She had fallen out of favour... but it did not matter. If there was anything Espio did not want to do, it was to return to this place. Allets gave the canine a brief rest bit when she needed it, but the rules and responsibilities of the cursed society was not the way of life she wanted. She had made that very clear to everyone too. Allets was a box containing ideals and codes that vamps had to adhere to, but Espio did not want to live in a box.
And she knew Gorian did not want to live in one either.
"Gorian," she asked as she tilted his head to meet hers, "Are you okay?"
Gorian could only moan. It seemed as if he had been injured before arriving in Tka's galley. Instead of taking care of her wounded, Tka only wanted to convert Gorian into a vamp. Espio glared the canine doctor. It was typical that the furres of Allets would put their society above individual need.
"I'm going to try to make you stand," Espio instructed. She lifted Gorian by his arm. As expected, he grunted as his legs looked for contact with the floor. He stood, but he was bent and needed support. He looked weak and exhausted despite the new dye all over his naked body. Espio took his arm around her head and proceeded to the door.
"You can't take my patient," Tka protested.
"Watch me," Espio scowled.
Through the doorway, Espio and Gorian stepped into the main galley. Instinctively, the cursed canine looked toward the dark ceiling at the hammocks laid out above. Dozens of furres occupied about a third of them, a few were actually swinging in their beds; all of the patients were looking down at the two, watching them.
Espio's ears twitched as she heard moans above. She returned her gaze to the front of her and forced her eyes to look at one point in the shadows at the other end of the room. She knew it was not the patients watching them that disturbed her.
The moans increased as she and Gorian walked in the centre of the room. She heard a few cries of children, one of whom asked repeatedly if he could go home. Espio felt her throat gain weight as she promptly ignored him. The child began to cry as she lead Gorian into the shadow.
She eyed an orange puddle in front of them and looked up to the drizzle of paint dripping from a newly converted vamp. Espio swore at herself for taking her attention away from the exit and in a flash she was reminded of when she was in one of those hammocks with freshly lathered dye covering her body. Even then, she was unsure about being a vamp. The process made her feel naked and exposed.
Gorian stumbled and the cursed furre shoved the thought away. She lead Gorian around the puddle of dye. The door out of the galley was visible now, still dark along the nearing wall. Morning's rays were keeping this half of the room in shadow, but that was all right for her. The above patients could barely see them now.
The moans from above lessened in number until eventually there was a silence with exception to the occasional rope squeaking from the moving hammocks. They were at the door now and as Espio opened the wooden barrier the light from the other side seeped in. Espio stiffened as the moans grew louder again because of the disturbance she made. She wished she was back at her bar. Every vamp knew of her declining faction with Allets, so she did not see that many vamp patrons. Most followers of Ayem looked down at her instinctively, so she saw little of them in her bar. That meant her bar was quiet and out of the way from the constant waste of time of both parties.
Just as she was about to take Gorian outside, she spotted a reflection to her right. After a second to recognize it and another second of hesitation, she decided to retrieve it. She gently moved Gorian in front of the door frame and leaned him against it.
"I'll be just a second," Espio whispered.
Even the whisper was enough to encourage the moaning. They were getting loud enough to attract the attention of anyone who could be passing by outside. Espio had to hurry. She ran to the bent reflection and attempted to pick it up.
She grunted as it was lifted by a claw. The patients above heard her and continued to increase their moans. It was time to get desperate. Espio composed herself for a moment. As soon as she felt her new pulse of adrenaline, she lifted again.
She pulled it up as far as her ankles before it slipped and crashed to the ground.
The moans turned into shouts as the echo reached every corner of the galley. If there had been any patients that were sleeping, no doubt they were all awake now. How did Cyiet move this shield on his own?
She dismissed the thought of carrying it. She and Gorian had to leave now. Just as she turned back to the dyed furre, she spotted a large jacket on the floor. Even though they were practically out of this room, someone was bound to notice a naked feline leaning on her. She grabbed the jacket, a pair of pants nearby, and a pair of boots under them. They were too big for Gorian, but they would have to do. She reached Gorian and hurriedly dressed him.
Espio gave a sigh of relief as they entered the hallway outside. She was surprised too that Tka gave them no trouble at all. Tka may be known as a medic, but she had agendas to non-vamp affiliates. Gorian needed a a real medic and Espio knew of one who could help.
