Author:
Mossyra of the Irresistible Imps
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Date Posted: 20:53:02 06/12/07 Tue
It was noon the following day. The slaves were confined to their compound until further notice and the squirrelmaid (who was still pale, I might add) was eyeing the trees longingly. There was an hour yet until noon when she did something none of the slaves had heard her do yet. She spoke.
"I had always hoped he wouldn't find me, even though it was impossible. Very few ever got away from Cruelclaw Stripetail and even less can elude him for more than a few days. I heard of one, long before my lifetime, that escaped and set up a home. He was well into his older seasons and living on the shore when Cruelclaw found him. They say you could hear him screaming three leagues away. Nobeast can get away from Cruelclaw Stripetail, they say. I did. I didn't do it on purpose; I was taken away. When I found I was free I decided to look for my friend, Silkfur. I found her, well, more correctly, she found me, and we were seperated again only days later. I got sick and almost died, but a mouse warrior helped me. Then I saw Cruelclaw and fled. I didn't think he'd be able to track me 'cause I got lost. But he did. I'm sorry. I've caused you so much trouble."
Noon came.
Gufftong watched Cruelclaw with interest. He looked the part of a barbarian warlord without anything but a rough tunic.
Then the proceedings began. It started with Gufftong greeting Cruelclaw Stripetail and offering slaves as a sign of goodwill. Cruelclaw accepted and got straigh to the point. "You have a squirrelmaid in your fort," Cruelclaw growled. "I am told she hasn't uttered a sound since arriving. She is one of my slaves, you see, and I have followed her across many a land. I am willing to pay you for her," at this point he waved a claw and two slaves dumped a chest full of treasure onto the ground. Gufftong's eyes glowed covetously. "and will take her by force if necessary. But there is no need for such things. Just give her to me and we will be on our way, after giving you your reward, of course."
Gufftong agreed instantly.
When three guards handed over Mossyra, she was tight-lipped and silent. Cruelclaw gave her a grim smile, then strode off, leaving Gufftong with his treasure and ordering his captains to break camp.
As soon as the wildcat had left, Gufftong turned to his captains. "Now, about the Abbey we are going to invade."
Dot . . . Dot . . . Dot . . .
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