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The Beginning

I woke to the sounds of raindrops on the roof of my small flat, the soft drops sounded like steam coming from the sky. I was scheduled to leave England today and the rain was just the tears I no longer cried. I am eighteen now and my life has been nothing but a living hell and a part of me is ready to leave, but the other part is afraid. I have never been away from home, much less England for long periods of time. The longest time I was away was three years, but now I was going to leave for longer. A soft knock at the door made me perk my ears as my burgundy red and grey tipped tail flicked from side to side. I took a deep breath and let out a small sigh. "Who's there?" I muttered trying my best to keep my resolve. I had not cried in years, and I was going to do my best to keep from crying today. "It's Ray, I was just coming by to make sure you were awake. Your ship leaves in three hours, you need to hurry up and get dressed." Ray had always been there for me from my childhood to now. If there was any fox I could trust it was him. "Give me about ten minutes, and I'll be ready." "Don't take too long Rex, I don't want you hanging around this place much longer, the whole city is in an uproar." I crawled out of bed slowly, knowing it wouldn't take me long to get ready. I slept in my clothes and they weren't anything grand, I was born to nobles, but I was going to leave as a vagabond. My clothes were nothing but a pair of brown trousers and an old grey shirt with a worn out bolero around the collar and a tattered vest. My cap had a hole in large enough to put a thumb through. This was going to be my last day in England, and I couldn't help but to think about how my life changed so much.

Most of my early childhood years felt like dreams to me that would reoccur as I slept at night. I always heard voices and saw blurred faces, but I was never able to put the voices to the faces, but there were a few dreams where the voices and faces were clear, but I was never sure who they were. The most common dream was of me waking up in a dark room with snow on the balcony and a soft cloth wrapped around me. "Put him to sleep! I don't want a runt for a son!" "But sir, what about your wife, she is still recovering from a very difficult childbirth." "She will live, any chance of another child? This one is just too small and I doubt he will amount to anything." I heard a small sigh, "Sir, it is too difficult right now to tell. Your wife is very fortunate to be alive, if not for her abilities, she would have died." "She survived, but unfortunately for that runt, I want him put to sleep, understood or do I have to do it myself?" "That won't be necessary." I could hear the pain in his voice as he picked me up and placed me in a small basket. "I am not going to allow you to leave until I see him put to sleep, is that understood?" "Sir, please I just want to make him comfortable, at least let him die in peace." "Bah, hmm, very well, after all it is Christmas and I guess I should do one good deed for the holiday. Let the runt die in peace then." "Thank you sir." The last thing I felt was a sharp pain in my side and cried out. "That wasn't too painful was it? The little runt got what he deserved and if you ask me, I should have given my wife something to cause an abortion." "Jonathon, is that you?" "Of course it is my dear." "Relax and don't fool with the runt, after all we can always have another child." "I will take the basket and child with me and give him a peaceful respite." "The little runt can burn in Hell for all I care." I let out small a few small cries and started to coo before everything around me turned black.

"Rex, you okay in there?" "I'm fine Ray, just thinking about a dream I keep having. "You can think about it while on your way to New Britain, in the meantime, get the lead out of your tail!" I sighed deeply as I gathered a piece of cloth and laid it out on the bed and began to take some of my precious keepsakes and put them in it, they mostly consisted of a small jewelry box that was locked, a few buttons I had collected over the years, one had a small faded yellow rose with the words "Foxes for Suffrage" stitched on a small banner at the stem. Another button had an emblem of a bulldog with a Union Jack behind it surrounded by a star. The last button I looked at for a minute and sighed deeply knowing how much trouble it had cost me; it was more of a badge than a button. It was a silver star surrounded by a circle, it looked like a sheriff's badge, but it had the words "Guardian of Britain" etched on a metal ribbon at the bottom. I put those few things in the cloth and an old knife that had pieces of leather around the hilt that kept it from sliding off on the cloth then tied the ends together before looking around the room checking to make sure I had everything ready for my voyage to a new world. "Ray, the door's been unlocked the whole time." The door creaked open as I watched Ray stand in the doorway. "England is not going to be the same without you keeping things in order." "I know. I did what I had to do." He huffed, "Really? That's it? You did what you had to do? That's a lot of trouble you caused for a simple little phrase." He flicked his tail in disgust. "I guess you're leaving while everyone else deals with your mess." "I didn't have a choice Ray. My back was against the wall, and when you were attacked, that just pushed me over the edge. I had to take care of the problem once and for all." He glared at me as he adjusted his bowler hat and rubbed his grey furred chin. "It's better to have the devil you know, than the devil you don't." I stood there for a minute as those words sunk in. He was right about that, and I began to question my actions more than I had in the past. I knew right from wrong, I knew my actions had hurt a lot of people, and I regretted every wrong I had committed. I was not a heartless being by any means, I might have committed atrocities and heinous crimes, but I was not above having remorse for those actions. "I have everything ready to leave Ray will they meet us at the docks?" "I'm afraid not, it's just you and me." I sighed deeply as I wanted to see my friends one last time before I left England.

