Elil Bait Chapter One: The Assignment
Frith's usually golden rays shone a harsh crimson as he came to rest in the sky; seeming to nearly touch the ground. The local warren inhabitants were silf nibbling at the late spring growth; welcoming the end of another day. This particular warren sat nestled in a clearing just outside of Bradly Wood. Few human inhabitants made this location ideal in the opinion of the Chief Rabbit, Radish-rah. Of course the Owsla agreed wholeheartedly with their chief as is the duty of those in such a position.
To the west of the warren a group of rabbits fed off of a sparse collection of grass and weeds. At this edge, the warren sat mostly unprotected; only the smallest and most desperate rabbits collected here for silflay. These were the outcasts; those deemed unworthy of esteemed positions within the warren such as the Owsla. This group fed off of the leavings of those in the higher class. They dwelled in the shallow, cold, and often unstable burrows. Many of these burrows were in an open area, easy to spot from the narrow lane winding through Bradly Wood. This group often fell prey to stoats, rats, and other clever elil small enough to invade a burrow.
A group of three hunched together, sharing the remains of a dandelion some of the others had overlooked. "Go on Talia, eat up. You need your strength," a grey, elderly doe coaxed. Her fur sagged on her body, patchy in areas where fur had gone missing. Her movements were slow and pained. Westeria had welcomed the arrival of spring with the certainty she had survived her final winter; thankful Frith allowed her the chance to enjoy his warmth and new rains for a final season.
"Westeria's right. You look terrible," a buck called Tamsin said, shaking his head. "What has Captain Oysten been doing with you? Cleaning the hraka burrows with your hide?" He ignored the cross look shot at him by Westeria while he spoke with his usual unthinking bluntness.
A tiny form of a doe shivered, sending up a cloud of thick dust which had coated her fawn colored fur. "Nothing nearly so simple," she spoke her voice croaking as a result of a dry and dusty throat. She licked daintily at a leaf before setting in for a nibble. "I have been digging a new burrow for Radish-rah's daughter Rosestem. She is not to soil herself in such a task," she was unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. "The dirt would sour her fine cream colored coat. Frith forbid she should chip a claw in digging.
"What's worse, she stands and watches us diggers, complaining about every minor detail. Thus far she has changed the direction she wishes her burrow to lay... twice. Of course she waits until the main area is nearly finished before changing her mind. If she cannot find something to complain about regarding the burrow or the run; she amuses herself by complaining about our families. When that topic becomes dull, she complains at how our 'commoner's fur' is littering her new burrows." Talia's voice was hushed, the bitterness overridden by a resigned acceptance of her situation.
Talia was a perfect example of a typical outskirter. Nearly five months old; she was half the size of others born in the same season. Many of the others in the warren teased her by saying she would not be a mouthful fit for a homba. Her parentage was poor, born from two outskirters who were each respectively born to outskirters. The warren had little care for one so "runt like" as Radish-rah had said one day; looking down at Talia as though she were a rat's corpse. He and the other Council members had given her less than one year to live when she, like all of the other youngsters were presented to the warren at the age of 8 weeks.
"Elil Bait! Oy! Elil Bait!" A gruff buck's voice called to the group. "Captain Oakleaf wants to see you." A large brown buck arrived, towering over Talia and her group. He leered at Talia; ears erect with amusement. "Reckon you're being summoned to repay your debt to the warren again, runt." He was speaking to Talia. Judging by the nickname used; Talia's "special" services would be needed. She felt a familiar form of panic and sickness overcome her. Was there someone else the Owsla and Radish-rah could pick on; or would they continue to call on her until the danger of such assignments finally killed her? Talia watched the Officer approach with a look of complete fear and misery.
"What debt does she owe, Bark?" Westeria demanded, the elder doe glaring at the Owsla Officer.
