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Cold reality struck his face and dripped down his neck, seeping under the fabric of his tunic. Tumblebrutus shivered and tried to focus his vision. The light of midday burned into his mind, forcing his eyes closed. He tried to stand, but his hands were still bound, the rest of his body attached to whatever hard surface he was sitting on. Sitting, now doubt, as his head continued to fall forward in accordance to gravity. Something moved. |
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"Shall I throw another bucket in his face, General?" |
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The voice was cold and sharp as it was commanding, though dwarfed in comparison by the one which answered. "I think not. If our kitty soldier is any kind of a man he will open his eyes and face us. If not, then perhaps another bucket of water would be in order." |
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Tumblebrutus gritted his fangs together and forced himself to look up with a surge of effort, looking into the light despite the agony that tore through his body at each movement. After seeing only a white glare for a few moments, the Jellicle saw emerge from the bleakness two figures. Two Pollicles. The first was Tumblebrutus's size, possessing the traditional light brown fur of common Pollicles and the glowering gold eyes. The other was much more intimidating, as the youth summed it up in one word. Nearly seven feet tall, his fur was darker than the usual brown, almost black, with eyes so dark they were indistinguishable from the rest of his features until the tom's vision cleared. The three of them were in some sort of tent, Pollicle designed. Large, filled with only a small pile of weapons, it would seem to serve well for a place to keep a prisoner. |
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The dark giant of a dog chuckled softly in a voice of pouring wine. "Very good, kitten. I was beginning to think the tales of Jellicle endurance were all myths." |
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"Untie me." The words escaped Tumblebrutus's lips as little more than a choked whisper, but the Pollicle general caught them, his ears perking forward as a long doglike tongue ran across his whiskers. The cat did not bother to question how the dogs knew the Jellicle language so well. |
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"Now he makes demands," the dog growled. "Sorry, kitten, but I cannot risk that. You might break free and slink away to safety, given six or seven hours' head start and the rest of us being asleep." |
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The dogs yipped their amusement, all the while as Tumblebrutus gazed at them more clearly. The smaller of the pair looked the type to be a torturer: the malicious glint in his eyes declaring he would proudly crush every bone in Tumblebrutus's body, slowly, one by one. His fangs were jagged and stained, protruding even when his short muzzle was closed. He wore the usual Pollicle attire for a fighter: a simple jerkin that covered his waist and below made of brown leather and animal skins. The other was most definitely a giant dog, and not just in height. He easily outweighed Tumblebrutus by three times, and showing his dominance over the Pollicle army was his silver jerkin that covered the majority of his figure. At his side hung a long and wickedly curved sword, and Tumblebrutus did not doubt for a moment the dog-this one, at least-possessed an equally impressive mind. Not like the general stupidity that was so renowned among the Pollicles. |
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"I am General Rawn," the dog growled, showing his gleaming white fangs meaningfully. "I have led this army since the conquering of the Outer Islands, proving my skills against any foe. Until now I've lacked a sufficient challenge to my abilities." The dog stroked his black-furred chin, black as tar. "Who are you, Jellicle?" |
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"Tumblebrutus? Is that all? No titles or surnames? No: Tumblebrutus the Pollicle Slayer?" |
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"Well then, Tumblebrutus, how many of your feline friends lie in wait for us in the forest? The scouts and patrols counted at least three dozen fires. Jellicles as it is known, whatever their faults, do not run away. Even against impossible odds. Something to do with that unwritten code of yours called honor." |
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"I'm the only one. You can search all you please. You...you will find no others. I came alone." |
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Rawn laughed, but his companion growled. The burly fist of the latter struck the Jellicle across his face. The Jellicle tasted blood, but hardly saw the general raise a hand to stop another blow from the other. |
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"We'll not resort to torture just yet...and even then not in the head. We want him to know clearly the pain he will be feeling, and when the time comes be able to talk. You shall talk, Jellicle. Hale is very good at what he does, and possesses a special feeling towards you cats." The two Pollicles exchanged glances, malicious and bloodthirsty. "It would serve you well to drop your outrageous lie and tell us where your comrades have hidden themselves." Rawn began to circle the prisoner, his curled and bushy tail swaying slowly in time with his steps. "My army can always wait them out. Nothing lies beyond a few petty remnants of an army that can stop me. Do you know what I did to the last of your Jellicle forces at the Eastern Border?" |
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It came as no surprise to Tumblebrutus that the general knew well what could be expected in Felinera. That was perhaps one thing that was playing to his advantage. Used to the thoroughness of their spy and scout network throughout their empire, Rawn could not accept the solitary presence of this soldier. The fires could have been real; they could have not. If one soldier could hide within the swamp, why not others? It was known to the Pollicles that this was an especially weak time for Jellicles when it came to warfare, but unknowing of what sort of tricks they may have invented Rawn could not risk a mistake now. Even a minor one would cost him renown, if not stop entirely his progress towards Pawprin. |
