Under the cover of darkness, Damon headed toward the slave compound.
He heard a clap of thunder in the distant and quicken his pace.
He paused to gather as many pears as he could carry from under a tree.
The fruit was not quite ripe but it would have to do.
He gathered them up in his cape, slung it over his shoulder and continued
on his way.
He carefully snuck past the slumbering guards and reached the slaves.
All were sleeping but the old hare, who stood gazing at the dark sky.
“Hey, hey.” Damon whispered.
The hare’s head wiped around.
Damon motioned him to be quite. “I’ve brought ye some food.” He whispered.
The hare’s face lit up. “Little Rippler was just saying he knew we would eat tonight.”
“He won’t be wrong, mate. Wake the others.” Damon ordered.
The hare reached threw the bars and shook the closest squirrel awake. “Wake up, Sinwell.”
He turned back to Damon. “I’m called Maxson.” He said.
Damon handed him a pear. “Start chewing on that. I’ve got t’ hurry.”
He moved down to the next cage.
The squirrel, Sinwell, looked at him closely. “Who are you?” he asked. “Black Iron. Here.”
The three squirrels took the fruit and bowed their heads in respect. “My brothers and I thank you.” Sinwell said.
Damon smiled. “No thanks needed, mate.”
The mice, Twist and Carrol, were pitifully thin and wore little more then rags, yet they ate slowly, enjoying every morsel.
“Where’s mine?” asked an otter babe, jumping up and down.
“Rippler! Wait your turn.” An otter maiden stepped out of the shadows and gently laid her hand on Rippler’s head. “Forgive my little brother for his impatience.” She said. “I’m Kelley; this is my mother and father.” She gestured to the other otters.
“Pleased to meet you. I‘m Black Iron.” Damon said as he handed out the remaining fruit. “I know it’s not much, but it’s all that I was able to carry.” He said.
“It’s a lot for us.” Kelley smiled as she took a bite of the fruit. “And it tastes a lot better then scraps.”
Rippler looked up at Damon wide-eyed. “I knew you not be a-letting us starve.” He said.
Damon peered down at him. “And how’s that, my little fellow?” He enquired. “I saw you watching us from the big tree over there.” Rippler pointed to the pine, which loomed above them, like a giant shadow.
Lightning flashed, lighting up the dark sky and thunder roared overhead.
Rain splattered onto the ground.
“The guards will wake up and if they see you, they’ll kill you.” Kelley warned.
“Keep this.” Damon shoved his cape threw the bars and raced off into the storm.
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