Chapter 13 – Group Chat

“I can’t believe it,” Sharpfang hissed out as we made our way back to our living area. His right arm was bandaged like my left arm. “Playing with us like that.” Even I felt depressed. There was nothing I could do against Fenrir. He just tore through all of us easily.

“He was fast,” Grizzle added. His side was heavily wrapped up and he had a noticeable limp.

“I should have just attacked him and not tried to dodge,” Sharpfang replied. “Take him out before you are taken out,” he replied.

“That would be suicidal,” Knaves replied. The front of his chest was heavily bandaged. “You saw how skilled he was. Even Mittens over here was struggling to dodge him.”

“I was looking for a chance to strike back and he just kept pressuring me,” I let out a sigh.

“That might be us one day,” Blackfur added.

“Pfft, that will never happen. Maybe for Mittens, but the rest of us smaller creatures. Well, we will struggle in a fight like that. Show me a mouse that can fight a Fenrir without a weapon, and then I will believe you,” Mary countered.

“We were completely outclassed,” Sharpfang grouched as we entered the common living area. We all sat down on one of the various chairs, each looking at either the floor or the other creatures who were depressed.

“Also, he knew a lot about us,” Shiversnout said. I nodded at that. He had made comments about and to each applicant.

“He probably read whatever file they have on us beforehand to get into our heads during the fight to distract us. It doesn’t mean anything,” Sharpfang countered.

“Maybe. I just don’t understand how any creature can be that fast,” Knaves said and poked his bandages.

“Training and experience. That’s all it is. Unless you think he was channeling an ancestral spirit?” Sharpfang brought up. I considered that for a long moment.

“Maybe,” I finally said. Everyone looked at me. “While he didn’t make a verbal chant, he is named after a legendary wolf from history. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was able to channel the wolf ancestral spirit without a chant or a totem,” I explained, sharing some knowledge my father had told me.

“Lucky cheating bastard. It would have been hilarious if one of us had wounded him instead. Get a promotion right up to Master Assassin,” Grizzle said.

“That will never happen or you would be dead. Well for some of us it might,” Mary said with a sigh. We all sat there silently, sulking and thinking over how we all had lost. I didn’t like the feeling.

“So what made you all want to do this anyways?” Knaves asked, breaking the silent tension.

“You first,” Sharpfang muttered.

“Well, it was either this or prison. Lifted one too many pieces of jewelry. Didn’t get caught, my buyer sold me out,” Knaves said with a soft chuckle.

“It was this, the streets, or the military. The military is brutal for rats. Front lines, shit assignments, no promotions. I wasn’t about to work on a farm or live in a ghetto,” Sharpfang replied. “What about you Mittens.”

“I get to use these,” I held up a paw and extended my claws. “After my mother died, things got worse. So, when the opportunity came up, I took it,” I replied. There was a lot more than that, but like the other creatures I wasn’t going to reveal my innermost feelings and Mousethief had made it clear to keep quiet about my father. “What about you Mary?”

“I want to be the best. Like the warrior himself. But church life wasn’t for me. Too many rules, chants, and prayers. Grizzle?” The rat looked up at her and then sagged a bit.

“Best chance for a rat to make their way in the world under the Covenant Church,” he said quietly. “What about you Shiversnout?”

“Fighting in underground rings against other shrews. Thought I would be better honestly. That just leaves you Blackfur,” the shrew said.

“My family needs money. So, when I made it past the initial recruitment, I knew I had a shot to make it big. They might not make a big deal about it, but Master Assassins are paid quite a bit of money. Be nice to take care of my parents and younger siblings,” he replied.

Silence again overtook the group my arm was sore. I got up from the chair and everyone looked at me. Sitting on the floor I began to stretch. It helped calm me down. The other creatures began to get up, to either eat or go lie down in their rooms.

I thought about the fight I just had as I took my time with my stretches, being careful with my left arm. I had moved quickly. Quickly enough to match Fenrir unlike most of the other creatures here. But he had gotten me with a feint. My ability to sense attacks with my danger sense was taking time to improve and hone. The Claw Combat skill was something I had even touched on yet. I had felt something adjusting my strikes slightly in the fight, but it was clear the higher the tier the skill, the more open ended it was.

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That feint had put me out of position for his follow up attack. I wasn’t sure how I would handle something like that going forward. I needed to think carefully about attacking. My father had said that I needed to trust my instincts in combat more than anything else and have a body capable of reacting.

Reacting in time and being able to move was a big reason why he had told me my flexibility was key. I should have been more aggressive at the start. That backflip off the wall and over Fenrir, had been too high. I wanted to make sure I cleared him. There was fear there.

But he had managed to duck as I swiped at his head. I should have gone lower. While it would put me at greater risk, he would have had a harder time responding to my attack. I considered my claws. To attack, I needed to get in close. I needed to not be afraid.

