The next chapter of the EPIC SAGA. the next two chapters will be FA only, arent you lucky :3

STORY TIMES

When dawn broke across the barren planes, its light awoke the catfox beneath its rays. Blinking quickly, Ire quickly regained his coherency and yawned widely, flashing his sharp teeth. He stood, stretching his legs and walking over to the pink cabbit resting by the burnt out ashes of the fire. Gently he lifted his robe from her body, slipping it over his head. Natural instincts be dammed, it felt good to wear clothes.

Slowly the girl stirred, opening her blood red eyes to gaze up at Ire, her face still slack from sleep. "Morning sunshine" Ire greeted, slightly sarcastic "We have to move soon, I would like to be at Volk before the sun reaches its peak". The pink cabbit yawned smally and nodded, slowly getting up from her resting position and dusting herself off.

Hours passed as the duo walked the dusty trail that led to the large city. Soon enough they were passing through the gates, their eyes stinging from the caustic smoke that hung in the air, clinging to their bodies. The streets here were narrow and crowded, lanes clogged with the dubious and the downright nasty. ire quietly told his charge to stay close too him. The last thing he needed was her getting snatched by someone.

As they squeezed through the lanes, they came to their destination. a small two story affair, its front coated in corrugated metal. Ire boldly strode inside, Despair timidly on his heels. The inside of the establishment was dank and musty, the tang of old blood hung in the air. Ire rang a small bell on the dusty counter, the sharp noise cutting the air like a knife.

Heavy footsteps were heard from the top floor as someone descended the staircase, emerging from behind a door marked "private". The creature was lithe, Despair wondered weather it really was him making all that noise upstairs. His ears were pointed like a cats, his muzzle white and his fur a dark blue. He wore a light brown tunic with gray pants, and his paws were unshod.

"Ah! Its you!" The cat said excitedly, his voice betraying his relief and enthusiasm. "I thought you would be back sooner my friend, what kept you?". Ire nodded towards Despair, who promptly his behind her protector. "Ah" the Cat said, his voice breathy "She looks a bit young for you, don't you think?". Ire shook his head. "No Kair, You have me wrong" he explained "I found this one on my travels, I am simply escorting her to somewhere safe".

Kair nodded knowingly. "Well you won't find a better bodyguard than this one miss" He said cheerfully before disappearing behind the counter. The cat returned with a Thick book, opening it and scanning the contents before flicking to a page. "Come here my wandering friend, I do have a job for you" he beckoned. Ire approached the counter, looking down at the book.

"Hans Dorick?" Ire exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Owner of the largest ore refinery, you cannot be serious". Kair looked Ire in the eyes, his expression serious. "I know you can do it friend, He has less guards than usual and the benefactor of this is quite generous". Ire looked back at Despair. He would have to take her with him, but this was far too risky. 'You've been scraping to feed yourself' his inner voice complained.

Ire sighed in resignation, he knew he would have to take this job, there would not be any for a while and he couldn't live off of dirt. "I'll accept" He said in a low voice "But only if I get paid double". Kair shook his head, still smiling "I thought you would say something like that" he chuckled, handing Ire a small tube. "I will bring his blood to you" Ire said, his expression serious, before leaving the building. "Good luck!" he heard Kair shout.

Quickly Ire devised a plan of attack based on the habits of the man in question. He had been in Volk long enough to hear stories of this particular proprietor. He used slaves to work in his ore refinery, a cruel deed made even worse with the availability of machines capable of such work. He was now one of the richest people in this town. Ire could see why the benefactor wanted him dead, not only was he a threat to other companies, but a social menace.

He and Despair waited silently outside an upmarket tavern, it was known that Hans frequented this particular alehouse, it was the perfect spot for Ire's ambush. He looked around the area, spotting two guars chatting be the side of the hotel. Doubtlessly there were more inside the bar with Hans, but if he struck quick enough. Soon the moment was at hand, as the tycoon stepped from the huge metal doors Ire unsheathed his blade and lunged at the man.

Unfortunately he had miscalculated the amount of guards present, as besides the four currently protecting the man, another ten or so ran from a nearby alleyway. "So much for not having too many guards Kair" Ire whispered bitterly as he retreated to where Despair was standing. He didn't want her to get killed just because of a stupid screw up his employer made. Soon the pair were surrounded, Despairs eyes wide with fright as she looked to the guards to the side. Ire stared down the pair in front of him, their symmetry unnerving.

He turned to Despair, his face stern. "When I tell you, you will run like hell."

Des is to  Aminebunny
Ire be mines