"Well. She lives here. Eats from the warren grounds...dandelions I see. She lives in a burrow which is kindly provided by Radish-rah; and patrolled by the Owsla. I'd say that makes her indebted to offer whatever assistance the Chief Rabbit requests. And you would be good to remember not to question the orders of an Officer, oldster. Enjoy what time you have left; and mind your own business." Bark snapped harshly. He rolled his eyes and turned. "Follow me Elil Bait."
"Her name is Talia," Tamsin muttered under his breath as Talia turned to follow Bark. He was careful to keep his voice low so that only Talia and Westeria could hear. The tiny, fawn colored doe cast Tamsin a look of gratitude before hurrying her pace to keep up with Bark.
Talia followed behind the Officer; careful not to walk in step with him or anywhere near his shoulder which would have indicated they were equals. She remained silent, keeping her gaze down, her ears drooping. "Figure Captain Oakleaf has your kind of assignment. Perhaps this time we'll get lucky and you'll fall to the elil. One less mouth to feed and runt to look after." Bark said conversationally, not bothering to glance over his shoulder. Talia continued to remain silent, choking back on the bitter, hot tears she wished to cry.
He lead her to a shady nob of a hill, where a group of large, sleek rabbits gathered. Some were dinning on various cowslip plants; others engaged in friendly games of bobstones. One of the largest of the group cast a glance in their direction. The tan buck glared at Talia as though her very existence offended him; finally his gaze fell on Bark with a smile. "Found the runtling did you?" He asked.
Bark saluted. "May I present Elil Bait to you, Captain Oakleaf." He stepped aside, winking at Oakleaf; a cruel sneer on his face.
"Well runt," Oakleaf said cooly, glaring down at Talia, his ears twitching in irritation. "A patrol spotted homba tracks east of the warren, near the man made wooden tree. The scent and droppings were fresh. Radish-rah wishes you to lead the thing off into the woods as you did the last couple. Perhaps this time we will get lucky, and you will do us all the favor of filling the homba's belly. Or perhaps you will mistakenly run yourself onto the man's thunder stick." His eyes gleamed. "One less half dwarf to watch over as far as I am concerned. You will lead it off tomorrow. Bark will fetch you when it is time." He waved a paw as if to dismiss her. "Hold it," he said quickly as Talia turned to leave. "Perhaps you'd like one final silflay before you go? It may after all be your final before the Black Rabbit of Inle comes for you. I can even arrange to get flayrah should you like. Granted it would be last year's crop...a bit stale and maggoty; but considering your normal fare...well...I bet you'd feel like the Chief's Doe."
"I'm full, thank you, sir," Talia said, her eyes on her paws. Hot tears forming. "If that is all..."
"Yes, yes. Go away. Any longer in my presence and I'd fear your fleas deciding to take up residence in my own fur." Oakleaf turned his back to her, beckoning Bark forward for a game of bobstones.
Talia turned, ignoring the heated gazes of the other rabbits as she retreated back to her own group near the outside of the warren. The homba would of course have to be dealt with. It's presence seemed to be centered on the east area of the warren...where Radish-rah and his lot had their burrows. If the homba had been on the western edge; like the last one had been...nothing would have been done about it until hrair had been killed. *One would think I'd be granted a little more respect,* Talia thought bitterly, pausing to cuff a blade of grass moodily. *After all, it was I who acted as bait to lead the other hombil to their deaths. It was me who risked the danger of each homba to lead it onto the equally, if not more terrifying danger presented by a human and his gun.* The warren paid no mind to the fact that Talia was one of the quickest runners in the warren. Not the quickest outskirter. She could outrun even Quickmoss; the Owsla's best runner...and the only decent one in the whole bunch. (It had been Quickmoss who had challenged Talia to a race secretly. She could still remember the warm praise he had granted when she won.)
