The interrogation of Jamie Hackett (Patreon)

A cold chill snaked through the thin gaps between the bricks of stone that made up Jamie's Cell. The poor otter shuddered within his suit. It wasn't warm enough to deal with the horrid winds of the Jakina Iceland’s, even when tempered by the walls of Galvan’s City walls. It didn't help that for the first time in a long time, Jamie felt a coldness on the inside. It had only been a matter of hours since he had left the Yore royal hall in Gianna's custody. He still felt betrayed. He had come into the hall as part of a gang, feeling pride about being part of the Slinking Scavengers. He left it abandoned, in the hands of the unrelenting squire that had chased the crew across the world. At least for now he had time to think as he waited in his cell. 

Was he going to sell Melanie out? Jamie was certain that it was all that Gianna wanted. The rest of the crew weren't as criminally inclined. Cass and Kilari would probably just become mercenaries. Alluff might even join them, although Jamie could never get a super clear read on her. She was just a little too chaotic, plus it seemed like she never really planned much beyond the five seconds immediately following. They'd be alright though. Yet, the thought of selling Melanie out had put a horrid pit in his stomach. Jamie was angry at being left yet he still felt a strong pull of loyalty. 

The perfect place for Gianna to begin. 

The squire opened the door to Jamie's cell, no longer dressed in an overstretched ball gown. Instead, she was back in her armour, although with warmer undergarments beneath the plate. Her sword sitting at her waist. It was strange for Jamie as he had seen her looking her most beautiful, and he could now still see that same beauty in her. They had been dancing together only hours ago.  Jamie stood up and moved over to the door. He didn't have the energy to resist whatever was coming next. The cold was draining it out of him.  

The two walked down the hall in silence, walking past dozens of cells. It was so eerily quiet other than the whistling wind. It made the place sound haunted. Everything made Jamie desperate to get out of the place. Gianna could tell this by the discomfort on his face that he hated where he was. She had a plan to try to get what she wanted. The squire led him to a new room. Three chairs with a table. Yet, to both Jamie's and Gianna’s surprise, Sir Constantine was sitting waiting for them. Gianna strode over to him, a little irritated. “What are you doing here, boss? You know this is my case.” She asked, her voice emotionless as always. 

“It was your case, unfortunately the Slinking Scavengers have put themselves under the ire of the Yore.  Madame Squall himself has put them as the utmost priority. Unfortunately, your record with this is a little spotty. Don't worry though, you'll still be in this interrogation although I will be joining you. Can't have him slipping away from you, now, can I?” he asked, a little bit of smugness in his voice as he told her.  Constantine was also within his full armour, covering more of his body than Gianna's. He was a full knight and looked the part. With a begrudging sigh, Gianna sat next to him. Jamie sat across from them, shivering a little. 

Gianna, hoping to try and keep her hold on the situation despite the unexpected presence, looked at Jamie sternly. “Now… you know what we want here Jamie, and you know what we can offer to you for it. Melanie needs to be locked away, she has stolen thousands of gold, even before tonight.” She pointed out. Jamie looked away from her eyes. He knew he had seen Mel take not only from nobles but also from commoners. Yet he did feel right to reply “She does have a code! She won't take from the sick, beggars, mourners or children. She's not a monster.”

Constantine slammed his fist into the table. “She's still a thief. A code only matters when one has actual honour behind it. Melanie is just some no good criminal.” his anger at the crime was barely contained, causing Jamie to jump back a little. He didn't do well with such ferocity. 

Gianna put a hand on Constantine's balled fist and looked him in the eye to try to calm him, before turning back to Jamie. 

“I'm sorry but she has to be taken to jail. Maybe there could have been other ways before, but stealing from the Yore royal family is a crime that can't go unpunished. It doesn't have to be you. I can tell… you aren't like her, like the others. We can still offer you immunity if you help give us what we need. If you can give us Melanie.” she offered it to him. There was a small amount of care in her tone, it was clear she genuinely believed that he was better than the life of crime he had found himself in. Jamie found himself more and more tempted to talk, especially feeling abandoned in the first place.