We made our way through the slums to the main streets of London where people were flocking left and right. It was if the King and Queen were coming into Central London, but they were mostly talking of the recent occurrences murders of the judge and mayor and the sudden demise of England's defender and legendary detective. "EXTRY! EXTRY! READ ALL ABOUT IT! DETECTIVE DIES AFTER KILLING MAYOR AND JUDGE!" Newspaper boys were shouting left and right trying to sell papers. "He can't be dead, the body was never found." "He was blown off a ship, how could he have survived the explosion?" I could hear the conversations of people as Ray and I walked by heading to the carriages. "He survived a cannonball that nearly blew him in half; he could have survived the explosion." "There is no way a fox nor could anyone have survived that." "He has been found near death numerous times, and now he's dead? I don't believe a word of it!" For a moment I felt a little sparkle in my eye and I thought a smirk was coming to my lips, but I quickly regained myself and looked at Ray. I could definitely tell he was bothered by all the commotion and I tried my best to stay composed, to keep him calm, and to keep myself from ruining my plan.

"Were there any witnesses to the explosion?" "There were a few, but it was too dark to see what exactly happened. All I know is, he was in the brig of the ship when the explosion took place, and of all the people on board, he is the only known casualty." "Do you think he survived the explosion?" He narrowed his eyes at me as if he knew the truth and huffed. "I am not at liberty to answer that question, but if by chance he did survive, then I hope and pray that he knows what he is doing. He could have easily have found sanctuary in New Britain if he had arrived there, but if he is alive and somehow stays in England, then I would suggest he find the nearest boat and get the hell out before the King gets his paws on him and escorts him out personally." I stood there for a minute looking at him, I was fortunate I had my cap lowered enough to cover my eyes to keep from looking directly into his. I knew that if I had looked into them, I could see the anger and the disappointment in them. "We've wasted enough time, dawdling Rex, we need to hurry before the ship leaves. If you had stayed in East London, we wouldn't have to rush, but since you decided to stay in North London, we are going to be pushed for time." I climbed into a nearby carriage and watched as I Ray spoke to the driver for a minute before climbing in with me. "We are going to make it in plenty of time, he's going to take us to South London and we'll catch the boat at the South London Docks." "You must really want me gone Ray." He snapped at me in a hushed, raspy voice. "You should have already been gone, but no, you decide to have some theatrics and delay your exile." I sighed hearing him and flicked my tail as the carriage started off toward the docks and my mind went back to the dream.

When I came to, I was being held by a strange man and was wrapped up tightly in a blanket as a cold wind blew inside a carriage. "You're safe now little one. You have been blessed with the same abilities as your parents and I can tell you are going to be far much stronger than they could ever be. No wonder they are afraid of you. I'm going to take you some place safe and give you a good start to your young life. It will be hard for you, but you will make it and you will survive and have a long and prosperous life." He smiled warmly to me as he brushed my head with a reddish-brown furred paw. "I will do everything I can to protect you, even from yourself if I must." He smiled warmly as I let out a few small whimpers and cries. "We'll be there shortly, and I'll make sure you get your fill of milk." He cradled me in his arms and rocked me back and forth softly trying to get me to calm down, but from the trauma of being born, the cold wind blowing, and the cold air surrounding the carriage, it was hard for me to calm down and I ended up crying myself to sleep in his arms. I opened my eyes weakly seeing the bright lights of a giant room, with furs of all sorts around the room, most were foxes, with a few lions, and tigers, but the majority was canines and I was greeted by a few vixens that started to let out a few small coos toward me. "Ladies, please the little fellow has had a rough night, let him have some space." It was the voice of an older vixen, to this day I can't ever remember the faces of the people, but the voices I thought I recognized, but it was often hard to tell. "There's our beloved prince, he is going to be quite a handful." It was the voice of a very strong and powerful fox. "His star is shining brightly tonight, Doctor." "All newborns shine bright when they are born, sire." "But this one is far more special. He will be the one to take England to a new height of power. His father cared only of himself, and it cost him the throne. Now, this one is in line for the crown." The doctor carried me over to the fox and vixen, and she immediately took me from the doctor as I started to cry once more. "Oh, there, there now little one, you must be starving." The dream ends there, but the scenes that followed were often just glimpses of me in their care and smiling warmly. I learned to walk when I became of age under their watch, but the final sequence was one where I found myself in the same basket I was rescued in and placed on the steps of a townhouse where a maid brought me inside.