The warren council paid little attention to talents such as intelligence, and skills if they resided in a rabbit who was not "of sufficient size." Talia's secret ambition had always been to join the Owsla. She was faster, and far more clever than half of their brutish lot. That would never happen. No Owsla would accept a puny half-runt like her. She only ran the elil because she was expendable. Few would mourn her absence if she failed to return one afternoon. Talia would have stopped running if it were not for a strange alliance she held with a creature in the wood. Only Barney kept her alive...how long would that luck hold?
Talia arrived back to the spot where Bark had come for her. She sighed and detailed her conversation with the Captain of Owsla to Westeria and Tamsin. Frith completed his descent, as Inle fell over the warren; coaxing crickets out for a late serenade.
She waited until most of the warren finished their evening silf. As with past runs she wanted to plot her course ahead of time. The last thing she would want would be a surprise during her assignment. "Do you want me to come with you?" Tamsin asked, ears erect betraying his excitement at the thought of an adventure. Westeria had gone below with a wink at Tamsin, complaining of aching joints and muttering something about rain.
Talia snorted at Tamsin's enthusiasm. Adventures could get one killed. Despite her Owsla dreams, Talia did not comprehend those fools who actively sought danger and adventure. The life of a rabbit was perilous enough without having to actually look for trouble. Her Owsla ambitions were purely out of a desire to prove herself responsible, as well as to show the warren talent did not depend upon size or birthing status.
"I think you'd go tharn the instant you saw Barney," Talia replied turning to leave.
"I'm very brave," Tamsin insisted indignantly, puffing out his chest. Talia turned her face to hide the smile of amusement she wore. Her smile only grew at his next question. "Who's Barney?" Tamsin's voice held a twinge of suspicion and perhaps a hint of jealousy.
"It would probably be more appropriate to ask: 'WHAT is Barney.'"
"Huh?" Tamsin inquired dumbly, "What does that mean?"
"Barney is a dog," Talia made the statement in a calm, matter-of-fact voice.
"A WHAT?" he exclaimed. Talia glared, signaling Tamsin to keep his voice down. "What do you mean a dog?" He hissed in a whisper. "You're completely tharn! Are you really on a first name basis with a dog?"
"Don't be silly," Talia continued to hide her smile, which had become a smirk. "Dogs only have but one name, therefore I cannot be on a 'first name basis' with him." She wished she had not mentioned Barney. Talia wanted to be on her way to investigating the route she wanted to run.
"But...a dog? Talia, that's really dangerous." Tamsin shifted his weight from paw to paw uncomfortably, his ears twitching.
"No. Really, this dog isn't dangerous," Talia said impatiently, waving her paw as if to calm Tamsin who only looked throughly confused and upset. "Barney and I are actually friends. He's the one who has been helping me with the elil."
"Talia! Dogs ARE elil!" Tamsin nearly shouted, those few remaining silf gave a start. An Officer standing sentry duty glared at the pair with a look of absolute contempt. No one gave an indication of concern at Tamsin's words or what they might mean, however.
"Barney is not elil, we're friends," the doe repeated glaring at Tamsin for shouting. Her frown deepened at the sound of someone approaching from behind her. Tamsin's ears fell flat to his head as he lowered his gaze, signaling the new arrival was a rabbit of Rank. Out of fear of being cuffed for not reacting promptly enough to show respect, Talia adopted an identical posture to Tamsin and turned quickly.
"Best keep it down, Talia." To her relief the visitor was Quickmoss who gave them both a wink. "Captain Oysten is in a fine state. We lost Officers Terran and Pernip to a hrududu this afternoon. They were on a non sanctioned farm raid. Apparently Radish-rah gave Oysten a severe dressing down for not keeping a closer watch on those under his command." Quickmoss glanced around before leaning in to Talia. "Personally Terran and Pernip were two of the most stubborn, idiotic recruits I've had the pleasure of meeting in the Owsla."
"Frith knows there are a lot of those," Talia said bitterly.
Quickmoss frowned with disapproval. "Better be careful, Talia. I could be required to arrest you for making such a remark."
