Leonardo waited for Raphael and Donatello to fall asleep before sneaking out. He was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep but he needed answers. How much did the Rats know? Did they have plans to support either side of the conflict, or were they going to remain neutral?
The forest was dark but Leonardo knew it well enough to make his way through. He was not alone. Though he did not see them, someone was watching him. It was the way of the Rats.
In the hidden village, the Rat elders were waiting for him in the middle of a clearing. There weren’t many open spaces in the forest. Most were small so not to look out of place. This one was usually used for ceremonies.
“I’m sure you already know that the king is dead,” Leonardo stated.
“We do,” the head elder replied.
“Did you have anything to do with it,” Leonardo heard himself asking before he had the chance to stop himself.
The head elder’s eyes narrowed. “We did not. You know we do not operate in such a way. Innocents are never used, or killed in the process of our assassinations.”
“Did you know that Donatello is my brother,” Leonardo asked, looking them each in the eyes for some kind of reaction. They were hard to read but he could pick out a few tells. Judging by their subtle reactions, they did not know.
Splinter shook his head. “How is it that you discovered this?”
“My father’s journals,” Leonardo replied. “There are journals that go back as far as when the kingdom was founded. My father was in love with a simple farm girl. She left Donatello with the priestesses so that my father could select him to be raised as my pampered servant.”
The head elder looked at Splinter. “The fact that you lived in the palace and did not know means that he must have gone through great lengths to keep it secret.”
“I knew of the farm girl,” Splinter admitted. “The fact that he continued to see her does not surprise me. He had a tendency to be foolish when it came to his emotions.” He eyed Leonardo. “A trait you share.”
“Prince Raphael has read the journals,” Leonardo said, ignoring the slight jab. “He believes that I am the bastard. As does Saki. I’ve decided to allow them to continue to believe it.”
“Do you believe that Saki had something to do with the death of the king,” one of the elders asked.
Leonardo thought for a moment then shook his head. “No. Though, he is plotting something.”
One of the elders crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you really believe that or has Splinter’s prejudice swayed your opinion of him?”
“I witnessed him telling Hun how Lacey’s actions have put his plans in jeopardy. He was visible angry over it. I don’t know what he is planning but I do not believe he is working with the Crocodiles.” Leonardo turned his attention to Splinter. “Did you know of the Crocodiles’ plans to retake the empire?”
“We knew nothing of it,” the head elder insisted. “However they are organizing their efforts, they are doing it without alerting our spies.”
“What was used to kill the king,” another asked.
“Honey,” Leonardo answered. “It comes from another land and causes a slow, agonizing death. From what I have been told, she was supposed to serve it to the royal family on a specific date and that other slaves across the empire have been given the same instructions. Have any of you ever heard of it before?”
“No,” the head elder answered. “But we will see what we can find out.”
“The fact that you, with your network of spies, knew nothing of this is a bit terrifying,” Leonardo admitted.
“We agree,” one of the elders replied.
“Do you believe there are those among your ranks who have sided with the Crocodiles,” Leonardo asked.
Splinter thought for a moment before nodding his head. “It is possible and would explain why we did not know.”
“We will look into it,” the head elder stated. “You are to remain in the palace by any means necessary. The Crocodiles have to be getting help from someone. Even the smallest bit of information could end up being crucial.”
“Does this mean that the Rats are opposed to the Crocodiles regaining control of the empire,” Leonardo asked.
The head elder shook his head. “Who rules the empire does not concern us. What we seek is information.”
“To what end,” Leonardo demanded.
“It is not your place to question why we do what we do,” Splinter replied, chastising Leonardo. “Maybe one day you will earn the answers to all of your questions but for now you prove your worth by following orders.”
Leonardo stiffened, casting his eyes to the ground. It took him a moment before he could unclench his jaw. “Forgive me.”
“If you have nothing more to report,” the head elder said, “we will take our leave.”
“There is one more thing,” Leonardo said before the elders could leave. They each watched him in silence as they waited for him to continue. “I had overheard Raphael and Donatello telling Michelangelo that they had seen Mizuchi and Suzaku and that Suzaku had healed their wounds.”
The elders looked at one another in silent conversation then the head elder nodded. “Thank you, Leonardo. The information you have given us today does hold considerable value.”