The canine lead Gorian down a maze of hallways. Rooms had changed since she was last here. Vamps were used to being assigned dormitories by alphabetical order, but it seemed as if they were now assigned by age. Espio spotted the name "Armk" and realized she still had a ways to go.
Now and then Espio met vamps in the hallways. Thankfully she did not recognize any of them so she commented to each of them that Gorian was out late at the pub again. It did not take long for the vamps to lose their interest in the two.
Eventually they made it to the door labelled "Ropire". Espio knocked and hoped he would be home. She did not wait long before her wish was reality. The door was opening. There in the doorway, was a greying furre.
"Espio," the old equine gasped, "What are you doing here?"
"I can't explain at the moment," she answered, "My friend's injured. I need you to look at him."
"Then you should take him to the galley."
"He's not a vamp."
Ropire blinked. Espio saw the change of expression before her. He knew of the other medics, especially Tka and Armk. A non-vamp would not receive the care needed. Ropire sighed and gestured them inside.
"Place him on my bed," he instructed.
As Gorian was laid on the hammock, Espio glanced around the room. The morning light was almost a relief to her. Gorian's large red outfit was merely a shade of grey just a moment ago. As her eyes took notice of the walls she realized that things have changed since she was last in Allets... there was little decor nowadays.
"When do you have to report to the galley?" she asked the equine.
"I don't," he answered, "I was pulled from medical duties. Almasta preferred vamps who did not have an opinion."
"I thought we had a council making the decisions," Espio scoffed, "Did everything take a turn for the worse since I was here last?"
"Actually yes," Ropire replied, "Almasta had managed to add her followers into the council. She's practically in charge now, not Roone."
Espio nodded although she knew her friend would not be able to see. Ropire was gently examining Gorian's shoulder. Espio leaned against the bare wooden wall and waited.
"Some idiot put dye in his wound," he finally said.
"That would be Tka," Espio frowned.
"Your friend was hit by a poison-tipped arrowhead. We need to find out which poison was used."
"Poisoned?" the canine echoed, "Since when did vamps deal with poison? Wait, let me guess... Almasta?"
"The same," Ropire sighed, "I'll do what I can for now, but you'll have to find Nemet. He should be able to help us."
"He should," Espio agreed, "I trust him."
"What's his name?"
"Hmm?"
"Your injured friend. What's his name?"
"Gorian," she answered.
"Gorian," Ropire whispered. Espio wondered if she detected astonishment in his voice. She definitely felt that he recognized the name.
"Do you know him?" she asked him.
"No," he replied, "Not him specifically. Find Nemet."
Espio cautiously left the room. She took a few moments to gain her bearings before she proceeded back down the hallway toward the rooms of the younger vamps. It was approaching mid-morning by now. More vamps would be walking in these halls. Eventually, someone would recognize her.
However as she continued down the hall, she realized that there were no furres about. But as she neared the giant auditorium, she began to hear a great commotion. It sounded as if the vamps were going to have a meeting, she thought. If that were true, that would be where she'd find Nemet. Now she really had to be careful that she would not be seen.
The commotion turned into hundreds of shouting furres by the time she reached the entrance. Just as she hoped, she found Nemet at the back, closest to her. Thankfully, the feline never changed. He was still the self-proclaimed loner.
She entered the large room with fried nerves. There were thousands of vamps in here. Something big was happening, that was obvious. But she was not going to stick around to find out what it was. She approached the feline and leaned into his ear.
"Nemet," she whispered.
The feline whirled around in disbelief.
"Espio," he whispered back into her ear, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to be asked that a lot," she replied, "But that's beside the point. I need your help. Come with me to Ropire's room."
"I can't," he answered, "Not right now. Almasta is trying to overthrow Roone."
"What? She can't do that," Espio shook her head, "We follow Roone. Its law."
Nemet grasped Espio's arm and looked into her eyes. He was always serious, she thought, but this time there was a sombre look on him. Something big must be happening.
"You should listen in on this," he told her.
"QUIET!" a roar from the front of the room yelled. It only took a second for the entire place to be silent. The cursed waited eagerly to see what was going on. Espio watched as an equine, Almasta took the stage.