Tamsin bristled at what he thought to be a threat. "You try something like that and I'll... I'll tell Radish-rah and Captain Oysten what you just told us about-"
"Shut-up you fool!" Quickmoss put his front paws down heavily on Tamsin's feet. "I wouldn't actually do it unless given a direct order to do so. Besides, do you think they would believe your word over that of an Owsla Officer? It happens I've come by to speak with Talia." He turned, completely ignoring Tamsin for the moment, his face lined with concern for Talia. "Captain Oakleaf told me about the homba he's asked you to lead off..."
Talia scowled. "I wasn't asked. I've been told to do it, since it is, apparently my civic duty to repay the warren for it's...kindness." Quickmoss alone of all the Owsla would ignore the bitterness in her voice. "I have yet to understand what sorts of 'kind' deeds the upper class have done for us. They allowed the last homba to pick us off one by one for weeks! I was under the impression the Owsla was ordered to do nothing by Radish-rah because, he did not think we were showing proper respect for rank. He wanted us to know the danger and fear of not having the Owsla around to protect us. He never cared that the embleer creature picked off hrair of us. Only after Captain Oysten's nephew was killed was anything done about it."
Quickmoss shifted uncomfortably, glancing around to see if anyone else could be overhearing their conversation. To his credit, Tamsin remained silent. "Anyway, I wanted to see if you needed help, Talia. How have you been able to survive the last few hombil?"
Talia's left ear twitched, when Tamsin opened his mouth she stepped on his paw to keep him quiet. "By the Blessing of El-ahrairah, my friend. I led the hombil off to a man place and made a lot of noise. He keeps chickens and hutch rabbits I think. He killed the hombil with his thunder stick. I was careful to remain hidden from view, I don't think the man would hesitate to shoot me if he saw me."
"A trick worthy of El-ahrairah himself," Quickmoss said appreciatively. "But how long will that trick continue to work?"
"I do not have much of a choice in the matter. Radish-rah will have me run elil for as long as I live here. Not that my odds are favorable of that being very much longer. Anyway, you can't help me. If the Captains or Radish-rah knew; you would be arrested for fraternizing with the low lives." Quickmoss winced. "The rules are not that strict. I can associate with whomever I like."
"Yes, but we cannot." Talia said meaningfully. "Sometimes I think you'd be doing more harm than good by being a friend. What happens if someone decides to accuse me of addressing you as an equal."
"Ahh," Quickmoss said self-consciencelessly. He scuffed at the ground shaking his head. "Fine. But isn't there something I can do to help?"
"Pray for me," Talia said seriously, meeting his gaze for one bold moment before dropping her view again in case someone was watching. "I need to go off for a bit. I will be back before long." Without waiting for acknowledgment from either buck, she dashed off into the brush at the edge of the wood. She moved quickly until deeper into the trees, no longer able to spot the moon or the stars through the dense branches above. She took a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to force her nerves down.
Quickmoss and Tamsin both made her nervous. She often found herself often thinking wistfully of Quickmoss in particular; strange and frightening thoughts. His fur (how it would feel as he nuzzled her): his friendly eyes (gazing deeply into hers); kittens (what their possible offspring might look like); strange thoughts! Yet, he was Owsla, not to mention some distant relation to Radish-rah. The Chief Rabbit would forbid such a pairing, Quickmoss would be cast down to Talia's rank. She doubted he would ever be willing for anything like that to happen. Besides, all of his actions had been nothing more than friendly. She knew Tamsin fancied her. Westeria had confided as much in Talia. In fact Tamsin planned on courting Talia if he could. He was kind, protective, funny, and all around good. Talia could do a lot worse in a mate. She sighed. The problem was, she cared for Tamsin as a friend; perhaps even like a litter mate; but certainly not as a life mate! If she lived, she probably would pair with Tamsin eventually, however. A runt like her was not likely to get any other suitors.
