After Cyber Sunset helped us open the story, things switched between Dash and Becky's stories for a while. Now it's time to get back to the other players.

Fumblies is up next, with Fahari, and some of Fumblies's issues are going to see light again. There's a little flashback to a previous mission, too.

 
Sir Fumblies Falanges, a knight currently in the employ of the Feline Empire, had once again been snubbed by his employer. Being here in Honorburg, far from the capital of the Feline Empire with only a fraction on his forces, put him in a bit of a fix. Sure he had Bones as the leader of his four Goblin, and a four Brute contingent but he felt a little out numbered as he knew next to nothing about this city. What he did know is that Kadlin had been kidnapped and for whatever reason Fumblies seemed to be the only one who had any intent on seeing what had happened.

With the information he had gathered from his soldiers he had sent them to see if they could find any information on which direction Kadlin had been taken after the battle that seemed to have taken place. All he knew was that an unknown group had attacked Kadlin. A Viking, who seemed to fit the description of Konall, had been seen involved in the whole thing. It was puzzling but for now it seemed that the best idea was for Fumblies to find out more information before proceeding. To accomplish this he had his Knobs pair up with a Brute and go investigate the city with orders to return immediately should they find anything interesting.

It was less than an hour after he had given these orders when all his forces returned with a some news and pair of injured Brutes. Of course, the Brutes were those that Kadlin had brought with her; their presence here indicated that she was alone where ever she now happened to be. Bones would do what he can to heal the two Brutes. The information that the Knobs had brought back indicated that the gang involved with the attack had been causing problems for nearly a year. Its leader was known simply as Philler and still no one knew what his goals were as he took in those that fit nowhere else.

What Fumblie needed was some who knew the city of Honorburg and the nature of its gangs. With that information he could figure out how to proceed with finding Kadlin. Or he could wait around for the rest of the Feline Empire to figure it out, which inevitably boded not well for Kadlin based on current observations. Catrina seemed to be preoccupied with Dash and KOKOL. Becky Joy had left the ship a bit earlier with Todd Blackpaws. It seemed Vixen had probably left with that Wolf guy (er.. wolf). Leaving Fumblies to figure out how to handle the whole Kadlin missing situation, not that he couldn't do it.

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Flashback 1

Cattaras and Becky were looking around the tower that Fumblies had went into after they head away from Seaside Town. Fumblies met with Kwadlin. Fumblies was by now a common guest in this tower and had been learning quite a bit for its master. He knew, for example, that the being in charge here, Kwadlin, knew many secrets and could control the undead. Fumblies was slowly learning that art but it was indeed slow going as it required him to be in a quiet place to learn. Fumblies entered the tower after his troops near the door. Fumb next next entered the throne room. Once there, he kneeled down and bows to the figure seated on the throne.

"Well met my apprentice. I trust that you have managed to complete my training assignment. I sense an undead spirit about your armor. I am trust that you will enlighten me as to what happened." The snake like voice echoed from the throne; with it dried leaves sliding over rocky ground sound.

Fumblies looked up and took a deep breath. "Master, I have failed to acquire Lady Goblin. However I must say that I had her in my grasp then was teleported from the area to Castle Knob by a powerful demon named Dios. The very same demon killed a child ninja who had sworn fealty to me and the kid's ghost became part of my armor."

An evil chuckle echoes from the throne. "Failure is still failure, my apprentice. But I will allow you a chance to redeem yourself. You will be heading south and from there I hope you will be able to acquire the Princess. Don't return to me until you have freed her from the airship she is on." With that, Fumblies was dismissed. Fumblies took the hint and then left the tower with his minions only to be met up with by Cattaras and Becky Joy. Fumblies saw the look on the big cat's face and knew that he would need to explain his being in the tower soon or later.

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Fahari roamed the streets of Honorburg, her eyes and ears alert as her tail flicked behind her as the only sign that she was a frustrated kitty. No- not that kind of frustrated; she kept that under tight control. No, Fahari was busy trying to track down the two Felines and the KOKOL'ers they had abruptly left with. She knew the direction Cattaras had taken her in when he took her to the 'scene of the crime' but travelling in that direction was impossible in this city of right angle streets.

She decided to climb to the top of one of the tall buildings near her and see if she could find her way better, finding a handy staircase of metal available for her to use. Quickly enough she was on the roof panting a bit but purring as her body tingled with the exertion of the quick climb. As she settles onto the roof, a Knob and a Brute wearing the distinctive badge that all of Fumblie's troops wore passed by looking for clues to where Kadlin had ended up. Though any information on Philler and his gang would have been useful as well, as all Fumblies knew was the that there a person named Philler who had a gang.

