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The Rat! (A TK Themed Commission) [commission]
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 04:35:20 +0000 UTCCommission from Caelum Imbr yet again!! The story can be found below :D To read the previous version, check them out here
Now on to the story
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The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the quiet estate. Beneath the gentle light, Caelum and Liandra knelt by the same tree where they had shared a moment of peace before. The world felt distant tonight—just the two of them, huddled close, their breath steady, plotting their next move. Liandra’s eyes gleamed with the same mischievous glint that had first drawn Caelum to her. She leaned in, her voice low as she outlined the last details of their plan.
<"I think it'll be perfect,"> she murmured, a smile tugging at her lips. <"When he steps right into that trap, it'll be all over for his ego.">
Caelum’s grin matched hers, a quiet thrill building in his chest. He loved the idea of getting back at the overseer—showing him that the keidran weren’t so easily broken. The trap they had set up was simple, but it would deliver the humiliation the overseer so richly deserved.
<"We just need to get it set up before anyone notices,"> Caelum whispered, glancing over his shoulder.
<"It'll work,"> Liandra gave him a playful nudge, her tail flicking behind her in the cool night air. <"Though, do you think it’ll really shake him? He seems so sure of himself, like he’s untouchable.">
<"Let’s find out,"> Caelum replied with a wink. He picked up the sack of supplies they had brought, securing the rope and logs they would use to set the snare. <"He needs to understand that we’re not his slaves anymore. Not in spirit.">
<"The overseer won’t know what hit him,"> she added with a low chuckle. <"He’s been too smug lately, thinking he’s got control over us.">
Before they could continue, a rustle broke the stillness around them. Both of their ears perked at the sound, their senses sharpening. They turned toward the source of the noise, but there was nothing there. No movement, no more sounds.
Caelum frowned, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. <"You hear that?">
Liandra glanced around, her eyes narrowing. <"Probably just the wind.">
But they didn’t know. From the shadows, the unmistakable shape of a figure crept into view—a fox, known among the slaves for his sly nature and unwillingness to get involved in matters of rebellion. His name was Ral, but the others simply referred to him as the "rat," after he betrayed Caelum and Liandra a few months back. He crouched behind a tree and a thicket of bushes, listening intently to their conversation. He was too far away to be seen clearly, but his eyes gleamed as he soaked in every word.
Ral’s eyes narrowed as he watched the two keidran plot. A small, self-satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had been wary of them ever since they first arrived at the farm, even telling the overseers about their behavior. It was his role on the farm, though set back a bit after he found out about their stunt with the poisoned water. He sought to get back his rank as soon as possible, and he needed to make sure they wouldn’t get in his way. And now he’d heard enough to know they were planning something big. Something dangerous.
<"Stupid,"> Ral muttered under his breath, turning on his heel and silently slipping away. He had a job to do.
The overseer’s quarters were dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering flames of a candle. His weary eyes were half-lidded as he reclined on a chair, the fatigue of the day wearing him down. He had spent hours inspecting the slaves earlier, and now he longed for a peaceful rest. But the sound of the door creaking open caught his attention.
Ral stepped in, his movements smooth, his expression unreadable. He looked briefly at the overseer, who raised an eyebrow in irritation.
"Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep, fox?" the overseer growled, his voice thick with exhaustion.
Ral didn’t flinch. He stood firm, the sly grin on his face betraying his calm demeanor. "I’m sorry to disturb you, Sir. But I think you’ll want to hear this."
The overseer’s eyes narrowed, irritation giving way to curiosity. "What is it?"
"They’re planning something," Ral said smoothly, leaning in closer. "Caelum and Liandra. I overheard them talking about a little prank they’re going to pull on you."
The overseer stiffened, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "A prank? From those two?" His voice was laced with disdain. "How bold of them."
Ral nodded. "They’ve set a trap for you. Nothing too complicated, but it’s enough to humiliate you. I thought you should know."
For a moment, the overseer said nothing, his brow furrowed as he considered this information. Then, his lips curled into a wicked grin. "Well, well, well. Seems like they’ve forgotten their place."
Ral stepped back slightly, watching carefully. "I thought you might want to deal with it yourself," he added, his voice sweetening. "I’m just the messenger."
The overseer’s expression shifted, from irritation to cold calculation. He stood up, his broad frame looming over Ral. "Get back to your barracks, fox. I’ll take care of this." His voice turned steely. "You’ve done enough. Now get out."