Frith's usually golden rays shone a harsh crimson as he came to rest in the sky; seeming to nearly touch the ground. The local warren inhabitants were silf nibbling at the late spring growth; welcoming the end of another day. This particular warren sat nestled in a clearing just outside of Bradly Wood. Few human inhabitants made this location ideal in the opinion of the Chief Rabbit, Radish-rah. Of course the Owsla agreed wholeheartedly with their chief as is the duty of those in such a position.
To the west of the warren a group of rabbits fed off of a sparse collection of grass and weeds. At this edge, the warren sat mostly unprotected; only the smallest and most desperate rabbits collected here for silflay. These were the outcasts; those deemed unworthy of esteemed positions within the warren such as the Owsla. This group fed off of the leavings of those in the higher class. They dwelled in the shallow, cold, and often unstable burrows. Many of these burrows were in an open area, easy to spot from the narrow lane winding through Bradly Wood. This group often fell prey to stoats, rats, and other clever elil small enough to invade a burrow.
A group of three hunched together, sharing the remains of a dandelion some of the others had overlooked. "Go on Talia, eat up. You need your strength," a grey, elderly doe coaxed. Her fur sagged on her body, patchy in areas where fur had gone missing. Her movements were slow and pained. Westeria had welcomed the arrival of spring with the certainty she had survived her final winter; thankful Frith allowed her the chance to enjoy his warmth and new rains for a final season.
"Westeria's right. You look terrible," a buck called Tamsin said, shaking his head. "What has Captain Oysten been doing with you? Cleaning the hraka burrows with your hide?" He ignored the cross look shot at him by Westeria while he spoke with his usual unthinking bluntness.
A tiny form of a doe shivered, sending up a cloud of thick dust which had coated her fawn colored fur. "Nothing nearly so simple," she spoke her voice croaking as a result of a dry and dusty throat. She licked daintily at a leaf before setting in for a nibble. "I have been digging a new burrow for Radish-rah's daughter Rosestem. She is not to soil herself in such a task," she was unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. "The dirt would sour her fine cream colored coat. Frith forbid she should chip a claw in digging.
"What's worse, she stands and watches us diggers, complaining about every minor detail. Thus far she has changed the direction she wishes her burrow to lay... twice. Of course she waits until the main area is nearly finished before changing her mind. If she cannot find something to complain about regarding the burrow or the run; she amuses herself by complaining about our families. When that topic becomes dull, she complains at how our 'commoner's fur' is littering her new burrows." Talia's voice was hushed, the bitterness overridden by a resigned acceptance of her situation.
Talia was a perfect example of a typical outskirter. Nearly five months old; she was half the size of others born in the same season. Many of the others in the warren teased her by saying she would not be a mouthful fit for a homba. Her parentage was poor, born from two outskirters who were each respectively born to outskirters. The warren had little care for one so "runt like" as Radish-rah had said one day; looking down at Talia as though she were a rat's corpse. He and the other Council members had given her less than one year to live when she, like all of the other youngsters were presented to the warren at the age of 8 weeks.
"Elil Bait! Oy! Elil Bait!" A gruff buck's voice called to the group. "Captain Oakleaf wants to see you." A large brown buck arrived, towering over Talia and her group. He leered at Talia; ears erect with amusement. "Reckon you're being summoned to repay your debt to the warren again, runt." He was speaking to Talia. Judging by the nickname used; Talia's "special" services would be needed. She felt a familiar form of panic and sickness overcome her. Was there someone else the Owsla and Radish-rah could pick on; or would they continue to call on her until the danger of such assignments finally killed her? Talia watched the Officer approach with a look of complete fear and misery.
"What debt does she owe, Bark?" Westeria demanded, the elder doe glaring at the Owsla Officer.
