a/n= A special thanks to ScaraMedn and kt_valmiri for their support and input, as well as providing their Zoosonas to the story (Luna, Lucian, and Alestair). This one is for you two!
…
The walk back had been monumentally uneventful for the little hare. He passed through the tall gates leading to the mountain's entrance, it's front grounds now deserted. A quick look up at the sky and Jack knew why.
Suppertime, he thought.
Trudging to the doors, he passed through towards the mess hall. Even if one had been a stranger on the mountain, one could find it. The many voices carrying throughout the corridors worked better than a compass or map. The hares of Salamandastron ate ravenously, many of the more improper ones laughing and joking with full mouths.
Jack paused just outside the entrance and peered in. His eyes first went to the head table where his parents sat and conversed with the higher officers. The surrounding tables held the lower cadets, the Leverets in direct eyeline of their elders.
Their behavior was exceedingly more restrained than that of Jack's elder brothers and sisters. They and their friends laughed and joked, being the loudest of all in the mess hall. He felt a knot of uneasiness grow in his belly and decided supper was not for him tonight. Besides, he still had a full basket of blackberries.
He continued on his way, heading towards the library. Though his absence was noted by Daniel. The older hare glanced up as his little brother decided to move on. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, he excused himself from the table, calculating eyes watching him in suspicion as he did.
Positioned on the ground floor, the library was sprawling and cavernous. Rows of parchments, maps, thick volumes of texts, and a large, beautifully adorned tapestry made the room a favorite of Jack. After a quick pause in front of the magnificent drapery, eyes going to the mouse in the center resting upon his sword, the hare wandered over to the texts, debating on what he should open first. A few of the berries were eaten before he set the basket down at a reading table, intent on studying the atlas upon it.
"Well, well, well," came a low sardonic voice from the entrance. "Should've know you would be a coward and skip dinner."
Daniel leaned against the wall, his own blue eyes bored as he glanced over Jack.
"I wasn't hungry," came the younger hare's reply. He tensed as his brother pushed up from his spot and strode towards him.
"I don't care for the way you talk to me, Stripes," Daniel cracked his knuckles and kept a leveled gaze on him. "I hate to do this, little brother, but you need to be knocked down a peg."
Jack had backed away as Daniel grew closer, though his big brother's words caused him to lunge as the same moment. The two clashed together, fists flying, teeth biting, each fighting for dominance. The elder grabbed him viciously by his ears, causing a loud cry of pain to echo through the room. The younger didn't let it distract him for long, as powerful feet shot out and caught his attacker in the stomach.
Quiet suddenly, they were pulled apart. Jack was squirming and fighting his way free, eyes focused on his brother. General Baylor McLeaps held Daniel in a vice grip by the scruff of his neck. And one look at his father made the hare regret his choice of action.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked looking from one kit to the other. Jack became aware of Deodra's arms restraining him. Their mother was in a fury standing between the two who had been fighting.
"A very good question!" With a wave of her paw, Baylor release Daniel, who cowered before his mother. Another wave had her daughter releasing Jack, who immediately lunged for him again. "Jack! You will calm yourself, lad!"
Merida caught him in her arms and forced his angry gaze to her. Her own ambers gradually calmed him down, until his head dropped and tears filled his eyes. With a scoff, she pulled his face up and wiped his tears away.
"There will be none of that, ya hear me, lad?" Her son nodded and composed himself as she stood and turned to Daniel. "And as for you. I am fed up with this rivalry."
The older brother let his gaze drop as his mother continued.
"In the history of this mountain, there has been only one banishment. And the winds have long since blown over their bones!" Merida strode to her son, her eyes ablaze. "I would not hesitate to banish you should this continue, Daniel. You are a Salamandastron hare! A title that garnered respect, in all corners of the world. You are the example, an influence, amongst the Leverets. They follow you and your judgement.
"Their treatment of your little brother is a reflection of YOUR actions within the classroom. Consider yourself pulled as a teacher," the younger hare gasped and turned his eyes to his father. "From now until I deem sufficient, you are on scullery duty."
"Father! You can't just-" Baylor cut his son off with a raised paw and soft laugh.
