Author:
Brooksong and Company, SS
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Date Posted: 16:17:56 08/04/06 Fri
Chapter 1
Hertin awoke with a start. She let her eyes wander about the silent room. It was not fancy; it had plain green walls, and a wood roof, but she had grown to love it. She snuggled into her worn out sheets. She knew she would have to get up soon, but she wasn’t sure when.
The sun was not a warm, kind thing on this day; it mocked the hopes of every poor animal living in Paronal. It was a cold, distant sun that day.
Hertin watched the dust motes float around the room for a moment, and then she let her eyes close. I ought to get up soon she thought. Might as well get up now, better that than having Threni wake me. She climbed out of her warm bed into the chilling air of the room around her. She shivered, and walked to the wardrobe that she and her younger sister Threni shared. She stepped out of her shabby wool nightdress and into the more practical short dress that reached half way down her calves. She looked it the mirror that was broken in two places. She was very pretty, but was very plain. She sighed. This is going to be me for the rest of my life. I wish I had something better.
She wandered into the kitchen. Her mother, though creased with age, was a strong diligent creature, who was always up by dawn. Hertin smiled fondly at her mother. She had a good heart, and was always ready to stand up for her rights, but she was getting on in age. “Here, mother, let me get that for you.” Hertin said as the crouched to get a spoon that had slid under the stove. “There you go,” she said and handed her mother the spoon.
“Oh, thank you, dear,” her mother said. She plucked the spoon from Hertin’s paw and tapped it against her own paw. Hertin said nothing about it, but she knew that her mother seemed strangely preoccupied.
“Mama, is everything alright?” Hertin asked, curiosity playing in her eyes.
Her mother smoothed the wrinkles in her pinafore. “Yes darling, everything is fine.” She said. “Will you go out and get some more celery Hertin? We are running low.” Her mother asked her. Hertin could tell she wanted her out of the house, and pulled her bonnet over her ears.
“Alright, Mama, I’ll be back soon.” She said as her mother dropped a silver coin into her paw. She stuffed the coin into her bonnet. She walked to the door, knowing that there would be an icy wind that would sweep through the house the second she opened the door. Hertin stepped into the bustling streets of Paronal.
Hertin walked for about five minutes, nodding and smiling at people she knew, and looking down respectfully as merchants and others passed her. She stopped at the entrance to an alley, and stepped inside. It was dimly lit, but Hertin could see that this market was no place for the faint hearted. The vendors were mostly weasels and rats, with small, shifty eyes, looking for someone to swindle.
Hertin knew where she was going, straight to the other end of the alley, near the wall that distinguished the alley from the more respectable street. She stopped at a simple spice and vegetable stand with no advertising or adornment. She saw the large scruffy ears and the long tail resting on the counter. “Excuse me, Mr. Theegle.” She said quietly.
The ears shot up in alarm. A short, graying harvest mouse with an extremely long tail stuck his head above the counter. He was a homley creature, and looked good for his age. His face creased into a smile. “Ah Hertin. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. How is your family? Is your mother well?” He asked.
Hertin smiled weakly. “Oh, they are not bad, Mr. Theegle. How is your wife?” She asked, really interested. Mrs. Theegle had cared for Hertin as a small leveret, and Hertin knew her well.
“Oh, you know the wife. She is as spry as a willow branch, and could still put you over her knee, if she had a mind to. Not that you ever need that.” He laughed. Hertin smiled. “But my guess is you didn’t come through the streets of Paronal to talk about family, did you?” the harvest mouse asked. “What can I get you?”
“Oh, just some celery.” Hertin said. “And by any chance, did my mother tell you anything that she might be worried about?” Hertin asked as she reached for the coin in her bonnet. She dropped it onto the table that served as Mr. Theegle’s produce stand.
“Not that I know of.” Mr. Theegle said. “Sorry.” He placed the celery on the table. “Enjoy the celery!” He called as Hertin walked away.
She walked back to her house, hoping that this puzzle would become unraveled soon. She opened the door, Surprised to see her mother looking up at the door as she entered. “Mama, aren’t you supposed to be at the Fradile’s home, watching their little molebabe?” Hertin asked.