"Well. She lives here. Eats from the warren grounds...dandelions I see. She lives in a burrow which is kindly provided by Radish-rah; and patrolled by the Owsla. I'd say that makes her indebted to offer whatever assistance the Chief Rabbit requests. And you would be good to remember not to question the orders of an Officer, oldster. Enjoy what time you have left; and mind your own business." Bark snapped harshly. He rolled his eyes and turned. "Follow me Elil Bait."
"Her name is Talia," Tamsin muttered under his breath as Talia turned to follow Bark. He was careful to keep his voice low so that only Talia and Westeria could hear. The tiny, fawn colored doe cast Tamsin a look of gratitude before hurrying her pace to keep up with Bark.
Talia followed behind the Officer; careful not to walk in step with him or anywhere near his shoulder which would have indicated they were equals. She remained silent, keeping her gaze down, her ears drooping. "Figure Captain Oakleaf has your kind of assignment. Perhaps this time we'll get lucky and you'll fall to the elil. One less mouth to feed and runt to look after." Bark said conversationally, not bothering to glance over his shoulder. Talia continued to remain silent, choking back on the bitter, hot tears she wished to cry.
He lead her to a shady nob of a hill, where a group of large, sleek rabbits gathered. Some were dinning on various cowslip plants; others engaged in friendly games of bobstones. One of the largest of the group cast a glance in their direction. The tan buck glared at Talia as though her very existence offended him; finally his gaze fell on Bark with a smile. "Found the runtling did you?" He asked.
Bark saluted. "May I present Elil Bait to you, Captain Oakleaf." He stepped aside, winking at Oakleaf; a cruel sneer on his face.
"Well runt," Oakleaf said cooly, glaring down at Talia, his ears twitching in irritation. "A patrol spotted homba tracks east of the warren, near the man made wooden tree. The scent and droppings were fresh. Radish-rah wishes you to lead the thing off into the woods as you did the last couple. Perhaps this time we will get lucky, and you will do us all the favor of filling the homba's belly. Or perhaps you will mistakenly run yourself onto the man's thunder stick." His eyes gleamed. "One less half dwarf to watch over as far as I am concerned. You will lead it off tomorrow. Bark will fetch you when it is time." He waved a paw as if to dismiss her. "Hold it," he said quickly as Talia turned to leave. "Perhaps you'd like one final silflay before you go? It may after all be your final before the Black Rabbit of Inle comes for you. I can even arrange to get flayrah should you like. Granted it would be last year's crop...a bit stale and maggoty; but considering your normal fare...well...I bet you'd feel like the Chief's Doe."
"I'm full, thank you, sir," Talia said, her eyes on her paws. Hot tears forming. "If that is all..."
"Yes, yes. Go away. Any longer in my presence and I'd fear your fleas deciding to take up residence in my own fur." Oakleaf turned his back to her, beckoning Bark forward for a game of bobstones.
Talia turned, ignoring the heated gazes of the other rabbits as she retreated back to her own group near the outside of the warren. The homba would of course have to be dealt with. It's presence seemed to be centered on the east area of the warren...where Radish-rah and his lot had their burrows. If the homba had been on the western edge; like the last one had been...nothing would have been done about it until hrair had been killed. *One would think I'd be granted a little more respect,* Talia thought bitterly, pausing to cuff a blade of grass moodily. *After all, it was I who acted as bait to lead the other hombil to their deaths. It was me who risked the danger of each homba to lead it onto the equally, if not more terrifying danger presented by a human and his gun.* The warren paid no mind to the fact that Talia was one of the quickest runners in the warren. Not the quickest outskirter. She could outrun even Quickmoss; the Owsla's best runner...and the only decent one in the whole bunch. (It had been Quickmoss who had challenged Talia to a race secretly. She could still remember the warm praise he had granted when she won.)
