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Chapter 5: Intrigue

Before Rita opened her eyes the scents of the office reminded her where she was: the

stale feline tang of her bedding, the wolf's hot sour musk, the faint acrid scent of the fat burned

onto the cold grill. It was her third day of captivity, and Rita would have given anything for it all to

have been a dream, some horrible nightmare that she would have brushed away bantering with

Boots over coffee or holding Ellie while they ate. But she couldn't even keep her eyes shut and

imagine it wasn't real: the all too present odors of her prison wouldn't allow that. Rita opened

her eyes to see the wolf sitting up and watching her; the wolf smiled at her pleasantly.

"Good morning, let's go to the bathroom, and then I'll grab you something to eat," the

wolf suggested cheerfully.

She unlocked Rita from the chair, and they made a trip to the bathroom. Afterward, she

locked Rita in place again before heading out the door on her own.

"Back in a couple minutes, Your Grace," she called as she shut the door.

Rita sighed resignedly as she looked around the room. It was boring being stuck in here.

Things could have been much worse of course, but that didn't alleviate her boredom. The worst

part of it was not having anything to divert her mind from worrying and wondering. What had

happened to her other staff, to her pets? Had others been killed? What about her house: was it

still standing?

Several minutes later, the wolf returned with a lump of raw meat, which she immediately

began to cook. "They were all out of pork," she stated conversationally. "Someone nabbed a

beaver, so I sliced you off a piece."

Rita eyed the grilling hunk of flesh, disinterestedly wondering what part it was. "What are

you going to do today?" she asked.

"What we talked about. I'm going to remind everyone, especially the cats, what Lucy

died for, why we have to come to a sustainable solution."

Rita nodded. "What about Joshua?"

"I'm not going to let him kill us all! He'll have to listen when he sees how many are on my

side!"

Rita was glad to see the wolf was determined to go against the puma. "Do you think I

could help at all?"

The wolf frowned, "I don't think so. I don't want to remind them of your involvement

again."

"Do you think you could find me something to read?"

The wolf blinked at the request as if it hadn't even occurred to her that Rita might be

bored. "Uh, I'll see what I can do. Any requests?"

"I feel like reading something whimsical," Rita decided.

"Okay."

After Rita ate, the wolf left her again. Rita tried to pass the time by drawing on the front

of the oak desk with a permanent marker, which she was able to retrieve from the desk by

flipping the chair upside-down to allow her to stand. Fortunately, the wolf had locked the chair to

her left hand. Rita's comprehensive education had of course included instruction in the arts,

including drawing, painting, and pottery. She drew her manor and then, beside it, the servant's

she'd lost: Wolfgang, Johann, and Boots. She was just beginning on Edgar when she heard the

key in the lock. She capped the marker and set it under the desk.

The wolf entered wearing a harrassed expression, "I told Joshua dragging prey out of

their homes wouldn't work, and now it's already a disaster!" she complained loudly.

"Oh dear, what's happened?" Rita queried, concerned. She hadn't expected things to fall

apart quite so quickly. On the other paw, this might put them at each other's throats!

"The prey have all disappeared, that's what!" she barked irately. "And was I informed?

No! Joshua even tried to cover it up! That hog yesterday, that was his ploy to stop anyone from

noticing the prey were gone! He sent four of his cats to claim one from one of the neighboring

towns; they had to drive an hour, both ways!"

"When was the last time someone caught prey in Maplesburg then?"

"Yesterday morning! Since then, they've completely vanished! I spent the morning

kicking in predators' doors to see if they were hiding them, but we couldn't find a trace! And

that's not all! Some of our members have disappeared, probably deserted; I wouldn't blame

them!"

"Weren't you doing anything to stop the prey from leaving?" Rita inquired. Perhaps she'd

underestimated these cultists' incompetence.

"Of course we were!" the wolf shot back irritatedly. "All of the roads in and out are

barricaded, but if they went on foot, it's a lot of land to guard. I still don't see how a million--a

million and a quarter?--prey slipped away under our noses!"

"What about the, um, the beaver from this morning? Someone drove to another town for

them as well?"