“Oh, I got the day off. I’m sorry Hertin, I was expecting someone else.” Her mother looked worried.
“Mama, who were you expecting? Were you hoping that they would be gone when I got home?” Hertin asked. “And does this have anything to do with the fact that you were a nervous wreck this morning?” Hertin inquired.
“Yes, yes, all of those! Darling, your brother has been drafted into the Paronal Royal army, and I sent for the sergeant, to tell him that Terlik isn’t fit to be in the army. There’s his leg, and his eyes have always been bad...”
“Mama, Terlik’s been drafted? How could you let that happen? You told me you would stop the government from finding Terlik.” Hertin declared. She was shrill with indignation. “Oh, that King of ours. I wish I could give him a piece of my mind.” She said.
“Don’t talk like that dear; the King’s spies are everywhere.” Her mother said. She looked around the room as if they were being watched.
It was common knowledge that King Gretin and his Goodwife Queen Tranillia were said for spying on their subjects. They were a pair of vain beasts, and everyone knew that they were both against women’s rights. Even Queen Tranillia thought, “A woman’s place is in the house. Making food, repairing clothing and such.” They were both pompous old dormice, who had hired guards to enforce their laws.
Terlik is not fit to go into the army Hertin thought. I have to do something! However, what can I do? I’m a lowly female hare. She said to herself. She bit her lip.
“Hertin, Kilarta is here to see you!” Her mother called form the front door. Finally, someone to talk too! Hertin said to herself.
Kilarta was a milky brown fox of about Hertin’s age. She was a strong creature, with a mind of her own. She hated everything about the monarchy, and she didn’t hide it at all.
Hertin’s mother pushed them out the door. “You two have fun, and don’t go to the far side of Paronal!” She warned. “Badbeasts live there!” She yelled after them.
Hertin turned to her friend. “Are you ever going to tell my mother that you do live on the far side?” Hertin asked.
Kilarta shook her head. “Nah, she has the wrong idea of the far side anyway. She wouldn’t understand that only creatures with good reputations could live on this side. Foxes, weasels, ferrets, rats, everything that has the reputation of being evil is forced to live on the far side. All thanks to the king.” She spat out the last sentence with contempt.
“Cheer up. Come on, I’ll buy you a sugar cube.” She said. She pulled a faded silver coin from her cloak pocket.
“Wow, Hertin, where did you get that?” Kilarta exclaimed.
Hertin smiled. “I got it for watching the Fradile’s little molebabe.” She said. “He’s so cute, so innocent, and he comes from a great family, too. Happy, hardworking, and well, wealthy. He will have a good life.” Hertin said ruefully. “Come on, I’ll race you to the candy stand!” she said as she looked over her shoulder at Kilarta.
She was out of breath by the time she got to the stand. Kilarta arrived alongside her. “What can I get for you two ladies?” A short otter asked form behind the counter.
“Two sugar cubes, please.” Hertin said. “Is one silver coin enough?”
“Yes, yes, one silver coin is fine. Here you go!” He said cheerfully.
“Thank you.” Kilarta said. She smiled. Kilarta had beautiful teeth, but she did not smile much anymore.
The otter, whose name was Greyth, immediately liked the two girls. He was about their age, if a day older. “Hey” he called to the girls, who had just turned away. “The shop closes in a couple of minutes. Can I meet you somewhere?” he asked.
Hertin smiled. “Sure. How about the old church?” The old church was a run down old building that was replaced years before by the King.
“Sure, I will see you there.” Greyth said happily.
A few minutes later, Greyth appeared at the old church. He sat down to wait for the girls, who he had figured would already be there. All of a sudden, two pairs of hands grabbed him and heaved him into the church. “What are you doing? No one is supposed to be in here! What were you thinking?” he asked.
Kilarta shrugged. “This is where we come when we go out together.” She said simply.
Greyth looked around. A part of the altar had been covered with some old strips of wood and was dry. He looked up. He could see the grey evening sky from where he sat. There were still a few pews, but they were termite ridden and mostly rotten. One pew stood under the makeshift awning, and it was still in relatively good condition. Under the awning, he saw some small trinkets that the two girls had picked up around the town. He was in awe of how well they kept up their space.
