Sorry. For the long wait. School has been a huge pain all year and I almost lost interest in writing all together because of my English teacher who was telling me all year that I need a tutor.
Luna- Oh stop with the sob story. Your here now aren't you.
Well yah.
Luna- Well these people have waited long enough. Just let them get to the story.
Fine
The Midevil
The sun had already set allowing the group to walk through the forest in the shadows. Once again following Tobias he lead them toward the palace. They were walking in silence for a while when some voices could be heard up ahead.
"Quick down." Tobias snapped at the others as he jumped behind some foliage.
"Who do you think they are?" Cassie asked apprehension showing on her face.
"I'll bet you anything it's the Yeerks." Marco replied, glancing tensely toward the people talking.
"Oh it could be a bunch of boys from the town." Tobias said grimly.
"What would they be doing this far into the woods?" Jake asked looking at him questionably.
"Any number of things. I used to stay in the woods all the time just to be by myself. I would sometimes see them gather to drink or plan their next cruel act." Tobias replied. Rachel saw the disgusted look on his face as he clenched his fingers.
"We what are we going to do now. We can't just sit here. We need a plan of action. I say we morph and just scare them away."
"Oh yes, I'm sure that would work." Marco rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm to fight. "If they're Yeerks they might have a couple of Hork-Bajir with them. And even if they're not Yeerks and they are just normal boys don't you think they would get suspicions if they are attacked by a menagerie of animals."
"Oh."
"Yes, oh. We have to think of these things if we don't want to get killed or captured. And I like my mind they way it is."
"Ax, what to you think we should do?" Jake turned to the strange boy who had been oddly quiet the whole way.
"I am but a lowly aristh. I obey my prince. You are my prince while I have no kin here. I shall do as you require of me."
The others looked at each other then back at Ax. Jake sighed seeing that Ax wouldn't be of any help. He sat there and thought for a moment before deciding. Looking at Cassie and Tobias he took a deep breath.
"Ok. We can't go at them head on, but we can't go around them either if we don't know how far away they are. Now you don't have to do this because I know it's going to be dangerous but I propose we send an infiltration group. Just a quick in and out. See what's happening up ahead."
"I'll go." Rachel volunteered.
"No, we have to go in morph because if we're spotted as humans we're done for. Your morph is just too noticeable." he paused to gather up the courage to lay out his plan. But before he could say anything Marco realized his idea.
"You want to send Cassie and Tobias." The dark haired boy whispered over to his best friend. Jake just nodded.
"Yes. A wolf and a hawk are the least noticeable of all our morphs. Tobias, you said there are several wolf packs around here?" The boy the nodded in response. "And obviously red-tailed hawks are native to this area as well." He spared a glance skyward where the rustle of a few braches gave away Sirinial's prescience above them.
"Brilliant" Marcos patted him on the back. "Obviously all those lessons you take in battle tactics and strategies were good for something."
Rachel rolled her eyes yet again but couldn't figure anything wrong with the plan. Well other than the fact that if would be Tobias and Cassie in danger if the group up ahead was really the Yeerks, while she would be hiding with the guys.
"Tobias? Cassie are you ok with this? It'll be you two that'll be in the most danger." Jake asked them turning his hear to look in their direction. What he came face to face with was a hawk and a wolf.
We know the risk Jake. Cassie said calmly.
Yah, though I think it'll be you guys in the most danger. Cassie and I have our morphs to help us blend in with the woods. Tobias imputed spreading his wings and taking off. Keep low until we come back.
We'll be fine. Cassie said rubbing against Jake a bit thinking no one would notice. Finally breaking free from the foliage the group had been crouching in she broke off into a swift pace though the woods.
Cassie slow down. Tobias called down from his aerial view of the scene. There's a clearing about four meters ahead of you. That's were everyone is. They've lit a huge bon fire and there's a lot of people there.
I can smell the smoke from the fire. How many men are there?
There are about 30 men, and another 30 women and children.
Well maybe it's just a camp outing in the woods for the village people. I'll try to get closer. She carefully dogged from tree to tree. Her dark fur helped her to blend in to the shadows.
If it is, I haven't heard anything about it around the town. He landed on a tree on the outskirts of the clearing. Hold on there's several guys walking in you direction.
I can smell them. Do you recognize them from anyone in the village.