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Tumblebrutus said nothing, resulting in only a contemptuous growl from Rawn as he nodded to the other Pollicle. Hale padded eagerly to the pile of weapons stacked within the tent's walls, most of them unrecognizable to the Jellicle soldier, and selected one such device to show for approval to Rawn. Eyeing it with a near physician's interest, Rawn's expression did not change as he shook his head. Growling something in their native tongue, Hale tossed the device back onto the pile and sulked. Rawn turned back to face the prisoner. |
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"Where are your companions, cat? How do they plan to meet us? In one massive charge? It indeed sounds foolish, but I would not expect otherwise from you Jellicles." |
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As much as the statement may have stung the young soldier, Tumblebrutus had long ceased to care about such petty things as insults. It was becoming difficult enough just to remain conscious, concentrating on making out words within the dogs' gruff voices. When he again refused to answer Rawn barked sharply and Hale again selected a device from the pile of many. But this was not a torture device, as Tumblebrutus realized when the metal object was handed to the general. It was his own sword. Holding it easily within his enormous black hands the Pollicle gazed over its marred and dented sheen with some amusement. |
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"Perhaps I overestimate you Jellicles," he went on, panting with delight. "Perhaps your kind are indeed skulking in the woods, hiding from sight, like snipers and assassins with no honor who attack their opponents from behind." With little effort the black dog snapped the sword's blade from its hilt with his bare hands. Hale looked on eagerly at his superior, awaiting the slightest command. But Rawn had already calculated the possibilities. "Fetch Thane." |
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The smaller Pollicle growled and bristled. "Thane is a fraud. All those who claim to be Seers are frauds, General." |
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A snarl and a flash of black, and Hale was left in a dumb silence with a quick, slashing bite wound from Rawn's white fangs. Sharp barking followed in a language Tumblebrutus didn't understand, but Hale was put back in his place quickly. Silenced, he held one hand to the side of his neck and his tail tucked between his legs as he scurried out. Tumblebrutus knew what lay in store for him, but in his weakness could only manage a quick mental prayer to Heaviside. Should this Thane be a genuine Seer and powerful enough the soldier would be helpless to defend his mind against the psychic onslaught. His face had fallen towards the floor where Tumblebrutus had let it rest, but the moment Hale had vanished beyond the tent walls he felt his mane grabbed by an iron hand and jerked up, the hot breath of Rawn nearly stifling him. |
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"Tell me what I want to know now and I shall spare you a Seer's touch, cat. In his own way Thane leaves his prisoners much worse off than Hale could ever do." |
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"T-there is only...me..." |
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The dog's fangs flashed perilously close to the cat's throat. "Swear upon your life." |
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Tumblebrutus, pained as he was, avoided the binding trap of his conscience by only repeating his statement. As he had hoped, his refusal only convinced the Pollicle more that there were more Jellicle soldiers lurking within the swamp. The dog let go of his mane, proceeding to pace the length of the tent and mumbling to himself in barks and growls. Only the dark presence of the Seer brought him to a sudden halt. Seers among the Pollicles were much less common than among the Jellicle race, but as Tumblebrutus stopped struggling feebly with his bonds long enough to look up there was no room for doubt in his mind that this was indeed one of those rare mystics. Nothing was visible of the Pollicle save his hands and the tip of a sharp muzzle which protruded from beneath the hood of his robe. Several barking and growling exchanges were made among the dogs, several gestures within it towards Tumblebrutus, and only when the dialogue was completed did the Seer draw back his hood. |
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Tumblebrutus could have vomited at the sight. The Pollicle revealed was sleek and angled, not like the burly and muscular forms of Hale or Rawn, but his fur set upon with a horrible case of mange. Possessing almost nothing in regards to fur over his features, save for his ears which held the last remaining strands of what once had been a long and silky coat, his skin was dry and cracking. The Jellicle could almost see the skin beneath sliding right off of the Pollicle each time he spoke. The Seer stepped slowly towards the soldier, and Tumblebrutus did not miss noticing Rawn's apparent wince. What could so unnerve a Pollicle general of his stature? The Jellicle did not have much time to wonder before the Seer had clamped both his hands to the side of Tumblebrutus's face. |
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The soldier screamed against the abyss that opened up before him and he plunged into, surrounded by darkness, by silence, by madness. The only sound that boomed above his screams was the agonizingly slow and repetitive demand for information. The same questions Rawn had asked. But the words meant nothing, for he kept falling. The blackness closed in around him, the silence, and when he felt he could scream no more the Jellicle heard yet another sound. A purr. Carrying a warmth all its own the purr surrounded Tumblebrutus in its gentle vibration, soft and caressing as his mother's hand. It was willingly bound in that purr that the Jellicle felt a certain reassurance, overwhelmed by the safety and love, the peace... Tumblebrutus slid back into that velvety blackness. Only one thing inhabited that blackness: a cat. Fur as white as the purest ivory, she glowed with a golden light that touched Tumblebrutus's face, her emerald blue eyes hiding behind their beauty a knowledge that stretched to the beginning of time, the purr reverberating in her arched and angled chest as her tail swayed back and forth, hypnotic in its movement. Tumblebrutus had never thought the Everlasting Cat to have a definite form, but with her beauty and radiating divine felinity there could be no doubt. She smiled. |