"Apparently, they caught him ferrying logs down the Gooseberry River. He didn't have

any idea what was going on," the wolf grumbled.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"What can we do?" the wolf muttered dejectedly. "Stay in a city where the only thing to

eat is that lab slop? This was never going to work. We should just, just disappear, hope no one

comes looking. We might need to leave the country if they do. There are wild regions where

they won't follow."

"Wild regions populated by monsters," Rita pointed out. "Wild beasts who eat anything

and anyone. I've heard they'll even cannibalize their own species, their own offspring even!"

"We can deal with a few frogs and lizards," the wolf growled. "They're only beasts, and

we have guns."

"And that's why the King's army is able to keep them at bay, but there are hoards of

them out there. Wandering into their territory is suicide!"

The wolf didn't look happy to be told the truth, but she knew it was the truth nonetheless.

She shook her head miserably, "We should have left things as they were. I don't know what we

could do to fix them."

"I may be able to help some of you," Rita offered. "I can implore the King to grant

pardons to any who would rejoin society. I don't know how open he'll be to it. They may have to

spend some time in prison, but for you specifically, I think I could obtain a pardon. The King will

look favorably on the kindness you've shown me. I could even offer you a job after it's all over."

The wolf stared at her incredulously. Her expression slowly turned from disbelief to rage.

"Just give up!?" she snarled. "Just roll over and let the prey win!? That's what you would want,

isn't it?! Protect your precious monarchy; who cares if the other predators are slaves?! You're

comfortable, so nothing else matters!"

Rita was taken aback by her furious reaction, "I-I merely thought it would be better than,

than living on the run!"

"I'd rather die than submit to our subjugation," the wolf growled.

"I-I see. Well, then I suppose trying to return to, um, however you were living before is

the best option. I don't know that even I can stop the authorities from coming after you, but I can

try to give you a head start."

The wolf crossed her arms and glowered sullenly at the floor for several seconds. "No."

Rita blinked in surprise, "No?"

"No, we won't give up. We'll find where they've gone, and when we do, they'll beg for a

compromise. We might even force them to pay tribute like I wanted in addition to giving us the

right to their dead. They think they can win by starving us; we'll show them what predators can

do when they're determined." She turned and stormed out of the office, slamming the door

behind her.

That might have gone a bit better. I shouldn't have suggested rejoining society. Rita

realized that she'd let sentiment get the better of her: she'd hoped the wolf would be spared

from the cultists' eventual destruction, and she'd tried to offer her a way out. She should have

known the wolf wouldn't take it. She was too deep in, too brainwashed.

It was several hours before the wolf returned. Rita had completely covered the front of

the desk with drawings and was taking a nap when the door slamming behind the wolf jerked

her awake. The wolf didn't look as angry as when she'd left; in fact, she wore a triumphant

expression.

"Did you find the prey?" Rita asked, surprised.

The wolf shook her head, "No, but we'll soon be rid of that fool Joshua!"

Rita suppressed a grin, putting on a look of surprise, "Really?"

"Almost everyone I spoke to agreed that this mess is his fault," the wolf replied smugly.

"Even some of the cats saw reason! I'm calling an election, and once he's out of the way, we'll

hunt down the prey and put this whole thing right!"

Rita smiled indulgently, "Excellent, I'm sure with you in charge, you'll be able to find the

prey and come to a sustainable compromise! I'm sorry that I suggested you give up; I was

worried about what might happen to you if you had to flee. I feel we've come to an, an

understanding, Judith." She finished in a personal tone, conveying concern along with contrition

for her misstep.

The wolf looked at her conflictedly before crossing the room to sit next to her. She

placed a hand on Rita's right hand, which was resting on the floor. "I understand. I feel we've

come to an understanding too. Even if you are a fox, you've tried to help. And you've given me

the confidence to do what I know is right. After this is all over, I hope we can work together."

"I'd like that," Rita murmured. It wasn't even a lie, but she knew it wasn't possible. Judith

wouldn't accept the help she could give her; she'd only accept the 'help' that led to her own

destruction. "When will you hold the vote?"

"Tomorrow if I can. We can't wait for the prey's trail to go cold."

