Pardon the weird chapter name; I've always wanted to be able to say that... heehee.
Whoops, forgot to put a disclaimer on the last one:
Disclaimer: Last chapter, I think I owned everything except Mossflower wood, and... --checks chapter-- oh ya. In this one I own everything except Mara, I think. Well, anything you recognize from the books isn't mine, obviously, 'cause I'm not Brian Jacques...
Thank you Dandylions, Clouded Horizon. Lobuck Ashbreeze, bizkathack, Yuoofox, Zealak Silverdirk, and 'Pename here' for your wonderful reviews!
I'm updating today on account of my school (being nasty) not being done yet, and I'm trying to work as hard as I can during the week to get it done (homeschooling has its advantages... and disadvantages) so have at!
Constructive criticism appreciated, flames NOT welcome.
A young badger stomped out of the stone dwelling and slammed the door. He sat down heavily on a large boulder and put his head in his hands.
(He was a strong creature, as all the males in his family were. Already he was known by the title, "Courage the Fearsome" though he was only seventeen seasons.)
Valiant looked out at the scene from the window, sorrow etched on his face. Both the father and the son were thinking the same thing.
It was time.
After a long while, Courage stood up, his decision made. He was going to leave soon. He was sure that his father knew this already, but he was going to have to break the news to his mother.
He winced involuntarily at the thought. There was no other way out of this, though. He and his father had been arguing more than ever recently.
He knew that the hardest part about leaving –aside from having to tell his mother– would be leaving his baby sister. He smiled. Little Mara, barely a season and a half was a joy to the family.
He entered the house again, and one look at his father told him all he needed to know. Courage smiled halfheartedly, but his father's expression didn't change.
"I suppose you'll want to be leaving in the morning, then?"
"Yes," Courage replied.
"Well, you might as well start preparing now. One of the first things you should learn is never to put off work," Valiant said sternly.
Courage bit back a hasty retort and nodded.
"I'll tell your mother," Valiant added.
Relief flooded Courage's features as he gratefully replied,
"Thank you, Father!"
Valiant laughed.
Courage packed everything he needed into one leather pack he could easily carry on his back. He felt the scabbard of his mighty broadsword before attaching it to a belt for his back.
The sword was far too large to carry in the normal fashion, even for Courage, who stood a head taller than his towering father. It was only through Courage's unusual strength that he was able to wield such a powerful weapon, and he had been taught well. The sword was as quick and deadly as a viper in his hands.
He put the pack by the door and hung the belt next to his traveling cloak. He was ready. Now he just had to wait until the next morning.
Raised voices from in his parents' bedroom distracted him. They were arguing over whether Courage should leave or not, he was sure of it.
His mother, Oakbud, was a fierce warrior with a strong will, and Courage was glad that he was spared from the task of convincing her of his urgent need to leave the house, for it is a well known fact that two male badgers cannot live in the same house for very long.
A fair amount of time passed before Courage's parents were done with their 'discussion' and Valiant emerged, weary but victorious.
"Gets more stubborn all the time," Valiant muttered, slumping into an overstuffed armchair.
"Courage!" his mother called.
He walked to his mother's room and found her playing with Mara, eyes a little red from crying. He swooped Mara up into his arms with a smile.
"How's my Mara?" he asked.
"C'rige!" she shrieked delightedly.
She had only learned his name a few weeks ago.
"Courage please," Oakbud said, holding a hand to her head.
"Sorry, Mother," he apologized and set Mara carefully back on the ground.
Mara tottered wildly for a moment before plopping heavily onto her seat.
"Valiant tells me you're leaving tomorrow?" she sighed.
Courage nodded.
"Well, I know there's nothing I can do to stop you, so I just want you to know that I wish you the best of luck. Try to send a letter every once in a while, if you can. Something tells me I'll be too busy sniffling tomorrow to say all this."
Courage grinned.
"Thank you, Mother."
Courage knelt down and kissed Mara's head before leaving the room. Oakbud sadly watched him go, a young badger with his life ahead of him and nothing to tie him down anymore.
I hope to update next weekend sometime...
Please review!