The Progeny of Able (The Burrow of London Series Book 1)

by Peter S. Case

  We hope that the future is there for you and that it is filled with the Light.

  Yours always,

  Roe Artorius

  Scarlett Samson

  Daegal Gno

  Alodia Joie

  Mercia Haelen

  Edward Leeps

  Gwen Onja'

  Beomia set the letter gently on the marble floor, confused, and looked to the others about her who stared at their own children, then she looked to her own son wrapped tightly in his basket a tail-length away.

  Taking up the book titled, 'Able Asunder', the Queen felt the comforting weight of it, then parted the covers and began to read softly to the group:

  Year of the Hantsa 1348

  A black death stalks the dirt of the Hantsa above.

  'Within the Burrow, however, we find ourselves in the midst of an industrial revolution.'

  'We have been sent to the past, the searing mark of the sphere still burnt into our flesh, to solve the mystery of the future. We have awoken to the sound of bells, amidst the falling rain, and the inescapable beauty of brightness. For the Light is strong, and it is everywhere...'

  To be continued in:

  the Burrow of London Series

  Book II

  Able Asunder

  Glossary

  the Art – A craft long lost which aided the foxes in building the Great Burrow of London and which gave meaning to their self-awareness and their intelligence an intelligence now trapped within the limitations of a natural foxes physical form.

  Clawquill – Those foxes who have the ability to read and write often incise one of their claws and dip this into a pot of ink in order to write. Foxes are unable to hold a writing utensil in their paws.

  Greater Burrow of London – The city of the foxes is larger and more complex than the London above it. It is an infinite system of grand tunnels, colonnades and caves. Palaces, parks and ancient monuments are grinding to dust in disrepair. It is the home of the London Foxes.

  Jaw-length – a system of measurement traditionally based on the span of a jaw at maximum opening and from upper incisor to lower incisor. This measurement has been standardized for many centuries and is equal to about 10 cm or 4 inches.

  Hantsa- the Handed ones. This is the term used by the foxes for the human population. Considered a derivation of the word 'hand' by most, some also believe it comes from the word 'hunt' and relates to the historic practice by humans of hunting foxes.

  the Light – A term used metaphorically. It is not a visual phenomena.

  A fox born in the Great Burrow of London is a fox born in the “Light” and is self-aware and, in most cases, has a lifespan equal to that of a human.

  Mange - is a skin disease caused by several species of tiny mites.

  Moth Brew – a highly alcoholic beverage served warm and made from moths and a mix of other insects.

  Obsidian - Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock.

  Painter - A painter is a rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or other small boat, and used for tying up or towing.

  Potlatch – The communal supplies and food kept by foxes in most communities.

  Pro captu lectoris habent sua fata libelli - According to the capabilities of the reader, books have their destiny

  Rat rations – A monthly supply of rats provided by the government, the amount of which is dependant upon the individuals wealth and influence.

  Skulk - a group of foxes.

  Stele – A stone tablet used as a grave marker but also for dedication and commemoration.

  Shadow-born – See Shadow Fox.

  Shadow Fox – A fox born within London but neither of the Light nor feral. Many believe more and more Shadow Foxes are being born due to the ever fading Light. They are larger and more fierce than their Light-born brethren. They cannot vocalize the same as a Light-born fox.

  Spirit Leaf – A weed which grows under water and is dried with differing herbal recipes and smoked. It is highly addictive from the soporific effect it has on foxes.

  Swarp – A circular stringed musical instrument.

  Tail-length – a system of measurement based on the span of a foxes tail. This measurement has been standardized for many centuries and is equal to about 50 cm or 20 inches.

  Tod – A male fox.

  Trot – a system of measurement traditionally based on the distance a fox can trot in five minutes. This measurement has been standardized for many centuries and is equal to 2000 tail-lengths. In Hantsa measurement it is comparable to 1 km or a little over ½ mile.

  Trotting Ceremony – A newborn fox is named and introduced to the community when they are first able to walk.

  Vixen – A female fox.

  Whisker-length - a system of measurement based on the length of a whisker. This measurement has been standardized for many centuries and is equal to about 10 cm or 4 inches.

  Whisker-width – a system of measurement based on the thickness of a whisker. This measurement has been standardized for many centuries and is equal to about 1 mm or 1/24 inch.

  Burrow of London Series

  part two

  Able Asunder

  Year of the Hantsa 1348

  Chapter One

  A black death stalked the dirt of the Hantsa above.

  “Within the Burrow, however, we found ourselves in the midst of an industrial revolution.”

  “We had been sent to the past, the searing mark of the sphere still burnt into our flesh, to solve the mystery of the future. We had awoken to the sound of bells, amidst the falling rain, and the inescapable beauty of brightness. For the Light was strong, and it was everywhere.”

  So begins a first hand account of the Burrow, as seen by me, Eorl, once novice to the Art of Time now its Master and finally the Keeper of the Dead.

  Roe couldn't see the Light at first, a mist and a haze of energy blinded him and his companions. A knot twisted in his belly and adding to the groans around him he vomited into the water lapping at his legs.

