I wanted to say how grateful I am to you, my readers, for being here. Five chapters may not be much, but I really tried my best to write them. I wanted to let you know that I created a ten chapters large pool before starting to release, and I can't wait to show you what I have in tow. Writing a chapter takes me time . Sometimes it's a day, sometimes the whole week. Being a planning maniac, I keep rereading and rewriting some parts of chapters long ago written, dropping some hints here and there for events to come, write one single sentence that makes sense later. I friggin have five different Word documents named "Territory", "Ploat", "Magic system", "Characters" and "Random notes". Typing with my hooves doesn't make things easier too. Some may think that ny work is lacking, but I'm quiet sure I couldn't do better with my lvl of skill. With that being said, let me repeat myself. I would love to see you point my mistakes. You may go as far as telling me what grammar sections should I learn\revise. Please, keep in mind, that your cooperation may improve quality of this fiction and make bunny gods happy.
PS. Two years timeskip has taken pleace. Enjoy!
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"The traveler's notes" by Lasley Guinness. Second edition. Published in 9629.
Chapter 19 "The Feral Forest"
Page 289
“According to our lore there supposed to be three types of tribes of beastmen (felines, canines and rodents), which form one nation. But what lies on the surface proves to be wrong more often than not. In reality, more than 300 tribes populate this wild lands, each with their own customs, rituals and dialects. Sometimes felines live with canines side by side, without quarrels and feuds. Sometimes rodents share meat and roof with felines. Just as anything in jungles, their society is ruled by strength. While facing strong opponent nothing matters, neither colour of mane, nor shape of ears, only sharpness of claws. Fights and brawls for social standing are frequent but innoxious. First thing young cubs do after meeting is fight to decide, who's going to lead and choose what game to play next. There are two kinds of strength beastmen recognize: physical and mental. Physical strength is represented by chiefs, mental - by elders. Elder's rule is superior in times of peace while chief's - in times of war. In lairs and houses, however, dwells another hierarchy...”
I was allowed to play outside few weeks ago. To my delight father decided I'm big enough to not fall from round flooring that surrounds our house. I've been training my stamina since then. Up until now all my training was directed at flexibility and balance, sometimes strenght. Dad and mom probably were under the impression I was trying to dance or something. Or did they think it's fun to walk on your hands? I tried to not overdo it since my body is in the process of developing, but now I can go all out.
"Galena, what is Akilla doing?" father asked while installing handrails and leaf coating for my safety.
"She runs around the house. Isn't that obvious?"
"How long has she been doing it?"
"Since breakfast."
"Isn't that sweat on her forehead?"
"You're miraculously perceptive today, honey," she noted sarcastically after one look at my drenched clothes.
"No, I see what she's doing. I wonder WHY is she doing it?"
"She's an active girl, mayby she was bored indoors? I'm sorry." Her ears hung down.
"No, it's not your fault, love. She'll need to learn how to live with that too." I stopped to catch a breath. This topic was about something I wanted to know for a long time.
"Dad, what shall I learn to live with?" I asked while huffing.
"It's nothing, Akillah, you're too small for that kind of stuff. What's up with “dad”? Am I not your “papa”? And where are you running so desperately?" he showered me with questions. Is he trying to change theme? Nice try, dad, but I won't buy it.
"I'm going to call you “father” from now on if you won't tell me." Let's see how you'll like that.
"Look at her, barely three periods old and puts conditions already."
"Do you want me to call you by name, Graven?" His eye started to twitch.
"Honey! Help me," he calls to mom. What a coward...
"Akillah, you should listen to your father. Also, answer his questions properly, you're being impolite. Tell me, when am I in charge?” she emphasized "I".
“When we’re inside the house,” I answer. It’s our tradition, to let females handle lares and penates.
“And who’s in charge outside the house?” Sometimes I can't bring myself to argue with her.
“Fine! I run around the house to train."
"Why would you want to train?" Both dad and mom cried.
