8
Blazeback had been strolling through the dense foilage of Mossflower Wood since he had come upon Dusk and Keyla days ago. The badger was very tired and drowsee but he was very satisfied with the signifiant distance he had covered. In addition, he had noticed that the trees were begining to disperse which could only mean one thing. He was entering the flatlands. Blazeback smiled to himself and began humming an old badger tune. Life was good again. Soon he would catch up with the murdering scum and avenge his comrades. Then he would once more be able to return to his duties at Salamandastron. As he walked on, he began to feel thirst getting the better of him so he opened up his flask and held it up to his mouth. A few measly drops trikkled dowm his chin. Cursing, he flung the empty flask away. He would have to stop somewhere and stock up on provisions, never mind a place to rest.
~~~~
ÔGet youÕre little pointy hide back in here this very instant or IÕll give you a taste of my ladle you silly twit!Õ Shouted Sally, the old hedgehog mum. She began chasing little Spiky through the kitchen around a small, round stone table. The hedgehog babe laughed hysterically until his mother caught him around the middle and gently placed him in his seat which was cleverly crafted out of bamboo. Instantly, the babe began to wail. ÔMamma! I donÕt wike powidge, it be icky!Õ Sally emmidiately imployed an affectionate face. ÔCÕmon you little tyke, eat up, you know you canÕt be fussy out here in the flatlands. We barely have any food to spare. And besides, there wonÕt be any vittles for supper until you father returns home, he went foraging for supplies. You know if I could, I would bake up a batch of strawberry scones for you.Õ The baby licked his tiny lips dreamily. ÔMmmmm, I wuv stwabewy scones. When be dadda comming home?Õ Before she had time to answer, a curious sight cought her eye outside.
~~~~
Blazeback had spotted the tiny stone hut out in the distance, hoping he met friendly creatures there. He was puzzled to see such a small settlement in the middle of nowhere. The little house looked as it was a couple of good slingshots away to the badger but he was surprised when he was decieved by the flatness of the land. By the time he reached the doors, night had fallen. Panting, he knocked on the old oak doors. Emmidiately, the door was thrown open by Sally who swiftly ushered the badger inside the homely hut. Spiky gasped at the enormous war hammer the badger was carrying, and spared no time at marvelling at the sight. ÔWoooow, you beÕs a gurt warrior arnÕt you? I bet you slay naughty vermints wif that big, big, big hammer, isnÕt dat wite mista bigbeast?Õ He made a few violent gestures in the air. The badgerÕs eyes twinkled at the babyÕs carefree innocence but Sally quickly scolded him. ÔMind yer manners, thatÕs no way to act in front of company you little terror! Please excuse the little one.Õ She muttered to Blazeback.
The badger was hoping to get some decent food and a warm place to rest, but instead he found himself retelling his story and what he had quested out to do. Sally was fascinated by the tale, while Spiky snored aloud in her lap. ÔWe have been living here since as long as I can remember,Õ began the hedgehog mum. ÔThe rest of our kind had decided to move on in search of better locations for settling down for they were nomads, but me and my husband Gurdee refused to leave. After all, we have been living here our entire lives. This was our home, our shelter, we were not about to abandon it. Alas, our ancestors have deprived this land of almost all good soil to plant eatables. This was once a very fertile area you know. Now itÕs nothing but a great big wasteland. I fear that soon, we will be forced to leave this place too...Õ She bit her lip. Blazeback could see that she was very fond of her home.
After an awkward moment of silence, Gurdee stormed into the hut carrying a small sack of lumpy objects. Sally seemed delighted at his return; She picked up Spiky and dissapeared with him up a small flight of stone steps to put him to bed. Moments later she reapeared, introducing him to the badger. ÔOh hoho, we have guets do we? We havnÕt had visitors in ages! Sally, letÕs feed this oleÕ windbag, I hear badgers have astonishing appetites!Õ He winked at the badger. Blazeback would have been very pleased at this moment but instead he felt very awkward as Gurdee emptied the half full sack. ÔLook what I got here! Looks like were in for a feast eh?Õ He winked at Blazeback again. Out on the stone table poured out the hedgehogÕs findings. The was a a couple of russet apples, a bunch of strawberries, and a couple of different assortments of small black and red berries. There was also one, very large mushroom. Followed by this measly collection was a flask of spring water.
