C29

-oOo-

Charlie handed the note she had quickly scribbled over to Dorothy, who was cuddling the contented little squirrel. Scanning the brief note, Dorothy nodded, satisfied at what she read. Moving to the tower window, Dorothy set the mewling creature down on the chair by the window space and knelt down in front of it, getting as close to eyelevel with the squirrel as she could.

"I'm so sorry my friend, but the time to rest must wait awhile. I have one more favour to ask of you. The little animal became the epitome of cute as it yawned a squirrel sized yawn, triggering a falsetto voice from Dorothy.

"Oooo! Did you see it's little yawn? That's so darlin'!"

The squirrel didn't quite manage to close it's mouth again before Dorothy had shoved the folded note between it's teeth. Putting her mouth close to the animal's ear, she whispered what she wanted it to do. As it had so many days ago, the squirrel squeaked it's understanding then scampered out of the window, and down the tower wall. Charlie raced to the window and watched the tiny blob until it moved around the tower and disappeared out of sight. With a deep sigh, she turned to face Dorothy.

"Well. That's that. Nothing more we can do now."

Charlie turned towards the bathroom.

"Grinlaff? You planning on staying in there? Only I should warn you, I really need a..."

The Munchkin shot out of the bathroom like a bullet from a gun, and dived under the bed. Grinning, Charlie strolled towards the bathroom.

"Thanks, Grinlaff."

-o-

Where the pine trees began to thin out, tall growing lush green ferns and glossy leafed shrubs had established themselves. Dean made good use of the cover they provided to creep closer to what sounded like a fairly fast moving stream. Ahead, he saw a flattened track on the ground, threading between shrubs and clearly leading on down towards the stream's edge. Experience told Dean that the track had been made by the local wildlife, various creatures over time having made their way along it and down to the stream to drink. Keeping to an outer edge of the track, Dean hadn't followed it very far when, through the trees and long grass, he sighted a portion of the white flank of a horse.

-o-

Aware that his brother and Merrick had been following him and so would have his back, Dean decided to go for the casual, I'm a jolly traveller just stopping off for water approach. The one which announced his presence to the horse's rider who would, hopefully, then perceive him as non-threatening. Placing himself in the centre of the path, hands in pockets, Dean began strolling along the track singing loudly, forgoing his usual tenor tones for something slightly off key and barely tuneful.

"Fal lal laa, my love she's gone to the bar. How I cheer, she's got me a beer. Daa dee daa. Pum tee pum and then fol lol lol some more..."

The thought which flashed through his mind as he was knocked sideways into the air by the truck like force of a startled and terrified unicorn leaving at high speed, necessitating Sam and Merrick to split and fling themselves sideways in opposite directions, was Not a music lover then?...

-o-

The squirrel was in a hurry, keen to get back to the lady in the high-up place, the one who instinctively knew how to fuss and play with him. Sitting back on his hind quarters, he batted and scratched at the huge, brass bound, black wooden double doors, impatient to be admitted. When, at last, someone responded and one of the massive doors began to swing inward, the squirrel scampered through as soon as there was a wide enough gap. Coming to a halt, he shook himself, bright eyes darting around the large entry hall until it spotted what it was looking for. Soft folds of magenta velvet shuddered as the squirrel skipped up and over them, completing the last of it's primary tasks and the final leg of it's journey, coming to rest on it's master's shoulder. The Magenta Mage gently took the paper containing Charlie's message from the squirrel, scratching his pet behind one ear before carefully unfolding the note and reading it's contents.

Glad you're ok. Be careful, the Mage knows

you're here, he's sent men out looking for you.

Charlie xx

P.S. Hope you remembered the choccie?

The Mage smiled humourlessly.

"Much of this grammar would seem to require correction, don't you agree my pet?"

The squirrel nibbled softly at it's master's ear as the Mage gracefully passed a long fingered hand through the air an inch above the writing on the paper, and watched with satisfaction as the original words written by Charlie faded out of sight, to be replaced with a perfect copy of Charlie's handwriting, but with the words conjured by the Magenta Mage.

Glad you're close by. Magenta Mage still in the dark,

so your way is clear. Hurry please. Time running out

Charlie xx

P.S. Hope you remembered the choccie?

Holding out his hand, the squirrel hopped onto it and the Mage carried the animal to a central table in the entrance hall. On the table was a selection of small dishes, holding a variety of nuts and fruit.

"Eat my little one, satisfy your hunger and then, carry this note to the two human intruders.

-oOo-