He knew they were not going to tell him what it was that held considerable value or why and knew better than to press for the information. It was best to remember his place. Leonardo bowed deeply. “It is my honor to serve.”
He waited for the elders to leave before approaching Splinter. “Do they really not care who rules the empire?”
Splinter shook his head.
“Why were you loyal to my father,” Leonardo asked. “You never told me.”
“I was a child, when I first me your father.” Splinter smiled and his eyes focused on nothing as he recalled that day. “He was already a man at that time. He and his friends had entered the forest for some hunting. My job was to make sure they did not enter our village.”
Leonardo nodded his understanding. The ones following him in the forest earlier were Rat children I training. As a child he had been assigned to track and lead others through the forest while staying hidden. It was a method of training for the Rats’ youth.
“The Hart of the Forest was also watching your father that day,” Splinter continued. “At the time, I thought he was there to protect the creatures of the forest. I had never seen The Hart before and I was in awe of his beauty.
“As you know, dark spirits are everywhere. They like to make trouble and they try to expose us whenever possible.”
Once again Leonardo nodded his head, knowing all too well the lengths a mischievous spirit can go to make trouble. A Kappa had occupied a small lake that was fed by a trickling of water from down the mountain. When Leonardo was small, the Kappa had lured him to the water and tried to drown him.
Splinter had managed to save him with the help of three others. It took five priests to catch the Yokai. It now sat in a sealed jug on Splinter’s mantel.
“A Tengu knocked me out the tree and I landed on the ground in front of your father.” Splinter held up his arthritic hand. “I was badly injured by the fall. Demitrio stayed with me while one of his friends rode back to the palace to fetch a priestess.
“The king had come with the priestess and his guard with the intention of capturing me, to be interrogated, so that they could learn the secrets of the Rats. Demitrio stood up to his father that day, insisting that my wounds be treated and I be allowed to leave.
“I saw The Hart nearby, also watching the event unfold. That was when I knew he was there for your father.”
“Did my father ever see him,” Leonardo asked.
Splinter nodded. “After he became king, he saw The Hart. He only shows himself to those who are worthy.”
Leonardo scoffed. “If The Hart found something worthy in my father, why didn’t he do anything to help him when the land was invaded.”
“Spirits do not interfere in the lives of mortals,” Splinter explained. “They only step in when mortals need help when dealing with demons or dark spirits.”
Leonardo thought for a moment before asking. “Then why would they step in to heal Raphael and Donatello’s mortal wounds?”
Splinter’s eyes filled with worry. “That is a good question.”
…..
People showed up in droves to see the bodies of the king and queen. A few of Raphael’s closer uncles and cousins also showed to pay their respects, and stayed so that they could be there when the emperor decided who would get the kingdom. Many of them were already looking the castle over as if they expected it to go to them. The banter between them left no doubt that they were willing to kill each other over it if needed.
With several royals in the castle, the slaves worked tirelessly to cater to their every need.
To display that Raphael was ruthless enough to be king, Saki suggested that the children of the slaves be the new tasters. Some were as young as three.
“What better way to insure the slaves don’t poison the food than if their own children are the ones to eat it,” Saki said when he presented the idea to Raphael.
“I’m sure grandfather will be impressed,” Raphael agreed, his tone lacking any emotion.
That was the hardest part for Donatello, watching Raphael shut down. It was as if he had given up and allowed darkness to take over. Donatello never left his side. Mostly because he felt safest there, out of the reach of Raphael’s uncles and cousins.
The Rabbits sent their clan leader, Kenichi to court in response to the summons. Saki and the priestess Karai were also in attendance. When asked about the honey Kenichi’s ears flattened in fear.
“Your reaction worries me,” Raphael said, glaring at the rabbit. “Did you have any part in my father’s death?”
Kenichi shook his head. “We would never do anything against your father. He was our salvation.”
“Then why are you so frightened,” Raphael asked.
“I know where the honey comes from. We fled our lands because of the cruelty of the Snakes,” Kenichi replied. “That toxic honey was one of their favorite means of torture.”
Saki, who sat at Raphael’s side, leaned forward in interest. “Tell me everything you know about this honey.”
