Talvi felt something shift beneath the ground, hackles raised as she followed the movement with her eyes. She didn't feel any malice, but she prepared an ice spear just in case. The earth was starting to rise periodically, as if something was pushing its way out. Suddenly a hand shot out of the ground, Talvi almost loosed her attack but refrained as the arm from the elbow up had freed itself.
Talvi squeaked as she started digging around the arm that had started to flail. She hadn't seen them before, but she had heard of them, the helpers! The dirt obscured most of what she could see, but the black glove was distinctive of the memories she'd seen. Soon the arm just focused on anchoring onto the level earth as two more foxes darted over to help dig it out.
Rahm wanted to curse as the ground started to harden, not just harden, but freeze! They ran fire through their claws as they continued to dig as fast as the three of them could without scratching the body. As they started to unearth the head and shoulders, they saw the figure was hunched over while protecting something in his embrace.
Talvi let out a whimper as the larger figure used his right hand to start brushing away clumps grassy earth. Cradled to his chest in his left arm were more than half a dozen little people covered in frost. Talvi didn't dare make contact as she was an artic fox, her specialty was water and ice. She continued to carefully dig him out as Rahm reached in to start lifting the hand-sized people out.
Rahm tried to picked up one of the small people by its cloak, but he was frozen to the others. Rahm didn't dare pull hard, they were so small… Rahm lowered himself into the pit making himself smaller as he started cycling fire throughout his body.
Talvi and the second red fox continued to dig them out. Rahm was starting to steam as his heat was thawing out the little ones. "Are you okay little black?" Talvi asked as the larger figure was trembling, but not making a sound.
"They. Are. Freezing." Hito stated as they were slowly being thawed out, so cold, had to protect, he had to stay aware. The foxes continued to dig him out, soon his legs were free. Without delay the second red fox was dragging him out by his cloak.
Rahm was shivering, like a tiny flame in a frozen lake, but he didn't stop. Not even Talvi was this cold in the dead of winter, he wanted to tell someone to slowly start separating the little people before they froze back together but he couldn't speak in as a fox.
Hito lay on his back as the foxes surrounded him, the second red fox was draped over his face while putting out heat. As his left arm regained mobility, he slowly reached, separating the others.
Littlest was circling around anxiously as the big black one moved, soon a human the size of his face was held out. Littlest darted in to snatch the little person then leapt to lay in one of the large fires. He felt like he was carrying around a constant brain freeze, Littlest dropped the small person in the middle of the fire, then curled up on top of him as he put out as much heat as his small body could handle.
The female owl flew up dropping logs on the fire, careful to miss her little fox. Her little fox would periodically pulled the burning logs closer as she waited. Soon there were seven fires with foxes all holding little people. She had never seen such small people before… they also didn't smell like people…
Rahm slid off the big black human's chest, he didn't have enough mana to continue circulating. He wasn't sure how anyone could survive such a bone chilling cold… and to be born of fire? Talvi had three separate enchanted items to help her tolerate the weather, even days like yesterday with only a slight warmth was like being in a sauna. The summers were as if she were being baked alive.
Hito rolled onto his side to slowly pushed himself up, Futa and Mitt… he had to get them out… The foxes had warmed him enough, Futa was starting to struggle to keep their connection open. He wasn't strong enough to pull himself and Mitt out… Mitt wasn't even responding anymore.
Sebastian cursed when he woke up and saw Vigan missing, no doubt that wretched cat had something to do with the fires suddenly surrounding everything. He didn't even flinch as he pulled on his robe rushing outside to see all the chaos. Between the frantic foxes, enraged Inago warriors, the general commotion Sebastian had pieced together that Ashton was injured, and his helpers were freezing to death.
"Damn these nights, Calix! The crown prince and princess Natasha!" Sebastian ordered as he started to hobble back inside.
Calix let go of his grandfather's arm as he raced inside, "Bring them?!" he called glancing over his shoulder.
"Yes!" Sebastian called slowing down as his knee nearly buckled beneath him. Blasted knee, he should have sought out a healer, but he didn't trust the priests. The imperial mages wouldn't keep their mouths shut about his injuries so they weren't a realistic option. Still, they would be the lesser of the evils once control was restored to this chaos though. Beast Gods above, Sebastian decided he would sleep during the days and keep vigil at night.
Calix raced up to the second story shoving his way past the guards who were escorting the empress, imperial concubines, and imperial children away. "De-epest apolo-gies!" Calix panted as he lowered his shoulders, scooped Natasha onto his left, Serafin on his right and started running outside.
Calix was glad he was wearing his enchanted boots that increased his speed. His undershirt that decreased weight. His stamina was usually better but the adrenaline and having just woken up certainly wasn't doing any favors. As the empress started screaming the guards started chasing him, Calix internally sighed.
