Our Land.

Chapter 13 – daylight.

…

Peaches was walking next to Louis through the small forest of the badgers. Peaches was glad that she could walk around and breathe freely again. She had been with the badgers only for one night, but she already liked them. They were friendly animals. Very different from the first badger she had ever met: Gupta the pirate.

It was day now, and the sun was shining high in the sky. Crash and Eddie had joined the badgers' dancing and singing. Peaches and Louis had taken the opportunity to go for a walk, finally.

"I hope your parents will be alright," said Louis.

"Don't worry, Louis." Peaches replied. "I'm sure Baen and his badgers are going to help them, and then we'll get rid of those nasty wolves. I just wish I could help. Don't you?"

Louis gulped. "Not really," he giggled nervously.

Peaches looked at him in surprise. "I thought you were over your fear of everything?" she asked. "I mean, I saw how you stood up to those pirates. You were so brave!"

Louis blushed. "Well…" He stuttered. "That was just because you were in danger."

"Yeah but still," said Peaches. "You did do it."

Louis looked away shyly.

"You're the best friend ever, Louis." Peaches added.

Louis sighed. There was a short silence.

"P-Peaches?" Louis stuttered then.

Peaches looked at him. "Yes, Louis?"

"I… I just wanted to tell you, that…" Louis couldn't finish his sentence. Suddenly Crash and Eddie jumped out of the bushes.

"Hey Peaches, hey wiener," they said.

"Hey, you two." Said Peaches, waving with her trunk.

"What are you up to?" Eddie asked.

"Oh, nothing," replied Peaches. "Louis was just going to tell me something, weren't you Louis?" She looked at her friend.

Louis sighed. "Never mind." He mumbled, and he walked away with his head and shoulders hanging. Peaches looked surprised. She didn't understand what was wrong.

"Bye, wiener," said Crash.

…

"If they're friends of our future queen, we are in," said the captain of the badger guard. "We will protect that herd against the wolves. Right, men?"

The badger guards cheered.

Baen nodded. "Good," he said. "Very good. You there, kid. Go to the herd in Bela's forest and tell the mammoth Manny that our army is on his side."

The young badger saluted. "Yes, sir!" And with those words he ran away as fast as he could in the direction of the forest of the wolves.

Baen turned to Granny.

"Don't worry, Granny," he said. "We'll protect your family. They won't be torn apart by those wolves."

"Good work, cutie," said Granny, ruffling the badger's hair.

Baen smiled at her. Then he looked over his shoulder at Louis, who appeared from the forest.

"Is something the matter, friend?" he asked. "You look a little blue."

Louis sighed and sat down on a stone.

"What would you do," he asked Baen. "If you really, really loved someone. But that someone didn't know anything about it. And... you just don't know if you should tell her or not and you're afraid that would you tell her, it would ruin your friendship."

"You're a pussy," Granny said. "Just go to her and tell her."

Baen seemed to hesitate a little. Then he decided to agree with Granny. "Yeah, I think in the end you should always tell the truth."

Louis sighed again. He didn't really think it helped. He still didn't know what to do.

Peaches and her two uncles appeared from the forest.

"Hey, Louis," Peaches said. "Why did you walk away?"

"I just… nothing…" Louis stammered.

"If you're not going to say anything, I will," Granny threatened.

"What do you mean, Granny?" Peaches asked.

"Nothing!" Louis called out. "She meant nothing, Peaches. It's just crazy old Granny. Come on, let's go for a walk."

He stood up and dragged Peaches with him by her trunk.

"Wiener!" Granny said.

…

Manny looked up when a small young badger came running towards him. He stood up.

"You're Baen's messenger?" he asked.

"Yes sir!" The young badger answered proudly, still panting from his long running. He saluted.

"And?" asked Ellie.

"Baen wanted me to tell you that our army is on your side," the young badger informed them. "We are ready to fight by your side."

"That's great," Manny said. "Thank Baen from us. And tell him to send his army over to us as fast as he can. I think the wolves are planning something."

"Yes sir!" the young badger said.

"That's all I need to know," said a voice from the forest. They looked around and saw Sierra standing in the shadows. She still had a serious expression on her face.

"What do you mean?" Ellie asked her.

"As soon as the badger army is here, I will make sure Bela and his wolves come." Sierra replied. "It's time for the alpha wolf to die."

"Don't you think we should wait?" Manny asked.

Sierra shook her head. "I've been waiting too long for this moment, mammoth," she said. "And it's time for you to fulfill your promise to me. Help me kill Bela the alpha, and then I will leave and never bother you again."

Ellie stepped forward. "Sierra…" she said softly. "you don't need to do this. I don't know why you want Bela dead so badly, but it can't be something good."

"It's none of your business." Sierra snapped.

"I thought it was," Ellie sighed. "because I'm your friend."

"I don't have any friends," Sierra growled. "I am a lone wolf. I only take care of myself, I don't need anyone else. I only work together with you because I can't do it on my own. Other than that, there's no reason. I'm not your friend and you are not my friends."

She stood up.

"I will wait until the badger army is here. Then I will get Bela and his wolves."

With those words, she turned away and disappeared back into the shadows."

Manny and Ellie looked at each other with a frown.