Ral hesitated, a brief flicker of doubt crossing his mind. But the overseer’s command was clear, and Ral knew better than to disobey. He nodded quickly and turned to leave, but not before he shot one last look at the overseer.
Caelum and Liandra, unaware of the betrayal that had just unfolded, were already heading to the overseer’s inspection area. They carried the logs and rope with quiet determination, making their way through the estate’s grounds.
The trap was almost ready, and the adrenaline was beginning to build. They could already picture it—watching the overseer trip into the snare, his inflated ego shattered for everyone to see. But just as they reached the spot where the trap would be set, they heard footsteps. Heavy, deliberate, echoing through the night.
Liandra froze, her hand instinctively moving to the small knife she carried. <"Damn,"> she muttered under her breath, <"He’s here.">
Caelum’s heart began to race. He didn’t need to look to know who it was. The overseer’s unmistakable figure stepped into view, his cold eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" The overseer’s tone was dripping with venom, and Caelum’s heart sank. He turned swiftly, only to see the overseer standing just behind them, his whip at his side and his eyes full of cold fury.
"I knew something was up when you two started looking too comfortable." He smirked, taking a slow step toward them. "You thought I wouldn’t notice? How cute."
Liandra’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening as if to speak, "H-how did you know?" The words came out as a harsh whisper, confusion riddling her face.
"Oh, let’s just say a little birdy told me about your plan," the overseer explained.
The two stood flabbergasted, the realization sinking in. <"Ral …"> Liandra whipped her gaze to Caelum, who was just as stunned. Caelum clenched his fists, his anger rising as he locked eyes with the overseer, his body stiffening in disbelief.
"You two are about to learn what happens when you think you can get away with things like this." The overseer’s voice was a low growl as he circled them, his gaze icy. "And I’m not going to be lenient. We’ll handle this the old-fashioned way."
He cracked his whip against the ground, the sound sharp and jarring in the quiet night. Caelum’s blood ran cold. He didn’t know how much Ral had told him, but it was clear the overseer knew about the prank. His fists clenched, but before he could react, the overseer moved swiftly, grabbing Caelum by the collar and shoving him to his knees.
"Though I should honestly applaud you, thinking that you could get away with this," the overseer sneered. "You’ll pay for your insolence."
"You’re going to regret this," Liandra spat, her voice low but full of venom.
The overseer ignored her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her roughly to her feet. "I don’t think you’re in any position to be making threats," he said, his eyes flashing with malice as he turned his attention to Caelum, the whip still in hand. "You thought you could play games with me? Let’s see how long you last before you break."
Liandra tried to move, but the overseer was too fast, grabbing her arm and forcing her down beside Caelum. The overseer stood over them, his breath heavy with fury. "You should know better than to think you can defy me."
He reached for his whip, the leather crackling ominously as he prepared to lash out at Caelum’s back. With each strike, the sound of the whip filled the air, sharp and cruel. Caelum gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out, even as his skin tore beneath the lashes. Liandra, helpless, watched in fury, her fists clenched.
No matter how much they tried to resist the magic within the collars, neither the wolf nor half-wolf could force their bodies to comply, to stand up, only to remain in place while the lash struck against their backs.
From a distance, Ral watched, his heart pounding in his chest as the overseer continued his brutal punishment. He had told the overseer everything—too much, perhaps. He’d betrayed the two keidran to keep himself safe, but now, as he watched them suffer, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. He recalled the overseer’s command to return to his barracks, to stay out of the way. But how could he walk away now? How could he reconcile this with his ambitions?
Still, he did nothing. The sight of Caelum and Liandra’s pain gnawed at him, but he knew that if he ever wanted to regain his place, he couldn’t afford to show weakness. Not now. The overseer’s punishment raged on, a stark reminder of just how much power the humans had over them.
Hours passed, the whip’s sound finally fading into the distance. The overseer, satisfied with his work, dismissed them. Caelum and Liandra were dragged away, their bodies bruised and bloodied, their spirits bent but not broken. The overseer gave them no mercy, no chance to recover.
As they were thrown into the cold, dark cell, their eyes met, and despite everything, the unspoken bond between them remained unshaken. They had endured, and they would endure again.
Ral knew that in due time, everyone would know it was he who threw the two wolves to the overseer, and that the want and fear of his position would force him further down this path he had taken. No, there was no going back. Perhaps in good time, he could live in the manor itself, free of the potential of finding himself dead in the woods.
Ral gulped. It was only a matter of time before the other slaves would see him dead—as a traitor, nothing more.
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