"Daniel, I may be the general, but your mother is ruler of this mountain," he glanced at his youngest, whose eyes were still narrowed at his brother. "It would pain me, but if I must banish you, I will. And Jackson."
Jack looked up as his father stepped towards him. Merida's paws dropped away as she stepped back to allow her husband to get close.
"This is a proper fist," he said, demonstrating with his own, "Throwing a punch with your fist like that-" he picked up his son's paw and folded it- "will hurt you more than it hurts your opponent. Understood?"
Jack looked at his fist then back up to the general. "Yes, Father."
He chuckled and ruffled the fur on his head. "Good lad. Get back to your dinner, Daniel. Best foot forward!"
With a scoff, the older buck left without a backwards glance. Merida pulled her son into her arms and glared at her husband.
"Please refrain from teaching our child how to hurt others," she said to her husband's amusement.
Deodra stepped forward and saluted smartly.
"Permission to be bold, sir?" She asked. Baylor laughed louder and nodded.
"I have not known you to be anything other than bold, my dear!" He smiled and nodded. "Go on then."
"Perhaps….. well…. might I take Jack for a campout tonight?" She reached over to pull the young hare from their mother. Adjusting so he was in front of her, she smiled sweetly down at him before continuing. "A night under the stars might do him some good. Just for the night?"
"Oh, no, Deodra, he's much to young-" Merida was cut off by her husband.
"I think that would be a great idea," he said grinning. "Some fresh air, a nice fire, change of scenery. My, my, yes! Spot on, my dear! Off with you two! Go get your packs ready."
Smiling, Deodra pulled her brother out of the library to gather their things, leaving a bewildered Merida with her husband.
"Baylor! He is but a kit! What if he gets hurt?" She demanded. Her husband laughed lowly again and went to embrace his wife.
"I was camping when I was half his age, my love," he murmured in her ear. "And between you and I, I'm more worried about him being in the barracks tonight, on his own. I would rather have a chance to talk with our older cadets before another incident."
Merida sighed. "Very well."
"Besides," continued the general, "what's the worst that can happen?"
….
The sun had set fully during this time. The moonlight gave way to the path the two young hares followed, each silent with their own thoughts. Jack felt as though they had been traveling forever, his feet were heavy and eyes tired, when his older sister stopped. She made motions for him to be still, her silhouette showing the swift movement of her ears as they scanned the area.
Satisfied, she dropped her pack and began to dig a shallow fire pit. Jack set his things next hers, before scrounging up kindling. Soon they had a fire going, with two scones pulled and resting next to it. A pan of mint tea was placed on the fire to warm up before Deodra went to climb the dune next to their camp site.
Her little brother dutifully following, she paused at the top and waited for him.
"Come here, Jack," she whispered. He was pulled in front of her again, his eyes turned to the small collection of lights below. His sister pointed a paw in their direction. "Thats Portsworth. Ships and traders from all over the world have been passing through. They say it shall grow over triple it's size by the turn of the century."
"Wow," he responded, eyes large at the prospect. A certain vixen popped into his mind as she continued.
"And see that, right there," she gently angled his chin towards another collection of lights, though these seemed to be moving away from them, "those are the trading caravans. They were behind schedule and are leaving tonight. I heard they will arrive in Zootopia by weeks end, after stopping through some of the surrounding towns."
Jack's breath caught as he watched the lights make slow headway into the night.
Skye, he thought. He hardly noticed that his sister had pulled away from him.
"I'm sure," she pondered out loud, "if one were fast enough, one might make it to them before they got too far."
Deodra turned away and slid down the dune back to their camp. She reached the packs and hurriedly emptied both, Jack rushing up beside her with an alarmed expression on his face. Tears falling but her face set, she repacked her little brother's bag before facing him again.
He was roughly turned, his new provisions placed upon his shoulders, before Deodra pulled him into a hug.
"You have a choice, Jackie," she whispered, her voice thick, "and I will support whatever you choose. Follow that star, it lays over the village. Don't ever think you're not strong enough, because you are. And most importantly-" her voice broke briefly- "I love you. To the moon and back."