"Fellow cursed," Almasta shouted, "We asked you to be here because of accusations against our current leader, Roone."
Ropire was not told of this meeting, Espio thought. She looked around the room and wondered how many of Roone's followers were even aware of these accusations, let alone this gathering.
"He has betrayed us in the most horrible way," the equine continued, "Over the last few years he and a leader of vamp hunters made an alliance. Our leader agreed to send hundreds of our sick and dying to the north just outside of the city for the hunters to kill. In exchange, the hunters have agreed to leave Allets itself alone. This way only the strong vamps survive and the hunters can continue their exploits."
Within the next few moments, Espio heard thousands of gasps turn into rage. Roone would never do such a thing, she thought. He was not cruel.
"To verify these events," Almasta continued, "Hirsc, our most eldered, will hear Roone's story and decide if he's telling the truth."
Thousands of vamps watched as the entire council, Hirsc the canine included, came on stage. Roone entered after them. As he approached the centre he was met with flying debris, jeers, and obscene remarks.
"QUIET!" the roar came again.
Espio studied the five-furre council. Gone was Ropire's sister, and another archer she knew supported Roone. Even if his testimony was true, the council itself might still vote Roone out as leader. Espio winced when she saw Tka up there. Obviously she had plans otherwise she would have prevented Espio from taking Gorian earlier.
"You may begin," Hirsc instructed.
The auditorium was completely silent. Everyone was waiting for Roone to speak. He looked at the crowd and Espio knew... this was not the leader she once knew.
"I have made an alliance with the leader of the vamp hunters," Roone began, "I have agreed to send the sick and dying north..."
Roone could not be heard anymore. The crowd was voicing their disgust and Espio knew, she wanted to join them. Even Roone had turned against his own people. This society lost its last respects from her as far as she's concerned.
"QUIET!"
"He speaks the truth," Hirsc replied.
"We will now vote in the council," Almasta announced, "To see if I should step in as leader. Tka?"
"I agree," Tka replied.
"Hirsc?"
Hirsc merely nodded.
"Iwik?"
"I agree."
"Saonj?"
"No," she replied, "I cannot vote for you as leader."
"Three to one vote," Almasta announced, "I declare myself the new leader. Our first task is to intercept the hunters with a full contingent. They'll arrive tomorrow and I assure you, they will be wiped out. They will not hunt us again!"
The crowd cheered. A good fraction of them started to chant their new leader's name. Espio sighed. While Roone did disappoint her deeply, having Almasta take command was devastating.
"We will unify as one," Almasta continued, "We will show Furcadia that we will no longer live in obscurity. The few vamps who oppose us will be weeded out. They are vermin. They're only here to keep us from progress..."
"I think its time we made an exit," Nemet whispered into Espio's ear.
Espio nodded. They were able to slink away from the room easily. The crowd was still noisy on their way to Ropire's room. Both furres were lost in though over what was happening now.
"What happened to your hair?" Nemet asked.
The canine rolled her eyes, "Green was my original colour before my vamping. Since the dye had grown out, I was left with this colour."
"Strange," he said, "It looks like you dyed it that way now."
"I know-"
Espio stopped. She could have sworn she heard something in front of her. It was if someone was panting. The halls were still dark, since all the windows were always boarded up. She faced Nemet. He was looking too, so she was sure she was not hearing things.
"Who's there?" Nemet ordered.
The two rushed ahead until they could see the furre. It was a pink feline wrapped in a purple robe. She looked as if she fainted.
"Let me help you up," Nemet offered.
"No, please," the robbed feline insisted, "Please don't touch me. I can't be touched right now."
The feline stood up and looked at Espio. It was as if this furre recognized her.
"Espio?" she asked.
"How... who are you?" Espio asked.
"My name is Damoxte," she answered, "I was at your bar once. I've watched you and I know I can trust you."
"Watched me?" Espio asked. She did not like the sound of that.
"I'm here to set Gorian and Mar free," Damoxte continued, "They're in danger here. Almasta wants to kill them."
"We're well aware of that," Nemet told her, "But our party apprehended the hunters as they approached Allets. We have all four of them."
"Only four?" Espio asked.
"There's more?" Nemet asked with concern.