The warren council paid little attention to talents such as intelligence, and skills if they resided in a rabbit who was not "of sufficient size." Talia's secret ambition had always been to join the Owsla. She was faster, and far more clever than half of their brutish lot. That would never happen. No Owsla would accept a puny half-runt like her. She only ran the elil because she was expendable. Few would mourn her absence if she failed to return one afternoon. Talia would have stopped running if it were not for a strange alliance she held with a creature in the wood. Only Barney kept her alive...how long would that luck hold?
Talia arrived back to the spot where Bark had come for her. She sighed and detailed her conversation with the Captain of Owsla to Westeria and Tamsin. Frith completed his descent, as Inle fell over the warren; coaxing crickets out for a late serenade.
She waited until most of the warren finished their evening silf. As with past runs she wanted to plot her course ahead of time. The last thing she would want would be a surprise during her assignment. "Do you want me to come with you?" Tamsin asked, ears erect betraying his excitement at the thought of an adventure. Westeria had gone below with a wink at Tamsin, complaining of aching joints and muttering something about rain.
Talia snorted at Tamsin's enthusiasm. Adventures could get one killed. Despite her Owsla dreams, Talia did not comprehend those fools who actively sought danger and adventure. The life of a rabbit was perilous enough without having to actually look for trouble. Her Owsla ambitions were purely out of a desire to prove herself responsible, as well as to show the warren talent did not depend upon size or birthing status.
"I think you'd go tharn the instant you saw Barney," Talia replied turning to leave.
"I'm very brave," Tamsin insisted indignantly, puffing out his chest. Talia turned her face to hide the smile of amusement she wore. Her smile only grew at his next question. "Who's Barney?" Tamsin's voice held a twinge of suspicion and perhaps a hint of jealousy.
"It would probably be more appropriate to ask: 'WHAT is Barney.'"
"Huh?" Tamsin inquired dumbly, "What does that mean?"
"Barney is a dog," Talia made the statement in a calm, matter-of-fact voice.
"A WHAT?" he exclaimed. Talia glared, signaling Tamsin to keep his voice down. "What do you mean a dog?" He hissed in a whisper. "You're completely tharn! Are you really on a first name basis with a dog?"
"Don't be silly," Talia continued to hide her smile, which had become a smirk. "Dogs only have but one name, therefore I cannot be on a 'first name basis' with him." She wished she had not mentioned Barney. Talia wanted to be on her way to investigating the route she wanted to run.
"But...a dog? Talia, that's really dangerous." Tamsin shifted his weight from paw to paw uncomfortably, his ears twitching.
"No. Really, this dog isn't dangerous," Talia said impatiently, waving her paw as if to calm Tamsin who only looked throughly confused and upset. "Barney and I are actually friends. He's the one who has been helping me with the elil."
"Talia! Dogs ARE elil!" Tamsin nearly shouted, those few remaining silf gave a start. An Officer standing sentry duty glared at the pair with a look of absolute contempt. No one gave an indication of concern at Tamsin's words or what they might mean, however.
"Barney is not elil, we're friends," the doe repeated glaring at Tamsin for shouting. Her frown deepened at the sound of someone approaching from behind her. Tamsin's ears fell flat to his head as he lowered his gaze, signaling the new arrival was a rabbit of Rank. Out of fear of being cuffed for not reacting promptly enough to show respect, Talia adopted an identical posture to Tamsin and turned quickly.
"Best keep it down, Talia." To her relief the visitor was Quickmoss who gave them both a wink. "Captain Oysten is in a fine state. We lost Officers Terran and Pernip to a hrududu this afternoon. They were on a non sanctioned farm raid. Apparently Radish-rah gave Oysten a severe dressing down for not keeping a closer watch on those under his command." Quickmoss glanced around before leaning in to Talia. "Personally Terran and Pernip were two of the most stubborn, idiotic recruits I've had the pleasure of meeting in the Owsla."
"Frith knows there are a lot of those," Talia said bitterly.
Quickmoss frowned with disapproval. "Better be careful, Talia. I could be required to arrest you for making such a remark."
