Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Please let me know if there's anything I can work on or if there's changes to be made. ~ladyofthelake92

Chapter 10

For over a week, Laurel endured the cruel life of a captive, constantly watched by the barbaric looking wolverine. An iron manacle had been placed on her ankle so it allowed her more movement. To her annoyance, Fleak would pull on the chain to jerk her leg out from underneath her as she walked, causing a lot of amusement among her captors. It didn't help that her small feet were cracked and sore from the constant marching.

Surprisingly, Marlo still treated her amicably, even taking the time to talk to her when the others were off foraging or scouting ahead. Laurel still didn't trust the gypsy vixen and kept her home and family a secret when Marlo asked. She didn't want the vixen or anyone finding out about Noonvale. She didn't want to unknowingly send trouble there.

Their conversations were brief, mostly about how she was faring and if the manacle bothered her.

The young mouse thought of her family constantly, feeling immense guilt at having run away. Though her father had punished her severely, it pained her to remember that the last thing she had told him was that she hated him.

They set up camp on the banks of the River Moss, late that afternoon. Fleak drove a stake in the ground and tied their captive's chain to it. Laurel sat down miserably. As they marched, she had been putting together an escape plan, now that she was learning the vile band's routines. She knew she had to be careful. Viscinia wasn't as clever as Marlo, but she was nastier. Laurel avoided her as much as she could, being chained down like she was.

After sending Lezpa and the martens to scout ahead, Marlo began to prepare supper. Viscinia and Fleak set up their small tents while Laurel looked on from where she was staked down in the shade. As the soup boiled, Marlo used that time to bring her captive some water. She handed the bowl to Laurel and sat down next to her.

"How are your paws?"

Laurel eyed her suspiciously. Though she was grateful to Marlo's civility, she didn't let her guard down. "They're fine."

Marlo pursed her lips. "I'm not stupid, young mouse. I know you've lived a soft life. This is your first trip away from home, yes?" She waited for a response. Laurel just stared at her. Marlo raised an eyebrow. "Surely, your paws are sore and cracked from all that walking?"

The young mouse relented and stretched out her foot paws for Marlo to see. The fox looked almost apologetic and walked away to retrieve her herbal bag. Laurel took another sip of water and put it aside. Viscinia returned from setting up the tents and glared down at her.

"You're lucky my sister likes you mouse. If I was in charge, I'd have gotten rid of you days ago!"

Laurel scowled up at her. "Why haven't you?" She challenged.

Viscinia growled and stalked off. Marlo passed her and rolled her eyes before kneeling down in front of Laurel's feet.

"Don't let her rub you the wrong way." Marlo told her as she pulled her remedies out of the bag.

"Why are you helping me?" Laurel asked her.

Marlo gave her a small smile. "Let's not worry about that right now."

"It makes no sense. I thought foxes are mean."

"Most are down right evil." Marlo admitted as she rubbed a soothing cream on Laurel's foot paws. "But I try to avoid the label." She wiped her bejeweled paws on the grass. "There. That should help. Maybe before we settle for the night, I'll let you put them in the cold water." She nodded to the River Moss. "It'll bring the swelling down." She picked up her herbal bag and left her to finish supper.

Viscinia met her sister at the boiling pot.

"You're a disgrace to foxes everywhere, Marlo." She whispered. "Helping a mouse!"

"It's all a façade, sister dear." Marlo reassured her.

Viscinia wasn't convinced.

The white mink returned later that evening. By then, supper had been eaten and because it was a nice night, Laurel was allowed to curl up in a patch of grass outside and had fallen asleep instantly. Fleak sat nearby, his sharp eyes missing nothing.

Lezpa and the martens helped themselves to the soup and joined the two vixens around the small fire.

"Well?" Viscinia's dark eyes reflected the firelight. "What did you find?"

Lezpa sipped her bowl of soup before answering. "The crew and I ran into a family of river rats not far from here. The leader owns a ferry. He offered us a ride up the River Moss to save us walking the rest of the way."

"Excellent." Viscinia clasped her claws together.

Marlo was more cautious. "What's the expense? I wouldn't expect a free ride from a rat. In fact," she narrowed her eyes. "He offered? Since when does a rat offer anything?"

Lezpa nodded. "I was suspicious too, but he seems harmless enough." The mink took another sip.

"So, what are we paying this river rat?" Viscinia questioned her sister.

"He said anything of value." Lezpa answered for her.

Viscinia scoffed. "We have nothing of value… except the mouse. I say we pawn off the little wretch and leave her with them."

"You will do nothing of the sort." Marlo growled. "I didn't go to all that trouble just to hand her over to a family of river rats! We want actual coins for her, feather brain!" She turned back to Lezpa. "Take us there in the morning. We'll pay with the mousemaid's dagger."

"A dagger?" Viscinia rolled her eyes.

"Even you admired the craftsmanship of it." Marlo reminded her. "Any lowly river rat would be happy with a weapon like it."

Viscinia stomped away moodily, muttering to herself.

Sorry this was so short. I put the rest of it into another chapter. The next chapters are more exciting, I promise. Would love to hear from you! :)