The fourth Instalment of Isles of Sept finds Captain Kail doing some soul searching as he realises everything he once thought about these people was wrong.

I really wanted to go for a dramatic exchange between Kail and the chief one where the chief is able to slowly whittle away at Kail's expectations until he has the human realise his wrongs. Hopefully I was able to get that character and his plan across well!

Content:

Kail marched his way across the dirt pathway towards the chieftain's secluded tent. Kail was suspicious of course. Why would a chief want to meet with him in a quiet shady area of a jungle? He had to remain alert. Despite the appearance he had a deep rooted feeling these animals were up to something. After all what logical reason did they have to spare him? Kail was having none of the idea that they were simply being moral. Anthros lack respect for humans. Since Kail learned that fact he would always show them the same treatment. Even if it got him here in the first place...

The human looked to his sides and was being escorted by two particularly well-built wolves. One of which seemed to glance at Kail more than the other, the captain could tell the wolf was trying to figure out if the human was up to something, Kail knew that because he was giving the wolf the same glances. The other wolf however seemed more at ease and focused on making sure Kail was moving the right way. Curious, it seemed he was a simple soldier, so what was the suspicious one? Of course the main reason Kail was asking himself these questions was all to do with his training. When captured it was important to gather as much intel as possible in case of a rescue. Though Kail assumed his commander would leave him to die even if Deminos knew he survived the battle...

They came to a stop in front of an anthro tiger and an anthro lion. Both of them were holding large spears and looked with a steel cold stare at the human before them. The lion nodded at the tiger, who promptly walked down some mossy stone stairs towards an shrouded Tipi. Kail stood and waited, keeping a blank expression, hoping the anthros couldn't read his thoughts. The wolf that was suspicious of the human moved over and whispered into the lion's ear. Kail couldn't quite make out what he was saying but the lion shook his head and the wolf sighed, seemingly frustrated with the answer.

The tiger marched back up the stone stair and looked at the captive and two guards. "He wants to see him alone," the tiger told them with a deep concern in his voice. Kail raised a brow and looked at the four around him. All of them looked a mix of frustrated, annoyed and concerned. The suspicious wolf looking most of all. Kail slowly moved towards the tiger guard and glanced back one last time at the wolf. The canine met his gaze and narrowed his eyes, Kail admitted to himself that wolf did look like a threat indeed. The tiger quickly grabbed the human by the arm and almost dragged him down the stairs. It seems the chief wasn't pleasing everyone with the decision to meet the Captain alone. Even pissing off his own guards in the process. Kail wondered what the Chief's plan could be?

The tiger came to a halt just in front of the tents flap. The feline paused before looking back at Kail with what the captain could only describe as total distrust and hatred. Kail kept a straight face and stared right back at the guardsmen. Eventually the tiger gave in and opened the tent's flap and pushed the human inside. The tiger gave one last look at the captain before closing the flap and walking away. This surprised Kail, he expected the guards to stay outside the entrance to the tent but no, they left completely. The Captain surveyed the surroundings. Inside the tent was quite spacious. almost the size of a large throne room. It was clear however this was instead a private room of the chief's. Purpose was unknown to Kail still but he looked around quickly, seeing maps, locations drawn out and names. Kail looked closer and saw that upon a table in the centre of the room was a larger scale map. Upon this map was the island and around it the others, but there was a course set all the way to the shores of Anthon! Were they planning an invasion? A Raid? Even just a retaliation attack could be devastating to the people of the republic.

A sudden burst of movement caught the humans attention. Instinctively Kail reached for a weapon, yet there wasn't one there. It made the human feel very small and helpless as the chief moved out of the shadows and out in front of the captive. It was an anthro tiger. Quite a big one at that. The chief was wearing very tribal clothing, no armour no weapon in sight. The orange fur on display proudly showing off the large muscles of the strong, fierce leader. Kail swallowed nervously and shuffled on the spot. He watched the tiger chief walk over to the table, on the other side from the human. The feline looked down and then back at the prisoner. Then he spoke in a proud, commanding voice. "What is it you make of this hmm?" He asked.

Kail was dumbfounded. Surprised by the simple question. Reluctantly the captain obeyed and took another look at the map. "An invasion map, you're planning to attack my home." Kail muttered with a hint of gloom. "A revenge attack, I suppose." He continued. The chief didn't reply and simply looked at the human, the tiger watching his expression and began to move around the wooden table slowly, step by step. The tiger looked him up and down before slowly getting closer. Kail shuffled backwards uncomfortably. The tiger nodded understandably. "I can see why you would say that, Captain is it?" The tiger's voice was naturally dominating. Kail watched his every move, expecting a knife or claw to come out of nowhere and strike him across the gullet. Had this chief been stood in front of Anthon leaders. He would be killed there and then. Kail was still not trusting of the tribe that saved him from a battle between their two powers.

