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The Rogue Drenith: chapter 2

As you have all probably guessed, this is chapter two of a story I plan to extend upon. If you want to catch up then feel free to read chapter one.

If you are not old enough to enjoy stories with adult humor, languages, blood, violence, torture, alcohol, or don't care for it and get queasy at the prospect of it. Then I suggest you hit your back button now.

This story contains violence, torture, blood, fighting, adult humor, adult language, alcohol, plot development, character development, medieval theme, Fantasy.

Also this chapter is 10 pages long.

If you are still reading this, I am guessing you are ready to read. I will stop yammering now. :P Enjoy.

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Chapter 2

Remembrance

= = = =

Three weeks later-

Deep within an elven forest away from prying eyes and protected by an invisible cast, a group of people gathered in secluded ruins to discuss issues in secret.

A human woman with auburn red hair in a ponytail sat at the head of the table; she wore a satin blue dress with matching blue heels. She also wore hoop-earrings that had green emeralds at the base; the necklace she wore was made of three rows of pearls; her eyes a deep orange.

To her right sat a ten high minotaur, he wore a pair of jeans that were ripped above the knees; his thick and shaggy fur a deep brown with small -almost invisible- splotches of light green dotting his entire form. His massive snout holding an equally massive nose ring with a chain that connected to four other rings along his lower lip of smaller proportions. Everything about this Bull was massive; his muscles, stature, and the almost as tall hammer he wielded with ease. His eyes the same deep brown also with slight green specks as his fur.

To the right of the bull sat a much, much smaller male raccoon. His feet propped up on the table as he leant the chair back on its hind-legs. His medium length grey and white fur shining in the bit of sunlight that penetrated the canopy above, stroking a tiny black comb through his tail fur as he hummed to himself. His attire consisting of denim overalls, a pair of stylish glasses with multiple lenses to zoom in, and a worn pair of mechanic gloves with the finger tips missing that stuck out of his back pocket.

In the chair between the Raccoon, and Human Female sat a male wood elf with crossed arm and pale golden hair that was in a braided ponytail over his shoulder; his long ears that stuck out from his head slightly. His cloths an off brand of the traditional for his region; he wore light black leather armor and had a bow with metallic ends draped over his shoulder.

Then there was the red panda/ferret in the corner. His tail a little shorter but still as fluffy as his red panda side; although his coloration leaning towards his ferret side, but a mixture of both. He was a mystery to everyone in the room except the Female human. Standing against the wall, he wore a brown cowboy hat with his ears poking through the tiny slits. Thick black goggles over his eyes while he wore a brown duster that rested against his ankles, no shirt; although his pants were blue jeans with brown chaps over them.

"Where is he?" The Red headed female asked as she looked around at the group with interlocked fingers.

"Last we had contact with him was in the trade village of Myre-fall." The wood elf responded calmly.

"He has betrayed us already!" The bull's baritone voice echoing off the trees as he slammed his fist into the table making it split slightly.

"It's scientifically impossible for him to do that... and stop trying to break the table." The Raccoon remarked as he brushed through his tail fur.

The Minotaur let a rough snort out as he pointed a finger towards the Raccoon. "You dare command me! I am the mightiest of my tribe; I am king of my followers and you little morsel dare give me a command!"

The Raccoon twirled the comb in his dexterous digits as he pushed his glasses back up his snout. "You insult me again and you will find what it feels like being paralyzed with pain receptors intact."

The Wood Elf gave an audible sigh as he glanced between the two. "You two need to relax-" Glancing at the guy in the corner next with a slight nod of his head. "-Take a note from him." The Minotaur turned his attention towards the Elf then at the stranger in the corner, as he gave a rough snort, the Raccoon began combing his tail as the tension settled slightly.

The guy in the corner said nothing but crossed his arms at the snort. The Raccoon spoke up as he glanced towards the Female. "So what is he to you, is he your slave? Is he a friend? Or is he a genetic error?"

