Chapter 3
Dibbuns never die if you only 'member memories.
The sky was steadily turning a dull gray and rain was beginning to fall on the red stone protecting the abbey. Winds coming from the north wiped at the fragile trees that had been plated in the garden and sounds of howls were frightening the dibbuns who were inside the warm mission home. All the creatures were inside eating a body warming supper with green leek soup and apple cream pudding for dessert.
All except two that is. Two who were beginning to be known as the biggest dibbuns in the abbey. Two who ran in and out of the forest and could only be seen as brown blurs. The wind and rain was harsh but Chese and Denya loved it that way. Denya had long lost his tribal tattoos and the pink flower marking that for a long time named him the Taggerung. Now he was plain. Once and a while he would take off his green vest and one could sneak a glance at the large scar that ran across his chest to his back but that was only if you were lucky. Denya rarely ever took off his vest. The same could not be said about Chese, the new skipper of the otters. He was older then Denya by years but he was still very young at heart. If it were up to him he would never wear clothes even in the rain but since he was visiting the abbey Cregga was always on him about setting an example for the dubbuns so he was forced to wear his soft tan jacket within the red stonewalls.
Denya smiled and enjoyed the rain splashing against his head. He looked up in the sky and closed his eyes. Yes, he enjoyed it very much. A sudden twig snapping brought him back to reality. He narrowed his eyes. He would find Chese if it was the last thing he did. He couldn't stand it when Chese always boasted about how he was the master at hide'n go seek. Of course they would never admit to anyone in the abbey that when they were supposed to be training they were actually playing. His eyes searched for his friend and his ears strained for every sound. This time he would win. A tan blur ran through the forest. Denya began to move with the creature and follow it. He was sure it was Chese But Chese was walking a little crooked. Probably just a thorn in his paw Denya thought. The old sea dog would never escape from him now. When the figure finally began to emerge into the clearing Denya made his move. He used his powerful hind paws to spring onto the stranger and tackled him to the ground.
"I caught you, Chese! Now you have to admit I'm the stronger of the two and I'm no longer just a pup!" Denya was beginning to fill with pride when a muffed sound came from the otter beneath him.
"Puf I'm noft chessey" Denya looked down suspiciously but soon jumped off the big otters back when he saw it wasn't Chese. It was Stadil. He huffed and began to wipe the mud off of him as he got up from the ground.
"Well I didn't know you would be so surprised to see me Denya." Denya smiled sheepishly and began to play with a pebble on the ground with his foot.
"Yeah I'm sorry about that Stadil. I thought you were Chese. We were pla... I mean training. I was supposed to find him"
"Well you do a terrible job at finding." Denya jumped at the deep voice. Chese stood behind him with a big smile on his face. His muscular build could be seem easily now that his fur was slicked to his body but one could barely see his black figure except the patch of white fun that splashed on his side. He stroked his course fur trying to get the leaves out.
"Well I had a perfect spot but I knew you would never find me. After all you're just a pup." Denya glared at Chese as he began to laugh. Even Stadil joined in but soon he became serious and called to Chese.
"Skipper, I delivered the message to Arten. Arten will be coming in a few days sir. And if you don't mind I'm going inside to get out of this deathly rain." Chese stopped picking at his fur and patted Stadil on the back.
"Well thank you, old boy, I much appreciate it." Stadil nodded and began to walk off. Denya saw his limp and suddenly knew why he had thought Chese was walking funny. Denya looked back at Chese.
"What message was that Chese? Denya glared suspiciously at the skipper. Chese smiled and grabbed Denya's shoulders.
"Well Denya my boy I'll only give one hint Arten is the fastest swimmer ever and will probably rival you at everything there is. You're going to like Arten." Denya laughed. He couldn't even imagine someone who was as good as him. It was going to be interesting to see what sort of fellow this Arten was.
"What is he, a playmate for me? When is he coming?"
"Just wait a few days. Don't worry when Arten gets here you'll be surprised." Denya was so puzzled by this new stranger that was coming he didn't catch Chese's playful smile. The rain grew stronger and the sky was so black now it looked like the night. Denya shivered and shielded his face from the drops. First it was nice but now each drop bite at his fur.
"Can we go inside now, Chese?
The skipper looked up and for the first time realized how stormy it was. The trees were beginning to bend and wet leaves stuck to Chese's fur. He glared at the leaves with hatred. That was one thing Chese could not stand, when twigs or leaves stuck to him. He grabbed Denya's paw and began to trudge to the Abbey. His mind still lingered on Arten and he was excited just thinking about his favorite niece coming to visit. He looked at Denya and smiled again.
"Just wait Denya you'll be so surprised with Arten."