Chapter Text
Sir Jude Hopps wondered how he’d missed the lordly keep that could be spotted in the distance on his first trip through the forest, and why he and Sir Bogo had not stopped there to rest. Surely no Lord would turn away a Knight of The King, it would be improper. Political suicide, even. No, he and his mentor had instead relied on the hard ground for comfort, and the trees to provide a defense from the elements. It was an impressive structure, tall and stalwart in appearance, with thick walls and a strong gate. The strength of the defenses that lined the walls showcased the wealth of the owning family, an obvious statement of power.
Yes. He truly wondered why he and his former mentor had not staid at this most formidable of fortresses during their pass through the wood. For a moment, at least.
Then he remembered who it was that owned this particular keep.
House Wilde. A house of dubious status and honor. Sir Bogo, a knight of the king and one of the strictest, would not have associated with their sort.
Thus, sleeping on the cold, hard, ground exposed to the elements had likely been preferable in the buffalo’s mind. His displeasure at associating with the Wilde’s had caused them to forsake the comforts of a soft, warm, bed in the protection of a fortress.
Well, now I venture into the belly of the beast. Glancing to his right, Jude took in the sight of the limping Lady Nicole Wilde. The tree branch was doing its job as a makeshift crutch well as expected, but she would need to cease use of that leg soon.
“My Lady, are you certain you don’t wish for me to go ahead and have a carriage brought for you?” Jude inwardly flinched at the harsh glare she leveled at him.
“That won’t be necessary. We’re only a few more minutes’ travel from the keep.” Gritting her teeth in a most unladylike fashion, she muscled onwards and ignored the sharp the stabbing pain.
“If you don’t mind me asking, My Lady, what were you doing so far from your keep without guard?” Jude glanced at the sky and noted the still darkened skies.
At least the rain has ceased for a moment. The rabbit could tell, however, that the respite would not last long.
They needed to get shelter soon, or risk being drenched again.
“That’s no business of yours, Carrots.” The Lady said, and Jude could tell that further questioning would not be a good idea.
“As the Lady wishes.” Jude had no clue what to do or say to alleviate this tension between them.
Must be the injury. Making her more prone to anger, and lashing out. Nodding with his assessment, the rabbit sighed with relief at the sight of the nearing fortress gates.
The gates were tall, enough for a giraffe to walk through without bending at the neck. The walls were even larger, and broad. Jude could tell from a quick glance that the keep had the potential to withstand a prolonged siege based on defenses alone. Not even taking into account provisions and manpower within.
House Wilde is as rich as the rumors would have you believe. But how much of it is from ill-reputed business with House Big? Shaking his head, Jude reminded himself that it was not his place to judge the Lords of The Realm. That was the duty of the King.
As they approached the gates, they were spotted by the two guards positioned at both sides of the entrance. Common folk watched them with confused eyes as the guards surged forth towards the two smaller mammals, a large rhino and a buffalo that reminded Jude of his mentor. They knelt down to check on the Lady Wilde.
“My Lady! Your leg! Maxwell, go fetch a wagon!” the buffalo nodded and bolted through gates of the fortress.
“My Lady, what happened?”
“A branch fell from a tree and landed on it during the storm. Sir Carrots was kind enough to aid me.” The rhino finally took notice of the armor clad rabbit beside the injured vixen, and snorted.
“A rabbit knight? The King’s mad, he is.”
“Uh, actually, Sir Bogo knighted me. See, a knight can make another mammal a knight an-“ the rabbit was cut off by the larger mammal’s dismissive gesture.
“Yes, yes. Very important. You’re coming with us to see Lord Wilde. He’ll have questions.” The rhino’s tone allowed for no arguments, so Jude held his tongue.
A few moments of awkward silence passed between all of them, which made the rabbit fidget uncomfortably where he stood. His paws went to the hilt of his sword, pausing at the jerk that the rhino guard gave from the movement, making the rabbit sigh.
“My blade may have been damaged from cutting the branch into a crutch. I wish it inspect it, if that’s agreeable with you?” Jude pulled his paw from the hilt and held it off to his side, showing the larger mammal that he had no intention of attacking or aggression.
