Forever Caged [Complete]

Make sure you didn't skip chapter 33, since these two are posted back to back.


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Chapter 34: Epilogue


Reyvn was in the library as usual, buried in his books. Several strapped ones had been undone, all on the topic of ancient magick. In the six months since he'd cut his hair, he'd already been re-taught the Ymensatill language thanks to Shinda's patient tutelage, and was getting a hold on the naga language now. He figured in another two months he'd have it down, and could start learning the languages of the shad. Both Shinda and Lesara had taken the time to teach him higher levels of math, and Shinda was working vigorously to train him in the art of swordfighting. Reyvn picked it up easily enough, his long curved blades well-suited for his body type and natural movements. He'd even learned how to make use of the long slim dagger, mainly for defense or quick killing strikes.

Of course, he hadn't been given any real tests. That would be murder. He was also taught how to make better use of his vocal magick, and how to incorporate his natural gifts into everyday life, as well as the occasional flight lesson. Shinda had previously instructed him to research older magick and history, so that he'd better understand his origins and why the things he was taught were important.

Lesara had moved Reyvn and Arna into one large room, along with a larger bed, right in the hall of his most prized treasures. Reyvn was happy with the arrangement, and was glad Shinda was making up for the fact that Arna no longer bedded with Cherry. As Reyvn's wardrobe expanded over time, he got rid of everything Koumori had had made for him. The veran was out of his life now, and he didn't need to be reminded of him. And besides that, what with training with Shinda, he'd finally put on some weight and muscle tone. He was also in the middle of a growth spurt, which currently put him closer to Arna's height. He was turning out to be quite slender and lean, and according to Shinda, he would get even taller. His face had lost some of its soft roundness, and he'd also decided he liked his hair short, refusing to let it grow past the nape of his neck.

Shinda had made good on his word to stick around and make sure 'no more shit happened' around Reyvn, and Reyvn was glad for it. He hadn't been abused by anyone in the past half year, and was stronger for it. Well, except the occasional bullshit from Cherry, but he could just shrug off her snide comments.

He was currently in the middle of a thick book, brushing off his studies for now in favor of some good fiction. He heard the door creak open, and looked up to see Arna enter. He smiled and marked his spot before setting the book down and moving to greet Arna with a tight hug. Arna's body had begun filling out too, broadening in the shoulders and torso a bit and putting on a little more weight and muscle. He'd been learning the art of the sword along with himself and Shinda. The lovely redhead also had his eighteenth birthday the previous month, which was given a decent celebration. Reyvn kissed Arna gently on the lips before pulling back a ways.

"So what did you come to tell me?" he asked gently.

Arna kissed Reyvn back, smiling. "Shinda's back from his trip to the mainland. He said he had a surprise for you."

Reyvn's short ears perked up a bit. "Really? I didn't even hear him come in." His voice held the softness it always did, but had smoothed out and deepened. "I bet he's in the kitchen cleaning out the fridge already," he chuckled. "Let's go." He took Arna's hand and headed downstairs.

His assumptions were proven correct when they came into the kitchen. Shinda had a loaded sandwich stuffed in his mouth, and paused when he saw the boys enter. He chewed off the bite and grinned around it as he waved a hello.

"Boys!" Lesara turned as Reyvn and Arna entered. He slithered to them and pulled them both in a tight hug. Arna gasped and mimed like he was choking, and Lesara pulled away laughing. "My, Reyvn, but you are a lucky young man! Shinda has something for you! Go on, Shinda, give it to him."

Shinda held up a hand, signaling everyone to wait. He chewed and swallowed the bite, then cleared his throat. "All right kid, before I give it to you, I wanna tell you that it was actually intended for me." He pulled his small leather pouch from a pocket hidden inside his open light green shirt, and reached in. He looked up through his glasses at Reyvn as he dug around. "First off, I went somewhere else after I did what needed done on Muyadia. It seems some shit's been going on back at home. Some...corrupt political figure gained a lot of power recently, and our soldiers have been taking a lot of crap because of it." He frowned, and finally pulled out a brown envelope.

He walked over to Reyvn, and presented it to him. Reyvn's slanted eyes went round as he took it from Shinda. "It's from your dad," Shinda said simply.

Reyvn's pulse sped as he opened the envelope, its black wax seal already broken, and pulled out one thick sheet of parchment. Neat and elegant symbols were written across it, in his native tongue. "How old is this?"