The tiger seemed to notice this. His eyes inspecting the human as if they could read his very soul and extract his thoughts. Kail felt utterly defenceless, vulnerable to whatever these creatures were capable of. He remained still but let his eyes follow the tiger as the beast came closer and closer. The cat stopped when he was a meter away from his prisoner. The men both looking at each other with similar expressions. The tiger paused and tilted his head. "You hate us personally Captain. Don't you?" The chief said as he began to move around the back of the human. Kail's breath became shaky but he remained quiet. "Do you not answer questions where you come from?" the tiger spoke in a low pitch. "The man that came before you did a very good job at asking and answering questions, so would it hurt to humour mine?" The chief spoke with a clear idea of the fear Kail was feeling. The captain shaking slightly while trying to remain fearless. His toxic masculinity and perfect vison of a soldier combating the urge to show his fear, his dread. It was like a thousand screams in his head.

"Captain, please. There is no need for this needless silence, let us speak like they do in the republic chamber yes?" The tiger soon found himself back on the opposite side of the map table. He slowly sat down in a wooden chair of a more refined, but clearly handmade chair. The tiger looked up at the captain expecting an answer and Kail eventually caved. "What do you know about the republic chamber?" He growled at the tiger, an attempt to hide his fear. An attempt that did not work at all. The tiger chuckled. "I know nothing of it, but I got you to break that uncomfortable silence you tried to create. Tell me Captain, my Sargent has already spoken to me, I need to know what the messenger said to your republic." The tiger spoke with a clear intention. He needed to know. His voice made that very clear. Kail didn't have an answer even if he wanted to.

The tiger sighed and leaned back in his chair, visibly irritated. "I fail to see your reason behind staying so quiet. Our people are not at war! We made it very clear we wanted to be left alone and a few weeks later your people return with an invasion force. Within your laws that ambush was perfectly legal was it not?" The tiger slowly was turning from speaking into a low growl. Kail shuffled his legs and sighed deeply. "The ambush was barbaric! Legal or not, you slaughtered men and women with families!" Kail snapped at the tiger. The feline seemed to remain still. No expression change and no posture change unnerving Kail even more he simply said. "Like you would've had you found the village?"

Kail broke his statue like stance and his whole body began to shake nervously. His sweat began to pool on his head. The captain turned around and looked towards the door of the tent. He could make a run for it right now! He could maybe get out of the village and over whatever wall they have, maybe regrouping with the invasion force! Perhaps avenging those that had died in the swamp!

"Tell me Captain, you have me alone, no security. What more must I do to show you trust?" The chief asked looking right at the human with an expecting gaze. Kail shuffled about, checking the corners of the room for any sign of hidden anthro murderers. "You told your men to go outside, hardly going to be far from us are they?" The Anthon Captain remarked. He made the tiger chuckle. Kail cringed at the sight of the tiger's muzzle and jaws as he laughed. He made no attempt to hide his hatred and contempt for their kind. "Is that so Captain, I asked them to leave and they left, have a look outside should you not believe me!" The chief pointed to the tent's entrance and indicated he was serious. Kail looked back and forth between the entrance and the big sitting tiger. He slowly crept over to the tent flap and gently lifted it up. Looking outside and to his surprise the tiger was not lying. The guards were visible but quite a distance away. He had the leader of the tribe alone. What if he killed him? Kail could make the entire occupation easier for all his comrades. Even for the commander.

"Kail is it? Please tell me what it is that makes you distrust me so much? What is it that makes you hate my people the way you do?" The tiger asked curious. He saw the hatred inside Kail, the repulsion the bias. He was a human supremacist, seeing other species as below him. But the tiger simply wondered, why? Kail meanwhile was made very uncomfortable by the question. He would not humour the enemy. But what bothered him was that he didn't just not have an answer for the tiger, he didn't have an answer for himself. That question soon became engraved into his mind. Why did he hate them so much? No! It's the tiger's tribal tricks! It's causing doubt! It must be...right?

"You think yourself so mighty with your... tribesmen abilities and mind bending powers!" Kail shouted at the tiger. The feline paused and simply looked stunned and confused. He took a moment and looked at Kail as if asking if her was serious or not. Kail soon felt stupid, not just stupid but that creeping feeling of being alone and defenceless was creeping in on him yet again. "Take a look at yourself captain! You are so blinded by your ignorance you are trying to connect fairy tales to my people! Please Mr. Kail just tell me, what is it that has made you hate us so much!" The tiger proceeded to ask him again. Kail tore himself away from the feline's gaze. The tribal leader seemed to show a visible interest in the root of his bias. But Kail just couldn't face it at this time. "Please... Just don't." He muttered, defeated and totally pathetic in front of the enemy.