The Female gave the Raccoon a stare that would curdle milk. "He is a friend; that is all you need to know." The Raccoon shrugged as he flicked the comb off the tip of his tail.

As time went on the Minotaur got agitated as he started to snort randomly, the Raccoon's constant combing of his tail making the Bull grit his teeth with each stroke. The elf kept sighing as he sat in the same position; even his hair didn't move when the Bull snorted in his direction. The Female kept quiet for a good bit also as she kept glancing towards the door.

The Bull couldn't take anymore as he gripped the handle of his hammer and with a roar he swung his massive hammer at the Raccoon. He was hoping to stop the constant raking noise. Just as the hammer connected with the ground the Minotaur grinned; dust filled the tiny ruins in a split-second. After it had settled enough for everyone to look where the Raccoon was sitting, the only thing left was a splintered chair.

The Elf had a hand on the end of his bow as he eyed the Minotaur and where the Raccoon had been, the Female was still sitting with her fingers interlocked on the table as she also glanced across the table; although her friend had shifted slightly over in the corner.

"You need to be faster Mr. Bovine."

Everyone's eyes shifted behind the Minotaur where the Raccoon stood leaning against his back; while pushing his glasses back up on his muzzle. The Bull grunted as he lifted his hammer with one arm, sitting it on top of his shoulder as a grin spread across his muzzle. "Damn I missed."

"Hasn't anybody told you not to attack your comrades unless they truly deserve it." A mysterious voice echoed through the doorway along with light footsteps.

Walking in and standing in the entrance against the door frame; a Rottweiler clad in a black leather trench coat, and a white sleeveless vest along with white dress pants, and pure black fur; he smiled pearly white fangs at the group with his shades covering his amber eyes. "The contact had a change of plans; send somebody to retrieve him forthwith." The room went silent as everyone looked upon the Canine. "Dart... go retrieve our friend... alive." The female stated as she stared daggers at the Rottweiler.

Everyone's eyes shifted to the corner of the room where only a glimpse of a shadow was seen darting across the wall and out the door where the Rotty stood. "Fast... isn't he." A slight joke as the Canine walked into the room as his trench coat billowed briefly from Dart; sitting down on the cracked table as he flicked dirt from under his nails as his long thin tail twitched slightly. "Larsha..." The Female crossed her arms as she looked upon him; continuing as he paid her no mind. "I hope the plan is going alright, it's not in your interest to fail...again."

Larsha held her tongue as she stood up placing her hands on the table scant inches away from the guy. "I know sir..." Her voice blatantly covered in anger as her eyes burned with fire.

Glancing at her through the sides of his shades he gave a white grin. "I would think you should by now." Standing he glanced at everyone else briefly before he headed for the door; stopping he didn't turn around as he spoke aloud. "If you all can't work together... you won't be around long."

A gulp could be heard from each individual as they watched the well-dressed Canine leave.

"If we pull this off, I will personally dissect his brain for studies... wonder what makes him tick." Briefly the Raccoon stopped brushing his tail as he adjusted his glassed on his medium snout.

"You're an odd one..." Raising a brow the Bovine shook his head as he stood with hammer over shoulder.

"Well this meeting is apparently adjourned; I now ask you all kindly to please vacate the area until our next meeting." The Elf stated as he had already stood up while glancing at everyone.

Larsha slammed her fist again the table as she spoke indirectly to the group. "That meeting is not far away..."

The rest of the group just looked upon her as they stood in silence.

= = = == = = =

A week later-

Slowly a guard walked out of Damasc and into the outskirt meadow, his armor softly glinting in the gloomy atmosphere of Damasc: the Kingdom of rain. With each step the guard felt the ground cave under his weight ever slightly more; his boots and greaves already covered in a thick layer of mud. Seeing a tiny shack in the distance the guard gave a relieved sigh as he trudged forth through the muddy-quicksand with renewed vigor.