“Welcome to the real old church” Hertin said as Greyth came under the awning. “We peddle to earn extra money and to buy more trinkets to peddle.” She said as Greyth examined the pile of objects in the center of the room.
“Wow. You two must do a pretty good business to get all of these trinkets.” he said.
“Yeah, we don’t do too bad. Sometimes it is worse than others, but you have to take the good with the bad.” Kilarta said simply.
“So. The reason I brought you to the old church was not to show all of our trinkets. I need help with something.” Hertin said. “Terlik has been drafted, and he is not fit to go into the army. I need to do something, but what can I do? I’m a poor working class hare.” She said.
“Go instead.” Kilarta said. “Disguise yourself, and rise through the ranks as Terlik. I know you are tough, and I think you could be just what this country ordered.” She smiled. Her eyes were like ice. “Maybe then the royal family will respect the people more.”
Greyth nodded. “If anything, that would be best. I don’t know much about you, but I can tell you’re hiding a warrior. I have a short blade that has run in my family for generations. I could show you how to use it. I have a feeling that you will change Paronal forever.”
Chapter 2
It was late the next morning. Hertin’s mother had just woken up, and was headed out to the kitchen to start breakfast. She entered the front room, and was surprised to find a short note from Hertin sitting on the kitchen table. “Well what could this be?” She said to herself. The note read:
Mother-
I have gone to the home of a new friend of mine, an otter by the name of Greyth. I will be home soon. Please do not worry. He is a fine creature.
- Hertin
“Well, as long as he is a nice creature with a good family.” She said.
It was not what Hertin’s mother thought they would be doing. Hertin parried every thrust with her stick that she had against Greyth’s. “Good, good, and step to the left, parry, and Thrust! Well, Hertin, that’s all I know. The student has surpassed the teacher.” Greyth smiled as sweat trickled down his face.
Hertin was also breathing hard, but she had enjoyed the duel immensely. “Come on, just one more round, please?” She said to Greyth, who had fallen back into the snow.
“No way! You will kill me, please!” Greyth pleaded.
Hertin smiled and began rattling off a comic ditty that she had heard as a child.
Oh, the otter was a slinger,
But the hare didn’t care.
She caught him in combat with flair,
Oh, the otter tried his hardest,
But the hare was everywhere,
Next time instead of a hare,
Please fight elsewhere.
Kilarta laughed. “Hey, Hertin where did you learn that?”
Hertin smiled, a far away look in her eyes. “My dad taught it to me before he went to the Great Ten Season war. I was barely old enough to repeat the song, but I learned it, and will probably never forget it. It is very important to me. That was the last thing he ever said to me. He sang it to keep me form crying as he left. He was such a proud, proper creature in public, but in our home, he was as foolish as Terlik.” Hertin sighed. “I miss him. Somewhere over the sea, somewhere out there, I know he’s there. I can feel that he is still alive.” She sniffed. I’m coming father. Please wait for me. She walked back to the house, with Kilarta and Greyth following in her wake. As she reached home, she turned to Greyth. “Thank you, Greyth. You are a great teacher. I may never see you again, as I am leaving tomorrow morning for the army. I think you make your parents proud. Kilarta, I know you have a strong mind, and I want you to use it for the good of our country. Please don’t do anything foolish.” She turned to go inside. She looked at the creatures she had come to love over her shoulder. Please let them be safe. She though silently.
Chapter 3
The next morning Hertin got up as the city clock chimed five o clock. She stopped at the table, and packed a bag of some of her mother’s biscuits, and a flagon of her mother’s best apple raspberry tea. She stepped out the door, and into the enveloping darkness, not to be seen in that region for years to come.
Hertin was cheerful. In was a crisp winter morning, and her stride was much freer without the countless petticoats she typically wore. Today she wore a thin homespun tunic of royal purple. She wore a thick leather belt with a golden buckle. Hertin smiled as she began humming merrily.
Suddenly, a young squirrel was beside her. He was a bouncy fellow, with a happy smile pasted permanently on his face. “Hi. I’m Quinarl. What’s your name?” he asked as he shook Hertin’s paw heartily.