Sighing the rhino gestured for the smaller mammal to go ahead, keeping a wary eye on both him and the gate nearby. Jude could tell that he wanted to get the Lady Wilde off the ground, where she’d been sitting in pain for some time, and to a bed soon. The sky was still dark, and his rabbit ears could pick up the sounds of thunder in the distance.
Storm’s coming back around. We’ll catch our deaths out here… Sighing, Jude pulled his sword from its sheath and grimaced. The blade was damaged from its use as a wood cutting instrument.
Sir Bogo would kill me if he knew. He’d have to get it replaced, somehow. Maybe his family would help him obtain a new one? He’d repay his father, of course.
Once he was sworn to the King everything would be fine. He could repay all his debts, and have food, drink, and armaments as oft as he pleased or needed.
“Ah, there he is.” The rhino waved over his buffalo companion, who was pulling a wagon filled with hay and straw.
“Not the most elegant of solutions, but it will have to do.” Reaching down, the rhino gently lifted the injured vixen, despite her growls and protests that she could do it herself, into the wagon.
“Ugh, this is filthy!” Nicole growled and gestured to Jude, “What about him?”
“I can run beside the wagon, My Lady.”
The vixen’s face scrunched up in displeasure, and she gave him an annoyed look, “You’ll not be meeting my lord father sweating and smelling foul. Besides, the castle is far enough from the walls to be a hassle for one so small. Get in here and be quick about it.”
Nodding, the rabbit hopped inside the wagon beside the annoyed vixen. Taking care to avoid damaging her leg any further, and to not jostle her too much. As soon as he was settled, the buffalo nodded at his companion and set off towards the keep at a brisk, but even, pace.
The city, if it could be called such, within the keep’s walls was small. Full of the workers and soldiers that made up those in the Wilde’s service. Farmers, barkers, merchants and miners. The wealth of the Wilde family drew others to them, and the work and pay provided by the family’s enterprises was more than enough incentive to move families to the keep.
In a few years Jude wouldn’t be surprised to see a city form nearby, under the control of House Wilde. The natural progression of things would dictate that such would occur. As he thought, his leg began to bounce restlessly.
“My father isn’t as bad as they say, Sir Carrots. If you’re worried, you can calm yourself. He won’t kill you. Probably.” Lady Wilde grimaced as the wagon jolted, waving off the hurried apology of the buffalo.
“That’s…encouraging, My Lady.” She nodded at the rabbit and turned back to the trail ahead.
Jude was thrown off at the attempt to reassure him, and guessed that he looked panicked at the thought of what lie ahead. He had been staring into space, and had a tendency to fidget. Always had. His father said that he had boundless energy.
I don’t know about boundless…He was quite tired, now. The day’s events had been long.
The remainder of the journey passed in silence between the two passengers, and the guard pulling their wagon. The Lady’s pain had become enough that she no longer cared to make conversation, grunting and growling with every jolt of the wagon. Jude had taken care to move away from her, for fear of triggering her temper.
Knight he may be, but he was no fool. A lady’s temper is not to be trifled with, as he’d seen with his mother and sisters.
Finally, they’d arrived at the castle and were greeted by an entourage of mammals. Guards, mostly, and one who was obviously the head physician for the Wildes. He was marked by the bag at his side, a simple leather thing that had all manner of devices sticking from it, likely packed in a hurry.
The physician was a cheetah of average height, but of great size and girth. Very thick at the waist, and with pudgy cheeks. Jude thought him look rather kindly.
“Aaaah! Nico-uh, Lady Wilde! That looks bad! Come with me, please! Oh! Someone, carry her!” The cheetah gestured for a tiger guard to pick up the vixen, much to her immense displeasure, and follow him.
As the cheetah and a portion of the entourage left, Jude found himself alone with a small squadron of guards. Eventually a mammal that was obviously their leader, a jaguar, stepped forward.
“Lord Wilde wishes to see you.” Jude nodded.
“Lead on, then.”
The feline turned and lead the rabbit inside the keep, to a large entry way that held little more than a few suits of armor, a handful of benches on either side of the hall, half a dozen guards, and several wooden doors that lined the walls. At the end was a single, large, door.
Likely the dining hall. Jude noted as he followed the guard through one of the many side doors, and down a stone corridor. They walked for several minutes before coming to a halt before a simple wooden door, one which the feline knocked once. A moment passed, and Jude heard movement behind the wooden barrier.
