Feathers and Claws (MxMxMxMxM)

Chapter 37: Trouble

Jude Pov!. . .

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Stalking out a rival tribe. . .Nothing new. . .But the sheer size of this tribe? That was defiantly new.

Most of the tribes Quinn had targeted before were smaller than his tribe, But this one? This one was slightly larger. . . And from the looks of it, Much better organized.

Getting to this tribe's leader will not be easy. . .We're going to lose a few members. . .

At the very least they weren't concerned about random cloaked people suddenly appearing in their kingdom.

I had found a very briefly un-guarded part of their wall, Which I took instant advantage of, Slipping into their kingdom without a fuss.

The people inside the large walls seemed pretty content with their lives.

Young kids were either playing games with each other and various toys, Or they were play fighting with dull wooden swords, Slightly red welts already visible on the skin of some of the more 'Eager' kids as they swung the 'weapons' with enough speed to make the air whistle past the wooden blades.

Those that weren't play fighting were either sticking close to their parents or hanging out with their friends, Doing more normal things.

Looking around, I noticed a lot of the people here were built for fighting in one way or another.

Wonder if this tribe has all it's eligible members become soldiers at some point. . .

 Quinn does so it wouldn't surprise me.

I kept my head down, Quickly stepping out of the way of a couple walking down the direct middle of the street like any self respecting insane people would.

They're gonna get hit by a horse or some shit if they don't move out of the street. . .

By now I had passed a few guards and soldiers, But none of them seemed to give a damn that I was here.

If they're not arresting me because they're kind then we're gonna end up having a problem. . .There is no way I will be able to help attack them if that's the case. . .

I moved closer to the large wooden and stone buildings that lined either side of the street in identical fashion.

Continuing deeper into the kingdom, I started to realize with annoyance and dread, That I wasn't being allowed to just walk in and do as I please.

Oh no no no, I was being followed.

Grimacing, I slowly shifted out of my third form and into my second one, My wings arching up over my head as I tensed up, Listening to the footsteps that were following me.

Act natural. . .Keep walking, Don't want to alert whoever they are to the fact I'm on to them. . .

Eventually, My chance to escape showed itself in the form of a dark and long alleyway.

I instantly turned down the tight passageway.

My intent with this mission was to scout out this place, Not to harm anyone, But it looked like I'd have to knock some poor foolish person out.

I continued walking until we were far enough in that me attacking this person wouldn't be easily seen from the street.

Stopping, I held still, Listening as the footsteps paused as well.

There was silence for a long time before whoever was following me hesitantly took another step closer to me.

Whoever they were, Clearly realized that I had noticed they were following me.

I tensed up as they hurried closer to me, The quiet sound of a knife being pulled from it's sheath reaching my ears.

''Hey there buddy, Why don't you put your hands in the air and turn around'' He called out, His voice not sounding harsh or anything, He sounded oddly amused.

Slowly, I raised my hands above my head, Turning around to face the person who had been following me.

He was a tall man with giant wings that looked like they belonged to a falcon of some sort.

 His hair was a dusty grey black, The tips of his slightly ragged feathers and hair was a dull brown-ish color, Matching the dark brown of his eyes.

''Well well now, Why don't you shift into your third form, We can't have you trying to fly away now'' He said as he approached me, Sheathing his knife as he spoke.

I started to take a step back, About to take flight when movement on the rooftops caught my eye.

Soldiers were lined up on the roof, Watching us, Their wings spread out just enough to make it clear that they'd be able to easily block any escape attempts.

''What is all this about? I'm just a wanderer, I just wanted to take a break here before going on my way. . .'' I lied, My feathers bristling as the man who had confronted me just chuckled.

''Nice try, But we already know who you are, One of our spies recognized you from the Conn tribe, You're one of their counsel members. . .'' He informed me, A hint of sympathy in his voice as he took a long leather cord out of a small bag he had with him.

I could feel my heart sinking as I shifted back into my third form, Struggling would most likely just end in me getting hurt.

Once I was fully shifted, The man moved closer, Tugging my hands down and holding them behind my back before tying my wrists with the leather cord, Cuffing me.

''Why not apprehend me as soon as I entered then?'' I questioned as he tugged on the cord, Making sure the knots he had made in it were tight enough.

''That would cause concern and possibly panic among those watching, It would be, And was, Much easier to apprehend you outside of the public's eye'' He informed me before placing a hand on my shoulder.

''Right then, Let's go'' He said while gently but firmly pushing me towards the alleyway's exit.

''. . .So. . .Am I to be tortured now?'' I questioned, It was common in Quinn's tribe that spies from rival tribes would be captured, Tortured and killed.

The man sighed before shaking his head with a small chuckle.

''Not unless that's what you're in to'' He teased before getting serious.

''We're taking you to our dungeon, You will wait there until our Head returns, Once he gets back he'll meet with you and decide what will be done with you'' The man explained as we stepped back out of the alleyway.

. . .How lovely. . .One on one time with a Head. . .I'm gonna die so painfully. . .

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Mmmm. . .very late chapter. . .

Anyways! Like always, Have a good day/night and find a better book! - fallen