The tiger sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Very well, I can see a sensitive subject when I see one, perhaps we can solve it at a later time." He spoke softly, like a caring parent speaking to a upset child. Kail sheepishly took a chair and sat at the opposite side of the table. The human leaned back and looked around the sides of the hut, not wanting to make eye contact. The tiger had somehow took him from a state of feeling physically vulnerable to emotionally vulnerable. He had never felt this way before. It was eating up the Captain badly. The tiger pulled a small tea set from under the table. Kail glanced down with surprise. Tea? Here? It was a primitive set, the cups, and tools all rough but still quality made. The tiger pulled out a hot kettle that seemingly was boiling under the table the whole time. Kail was even more distraught, he didn't even notice it the whole time. He was usually so observant! What was going on with him?

"Captain, are you going to tell me what it is that's eating you up inside so very badly?" The tiger spoke again. Kail stiffened unsure to respond. "Or is that too a sensitive subject?" he looked up as he finished, raising a brow to indicate he wanted an answer. Kail stuttered nonsense for a moment and the tiger simply raised his palm next to his head. "I won't say a word! You can tell me anything, not as enemies, but friends... having tea." He smiled. Kail let his expression rest. He slumped forwards, watching the steam rise from the kettle. "I... How can you tell what I'm feeling?" He asked. This time not a scent of suspicion in the human's words. The tiger smiled. "Let's say you have an expressive face, and I'm the leader of my people. As such It's my job to make sure each and everyone of them is living a happy and joyful life." The muzzle soon formed a very welcoming smile as Kail realised he was finding himself give over and be friendly towards the chief. His mind battled as he wondered if he should reject everything and go back to the cave, or wherever they would keep him. The tiger gently poured himself some water and gently filled the cup with some red leaves. Kail did not recognise them and assumed correctly they were native to the island. "Is that not a waste of your time? As a leader should you not be ensuring a stable supply of resources, controlling unrest and population growth and negotiating with other civilisations?" Kail asked. The tiger chuckled. "Nature provides us with enough water and wild animals to hunt. We farm and we grow. The other tribes all do the same and so peace is ever more. Resources are taken only when we need them. If we ever take more than we need we risk losing the resources completely and forcing ourselves to go to others for the supplies. That is a path that leads to war and I will not set my people on it!" He replied. His voice was smooth now, silky even. It was still a low, deep sound but it grew ever more civil as time passed. Kail almost felt at ease.

The captain reached towards a cup filled with the same leaves the tiger had. He lifted it up and gave them a sniff. They smell truly exotic. Closest thing he could compare them to was a warm stew. He looked at them, nothing glare out on their surface to suggest they were poisonous. The tiger lifted up the kettle and kindly indicated the cup. Kail slowly allowed him to pour. "You strike me as more of a strategist than a warrior Mr. Kail, tell me a bit about yourself, what kind of Captain are you?" He asked. The Captain paused. Should he really give himself away? He decided for now, he could trust them, what more did he have to lose? "I was a guard Captain in the capital city. One the best. Life was good, I was recommended for a promotion to commander." Kail said before taking a drink of the tea. It was warm and gentle on the tongue. A savoury taste almost. Having a warm drink the first time since he left the city was enough to relax the mind. The tiger took a sip and smiled as he placed a hand on his thigh. "But what about you, Why were you the best? I want to know more about you Kail and... Well how about names first?" The big tiger asked. Kail paused. "You first!" He instinctively protected his identity, realising afterwards that there was little reason to. "Heh Very well Captain. My formal name would be Vass Felind, I'm the tribes leader and once the farther of a strong prince. What about yourself?" He asked. Kail froze. "Prince? You lost a son?" The Captain asked. The tiger smirked playfully. "Your avoiding the question!" He pointed at the human before his smile softened and he looked visibly disturbed for a moment. Kail decided it was best to answer. "My name...my name is James Kail. I was raised in the military academy and I never met my parents, I was too young when they died." He finished. It was not a story he was comfortable telling yet his first name felt harder to admit to.

