novelraw Chapter 175: Search and Rescue
Chapter 175: Search and Rescue
Felix squatted down, clinging onto the shadows as the only source of light came from the nearby torch poles hung up at either side of the small dirt roads. Looking back, he saw Reta quickly leap from the fence to land beside him followed by the other two Rangers. They locked eyes, waiting for him to take the lead. With a deep inhale through his nose, Felix would take light steps along the backside of this shed they were sneaking around, ducking beneath the window where light seeped through. His ear twitched as he heard someone inside grumble and the sound of floorboards groaning under the weight of this man's footsteps.
Felix looked around, checking to see if any men were within sight. Feeling that they were safe, he paced in a half sprint from one building toward the back of another, pressing his back against the wall and keeping an eye out while the others kept up with him. This pattern repeated itself as they traveled across three other homes, eavesdropping on the chatter of men. Some seemed drowsy, grabbing a pint before turning in for the night. They would retreat toward a guarded area and leave with their armor removed, scratching their bellies or yawning in their tunics and pajamas. He guessed that area would be the armory.
Reta tugged at his sleeve, raising her brows at him. She reminded him of the urgency to speed things up, pointing at a nearby guard coming near their position. They held their breaths, watching carefully as this man glanced around before making a random turn toward their direction.
Shit!
Felix's eyes widened, his heart racing as the two Rangers snuck around the corner toward the rear side of the building. He and Reta weren't as lucky, as they lingered along the left side of this shed waiting to sneak across the illuminated dirt path until this man came along. There was a wooden barrel with an empty bottle set on top, where Felix and Reta hid behind. Reta reached out and clasped a hand over his mouth, instructing him with her look to hold his breath. They stared as this man walked toward the barrel, set his cap on it, then shrugged his breaches down just a bit.
Felix and Reta stared just one foot away as this man breathed a sigh and relieved himself, pissing on the grass in the dark. Fortunately, he was relieving himself unaware of the couple watching him from his left. Felix looked away, somewhat embarrassed by the sight and feeling much better once the man tucked his member back in and retreated back to the road. Felix was about to crawl out from behind the barrel when Reta pulled him back, just in time for the man to turn around and grab the cap he had nearly forgotten.
Now that he was gone, the two Rangers snuck from around the corner to meet them. Felix pointed toward a shelter behind the nearest building from across the road, that was their location. The trouble was figuring out how to cross when there were torches lit every ten feet.
Reta poked her head out to search around for any ideas. To their left was a brief intersection where several guards were having a discussion to pass the time. To their right were several rows of wooden tables where five men were seated with pitchers in hand swapping stories, aside from one guy who was slouched over the table snoring loudly. One of his friends set a pint of ale atop the side of snoring man's head, chuckling at the display. His friend polished his own pint and headed toward the barrel stand nearby to pour himself another.
Reta hummed to herself, her eyes narrowing as she grabbed the empty bottle from the barrel and flung it toward that man. Felix yelped and covered his mouth, shocked and figuring that Reta had just exposed them from such a rash action. The bottle flipped over and crashed atop the man's head, knocking him unconscious as his body fell aside like a rag doll. His friends spun around, some of them gasped as all five of them jumped over to check on their friend.
Well, all of them except the drunk who continued snoring loudly with the balanced pitcher of ale on his head.
Reta grabbed Felix by the hand, dragging him across the road in a hurry. The pair of Rangers hesitated before sprinting behind them after double-checking that the two soldiers at the left were heavily invested in their conversation.
"I'm telling you, tits are de way t'go."
"Nah, it's all in de arse. Nice round peach, it's where you'll be pumpin'."
Reta rolled her eyes and scoffed, catching Felix as he brushed past her and snuck toward the wooden house where that scent came from. The door was closed so he crawled toward the left window, peaking through. Reta swept in beside him, both of them left speechless by the display.
This building didn't house any men, only cat girls.
At the rear side of the place stood several cages stacked on top of each other, many filled with cats. Some appeared to be injured but many were left on their side, panting from exhaustion or fatigue. What caught their attention the most was the humanoid Nekomata hung up by shackles cuffed around her wrists with numerous lacerations and purple swellings around her exposed body. A rusted metal collar was locked around her neck, keeping her on the verge of choking. She had weights cuffed to her ankles to drag her body down, keeping her locked in this position. Her head hung down, locks of dark hair draped down with dried blood and sweat staining her itchy skin.
It took every bit of self-control to keep Felix from jumping in, but he couldn't prevent his claws from coming out. It was like a switch was flipped in his head as his mind was filled with rage.
Inside was one man resembling a blacksmith in appearance, wearing a leather apron and large brown gloves busying himself at a table filled with tools. Some were clippers, others were needles and rods. As he turned around to face the wounded prisoner, the key ring attached to his waist jingled with each heavy step from his boots.
"One way or another, you'll cooperate for their sake." He stated confidently, sharpening a piercing rod in hand. Setting it aside, he reached for a flint and steel to ignite a small fire before placing the rod over its flames. He waited patiently, staring at her exposed body before reaching out and lifting her by the chin. Her half-closed eyes revealed grayish pupils, devoid of the sparkle of life she once carried. The wrinkles around her face revealed her middle age, possibly twice as old compared to Felix and Reta. Her ribs showed signs of starvation, the injuries hiding her narrow waist and lean thighs held a pale almost ghostly complexion.