Tomorrow. Rita leaned her head against the wolf's side, and Judith looked down at her

in surprise. Rita sighed wistfully. If Joshua responded like Rita assumed he would, tomorrow,

Judith would probably be dead. Part of Rita hoped she'd manage to survive somehow, but even

if she did, there was no future for her. She'd either be hunted down and killed or locked away.

Judith took her hand off of Rita's and wrapped her arm across Rita's shoulders.

After a few moments, Judith spoke, "I'm sorry I didn't get you your book, Your Grace."

She glanced back at the desk, "I see you've been busy anyway."

Rita didn't reply but sighed again.

The wolf went on, "Let's take you to the bathroom, and then we'll see what we can find

for dinner. I'm afraid it's going to be slop, but at least we won't be obliged to pay for it."

Downstairs in the entry hall, they found the jaguar, Rico, handing out cuts of lab meat.

The cultists didn't look happy as they took them; the air of joviality and celebration that had

accompanied the feasting on the hog was gone. Judith led Rita by the hand, which Rita was

obliged to hold over her head to reach the much taller wolf's hand, keeping Rita close as they

passed the surly cultists. Rita noted the hog's picked-clean bones lying in a heap. A few of the

cultists were gnawing at them instead of accepting the lab meat. Rita was surprised to see

Joshua was also present; he was going among his followers providing words of encouragement.

Judith scowled at him, growling under her breath, "It's your fault we're at this point.

Everyone knows that." Judith accepted their meat from the jaguar and was leading Rita back to

the stairs when she stopped and turned around, glaring at the puma. She held up the slices of

lab meat in one hand and raised her voice for everyone to hear, "Thank you, Joshua! I'm excited

to find out how the prey have improved this garbage. Tonight, we're good little slaves, and we

have you to thank for it!"

The puma turned toward her in rage, "You think this is my fault!?" he roared. "The prey

were bound to try to hide; that's all they know how to do! We'll find them! We'll root them out of

their holes!"

"Why should we trust you to do that?!" Judith snarled. "Your plan is in shambles, but you

don't want to change anything! You'll only drive them deeper into their holes! It'll either be eat

this," she shook the lab meat. "Or starve! We'd have been better off lurking in the woods than

following you!"

"You say all that while you hold hands with one who's really responsible!" the puma

countered. "'Compromise!' That's what she and her ilk gave us! They compromised away our

rights, and now, you want to do it all again! I've heard your plan! Eating the old and diseased!

Do you think that's better than what you have in your hand? Eating their refuse?"

Judith squeezed Rita's hand a bit too hard. Rita winced but tried to appear calm even

though most of the larger carnivores were glaring at her menacingly; she could feel their angry

gazes burning into her pelt.

"She's been a greater help than you!" Judith rejoined. "She knew this would end badly if

we didn't change our tactics, but you didn't want to listen!"

"I don't have to listen to your ridiculous ideas, but I give them consideration anyway, all

the consideration they deserve!" the puma rebuked. "As long as I'm in charge, what I decide is

how we proceed!"

"Then I'll have to make sure you aren't in charge anymore!" Judith raised her voice again

so that everyone could hear her clearly, "Tomorrow, I'm calling an election, a referendum on

Joshua's leadership! If you see how he's led us into this disaster, then vote for me! I will find the

prey, and I will make certain we don't lose them again!"

Judith turned and dragged Rita up the marble stairs. Rita could feel the cultists' eyes still

burning into her pelt, but they were less hostile now, more confused, intrigued, or even hopeful

though some remained menacing.

"That was very brave, standing up to him like that," Rita whispered.

Judith squeezed her hand again but more gently this time. She took Rita back to their

room, and began grilling the meat. Rita wasn't even sure what it was as the labels had been

removed, but she thought she smelled turkey as it cooked.

Once Judith had adjusted the flames, she turned to Rita, "Thanks for your support back

there. I know I acted tough, but doing that in front of everyone, I was terrified."

"I didn't say anything until it was all over," Rita corrected. "It was all you."

"I know, but, but having you beside me, that gave me the courage I needed," she

admitted embarrassedly.

"I'm glad I could help however I did," Rita replied bemusedly. "I'm only a fox; I was the

smallest person in the room, not much for backup."