Blazeback gaped at the food in a dissapointed silence while Gurdee smiled at him. ÔGreat lot eh?Õ The badger was lost for words. ÔIt looks great...Õ He muttered, putting on a forced smile. ÔOh hoho, wait till you taste my wifeÕs cooking! ItÕs great!Õ Blazeback somehow doubted GurdeeÕs words. After bustling about in the kitchen for what seemed like a millennium, the badgerÕs supper had been put together. A wooden cup of water and a small plate of freshly baked bread smeared in home-made jam. He appriciated the offering but he felt far from full after finishing the course in seconds and drinking the water in a single sip. There was something small lumpy in the liquid and he swore it was a fly. Before he was able to say anything, he had been escorted to a vacant room in the house where he was told to lay down on a bed of hay which looked like a joke to the size of the badgerÕs frame.
Sally wished him goodnight and soon he found himself alone in the cold, dimly lit chamber. He was slowly beginning to regret visiting the hedgehogs but he couldnÕt help but pity them. They were obviously very poor and didnÕt have much to offer. With all this in mind, the badger slowly fell into what was far from a comfortable sleep.
****
Awakened by the sounds of Spiky running and yelling around the house, playing warrior with imaginary opponents, Blazeback stood up with a groan. His back was throbbing painfully from the uncomfortable bed but he didnÕt seem to care. He was determined on setting off on his journey, partly becasue he didnÕt want to put much distance between him and the enemy, and partly because he wasnÕt sure if he could stand much more time in the little hut which was as cosy as a dungeon. Walking swiftly out of the room he found Sally cutting up the large mushroom for breakfast and grasped her paws. ÔI thank you for your hospitality marm, but I cannot waste any more time relaxing while my enemy is somewhere out there, waiting to torture some other defenseless creature! Thank you for the pleasant time. Until next time we meet...Õ The hedgehog mother blinked. ÔOh, okey the, I understand. You go now, and do what you got to do. ItÕs been a pleasure.Õ
And with that the badger lifted his hammer over his shoulder, had some last farewell words with Gurdee and little Spiky, and finally left the hut. Fresh air filled his nostrils. He was so glad to be outside. Now he could finally get on with his journey. Just as he was about to leave he noticed a figure emerging from Mossflower. It seemed to be a badly wounded otter. Suddenly he gave out a strangled cry and fell to the ground. Blazeback quickly recognized him from the what he clutched in his paw. A jewel-studded javelin...
Blazeback had been strolling through the dense foilage of Mossflower Wood since he had come upon Dusk and Keyla days ago. The badger was very tired and drowsee but he was very satisfied with the signifiant distance he had covered. In addition, he had noticed that the trees were begining to disperse which could only mean one thing. He was entering the flatlands. Blazeback smiled to himself and began humming an old badger tune. Life was good again. Soon he would catch up with the murdering scum and avenge his comrades. Then he would once more be able to return to his duties at Salamandastron. As he walked on, he began to feel thirst getting the better of him so he opened up his flask and held it up to his mouth. A few measly drops trikkled dowm his chin. Cursing, he flung the empty flask away. He would have to stop somewhere and stock up on provisions, never mind a place to rest.
~~~~
ÔGet youÕre little pointy hide back in here this very instant or IÕll give you a taste of my ladle you silly twit!Õ Shouted Sally, the old hedgehog mum. She began chasing little Spiky through the kitchen around a small, round stone table. The hedgehog babe laughed hysterically until his mother caught him around the middle and gently placed him in his seat which was cleverly crafted out of bamboo. Instantly, the babe began to wail. ÔMamma! I donÕt wike powidge, it be icky!Õ Sally emmidiately imployed an affectionate face. ÔCÕmon you little tyke, eat up, you know you canÕt be fussy out here in the flatlands. We barely have any food to spare. And besides, there wonÕt be any vittles for supper until you father returns home, he went foraging for supplies. You know if I could, I would bake up a batch of strawberry scones for you.Õ The baby licked his tiny lips dreamily. ÔMmmmm, I wuv stwabewy scones. When be dadda comming home?Õ Before she had time to answer, a curious sight cought her eye outside.
~~~~
Blazeback had spotted the tiny stone hut out in the distance, hoping he met friendly creatures there. He was puzzled to see such a small settlement in the middle of nowhere. The little house looked as it was a couple of good slingshots away to the badger but he was surprised when he was decieved by the flatness of the land. By the time he reached the doors, night had fallen. Panting, he knocked on the old oak doors. Emmidiately, the door was thrown open by Sally who swiftly ushered the badger inside the homely hut. Spiky gasped at the enormous war hammer the badger was carrying, and spared no time at marvelling at the sight. ÔWoooow, you beÕs a gurt warrior arnÕt you? I bet you slay naughty vermints wif that big, big, big hammer, isnÕt dat wite mista bigbeast?Õ He made a few violent gestures in the air. The badgerÕs eyes twinkled at the babyÕs carefree innocence but Sally quickly scolded him. ÔMind yer manners, thatÕs no way to act in front of company you little terror! Please excuse the little one.Õ She muttered to Blazeback.