Hertin swallowed. “Terlik. Where are you traveling?” Hertin asked.
“I’ve been drafted into the Paronal Royal army! Isn’t that amazing?” He said. He looked so happy.
Hertin smiled back. “Yes, that’s very interesting. I’ve been drafted also.” She managed a small smile. “I guess I’m traveling with you, Quinarl.”
“Yeah, I guess so. What are your chosen weapons? I use a bow and javelins.” He said.
Wow. He must have traveled alone for quite a while Hertin thought He really wants to talk to someone. “I’m just a short swordsbeast. But I would love to try archery.”
Quinarl handed Hertin the bow. “Here, Give it a try, but be careful. That’s a dangerous weapon.” He said.
“Oh, don’t worry I will be.” She said as she selected an arrow. “Hmmm. It should be straight, but with a good fletching, and a good tip.” She said as she inspected each arrow. “Ah. Here’s a good one she said as she held up an arrow with an orange fletching. She held the arrow to the bowstring as she wiped her hands on her tunic. “What should I aim for?” She asked Quinarl ask she sighted the shaft.
“Well, first I would just get it fly straight.” He said and laughed.
Hertin smiled. “How about I aim for that knothole in the stump?” she asked Quinarl.
“Ok, if you think you can hit it.” Quinarl said and shrugged.
Hertin pulled the bow another inch farther. The bow was almost bent double now, and she was straining to pull it farther. She bit her lip as she looked down the shaft. “One, two, three!” She let go of the shaft and the string together.
Chapter 4
The feared Sharolt the Ruthless was coming. The evil vixen looked over the stern of the ship she and her crew had stolen from a crew of sea otters that she now had chained below the deck. She smiled an icy thin smile. She could see the land of Paronal through the mist. “Bring her into the port on the far side. I have family to see before we take the city.” She said. The two score ships sailed noiselessly toward the harbor.
Kilarta awoke to a knock on the door. “Go away, we aren’t buying.” She said, still half asleep. She saw the knob turn a fraction of an inch. She fell into a fighting crouch, only to see a very familiar face looking back at her. “Auntie Sharolt!” She shrieked. “What are you doing back in Paronal?” she asked.
Her aunt smiled. “I came to offer you a role in my horde, Dearest. I think if anyone in your family, you would be the best to join me. I need a new captain, and you know much of the art of war.” Sharolt replied. She had a smile on her face that looked like the sky during a blizzard.
“May I tell mama?” Kilarta asked. She sounded excited.
“There is no need.” A voice said from behind Sharolt. “Killy darling, what have I told you about letting strangers into the house?” She looked at the smiling vixen standing beside her. Her eyes widened. “Sharolt? Sister? Oh, it is you!” She exclaimed happily. “Of course you may join the horde, Kilarta; it will be good for you.”
Sharolt extended her paw. “Welcome to the horde, captain Kilarta!” In her mind, a single word echoed menacingly. Perfect.
The arrow quivered in the stump a hairsbreadth from the center of the knothole.
Quinarl’s mouth dropped open. “H-how did you do that?” He asked, bewildered.
Hertin looked over at him. “I really don’t know. But it felt like I should have been doing that my entire life. You know what I mean?” She asked, looking back at Quinarl.
Quinarl shook his head. “Are you sure you have never held up a bow in your life?” He asked.
Hertin nodded. “I’m positive”
Quinarl shook his head. “Keep the bow. I can make another pretty easily.” He said.
Hertin smiled. “Really?” she asked. As she admired her new weapon. “You would just let me take it?”
Quinarl nodded. “Yup. But you have to make your own arrows.” He said as he shook a finger at her.
“Okay, Okay, I will!” They both laughed for a moment. “We better get going if we want to reach the base camp by tonight.” Hertin said over her shoulder as she headed down the road.
Quinarl followed. He reached into his bag, and brought out a small wooden flute. He began to twiddle a song.
Hertin smiled. She knew the song, and she knew she had a nice tenor voice, but she surprised herself with her own projection.
Great chunks of apple crumble,
I must say they’re the best.
And a bee loves to bumble,
On it’s way to the nest.