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A rough hand shook his body. Tumblebrutus's vision was red, and he realized through the painfully slow process of coming back to conscious that blood was seeping from a gash in his forehead. His feet were numb, his arms in excruciating pain, that taste of blood still on his tongue. Through the haze he saw only two Pollicles now, the smaller of who was glaring at him with a hatred that went beyond words, his muzzle wrinkling into a snarl even as he panted haggardly. Of the Seer there was no trace. |
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General Rawn's expression was just as hard, though his tongue remained within his jaws. "What are you made of, cat? For three days you've endured the tortures that have reduced greater warriors into screaming maniacs! You've sat there this entire time, mumbling to your goddess! Thane could get nothing from you!" |
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Tumblebrutus did not reply, though there seemed little need to. His head hurt to think too much. |
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"You are useless to me, Jellicle! Whether or not your allies are out there-and I admit you may have indeed been telling the truth all this time-I will lead my army into Felinera at next dawn! Any resistance at all will be crushed while we take Pawprin!" |
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His growling speech stopped only as the Pollicle at his side swayed unsteadily. Ears perking forward in concern, Rawn watched as Hale steadied himself against a tent's post with some effort. His smaller form and build looked more sickly than Tumblebrutus remembered. Rawn tore his gaze away with a frustrated snarl and began panting as he spoke. "In all fairness you proved a worthy challenge. Any last requests before I let Hale gash your throat?" |
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With an effort that defied any expectation of him, even within Tumblebrutus himself, the young white and brown-furred soldier sat up straight, the glazed look gone from his slitted feline eyes. "I demand for death in combat." |
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"Combat!" the dog howled as a madman would. "You can barely stand, much less fight! Hale, kill him. Put the wretch out of his misery and out of my sight." |
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Tumblebrutus ground the words through his fangs, glaring up to meet the eyes of Hale as he approached. The Pollicle hesitated. "I demand death in combat-with you, Rawn, unless you fear me." |
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The black dog lunged forward, catching the collar of Tumblebrutus's jerkin and barely able to restrain himself. Their eyes met: the dog's infuriated, the cat's defiant. Rawn's enormous jaws opened, revealed a row of jagged canine fangs which he snapped shut with a metallic clip before releasing the prisoner with a shove. "Very well, I'll kill you myself." |
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Hale shut his panting muzzle in shock. "General, think of what you say! This is a trick!" |
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"This is the request of a dead cat, Hale! If he wishes to fight me then he shall..." The enormous black Pollicle then dropped into more furious barks and snarls, ending with a lethal glare at the Jellicle. "Untie him...unless you lack the faith to believe I can defeat him." |
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Promptly Hale scurried to take up a position behind Tumblebrutus, pulling a long dagger from his belt and holding it aloft. But the dog hesitated, seeming to eye the furry white throat of the Jellicle for a moment in its lack of protection. The soldier could not see it, but a perplexed frown crossed the dog's features. |
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A flick of the dagger and the bonds fell away, limp and bloodied as they dropped to the floor. Slowly, carefully, Tumblebrutus stood up from the chair he had been tied to for almost four days. As could be expected his muscles were cramped, but otherwise there was no pain. He moved one foot and discovered why. The majority of his body was numb, probably permanently, leaving no room for pain to be felt. Blood still flowed from his many wounds. But his mind was not numb, and Tumblebrutus purposefully set it to work. |
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"Hale, find him an appropriate weapon," Rawn barked, unsheathing his own sword. |
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"I need no weapons," Tumblebrutus hissed, surprising himself with the force carried in his raspy voice. "I want to fight you hand to hand." He flexed his claws, the tiny movement sending a wave of shock through his system. But that didn't stop him. He knew what he had to do. |
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Rawn stared at this cat, dubiously at first, then in disbelief, then with the shadow of a smile tossed his sword aside and tore away his heavy cloak. "I shall enjoy this amusement before we move on." Kicking them both out of the way, the black Pollicle wiped at his mouth from which a bit of froth could be seen. Somewhere to the side, near the tent entrance, Hale growled and watched. "Ready?" |