All of that presentation, the rolling in of the cage, the muzzle, and Paladin’s Bloodclaw’s speech had all been to put fear into our hearts. To make us hesitate and worry. That was the real lesson. I had been too timid in the last fight. Even with the threat of death, we needed to attack. You can’t win by being defensive. I was a cat, combat was in my blood. Also, I had Mes, who was empowering me. With their help, I would have been struggling a lot more. I would still improve, but it would have taken a longer period of time.

Experience would help me catch feints, but to win I needed to just attack and not let up. I wasn’t skilled or smart enough to figure out how to counterattack. My advantages were my speed and flexibility. That meant moving in close and risking a fight at much closer range.

I kept up my stretches as I replayed the fight in my mind over and over. Use his terror against him. Retreat to a wall. Backflip low enough that he would be forced to move out of the way or counterattack. Aim for the head and the eyes. Then maneuver around to his back side and try to strike him there.

Letting out a breath slowly, I felt I understood where I had screwed up and what I needed to improve on. What I really needed was to spar against someone on a regular basis. I need practical combat experience.

Two days later I got my wish. We made our way out to the training area and lined up, almost everyone was healed up with only scabs left. This time there was an older mouse with gray fur standing next to Paladin Bloodclaw as he arrived in the indoor training area.

“Today, you will each spar with Master Assassin Gary.” I looked at the old mouse and my danger sense wasn’t triggering, why? He was a master assassin, so clearly a threat, but he probably didn’t want to harm us.

“Thank you, Paladin Bloodclaw. You have all got to meet Fenrir, our resident beast. While his conduct leaves something to be desired, his combat skills are top notch.” The old mouse had a cane in his hand, he was leaning on. I didn’t believe he was weak for a second. That cane was a lethal weapon in his hands for sure.

“There is a rack set up with weapons. While the edges are blunted, they are dangerous. You may pick one, then challenge me. Keep trying to find weapons until you find one you are comfortable with. If you do not wish to use a weapon, and prefer your claws or paws, that is fine as well. We will fight, until no one challenges me and then the day is over. Go pick your weapons.”

Everyone hesitated at that, since it was normally Paladin Bloodclaw who picked the order. The other creatures went for the weapon rack. My claws shot out. “You wish to challenge me?” Gary the old mouse asked me.

“Yes. I will go first. I want to see how well I can handle an unknown opponent,” I replied and slowly advanced, my steps steady and precise. My Movement and Balance skill was almost second nature by now.

“Cats are always so aggressive, but it is in your nature,” Gary said. I darted forward and my danger sense flared. I tried to twist, but his cane flicked upwards at the precise moment and struck me in the center of the chest. I stumbled back, trying to recover my breath. How?!

“You left your center open. If you use your paws, then come in at an angle. Keep them close until you strike, so you have more time to react and defend.” I listened and moved forward again. This time ready for anything the old mouse might pull. I darted forward again. I kept my paws closer.

I feinted with my right paw, but Gary didn’t react, I then attacked him with my left. His cane flicked up and pushed my paw above his head, then it smacked me on my nose. I stumbled backwards again. “You left yourself open and the feint was obvious. Your bloodlust palpable. Take a break. Next challenger,” Gary said.

Could danger sense be trained without Mes? That was honestly a bit scary that any creature could develop such a talent naturally and hone it to such a fine degree. Danger sense flared with attacks, with Fenrir there had been rumble in the background, surging when he lunged. With Gary, it was held back until the moment he moved. Also he wasn’t trying to draw blood, but his blows hurt quite a bit.

This time it was Sharpfang who stepped forward, sword in hand. “I will be your opponent,” he said and advanced. Sharpfang swung down at the mouse, but the cane in the mouse’s hand flicked, but pushing the blow to the side and then striking, Sharpfang’s hand. He dropped his sword.

“Watch your hands and don’t over commit. Kids these days, too much power not enough finesse.” Gary kicked the sword back towards Sharpfang who picked it up. This time the rat advanced slowly and struck out more carefully.

Gary stayed in his position calmly. He deflected two slashes with his cane. I noted he was striking the flat of the blade to push it away from his body and tilting to the side slightly. He then lunged and struck Sharpfang in the groin with his stick. Everyone winced at that.

“Eeeek!” Sharpfang let out a high pitch gasp and stumbled back.

“Don’t leave your critical areas exposed. Especially against a smaller opponent. Take a break. Next challenger.” I was really glad he hadn’t done that to me. This time Knaves stepped forward. A dagger in each hand.

He rushed the old mouse, but just like me the cane swung up and struck Knaves in the center of his chest. He collapsed to the ground and rolled away, managing to recover. Watching the attack, it was timed perfectly. Knaves had even dodged to the side, but Gary had timed his strike perfectly and was too quick.

“You are too open in your center. Protect yourself and dodge.” Knaves quickly got back to his feet and rushed the old mouse again. His cane lashed out striking Knaves’ right paw, which dropped the dagger and then hit his throat. Knaves crumpled to the ground gasping for air. I winced at that, the old mouse was quite brutal.

“Protect your vital points. Do not let yourself get hit.” One after another, all the creatures in my batch were struck down and then it was my turn again.