally on the rats account any longer his hide was on the line as well.his hoof beats echoed in the streets as he wandered towards the gate he came in from,that rat held like a babe in his strong arms.