"That's just it though! You've been so calm, so in control of yourself even though you're

small. If I'd been captured by predators several times my size, I'd be catatonic. If you can face

Joshua and the rest without fear, I know I can too!"

"I think you're overestimating my bravery," Rita replied.

Judith shook her head, "I've seen it even in our interactions. You're not afraid to tell it like

it is, even when you know it's not what someone wants to hear."

Rita gave her a small smile, "Again, I'm glad I've been able to help. And I was serious

about that job offer. If you want to retire from this life after you've set things in place, I'd be

happy to have you among my staff. It's a funny little family, but we get along."

Judith opened her mouth to reply but then closed it and turned away to shake her head.

"Even after this, I'm needed here. I have to make sure Joshua or someone else doesn't ruin

things again."

"Perhaps I'll be able to visit. It's not such a long drive."

Judith nodded, "I hope so."

They ate in silence, but Rita noticed Judith stealing wistful glances in her direction. Stop

making this harder than it needs to be! Rita scolded herself. Discussing pretty fantasies about

how she and Judith could be friends wasn't making it easier to accept her role in getting the wolf

killed. There was no alternative. Order was paramount. If only the wolf could have accepted that

she couldn't change things, then she and Rita truly could have been friends. Perhaps Rita could

have even shown her that some prey weren't for killing; she could have introduced her to Ellie if

the rabbit was still alive.

The moon's silver light was shining through the office window by the time they finished

eating. Judith seemed apologetic as she locked Rita's right hand to the chair. She shut off the

overhead tube lights, and they slipped into their sleeping-bags. In the soft light, Rita could see

the wolf watching her from a short distance across the room. Judith sighed wistfully and turned

her head away. Rita swallowed sadness that rose like a lump in her throat and turned her head

toward the chair before closing her eyes and slipping into fitful sleep.

* * *

The summer sun warmed Rita's face as she stood in the backyard. The soft grass

tickled her footpads as she followed the red ball toward the next wicket. They'd set up the

croquet course, and she and the others were engaged in a rousing game. Ellie and Jason were

there as was Edgar, all smiling or eyeing the others competitively as they waited for their turn.

Boots was also there, holding a tray with a pitcher of lemonade and glasses. Wolfgang and

Johann were watching amusedly, and even Howard was lurking by the backdoor, ever wearing

his disapproving grimace at Rita fraternizing with the rabbit and her feline lover. Rita finished her

turn and looked toward Ellie.

"It's my turn next, Your Grace."

Rita turned to see Judith: the wolf was no longer wearing the grim utility vest and belt

but, like Rita, Ellie, and Jason, was free in her fur. A breeze ruffled her bushy gray tail fur as she

aligned her mallet with the green ball.

Rita turned to see the reaction of Jason and Ellie to Judith's presence, and then they

were all seated on a white and yellow checkered blanket. Set out on pink-ringed white plates

were chicken salad and egg salad sandwiches. Ellie had a smaller plate with cucumber

sandwiches. They were in a rough ring with Judith between Rita and the rabbit; both seemed

completely comfortable with the other's presence. Rita smiled contentedly, breathing the fresh

air, which was sweetened by the scent of red clover and violets growing around them. Ellie

plucked one of the lavender flowers and munched it down. Judith smirked and turned toward the

rabbit. The wolf opened her mouth and a metallic rattle came out. Rita frowned. The rattle

repeated, and the dream faded away as Rita was pulled up into wakefulness.

The door handle rattled again. Someone was trying to get in. Beside her, Judith sat up

and let out a warning growl. The rattling stopped, and Rita heard the rapid soft patter of padded

feet racing away. She looked at Judith questioningly in the semi-darkness.

"One of Joshua's sycophants," Judith growled darkly.

"What did they want?" Rita asked, confused.

"To get rid of the opposition," Judith stated bluntly.

Rita blinked in surprise, "You mean they were trying to kill you?"

"If they could catch me sleeping."

"I see. They, they've tried before then?"

Judith nodded. "It's a good sign actually. It means they think Joshua might lose

tomorrow's vote. They don't bother when I don't have a chance."

