The sun slowly seeped over the tree tops, casting it’s golden rays across the blue sky. Dew glistening the grass along the path’s edge as Lexi and Aldah walked on in silence, enjoying the beautiful spring morning. The fox wore her blue mottled cloak and carried her bow slung over her shoulder, as did Aldah, who wore a brown tunic and a darker brown jacket. Once again, Lexi glanced back as the small town that they had lived in for short time disappear from view.
“I’m sure going to miss that nice little place.” Aldah remarked, breaking the silence.
“They won’t miss us.” Lexi grinned.
“The innkeeper might. Who else pays that much to sleep in a smelly loft?” The rat asked, pausing to adjust her ridiculously large hat.
Annoyed, the fox looked away. “It’s time we moved on anyway. I think some of them were starting to get suspicious. We’re not exactly maids or serving girls.” she said.
Ahead, a hedgehog family was making it’s way down the path towards them. “Good day to you.” Aldah called out as they neared. The largest one, apparently the father, returned the greeting before passing by. Soon they stopped for lunch under the shade of a ancient oak tree.
After a short time the two friends continued on.
Dusk had fallen by the time Lexi and Aldah reached the outskirts of Midar, a well-known city on the border of the kingdom of Gildan.
Creatures came from all around as it was a common resting place for travelers.
Even now, the streets were far from deserted.
The fox and the rat searched for a place to spend the night.
A lively-looking inn caught Lexi’s eye and she pushed the door open.
A loud buzz greeted her.
Motioning to Aldah to follow, she entered the brightly lit room. Glasses clanked, dishes rattled, and animals chattered and laughed all around.
Finding an empty table, the two travelers sat down and waited to be served. Lexi glanced around. Raccoons, squirrels, mice and many other creatures were eating cheerfully.
Most were eating cheerfully.
She spotted three rats squabbling angrily over their meal.
Before she had time to move, a squirrel maid appeared at her table and inquired about what she and Aldah would prefer to eat. When they settled on potato soup, the maid scurried away. Returning a few minutes later with two steaming bowls, she carefully set them on the table and collected the money before hurrying away again.
After finishing their dinner, Lexi and Aldah stood at the counter, paying for a room.
The owner of the inn, a large hedgehog known as Serug, watched the two with a steady eye as they counted out their money.
Shouts erupted behind them and the door slammed shut. Lexi turned to see a young mouse racing around tables and chairs, hastening towards them. She recognized him as Javan’s servant that she had questioned the night before.
Out of breath, he stopped in front of the surprised fox. “Help.” he panted. “They’re after me.” Lexi looked down at him. “Who are?” she asked.
He glanced back at the door as it burst open and three weasels entered.
The mouse quickly ducked behind Lexi. “Javan’s sons.” he whispered. “They think I stole the --” “Quite!” Lexi hissed.
The weasels seemed to be certain that the mouse was hiding under the tables, because they were checking every one.
Raised voices and shouts from the creatures, angry at the weasels for being rudely disturbed, filled the inn.
Serug left the counter. “What’s this all about?” he demanded, marching up to the weasels.
“Come on.” Lexi said.
Together, the fox, rat and mouse dashed past the counter and up the stairs. Taking two at a time, Lexi reached the top first, Aldah and the mouse not far behind. They turned down a dark hallway with doors lining both sides.
“Room 9.” Aldah said, passing the fox and opening one of the doors. The three animals quickly entered. Aldah closed the door behind them.
They were breathing heavily as they listened for any sound that someone was following them. Lexi, her eyes accustom to the darkness, moved away and lit an oil lamp that was setting on a table. “Guess they didn’t see us.” she remarked.
Other then the table, there was also a bed and two chairs.
“They would’ve been up here by now.” Aldah stated, sitting down in one of the chairs, Lexi took the other. She regarded the mouse, who was standing by the door and watching them uneasily.
“You have a lot of explaining to do.” she said gravely.
He hung his head as he answered. “Javan thinks that I stole the jewels and he sent his sons after me. I was looking for a place to hide.”
“But why come to us?” Aldah interrupted.
“I was not aware that you were here until I spotted her cloak.” he insisted. “I had no choice. They were planning to hang me.”
“Which is also what they will do to anyone who helps a thief to escape.” Lexi said slowly.
“I’m not a thief!” he exclaimed.
“You are to Javan. It’s the same for you, really.”
“Yes, it is.” the mouse whispered.
“Well, it’s time for bed. We got to get an early start in the morning.” Lexi stood and crossed the room, leaning her bow against the wall and placing her quiver on the table. “You can stay here tonight, if you want.” she said to the mouse, who brightened up immediately. “By the way, you never told us your name.”
“Barwick. And you?” he asked cheerfully. “Lexi and this is Aldah.” she said before dousing the lamp and climbing into the bed.
With Aldah guarding the door and Barwick dozing in a chair, Lexi fell into a fitful sleep.
The large rat loomed above her, his sword raised.
Lighting flashed, revealing a ghastly scar that stretched across his face.
When he spoke, his voice was as hard and unfeeling as steel.
"No one fights Aviso and lives t' fight again."
She lay where she had fallen, the rain coming down around her. She reached for her dagger, but with a flick of his sword, the rat sent it spinning away.
“You killed them. You killed them all.” she sobbed as the last screams of the villagers faded away.
"What a tragedy." he snickered.
A loud cracking, fallowed by a crash and the breaking of branches, averted his attention for a moment.
It was long enough. She sprang up and grabbed her dagger, then dashed off into the rain.
“You’ll die for this, rat! I swear on my life!” she yelled.
His crazed laughter was the only reply.
Lexi jerked awake, her heart pounding. She sat up and blinked her eyes several times.
But she would never forget that terrible night, her dreams would not allow it.
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