Trial and Tribulation Copyright 1997 Renee a.k.a. Alethea All "NiGHTS" characters and related indica mentioned herein copyright and TM by Sega Enterprises and /or Sega of America. Used without permission Etienne and related characters and indica copyright Jeanette Merrell Used without permission Alethea, Dunamis, Frost, Rhian, Aldwyn, Nettle, Tarragon, Talitha, Salpinx, and related characters and indica copyright Renee Trial and Tribulation (Part 10) The strike forces had been trying to catch up with them for awhile, but now, at the edge of Nightopia, they had lost track of the rebels. Jackle and the troops were searching for some sign as to which way the rebels had gone. They were very noisy and inefficient, and Clawz sneered at them. He examination the area, down to the last details, and wondered in a very patronizing way how Jackle had gotten his position. He pushed a large fern out of the way, and noticed several crimson spots staining the white snow. Clawz grinned spitefully and called Jackle and the others over. He pointed at it, and they looked down. " Over here." Troops rushed over, and Clawz stalked forward on all fours, as was typical, through the bushes and tall plants. It was not an unusual sight to see a 'maren cat walking on all fours. They had such ridiculously long arms that it was surprising they did not walk on all fours all the time. Jackle noticed how uncomfortably large Clawz was, even though he was on all fours. Clawz tracked on ahead, looking for any other indications that the rebels had been this way. *** Nettle clinched her fists in frustration, and Gillwing glowered at her. " Nettle, you're asking a lot. I could get in serious trouble by moving him." " I can't keep an eye on him in the dungeon. He's been pummeled with energy by wizeman so many times I'm worried that he'll die. Also, the anodyne I gave him is going to wear off, and I can't keep running down to the prison to give him another dose!" " I only wanted you to make sure that he didn't die from injuries that could be fixed; you've already done that." " He still might die." " What will you do if he does? If you find that he is dying, what will you do to prevent it? Can you do anything?" Nettle stared at the floor, riled. She knew she was losing. Gillwing was one of the most charitable high officials; if he would not let her move him to the infirmary no one would. She had been going at Gillwing for at least an hour now, and he did not seem to be thawing at all. *** Alethea sighed and the two 'maren lay Nights on the ground. The sound of troops only a short distance away was enough to make them flighty. " We can't ..keep this up. They're catching up with us." Alethea gasped. Dunamis nodded in agreement. " We need somewhere...to hide. I have an idea, ...but we need to go a little further." They scooped up Nights and headed deeper into Mystic Forest. *** Rhian shivered and Aldwyn looked down at the bruised 'maren. She did look a little peaked. As a matter of fact, she looked like she was in considerable pain. " Are you alright?" " Yes, I'm just a little cold." Aldwyn looked around at the snow on the ground. " Well, hopefully we'll get to the base before long." Aldwyn paused, a little nervous as to how Rhian would respond to any questioning. " Rhian, .....why were you in the prison?" Rhian seemed to shrink from the question. " I was accused of helping a rebel escape, and supplying the rebels with information." " You aren't an informant for us." Rhian's voice fell to a whisper. " I know, but they didn't believe me." She coughed. *** " This is not what I had in mind." Dunamis grinned at the stunned expression on Alethea's face. The two of them looked at the ancient crypt that was possibly as old as the forest itself. " You want us to go inside the crypt." " Yes. It's this or get caught by wizeman's little lackeys. We can hide inside. You don't honestly think they'll open it do you?" Alethea smirked. " If any of them are like you, yes. Let's just get through with this; I'm not going to want to remember it." Dunamis opened it, and flew back to Alethea. The two of them picked Nights up and flew inside. It was deeper than either of them expected it to be. They landed on a small ledge, where Dunamis turned around and threw a stone out through the entrance above them. It hit one of the paddle-like switches and the crypt's lid closed. *** Gulpo pushed through the tangled branches, and glanced back at the others. Jackle and Clawz were at each other's throats for the third time since they left the Castle of Nightmare. Puffy was busy pouting and complaining about the cold, wet snow, which the 'maren fish could not understand. Gulpo frowned at them and continued, innervated. If everyone kept this up, they would never accomplish anything. Gulpo listened to the sounds nearby. A group of Nightopians emerged from the nearby bushes and squealed at them then fled head long into the forest. Several Minions raced after them like a pack of wolves. " Come back here." Gulpo's rough, raspy voice was a stark, easily recognized contrast to the chattering of the other officials. The Minions did not come back, and Gulpo went to see why they were not obeying him. He flew toward them and stopped. They were looking at a large crypt. Gulpo stared at it, and the other officials followed him and gawked. Puffy frowned. " What is it?" " A crypt." The other officials stared at Gulpo. *** Gillwing saw Nettle coming down the hall. He turned suddenly and headed away from her as fast as he could. Nettle sped up. " Wait!" Gillwing came to a halt and glared at Nettle. " What do you want!" " Please just let me take him to the infirmary; he can't cause any trouble." " YOU HAVE BEEN PESTERING ME CONSTANTLY FOR THE LAST HOUR ABOUT THAT! LEAVE ME ALONE!" " PLEASE!" " ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" " Thank you!" Nettle turned and flew back up the hall smiling. *** Rhian coughed again and Aldwyn looked down at her skeptically. She didn't look like she was all right. She winced every time she coughed. " Does it hurt when you cough?" " Yes." " Alethea is going to have to look at you. I think you're sick. We need to get you some place warm and dry." Aldwyn flew into a clearing and stopped dead in his tracks. Gulpo, Puffy, Clawz, Jackle, and about fifty visible troops stood in the clearing. They turned around and stared at him. Aldwyn did not give them time to think. He shot through the clearing at top speed. Jackle stared at Aldwyn. He had never expected to see this 'maren again, unless they were in a battle. Rage boiled up in him. " Get him!" Jackle and his troops flew head long after the two 'maren. Clawz paid particular attention to this sudden development. Not wishing to be left out of this little matter, he took off after them, along with his troops. Puffy, who was more than a little board, enjoyed the change of pace and took her troops with her into the chase. Gulpo watched them leave with disgust, as three of the strike forces dashed after the two 'maren like a hunting party after a fox. The orders wizeman had given them had just been thrown out the window by the others. wizeman was NOT going to like this.