Rita knew from talking to the puma that he was treacherous, an authoritarian who would

do anything to hold onto power, but she hadn't realized how out in the open it was. "Does

Joshua know?"

Judith nodded again, "He condemned it in front of everyone when I told him, but," she

shook her head. "It doesn't really matter if he approves or not. His most zealous followers only

see it as tacit approval, and maybe he really does approve."

Rita momentarily considered telling Judith that Joshua did indeed want her and anyone

inclined to agree with her eliminated, but she realized she was giving into sentiment again and

pushed the thought aside. If the puma's treachery were revealed, he might be ousted without

the slaughter that Rita needed to cripple the cult. A relatively peaceful transition with only the

removal of the puma and his most zealous followers would leave Rita essentially back where

she'd started in terms of removing this threat to Vulpineva. And yet, she wanted to warn her, to

tell her to get away. Rita got onto all fours and dragged the chair and her sleeping-bag close to

Judith. The wolf watched her warily as she approached. Rita sat down on her bag and took

Judith's hand in her free hand.

Rita looked pleadingly into her eyes, "Let's just leave all this. Come with me back to my

estate. I can get you prey if you want them. You don't need to risk your life for these people."

Judith squeezed her hand but shook her head, "You know I can't do that. It's not about

me; it's about all of us, all predators. We have to take back our rights. I couldn't be content

hiding away while we're oppressed even if I did get to eat prey."

Rita sighed sadly; she'd known the wolf would refuse, but she'd had to try anyway.

Judith squeezed her hand again before slipping back down into her sleeping bag. Rita crawled

back into hers, sliding down until the bag was to her jaw. She turned her head towards the chair

and let out another melancholic sigh.

Judith petted her head. "I'm sorry, Your Grace," she murmured.

Rita heard Judith scooting closer then felt her warm breath on the tips of her ears. Soon

the wolf was breathing peacefully, and Rita let the rhythm of Judith's breathing lull her to sleep.

* * *

The next morning, Judith seemed distant as she took Rita to the bathroom and fixed

their breakfast, more of the lab meat. She didn't speak much, but her expression was

determined, grim. She looked ready to take on the puma and face whatever danger would be

involved. Before leaving Rita, she checked the ammunition in her hand gun, adding one more

round to the magazine.

"Good luck," Rita called as she headed for the door.

Judith looked back and nodded once in brusque acknowledgement before stepping out

the door.

After only half an hour, Rita heard the sound of metal scraping in the lock. She watched

the door nervously as whoever it was worked; obviously, it wasn't Judith, and Rita had no way

of knowing the intentions of the person on the other side. She flinched involuntarily as Joshua

swung open the door. He sneered at her toothily before carefully closing the door behind him.

He stalked over to her and crouched down in front of her.

"It seems your plan is going quite well, 'Your Grace'," he growled softly.

Rita's heart leapt. Did he realize what was really going on?! How she was trying to egg

the rival factions of the cult into a violent confrontation!? "I-I, uh, I don't know what you mean,"

she stammered.

He smirked, "Don't be so modest, Your Grace. Now that you've tricked that fool Judith

into showing her treacherous hand, there will be no objection when we sacrifice her and the

others she's seduced with her pretty lies about compromise and stability. The prey aren't going

to compromise. They'll only submit if they have no choice; anyone can see that. We'll make sure

they don't have one."

Rita relaxed; the puma was the idiot she'd thought he was. "How are you going to do

that if Judith wins the election?" she queried curiously.

The puma narrowed his golden eyes, "There isn't going to be an election," he growled

softly. "I've tolerated Judith's insubordination long enough, and now, with her treachery

revealed, I won't allow her to continue to corrupt our members. I've been talking with them. I

know who I can trust. We'll be showing up to the vote a little late, and when we get there, well,

Cerberus is going to have a few new inmates to guard tonight."

"I thought the plan was to arrest them and make a show of trying and executing them,"

Rita reminded.

The puma shook his head, "I've thought about that, and there's a flaw with that part of

your plan. There's nothing to stop them from denouncing the rest of us during the trial, and we

can't trust traitors like these to honor our cause. But dead, well, they won't be denouncing

anyone, and when people hear about how we bravely routed the terrorists, it will only make

sense that we should replace the police they murdered."

