Monster Girls Book 1: A Tale of Tails!

The morning dragged as Spi'Reto stepped around a large redwood tree, running his hand along its wooden grooves before passing by. Looking back, he kept a mental note counting the number of people he was assigned with. Nukka was casually keeping pace on all fours while being in her humanoid state, with Felix moving by her side. Sans and No'Vak volunteered to join them, remarking their regret for sitting out from the previous embargo, despite Alma's reminder that this was a message delivery and not with the intent for combat.

For reassurance, she sent Sauza and Ya'Go to travel with them. They remained at the rear of the group, poised and scanning around periodically just in case.

No'Vak grazed his arm purposely to snap him out from his trance before signaling with a head tilt for him to continue taking the lead. "Come now, just pretend they aren't coming along."

Sans skipped forward, catching up to them with a raised brow of concern. "Something the matter?"

"Just keeping count is all." He sighed, closing his eyes briefly as he took a breath to calm himself. He wiggled his arms and dangled his feet a bit to shake off the nerves he was feeling. "It's good to finally be given the lead on something here."

"Don't expect me to call you leader," No'Vak snorted, "Don't forget I'm older by several years."

"No shame in having a younger man in charge," Sans spoke up, comforting her friend with a cheerful gaze. "Some would find it appealing, alluring perhaps."

Spi'Reto found himself blushing from her remark, not helped by No'Vak patting him in the back and making silly noises.

"Stay silent and sharp."

They looked back to find Ya'Go glaring at them from the rear of the group.

"Keep your voices down, less you forget we are exposed. Should anyone track our whereabouts, and it would be wiser to retreat."

Spi'Reto swallowed and responded with a head nod, clearing his throat to compose himself.

At the middle of the group, Felix watched on with slight interest before turning his focus back on the bear that walked along with him.

"So, how long have you been here in Faehorn?"

Nukka wiggled her head side to side, humming in thought. "Mmmm, dun know. Long time, I guess."

"And you've been living with the uhh High Leaf this whole time?"

Nukka dragged her long tongue across her mouth before smacking her lips. "Sum-times. Sum days live with the cats. Other days live with elves."

"And you know about KuliKuli?"

Nukka turned to look at him, giving him a quick sniff. "The cat whose scent is on you? She smells more like Nityri to me, unless Emyri named her different and we just forgot."

"No, you're half right. That was her name, Nityri." A look of curiosity spread across his face before asking her something that he had stored in mind since first meeting the tribe. "Actually, I was wondering if you could tell me more about her. How was she like? Did she um, have any friends? Any romantic interests?"

Nukka's face scrunched up in thought. "Ooooo memory is a bit hazy. Dunno, she's Emyri's second born. Not a good listener, picked up fights, broke lotsa rules-"

"Hold on, really? You're sure this is the same Nityri? White hair, brown spots."

"Yup! Same kitten!" Nukka beamed, nodding in return. "Looks lots like her dad."

Felix shifted uncomfortably. "Doesn't sound like the same girl I know. She wasn't cheerful, full of energy, chatty and curious about things?"

"No, she was all that sorta. She and Na'Vi were like twins, always paired together wherever they go. One time I saw her get into a fight with three other girls, and she came out of it with cuts and bruises. Emyri wasn't happy with her, and neither were the other mums."

Suddenly, Spi'Reto froze in his tracks and raised his hand to signal the others. Everyone stopped in place, with Sauza and Ya'Go crouching low with their bows drawn. Felix breathed in, feeling his heart pick up speed as things progressed so drastically around him. He knelt down near some bushes, feeling safer with Nukka around.

The young elf knelt down, his long brown hair draped down his shoulder as he traced his fingertips around the exposed mark he had just discovered. When Felix inched closer to peak over his shoulder, he saw a paw print embedded into the dirt.

"Cat girls nearby?" He suggested.

Spi'Reto shook his head, scanning around for more paw prints. Brushing some weeds aside revealed a few more prints moving further north. They kept their heads low as they followed along, inching closer with the rangers keeping their bows in hand as assurance. Felix nervously unsheathed the dagger latched to his belt, his hand trembling lightly as he felt uncomfortable grasping the curved weapon. He had little experience wielding weapons before, something which he took a mental note of to discuss with the tribe upon their return.

The paw prints led to an exposed dirt path smoothed over, interrupted by inch deep wheel marks that intercepted. Several trees surrounding the road were chopped down, leaving the surrounding area exposed. At some point, a carriage came to a stop as evident by several horse tracks that stood in place. Spi'Reto held his breath as he discovered footprints that resembled boots departing near the wheel tracks, moving around before stopping where the paw prints were last seen.

He stood up with a heavy sigh, fixing his bow back around his shoulder and looking to his left. The road snaked around the forest before arriving to another one of their settlements, a large fort boxed in with walls crafted from wooden logs with smoke emerging from within.

