Chapter 34

Martin was up early that next morning, unable to sleep any longer. He had had another dream during the night. Luckily, he didn't wake up yelling or jerk in his sleep like he usually did. Not wanting to scare his friends or their new acquaintances if he dozed off and dreamed again; he quietly got up and tip toed out of the camp. He relaxed once he was hidden in the trees and walked to the stream that Atheria had shown him the night before. The warrior mouse knelt down on the bank and splashed the cold water on his face. He straightened, still sitting, and looked up at the top of the trees. The tip of the ship's mast was visible against the lightening sky. He was so deep in thought, he didn't hear Atheria approach from behind.

"You're up early!"

Martin jumped at the unexpected noise and stood up. He lost his balance and fell over backwards, falling into the stream with a loud splash. Atheria covered her mouth with both paws, staring with wide eyes at the warrior mouse sitting unimpressed in the shallow water. The inside of her ears turned a bright crimson with embarrassment.

"I am... so sorry!" Her voice was muffled. She was trying hard not to laugh.

Martin shrugged. "I needed a bath anyway, its fine." He stood up, shaking the chilly water from himself. Atheria slowly dropped her paws from her mouth.

"I really am sorry, Martin." She told him seriously. Martin's annoyed glance softened. He changed the subject.

"Are you always up this early?"

"Not usually. I'm a light sleeper though. I heard footsteps and saw you head out of camp." She stopped.

He raised an eyebrow and she cleared her throat, ending the awkward silence.

"You wanted to see Beryl, right?" She pointed behind her towards the sea.

As Atheria led the way, her face burned with embarrassment. I made a complete fool of myself! she thought bitterly. When the trees began to thin out, she motioned for Martin to be silent and dropped on all fours, crawling through the bushes. Martin followed her lead and the two mice sat in the thick foliage, staring up at the sleeping pelican on the mast as dawn broke over the calm sea.

"I can see why he would pose a problem." Martin whispered as he observed the ship from their hiding place. "He's the biggest bird I've ever seen."

Atheria sighed. "Yes, well... you would think a holt of otters could bring him down easily enough. But he was smarter than us. He threatened my niece's life in order to take our weapons." Her tone darkened as she explained.

"Every creature has a weakness." Martin told her. "We just need to find his."

Atheria turned her head to look at him. "How do we do that?"

Martin shrugged knowingly. "Play him at his own game. Make him think he's won." He gave her a sly smile.

The mousemaid was puzzled but she trusted him. They both turned to look at Beryl once more before slipping away silently from their hiding place.

Keyla was awake when the birds started singing. He sat up straight and groaned at the stiffness in his back and legs. Sleeping in a ditch wasn't the best place in the world. Looking to his right, he saw that Brome and Birch were still curled up, sound asleep and snoring. They had crawled through the ditch for most of the night, putting as much distance between themselves and the pirates as they possibly could with Brome's injured foot. After a while, Brome had finally collapsed. Due to the extreme pain and exhaustion, he was asleep instantly. Keyla glanced down at the injured foot worriedly. It was painfully swollen. It wouldn't be long before infection set in.

The otter strained his ears to listen. The forest was silent, except for the morning birdsong. He sniffed the air for any scents and didn't pick up anything. Looking down at his friends once more, he figured he would scout around for breakfast and maybe some dock leaves for Brome's foot. He crawled out of the ditch, ignoring the sharp thorns that pulled at his sleek fur.

After a while, the otter found a thicket full of lush, summer berries. He picked some for his two companions after stuffing his face with the sweet tasting fruit. He didn't realize how hungry he was. Arms full of the dark juicy berries, he hurried back to the ditch. He decided he would take the food first and as they went on their way, he would look for dock leaves.

Brome looked up when Keyla pushed his way through the thorns.

"Why didn't you wake us?" Brome asked him accusingly. Keyla dropped the armful of berries in front of Brome and Birch and gave the mouse a look.

"Good morning to you too." He turned his back. "And you're welcome."

Brome sighed, realizing he had been a little harsh. "I'm sorry, Keyla. Thank you." He reached down and gathered a pawful of berries. Birch was already stuffing his face hungrily, his chin stained purple by the juice.

Brome hesitated and looked at his friend. Keyla turned his head and nodded at the fruit. "Have as much as you want. I already had some."

The Chieftain of Noonvale popped a couple berries in his mouth. They were mouthwateringly delicious. Keyla waited patiently as they ate their fill before they exited the ditch.