Constantine was much less forgiving and calm, however. He gruffly pointed out “Given you are the only member of the Slinking Scavengers, if we cannot find Melanie to prosecute, you will become the target of the full and righteous fury of the Galvan courts. Given the fact that most of the nobles who work in the court ended up an inflated blimp due to your gang, there's not a single chance you’ll be judged favourably. This immunity is the only way you are getting out of prison for life.” he threatened. It all sent the largest lump to the back of Jamie's throat. The aggression of Constantine made him feel like it didn't really matter what he did, that either way he wasn’t leaving prison. He backed away a little within his seat and kept his lips shut.

The knight got another furious look from his squire. Gianna got up and came around, kneeling before Jamie. She looked at him with genuine concern, letting a little more of her steely mask slip. “I'm sorry he said it the way he did, but Sir Constantine is right. You'll be put through a horrid trial with the anger of the Yore family and the nobles that had been the victims of that spell. It's gonna be messy and you should not be the one truly deserving that. To Melanie it is justice but to you it is brutal punishment. You shouldn't take her punishment. We can understand loyalty to family…so that's why I am not just offering you freedom. If you help us put Mel away and return the gold, I will argue for you to join the knights. You’ll become a squire, like me. Under my care.” she offered it to him. Jamie's chest tightened at the thought. He hated himself with how appealing the offer sounded. Not having to be on the run, being able to just enjoy the simpler things in life. Maybe even doing some good as a squire. Then again, he looked at his company. Sir Constantine shook the otter to his core, making him feel uneasy even just by his stare. It was possible that he had just been whipped up into a feisty mood due to being inflated by Alluff’s magic, then again it was possible he was always so gruff.  Then there was Gianna who gave Jamie so many mixed messages with her unemotional expressions and faces. 

Yet, thinking of company only reminded Jamie of his crew.  Alluff being her silly self, always seeming a little immature despite her incredible magical power. Jamie had such wonderful memories of Alluff testing some new spells out, creating little shows of light that were stunning to see, as well as doing him favours here and there such as a time where had fallen into a marsh. one spell later and all of the mud was wiped away. Jamie hated his fur all messy.  Cass was this intimidating warrior at first, she was easily strong enough to lift Jamie up with one arm. The two had started to bond one night when Jamie had woken up to a nightmare. He went to get fresh water from a nearby spring but stumbled upon Cass secluded by the waterfront with a lantern. She had with her a needle and some rather beautiful fabric. He became a confidant to Cass’s most tender secret that she was a talented seamstress. a secret he always kept, although he did always come to her in the dead of night if his beloved vest got damaged after a hard day's work. Kilari, Jamie didn't know as well as the others yet, but he was most definitely a sweetheart despite his size and his combat skill. He was at least always kind to Jamie if not super talkative. 

Then…. Mel. She was the first that met him and was the person he was arguably closest too. He had seen her at her worst, when she was going door to door taking everything of value. But he's also seen her at her best. Seeing her planning in seconds what would take him days of thought. Seeing the little glint in her eyes whenever she gets excited. He knew that she had a good heart. Yet…maybe some time in jail would help Mel get past her worst tendencies. Her most greedy of thieving. It wasn't something that Jamie loved… and he still felt this feeling of betrayal that made his stomach hurt. Maybe giving up some of the gold could help him try and get her a lighter punishment? He thought to ask. “What if…I told you where some of her stashes were? Could…that get any sentence reduced at all?” Jamie asked nervously. 

Gianna stood up and turned away. She rubbed the bridge of her snout with her fingers, trying to conceal a disappointment that he's still trying to defend someone like Melanie. After a second she sits back down. “It's…complicated. The amount Mel stole yesterday is an unforgivable sum. Maybe turning in more gold could mean that if you also turn over Mel, we can assure her better care within the prison. I …understand… that she's your friend, but there's no way she can escape prison for long. Turn her and the gold stashes over and we can make sure that she has a time of relative ease. Make sure she's warm and fed, maybe even with books to read.” She explained. Jamie looked down to the ground feeling defeated. Truely how long could Mel escape? There's been so many close calls and lucky breaks. What if this is the only way to ensure her prison time was comfortable. His visage of Melanie as this untouchable scoundrel had been dulled by his capture. With one last sigh of conceded woe, Jamie began describing one location that he knew Mel liked to store her gold and gems. 

