Trial and Tribulation Copyright 1997 Renee a.k.a. Alethea All "Nights" characters and related indica mentioned herein copyright and TM of Sega Enterprises and/or Sega of America. Used without permision Etienne and related characters and indica copyright Jeanette Merrell Used without permission Alethea, Dunamis, Frost, Talitha, Salpinx, Nettle, Tarragon, Rhian, Aldwyn and related characters and indica copyright Renee Trial and Tribulation (Part 9) Nettle entered the dark prison. Tarragon was too busy to come this time, and she felt it would be wiser to leave him. He was always uptight. The door to the cell opened, and she glanced across the cell at Salpinx. She and the guards stepped into the frigid room; Nettle walked past them towards the injured 'maren. He was out cold, not to mention dust covered and bruised. Nettle was not remotely surprised. In her opinion, the rules that applied to prisoners were cruel and specifically designed to maltreat them. She found that his right arm was broken in two places, as well as his shoulder. Alarm spread through her as she also found that most of his ribs on the right side were broken. This many injuries were unusual in one prisoner, even after an interrogation. She started pulling out her supplies. This would not take long. *** Several Mamus had seen the three 'maren leaving Nightmare, and one happened to recognize Nights. The three rebel 'maren were moving as quickly as they could, which was not very fast since Nights was injured. Dunamis looked at the nearby trees and said the same thing he had been saying for the last ten minutes. " We're almost there." Alethea began to wonder if he was saying it to encourage them or if he was trying to convince himself that it was close. Nights looked so worn out it was heart-rending. " What happened to the troops that were waiting for us?" " They're around here somewhere." A shriek sounded, and the 'maren glance back. Several guards headed at top speed towards them. " We have to get out of this open land as quickly as possible." The rebels that had been with them flew out from various places and headed toward the on coming guards. *** "Are you certain that one of the rebels was Nights?" The Mamu glanced up at the huge form of wizeman. " Yes sir." " Clawz," the huge 'maren cat stepped forward, " Take a strike force and bring them back here. Jackle, Gulpo, and Puffy will go with you and take their own strike forces." " Yes sir." Clawz glanced at Jackle and Puffy, who looked very much like they were pouting. *** Reala looked out of the window of his room at the departing strike forces. He clinched his teeth. " I should be going after Nights, not them." He scowled venomously. If one of them caught Nights, Reala would be furious. It was his job to take care of Nights, not a scheming cat, an irritable fish, and dim witted whatever Jackle and Puffy were. Reala gazed down at his ankle. He hated being injured. He leaned back against the chair dolefully and stared up at the ceiling. Reala did not like resting either. He felt it was complete waste of time, not to mention boring and depressing. Reala thought of whole list of things he hated. He folded his arms and grumped. *** Aldwyn shook his head. " I think I'm lost." Rhian look at him. " What are we going to do?" Aldwyn shrugged. " I guess we'll keep looking, there's no telling when the others will have time to look for us." A tiny chirp sounded from nearby, and Aldwyn turned around. A small Nightopian fluttered up to them. " I don't suppose you know where the base is do you?" The Nightopian smiled pleasantly and flew back the way he had come. " I thought, ...they couldn't even talk?" " They can't, but that doesn't mean their stupid. They keep track of the creatures in the forest, even the rebels. Mostly because they know we'll protect them, and I'm sure they all know where the base is. That's one way we can tell if there's some kind of threat in the forest, they flock near the base." Aldwyn followed the Nightopian through the forest. *** Meanwhile, Alethea and Dunamis were getting very tired. " I..ppity humans," Dunamis panted " Walking ..is so...tiring. Flying is so...much easier." Nights stumbled in between them. He had not said anything for awhile. Snow covered shrubs, trees, and grass had started appearing rapidly as they stepped out of Nightmare. Behind them, the sounds of approaching troops caught their attention. " The others..wont be able to..hold them off...f.for long." " Oooh." Nights slumped over, and Alethea and Dunamis nearly fell down. " Nights? Dunamis,...he passed out." " Passed out! Nights, now is the..WORST possible time...for a nap!" The two of stopped and lay Nights down. Dunamis had never seen Nights like this. He had a gray-green tent to his face, and anyone could tell he was not going to be able to walk any more. Dunamis could hear the sound of troops getting nearer. " Well..now what?" " We carry him." " Ohh joy."