With his traveling pack slung over his shoulder and his sword hanging by his side, the young otter headed towards a small cottage that stood at the edge of the forest. He paused for a moment to breathe in the fresh morning air. As he reached the door, it opened and a black otter stepped out, closing it behind him.
"Rippler." he said. "Something has come up and I will not be able to take the trip with you." Imeadiantly, the young otter looked crestfallen, but something in the black otter's blue eyes made him worried.
"What's wrong?" he asked quickly.
"It's Kelley." he answered. "She seems to be coming down with some sort of virus. Nothing serious, I'm sure, but I want to be here just in case."
"I understand. Is she here now?" Rippler asked.
The black otter shook his head. "Her and Randi went down to Spring Hill for a picnic. She said she sends her love with you. Now," he said briskly. "Do you have everything you'll need?"
"I checked the list twice." Rippler replied, indicating the pack.
The black otter nodded his head. "Well, you had best be off, then. Remember what I told you and be careful. Don't take any unnecessary risks."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." he said with a cheerful wave. "Bye Damon."
Balancing a tray laden with food, Barwick opened the door.
Lexi looked up from where she sat on the edge of the bed as she sharpened her dagger. "Any sign of the weasel brothers?" she asked, running a stone along the blade.
The young mouse shook his head as he set the tray on the table. "Not a trace." he answered.
After dragging a chair over to the table, Aldah reached for a muffin. "Better keep an eye out for them anyway." she said as she took a bite.
Lexi was inclined to agree. The weasels would not give up the search easily.
After they had eaten, Lexi and Aldah gathered up their belongings."
The vixen turned her head to see Barwick watching them uncertainly. "Aldah has agreed with me that you can come with us if you can keep up. We're headed to Zamari."
The rat muttered something under her breath and Lexi shot her a look.
"Thank you!" the mouse exclaimed. "I won't be any trouble."
Lexi wasn't so sure. She had a feeling that the weasels would be back. She buckled on her dagger and put on her blue mottled cloak. When they were ready to leave, she glanced thoughtfully at Barwick.
"We'll stop by the market on the way. We can't have you looking like you just crawled out of the ditch, now can we?"
With a grin, the mouse shook his head.
After they had left the room, Aldah lead the way down the stairs.
As they headed towards the door, Lexi could feel Serug's eyes following them.
The market square was a busy place. Scores of tents were set up, selling anything from pies and bread to axes and clubs. The smells of newly baked food hung in the air, causing Lexi to lick her lips.
Barwick looked around with wide eyes.
"Never been to a place like this?" Lexi asked, quit amused.
The mouse shook his head.
"Okay, we'll have to get you some descent clothes and a weapon of some sort. What are you best with?" the vixen asked.
"I don't know." the young mouse answered doubtfully. "Servants don't usually fight."
Behind them, Aldah muttered something that Lexi could not make out.
"That's fine." the vixen said cheerfully as she scanned the tents.
One with a sign indicating two crossed swords caught her eye. Motioning for the others to follow, she entered. Rows of swords and knives lay on a table, gleaming from the sunlight that shone thew the thin canvas of the tent. After a quick conversation with the blacksmith, a middle-aged mouse with a scar across his cheek who went by the name of Twist, Lexi and Aldah left Barwick to choose a weapon as they went to find some new apparel for the runaway servant.
Lexi raised her head as a lould crashing sounded outside the tent, followed by a scream and raised voices.
"Take this." she said, flinging a handful of silver coins at the seller and snatching up the new garments. Without a backwards glance, she raced away, Aldah a few steps behinds.
She could not see what was causing the chaos.
Travelers and merchants alike were milling around in the street. Some were running, others hiding and a few drawing their swords.
Lexi pushed her way past them to gaze into the tent.
The table lay on it's side and the weapons littered the ground where the blacksmith, Twist, lay unconscious. But there was no sign of Barwick.
Lexi spun back around and made her way quickly through the street.
"Lexi! Wait a minute." Aldah called as she struggled to catch up.
The fox paused until Aldah stood beside her, the rat's red hat at a odd angle.
"What are you doing?" Aldah hissed. "It's one thing to let this mouse tag along with us. But it's another to risk our necks because of him."
"I could do with a good fight." Lexi answered impatiently.
"That's not the point. What has he done for you? Nothing!"
"What does that matter?" Lexi snapped. "I have gotten him into this mess and I will get him back out."
With that said, the vixen turned away and raced off, scanning the surroundings as she went.
The clashing of swords met her ears, causing a wave of apprehension to run through her.
Rounding the corner, she came to an abrupt halt.
A weasel, whom she recognized as one of Javan's sons, staggered backwards as blood streamed down his arm. The other two weasels charged at a silver-furred fox as their brother fell to the ground and lay till.
Although he was cornered between two tents, the fox was a formidable opponent and held his attackers off with ease.
Incapable of helping himself, Barwick hid his face in his hands as he huddled behind the fox.
Lexi could hear him whimpering in fear.
She stood transfixed, watching the light play across the silver fox's sword as he lunged and parried.
"What you waiting for?" Aldah inquired as the rat caught her breath.
"Nothing." the vixen answered as she laid her bow and quiver, along with the new cloak, on the ground and drew her dagger.
Feeling the familiar weight in her hand, she rushed forward.
One of the weasels stepped aside to meet her charge. She assumed because of his stance that he was unaccustomed to real fighting.
Legs too far apart. Sword held too close to the chest. Arms too tight. No problem.
Slowing down, Lexi veered to the side, ducking from a clumsy swing as she went. She stayed just out of reach of his blade as she slowly circled him, forcing the weasel to turn to keep her in sight.
As with all her opponents, she watched his eyes.
She saw anger, which would cause him to use more force them necessary behind his blows and to not be very precise in his movements. This made him increasingly dangerous but also easier to avoid.
Lexi lunged at him, her dagger coming within a inch from his neck, and leaped backwards before he could counter it.
His sword flashed past her, meeting only air.
After circling him again, she repeated the tactic.
The weasel swung his sword blindly, slashing at the fox.
She rapidly ducked behind him and brought the hilt of her dagger down on his head.
He stumbled as his sword fell from his grasp.
Again, Lexi slammed the hilt onto his skull before stepping back.
This time the weasel collapsed to the ground and lay in a unmoving heap.
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