Thanks to Odairu64, lavisla, Billios and SasukeBlade for your reviews, they were very much appreciated.
Again, sorry for the delay… please review!
The Ashleg Chronicles, Chapter 4: The Friend
Eight Days Later
Ashleg sat quietly by the side of the waterfall's plunge pool, thinking. His wounds were healing more swiftly now, and he couldn't believe his luck; not only was Brome a very skilled healer, but he had convinced the chieftain Urran Voh to let Ashleg stay, at least for a while.
The marten had grown accustomed to the peace and camaraderie that was inherent in the valley, and he often thought of spending the rest of his days here. But he knew at the same time that almost every creature living in Noonvale distrusted him – and what made him frustrated was that it was nothing to do with his personality, just his species.
This place, by the waterfall which led the river down into Noonvale, was one of Ashleg's favourites; it was out of the way, peaceful and soothing. No one would bother him here, although Brome did sometimes come to check how he was.
He was slipping into a half-doze when a small voice piped up beside him. "Who're you, mista?"
Ashleg started slightly, and turned round quickly to see a small otterbabe staring up at him with huge dark eyes. The little male was sat beside him, back legs crossed, and Ashleg was instantaneously and unwillingly reminded of Caelan Riversword. This was the first time he had been faced with a young one alone, and he wasn't sure what to say.
"My name's Ashleg," he said finally, in a gruff voice. The little otter grinned infectiously and drummed his tiny back paws on the ground. "Funny name. I'm Jegg. You lookered lonely, so's I came to cheer you up!"
Ashleg was astounded, and not just at the babe's apparent insight. This was the first time – ever, not just since he came to Noonvale – that anybeast had tried to help him without being asked. It was a strange feeling.
Smiling just a little, the pine marten replied, "Really? How will you do that?"
The small, round otterbabe appeared to deliberate on this point carefully. Then his face lit up as he thought of something.
"I tell you a story!"
"All right."
Jegg scratched his ear thoughtfully, and spoke again. "My dad telled me this story. He says it happened a few s'sons ago, when I was very likkle. Righ', once 'pon a time, fara far away – well, no it wasn't faraway, was here – there was a badbeast called Barang, I thinks, and he kepted slaves, and…"
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Helping down in the kitchen gardens, Caelan looked up toward the pool and saw Ashleg sitting there. She scowled, her gaudy clan marks flexing and wrinkling; she still didn't trust that pine marten. Then, to her shock, she saw the little otter Jegg seated beside him, his small paws waving and gesturing, saying something to the quietly listening Ashleg.
Caelan straightened up from her work and gazed over at the odd pair. It wasn't Jegg she was surprised by – the little fellow was always friendly to everybeast, regardless of how they looked – but by Ashleg. His behaviour went against everything she had ever believed about vermin. Through tales and experience, she knew a babe like Jegg was easy prey for the pine marten, and she would have assumed he would have harmed him, or at least sent him away angrily. But here Ashleg was, listening to everything the otterbabe said. It was unnatural, and it disturbed her.
Perhaps old Tesey had the answers to her questions? The elderly otterwife, Caelan's aunt, had always helped her with any doubts or fears she had. Yes, I'll go to Tesey, Caelan decided. But first, I have to get Jegg. Just in case.
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Jegg finished his story, and looked up at Ashleg for approval. The pine marten smiled at the otterbabe – still a strange expression for him – and said, "That was a good story, Jegg." He was still reeling from the surprise of hearing Martin's name – Martin, who had roused the Mossflower woodlanders to rebellion.
"Now you tell me a story," said Jegg happily.
Ashleg sighed. "I don't really know any stories, little one."
The otter thought for a moment, then said, "Tell me about you!"
Slowly, Ashleg nodded. "All right, Jegg. Well, I was born in a place a long way away from here, called Mossflower…" His voice trailed away as Caelan Riversword, her golden sword shining in the glow of the evening sunlight, appeared beside him on the waterfall bank. The cold look on her tattooed face told him everything he needed to know.
"Come on, Jegg," she said, picking the babe up easily. "Your mother says it's time for bed. He's my cousin," she said curtly to Ashleg, and carried his new friend back towards the main settlement.
"Bye mista Ashleg," called Jegg over Caelan's shoulder, waving a little paw. "Tell me your story anudder day!"
Ashleg waved half-heartedly back, then picked himself up, groaning and rubbing the bindings on his wooden leg. He made his way back to the little hut at the border of Noonvale that was his temporary home, and sat inside, smiling slightly at the thought that someone cared – even if it was only a tiny otterbabe.
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Owlrider mused quietly in the tent. The news from the old weasel was strange; a pine marten, accepted by the woodlanders into their home? Such a thing had never been heard of before, in this part of the land at least. But Owlrider could clearly see the advantages this development would give the plan. The creature hoped everything would turn out as planned – then all Owlrider's heart's desires would be granted.
Owlrider left the tent and strode over to where the eagle owl was picketed, drawing a gleaming sword and cutting free the ropes that bound it. But before it could fly away, Owlrider jumped on its back and wrenched cruelly on its neck feathers. The eagle owl screeched and flew up into the glossy night, the vermin on its back laughing in insane revelry.
Author's note: There we are! I know not much has happened, but I've been having trouble with getting this done, what with school and stuff. And writer's block. Sigh. I realise that last paragraph may have sounded a bit awkward, but it's concealing an important truth, so it was necessary. The next chapter may well take as long as this one did, but it'll be longer, I promise! Please R&R!