I have a little story to tell you. This story has been taking place for a number of years, but it has no true ending as of yet. I shall tell you of the time before, and during the lives of four loving sisters, who have left their childhood home to find higher knowledge, meanings and reasons of life, as well as other ambitions to fulfill. I believe that this would be the proper time to tell this story, for it seems that this introduction is well enough for us to start. Without further delay, I tell you of the Sisterhood of Boundless Integrity.
Many years ago, there once lived a small civilization of creatures who called themselves "highers," that spanned from birds to reptiles, and felines to canines, dwelling respectfully to their feral counterparts, "halves." They lived peacefully, residing on the western shores of Harfang. Between homes and shops, childfurres would often play little games, adult femmes would raise their childfurres and uphold the home, and the adult males would work in fields and forests, gathering plants, fruits, and feral meats for their families and the village. The bond between these furres was quite pleasant, but that is amongst only themselves in this secluded civilization.
The most prized and sought posession of this hidden village was a mysterious golden chest, small enough for even the youngest of childfurres to carry with ease. However, this chest had something inside that was so secret that even most of the tribe itself has not heard nor seen of what is within. The chest has been thought to have the most valuable item on the Uurth inside, the power to hold the keys to life and death, and even that the chest itself was the treasure—that the inside was empty. As happens in many stories, only those pure in the heart can even touch this mysterious box without having it burn one’s flesh at the touch. Nonetheless, as well as these furres kept the chest a secret from the world, few others did know of it.
One of the few others who knew of this box was Commander Vincent Alexandre of the Olde World’s French naval fleet. This man began his quest for the mystical box a little over three decades ago. He searched throughout much of southwest Kasuria, starting at Moorim, and invaded many of the villages that were north to Hawkmount, and west to the shores opposite of Harfang. Six years it spanned for Commander Alexandre and his lessers to finish their search on Kasuria’s main island before sailing further westward to Harfang.
Almost a year before Commander Alexandre made ruins of twelve larger forest villages and tribes, our four sisters were borne into the world by a leopardess known as Imani. The four childfurres were reared for six years, being taught love and loyalty, strength and survival, care and compassion, and ways of the wise. Also taught to the kits was the importance the mysterious chest, which was entrusted to that family’s safekeeping, and never to let another know that it is in their possession.
Imani had gained a little bit longer of a time to teach such values to the four sisters, for Alexandre had heard word that the mysterious chest was on the opposite side of the Kasurian continent. While Alexandre searched elsewhere, the four sisters grew older under the care of their mother, and all the adult males of the island trained themselves, for they knew that they did not have much longer before Alexandre would move his forces to Harfang.
A number of years passed, and Alexandre had not found the fortune which he sought. His small fleet of ships and many of his crew members had been destroyed and killed in the many battles that the Commander created in Kasuria. His wealth was low, having spent much of it on the quest for the box. The captain had to return to France of the Olde World to regain the the power and wealth that he needed before returning to the Kasurian continent to continue his search.
Twenty years had passed since Alexandre’s raids, and the sisters were only that much older. When young, the sisters were much alike, but as time passed, their attributes had changed. Each learned well from their mother’s teachings, but some learned a few teachings better than the others.
The first sister, Ebele, had grown a bit larger than the other three, and she had gained a great wisdom and knowledge with her strength.
The second sister, Marisu, became much like a warrior, learning much of the weaknesses of whatever opponents may cross her; and she gained much knowledge of survival in the forests.
The third sister, Alluna, who birthed three little kits, was the best in love and romance. She and her mate were loyal to each other, but her mate left her only a few years later for reasons soon to be revealed.
The smallest of the four sisters had perhaps the largest of their hearts. She would cry with another who would be heartbroken, laugh with one filled with joy, and worry with a furre who was in fear. This sister is different--special beyond the others--with a rare marking upon her belly.
Two more years peacefully drifted by, and the sisters, Alluna's kits, and her mate were living together, but only a stone’s throw from their parents and friends of the shore where they were raised. Ebele and Alluna's mate would leave for two days of each week, but only to hunt food for the following week. The other three sisters would stay near the village and take care of the smaller kits. The middle sisters would often prepare meals, and the youngest would commonly be the sister who would play games with the little kits. This life of theirs began in their twentieth years, but lasted in their island home for just shorter than two years.
Word of another coming of Commander Alexandre ran through Harfang, for it was said to be the next landing of the zealous explorer. Again, the males in the forest cities of Harfang, including Alluna's dear love, quickly returned to their training. Their time would be short, for word of Alexandre’s coming began when a small offshore fishing boat saw the Commander’s flags on south-bound ships. The fishers pulled their nets and sailed as quickly as possible to warn land messengers, who quickly made way across Kasuria, and eventually spread word throughout Harfang.
The four sisters, who were now safe-guarding the golden box, were forced to depart from their home and all of the friends and family who they loved in the days before. Yet do the sisters have a village which they may consider “home,” but they make well as they were taught while the males of Harfang would battle against Alexandre and his fleet. Though the peaceful islanders were outnumbered at least three-fold, their courage and strength far overcome that of Alexandre and his soldiers.
Many battles were fought between the two sides, and each side lost a great number of lives in each battle. The attributes and hindrances of each side seemed to balance perfectly. After all battles were done, there were few lives left on either side. And those lives, though they survived the many battles over the mystic box, were so badly wounded and hurt that they would join the rest who have died before them.
A whispered word of the struggles of Harfang was passed on for the year following, soon becoming only a thought, and then something untold of the past. Ebele and her sisters had no means for returning to their island. Within one year of leaving their home, they had nothing but themselves, three little infant furres, and a box that caused trouble far worse than what it may have been worth.
The sisters, all of who could safely hold the chest, agreed to rid themselves and the world of such a commodity. Four pegs, which held the top of the chest firmly on the box, were taken from the box, and each peg would be forever with each sister. Having them pierced into their flesh in various places, the four finally decided to hide the box somewhere where one would not ever search. If one is to one day find the chest, may he keep it as a treasure to himself, and not be cursed with the trouble that it has caused for the four sisters who protected it so well.
The sisterhood have lived a simple life in the forests north of Saffingwell, where they will on occasion leave for a few nights to find others to befriend.
This is where our story ends for now. The events after this time are yet to be revealed. Perhaps one day this story will be complete, but for now, our lives must progress in our own time. We have lost all that we once had, but our boundless integrity has given us the wonderful companionship, trust, and love that keep a family together for all time.