Chapter 199: The Smart Move
Felix swallowed down that lump in his throat, rubbing his fingers together as he hung his head down. His mind was racing with frantic thoughts as dread fell upon him, and he glanced back at the door.
Mesa leaned back in her chair, one leg atop the other as she appeared full of gratification. "It's tempting, isn't it? The exit's so close, and there's not much I could do to prevent you from reaching it. Play along, say you do make it out. What then?"
He pressed his lips together, brows burrowed in thought. The sound of her taunting giggle made his hands curl into fists.
"Those gates are broad and heavily guarded. Reinforced with hinges and metal plating. Try to climb over and you'll be riddled with bolts from a dozen crossbows."
He licked his lips, breathing in slowly to calm himself and think. His eyes fell upon the map, seeing the section of the forest Mesa had circled around.
"It's not you or those elves that we want. Father Perdilius needs that Syri girl, and I'm half under the belief that you know where they are hiding her." Mesa asked.
Felix looked up and met her glance. "You're thinking I would tell you, assuming that I knew where she was?"
"You seemed plenty knowledgeable of her before, and her mother." She explained, waving her hand as she spoke so casually to a friend. "Emyri was her name, cute gal. Full of heart, that one. Still in one piece for now, that may change depending on where this goes. If you or any of your friends talk, we'll be sure to keep her safe."
Felix scoffed. "Safe? I find that hard to believe after seeing what you did to the others."
"The cats from the fort you attacked the other day? I'm rather impressed that the elves found that place, it had been hidden for some time. Is it a coincidence that they discovered it after you joined them, or am I speaking to the man responsible for that headache?"
Felix leaned forward, noting Mesa's direct response as she scooted back. Despite her cocky behavior, she was taking precautionary measures with him.
"I wouldn't know anything about your fort."
She held her smirk while keeping eye contact with him. "You're not a very good liar, Felix. I saw the way you lit up when I mentioned Emyri. She means something to you, right?"
He hesitated, dragging his hands back from the table.
"Aah, it's not her. It's her daughters." Mesa giggled gleefully, leaning forward. "Show me the mark."
He cocked his head, fainting shock.
"Don't act so surprised, I'm well aware about what these cat girls do. I know they leave a mark on their selected mate. It's on your neck, now show me."
Licking his lips, he held his breath before turning his head toward the front door. He did so while combing his brown hair back, revealing his neck to her. She stretched her neck to the side, catching a better look at the bite marked onto his skin. Once she felt satisfied, she composed herself back into her chair, watching as he did the same.
"I guess I can't blame you for defending them. They robbed you of your free will." Mesa explained, "Charmed you off your breeches, seduced you and took what they needed."
He frowned, his eyes growing narrow. "How so?"
"They attach themselves to mates because they need to feed from them. It's a habit, you're their reliable source of essence." She raised her brow. "What, you never noticed their behavior? Was it the one who got away? I'm thinking it's not Syri but instead one of her sisters instead. Is it the one with the light brown fur or the younger one with white and brown fur? I don't recall their names, something-something -yri."
Felix looked away, keeping that answer to himself. The less she got out of him, the better. For now, he kept his eyes locked on that door wondering how the others were doing.
Back outside, Spi'Reto held his breath as Raz signaled with a wave of his hand for the soldiers to get in position. They surrounded the wagon as those armed with crossbows stood behind shield-handlers equipped with spears. He approached the wagon and uncorked the bottle strapped to his waist, emptying the contents of water as it gravitated around his open palm. with two fingers tightly pressed together, he manipulated the liquid form into a paper-thin shape before swiping it across the reins, freeing the two horses and rendering the wagon immobile.
"We know you're in there!" He called out, twitching his fingers as the blade hovering above his fingers flowed into watery spirals circling his hand. "And we have you surrounded. You have one chance to lay down your arms and step out in a single file line. NOW!"
His voice echoed around the fort, causing Felix to stand up from his seat from withing the building while Mesa watched in amusement.
Spi'Reto felt his forehead pooled with sweat, tightening his grip around the handle of his knife. Sans bumped his elbow, staring at him with uncertainty and fear in her eyes. Sauza kept his bow lowered with an arrow prepared and his head hung down, waiting for Spi'Reto to give the order. No'Vak seemed more resistant, panting loudly as he drew his arrow back and held his aim toward the rear curtain.
Glancing around, Nukka stared at the collected bags of sulfur and powder they had stolen from the fort before turning to the young elf. "Maybe we use these funny smelling stuff?"