Oh, layo, Oh liyo,
The world’s a funny place.
Oh, honey on a scone,
With a gigantic yellow pear.
My mother’s voice had a threatening tone,
When she told me ‘please share!’
I barely understood a single word she said,
For she just never went to bed.
Oh layo, oh liyo,
The world’s a funny place.
I know a mouse named Grandy
He has a big fat head.
He always did eat candy,
And sick he went to bed.
His mother shook his body,
One morn, Just to find him dead.
Oh layo, oh liyo,
The world’s a funny place.
Quinarl sat down hard on the edge of the path. “Whew! You sure kept the pace up for that song. I may never play the flute again.” He said as he shook his head. “Wow. You have quite a voice, Terlik.”
“Thanks, Quinarl.” Hertin replied. “It takes a lot of work sometimes, but it is fun.”
They walked in silence for a while; the only other sound was the rustling of the bare branches. Hertin sighed. “Pretty day, Huh?” she turned to Quinarl. He was looking straight ahead. His eyes were getting wider and wider. Hertin followed her friend’s gaze. There, straight in front of them, was a regiment of otters, hares, mice, squirrels, any creature that lived in the ‘good side’ of Paronal was there. “Oh my.” Hertin said. There were thirty creatures in each column, and each row was 12 creatures deep.
“Come on, I see two openings in the last column.” Quinarl said as he rushed off to join the Growing mass of creatures, all stepping in time to one another.
“Wait for me!” Hertin yelled, but her voice was lost amid the stamping of feet. She rushed ahead.
Soon they were both marching at the back of the line, headed straight for base camp.
Chapter 5
“When we entah the camp, new recruits please head straight to the information desk, and get yer tent number. Is that clear?” The sergeant said. “Mah name is Sergeant Hastrow. You will always afer to me as Sergeant Hastrow. Seven of you will be in mah tent, and I expect it tae be silent in there at all times.” He barked.
Some of the older recruits knew what to do then. “Sah, yes, everything is clear, sah!” they all yelled in unison. Most of the new recruits filtered into camp slowly.
Hertin and Quinarl watched from the entrance of the camp, until a nice looking younger hare came up to them. “Hi. I see you’ve met Sergeant Hastrow. Not all of the sergeants are as bad as him, but he has a soft heart. He treats his daughter really well. By the way, my name is Inaque. Inaque Bratil Hareshow.” He said and pulled a wry smile. “I always hated my middle name.”
“I’m Terlik,” Hertin answered. “And this is Quinarl.” She smiled. We’d better get to the information desk.” She said as she hurried off.
“Why did he hurry off?” Inaque asked Quinarl.
Quinarl shrugged. “Hard to tell sometimes if he’s a young maid or one of us.
“Eh, you never know…” Inaque answered.
“Please state your name.” A young haremaid said as Hertin stepped forward from the line. She was very pretty, but had the dark shifty eyes of someone who knew what happened and what would.
“Terlik” Hertin said as she threw a salute.
“No need to do that with me, honey.” The haremaid said. “You can leave the salutes to my father.” She said.
“So you are Sergeant Hastrow’s daughter?” Hertin asked. “You look like you could hold your own in battle.” She said as the looked at the shining knife held in the haremaid’s belt.
“Yeah, if only my father would let me join. He taught me everything he knows about a blade. But he thinks I can’t join, because I’m a girl.” She sighed. “You are in tent G. Your sergeant is Sergeant Gorserose, The only female in the Paronal royal army. She’s pretty nice, I think.” She said. “Oh, and if you ever need help, my name is Loanse.” She smiled.
“Thank you, Loanse. I want to talk with you more sometime.” Hertin said as she wandered off to try to find tent G. As she wandered through the camp, Hertin saw squirrels, mice, otters and hares, more than she had ever seen in her life. She continued to wander through camp, until she came upon a group of young hares laughing around a small table. “Excuse me, could you help me find tent G?” She asked one as she tapped him on the shoulder.
He turned around, and looked at Hertin. It was Inaque. “Oh, hello. You are on the wrong side of camp. I’ll show you over there.” He said and smiled. They walked off together.