"I see we both have suffered loss then James." Vass spoke with a sorrowful tone to his voice. "I suppose we have," James looked down at his hands and quickly took another sip of the tea to relax himself. "How long ago did you lose you son? Or is that your sensitive subject?" Kail asked. Chief Felind leaned back and his eyes looked directly at Kail for a few moments. Almost like they were reading him. "It was... recently. Least to say me and my cub were not the closest, in fact he was far from me in many ways. Ruthless, angry, battle hungry." The tiger looked down at his palms as he stretched them out. "Yet I miss him like we were the closest things ever. Strange isn't it? At least he died protecting his people. That's the most honourable ending to any life who values our ways." The chief shed a tear that gently tickled through his fur. Kail remained quiet. He was slowly placing parts of what he was told together. Vass said there was lasting peace here. Yet the son died recently defending his people. Kail looked at the tiger's face as he looked at his paws. James recognised the expression of deep pain. Then he immediately realised what he had done. Right before he passed out upon the battlefield, that savage tiger was standing over him with the sword raised. In one last act of hatred, Kail lunged the spear he had through the tiger's head, killing him instantly. The captain remembered the facial features before they were torn. They matched Vass. James gasped. "It was me... I killed your son..." He muttered quietly in realisation.

The chief looked up at him and wiped his eyes dry. "That may be, but you gave my son the death he wanted. It may seem strange to your people. But I can only thank you for defeating him and making it quick. He won the battle and died a hero. That's all I could have wanted for him if that's what he wanted." The tiger spoke with a more proud and proclaiming voice. Kail struggled to make sense of it. "Why haven't you killed me?" He asked, looking the tiger right in the eye. At this point he wasn't afraid to die. In a strange way he wanted to. Anthon was no home of his, he had no people and the kindest ones he had ever found he had committed a grievous crime against. James would in fact welcome the death as nothing more or less than justice.

Vass breathed deeply, Even Kail could see there was an internal struggle going on inside the tiger's mind. A fight for James' fate. Spare or execute. Yet the tiger kept himself calm. "An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind!" The tiger spoke softly. "I will not execute a man for self defence! Instead I offer to you a chance. See our people, our ways, know we are of no threat to your own and with some hope maybe you can bring peace to our island without bloodshed!" the tiger spoke very plainly. James sat there listening to every word but knowing that this was hopeless. Anthon would have this land, willing or not, there will be blood. "I can't." Kail said with a sorrowful expression. "You can't persuade them to stop without bloodying their nose first!" Kail told him. The tiger remained quiet, thinking looking down at the map of Anthon in front of him. He leaned forwards. "Please, see my people, see our lives, make your own decision if you will burn our village and turn this island into another slum of money for the republic leaders that will never know us! Make your own mind up James, for it may be the last time you get the chance!" Vass warned him, Kail knew what he meant. If he sided with Anthon he would likely be killed anyway. Deminos had it in for him regardless. The tiger pointed to the exit behind the Captain and James took it. Walking out slowly and looking back to the tiger when he reached the door. "Thank you..." he muttered. The tiger politely nodded and returned to his work.

James left the tent and had a thorn in his mind. He stood still for a moment. it felt like he was watching the whole meeting again from a different perspective. It felt strange. Did he really just come face to face with the enemy and simply have a conversation? Did he give any Anthon intel away? He was confused and concerned. Yet he felt a strange sense of safety. The tiger seemed so big and strong that he didn't account for the anthro to treat him in a civil way. Needless to say it made him realise he had never really treated any anthro in a civil way before. Kail truly felt like his entire life had been misled. He shook his head clear of these thoughts and got moving. Following the stone pathway back up to those wolves and the others.

Kail came back up the stairs and as he did both the larger felines both looked around and suspiciously gripped their spears. James looked them up and down before looking past them at the two wolves. The suspicious one muttered something to the calm one. The calm wolf giving Kail one last look before walking away towards the town centre. The more aggressive wolf marched right up to Kail and crossed his arms. "So?" The wolf asked. James was taken back. The wolf spoke with a simple straight forward voice. He had experience behind it that much would tell. "I guess I'm free to walk about?" Kail told them. They looked at each other with a concerned but expected gaze. Like they knew the chief would do something like that. "Ugh, well your not going anywhere alone!" The wolf snarled. Kail flinched before standing tall again. "Good! I'm still not entirely sure weather or not to trust your people or not!" He replied, trying to get back his Captain like voice. It failed. It didn't even feel right. Like the Captain he once knew was someone else...

The wolf grabbed Kail by the arm and huffed as he pulled the human away from the tent. James struggled what he could but the wolf was well enough built that he didn't even care for the Captain's petty struggles. James eventually complied and soon the wolf reached where he wanted to be. He quickly threw James forwards and Kail looked over the tremendous sight before him.