Felix stepped in, following his gaze to find the fort as well. "Damn, how many prisoners would they have?"

Following his mindset, the elf turned around to find Nukka sniffing the paw prints before springing her head up to catch his stare.

He signaled for her to join them before pointing at the fort ahead. "See if you can track the scent of anyone we know."

Nukka nodded affirmingly, closing her eyes and lifting herself to sit up with her head held high. Her nose wiggled around as her face scrunched up, taking big whiffs before exhaling and landing back on all fours. "Some friends down there. Reeks of sweat, metal, food, and coal."

The elf took this as a sign and gave Felix a look before turning back. "Then we carry on."

Felix frowned as he watched the elf walk off casually. "What of the fort, we can't just ignore it."

"We'll take note of its location and report back to the others upon our return." He answered shortly, looking back at him. "Our orders are to reach the Heart of the Forest and have them inform the other members of the tribe for a meeting. The attacks can wait."

Sans and No'Vak nodded in agreement, following their friends lead as they began to depart. Ya'Go went with them while Sauza looked at their human friend. He offered an apologetic shrug before turning around to join them, leaving him with Nukka.

The bear nuzzled up to his palm before signaling for them to leave, with Felix beginning to walk along with her. He looked back around, seeing the fort about a mile away from their position. Looming over the forest trees in the far-off distance stood the edge of the tower as if it were this omnipresent figure always watching them. His hand formed into a fist as he remained fixated on that building before his eyes darted back to the fort.

"We can't just go." He stated loud enough for the others.

Spi'Reto raised his head before turning around. "Sure, we can. We'll return when we're better prepared, but this is a lesser priority."

"Why?" He asked, looking up to meet his stare.

No'Vak rolled his eyes, sighing when Spi'Reto turned back to approach Felix.

"What did you have in mind? We're seven in total, and I'm not feeling lucky enough to gamble our lives."

"It doesn't have to be a frontal assault." He replied, inching his head around to peak at the other side of the road briefly.

"Then what? We're doing well to remain hidden thus far."

"Observe and report, those were Alma's words." Ya'Go added, planting his weight over an exposed tree stump. "The boy is right. It would be wiser to carry onward."

No'Vak chuckled with a wipe of his nose. "C'mon Ya'Go, he's human."

Spi'Reto shoot a crossed look, silencing his friend before returning to Felix. "We need to get moving while there's daylight."

"Alma did suggest that we take any supplies from them should we get the opportunity." He reminded them, waving his hand back at the fort behind him. "Wouldn't this suffice as said opportunity?"

"She asked for powder." The elf reminded him. "Nukka smelled coal."

"Along with food and friends. It wouldn't hurt to look inside."

"It would most definitely hurt should we be discovered."

"We can manage to remain hidden."

"How?"

Felix pointed behind them, bringing to their attention a wagon in the distance making its way down the road.

Spi'Reto frowned, "We didn't come here to intercept or invade. We move along; that's an order."

"These were Zimi's tracks." Nukka spoke up while tracing her paw over the paw prints. "She went with friends, but those friends didn't come back. She did."

"I-" The elf sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I'm sorry Nukka, but we didn't come this far for a fight."

"I did," She corrected while slowly approaching him. "Nukka is always ready for a fight."

"We've all lost loved ones because of this, I understand. But if we want to honor them, we shouldn't be taking foolish actions that risk those that we still have."

Sauza reached in, placing his hand over Felix's shoulder. "I admire your resolve, but you returned wounded the last time. KuliKuli wouldn't want you to endanger your life doing this."

Felix hesitated, feeling a lump in his throat preventing him from answering. His stumble was enough for Spi'Reto to accept as a response, nodding out of respect before moving further into the woods.

"That's it then, we move forward. Let's go." He ordered as the rest began to follow.

Felix stood back, reaching out to grab Nukka's shoulder to stop her. "They had you in chains until the rangers rescued you. It doesn't feel right leaving the others behind."

Nukka weighed his words, feeling uncertain in her expression. "But Spi'Reto says we keep moving."

"He did, but how would you feel if they left you behind instead? Last time we were able to save Zimi by chance, and I saw what they were doing to her. I can't just stand around doing nothing, not like I use to."

He leaned in, patting her on the head to comfort her. "Besides, you did say you wanted to fight. And Alma said to scout and report."

"But we'll get in trouble."

Felix kept his eye on the wagon drawing closer before turning to her with a sincere smile. "Only if we get caught."

Nukka's ears wiggled before her face lifted as a smile grew across her face.

Sauza lifted his head, keeping up with the group along with Ya'Go before making a puzzled expression. He stopped and looked around when his hand reached out to grab Ya'Go. The other elf looked back when his eyes widened with shock before running over to alert Spi'Reto.

Spi'Reto and his friends spun around, following Ya'Go pointing behind when his heart sank.

"Stupid-!" He pulled out his bow, sprinting frantically back to the main road.