Chapter 6
“Aten Hut! Kilarta yelled above the talkative mouths of the vermin around her. “Fall in” She said as they looked up at her.
One rat, bolder than the rest, Yelled out “Calm down, young un’, I think it’s your bedtime.” He said and laughed with the rest of Kilarta’s column.
Kilarta’s eyes narrowed. “Take it back.” she said quietly. Her eyes had a dangerous red tint to them.
The rat who had spoken laughed. “Ha! You are the new captain?” why not have my daughter as a captain?” He yelled. He didn’t see Kilarta lunge at him. She leaped at his unprotected back, and scrabbled to reach the unfortunate rat’s face. The rat was shrieking as Kilarta raked the side of his face to the bone.
Kilarta leaped off the back of the rat and turned to the rest of her column. Her voice was still dangerously quiet. “Fall in.” she ordered.
Everyone immediately came to attention, except the unfortunate rat she had scarred for life. He lay whimpering on the parade grounds. Kilarta walked over. She gently placed her footpaw on the back of his head. She smiled. “Who is your captain?” She asked at she ground the rat’s face into the dust.
“Kilarta, Niece of the Ruthless!” Everyone chorused aloud.
Kilarta smiled. “I’m glad you understand.”
Hertin watched the back of Inaque’s head. He was dark brown for a hare, with a nick halfway down his ear.
She tore her eyes form her handsome new friend’s head to explore her surroundings. Hertin watched as squirrels swung through the trees overhead. Once she thought the caught a glimpse of Quinarl, but then he was gone. The two hares passed throngs of otters laughing raucously around large cauldrons of a sweet, bubbling drink.
Hertin opened her mouth to ask what it was, but Inaque was far ahead of her. “That’s Greatberry Ale. A favorite among otters.” He said simply. “Don’t get to close to those groups. They will either welcome you heartily, or put you in to add flavor to their drink. Most likely the latter.” He said and smiled wryly.
Hertin gave him a puzzled look. “How did you know that was what I going to ask?” She questioned. Inaque ignored her. Hertin continued to watch the crowds turn from mainly otters and squirrels to hares in a matter of steps. She watched as a pair of them began to box.
Inaque looked over longingly. “Do you mind if I watch the box for a minute?” he asked. Hertin shook her head, and braced herself to enter the throng of hares. It was hot around the ring, but very enjoyable. Inaque obviously had a friend in the ring, he was shouting like a madbeast. His cries mingled with the sounds of others to make an unharmonious yowl. Hertin flinched as the cries cresendoed into screams of victory for some, and howls of defeat for others. Inaque turned to Hertin. “Good fight, eh? Fights are usually that loud, and they happen all over camp.” He said as Hertin calmed down. They began to walk again. Inaque stopped in front of a large tent filled with squirrels and otters. “This is the mess tent. Right now, it’s their mealtime. You missed ours. Since hares make up half of the enlistment, we have a separate mealtime. ‘
Hertin’s mouth was agape. For the second time that evening, Inaque had taken the question right from her mouth! “How did you know I was going to ask?” Hertin enquired. “It’s like you knew I was wondering.” She looked up at him.
“I don’t know. He said. But just by looking into your eyes, I can tell you are different from the rest of us. I know many things about many creatures. Quinarl gave me the final clue as to how you are different.” Inaque answered. “Your greatest secret is safe with me.”
Hertin’s eyes widened. “Y- You know I’m a girl?” She whispered harshly.
Inaque nodded. “Yes. I think it’s very brave what you are doing. Foolish, but brave nonetheless. Who knows what these creatures would do to you if they found out.” He said and stopped. “Here’s your tent.”
Hertin suddenly felt very nervous around Inaque. She muttered a swift thank-you-and-goodbye and disappeared into the tent.
Sharolt the Ruthless was no longer the most feared beast among her horde. Oh, that ratty little Kilarta. Don’t worry; I will get you in your sleep before you get me in mine. She thought as she paced her tent. It was a beautiful night, many stars blotched the night sky, and the waning moon hung suspended on an invisible thread. But the beauty was lost to Sharolt. Her tent was lavishly decorated in silk hangings, pelts of fur, and a few hooks to store clothing on.