  “Is anyone there?” coughed Daegal, staggering to his paws only to splash back into the fountain.

  “Yes, its me Daegal. I can't see. Where are we? Is that you?” whispered Alodia gently as she felt a sodden shape next to her.

  “No, its Scarlett,” the body groaned. “The cleansing, it has affected our vision. There are shadows though, and they are increasing. No one panic. I think this condition is only temporary. Roe? Are you here? Are you well?”

  A gurgle and spitting answered her. “Well, I am alive, I wouldn't say I am well, however. We haven't eaten much these past weeks but what little there was in my stomach is now in this pool, so I suggest we try to crawl out of it.”

  “Lovely, Sky, always making a difficult situation worse,” said a voice in nothing more than a weak wheeze.

  “Mercia, is that you?” asked Daegal, now standing and stumbling over a barrier onto hard but dry paving stones.

  She did not reply.

  “Mercia?” barked Roe as he splashed in the pool trying to find the injured vixen. “You are right Scarlett, I am starting to make out some colours and I see shapes moving in the distance through the haze.”

  “Yes, I see it too.” she answered. “ We must get out of this water.”

  Suddenly she felt a strong form pushing her onto her weak legs. It nuzzled her head and once she was standing it gently bit down on her wet leather armour and carried her out of the pool. With a soft growl the fox caressed the top of her head and as she blinked her clouded vision began to clear completely.

  “Spencer,” sniffed Scarlett, “are you hurt?”

  She looked into the Shadow Fox's eyes and although she could see concern she could also see that he was unaffected by their passage through the cleansing and that he was standing as strong as ever beside her.

  He gave a purposeful grunt, concluding that Scarlett was safe and going to live, and bounded over to the others helping them out of the water.

  Ro
e was on the verge of coiling over again when an orange head interrupted him and a slobbering wet tongue began licking his foul face clean before an enthusiastic skittering of claws could be heard echoing about the space.

  “Beast try to stay calm now...sit...can you sit now?” Roe commanded as best he could before the animal bound over the retaining wall pitching him back into the water. He moaned and his stomach kicked from the smell of the wet animal as it straddled him.” “Daegal, doesn't Bemia train her animals to sit!”

  “Roe stop playing with that canine and get yourself out of the fountain.” Daegel responded ignoring the question.

  “We were blinded and weakened by the cleansing, but also covered in some sort of thick amniotic fluid. As if we have just been born. Try to wipe it out of your face and eyes so you can see what I am seeing. It is incredible. Absolutely, incredible,” Scarlett stuttered, on the verge of tears.

  “Well, whatever this slime is it must taste good because the Beast has licked my face clean.” Roe said, pushing and patting the canine out of his way as he leapt over the fountains wall. He dipped his head back in the cold water as a wave of nausea passed through him again. Splashing away any additional muck from his face he gargled and gulped some of the fountain water.. With a growl to clear his throat and a stretch to pop his aching back he looked to the sky and the space around him.

  He gasped and then started to laugh. They were still in the palace rotunda but what surrounded them was not decaying. It was not crumbling and shattered. It was aglow with light and colours. The bits of mosaic which had littered the floor were gone as if they had been levitated to their homes in the ceiling above. The face of Able stared down at them complete and untorn. The unmarred palace slumbered behind him. It was clearly morning for there was a gathering bruised light, as if the sun itself was beginning to rise in the subterranean cavern. A breeze whispered past their whiskers and with it a fresh sent of earth and cut grass. The orb in the fountain was gone and above them from the face of the vixen, with her jaws gently open, water spilled between her teeth raining down upon those still in the pool. Most of all, however, the feeling of life and of the Light was so intense it almost overwhelmed Roe and he staggered at the wind of ecstasy passing through him.

  The tick of claws came to a sliding halt as the Beast careened into Roe leaping and rolling onto his back and assaulting him with a barrage of licks and kisses.

  “Okay, beast, okay,” Roe responded, letting the hound bring his attention back to the pool in the fountain. “Daegal, can you see?”

  “Yes, it is incredible,” he quickly mumbled helping Alodia out off the water clearly more concerned with the welfare of the others. “Check Mercia would you? She is lying on her side.”

  Scarlett and Roe quickly leapt back into the water and gently brought Mercia to dry ground. She was still breathing, but was unconscious, her body covered in an intricate swirl of scars. The burning orb had passed through all of them leaving its mark as it did.

  “Sky!” Daegal yelled from the opposite side of the fountain. “Our Hantsa friends have come through as well, they are still out. Help me to get them out.” He spoke as the head of the Inari always does, used to others obeying his orders.

  Alodia, having mostly recovered, trotted over to help half of her attention on the glory of the view surrounding her. Scarlett and Roe quickly followed and the four of them with Spencer managed to shift Gwen and Edward out of the water and to sit their stirring forms against the wall of the fountain pool.