It wasn't just some tribal camp, but an entire city like landscape. Countless tents and cabins, made of wood, furs and cloth. They were lined in a mix of organised streets and simple circles. In the middle of each street or circle rested a large bonfire. Many gathered around of all shapes and sizes, species and gender. They spoke, they danced, they cooked and sang. Kail feasted his eyes upon it all. Children running between the dwellings singing and playing, running faster than even some of the soldiers Kail used to know. Every now and again there would be one larger dwelling flanked by towers. Guard posts and police stations. Some tribal warriors training and fighting with each other in a constructive way. It was a feast for anyone's eyes. A paradise of sorts. Even Kail would admit to being impressed. He looked behind him up the mountainside and saw the cave he was taken to. Their hospital. Around the sides were the chief's hut and tent, where James just was. Opposite what Kail imagined was where other key members of the tribe stayed. The human was quiet. He felt like a stranger but never did a city he laid eyes on look more friendly. He couldn't help but let out a mutter.

"Wow!"

The wolf behind seemed shocked at his response. The canine uncrossed his arms and stood next to James. Looking right at him with confusion. James turned to him with an equal look. "You're not what I imagined you would be!" The wolf muttered. "Most humans our people had encountered look at us with difference, treat us as less and are repulsed by our lifestyles." He spoke. He then suddenly glared at Kail. "Grey told me you were like them. A human who sees species first!" He scolded. Kail took a step back and looked over the city once more. "She's the medic that healed me right?" He asked. "She saved you!" Was the responsive given. James looked at the wolf. "I owe her more thanks then. I..." He paused. Was he really going to admit to being wrong? Ever perception of an all anthro society had now been shattered. Instead of slaughter they saved him, instead of sacrifice they save. Instead of caves they build. It was all so overwhelming to him. "I... was like them," James said with gloom. "All my life I've hated your people for what you did. But this... I didn't expect this..." He spoke with amazement still present in his voice.

"What did we do?" The wolf asked. What should have been a irritated question was actually curious. Kail froze. His repressed memories came flooding back. He saw the faces of his parents again. A memory he wished he had forgotten. "Nothing..." He muttered, pain very much present in his response and the wolf picked up on it right away. He sighed and looked over the city. "Something deep down, I get it!" He muttered, putting down his sword that was on his side. He looked at Kail as he glanced at what the wolf was doing. The anthro raising a hand to show it was in good faith. "I just want to make sure you felt safe, You're not the threat I was expecting, in fact I think we are more alike than I thought!" The wolf finished. Kail turned around and was about to reply with 'we are nothing alike!' but he stopped himself. Why would he need to say that? Exactly! No reason at all!

"What's your name human?" The wolf asked. "Captain Kail... James Kail..." He replied. The wolf smiled at him politely. "Hiya James, I'm Fowl Lupid Captain of the guard in this fine town you're in!" He smiled and offered James his hand. Reluctantly still, James shook it. He felt the fur on the paw and the pads themselves. Soft, but firm at the same time. "So we are both Captains on opposite sides eh?" James said. "I guess, but the way I see it. You're not the bad guy here, If the chief chose you to live, especially after what you did to the commander! I trust his judgement." Fowl told the human. He sighed and sat down on the ledge overlooking town. Kail sat down next to him. "It will be hard for everyone over the next few days. And your gonna be caught in a war! You've seen we are not the savages they make us out to be! Can you really go back to Anthon knowing this?" He asked. Kail froze up. He looked at the wolf and stammered for a moment, pausing he spoke clearly. "Are you saying... You want me to pick a side?" James' voice shook as he spoke. The wolf looked away awkwardly. "It's not something I expect you to do on the spot. In fact I know the chief very well. Chances are he will have you in a spare hut and let you sleep on it. But dark is coming soon and I thought I may as well ask. Would you help us defend our people?" Fowl looked at him with a very sorry expression. Kail couldn't even look at him. These people were innocent, free and truthfully were no threat for Anthon. He had already called the invasion a sham for profit and now. He was being forced to pick between Peaceful innocents and the cause he spent so long protecting. "Anthon may have ditched me out here, but they are still my people. Let me sleep on it. I'll... choose in the morning..." He replied to the wolf next to him. "Thank you James, I mean it!" Fowl told him. "Just tell me, if I refuse to join?" Kail asked.

"I'll make sure you get out to the Anthon Camp, or a safe camping spot. I won't let anyone touch you!" Fowl told him. Kail felt more at ease but night was fast approaching. He got up and Captain Lupid took him to the nearby spare hut. Leaving the Captain alone with his thoughts...