No. These hawk eyes are great but they still can't see into shadows. I think they're nobles anyway. They're attire is too formal for any commoner to wear on an outing to the woods.
Hmmm…I have a feeling I know them… I just can't remember where I recognize their voices from.
Can you tell if their Yeerks? They look like just like large group of people on an outing in the forest, but I know that looks can be deceiving.
Hold on let me get closer. Cassie lowered her wolf body so that she was crawling on the ground and inched herself closer to the group of people. She stopped as soon as she could hear two men talking.
"…12 more to be initiated tonight."
"This is so easy. This species is so naïve."
"Yes. But they make such good hosts. Nothing like those poor, weak, blind Gedds. "
"Has there been any word on the Princess's whereabouts?"
"None."
"Where could she have gone? She's a female. She could never have had the brains to evade us for this long."
"Don't worry. Even if she has left the palace she'll be back soon. She would never be able to survive on her own. 1"
Suddenly another male interrupted this talk.
"The Visser has arrived. I suggest you move to listen unless you want people to think you are planning a rebellion."
"Rebellion? We are utterly loyal to the Visser."
"Well then act like it!" He barked and sneered as he watched the two that were there previously quickly walked away. He looked out into the woods for a moment before turning around to join the group.
Cassis lay crouching in the bushed for a moment before inching backwards.
I've heard enough. They are diffidently Yeerks. I heard a few little bits of information. There's going to be a large infestation tonight.
How large is large.
A full dozen. Cassie could hear Tobias sigh in despair over the prospect of loosing twelve more people to the enemy.
I don't think there's anything we can do for them at the moment. Our number one priority is to get all of you back home. If you'll gone to long it'll raise suspicion.
Ok. But we can't go though the camp. We don't know exactly how much of the crowd are actually controllers and how many are just normal humans.
It's alright; I think I can see a path around the camp.
Ok. Let's get back to the others. I don't like what's happening here. Cassie started to back away slowly. Once she was out of the bushes she turned around and dashed back to where the rest of her friends laid waiting.
Changing back she looked at the others wearily. "Well Marco was right. It's a Yeerk meeting. There's a huge gathering of people. I believe they're initiating some new members." She looked a bit sick at the thought of more people loosing their will. "Tobias said he could lead us around them."
"Where is Tobias?" Rachel asked looking up at the sky.
I'm right here Rachel. Tobias called swooping down on them. I stayed behind to try to hear anything else. It seems like that this group is called the Sharing. It's a large group of people that are known for their kindness and generosity as well as their fantastic line of knights.
"I've heard of that before" Jake said thinking deeply.
"It was on the way here. Remember Tom told us about it." Marco replied staring off in the general direction of the camp to hide the worrisome realization that had just appeared to him.
"We can think about this later. Let's just get back to the castle first." Rachel whispered urgently.
"Alright." Jake said snapping out of his thoughts. "Tobias, Cassie said you saw a way for us to go around them."
Yah.
"Good. Lead the way." Tobias took off and the others got up to follow slowly behind him.
It was all going well until halfway around the clearing a small child came running trough the bushes right into the group of teens. The little girl was obviously playing a game but she unfortunately ran into Ax whose stalk eyes had raised in shock. The little took one good look into those eyes and let loose a scream that rang through the woods.
The group just stood there for a moment shocked. Jake was the first to jump to action. "RUN!" This jerked the others out of their frozen states and they started to dash right after him.
Guys there are about fifteen men looking for you. Tobias's voice ran through each of their heads. Keep running in that direction you should reach the castle soon. I'll try to distract them.
Dodging branches and large bushes the five of them kept running until they reached the high wall of the castle. Panting for their breath they nearly jumped out of their skin when a huge crash was heard behind them. Almost instantly Rachel, Jake, and Marco had their knives out, and Ax held his long tail defensively out in front of him.
Every one of them stood perfectly still not daring to breathe before they let their guard drop slightly.
"I wonder what Tobias did to get them off our trail?" Cassis remarked looking at the door in the wall.
"Who knows but it seems to have worked."
"I hope he is alright." Rachel said a hint of worry in her voice as she looked out into the dark woods for any signs of life.
"Don't worry. I doubt they'll be able to catch him in the air." Jake said reassuringly. "The bigger question is how do we get inside? This gate's been sealed tight." To emphasis this Jake took several hard shoves on the door.