Shinda shrugged. "It was a mere three days old when I got it, so that makes it about three weeks old now."

Reyvn's eyes sped over the document, soaking up the information.

'Shinda, as you are one of the few that can move freely from our cities, you must be the one who handles this information. Keep it secret from all guards you come across here. They are under control of Irisek, the man who recently became our ruler's head advisor. Our Captain of the Guard has gone missing, and has been replaced by a man not of our kind. I believe this man to be of Feythis origin, and I fear our old Captain has been murdered.

Irisek is doing a thorough investigation of our army, saying it's to remove anyone who is disloyal. There are many suspected, and I am among them. I believe by the time you return and get this letter that I will have been imprisoned. Being the type of Ymensatill I am, I'm sure they'll take extra precautions to guard me. They will not kill me, so do not worry about that. Instead, you must find a way to remove Irisek and restore order to our city. If he continues to rise, he will destroy us.

And I know this is unrelated, but if you have found my wife Eishalei and my son Kyran, I want them to see this letter. I want them to know I still love them, and I am sorry I could not remain to protect them. Protect them where I can not, Shinda. It is still a while yet before I will be allowed to leave this city and see them again.

-Uncle Arhlel'

A tear slipped down Reyvn's cheek as he finished up the letter, and he shut his eyes. He breathed deeply, then turned those mismatched eyes on Shinda. "We have to help him."

Shinda nodded. "Yes, that was the plan."

Arna was looking at the letter over Reyvn's shoulder. "What's all that mean?" He asked. Lesara was hesitant to answer, having also read it. His tail tip swished back and forth, waiting for someone to do something.

Reyvn looked to Arna. "Well..." He stopped, unable to continue.

Shinda spoke for him. "Some weird guy's gotten in the position to advise our ruler on what to do, and is basically screwing up our army. Reyvn's - or should I say Kyran's? - dad is in the army, and is being held prisoner under suspicion of treason."

"Oh wow..." Arna mulled this over for a moment. "Does this mean we're going on an adventure?"

Reyvn folded the letter back up and slid it into the envelope. He let Shinda hang onto it for safekeeping. "I'm not going to let my father sit in prison for something false, so yes." He looked to Lesara. "When can we leave?"

Lesara shrugged. "Soon as I can find someone to tend to the gardens."

Arna piped up. "Hey, Clarice lives in the city. I still talk to her from time to time when I run errands, and she knows how to take care of all sorts of things."

Lesara thought it was a wonderful idea. "Cherry could do with a bit of effeminate exposure. Well, I guess we can leave whenever you like."

"So we're leaving Cherry behind?" Shinda asked. "Wonder what she's gonna do for a fuck buddy."

Reyvn snarked and shook his head. "I'm sure she'll find someone. I don't think it'd be wise to take her with us anyway." He thought for a moment. "Why don't we leave in two days? That'll give us plenty of time to prepare."

Shinda nodded. "It's going to be a long trip with Lesara and Arna coming along, since we can't just fly them over there."

Lesara folded his ears back and pouted. "Well I can't just let my servant go gallivanting about a dangerous potential warzone. Also, I said I would release him if he met his father and I need to be there to do that."

Shinda laughed. "Yes, yes, I know. I wasn't going to leave you out of the journey anyway, since I'm sure we'll need you. I was just saying where I could just fly myself over there in a matter of two weeks, it's going to take all of us over a month because the terrain changes so wildly."

Arna gasped. "A month? Holy crap!"

Lesara patted his shoulder, and swung his shiny blue tailtip around. "It's been ages since I was on such a good long journey. Come, let's prepare."


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Okay! And that concludes Forever Caged. I'll start posting the sequel, Uncaged, in a day or so, so keep a look-out for it! FC here actually has two sequels, but Uncaged is the real one while the second branch, Shadows & Bullets, is simply a story that runs alongside of it. So just watch out for both stories.

Also, it's been really freaking hard not to ask for reviews since I started posting. So, I'm going to ask now, please review~ I'd really love to hear opinions on all the characters, what you liked or didn't like, and if anyone was actually rooting for Rendell. xD Most of all I just want to hear what you thought about the story, and no short, 'It was cool and I loved all of it' comments. While those are nice, they're not constructive, so any concrit you can send my way would be much appreciated.

Enamoril: Ember is squealing with glee that you love her naga. x3

And the sequel has finally been posted, as of 2/3/10! Read it here: http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600101527