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In response Tumblebrutus attacked. The look of amusement quickly leaving his face as a sharp set of feline claws sliced his muzzle, the general barely had time to block the second blow that came. Cursing loudly, the dog stumbled back. Tumblebrutus followed, leaving no time between his lunges, kicks, snaps, and swipes for his foe to do much except defend. Hale barked and growled his encouragement from where he stood, holding tight to his favorite dagger. It had often been used on prisoners who thought they could escape. The Pollicle's only real worry was whether Rawn would approve of his killing the Jellicle once his back was turned. |
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Tumblebrutus had managed to wound Rawn seriously in a number of places, but his attack was slowing. He could not latch on to his larger opponent's frame long enough to gouge with his claws, as was the usual method of Jellicle brawling. He had to dart in and out, slipping in to slash or bite once before leaping back out of harm's way before repeating. The tide was turning swiftly as the Jellicle began to feel the toll on his body. His strength nearly gave out with a suddenness that surprised both Pollicles and Jellicle. Unable to keep his balance the cat fell to his knees, panting for breath, groaning, oblivious to any more threat the dogs may have posed. Even then he could not hold himself up, and fell down to his hands, coughing, gasping. Startled and struck in a dumb silence the two dogs only watched as the cat let himself fall to his side, curling up with a strange ceremonial preparation. Rawn found himself only able to breathe again when the cat's eyes turned up to him, a strange light in them that was quickly fading. The Jellicle grinned weakly. |
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"We all have diseases," he hissed, a fraction of a second before he fell completely limp, his eyes closing for good. |
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Rawn stood for a moment, staring at the tattered and torn body, not moving even as Hale slid past him to crouch over the cat's limp form, sniffing his fur and clothes. After a quick pause the dog looked up to his general. "He's dead." He glanced back down, kicking the Jellicle lightly as he stood, mumbling in the Pollicle speech. "The wounds must have more than he could stand." |
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"It's a wonder he lived as long as he did," the black dog growled, tossing his gaze aside. "He was half-dead when the patrol brought him in." |
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"What shall I do with him, General?" |
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"Bury him. He deserves that much, fool as he was." |
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"Yes, sir," Hale barked, then hurried out of the tent. Rawn remained a moment, sighing as he gazed down at the figure sprawled before him. So much for amusement. He had been hoping for more from the Jellicle. The war had grown rather dull. |
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The four Pollicles that buried Tumblebrutus, whom they knew only as `the cat,' were half-asleep as it was and did not notice the lot of them panting despite the cool night air. The froth at their mouths they excused as only panting in the swamp's humidity, though one among them had to be sent to a healer after nearly falling into the grave. The remaining three finished their task quickly in order to get back to their gambling. None of them bothered to notice the look on the Jellicle's face: almost amusement. A small smile concealed by his filthy bent whiskers. His hands they crossed over his heart before covering him with the soft swampy ground, leaving no mark to indicate the site, saying nothing to his memory once it was done. He was forgotten. |
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The next morning, despite Rawn's promises, the Pollicle army did not move. A great number of the soldiers complained of a great heat and soreness, those whose heads pounded and mouths frothed were bedridden. Even as the day progressed the number of ill grew quickly. The healers could do nothing, as they knew not what had been set upon them and oddly enough: they were the ones who died from the symptoms at the end of the day. General Rawn attempted to organize and motivate his troops with harsh threats, separating the healthy from the sick, ruthlessly killing a few of the ill he accused of being lazy. Yet even among the healthy more and more fell, collapsing suddenly to decimate almost one half of the army by the end of the day. In the confusion that reigned a few of the dogs tried to sneak away. Those that were caught were executed. Those that were tracked down were found dead barely a mile beyond the camp. |
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It was Rawn himself who first understood what had happened. He had let the bait of an extremely clever trap lure him into a battle with the one enemy he could not defeat. Even as he too fell victim to the plague, which by then had claimed over half of the army, he could not understand how he could have been so foolish. The Jellicle...Tumblebrutus...must have known of the diseases which lay in the murky depths of the swamp, those which had lain dormant for years until they were stirred up by rummaging footsteps and sent into the air by way of fire. Diseases which had been fought off in ancient times but now returned to strike down those whose bodies had grown soft against it. Not even the Pollicles were immune. |
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Four days after Tumblebrutus's death the plague which he himself had set in motion wiped out the entire section of the once-powerful Pollicle army. The few who had managed to survive and get away would spread the story if not the plague itself when they returned to their Pollicle territories, and with that came the assurance that no army would pass through here the remainder of the war. Felinera was safe for awhile, long enough for Munkustrap to build up and train his troops to drive the Pollicles away for good. There was a reassurance in that, Tumblebrutus had realized before he died, joining Deuteronomy in the realms of the Heaviside Layer, even though he knew no one would remember the solitary Jellicle soldier who had kept his vow and finally redeemed himself. |
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