However, before Jamie could describe the place well enough for it to be found, he saw something moving. A slight wiggle in the shadow. That was when, from the shadow coating the far wall, Melanie stepped out. quiet as a mouse's breath. She raised a finger to her lips before smirking her devious smirk. Jamie did everything within his power to keep his expression dull yet on the inside his body flooded with joy and fireworks. All the while his location began to turn to myth, creating a scene that did not exist just to keep Gianna and Constantine distracted. The opossum came closer to the two across from Jamie, before delicately taking the handcuffs from Constantine's hips. Her nimble fingers just about managed to slip the cuffs over the knight's wrist, then to Gianna's. She closed them securely without being seen, which put the widest grin on Melanie's face.

“You know if you wanted me, you should have just asked. “Melanie asked with a wide devious smirk. She took out her dagger and slammed it between the chains of the cuffs, pinning it to the table. Gianna and Constantine looked around to see the thief and immediately both of them flared up in anger. They went for their swords however quickly found themselves trapped by the cuffs. Melanie leapt onto the table and gave a swift kick to both knight and squire, dazing both of them before slipping down to Jamie’s side “Hope I wasn’t too long, I’ve never broken into a prison before.” she noted , letting out a little laugh as she undid his cuffs. 

“I…I am so sorry I was about to speak… I thought you guys had abandoned me.” Jamie admitted ashamedly. 

“Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. I don’t blame you, but we aren't ever abandoning you. Not for any amount of gold,” she assured him, before breaking him free. “Now, run!” 

Melanie grabbed Jamie's hand and quickly began pulling him out of the interrogation room, Leaving Constantine and Gianna trying to get free of their chain. They ran as fast as they could. “So…lucky break, turns out Alluff had popped like…half of the city's guard who had been called up to the hall to give extra security during the party. Most that remain are on constant patrol to keep order. There's barely anyone here!” Melanie yelled excitedly. It surprised Jamie that Mel was here with him instead of going out to steal. A kingdom in such a state was a ripe target, yet she was breaking him free. She really did care for him more than the gold. It put a wide smile on Jamies face.  However , both of them heard the sound of sharp steel cleaving effortlessly through the chain. The knight and the Squire were free.  Jamie didn’t know which of the two scared him more. Gianna was an unrelenting force of determined justice, but Constantine seemed to be fuelled more so by pride and, now it's been damaged by the crew, anger. Heavy footsteps of two armoured pursuers were heard behind Mel which made the thief nervous. They picked up the pace but quickly found themselves at a dead end. Yet, Melanie seemed happier than she should. 

“Uh…Mel, this doesn't look like a way out.” Jamie noticed with nerves in his voice.

“What's the matter, did they not tell you about the remodelling?” Mel asked before knocking out a rhythm onto the stone. She then took a few steps back with Jamie in her grip. The next second, a heavy mace cracked through the stone before Cass stepped through it to check. “Everyone okay?” she asked. 

“Coulda done with an extra second or so of getting back but we will remember that for next time.” Mel noted before slipping herself out of the newly entered hole. As Jamie passed Cass, she stopped him for a second. 

“I am sorry for leaving you, it was my fault.” Cass mumbled out.

“It’s okay, you came back. That's really what matters.” Jamie replied, giving her a wide smile.

Cass gave him a little nod before watching him leave before her.  The three of them began running as fast as they could from the prison. However, they did not make it far before they heard “Stop!” being yelled from behind them by Constantine. The knight was surprisingly fast, and the Squire was even faster. There was no way they were escaping without a fight. Melanie drew her sword, before handing Jamie his chakram. “Just stay behind me and Cass.” she told him before turning to Cass. “You got the knight?” she asked. 