"Try to us your knife to unhook the lock." Rachel said as she watched him."
"Won't work. There's a beam sealing the door too." Marco shook his head. They all looked at the door frustrated.
"We were not chased around this crazy forest for the last day and a half only to be defected by a door." Rachel cried kicking the door with annoyance.
Suddenly the door began to wiggle. Once again everyone was up on their feet with their weapons out. Watching with apprehension as the door swung open only to reveal a smirking Tobias.
"I though you guys could use a little inside help."
"Tobias!" The entire group cried out silently in shock.
"Can't say you missed me. I wasn't gone for that long." He put the bar firmly in place as soon as everyone was inside.
"How did you get rid of the mob?"
"It wasn't that hard. You guys ran right past a wolf's den. They ran right into it. I just had to make sure none of the wolves followed you. Then I saw you guys having trouble with the door so I landed on the other side and changed back and opened it for you."
"Good job. Now all we have to do is get to the tree house." Jake said beckoning them forward. Silently they all crept around the palace. Everything was so quite they nearly ran right into a palace guard that was walking around the corner.
"Split up." Jake called as the guard noticed them and gave chase. As soon as they came to a fork in the path Jake and Marco took one direction and the rest of them took another.
Dodging artistically placed trees and bushes the two boys found themselves in the menagerie.
Looking back Jake noticed they had lost the guard for a moment. Turning back to Marco he was shocked to find he was changing.
"What?"
Quick change and get into that habitat. Marco said pointing a humanoid finger at the empty exhibit behind him.
Jake realized that Marco had the right idea and finished his change as his friend was swinging into another exhibit several places away. Leaping into his respective exhibit he waited patiently for the guard to leave.
It wasn't long that Jake heard the footsteps fading into the background. Sighing in his mind Jake wandered back to the exhibit entrance. Realizing that exhibit was closed he knew he hade to wait for Marco to come rescue him. He was thinking about the Yeerk situation when a slight noise reached his sensitive ears. Swiveling his head around, he came face to face with another orange tiger. The real tiger growled threateningly at Jake.
Marco.
I'm coming.
Hurry up.
What's the prob…? Marco trailed off as the face off between the two big cats came into view. Uh oh.
Yah.
Which one are you?
I'm the one closes to the door.Good. Get a little closer and I'll open it up for you.
Better be quick about it. Jake replied as he slowly backed up until his flank was just brushing against the bared entrance.
Ok one… two… three… NOW! At that moment several things happened at once. Marco swung the entrance open, the real tiger too a leap for Jake, and Jake jumped out of that exhibit as fast as possible.
Marco slammed the door shut, causing the real tiger to crash right into it.
That was a little too close. Jake panted a bit as he changed back to his human self.
Agreed. Let's never do that again.
"Agreed." Jake turned the corner with Marco behind him. "I hope the others got away."
"Only one way to find out. On to the tree house."
1- I just noticed that the alien races in the book don't seem to thing the females can really do anything…
Done. I forgot how fun this was.
Luna- Hopefully you won't forget again.
Now onto review responses
Silent Bob 546
Thanks. I have always noticed how each of thier morphs fit thier personalities perfectly. I'm glad you loked it.
Shehrazade
I'm gald you liked it. And I don't think Tobias/Rachel is stupi. They're my favorite couple. I like them even better than Jake/Cassie. I think it's the whole repationship against all odds thing.
Warriormaid 3000
Thanks for your enthusiasm.Sorry this chapter is so late.And you'llsee about the morphs.
Asian Angel 1
Thanks for the review.
Well I'm going away to governors school in about two weeks and I'm not sure if I'm going to have access to a computer for my own use. But you can count on me writing freehand the next chapter. And if I get enough reviews/ inspiraition I might be able to get out aother chapter in the week between the end of school and me leaving. So remeber to review. My fic with the most reviews by thursday, June 14, 2005 will definently be updated.
Luna- Wan't there something else you had to say.
Oh yah. I'm fianlly getting around to looking for a beta for all my fics. If you are interested you can beta for an entire category or just forcertain stories. It doesn't matter to me. Just leave your e-mail in a review and tell me what you want to beta.I hope to get intouch with you before I leave and I'll be more than happy to beta any plots you have. I might not be best with grammer or spelling but I can normally point out nay plot holes that mightbe there.