Reaching the Shack the first thing he noticed was a crude smiley face drawn on the wooden door; the red coloration for the outline and face was already worn away to a light pink, and the blue for the main color was a dingy grey. Touching the smiley face briefly he gave a knock on the door as he scanned his surroundings, minutes passed as he stood in the rain waiting. Figuring it was abandoned the guard went inside.

Closing the lopsided door softly once inside; the Guard gave a soft sigh as he noticed it empty with a table against the wall, a tattered rug on the floor with old blood stains, and a chair in the corner to sit on.

= = = =

Meanwhile at a Tavern in Damasc-

With a slam of a mug and a vocal groan of sadness being drowned in mead, an un-groomed, un-bathed anthro patron yelled at the barkeep. "Fill 'er up Steve!" His eyes never leaving the beer covered counter as he held the empty mug in the air.

Time seemed to freeze as another male Feline patron sat down in the chair next to the un-groomed anthro. They had a thick black cloth blindfold over both their eyes, their attire consisting of chainmail and leather pants with iron covering on his knees and groin.

The Feline giving a brief tilt of his head to the side as he looked at the un-groomed anthro; picking up the mug that just randomly appeared in front him. "You know you can't bury it beneath all these drinks."

The un-groomed patron tilted his head the other way as he ignored their comment.

The Barkeep scoffed at the demand as he spat into a mug before shoving a dirty cloth inside it. "You're done as of now..." He never got to finish as the un-groomed patron stood up slamming the mug against the counter. "Fuck I am Steve!" His blood shot eyes only accented by the puffy areas around them.

The Feline patron took a drink out of the mug in their hand undisturbed by the yelling; putting it down they glanced at the un-groomed anthro again. "He's right; you need to lay off it." Again his input fell on deaf ears.

The Barkeep sighed at the sight as he grabbed a cheap bottle off the back wall; placing it on the counter he watched as the Anthro gripped the bottom of it. "This is the last one...Go home Dan." Letting go of it the Barkeep watched as Dan turned around.

There standing in front of Dan was the other Feline patron as he crossed his arms. "You can't shut me out forever." Dan took a step as he swiped his hand through them, and again they reappeared a little further in front of him. Again and again he repeated the actions until he stood outside the tavern.

Looking at the castle in the distance Dan felt a pang of guilt in his chest as he recalled that one night one month ago when Drenith took on a suicide favor for him. Dan couldn't tell if he had tears running down his cheeks from the thought since they dried up a few weeks ago when he started hitting the bottle hard, or if it was the rain.

The Feline phantom appeared next to him as he stared at the castle also with hands behind his head. "You knew the outcome, and so did he." The Feline Phantom Looked at Dan briefly as he Popped the cork from the top of the bottle as he took a long drag of the smooth spirits; turning around with the bottle pressed against his lips he headed out of town tripping over his own feet as that feeling and Phantom slowly got drowned out.

On his way out of the slums, Dan caught a glimpse of a cub running with arms full with an assortment of fruits; the panic, glee, and determination on his face evident. Time froze as The Feline stood against the far building wall as he smiled. "Reminds you of him all those years ago don't it?" With time resuming its natural course Dan staggered around the escaping cub with drunken grace, running into a guard who yelled in his face as he was pushed him to the ground. "Stupid wretch, I should have you hang by tomorrows light." His threat landing on deaf ears as Dan simply grinned with a clump of mud on his muzzle.

Gripping the hilt of his sword; the guard gave no warning as he unsheathed the blade. Holding the tip against Dan's neck; he glanced at a random peasant who stepped forward. Pointing a finger in his direction with a glare attached. "One more step and I will have you both lying before the guillotine!"

Stopping and putting his hands in the air at head height. "Sir he is a drunk, and his appearance looks like he has lost everything. I say you let him suffer on the liquor until the crows feast." A random civilian in a brown cloak and hat stated as they bowed slightly before the enraged guard. "Less you want to start a revolt with a simple act of killing a drunk."

Looking around at the group of peasants the guard gave a scoff as he sheathed his sword; pointing at Dan briefly. "You're lucky your drunk knave." Kicking mud at Dan the guard proceeded to turn around and head towards the castle as everyone parted to make a path for him.

