Alright guys, I was totally ready to update on like... when was it... thursday, I think. Wait, that was yesterday. Nevermind. The point is, the thing wouldn't let me upload anything which was really terrible cause I had it all ready to go and EVERYTHING! Well, anyway, I'll stop rambling after I ask one more question (and do the disclaimer)

I'm thinking about posting a humor fic titled 'How to Be an Effective Vermin'... if I post it, will you guys read it and give me your honest opinion? Humor usually isn't my thing, so, I dunno. I'll have to let Harry and Cadmus write it, whilst I type it. Anyway... if you would do that, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I... actually don't know. Hold on. --rereads-- Alright, I own everything except Mara, Salamandastron, and scones. I wonder who invented scones...

The squirrel regained consciousness to the sound of weeping. Disoriented, he lifted his head and saw that he was in a cave. Turning his head to the crying, he saw the badger that opened the door earlier. Hearing the movement, the badger looked up quickly and wiped his eyes.

"So, you're alive. I'm afraid we've not gotten properly introduced; I'm Courage Strongpaw, and this is my sister, Mara."

He nodded in the direction of a small kit at his footpaws and the squirrel could faintly see her small face in the moonlight. The badger's voice was still hoarse from crying and the squirrel blinked the tears from his own eyes as he thought of the smoke in the trees. What happened to his drey?

"I am Lenzon Treeling. Where are we?"

"We are somewhere between my home and Salamandastron, hopefully," the badger replied.

"Why are we going to Salamandastron?"

"I was asked to take Mara there, where she will be brought up well. You don't have to stay with us, you know. I brought you with me so that the vermin wouldn't kill you too."

Lenzon thought.

"I would like to go check on my mother, if she's alive. I will be swift."

"We move at mid-morning. If you have not returned by then, I will journey without you."

"Fair enough."

Lenzon stretched his aching limbs and walked out of the cave. He painfully scrambled up the nearest tree and poked his head out of the top, taking a moment to study the stars before leaping off in the direction of his drey.

"C'rige," came the squeal of the little badger.

Courage jolted awake and sat up quickly. Mara sat by his head and looked into his eyes.

"Hung," she said seriously.

He dug through the pack until he came upon a soft scone. When Mara saw the food, she shrieked,

"Hung!"

"Sssh!" Courage said, picking Mara up and handing her half of the scone.

Mara ate it greedily and Courage ate the other half. He contemplated whether to use the coastline, or to stay in the cover of the trees.

The coast would be faster to travel on, he knew, but if the vermin horde was heading toward Salamandastron, they would use the coast as well, and there was no cover on the flat sandy plains. His only hope was to make it to the dunes before the vermin reached the coast. In order to do that, it would require speed.

Courage looked at Mara, who looked at him.

"We're gonna go for a little walk, Mara," he said to her.

She smiled. He put her in the carrier and strapped his sword across his back before picking up the empty canteens. He set out at a fast jog towards the sound of running water. When he reached the small stream he refilled the canteens, keeping a weather eye out for Lenzon or vermin.

After filling the canteens, he headed back toward the cave and repacked everything into the bags. By this time it was almost midmorning. Mara crawled over to the pack and tried to undo the clasp.

"No, Mara," Courage said.

Mara whined. Courage placated her with a twig, which she gnawed on for a while before tossing it away and whining again. Courage tried to think of what his mother used to do to entertain Mara.

Feeling very foolish, and hoping Lenzon would not return just yet, Courage began playing pattycakes with the little girl. She giggled and clapped her hands delightedly. She demanded that they play it three more times before she would let Courage get up.

By this time, it was midmorning, so Courage strapped everything onto him again and they set out without Lenzon.

Heehee, I love babytalk... Read and Review, please!