The warrior drew her own weapon. “He was unbearable last night at that dance… I need to fight him.”

The clash began and at first Jamie was hopeful. Cass, being such a seasoned warrior back in her homelands, was able to keep pace with Constantine. He was an incredibly daunting foe, swinging a two-handed sword with all the speed and precision of a dagger. Cass was able to keep up with his speed and strength and match it with her own. However, his heart sank looking over to Melanie who was noticeably struggling. She was entirely defensive, evading and blocking ferocious strikes from Gianna with no time for her own strikes. Despite that, she kept up a confident smirk just to mess with the squire. “You thought just because you caught one of us, you'd ever get me? I am right here, and you still can’t get me!” She taunted Gianna. The squire's face was calm although her movements were filled with anger. While Mel’s evasion was strong, Gianna’s blade got closer and closer to catching her. so much so that the blade sliced Mel’s leather shoulder armour. 

Jamie began thinking the best he could. He had a few spells he could cast but he couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t hit Cass or Mel with them. He certainly couldn’t fight either Constatine or Gianna even with the others' help, Jamie was not much of a physical fighter. He had one idea. one spell that could help, yet he had never tried it before, especially not in a fight.  But, watching Gianna’s strikes get closer and closer to hitting Mel and watching Cass just barely able to fight back against Constantine, he knew he had to do something. Jamie began to dance. Every step is precise in position and timing. Jamie hummed a song to himself to keep his rhythm. The spell began to glow in a small circle around the otter. Cass and Mel felt an oddness through her body. it was as if their bodies were both starting to dance a little. they realised that their movements were moving to a rhythm. Jamie's rhythm. It took them a moment to adjust but once they did, they found that it was making them stronger.  Cass found moving around even with her muscular build easier. Almost weightless compared to what she was used to. She found herself being able to out speed Constantine even while bringing her full strength. Mel on the other hand found herself imbued with a strength that she had never felt before. Instead of just deflecting Gianna’s blade, she was able to lock against it, and even push back. The squire looked to see Jamie leading the dance and quickly realised… rhythm magic! potent too.  She tried to break away from Melanie, yet the opossum didn’t give her the opportunity to. 

The power boost Cass got on Constantine was enough to allow her to outright beat him. With one decisive swing, she sent the knight to the ground unconscious. Immediately Cass turned her attention to Gianna who was already struggling against Melanie. Jamie however pulls on his crew. “Let’s just leave. This fight doesn’t need to continue.” he suggested. Gianna hated to admit he was right but knew she couldn’t fight all three of them. The squire grumbled out “Run while you can. You better pray I find you soon. Squall will be on you now.” she warned, before coming to Sir Constantine to try and make sure he is still okay. Mel and Cass didn’t waste a second, grabbing up Jamie before running into the kingdom to escape as fast as they could. 

A deep, rumbling growl filled the air as a snow leopard within gold lined armour, encrusted in warding gems, looked at the caved in wall.  “My guard has failed me. My most trusted knight and my most promising squire both have lost repeatedly to this team. I am tired of these criminals getting away with crime. Now… I have duties here that tie me to the kingdom while the rest of my guard recover from their spells. I have heard that you however are the best that there is at bringing people in… dead or alive.” she grumbled out, voice colder than the arctic air. she turned away from the broken wall to face a cloaked figure. It revealed her stern face that held an anger burning behind stone eyes. “I want every single one of these slinking scavengers incapacitated and brought back to me alive. The Yore Royal family is willing to pay you a fortune for each of them. Is that understood?” she asked. The cloaked figure nodded before looking to the trail in the snow. “I’ll bring them alive. I can’t promise unharmed.”

The snow leopard looked past the figure, following the footsteps into the kingdom. “Good.”

 commission for my good friend Lotta-Otter featuring his characters and world.
he can be found on DA and FA under the same name or on Twitter as @otterly_horny