The wagon calmly passed through with two guards whistling at the front reins when their vehicle abruptly stopped, causing them to stumble forward. One of them dropped his leather cap, exposing his bald spot as he looked to his friend.

"Fuck was that! We hit a pothole er sumthin'?"

"I didn't see none." Said his ally, equally dumbfounded before tugging at the reins.

The pair of horses whined and huffed, pulling forward only to drag their hooves into the dirt before dropping.

"Go see what's giving." The balding man huffed.

His snot-nosed friend sniffed, wiping his nose before ejecting. His footsteps were head approaching the rear before something shook the wagon, causing his friend to jump.

"Ah! Fucks sake, ye clumsy ass!" He grumbled, climbing down and snaking around the back. His jaw dropped as he came upon Nukka clinging onto the rear of the wagon, preventing them from moving. She turned and met him with a toothy smile.

"The fu-!"

BAM!

Felix swooped down from atop the wagon, dropping onto him. With a firm grip around his neck and a hand clasped over his mouth, the bald goon wriggled and flailed his arms around until his face turned red and he succumbed to the lack of air. His strength wavered, his eyelids closed and he slumped down, put to sleep as Felix rolled him off.

Nukka bobbed her head as she smelled something, her intrigue leading her to poke her head into the back of the wagon. She pulled back with an apple in her mouth, taking a bite and enjoying the juicy taste.

"What the hells are you doing!?" Spi'Reto demanded, rushing out from the trees and exposing himself as he stepped onto the dirt road.

"Taking action." Felix remarked, dragging the other guard off the road and hiding him among the foliage. He came back presenting the wagonto the rest of the group. "There, we have a way to sneak in and out without cause of concern."

Spi'Reto clasped a hand over his eyes, pacing around before glaring at their human friend. "Damn it, Felix! We're supposed to remain stealthy!"

"I don't hear anyone crying out and alerting their allies." He answered briefly, leaning against the wagon with crossed arms. "We're safe."

"To what end? This isn't a game. Lives are at stake!"

"I'm not sitting around letting days go by when I can rescue more allies. More allies would mean more support, didn't you say you were outnumbered?"

"Even if we rescued every Nekomata and Elf it wouldn't be enough."

Nukka sat up, tilting her head at the pair before speaking up. "Then why did you rescue me?"

He turned to her, baffled by her question. "What?"

"If it was me down there, would you leave me instead and do your mission? What if it was Alma instead?"

"Nukka, that was different."

"You lot can go. I'm doing this alone if I have to." Felix stated.

Spi'Reto held his arm. "No this is madness. We pursue and we risk getting discovered or worse."

"Then send someone else off to be the messenger."

"That's not how this works!"

Felix yanked his arm free, stepping forward as the two locked eyes while standing inches apart.

"I'll go."

They spun around, seeing Ya'Go tinkering with his dagger before meeting them with a shrug.

Felix raised his brow at Spi'Reto waiting for his response. When the elf stepped back, he took it as his cue to leave. He trudged along toward one of the unconscious guards, kneeling down and removing the man's helmet while Spi'Reto approached Ya'Go in private.

"You said it would be wiser to carry on." The young elf reminded him in a whispering voice.

"I stand by what I said. But the boy is stubborn, he has something to prove. He's gunna get himself killed without your help." The Ranger pointed out, watching as Felix undressed the guard and removed his gear. "I'll make contact with the others. You need the others if you want to survive this encounter."

"There shouldn't be a damn encounter." He hissed with disdain, shooting glares behind Felix's back.

Ya'Go chuckled and shook his head. "Agreed. Go then. I'll make my return by next sunrise. Should the worst have happened and there's no one there, then I'll see you tonight with the others."

Spi'Reto nodded, turning back to find Nukka climbing into the back of the wagon. Felix sat at the front seat wearing the same leather gear that the guard had on before.

Resigning to his fate, Spi'Reto sighed loudly before signaling the others to join them. He reached out and climbed aboard the front, shaking his head. "You're more trouble than I thought. Maybe don't invite any of your friends over."

Felix stared back. "You know they'll see us coming if they see an elf at the front reins."

Spi'Reto blinked before climbing back down, retreating into the back with the others.

Felix licked his lips, his hands trembling as the gates opened up before instructing the horses to push forward. Keeping his eyes forward, he held his breath as the wagon wheeled its way inside before being stopped by another guard.

"What's in the wagon?" He asked.

"Rations." Felix answered briefly.

"Right, bout time. Some o' de lads were beginning to throw a fit after havin' mushroom stew for three days." The guard joked, pointing behind him. "Pull to the right over there, I'll send some boys your way."

Felix nodded, thankful to be moving forward. Behind him were the groaning sounds of the wooden gate closing behind him, sealed shut by a drawbar. He swallowed that lump stuck to his throat, sweating under the leather cap he wore knowing there was no turning back from this.