The blacksmith stuck his thumb through her lips, opening her mouth and rubbing her left remaining fang. "Thought plucking d'ese off would teach ye to talk, not t'snap yer trap shut. What, not gunna try to bite me thumb this time?" He snickered, dropping her head as he returned to his tool, spinning it around the fire until it glowed a fiery orange blaze on the rod.
The two Rangers caught up with the pair, catching a glimmer inside. The one named Sauza ducked back looking unsettled. He licked his lips and nodded at Felix. "We'll cover you." He whispered.
Felix looked back, his cat eyes focused on the blacksmith as he came around with the scorching hot rod in hand. He waved it playfully around the cat girl, clicking his tongue. "Last chance to share with us, cat. No?"
He turned around at the sound of shuffling, catching Felix as he pounced from the windowsill.
"Wha-!"
He fell on top, but the man tossed him aside. Freed, he staggered back up when Reta swooped in and kicked the rod out of his hand. Thinking fast, Felix snatched a bloodied rag off the table and jumped on the man from behind, stuffing it in his mouth. His cries were muffled as Felix wrapped an arm around his neck and squeezed. The blacksmith thrashed and spun around, hands reaching for any tools until Reta slammed the rod over his hand. He fell back but not before she snagged the keys from him.
He fell on Felix, but the impact didn't soften the armlock he was in. Felix took one look at the Nekomata as Reta reached out and freed her cuffs, watching her fall onto her arms and cough blood. The sight made his eyes swell as he shut them and squeezed with all his strength until the blacksmith stopped moving. His arms fell down, with Felix shoving him aside.
"How is she?" He whispered, catching the keys Reta tossed him.
"Breathing, get to the others." She ordered, eyes scanning the numerous wounds around her body.
The cat girl blinked, sniffing and slowly turning her head to Felix's direction. "N-Nityri?"
He had just unlocked all four cages before looking back at her. "No, I'm a friend of hers."
"More than a friend." Reta teased, surprised as the cat girl smiled.
"I never talked." She whispered through pained breaths.
"It's okay, can you change?" Felix asked. Looking around, he spotted a full bag and turned it upside down to empty it. His breathing quickened when she closed her eyes and relaxed in Reta's arms. "Hey, hey!"
"She's sleeping." Reta said to his relief, feeling her heart beating slowly. "But she needs help, fast. How are the others?"
He doubled back, carrying the cats from their cages and briefly inspecting them. "Two of them wounded, the other two seem fine."
Reta whistled, hoping the Rangers would get the signal. One named Ya'Go poked his head in, spotted the girls and called out for his friend before they climbed inside.
"We need help getting them out of here. You think this bag will help?"
Sauza looked uncomfortable looking at the tortured Nekomata in Reta's arms. "Y-Yea, it's worth trying."
"Help me put them inside." The Rangers nodded, each one cradling the cats carefully into the large bag. It was a tight fit, one of the cats mewed and looked up at them with tired eyes. The Rangers cooed to them, clicking their tongues and brushing their heads. They recognized them and dropped their furry heads, closing their eyes with a bit of comfort knowing they were being rescued.
Felix looked at the naked cat girl before removing the top of his armor followed by his shirt. Kneeling down, he wrapped it around her chest before tying it by the sleeves. Shirtless, he slipped his armor back on before looking back at the others.
"We'll need to carry her." Felix instructed, slipping his hand beneath the cat girl's legs and another around her shoulders. Picking himself up on one knee, he lifted her up in his arms, letting her rest her head against his shoulder. Licking his lips, he glanced over at Reta and the two Rangers. "W-We need to go."
"Shouldn't we look for Alma?" Ya'Go asked, carrying the backpack behind his shoulders.
"I can search for her." said Sauza.
"No, we need you with us." Reta argued. "You and I are the only free ones able to protect them."
"I-um. I understand." He wanted to say something but caught himself and simply agreed. Now that things were settled, Reta was the first out the window before helping Felix carry the Nekomata outside. When they reached the road, they fumbled back at the appearance of a man strolling by. With no time to waste, Ya'Go hurried across the road. When Sauza followed in, one of the sheds near Ya'Go opened its door as a man in his pajamas walked out before spotting the Elf.
"What in the hells?"' He stammered, crying out to his friends. "INTRUDERS!!"
Sauza wasted no time, spinning around with his arrow drawn back before firing a shot. It stuck the man in his eye, his legs giving out as he slid against the door to the shed lifeless. The Ranger lingered for a second through gritted teeth, balling his fist and hitting his thigh in frustration.
"Time to go." He said back to Felix and Reta. "Hurry!"
Felix took the initiative, holding the Nekomata in his arms while Reta followed behind. Another man raced out the same open shed with a crossbow in hand, staring wide-eyed and aiming his bow toward the cat girl. Felix held his breath and spun around, covering her as two bolts lodged into his back like a sharp sting.
Reta pulled out her shortbow and fired back, hitting him in his breast. He fell back as she checked on Felix, quickly plucking the bolts off him. "You're fine, keep going!"
Sauza shoved Felix forward as the men who were drinking at the right ran towards them, unsheathing their swords.
Their cover was blown.