“Enter.” A smooth voice called out.
Opening the door, the guard gestured for Jude to walk forward, “The knight, Lord Wilde.”
“Thank you. That will be all. I’ll summon you if I need any assistance.” A middle-aged vulpine spoke from his position behind a wooden desk, which was covered in neat stacks of papers and coins. A single scale was placed before him, being used to measure currency. The fox had yet to look up.
“Yes, My Lord.” The feline closed the door behind the rabbit, and Jude felt an odd sensation of terror travel up his spine at being alone with the Lord Wilde.
A lord that may, or may not, have connections with the criminal underworld that ran rampant in Zootopia. Who may think that Jude played a role in his daughter’s injury.
Oh, sweet cheese and bread…The rabbit had the sudden urge to tap his foot, but held it in.
“I understand that you are the one that found my daughter under the tree branch?” the Lord didn’t pause for a response, “Curious that you would find her in the woods, alone…”
“M-my Lord, I assure you that I had nothing to do with-“ Jude was cut off by a humored snort.
The fox’s shoulders shook with laughter, and he gave a small grin as he finally looked Jude in the eyes, showing himself to have the same green orbs as his daughter. “Please, Sir Hopps. If I had suspected you of being the one to harm my daughter, you’d already be dead.”
The certainty of that statement shook the young knight to the core.
“O-oh, I, uh. I see.”
The rabbit paused, and looked confusedly at the vulpine.
“If I may ask, Lord Wilde, how did you know my name?” Jude had never met the lord before, and was certain that his anointment had not caused any waves. First rabbit knight or not.
“I’m a Wilde, Sir Hopps. We make it our business to know everyone.” Was all the lord said.
Jude could only stare in shock.
The lord gave a small laugh and poured two glasses of wine from a nearby pitcher, and Jude mentally grimaced at the thought of having to drink it. The rabbit wasn’t the biggest fan of wine, or any alcoholic beverage.
“Now, let’s discuss your reward.” The lord handed Jude his glass, sipping his own.
“M-my reward, Sir?” Jude toyed with his own, and considered not drinking it. However, as he did so he remembered his mentor’s warning about lords and wine.
Lords will take offense if you don’t accept gifts, drink, or hospitality from them. And Jude could not afford to insult any lord.
So, trying to hide a grimace, he took a sip and bore it.
“Not suitable to your palate?” Jude stared at the fox in surprise.
“It was not difficult to tell. Don’t worry, I won’t take offense. As long as you consider what I offer carefully.”
“Y-yes, Lord Wilde.” Jude placed the wine glass back on the desk, giving the fox his full attention.
The vulpine lord sighed and looked seriously at the rabbit before him, “I’m offering you a job, a place in my household. I know it’s not as grand as serving in the King’s court, beside your mentor, but what other options have you?”
Jude’s eyes went wide.
“…What?”
The vulpine shrugged, and leaned back, twirling his glass and eying the wine within, “I need more trained knights in my service. You were trained by one of the best. I need that here. I’ll pay handsomely. Write a good recommendation to the king, even, should you chose to leave.”
Jude considered his options carefully. It was a good deal, and House Wilde was certainly wealthy enough to provide for him and his needs.
But…
“My mentor, Sir Bogo. He said that he could get me into the King’s service. He promised he would try.”
Lord Wilde nodded, “Aye, he can try. But tell me, Sir Hopps, what does the King need an untested knight for? One fresh from his squire training? Your mentor won’t have much success, I am afraid.”
“O-oh.” Jude’s ears fell.
“But…With a recommendation from, say, a Lord? One with the King’s ear?” Jude’s eyes snapped to the lord’s smiling face.
“Serve my household for a year, and I will write your recommendation, Sir Hopps.” The vulpine gave a pleasant smile, and Jude felt his heart lift.
“What would my duties be, should I accept?”
Jude already knew that he would accept, no matter what the duties were. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up, for him. A chance to make his dreams come true.
He’d just have to write home to his parents, and his mentor. To explain.
“I want you to be my daughters Sworn Shield. Her protector.” An image of that snarling, snappy, foul tempered vixen flashed in Jude’s mind.
“…Oh.”
Sweet cheese and bread, why?