"We're here Rex." I sat up startled hearing Ray's voice. It must have been an hour or so to the docks from North London, and to be honest, I would have felt better going to the Eastern docks; I knew them better and knew people I could trust. The southern docks were a little more colorful with nobles, merchants, and individuals like me were either waiting to leave England or just arriving from other countries. "Your ship leaves in an hour, do you have everything you need? If not, I can always send it to you." "I'm sure I have everything Ray. I made sure to have my belongings loaded up a few nights ago." He looked at me with a bit of disgust and disappointment. "I hope you change your ways Rex, I know you like to keep to yourself and avoid trouble, but I also know the side of you that goes looking for trouble, and believe when I say this, New Britain is not a place you go to with guns blazing and fur on end. Use your street smarts, your cunning, and strengths to gain a feel for the country first before you do anything reckless." I stood there listening to him and felt my fur go on end from surprise as he pulled me into a tight hug and whispered in my ear. "Dammit lad, why the hell did you do it? Why the hell did you jeopardize your future here and everything you had going for you? I expected better of you, I know you don't understand some of the things that went on, but you will get a chance to learn more about your abilities in New Britain than you could ever learn here. You were like a son to me, and I made a promise I would do everything I could to look out for you." He released me as the boat's horn sounded and I could do nothing but stand there and keep myself from crying. "You better hurry to customs, Rex before you miss your boat. Write me, or I will send someone after you and take that tail of yours as a trophy." "I'll make sure I write you Ray and everyone else that has helped me along the way." I sighed deeply as I made my way to customs and looked back over my shoulder at Ray. "See you later, Ray. I'll be back someday." I whispered softly as I walked towards the customs officer, "I promise you England, I will return and I will right the wrongs I have made." I was going to do everything I could to make sure I did things right this time and if I had to live in exile for a long time to learn my lesson, then so be it. In my mind I should have hanged for my crimes, but with friends in high places, I was able to avoid the hangman's noose.

I made it through customs and boarded the steamer with my belongings in hand and I was going to make sure I made amends for the deeds I had done. I regretted every crime I ever committed, and I regretted every wrong deed that I had done. I knew right from wrong and I knew this was my punishment for my most recent crimes. "It's not every day you see a vagabond walk the deck of the ship." It was the voice of a tabby cat, his grey furred matched the clouds in the sky and I watched as a bulldog walked beside him wearing a red and white striped shirt and trousers. The cat's attire looked more like a ringmaster of a circus. "Shall I crush him boss?" "Why would you want to waste your time on such a measly little pelt? We can get bigger pelts in New Britain, and besides there are some females who have a bushier pelt than his." "But boss, he's a free man and he could be worth a lot of money in New Britain." "Ahh, Crusher, we're in free waters, and he is a free fox after all, he's not very well kept either." If I wasn't in disguise I would have mauled both that bulldog and cat into a bloody pulp. I flicked my tail and made my way downstairs and was surrounded by other members of the third class. "Mother, do you think Alexzander Monroe is really dead?" There were no other passengers around as I neared the small mixed breed pup. His mother appeared to be a mix of bulldog and pit and possibly a type of retriever. Her dress was very plain, and her son didn't look better off with his tattered jacket and small cap. I started to pass by without saying a word to either of them when his mother spoke. "I'm sorry, but there is no knowing the truth. His body was never recovered and there was no sign of him. They searched the waters, but couldn't find anything." I could see the tears filling her eyes, and I let out a small sigh as I reached into my pants pocket and took out a two headed coin with one side scratched and tarnished and the other in perfect condition. I flipped it once and caught it in flight and let out a small huff. Fate would appear to intervene once more with my plans. I glanced around to make sure no one was coming and turned my attention to the son and his mother. "If I may add my thoughts to the matter," I moved closer to them and lowered my voice to a whisper. "It's hard to keep the one true red fox down." I smirked to them and looked at the boy and whispered very softly. "He's alive and well. You've had the pleasure of meeting him, but just between us, let's keep it a secret shall we?" His eyes lit up in surprise and glee and I watched as his mother smiled and placed a paw to her lips and motioned to me as if she was blowing me a kiss. I quickly moved away from them as I heard voices coming from the stairs and made my way to a corner of the ship. In that moment, I brought light to the darkness of the others, but I wish I could have said the same for my own soul.

I made it to a section of the ship in the lower galley and with some hay and a few barrels; I made a make shift home. It was going to be a two week trip to New Britain, and I wanted to make sure I was as comfortable as I could be. I wanted to be alone and away from everyone and everything. My mind was a torrent of emotions and thoughts. I sighed deeply to myself as I glanced around the galley and watched as light began to fade. I was not one to be afraid of the dark, but for some odd reason, I felt my fur stand on end and backed myself against the wall tucking my tail around me. Why was I so afraid in this moment? I had spent nights in supposedly haunted homes and manors many a night, but on a ship taking me to New Britain and I'm acting like a little child. Maybe I was a child, even though I was eighteen, I had lied about my age numerous times as a boy as a way to protect myself and find work. I had survived in England on my own for most of my life, but now I'm alone and I knew that if I was to overcome my fear, then I was going to have to learn to be a man for a change and make an attempt to set things right.