"Not important," she replied, "These furres aren't vamp hunters. They're explorers and mapmakers... and a poet."
"A poet?"
"Yes," Espio continued, "He has no ill will toward vamps. He's merely a wandering troubadour who at one time did not have an instrument-"
"Please," Damoxte grunted, "I can't stay for long. We must rescue Gorian, Mar, and Cunner."
"Who's Cunner?" the canine asked.
"He's our rogue," Nemet answered, "He comes and goes as he pleases. He often hangs out at the Yrdnal ruins. Damoxte, why does he need to be rescued?"
"Almasta wants him dead too," Damoxte told them, "He's a threat to her."
"Cunner never had an opinion about anything."
"Trust me," she said, "She's going to kill him. She already has Cyiet and Gelae."
Cyiet and Gelae? Espio frowned. It was not fair that they were killed. They seemed like really nice furres. What possible reason would Almasta have in wanting them dead?
"What about Moraine?" Espio asked.
"She's not important," Damoxte answered, "Where are the other two?"
"Gorian's at Ropire's place," Espio replied. Why was Moraine not important? Why was Damoxte being selective about who to save?
"You're helping one of the prisoners?" Nemet gasped.
"Yes," the canine told him, "And so are you."
The three of them walked to Ropire's room. Espio looked down at her ginger ale loving friend. How was she going to tell him that Cyiet and Gelae were gone? She shrugged that thought away. For now, she had to concentrate on Gorian.
"I remember him," Nemet said, "Iwik shot him. He uses jasper nuts. I've found the leaf stems of that tree to be effective against that poison."
"Can you find us some?" Ropire asked.
Nemet nodded, "I'll be back in a bit."
Espio's friend rushed out of the room. Damoxte looked dizzy, but she shook her head and regained her strength. She glanced around the room much like Espio did earlier, except Damoxte seemed as if she were looking for something.
"Where's Mar and Cunner?" the pink feline asked.
"I have no idea where they are," Espio replied.
"Are you referring to Markliam?" Ropire asked, "He's in the prison cell with his companion. The other one was called Moraine, I think."
Damoxte looked at Espio, "You must get him. Where's Gorian's shield? I assumed it would be with Gorian."
"Its in the galley. I couldn't lift it. In fact Gorian and Mar could barely lift it together. Now that Gorian's been injured, there's no way for them to take the shield with them when they go."
"They must take the shield."
"I'm sure Moraine could lift it herself. If not, she could certainly help Mar with it," Espio noted, trying hard not to grin, "But I guess if she's unimportant to you, the shield will have to stay."
"I don't tolerate your attitude, vamp," Damoxte hissed, "We'll rescue Moraine, but I doubt she'd have anything to do with the other two. As it is, I'm not even allowed to rescue Mar."
"Why not?"
Damoxte did not appear as if she was going to respond. She staggered suddenly, gripping her chest. Espio instinctively grabbed the feline's arm. Damoxte gasped in response. Her eyes widened.
"No..." she coughed, "Don't touch me."
Espio?
Espio was somewhere else. Ropire and Damoxte were no longer with her. The walls were different. They were still wooden, but they were covered with ivy and they look aged.
"Espio?"
The canine turned to the voice, but was startled with what she saw. It was herself. She had a bow and arrow aimed below the balcony both Espios were standing on. As Espio watched herself, she crept silently to see what she was aiming at.
"Keep still, Oylemanti," her counterpart said sternly. She stretched out her bow and squinted both eyes...
And Espio was back in Ropire's room. Her elder friend looked at her with concern. With a quick turn of the head she searched the room. Damoxte was gone.
"What happened?" Ropire asked, "Damoxte asked you not to touch her. I turned around and she was gone."
The cursed canine considered what she saw just now. Was it just a hallucination? Even in dreams, she had never seen herself before. And why was she trying to kill Oylemanti?
"I have no idea what happened."
"Damoxte," Dark Harvest rasped, "You have returned too soon."
Damoxte groaned as she picked herself off the ground. Her master used most of his power to get her inside the barrier. Her trip was cut short when Espio touched her and activated her time travelling power. Damoxte had no idea what happened next, but now she would have to rely on Espio and Nemet to continue her assignment from within the city.