Eula was quickly learning to enjoy this sneaking about business. For all their loud and garrulous natures, one would wonder how hares could develop such a keen skill at sneaking and spying. The answer is a simple one; every leveret learns the fine art through repeated pilfering of the mountain's kitchens.

Now she crouched in perfect silence as she observed a small band of vermin; two rats and a weasel. By the way they spoke, Eula knew there were more of them, and they would be back soon. They didn't seem to be much of a threat. Just as Eula was about to back out and leave, she stopped, hearing something that caught her attention.

"I still say 'e's gonna send summin out t'find us," one of the rats said, in what appeared to be quite a worried voice. He was a skinny creature with small, watery eyes and a very frantic, jumpy way about him.

"Come offit Slopp," said the weasel. He possessed a very irritating, wheezing voice that made Eula cringe when he spoke. "If'n we knew you was gonna go on whingin' the whole time, we would'a left you behind."

"Oh, but I saws what he did to that last bunch o' deserters! Skinned 'em alive he did! I hears they got chopped up fer a stew and fed to the officers."

Now the other rat spoke up. He was a nasty looking creature. He appeared quite slow and overweight, but compensated by possessing half a dozen various weapons attached to his body. "Bet you'd believe anythin' you heard. Stew, my -"

"Quit your bickerin' you addle-pates," the nearby voice made all of them jump, including the hidden haremaid. A tall, lean fox strode into view, glaring at the other three lounging vermin. "If you keep on about getting caught, I swears by my ol' momma's grave I'm gonna LET them find you. Your dead carcass, that is."

There was a large mutual gasp, then a heavy silence among the assembled crew. Eula had to shove a paw into her mouth to keep from laughing at the reaction. The fox turned to look behind him and called with a sneer. "Hurry up dolts. 'S a good thing you left the horde, can't even deal with a pair o' babes!"

That made Eula freeze. She stared out as another fox and another rat came ambling into the clearing, each holding a small, struggling mouse Dibbun. Eula half stood to stop them, then checked herself, gritting her teeth.

"Get a nice ransom outta 'em, eh?" The first fox, who appeared to be the leader, sniggered agreeably as the two holding the Dibbuns lashed the small creatures to a tree and tightened the bonds around their mouths. They appeared to be twins, identical young males, both sending the vermin loathsome glares with their dark brown, almost black eyes.

Eula studied the two mouse Dibbuns, frowning. They were dirty and wore clothing only hardly above what could be described as rags. Whatever ransom these vermin were expecting, that mouse family wasn't in any shape to pay up.

"At the least some grub," he smirked. Striding confidently over to the pair, he jabbed one in the stomach with a paw. "You two sucklings seem well fed enough." The one who was jabbed replied by kicking the fox's arm. Accomplishing little, Eula had to smile a bit at the youngster's courage.

"Ow, you little snot!" The fox exclaimed, grabbing his arm as if he were in pain. He struck the small mouse Dibbun at the temple, sneering angrily. The mousebabe's eyes smarted in pain before he slumped down, the fight knocked out of him.

"You milksoppy coward!" Eula said angrily, outraged at the treatment of the little Dibbun. There was a shocked silence as seven pairs of eyes turned in her direction.

Damn.

The thick, heavily armed rat came and dragged Eula out by the neck of her tunic, tossing her unceremoniously to the ground. Eula bit back a sigh, brushing down her tunic as she stood.

"Kindly do not touch me, sah. Seasons know what flamin' diseases YOU'RE harboring," she said indignantly. Then, as an afterthought, she added quietly. "Filthy scum."

Several blades were pointed in her direction at this point. She cleared her throat, glancing carefully around her without moving her footpaws. Her eyes landed on the skinny, complaining rat. "My goodness, has the blade of yours ever ONCE been whetted? Must say, not bally surprised you care little for your weapons. I don't believe you could chop an apple with that disgrace, old chap."

"Ho, ain't this'n a reckless rabbit, chums?" The fox leader swaggered up, staring Eula up and down.

The haremaid's shoulders slumped, as if in impatience. "Tell me, sah. Is it vermin-code to always call a hare a rabbit? Quite wrong. Points for alliteration, though, wot!" She grinned and winked at the fox. "Shall I help? How 'bout... heroic hare?"

"Shutcher face!" He yelled, pointing his blade at her throat. Eula fell silent. She was in stalling mode now. No matter how cowardly these vermin might be, she was outnumbered five to one and stood no chance.

The fox was scrutinizing her, and an expression of understanding crossed his features. "Yer one o' them Salamountain hares, ain'tcha?"

"Yes, I am one o' them Salamountain hares," she replied mockingly.

"Don't you lot normally go in groups?" He inquired.

Eula paused, considering her options here. This fox obviously knew about the Long Patrol. A sly smirk crossed her features. "That's right, bushtail." To play off her part a bit more, she acted as if she were trying to take a few discreet glances into the foliage, looking for somebeast.

The vermin crew immediately grabbed their weapons tighter, scurrying together in a huddle as they stared into the surrounding woodlands.

Eula chuckled. "Cowards. 'S no wonder y'ran away from your stupid horde."

She took in a quick breath as the fox pressed the cold steel of his dagger against the soft flesh of her neck. He was close, staring straight into her eyes.

"Yer fibbin," he growled in a low, menacing tone, pressing the dagger deeper against her.

Eula, drawing up what courage she had left, looked straight back, with a defiant smile. "Mayhap."

The fox's answer came swiftly and without warning as a shout broke through the quiet clearing. "Eulalia!!"

----------

A/N - To make up for my lack in constant update-fulness, I did two chapters. The next one should come soon, too. Please review!