The Coup
"Bedrest."
The Verdict was final.
King Helios was quarantined to his room and not allowed to take a step away from his bed. It was the royal physician's command and it had to be followed, if the King intended on recovering that is.
In the face of such problems, the Queen had to step up. And step up she did. Much to the dismay of the Lords and Ladies of the court, most of whom hated her for her strange Northern ways. Yet, the one person in court Queen Mina was grateful for, was the lord of the Jaguars. He had helped her a lot in keeping the wrong noses away from the mere thought that the Kingdom of Mercia had a weak ruler. He was also supported strongly the People, something she should have been wary of if she had any idea what he actually was.
A Betrayor at heart, Lord Print Corvus, the lord of the Jaguars, walked into his King's bedchambers. On his face was a Cat's smile, as he sniffed at the cup of wine he held in his hands. "A fine wine you requested, my Lord."
On his bed, King Helios was sitting propped up against pillows, "Corvus, there you are my fellow. I was wondering what was taking that maid so long. Well, I suppose she just became another victim of your charms."
Corvus let out a small chuckle, "That she has."
As Corvus handed the cup of wine to his King, he couldn't help but twitch his tail in excitement. Something his King didn't notice, so occupied with guzzling his cup of forbidden wine, before Gods forbid, the Queen shows up to lecture him about his health. It wasn't long before he was at his last drop, that there was the sound of sliding metal. A sword being pulled from its scabbard.
*****
Prince Everett never knew his day would start with a frenzy of Guards approaching and detaining him and his brother, Prince Korso. It had been strange, and indeed, led the two to wonder about what happened.
"Maybe we have another pie thief on the loose," Everett suggested. A smirk on his face as he leaned back in his chair, balancing it on the back two legs dangerously.
His brother, Korso choked back his laughter, "Or maybe, Soren's Governess has gone crazy again and is trying to hold him hostage for the return of her sanity."
The two continued with their random suggestions of why they were locked up in the library, never once thinking something truly terrifying might have actually happened.
Hours later, they had given up their game and it was when Korso was arguing with the guards, that the doors boomed open. In walked Lord Corvus. At his back were Jaguar guards, not felines that Korso and Everett knew at all. It was odd. Lord Corvus never had permission to bring more than a handful of his own guards into the castle.
With a nod, Lord Corvus dismissed the guards that had been keeping the brothers detained.
Prince Korso's ears twitched, and the fur on his tail began to puff up. "What has happened?"
Everett stayed silent, a sick feeling began to creep through his fur. The Jaguars guards suddenly left the room and closed the doors behind them. Leaving the two Princes and the Jaguar alone.
"Prince Korso, I offer you my sincerest condolences. It appears, your father has been murdered." Lord Corvus bowed his head in what looked like sadness, but instead of turning to lead them to their mother, he didn't move.
At first Everett was confused. His father, dead? It shouldn't have been a surprise if it had been because of his illness, but by murder? Why? And by who?
"Who? Who killed him?!" Korso growled, his hands balling up into fists as he stepped forward.
Lord Corvus lifted his head and Everett hissed in apprehension. The Jaguar Lord was smiling, his eyes were black orbs that had just locked onto his brother, Korso. "You. You killed your father."
Shock filled Everett, followed by automatic rejection. His brother would never ever condone the act of patricide much less enact it. What was going on? Who would accuse his brother of such a thing?
Immediately, his thoughts were answered when Lord Corvus pulled out a blade, and launched himself at Korso. He missed.
Korso had jumped backwards just in time to avoid being gutted, and in the seconds following the movement, both jaguar and tiger paused to share a look. It was wrong. Everything went wrong after that.
*****
"Just go."
"Not on your life."
"I'm not going to survive, Rhett. Look at me."
"I'm not leaving you to die."
"But you have to."
*****
Everett was alone.
His brother was dead.
*****
Nellie shuffled her paws, standing somewhat uncomfortably in the anteroom of the palace. It was the only room an everyday May like herself could get into in the palace, but there had been a fair share of blue blood that had strutted through already. Memories of nights spent memorizing the correct titles and salutations to address those of rank had swirled through her mind as those of high birth entered and left. Of course, she would only have to worry about saying "Your Grace," or "You Excellency," if she was addressed, which hadn't happened yet. The gentry certainly had more on their mind than paying heed to the cheetah who could just pass off in middle class eveningwear that happened to be in the corridor between the study and the drawing room.