Serafin started pounding on Calix's back, "Release us!" He ordered trying to keep himself from bouncing on Calix's shoulder. Oof! Each step was basically a gut punch.
Calix ignored the crown prince as he darted down the stairs, a fox was bursting in with the helper draped over his back, "Here!" He gasped as the fox's hackles rose. Hmm, it would be really awkward if the fox thought he was trying to escape with the imperials…
Liga had taken over care of the black-clad human after Rahm had collapsed, he wasn't fond of any of the humans, but so long as papa bird liked them he wouldn't eat them. Liga pounced toward the boy holding the imperials, good boy, not trying to dodge.
Calix almost lost his soul when both imperials were knocked to the ground but he kept moving forward. Calix turned on a dime before he kept going right out the door. The helper had fallen to the ground beside Natasha and Serafin who were being held down by the fox.
Liga kept a paw on both children's stomachs as he wrinkled his nose threateningly as big black was sinking into the ground between them. When the male tried to move Liga growled showing just a bit of teeth. The favored human who had brought them down was slowly walking back over but giving a wide berth. Smart human.
Hito only had to go about three feet down, Mitt and Futa were huddled together. The ground was freezing around them but Hito pulled them straight out, clumps of concrete floor and all. "Ff-ox, fff-ire." Hito called as he put them on the floor then started removing the concrete from their frosty bodies.
Liga pushed off two smaller bodies, enjoying their grunts as he changed to his human form. No need to set the palace on fire… yet. Liga scooped the little people securing them in his pocket as he pulled big black's arm over his shoulder. Now he had to return. With an internal shiver he started dragging them all out. No way he could warm all three for any real length of time.
Calix hesitated as he glanced at the upset prince and terrified princess… but the moment the biggest helper had passed the palace doors a blue barrier enveloped both. Nope, Calix was not messing with that. He followed the fox out making sure to stay in his peripheral vision, "Is there anything I can do to help? We have mana stones, cores, crystals, two of my cousins are second tier mages…" Calix prattled on anxiously as frost marked where the fox had dragged the largest helper.
Liga ignored the frost spreading over his shoulders, up his neck, along his left side, and in both pockets. "Find three open fires." The chattering human was only exasperating Liga's irritation. He wasn't as old or strong as brother Rahm, just this short several dozen yard journey was sapping more than just his physical strength.
Calix ran forward looking for open fires, after searching for almost a minute he pulled on one of the Inago searching the ground, "I need three fires, one of the fox's has three helpers!" Calix explained glancing over his shoulder. The fox already had frost spreading all over his body as he continued to move toward them.
Sebastian noticed the commotion; blast it all their enchantments were water based or fire resistant. As he looked around, the foxes were struggling with the few fires they were tending, to start three more would only spread their already thin resources thinner.
"Melrose! Cynthia! Fires now!" Sebastian ordered. While only second tier mages, something was better than nothing. The twins raced forth already chanting, "Bring mana stones and wood." Sebastian was only a little surprised when a few of the Inago broke away to bring fuel for the fires.
Rahm was once again huddled over a tiny black figure clutching his stomach fur. This was worse than that one time they went to visit that ice fish… and he'd been dumb enough to be frozen in a block of ice. This was like… the little figure wasn't just cold, but absorbing his warmth. Not just his body heat, Rahm didn't know how to describe it but whatever this soul sucking cold was needed to be fixed.
Sun.
Sun? The sun was definitely brighter than a fire. Wait...
Sunlight.
Rahm looked up, there was fire all around, even if the sun had risen there was no way the early morning light would get past Father Caius's fire walls. Rahm looked up, almost directly overhead, standing on Father Caius's barrier was an eagle.
Sun.
Rahm shivered, then slowly struggled to his feet, small human still clutching his fur. Ignoring the others who were ready to swap with him, Rahm created paw sized platforms all the way to the brown eagle. Rahm shuddered, then leapt from nearly invisible platform to platform. He just had to reach the light.
Caius was cradling his injured baby bird to his chest, creating enough heat that sand would have long turned to diamond let alone glass, still his Little Snack was cold to the touch. Skin flaking away, exposed layers of skin and muscle slowly pulsing with the delayed heart beats. When something was trying to leave his barrier, he whipped his head up with a snarl.
Rahm rammed against the barrier once, then the second time it had been opened. He was able to leap out. The unexpected freedom had be sprawled out beside the eagle who was tilting its head at him. The immediate temperature difference and breeze was like going from a cold room to walking out into a blizzard.