Fahari saw the pair and nodded. As much as she was interested in finding the others, there were questions that she wanted answered. Ones she did not want to bring up in front of those concerned. She dropped down to street level- using the building and trees around to slow her fall in order to land in front of the Knob and the Brute. She nodded at them. "You will take me to your master." She growled, doing her best not to show fang at the word. In Aldara terms like 'master' and 'slave' were not taken lightly- and her own folk had had a long and quite unfortunate history with them.

The Knob happened to be a smart fellow, so nodded quickly and kept the Brute from attacking the newly appeared feline. "Right this way." The Knob answered quickly and turned to lead the way back to Fumblies knowing the half-orc would be interested in talking with her. The trip took them back to where Fumblies had set up his camp, which happened to be where the attack on Kadlin had taken place. Once back to the camp the Knob brought the feline to Fumblies then got out the way to head back out on his patrol.

Fahari looked around, smiling slightly. "Fortuitous. This is the place I was looking for." She padded up to Fumblies and gave a respectful bow of the head- hardly a nod but... "You are searching for Kadlin?" Her senses swept the area, trying their best to 'read' what had happened here. She frowned a moment at the blood stained ground, her eyes flashing to Fumblies before continuing on. That blood had the distinct scent of Dash!

Fumblies blinked slightly and nodded to signal that she had guessed correctly on his intentions. "Yes I am looking for her since no one else seems to be intent on the search." His tone had a faint edge of bitterness to it as if he regretted something. With a shrug he sighed and looked at Fahari waiting to see what she might know.

She nodded and smiled. "I may disappoint you. I am also interested in finding our lost comrades, but I wish to discuss another matter with you first. What is your opinion of the Felines who rule the Empire?"

Fumblies seemed to bristles at the question before he turned away with a gritting of his teeth. It took a moment to regain his calm after which he turned back to Fahari. "In what regard?" The return question was an attempt to stall the inevitable voicing of his growing discontent.

Fahari's ears flicked at his response and she nodded. "In whatever regard you wish, but perhaps we should start with the one you try to hide to yourself?"

A faint sigh issued forth from Fumblies as he looked at Fahari unsure how to proceed. "Well I have noticed that for the most part I am the only one in the Feline Empire who has managed to accomplish anything and yet I am still treated like a glorified errand boy. Queen Catrina used my own weakness against me to convince me to join the group in the first place and frankly her promises from that time have fallen short. Yet I can't just walk away from the situation and still keep my honor intact. Even if Cattaras is an annoying fur ball."

He stopped and glanced around for a moment as he let his discontented anger calm down for a moment. "Frankly the only one in the Feline Empire who treats me with respect is Kadlin. Becky Joy tries, but you have met her and can understand it when I say it hard to take her seriously." Fumblies stopped speaking as he realized that for the first time his feelings about his current situation had been shared with another person. It was somewhat unnerving to him as he was a fighter who led through example on the field. Not some soft hearted bard.

Fahari chuckled. "I believe Miss Joy has more going for her than she will let even herself know. But as for the others- If I may ask what 'promises' did Catrina give you?"

Fumblies took a deep breath as he looked at Fahari while he stalled for a minute before answer. "Her promises relate to the weakness I said she used to compel my joining her side." It was a truthful answer but one that he knew didn't answer her question fully. He just hoped that she didn't probe further or else he might be put into a tough spot.

Fahari chuckled again. It was getting annoying from the usually staid pantheress. "I will not pry further. However I hope you do not expect her to be exclusive to you. That is not the Feline way."

"Well I never expected an exclusive deal but she the promises made in relation to my service have not been followed through with." Fumblies looked at Fahari slightly as he took a deep breath. "And frankly I am frustrated with myself for letting myself get suckered so easily."

Fahari tried not to react to his wording, but her smile faded a bit as she thought. "Are you saying... in a castle with so few acceptable males she has neglected you?"

"Apparently her and her brother Cattaras are mated. Or is it Diasuke that is her mate and father of her cub? But you could say that she spends her time with those two purely. While I go and spread the work of the Empire for nothing more than a ration of meat and the glory of command."

"Daisuke, I would believe. Not that I would be surprised if she and her brother had been together. Our society tends to frown upon such things but... well, there is only one time when it becomes a problem. Families tend to segregate in the spring. The females staying home while the males go out to find mates. But usually a female doesn't limit herself... odd." Fahari's tail flicked again.