"I want to be like strong beastmen from stories dad reads me." They looked at each other with caution in their eyes, ears and tails. Did I say something wrong? The book Bertram brought me two years ago, and two more each year, were super thick and included folklore of our tribes. Most of the stories were about warriors and their glorious and brave deeds on Feral Forest's vastness. I got the idea that warriors are well respected and form rather big stratum of society, since many of our kin are armed and wear leather armor. Becoming one of them is my goal, for now. I’m done being defenseless. Since I have fangs and claws might as well make them sharp.
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"I take my words back, Graven. We need to tell her soon. I don't like where this is going..." I never saw her so disturbed.
"I thought we had like five periods in stock," he shook his head in defeat. "Garen, could you cook your steaks today. I intend to invite Bertram for dinner," he switched his gaze on me, "and you, young lady, need a good shower! Off you go."
The whole thing was unexpected but at least, and at last, I'll get my answers. I spent the rest of the day by stretching in the corner of our modest house. Our species spine is more flexible than humans and can bend further without ill effects. Dropping on all four helps us to wriggle through denser parts of the forest. I'm planning to use this trait to the fullest.
First returned father, all ill-humored and beetle-browed, then Bertram with an old looking silver-haired grandpa I recognized as the very one who gave me a name.
"Elder Shanahan!" Mother bounced from her seat to fetch another plate. "We did not expect you, please join our meal."
"Galena. It's been three periods, I believe. I hope you don't mind me breaking in?"
"Of course not. Bertram, you sit down too."
"Elder. Brother." Father greeted both with short nod before dropping down.
"I met elder Shanahan right at your doors, brother. Such a coincidence!" Bertram's narrowed eyes tried to pierce elder while he devoured a steak. "Such a coincidence," he added again.
"Oh, your steaks smelled so good I couldn't resist. Please don't mind me. So, what's the topic today?" leaning away Shanahan said nonchalantly.
"Elder, brother, our little Akillah shows willingness to become a warrior. You know what follows, right?" Father sounded weary. Usually it's hard to make him stop talking, but now...
"Shows willingness? In what way?" elder's brows raised to the top.
"She trains."
"At such a young age? Praiseworthy indeed. I can see where you're heading though, please continue." His pointy ears did not twitch the whole time. I couldn’t see his tail anywhere, was he hiding it in his robes? That made him super suspicious. A fox, I thought. He still smells good, though.
"Akillah, baby, you probably noticed something is wrong by now. Tell us what bothers you and we shall explain," mother said while sitting me on her lap.
"Hmmm. Dad and mom are strange. They won't let me play outside. I’m not allowed to play with neighbour children,” not that I was bothered because of that, “we don't even have that many neighbours since we leave in outskirts of the village. Villagers are meanies, they stare at us. None of them have red eyes like us,” I look up at mother,”….and….and mother has no friends, just like me. Mom and dad hide something from me!” I had a lot of time to consider what to say so I blurted everything in one breath.
"Very perceptive, aren't you? Indeed.....very perceptive…" Shanahan muttered while gnawing on his claw, "digged all necessary evidence, didn't you? Except of one, hehehe," he watched me attentively for some time, then continued, “Galena, you won’t mind if I tell her historical part of this story? It's been a long time since I told stories to young kin. I’ll leave the modern part to you and Graven.”
"Isn't that the reason you came here, honorable elder?" Bertram smirked.
"No, no, that was a coincidence. Coincidence and steaks, hehehe." This tricky laugh of his gave me creeps.
"But you didn't touch your steak even once. It's probably cold by now." I muse aloud. A fox indeed…
“Galena, I need your permission. I also want to ask her few questions afterwards, if I may.”
“Yes, please, elder, go on.” No matter who you are, a chief or an elder, in our house mom is the boss.
"Be attentive, little Akillah. This story has a lot to do with you and it's meant to be told only once. The roots of this story reach to the beginning of current epoch and, just like many good stories in this world, it begins with five magic words. Do you, perhaps, know them?" he showed me his bunch of fives.
"No, elder."
"Strange. Are those books on your bed just for show? I think you do know those words, Akillah. You just never considered them magical," he smiled widely, then continued, "a long, long time ago..."