Meanwhile the cloaked being offering his leather bound hand to the drunken Dan who in turn did not take it. Fighting for stability Dan used the wall he was inches from as support as he mumbled over his shoulder. "Trust me when I tell you this... I'm just trouble." Staggering away as he took another swig of the spirits he surprisingly didn't spill.

The Phantom walking beside him as he held his hands clasped behind his back. "You should have thanked him."

A short time later, and a few face falls into the mud as guards and peasants laughed. Dan arrived at a small shack on the outskirts of Damasc; the memories bubbling back to the surface as he took a swig from the half empty bottle.

The Phantom stood against the wall beside the door with arms crossed shaking his head. "You disgrace the memory doing that here."

Dan could Feel his eyes again wanting to shed tears but the dry rivers refusing to give what they didn't have; tilting his head up towards the sky he let the rain be his tears while he took another long drag.

= = = =

Memory-

The young Fossa and the young Dan were held in a dungeon for stealing. Drenith stood with his chest against a pole with his arms tied on the other side as he was lashed as punishment for stealing while Dan sat against a moist brick wall in shackles awaiting his turn.

"Blue please just keep hanging in there!" Dan's innocent shrill voice filled with worry as he watched his friend pass in and out of consciousness from the loss of blood and pain, any sound coming from his mouth was drowned out by the cracks of the whip. Without notice Dan let a grunt out as a fist the size of his head smashed against his cheek; skidding as far as the chains allowed the Hound-dog cub looked at the torturer through tear filled eyes.

"Silence runt, your turn is soon to be coming." An overweight human man with gashes and chunks missing from his face and arms shouted as he cracked the few knuckles he still had. His cheek missing as his teeth showed through on one side, an eye was missing as the socket oozed with puss as he spat saliva with each word. "I just gotta teach this mix breed a lesson about lying." Lashing the thin Fossa again and again as he laughed sadistically as blood and flesh sprayed off the whip with each draw back.

Dan shouted through gritted teeth as his face began to swell. "Stop you'll kill him!"

Just as the torturer turned towards Dan, a guard shouted in the distance. "Bring the cubs, their free to go."

The torturer grinded his teeth as he plucked a rusted cleaver off a hook nearby. "You need to learn a lesson also runt." Gripping Dan's ear the torturer swung the cleaver, Dan cried out in pain as he felt a searing sensation followed quickly by a burning cold as something warm started to flow over his features. Clenching his eyes shut the Hound-dog fell over onto his side as he tried holding back his tears.

The rest of the memory was a blur as the two of them were thrown out into the mud; Dan couldn't recall how he and Drenith ended up in a shack on the outskirts of town. Just the dull throb of his face and the piercing pain of this ear waking him from the black abyss of unconsciousness. Lying on the table Dan spotted Drenith on the tattered rug; his body bandaged from his neck down to his knees.

= =

Present-

The Feline appeared next to Dan as he flicked his nub of an ear. "Funny how things like this can hold the memory of pain."

Dan touched his nub of an ear, the pain still present even after all these years. Giving a sigh he felt a tear burn his eye; his body worn with exhaustion over the last passed month; his mind only focused on one thought. "Blue..."

Walking up to the door Dan slid his paw down the smiley face that he and Drenith had drawn with the petals of the red Poppy and the blue petals from the Blaue Blume. The meaning behind it something a couple of kids would make sacred. The red color for remembrance of what they endured in their childhood and where they came from. The blue color is for them to reach for the infinite or unreachable, so they never stop moving forward.

"Creative little tykes you two were." The Feline stated as he walked through the door.

Smiling Dan pushed the lopsided door open; creaking as it always had. Looking around he saw the table he was upon after the horrid dungeon incident; the tattered rug that Drenith laid upon a few scant inches away.

"He never got his fur back after that; poor guy." The Feline added as he laid next to the rug petting it.