"Well that is the nature of the beast as it were. I am a loyal soldier and that very fact and the weakness of my own interests has lead to this situation. But as I was saying before, I am working to find Kadlin as someone needs to and I haven't seen the Queen or her brother since I discovered Kadlin was missing."

Fahari frowned, moving toward the blood stain, studying it. "I.. I do not know. But with this evidence I worry for their safeties."

"Well I have a question for you as you aren't quiet like the other Felines that I have met. Why is that you are so reserved and laid back when it seems the others are always wound up and on edge?" Fumblies frowned at her words as he saw the blood stain. "Well last I knew they were with Dash and Aleena."

"This is Dash's.. I do not … no she was close to him.. But they have all crossed through this space; it is confused." She stood up and shook her head before continuing. "As for you other question, do not think that I am any different than any other Feline female. The only difference is that my training gives me the ability to control myself." She chuckled. "It also gives me abilities that will be useful someday when I decide not to control myself."

Fumblies just nodded slightly before he spoke again. He knew that his next words had to be carefully spoken. "And what if you don't mind my asking allows you to decide to remain in control?" As the words left his lips he knew that he should have touched on the matter of where the others could be first. "Can you tell what happened here?"

"From what I can tell Dash was wounded.. perhaps mortally so. There is plenty of bloodscent here. But the way the Felines move.. tracks for all begin and end in this area.. there is other blood that I am not familiar with.. I would surmise that the four encountered an enemy. And after the fight the Felines took the injured to be treated." Fahari looked dubious about this but sighed as it was all she could say given the conditions. She then chuckled. "As for your first question... Are you wishing I would decide otherwise?"

Fumblies took a deep breath at her question for he knew that he had to keep what he wanted and his personal interests out of his reply. He had to stay focused on the task at hand, which was trying to figure out what had happened to Kadlin. Now it seemed the others were missing as well and to top it all off Dash, someone who was okay with Fumblies, was injured. "Well I will admit that my desires and interests lean towards those of your kind." It was an evasive admission of his thoughts but one that kept him safe for the moment. But he accompanied the words with a raised eye brow.

Fahari stepped closer to Fumblies, smiling. "I can see you also know the meaning of control. Know this then. Inside of me there is a conflict- and were I to give into it you would not only receive what your Queen tempted you with- you would receive it as if she had not done so in weeks." She nodded. "But we have duties, no?"

"Which it has been. Months since her last reward but yes, I know we have duties to attend to right now. But who know what the future holds once we have a moment?" Fumblies took a deep breath as he laid a hand on her shoulder for a brief second before he turned away. "So can you gather any information and what happened to Kadlin?"

Fahari stiffened with the touch, closing her eyes a second before relaxing. "I.. um.. What?"

Fumblies felt her stiffen then stepped back a step to allow her to refocus. "I asked if you could tell anything about what happened to Kadlin."

Fahari shifted her robes a bit to try to cover up her recovery. "Um.. The other battle has.. overpowered what signs were there from before. What I have said before is all I can say."

"I see so any ideas on how we can proceed? I know that a gang was involved and a Viking but not sure on what lead to what." Fumblies stopped speaking as he looked at the pantheress with a frown, wondering if he had been to up front with her in his honesty.

Fahari took a few moments, silently sweeping the area for clues- and trying to get her thoughts back under control. Finally she looked off in the distance. "Those of the enemy who could not move magically retreated in this direction. I suggest we follow as best we can."

Fumblies nodded slowly as he looked in the direction she had pointed. He looked to Bones and then chuckled. "Bones, you are in charge here; keep the troops in order while I head on out to see what there is to find. I will be taking 4 of the Brutes and a pair of Knobs with me so I should be quite alright." With that he nodded to Fahari to lead on as the called for troops assembled and fell into line behind him.

Fahari set off following the trail she had found, eyes open for any signs of movement that went away from the track. But Urban tracking was not the same as tracking on the trail and soon the bustle of the city had all but erased the scent..

"I.. I think they went that way, but the trail is so faint. I believe we must use other methods to find out friends."

Fumblies pondered that comment then sighed slightly as they continue along. They then turned a corner and almost walked right into a gang war. Fumblies stopped the group in time as he recognizes the Fifth Column gang emblem on one while the other seemed to be a mismatched group of ruffians with no commonality between them. "Now what Fahari?"

Fahari growled as she looked on. "Everything I know tells me that they are in that direction. This fight is too big to get around, and I would not expect you to try to go through. More than likely both sides would turn on us if we did."

"No. I planned on helping one side beat the other and then finding out who we had just beaten before moving on." Fumblies grinned as he looked to his troops, four Brutes and a pair of Knobs.