Rita nodded solemnly. It would come to a violent conclusion after all. She didn't know

how many Joshua had on his side, but as long as it wasn't overwhelming, there would be heavy

casualties on either side that survived, hopefully leaving too few to effectively hold the city.

Judith and her followers would be taken by surprise, but only the massive puma ever seemed to

be unarmed. If Rita could help warn Judith and her followers at the last moment to spoil the

surprise, the slaughter would be even more complete. She considered asking the puma to

involve her, but there didn't seem to be any excuse for putting herself in danger that wouldn't

raise red flags. The puma seemed dim but not that dim. "Good luck, then," was all she said.

The puma got up to leave, but Rita had a sudden thought, and quickly addressed him

again, "It would probably be best if the Mayor is out of the way. She usually handles appointing

officers, and it will seem less suspicious when I take charge if she's dead."

The puma nodded, "Good thinking, Your Grace. I could use a snack anyway." He left

and took a few minutes locking the door before he padded away down the hall.

The death of the Mayor would of course further anger Judith though that was irrelevant

now. Rita had never liked the dithering robin and felt no remorse at condemning her to a

gruesome end. Some prey were for killing. Perhaps that ambitious police chief will take over if

she survived the raid. Rita grinned at the idea; she was someone Rita could work with. She'd

even left her former lover in Rita's tender care simply because Rita was in charge. It was good

to have obedient subordinates. The puma understood that too, but he didn't understand how to

deal with them. He simply dismissed Judith's concerns when he should have busied her with

seemingly important but ultimately pointless tasks to make her feel useful. It was part of the

philosophy of the vulpine ruling class. The elected officials were allowed to busy themselves

with bureaucracy and small tweaks to the system; the foxes only intervened when they strayed

too far from the traditional order of things. For the most part, there was no trouble for the

vulpines; many saw the foxes as their protectors and were eager to comply with their demands

while others barely remembered they existed. Either was perfectly acceptable to Rita.

Judith didn't return until mid-afternoon. She handed Rita a pre-cooked piece of lab meat

for her lunch, unlocked her handcuff, and dropped down in the chair moodily.

"Is something wrong?" Rita asked worriedly.

"Not really, but I thought I'd convinced most people that Joshua is responsible for this

mess. I think I still have a majority of the support, but," she shook her head. "He has a silver

tongue," she grumbled. "He paints a fantasy about how the prey will surrender themselves to us,

how they'll realize they've lost and submit to being harvested. It's ridiculous, but it's what many

want to hear. So they believe him."

"But you still think you'll win the election?" Rita pressed.

Judith nodded.

"I'd like to be there at the vote, to support you."

Judith looked at her curiously a moment and then smiled warmly, "That'd mean a lot to

me, Your Grace."

Rita smiled back, but she felt a little sick to her stomach. She needed to help ruin the

puma's surprise so that Judith and her supporters wouldn't be mown down before they had a

chance to respond, but she didn't want to be there to see Judith cut down, to have that image

forever in her mind as she did with Boots and Wolfgang. "When is the vote?"

"At five in the Council Chamber."

Rita glanced at the clock: half past three. "Is there something you'd like to do before

then?" she inquired. "Something fun you haven't been able to do in a while?"

Judith contemplated her a moment then went to her backpack and took out a small tan

canvas bag. She emptied the bag on the floor: black and red checkers spilled out along with a

crumpled cloth. Judith flattened out the cloth, which turned out to be a checkers board. "Would

you like to play?"

Rita nodded and moved to sit across the board from Judith. They began to play, and

Rita absorbed herself into the simple game, planning her moves and trying to predict Judith's.

They played two games before Judith looked at the clock then packed the game away.

"This was fun, Your Grace. We can play again sometime."

Rita nodded, but she knew there wouldn't be a next time. The stirrings of nausea in her

stomach returned. Judith stood, and Rita did as well. Rita offered her hand as they turned

toward the door, and Judith took it. They stepped out of the office, Judith locking the door

behind them, and made their way toward the chamber where the Maplesburg City Council

deliberated and heard comments from the public, the room where Judith and most of the other

cultists would probably die.