Kilarta was happy. She had brought fear into the heart of the hordebeasts in a new way. She had toyed with the death of another creature. A fat weasel in her column was muttering about how life was better with Ning, the old captain, than with this slip of a fox they had now. So Kilarta enforced her authority. She slew the weasel, cooked it, and ate a piece of it! She actually had not eaten it, but it was easy to pretend when surrounded by a bunch of idiots, she concluded. In reality, she had stuffed the meat down the front of her blouse, where it was well hidden. It was easy enough, but the meat soon got cold and slimy from sitting in a thin silk top, which she had won in a bet with another creature. She sighed as she slowly scooped the pieces of meat from her shirt. She shrugged out of the blouse and into a more comfortable wool nightdress. She smiled. Hertin had given it to her. Wherever you are, Hertin, please, stay safe. She thought as she touched the material of the old fabric. She lay down slowly onto the traveling cot she used. Apparently, Sharolt was wrong. Kilarta wasn’t as hard as she seemed.
It was dark and cool in the tent. Their were cots hanging from thick support beams, and small bags under each one. Hertin put her sack down on a bed to look into the small linen bag. It smelled very sweet, and upon opening it, she found that it was filled with herbs. She began rummaging through the bag, and at the bottom found a note on a thin piece of parchment. It said:
You are cordially invited to join the small group of healers throughout the Paronal Royal Army. If you wish to attend, please report to the R6 tent. Please bring the bag of healing herbs supplied.
-Loanse
“Hmmm. This could be good for me and the rest of the army. I will attend.” She concluded.
“Course you will, young lad, you’ve been chosen by Loanse herself.” A voice said from behind Hertin. She jumped.
Hertin turned around. There, sitting on the cot behind her, sat the tallest hare Hertin had ever seen. She was pretty, and looked gruff. “Sergeant Gorserose, young lad, and ah know, ah know, ah’m the tallest hare yah’ve evah seen. Well, chap, that’s no news to me, Wot?” She said and smiled.
“So you are the only female in the Paronal Royal Army?” Hertin said as she looked up at Gorserose’s immense height.
Gorserose smiled. “Yes indeed.” She replied as she looked down at Hertin. “Ah had to disguise myself as a male, doncha know.”
Hertin nodded. “Wow. I must say you are very tall,” She said. At her eye level, Hertin was looking straight at Sergeant Gorserose’s neck.
Gorserose. sighed. “It is a burden, But one I have grow accustomed too. Have you met the rest of your tentmates?” She asked. Hertin guessed her height was a touchy subject.
Hertin shook her head. “Ah can’t truthfully say that I have, marm.”
Gorserose smiled. “You will in good time, young lad. Hurry along to that meeting now, it starts soon.”
Hertin waved as she left the tent. She walked for a while, passed tent F, E, D, C, B, A, and onto Z1. This could take a while, she thought. She continued to walk, and after a time, came to a small space between two tents. She slipped through it, and was right in front of R2. She found another crevice, and continued to slide through the crevices until Hertin came to Q6. She walked down the lane, and soon came to tent R6. She entered, to find it empty, except for one hare, who was crying.
Hertin walked over to the miserable hare. “Oh, what’s wrong? Are you OK?”
The hare gazed up. It was Loanse.
Kilarta awoke refreshed the next morning. She lay in bed for a while, and gazed at the canvas top of her tent. I’ve come a long way, for a poor fox that lived on the Far Side, she thought. I’m feared all over, and no one wants to be near me. She leisurely got out from between her fresh sheets, and moved over to the traveling chest she lived out of. Kilarta opened the creaking lid of her trunk. She rummaged through the chest, tossing out various articles of clothing. She slipped a frilly dress over her head, and concealed a small dagger in her petticoats. Kilarta then tied a small apron around her miniscule waist, and began to twist about, just to make sure that the knife did not accidentally graze her thigh. “good.” She said to herself. She quickly threw a cloak around her shoulders, which were hunched to keep out the cold. She hurried outside, and reported to Sharolt’s tent. She had been asked there earlier the last evening, and wanted to make sure she didn’t miss anything. Kilarta stole a look inside the tent. She recognized a few of the captains, but some were common solders, also. She stood outside, waiting, and listening to what the others were talking about.