  Edward awoke first, the swirl of scars adorned his face and hands as well and were burnt across the tattered remains of his clothing. Before opening his eyes his fingers flexed and, as if guided by instinct, found a place between the gently curving palm of Gwen. He squeezed her hand as if gathering strength and began to breath evenly. The mist from the fountain dappled his eyelids in dew and with his free hand he gradually wiped away the residue from his face and opened his eyes.

  “The progeny of Able. That is what you are, the shape before me. Is it not?” he whispered looking into the face of Roe standing before him.

  “Perhaps.” smiled Roe, placing a paw on the Hantsa's head. “More importantly it is the face of a friend.”

  Edward returned the smile and then shifted his gaze weakly over to Gwen seated next to him. Her breathing was shallow and her head was tilted forward the gentle curls of her dark hair falling towards gravity.

  “She is so beautiful,” was all Edward managed to say before leaning in and kissing her cheek. “Why is she covered in this pattern? Will she be all right?”

  “It is from the orb,” Scarlett began, we have all been touched by it. “She will recover Edward, but I cannot say how long these marks will stay on us or her. At least they seem to fit the patterns of ink she already has on her arms and neck.”

  “My tattoos?” heaved Gwen without moving. “They better not be marred.”

  Before Edward could respond and as he began to stand a bark from the Beast brought their attention to the small form of a fox lying a dozen tail-lengths from the fountain. Spencer immediately bounded over to the hound and gave the fox a sniff and a nudge. He pushed it along the ground and gradually flipped the form over so he could see the face. Staring for a moment, the Shadow Fox then bared his teeth and looked to Roe with an agitated growl.

  “Its Rinan!” Roe yelled. “Be careful Spencer we don't know if...”

  Without warning he felt himself go limp as if a great weight was pressing him onto the stones of the rotunda floor. The thumps of the foxes and Hantsa around him hitting the ground followed immediately afterwards. He couldn't move. A paralyses had taken hold and all he could see was the sidelong shapes of the others also pinned to the ground. The paws of the Beast scratched at the paving as she whimpered from the fear of the force detaining her. Roe could breath but just barely but he did not have enough strength to speak.

  “Well, what do we have here?” said a voice approaching from the direction of the palace. “I mean what a collection of characters. Two Hantsa, a hound and what? One, two, three... six foxes trespassing in the royal rotunda.” The fox said speaking with three companions who had come with him from the palace. They were dressed in gilded leather armour and wore silver helmets which covered the crowns of their heads.

  “Clearly you are inebriated because otherwise you would have more common sense than to break into the royal enclosure at dawn and not be so easy to restrain. Are you two apprenticed to the Guardian or to the Tavarn?” he asked nudging Gwen with a paw. “You know there are only a few dozen Hantsa who are currently in training and I can honestly say I thought I knew each and every one of them. Not that it matters since I doubt very much the Guardian or the Keeper will be holding on to you after today. You'll be back to the surface to fend for yourself against the great plague with the rest of the Hantsa before the day is through.”

  The guard paused for a moment, and with a cough, growl and deep sigh he stared at Roe when his eyes met the restrained fox.

  “Who are you then?”

  Roe tried to respond but only managed to curl his lips and flash a grimace of incisors.

  “A relative of the Royal Family,” the guard continued. “You should be ashamed of yourself, my Lord. I would expect better from a descendent of Able. Where have you come from? First night since birth in the Great Burrow I should guess. You must be a distant relative since I have never seen you before.”

  Leaning in close to Roe his whiskers flicking across those of the restrained fox, the guard stared deeply into his blue eyes. Roe stared back and when he did was stunned to see another pair of blue irises staring back at him.

  With a deep grumble the guard whispered into Roe's ear, “Clearly you are of a much lower class than those at the palace. Your blood distilled and your link to the palace tenuous.”

  A mix of emotions tossed through Roe; hope at seeing another descendent of Able, confusion caused by an insult which had no foothold in his past and anger at the invisible bonds ho
lding him and his friends to the ground. For the briefest moment the emotions coalesced into a force, a force which he could focus and with it he pushed back.

  Without dropping his gaze from Roe the guard felt a pressure on his chest and his entire weight shift. The movement and the moment was brief but during it he had slid a tail-length away from Roe his claws scraping across the paving stones. With practised precision the guard deflected the power coming from Roe but then his expression changed and he added a smirk to the critical gaze directed towards his prisoner, as if Roe had just earned a certain level of respect.

  Breaking his gaze with Roe the guard spread his attention back to the rest of the group.

  “As for the rest of you, it feels as if you are pups with absolutely no ability to use your Art to defend yourselves. I mean my skills with the Art of Paralysis are good, they helped me to earn this position, but they aren't any where near what you are making them seem to be. I would think you are a bunch of ferals if not for the fact I could see you talking. Although, that one,” he said indicating towards Spencer, “There is something odd about that one. As if the fringes of his soul have a slight smudge of a wild fox.”

  “What are you doing to them? Let them go!” Screamed Scarlett still to weak to fight, and barely managing to stand after the effort of helping Edward and Gwen, but unaffected by the power the guards had over the others.