Mr. Kosovo was taking too long. He had said if she came with him to the palace, she could have the evening off tomorrow. HMS Elemede was coming in to port tomorrow, and Nellie wanted to be there when the fine sailors were walking the town. She'd love to hear about where those sea cats have been. Aranor? Vixon? Far off Nigerius? Perhaps one of them ha been to Natia. It'd be fun to pick the brain of an outsider's perspective on her homeland. Perhaps one of them would ask her to dance. Heavens knew those Dukes walking by with their stiff collars wouldn't.
What was taking that leopard so long? The consultation was supposed to be the shortest part of the exchange. All the research and work that had gone into determining the state of the palace's guard retinue, THAT had been the time consuming part. The recommendation to her Highness the Queen was supposed to quick, clean, and concise.
There was a disturbance coming from behind the heavy hardwood doors leading into the court. Nellie stained her ears. It was all she could do, it's not like she could go press her head against the door. It would bend the brim of her hat. And, well, the two guards standing on either side of the portal probably wouldn't fancy the move. It sounded physical, whatever it was. Not just another shouting match about some estate or other's taxation. Well, the soldiery withing the walls should be more than able to take care of it. The Tradesman's analysis on the palace security had determined it was more than adequete. Indeed, that had gone over the background of every sentry, save that small band of mercenaries one of the lords like to haul around. What had been his name? Corvus? There were far too many titled to keep track of.
Nellie rubbed the pads of her paws together. Fine, everything was fine. Mr. Kosovo would be along any moment. They could leave this world of pomp and prestige and get back to the station. That had a train to catch after all. Everything would be fine.
*****
Everett panted silently, leaning his large frame against the brick wall. The blood on his paws and shoulder felt heavy, like it was mentally dragging him down. He tried not to think about it. About everything. Right now, he needed to run. Especially right now. Behind him, the sounds of paws softly scuffling against pebbles made his ears go up. They were closing in on him.
He inhaled sharply, and turned to dash forward. If he was correct in where he was going, he would hit the painting door soon and- "Yowch!"
He had run straight into it, so occupied with the sounds behind him that he hadn't noticed how close it was. And instead of just running into it and bouncing off of it, he slammed into it just hard enough that it swung open, allowing him to roll into the general anteroom for the lords and ladies. Aside from having rolled paws over ears like a silly cub out of a painting, he wasn't alone.
He jumped right up to hiss at the stranger. A female cheetah. Was she a guard? Did she want him dead like Corvus? He glared.
______
Jana wandered the streets, looking for action.
Action didn't necessarily have to be obvious. A mugging in an alleyway was the same as two lovers in a shouting fit. All were conflicts, but each was different. Jana just collected the information so she could sell it later. It was just something that she could do to make money. She had other ways, of course, but this way was the most subtle - and thus, the most safe.
As the wolf leaned against the wall of some delerict building, she overheard two peasants talking. Making sure she wasn't seen, she moved a bit closer to hear what the cats were saying.
"... believe me, that's what I saw," one of the women said.
"Really, how could such a barbaric Notherner still be Queen," said the second cat as she set down a barrel of pickles.
"Yes, I know. Everyone's still surprised she's here."
"Right! But it's a darn good thing Lord Corvus can keep her in line when the King is so sick."
"I don't doubt the competency of our system, but maybe Lord Corvus should have been appointed Prime Minister."
"Agreed. Sure, the Queen is politically savvy, but how often have you seen her down here among us commoners and not using the Nobles as her playthings..."
"I'm sure it will work out, dear. The system and nobles will keep her and her wild cubs in check."
"Yes, they are honorable people. They'd never betray us."
"Do not forget about King Helios. He will certainly..."
But at that point, Jana had stopped listening, and darted away. The people were unhappy with the Queen handling the affairs of the country? Where was the King? No doubt he was still sick in bed. But why would such an ill fitted Queen still be alive with so many enemies? Maybe Lord Corvus was keeping the mercenaries at bay, but how and why? Wasn't there a rumor that he was the most ambitious cat alive?