“Da crowds in der tents are gettin’ unruly, yarr?” Someone said from inside the tent. Kilarta instantly knew that the voice belonged to one of the two albino rats she had seen walking around camp. She smoothed her apron, and flounced into the tent. She sat down on a low stool, and watched as the others in the tent slowly drew away from her. She smoothed her skirt again, trying to locate the dagger. About halfway down her thigh, she felt the razorlike blade draw blood. She drew in a sharp breath, and saw a tiny splotch of blood appear on her dress. She quickly tugged the apron over her cut, and sat quietly.
Sharolt listened for the creatures to go quiet. She waited for a moment, so there was a lull in the conversation, and swept into the room. She sat down stiffly, and nodded to each of the creatures around her to go quiet. She then nodded to each of them in turn, as she headed around the semicircle.
Lastly, she turned to her niece. “ah, yes, my newest captain.” She said and smiled coldly. “welcome to the circle.” She pointed to the others. “these are my most trusted allies.” She said. “They are my eyes and ears around camp.” She answered before Kilarta asked. “they are all lethal with a blade, an they think you could join them. Where is your blade?” She asked. “I don’t see it.” She had noticed the growing spot on Kilarta’s apron, but made a point not to say anything about it.
Kilarta’s tail lashed nervously. “I carry no blade” She lied as she snuck a glance at her apron.
“well then, please get one. We will wait.” Sharolt said.
Once outside, Kilarta lifted up her dress to inspect her wound. The blood was beginning to dry cleanly, and the blood wasn’t that visible on her frock. She removed the dagger from the snarl of petticoats, and stalked inside.
Chapter 7
Loanse snuffled weakly. “I’m fine, really.” She sighed as she hauled herself upright. “No one turned out for my meeting. It took me days to put 600 sacks together, and they will never be used. I asked my father if he would help, but he said it’s my job. What can I do?” She asked, and blinked helplessly.
Hertin quickly dusted Loanse off. “You can do nothing but hope others realize that healing is as important as fighting. I know some of the new recruits I met will not be able to kill another living thing.” She thought of Quinarl. “They will come. Just you wait.” She said.
Loanse smiled weakly. “Thank you, Terlik. Maybe you are right.” She said. “will you walk me to my tent?” She asked, almost hopefully.
Hertin bit her lip. I think I should tell her. She thought. “Alright. But I need to tell you something.” They exited the tent, and began to walk.
Loanse looked at Hertin. “There’s something you wanted to tell me?” She asked.
Hertin swallowed. “umm, Yes. You know Sergeant Gorsepaw?” She asked. Loanse nodded. “She and I have something very important in common.”
Loanse looked at her quizzically. “What do you mean?”
Hertin sighed. “it’s complex. But I think you could understand, you are the type of person who would do this. I’m not necessarily what you think I am.” She said.
Loanse nodded. She still looked confused, but she was listening now. “What is it, Terlik?” She said.
“Terlik’s not my name.” Hertin said. “My name is Hertin.”
Loanse blinked. “Isn’t Hertin a maid’s name?” She asked. Then her eyes widened. “You’re a girl” She hissed through clenched teeth.
Hertin nodded. “Thank you for your time. I will definitely see you around.” She said. “here’s your tent.” She said and walked away.
Loanse watched her for a moment. She shook her head, and entered her tent.
Kilarta looked around. The tent was better lit now, and she could see a small wooden target held on a support post.
Sharolt watched her with an approving eye. “Throw the knife at the target.” She said. Kilarta could tell that Sharolt didn’t think she could do it. She didn’t either, but Sharolt didn’t know that. She weighed the dagger up in her hand. It was light, probably good for throwing. She sighted the target, and threw the knife like there was no tomorrow.
Hertin was still walking around the camp, and was completely lost. She figured that the camp was about forty acres. Unfortunately, that was a sad understatement. The sun had risen a long time ago by the time she found her tent, and even then, she had to grab the schedule that someone had placed on her cot, and scamper out the door again.
She arrived late at the parade grounds, which was rather unfortunate, because Sergeant Hastrow was giving roll.
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