The badger was hoping to get some decent food and a warm place to rest, but instead he found himself retelling his story and what he had quested out to do. Sally was fascinated by the tale, while Spiky snored aloud in her lap. ÔWe have been living here since as long as I can remember,Õ began the hedgehog mum. ÔThe rest of our kind had decided to move on in search of better locations for settling down for they were nomads, but me and my husband Gurdee refused to leave. After all, we have been living here our entire lives. This was our home, our shelter, we were not about to abandon it. Alas, our ancestors have deprived this land of almost all good soil to plant eatables. This was once a very fertile area you know. Now itÕs nothing but a great big wasteland. I fear that soon, we will be forced to leave this place too...Õ She bit her lip. Blazeback could see that she was very fond of her home.
After an awkward moment of silence, Gurdee stormed into the hut carrying a small sack of lumpy objects. Sally seemed delighted at his return; She picked up Spiky and dissapeared with him up a small flight of stone steps to put him to bed. Moments later she reapeared, introducing him to the badger. ÔOh hoho, we have guets do we? We havnÕt had visitors in ages! Sally, letÕs feed this oleÕ windbag, I hear badgers have astonishing appetites!Õ He winked at the badger. Blazeback would have been very pleased at this moment but instead he felt very awkward as Gurdee emptied the half full sack. ÔLook what I got here! Looks like were in for a feast eh?Õ He winked at Blazeback again. Out on the stone table poured out the hedgehogÕs findings. The was a a couple of russet apples, a bunch of strawberries, and a couple of different assortments of small black and red berries. There was also one, very large mushroom. Followed by this measly collection was a flask of spring water.
Blazeback gaped at the food in a dissapointed silence while Gurdee smiled at him. ÔGreat lot eh?Õ The badger was lost for words. ÔIt looks great...Õ He muttered, putting on a forced smile. ÔOh hoho, wait till you taste my wifeÕs cooking! ItÕs great!Õ Blazeback somehow doubted GurdeeÕs words. After bustling about in the kitchen for what seemed like a millennium, the badgerÕs supper had been put together. A wooden cup of water and a small plate of freshly baked bread smeared in home-made jam. He appriciated the offering but he felt far from full after finishing the course in seconds and drinking the water in a single sip. There was something small lumpy in the liquid and he swore it was a fly. Before he was able to say anything, he had been escorted to a vacant room in the house where he was told to lay down on a bed of hay which looked like a joke to the size of the badgerÕs frame.
Sally wished him goodnight and soon he found himself alone in the cold, dimly lit chamber. He was slowly beginning to regret visiting the hedgehogs but he couldnÕt help but pity them. They were obviously very poor and didnÕt have much to offer. With all this in mind, the badger slowly fell into what was far from a comfortable sleep.
****
Awakened by the sounds of Spiky running and yelling around the house, playing warrior with imaginary opponents, Blazeback stood up with a groan. His back was throbbing painfully from the uncomfortable bed but he didnÕt seem to care. He was determined on setting off on his journey, partly becasue he didnÕt want to put much distance between him and the enemy, and partly because he wasnÕt sure if he could stand much more time in the little hut which was as cosy as a dungeon. Walking swiftly out of the room he found Sally cutting up the large mushroom for breakfast and grasped her paws. ÔI thank you for your hospitality marm, but I cannot waste any more time relaxing while my enemy is somewhere out there, waiting to torture some other defenseless creature! Thank you for the pleasant time. Until next time we meet...Õ The hedgehog mother blinked. ÔOh, okey the, I understand. You go now, and do what you got to do. ItÕs been a pleasure.Õ
And with that the badger lifted his hammer over his shoulder, had some last farewell words with Gurdee and little Spiky, and finally left the hut. Fresh air filled his nostrils. He was so glad to be outside. Now he could finally get on with his journey. Just as he was about to leave he noticed a figure emerging from Mossflower. It seemed to be a badly wounded otter. Suddenly he gave out a strangled cry and fell to the ground. Blazeback quickly recognized him from the what he clutched in his paw. A jewel-studded javelin...