In any case, Jana was very curious. However, she couldn't just go sauntering into the palace. For one, she was an urchin, which complicated matters for her. For another, she was a wolf, which complicated matters even more. She'd have to find a way to get more information without going to the actual site. For now, she walked along the alleyway, kicking up dust and litter as she walked among moaning beggars and leering thugs of her home.
*****
To say Nellie was startled at the sudden appearance of the prone, bloodied Prince Everett, would be an understatement. The loud sound behind her had the feline instinctively reaching for a non-existant weapon (clearly she had to disarm before entering the palace) before making a quick turn to face the stranger.
"Yu-your grace! Er, no, uh, HIGHNESS!" Nellie stuttered out, so surprised by his appearance that she ended up missing the prince's title initially by an entire magnitude of rank. Stupid mistake. She had never actually seen any of the royal family in the flesh, and only recognized him from the various likenesses of him and his brothers that were spread across the kingdom. Comparing the image of him from a poster to how she saw him in reality was somewhat surreal.
Normally reasonably quick on her paws, Nellie was clueless on how she was supposed to act. Was she supposed to help the prince up? Mabye she was supposed to go run for help? Or perhaps she should just pretend that she hadn't seen anything, and not speak unless spoken to. Maybe the prince was drunk. But how would even a plastered panther wouldn't get this bloodied. Could this be connected to the scuffle she had been hearing on the other side of the door?
Then he jumped and hissed at her. By the claw, did that count as being addressed? Was she being challenged to a duel? She fumbled through what could pass off as a reply.
"Uh-uh, Ellen Veld, Tradesbeast Second Class, s-sah. Er, your highness." she said pathetically, complete with a passably-performed curtsy. It was a stupid response. The cadet prince hardly cared what her name was. But its not like she could just hiss back. She took a step back, almost reflexivly looking at the sentries at the courtroom door behind her for support.
*****
Everett withdrew his immediate aggression and remembering that he was a prince, got back onto his legs like a normal feline and coughed, "My apologies."
It was then that he saw movement in the corner of his vision. The sentries at the door had moved to drop their pointed spears in his direction. "S-Sir, s-st-stand down. Maybe we s-settle things peacefully."
He stepped backwards, groaning with the pain of having to move his right shoulder. "I didn't do anything!"
The denial didnt seem to help, but it did give him a second to lunge forward to grab Ellie Veld by the forearm. He used her like a shield for a second, but when the sentries stepped forward, he decided to turn and run. Being dragged behind him was Ellie.
The thudding of sentries following behind him was loud in his head. It left little reason for him to use.
All that he could do was run.
Behind him the sentries followed at a distance, thinking that he may kill the civilian should he decide that he could run no longer. That is until the Prince turned a corner and when they followed after him, he and the civilian were nowhere to be seen. The two doors ahead were closed. Which way had he gone?
Through the right door, still running quite fiercely, Everett ran through another door and the bright light of the sun welcomed them. Everett and Ellie were now on the outside walkway that ran atop the outer guard wall. It was also closest to the southern market down below, where the most commoners were.
Behind the Prince and Tradesman, the doors slammed open and the sentries were followed by guards. That said, it was also the same for the door in front of Everett. He stopped and backed away, using Ellie was a shield yet again. "Stay away!"
Both sides moved forward. Everett was trapped.
He pressed his back against the stone railings, and when the guards started to make way for a yellowed and black cat, he hissed. He couldn't let Corvus see him again. In his his arms, the cheetah didn't seem to make any sense of what was going on. What an obedient hostage. Or a savior. He ducked to whisper to her, "I'm sorry."
With a sudden movement, he was atop the rails with Ellie in his arms. He stepped backwards into nothing.
They fell.
The feeling of cool air ran through his fur and he released Ellie as they free fell. In his head and spine, the need to right himself so that he could control his landing was very strong. But as soon as he attempted to, the arrow in his shoulder broke. Pain flooded him and he was too late. He hit the corner of a wood stall and twirled to slam into a stay of straw hay. It didn't seem to soften his landing at all, but at least he was still breathing, barely. And unconscious.
Nearby, the Cheetah and Tradesman Apprentice, landed in a pile of straw hay. She was unhurt, say for a sore paw. It really was a miracle. Wasn't it?
A few feet away, was the outsider wolf, Jana.