Tamsin bristled at what he thought to be a threat. "You try something like that and I'll... I'll tell Radish-rah and Captain Oysten what you just told us about-"
"Shut-up you fool!" Quickmoss put his front paws down heavily on Tamsin's feet. "I wouldn't actually do it unless given a direct order to do so. Besides, do you think they would believe your word over that of an Owsla Officer? It happens I've come by to speak with Talia." He turned, completely ignoring Tamsin for the moment, his face lined with concern for Talia. "Captain Oakleaf told me about the homba he's asked you to lead off..."
Talia scowled. "I wasn't asked. I've been told to do it, since it is, apparently my civic duty to repay the warren for it's...kindness." Quickmoss alone of all the Owsla would ignore the bitterness in her voice. "I have yet to understand what sorts of 'kind' deeds the upper class have done for us. They allowed the last homba to pick us off one by one for weeks! I was under the impression the Owsla was ordered to do nothing by Radish-rah because, he did not think we were showing proper respect for rank. He wanted us to know the danger and fear of not having the Owsla around to protect us. He never cared that the embleer creature picked off hrair of us. Only after Captain Oysten's nephew was killed was anything done about it."
Quickmoss shifted uncomfortably, glancing around to see if anyone else could be overhearing their conversation. To his credit, Tamsin remained silent. "Anyway, I wanted to see if you needed help, Talia. How have you been able to survive the last few hombil?"
Talia's left ear twitched, when Tamsin opened his mouth she stepped on his paw to keep him quiet. "By the Blessing of El-ahrairah, my friend. I led the hombil off to a man place and made a lot of noise. He keeps chickens and hutch rabbits I think. He killed the hombil with his thunder stick. I was careful to remain hidden from view, I don't think the man would hesitate to shoot me if he saw me."
"A trick worthy of El-ahrairah himself," Quickmoss said appreciatively. "But how long will that trick continue to work?"
"I do not have much of a choice in the matter. Radish-rah will have me run elil for as long as I live here. Not that my odds are favorable of that being very much longer. Anyway, you can't help me. If the Captains or Radish-rah knew; you would be arrested for fraternizing with the low lives." Quickmoss winced. "The rules are not that strict. I can associate with whomever I like."
"Yes, but we cannot." Talia said meaningfully. "Sometimes I think you'd be doing more harm than good by being a friend. What happens if someone decides to accuse me of addressing you as an equal."
"Ahh," Quickmoss said self-consciencelessly. He scuffed at the ground shaking his head. "Fine. But isn't there something I can do to help?"
"Pray for me," Talia said seriously, meeting his gaze for one bold moment before dropping her view again in case someone was watching. "I need to go off for a bit. I will be back before long." Without waiting for acknowledgment from either buck, she dashed off into the brush at the edge of the wood. She moved quickly until deeper into the trees, no longer able to spot the moon or the stars through the dense branches above. She took a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to force her nerves down.
Quickmoss and Tamsin both made her nervous. She often found herself often thinking wistfully of Quickmoss in particular; strange and frightening thoughts. His fur (how it would feel as he nuzzled her): his friendly eyes (gazing deeply into hers); kittens (what their possible offspring might look like); strange thoughts! Yet, he was Owsla, not to mention some distant relation to Radish-rah. The Chief Rabbit would forbid such a pairing, Quickmoss would be cast down to Talia's rank. She doubted he would ever be willing for anything like that to happen. Besides, all of his actions had been nothing more than friendly. She knew Tamsin fancied her. Westeria had confided as much in Talia. In fact Tamsin planned on courting Talia if he could. He was kind, protective, funny, and all around good. Talia could do a lot worse in a mate. She sighed. The problem was, she cared for Tamsin as a friend; perhaps even like a litter mate; but certainly not as a life mate! If she lived, she probably would pair with Tamsin eventually, however. A runt like her was not likely to get any other suitors.