Brome leaned on Keyla, gritting his teeth as fresh lances of pain shot up his leg. He paused and Keyla held onto him as he stood on his uninjured paw to take pressure off the bad one. Birch looked back nervously. He had walked behind them, covering their tracks as much as he could.

Judging by the look on Brome's face, the pain was excruciating. Keyla shook his head.

"You can't go on much longer like this. We need to find some dock or... something to wrap it with." He let go of Brome and scanned the trees and bushes. Brome shook his head.

"I'm fine."

Keyla stifled a growl. "You are NOT fine! You're a healer for heavens sake! What can I get you to help your foot?"

Brome stared at him. "You're not going to find many herbs here so close to the sea. The ground is too salty."

The otter looked up at the sky and threw his paws up in the air. "This is great. Just peachy!" He glared at Brome.

Birch's ears flattened to his head. "Not again!" He groaned.

"I wouldn't complain too much!" Brome's tone was dripping with sarcasm. "If you hadn't thought you were so invincible, Birch and I wouldn't have had to risk our necks saving your worthless rudder!"

The fur along Keyla's spine rose in fury. "You've changed since your father died. You're not Brome anymore! You're... you're..." He scowled when he couldn't think of anything and spun around, stomping off into the trees.

"Keyla, wait!" Birch called after him. "You can't go off on your own!"

Brome shot one last glare at the retreating otter and wiped the sweat off his brow. He hobbled to the nearest tree and leaned on it, waving a paw in Keyla's direction.

"Oh, let him go, Birch! He knows he made a mistake!" He shouted after his friend.

"But Brome!" Birch pointed helplessly at Keyla.

Brome ignored him and slid down to the ground painfully. Birch looked back and forth between his friends for several moments. He sighed and sat down next to Brome. "You two can't fight like this. We have to work together to get home. Our wives are probably worried sick about us."

"I know." Brome replied quietly. They were silent for a few moments, listening to the birds as more of them woke up to greet another beautiful summer day.

Birch wasn't sure if it was the warmth or the fact his belly was full. For some reason, he couldn't keep his eyes open. He turned to Brome.

"I'm really tired all of a sudden. What about you?"

Brome raised an eyebrow. "That's nothing new. We've been running for our lives the past two days. Of course, you're exhausted."

"That's... not what I meant..." the squirrel replied groggily. He tried to stand up but couldn't. He fell over backwards onto Brome's lap, startling him.

"What are you doing?!" Brome asked, pushing Birch off of him. Birch broke out into a fit of giggles.

"I can't feel my toes!"

Brome stared at him, confused. "Birch, what's wrong with you?"

Birch giggled again when he tried to stand up but fell down. "Nothing! Hehe! I'm fine!"

He attempted to stand a third time, but he slumped to the ground and lay still. Alarmed, Brome crawled over to him and flipped him over on his back.

"Birch!" He shook the squirrel. Brome put his ear to his friend's chest. His heart was in normal rhythm. He appeared to be just sleeping.

A wave of grogginess overcame him when Brome tried to get to his feet. His vision blurred and the forest started spinning. "Keyla..." he uttered as he dropped to the ground next to Birch, unconscious.

Keyla was stomping through the trees, grumbling to himself. "I can't believe him... he thinks he's so high an'...". Feeling fatigued, the otter grabbed a hold of a young sapling and shook his head.

"Why do I feel so dizzy all of a sudden?"

Keyla waited for it to pass before he attempted to walk again. He made it a few more steps before collapsing to the ground.

Several creatures gathered around the unconscious squirrel and mouse, whispering in rapid tones.

"I say, old bean. C'n I 'ave the bally squirrely's tail? OUCH!"

"Wot are ya, a savage?! 'Course not, featherhead!"

"I think they got a 'old of our dream b'rries, Larkers." A female voice informed the second one. "Hmm. This one's foot is in bad shape."

The second voice chuckled. "They musta ate a boatload judgin' by the snorin' those chaps are makin!"

"'Ey boss!" Another voice broke in. "Look wot we found in thee twigs!"

"Great bouncin' hedge'ogs! Where'd ya find 'im?"

"Otters are clever beasts. 'ow'd this one not know the b'rries were alter'd?" There were a few amused giggles.

The female snorted. "'e wasn't clever enough." She said sarcastically. "Pack 'em up. We'll take their sorry carcasses 'ome wit' us."

Oh the suspense! I just love cliffhangers, don't you? (evil laugh)

Btw, loved everyone's responses. Stoneclaw surprised me! I was thinking Verang would be a close favorite!

Because this is my 'hell week' at work, I won't be updating until probably next Monday. Until next time... don't fall off your seats!

~ladyofthelake92