“In small doses, it causes hallucinations,” Kenichi said. “It would be force fed to prisoners. Their addled minds would have them babbling information. Sometimes, if too much was given, the would slowly die.”
“Is there any treatment,” Karai asked.
Kenichi shook his head. “None that we have found.” He turned his attention back to Raphael. “If the honey is here, then there is a chance that the Snakes are here as well.”
Raphael turned his attention to Saki. “Could the Snakes be working with the Crocodiles?”
“Possibly. I will send word,” Saki said to Raphael. “My men will be on the lookout for snakes and this information will be shared so that guards in the rest of the empire will also know to be on the lookout.”
The Rabbit clan leader was allowed to return to his village. Though he did not have to fear retribution from the kingdom, it was plain to see that the knowledge that she Snakes were close by would keep him up at night.
The days bled into one another and before they knew it, the emperor’s herald appeared at the palace gates to announce the emperor’s pending arrival. An hour later, the emperor entered the court room.
Donatello had never seen a turtle older than Arigio before. Seeing the emperor reminded Donatello that turtles never stopped growing. Though the emperor was old, he was not frail. In fact, he looked as if he could take out the whole army on his own. He towered over everyone else. Even Hun looked small when standing next to him.
Raphael stood in front of the thrones on the top step with Donatello right behind him, ready to serve. Raphael’s uncles and cousins stood off to the side but still is a position of honor to the left, behind the thrones. Michelangelo stood on Raphael’s right, one step down. Saki stood at the base of the steps to Raphael’s left, his pet fox sitting obediently at his feet. Aside from the few servants who lined the walls, there was no one else in the court room.
Benvolio was accompanied by personal servants, including a couple of mates who looked to be less than half his age, judging by their size. And, judging by their features, looked to be related to him in some way.
The fact that the emperor took members of his own family into his bed made Donatello’s stomach churn. He was reminded of the fact that Raphael and Michelangelo were one of the rare royals who were not a product of inbreeding.
The emperor also had his personal guards. Cats and Foxes were the main species who populated the region where the emperor called home. A war-scarred, tan, one eyed Cat walked next to the emperor along with a mix of Cats and Foxes.
“I saw the woman in the cage,” Benvolio stated as if talking about the weather as he approached Raphael.
“Her crime warranted no less,” Raphael replied just as coldly.
Benvolio nodded. “Agreed. I am amazed that she is still alive. I was under the impression that humans were weak.” He turned his attention to Saki. “You are the commander of the royal guard?”
“I am,” Saki replied with a deep bow.
“This is Hob and Ninjara.” The tan one-eyed male cat and a brown female fox stepped forward as they were introduced and then bowed. “You will tell them all you have learned so far. Their people will take care of the investigation into the assassination of my son and the conspiracy against my empire.”
“Of course,” Saki replied. “I am at your command.”
“If you would come with us,” Hob said, gesturing towards the exit.
As they left, Benvolio turned his attention back to Raphael. “You are as beautiful as your father was.” He considered his grandson for a moment and then his eyes fell on Donatello.
Having the emperor’s attention on him filled Donatello with fear. All the stories Nevio had told to him filled his mind. Benvolio was cruel to slaves. They were nothing more than property to him.
“It’s damaged,” Benvolio stated, returning his attention to Raphael.
“Father’s doing,” Raphael replied. “It was recent.”
“Why do you keep it?” He sneered a bit as his eyes narrowed. “You’re not attached to it like your father was to his, are you?”
“No,” Raphael stated flatly. “But this one has been with me for a long time and knows what I need without asking. I would rather have a damaged slave than have to train a new one.”
“Yes. Training one up right can take time,” Benvolio agreed.
“Despite the damage, he is pleasant to look at. Maybe after I decide what is to become of this kingdom, the two of you can return with me.” When Benvolio’s attention once again fell on him, Donatello was filled with such an overwhelming feeling of terror that he urinated on himself. The look of horror and disgust that overcame Benvolio’s face had Raphael turning around.
He glanced down at the puddle at Donatello’s feet. The schooled and stoic expression faded for a moment into absolute sorrow.
Regaining control, Raphael balled his fist, ready to strike.
Donatello passed out before the blow could be dealt.