Rahm was trembling as the eagle reached out a talon picking up the small figure. Without protest the small figure let go to clutch the talon… Rahm was slightly offended at how quickly the little one had snubbed his efforts! Even rubbing its masked face against the foot of the eagle. Traitor! Turncoat! Cold hearted…
Rahm stiffened when he realized… the talon wasn't being covered in frost, nor did the eagle seem to notice the cold. Before he could process what could be happening the barrier was shattered. Rahm didn't even have time to glance down let alone make a platform as he started to fall.
Caius jerked as his barrier was just… shattered but his walls of fires remained. The eagle caught little Rahm by his tail flying down in a slow spiral, clearly examining the situation. The lower the eagle descended, the more… something filled the air. A power, but not intimidation, not a pressure, just… something. Caius wrinkled his nose as he leaned over his baby bird.
Rahm was dangling from his tail, could none of these birds respect his dignity as a fox? So rude… but so warm. Rahm let himself dangle was a gentle warmth spread from the talon, into his tail throughout his body. As embarrassing as the situation was, he felt like he was being wrapped up in a warm bath… but without the wet fur. Maybe… dignity wasn't so important.
Rahm almost, almost yelped when he was released. There was no way he would ever fall on his face, clearly he'd planned such a last minute pounce deliberately! See how many of the others were so easily fooled! Rahm trotted after his eagle friend, the same one from yesterday. The eagle flew over to the giant nest dropping the little one inside.
Caius bared his teeth but didn't snarl as he watched the eagle perched on the edge of his Little Snack's nest. He wasn't sure how territorial his baby was, but he knew most birds did not welcome others into their nests. The eagle didn't even look at Caius as it tilted his head, then seemed to draw in a big breath and exhale as if… exasperated? Disappointed?
Sebastian had been waiting for Lucian and Charmaine to finish storming over. Sebastian drew himself to his full height as he stood between the enraged entourage and his grandson. "Majesties, have you come to help direct resources or personnel?"
Lucian glared as he gripped his sword doing his best not to draw his blade, "What did Calix do to them?" he demanded through his seething rage. A duke had not only ordered his children abducted, they were now in some kind of liquid barrier that repelled everything. Not only that, both were unconscious.
Devlin was glancing around, he'd tried one small lightning attack on the barrier which had been reflected, the rest were just absorbed. From all the frantic warriors, fires, foxes, and general chaos… perhaps being in some weird barrier was the safest option. Devlin used his upper arm to wipe away sweat, beast gods above it was like a sauna.
Sebastian wasn't sure what Lucian was referring to, but there were more important concerns at the moment, like surviving the rising heat or ensuring Lord Reece didn't die which might have the foxes turn them all into dinner. "I haven't the slightest clue your majesty, but perhaps we can attend to the situation at hand? Mage Devlin, I do believe helping tend the fires would be the best way to ingratiate yourself with the beasts."
Lucian glared, but glanced around. He was aware Ashton was in some sort of dilemma, but if the foxes or Inago couldn't do anything, he wasn't going to invite his own humiliation. "We will not overlook this." Lucian threatened as he nodded to Devlin to go help. A token attempt was better than kicking someone while they are down.
Charmaine glared past Lucian, not only was Lucian giving in, he was basically leaving both children to their fate! She took a deep breath, turned around and went back inside. If they couldn't destroy or remove the barriers, then they should just try moving them. The barriers holding her children were just floating a few inches off the ground. Her father and a few others followed her back toward the foyer without a word when a sudden burst of light almost blinded her.
More than half the humans cried out at the sudden blinding light. It was like they had all just looking straight into the noon day sun. Many were hunched over or covering their eyes as they tried to blink back their vision.
Rahm collapsed once again, using a tail to covered his eyes as he whined, warn a fox! That eagle had just opened its wings and it was like he'd released all the light in the world at the same time. Aiya… he would never see again! He needed a seeing eye bird! Like an eagle… the very eagle that had blinded him! Had carried him around! Even birds had to take responsibility!
Caius flinched but didn't close his eyes or drop his Little Snack. Caius squinted as he used a tail to try blocking the light radiating from the eagle as it hopped down into the nest. A moment later Caius heard almost a dozen plops as things were dropped into the nest, stones? Caius looked down. The helpers tumbling inside haphazardly, frost visibly melting away but… the temperature in the nest wasn't increasing. He jolted when something pulled on his tail fur. The eagle was strutting under his tail right up to his baby!
Caius snarled as he pulled his Little Snack closer, fur bristling, ears back, teeth bared. He would not release his baby without a fight. The eagle… tilted its head as it looked up at him, still shining with all the light of the midday sun. Caius tightened his hold as his Little Snack slid out of his grasp. He looked down trying to pick his injured baby bird back up but his Little Snack was curled into a ball like the little hand sized men as a transparent membrane encased them.
Caius hesitated… they were in… eggs?