Imaldu

Chapter II

The days of spring passed with the two badgers planning for the escapade. They were never seen at mealtimes anymore (which consisted of the whole tribe eating with each other), because Hilira was able to sneak off with food from the kitchen house. This day, the last day of spring, was no exception.

Hilira staggered under the amount of food she had piled onto a platter. Enough (as 'tis usually said) to feed a score of hares for a season. Nearly dropping the large plate twice, she just barely prevented the fallfor a thirdtime. Slumping beside her best friend, Hilira grabbed a small loaf of honeyed nut bread, and set to with a will.

"I see you didn't manage to drop the food like last time, Hilira," Imaldu smirked as he carefully lifted a wedge of cheese, which was keeping most of the food balanced, from the bottom.

"Well I don't think you could have done any better,"Hilira shot back.

Grunting angrily, Imaldu knew she was right. He could be very clumsy at times. He considered saying something back as he bit into the cheese, until he sighted a blur out of the corner of his green eyes. "Hey, Hilira. What's that over there?"

Having the keener eyes of the two, Hilira squinted slightly as she peered into the distance. Then she asked an off-topic question. "Imaldu, you've got all the plans ready, right?"

"Of course, why?"

"Because," she said, taking a deep breath, "the Goufs are already here!"

"What! But that means we'll have to stock up on food soon, and the cooks will be in the kitchen house almost full time, trying to feed five-score other hungry creatures," Imaldu groaned.

"Don't worry, we'll think of something," Hilirareplied, a note of hope in her voice.

As both watched the nearing vessels, they seemed peaceful enough, but inside, they were racking their brains furiously for an answer.

Being tall for his age, Imaldu was always admired by the females. Thank goodness his best friend, Hilira never seemed to care. She was the average kind of badger, in height, appearance (as all females seemed to look the same, except for stripedetails) and girth.

Imaldu was definitely not one to point out the faults of another creature (like sensitive beasts), which was one of the reasons why he was so greatly admired. But he hated it. He never felt happy with other badgers following him around, complimenting him. It made the quiet badger embarrassed to be compared to his so-called wise kind. Today was no different.

It was a requirement for all members of the island (save the cooks) to assist the shrews with the loading of timber and weapons (from an underground forge; few badgers having personal weapons), and to help the shrews with repairs. In short,shrews were a full-time job.

The female badgers, and even some of the shrews followed Imaldu about the encampment, tittering and whispering among themselves. The tall badger growled inwardly, listening to the compliments dropped here and there.

"He's such a big an' strong badger, I bet 'e could carry this whole tribe on 'is back fer three seasons."

"That's nothing! Imaldu could probably carry the largest trees on this island and twelve-score o' your vessels, and still have enough strength to battle five overgrown sharks!"

"Will you all stop! I can't have five minutes peace without any of you clinging to me like moss on a log!" Imaldu growled, his eyes becoming tiny slits in his head.

"Ooh! Imaldu has a temper."

Whirling on the unfortunate shrew, he thrust his angry face into her's, causing tears to pop into her eyes. His voice a deep snarl of rage, Imaldu vented outhis anger through his words. "I am sick and tired of all of you! You call yourselves intellegent badgers or shrews, and what d'you do? You walk around following anybeast and won't think a bit about anything else! Get your own lives, and leave me out of them!"

With a swing of his battle axe, he sent shrews and badgers skittering away as they clambered to avoid the lethal blade.

Closing his eyes and dropping his weapon, Imaldu slumped to the ground, a howl of shame escaping his lips. Tears came unbidden to his eyes at his hypocrisy. He had almost needlessly killed friendly creatures, just because his rage had got the better of him. Now that he thought about it, he was just as dumb as them for pulling off a stunt like that.

As he glimpsed Hilira approaching, a thought hit the crying badger like a huge breaker. If he took Hilira with him, she might be dead before the journey was over.

"Imaldu, I heard what happened. Why'd you do it?" his best friend crouched before him, wiping his eyes with a blue kerchief.

Imaldu sighed mournfully and spoke. "You can't come with me. Imagine what I would do to my best friend if you got me angry."

Sitting there, stunned, Hilira watched her badger friend trundle off, to where, she couldn't even tell.

To be continued...

Yeah, this one is a little longer with more detail. Thanks for theadvice Ermine (the first reviewer),hope this chapter was better than the last one.

Anyway, keep the reviews comin' people.