Looking to the other side Dan saw the shelf of rocks that they collected for no apparent reason; it resting above the small fireplace they use to lay next to during the cold nights.

"You always enjoyed those stories he came up with on the fly." The Feline Purred as he kneaded the rug.

The kitchen was as small as Dan recalled it; with only half a sink to wash their two broken cups and dingy plates in. Turning next to the door his mind froze as he spotted a presence in the worn out chair in the dark corner.

"Blue?" Taking a step forward as a smile spread across his muzzle he stopped; placing a paw on the dagger sheath that rested on his leg. That smile quickly faded as he bared his teeth in a snarl. "Who are you?" No verbal response was heard from the figure in the corner; the only thing it did do was raise a hand and gave a slight wave.

The Feline rested an elbow on the guards shoulder as he traced a claw down the helmed face. "This definitely aint him." Letting a purr out as he sniffed the guard.

Dan's eyes went wide as he felt his heart skip a beat; his legs felt numb as he charged the armored intruder, the empty bottle shattering on the floor. Red was all he saw as he gripped the intruder by the throat; his claws digging into their flesh as he snarled in a yell. "WHO ARE YOU!" The chair gave way under their combined weight; Dan landing on top of the other person. Pulling his dagger sheath open he realized that he had sold it for gold pieces to buy booze a few weeks ago.

The armored intruder said nothing, although he looked away at the question. Scratching the floor with his pointer he felt the grip on his neck tighten. Dan couldn't think straight; with his mind torn at the prospect of his friend's death at the hands of a guard and the binge drinking he's done, he continued to stare down at the helmed person. "Tell me now... or I will fillet your skin from your bones." This threat hollow without his trusty dagger in hand; although he knew how to use other objects if needed.

Again the intruder said nothing as he placed his other gloved hand on Dan's chest.

"Silent type...and begging..."Stated the Feline.

Dan sat up slightly; his paw still around the others neck. Letting a ferocious growl filled with a scream out he clenched his other paw into a fist as he let it rocket towards the Guards helmed face; hit after hit Dan kept wailing away. Tears bubbling back up to the surface as he thought about his friend, how they had always suffered in Damasc; how they had sworn together to make a life for themselves.

Soon red markings began to cover the dented metal as Dan felt his fist catch on the jagged edges; his punches slowing down. Just as he looked upon the person below him as he gave one last hit, he noticed they were not moving and had been laying there motionless after the first few hits.

Standing up Dan kept his eyes on the guard as he briefly glanced at his paw; gashes littered his knuckles and fingers as blood dripped to the floor. Giving a sigh he headed for the kitchen sink.

Time came to a standstill as Dan looked upon the Feline. _Standing in front of the sink was the cat; his paws on the edge as he held himself up while leaning back. "Does it hurt?"_Dan flexed his fingers and winced slightly as he replied. "It hurts Zack, but it aint nothing compared to the hole in my soul."

Zack walked over to Dan and placed his pointer on his chest as he looked Dan in the eyes through the blindfold. "That hole is imaginary and you know it, you know he is one of the luckiest people you will ever know. You even stated that yourself a month ago in the tavern." Dan winced as he shifted his eye sight and head away. "You don't have to tell me these things... I know what you say is true."

Giving a growl Zack gripped Dan's chin as he forced him to look him in the face; while raising his voice. "Then why are you trying to bury the past and me with booze!" Dan had a look of shock on his muzzle as Zack forced him to turn his head back to face him; his voice leaving him silent.

Just as the shock seemed eternal the event was short lived as Dan felt a gush of wind on his back as he heard the lopsided door slam against the floor behind him. Turning around he gave an audible growl.

"That's not playing fair..." A familiar voice remarked as another guard stood glancing down at the other then at Dan the new guard pulled his sword from the sheath.

"Hey, its mister badass from earlier..." Zack stated as he circled the new guard.