No'Vak breathed a sigh of relief, shaking his head and nodding ecstatically at the idea. "Not a bad idea. If the dwarf could craft an explosive arrow out of that stuff, then it can't be that hard. How do we detonate it?"
"We would need fire." Spi'Reto whispered back with a shake of his head. "Even with flint and steel, doing so would put ourselves in jeopardy. We haven't the faintest idea how large a blast such exuberant amounts could bring. Nyitzcha is more knowledgeable in that field."
"So?" Sans replied in a low voice. "We can drag that stuff against the gate and find a way to blast those doors open. That could prove useful-"
"It would be in vain. Any form of retaliation will bring forth a flurry of bolts upon us."
Nukka raised her paw. "I can go. I can take them on and protect you-"
"No, no you are not doing that. Absolutely not." Spi'Reto muttered, sneaking a glance at Sauza. The older elf sighed, his shoulders dropped as the two shared a mutual understanding over what happens next.
But No'Vak remained persistent. "Hear me out, we can have Nukka rush them. She draws out their bolts, and you and I can-"
"NO!" Spi'Reto sheathed his knife back and stood up, alarming his friend as he approached him. "No'Vak, open your eyes. Any attempt would be foolish."
"Well then what the hells do you propose?" No'Vak growled, walking up to him as their faces were inches away.
Sauza was the first to withdraw his arrow, sheathing it back into its quiver. No'Vak and Sans turned around in shock, only for their friend to sigh as he did the same.
"There's only one move left that gives us the best chance at surviving together." Spi'Reto muttered with half closed eyes as he reached for the curtain.
No'Vak grabbed his wrist, stopping him from the act. "You can't be serious!"
Spi'Reto glared back, staring as No'Vak looked around searching for support. Everyone else hiding in the wagon hung their heads in defeat, with even Nukka laying down sulking at the realization.
Pushing him aside, Spi'Reto reached for the wagon exit.
Felix stepped forward only to hesitate and look back to Mesa. She raised her hands and twirled her fingers playfully, allowing him to head for that door. He held it open and watched as bows and quivers were tossed aside and the soldiers took aim. Raz held out his hand and walked around to the rear of the wagon, waiting patiently. Spi'Reto was the first to step out from the back, exposing himself with his hands raised as he locked eyes with Raz.
Raz cocked his head for the elf to step aside and wait. One by one, the others followed behind with until only Sauza and Nukka remained.
Nukka whimpered and planted her head down, covering her face with her large paws. "I've been captured by them before. I don't want to return in that cage."
Sauza kneeled down and brushed her hair, scratching behind her ear. "I won't lie and say it'll be okay. You'll have to be strong, Nukka. Do it for Zimi, just as she was strong too. And we'll be by your side this time."
Nukka kept her head down, nodding slowly in acceptance. He took the lead, keeping his hands raised as the soldiers gasped and planted their feet down once Nukka climbed out.
Raz took a step back and looked to Spi'Reto in bewilderment. "How the hells were you able to sneak aboard with her in?"
"Are you calling me fat?" She growled, dragging her paw back in a huff before turning to Spi'Reto. "Did he call me fat?"
"Stay calm, Nukka." Spi'Reto urged, looking over to the building to their right. His eyes widened as he caught Felix staring in disbelief, only for his shock to turn into one of sad acceptance. He nodded back, almost signaling to him that it was the right thing to do.
Mesa skipped across the room until she stood behind Felix, peaking over his shoulder to see the elves being tied up by the others.
"You see? They played it smart. This isn't the forest anymore, Felix. Those elves have no control in here." She paused, eyeing the large bear girl curiously. "Huh, thanks for bringing the bear back. We were worried about her."
She glanced down to see his hands trembling as he had nothing else to say. When she stood up, something caught her interest as she pulled his hair back to look at his neck. He pulled away, turning around and staring at her with his hand clasped around the tattoo.
"So you were a slave as well?" Mesa spoke with wide eyes. "I... I've heard stories but never met anyone with that brand before. Well, that just makes this most unfortunate for someone in your place, doesn't it?"
With a snap of her fingers, a pair of men sprung from either side of them as one of them kicked Felix behind the leg, forcing him on his knees. With haste, they pulled his hands back as each one grabbed a firm hold of his arm, locking him in place before dragging him up to his feet.
Mesa approached him with that annoying grin, leaning in and caressing his cheek as he snarled back at her.
"Lock this one away with the others. Make sure the cage is reinforced for the bear." She instructed, clasping her hands together.
The men nodded and took Felix away along with Spi'Reto and the others, watching helplessly as Mesa waved them goodbye while they were dragged deeper into the fort.