Dan pulled his fists up as he looked upon the guard from earlier. No words passed between the two as they stood there measuring each other up. The guard was the first to make a move as he lunged forward slashing his sword in a downward arch. Dan sidestepped out of the way; although he ran into the table in doing so. Knowing the shack was too tiny for a true fight he fled out of the door and into the open meadow with the guard on his tail.

"Stop running knave!" Shouted the guard as he slashed his sword again, and again, and again as Dan managed to dodge them all with sidesteps and ducking. The fury the guard held was shown through his actions as he was made a fool in the slums as each slash, stab, and thrust cut through the rain.

Dan never tried fighting back against the guard, as he flailed his sword randomly through the rain and thick mud around them. Giving a pained grunt Dan felt the blade enter his arm as he misjudged the distance as he was distracted by Zack dancing a waltz in the rain. The sword sliced his bicep in a split second; gripping where the wound was he gave a nasty growl.

Time froze as Zack stood in front of Dan nose to nose. "Looks like you got hurt?" Dan looked at his arm then back at Zack with a sadistic smile. "Looks like it... to think I was going to let this whelp live."

Zack grinned the same sadistic smile as he placed a paw on his blindfold. "No going back..." Dan nodded.

Gripping his blindfold Zack ripped it off his head; blue fire burst from his sockets as he yelled. His mouth extended well beyond normality dictated. Dan let himself go as he was engulfed in the flames.

Slowly time resumed as Dan's attitude changed instantly as something inside him snapped as he glared with an ice cold expression; his eyes almost glowing.

The guard stuttered in his attacks as he watched the Anthro before him change composure after getting wounded; feeling the anger that radiated from his eyes and stance, taking a step back instinctively.

Dan saw red again as the pain subsided; his body started to tremble as he kept growling. Without warning he ran full force at the guard who let a brief surprised scream out as he was punched in the gut and sent skidding across the ground. Mud and armor flew in all directions as his appendages flopped randomly with each impact. After he came to a stop Dan proceeded to move towards the lifeless guard that had created a small ditch in the mud.

"Kill him..." Zacks's voice whispered into Dan's ear as he hovered over the limp guard. As he bent down and gripped the guard's neck; lifting him up off the ground with ease as the voice repeated in his ear again. His grip grew tighter as drool dripped from his lips as he bared his teeth.

Just as Dan was feeling the guard's neck cave from his grip a bright flash surrounded him. Blinking repeatedly he found himself lying on the ground as the cold rain pelted his face; feeling an ache pass through his body Dan couldn't find the strength to move. Slowly he found himself descending into the black abyss known as unconsciousness, muffled voiced could be heard in the distance.

= = = =

Sometime later-

When Dan came to he was getting hit in the face by Zack; who had his blindfold on again. "Hey... wake up weakling!" Zack yelled into Dan's face. Dan was bound to a pole with his arms behind his back securing him to it; his ankles also tied together. A red cloth was wrapped around his muzzle as he glanced around. Giving a slight exhale out of his nose Dan heard a slight rustle coming from straight ahead where a tunnel was.

"So he is the one he wanted? What about the other?" A squeaky voice echoed off the cavernous walls followed by another deeper one. "We only got paid to find and subdue him; the other is a bonus for that meat head." Their footsteps grew further and further away as Dan tried looking around.

There was a small lantern on a few barrels to the left of the entrance; to the right was a pile of cloth bags. The dirt scent indicated them to be either in an unused dungeon, or a cave. Dan hoped for the cave, although with him being tied up it might just be a dungeon or worse in both cases.

A soft whistle began to echo from every direction, giving a soft growl Dan began working to free his wrists. As seconds passed footsteps started to join in on the echoes, Dan struggled more as he felt the bindings give way slightly. Just as he felt room in the binding, a massive presence came into light.

"Jeeze... been awhile hasn't it runt." A familiar voice stated as saliva glistened in the dim light as it was spat with each word.

"Aw... fuck!" Zack stated as he pointed with quivering finger.

Dan froze; his ear began to burn as he looked upon the grotesque figure before him.

To be continued.