She released him abruptly, turning to tend to the fire. Her ears stayed high, her eyes clouded with tears, her breathing uneven. She picked up no sounds, no paw steps, nor rustling of ears, though when she turned back, her brother was gone. Only a slight tumble of sand gave clue as to where he had vanished and Deodra fought the urge to follow him.
An odd calmness coming over her, she sat back in front of the fire and pulled the scones gently away.
"I just sent my eight year old, baby brother to a traveling fox cart, headed to gods know where, to return gods know when," she said out loud. "My parents are going to kill me."
…..
Four carts in total made up the trader's convoy. Matthew and Vivian Frost sat in the lead, with their newly acquired plants. With his wife resting in a bundle of coats and blankets, Matthew sorted his correspondence. Instruction were given to the surly ox pulling their cart, his thoughts partly consumed by worry of his wife's illness and his daughter's sudden despondence.
The two traders following directly behind them would break off towards a different route, though not before they came to their first stop.
Skye sat in her spot on the very back of the last cart, legs dangling over the side. She watched mountain slowly get smaller and heaved a great sigh. Even though the sun had fully set, her eyes were well enough to see her surroundings. The uneven pathway was lined with scraggly vegetation, the cart's wheels hitting the occasional stone.
A lantern was placed next to her, it's friendly light taking away some of the chill from dark that surrounded the travelers. In the driver's seat was Ben, the large cheetah that had joined their convoy several week ago. The small vixen smiled as the friendly cat chatted the ear off the ox hired to pull the cart.
She leaned against one of the many barrels separating her from the cheetah, pulling a thick wool blanket over herself as she did. Journal clutched to her chest, Skye let her eyes fall close and thought of her new friend. She wondered what he was doing, what his family was like, what life on the mountain would bring him.
Jack's laughter and voice echoed in her memory and for a fleeting moment she heard him say her name. And the thought of it made her smile…..
"Skye!" The vixen sat up in alarm and kneeled over the edge of the moving cart. Her eyes immediately landed on the small hare running after it. He carried a pack on his shoulders and a determined gleam in his eye. But it was the grin that got her.
As soon as her eyes found his, his face lit up and an extra boost of speed was found. On instinct, Skye's paws reached out, Jack running to grasp them. In a moment of grit, he tensed his legs and sprung towards her, grasping her paws in determination. All her strength was summoned to pull him up next to her, the pair collapsing side by side with a soft 'oof'.
"Jack!" She whispered. "What are you doing? How did you find us?"
She was confused but couldn't stop the happy flutter in her belly, nor could she keep the smile from her face. Jack panted to catch his breath, his eyes on the silhouette of the mountain as he pulled himself together.
"I'm going with you," he said at last. Skye's ears perked and her tail wagged at that. The hare turned his gaze to her and smiled back. "I can't let you have all the adventures."
The two grinned at each other before pulling themselves up to lean against the barrels. Skye pulled the blanket over the two of them as Jack shrugged his pack off and set it aside. Still in shock over what was happening, the vixen and hare curled up together, her tail wrapping itself tightly around her friend.
"Will your parents come after you?" she asked in a whisper. Both turned their gaze towards the retreating mountain.
"…..yes…." he replied softly. His head dropped to her shoulder and his eyes fell shut. "But it shall be worth it."
Skye rested her head on top of his and closed her eyes as well.
Crazy hare, she thought.
Still smiling, the pair fell asleep as the wagon swayed and lurched through the night.
…..
Dawn broke at a soft and steady pace, the early morning sun creeping up on to the small duo as they slumbered. The cart still swayed gently, the oxen having kept a steady gait to fully utilize their energies. Ben slept in a thick bundle of blankets, snoring loudly and surrounded by empty sweets packages.
Jack was normally up before dawn, his fellow hares insisting their days start early and end late. A rule he normally agreed with. But he was oh so warm and comfortable, not to mention pleased that his bed had finally lost the firmness he disliked. The contentment he felt made one long, folded ear twitch, unknowingly tickling the source of his peace.
Skye's nose gave it's own little twitch, before it turned to release a delicate sneeze. The hare's eyes flew open! His ears started to unfurl themselves, stopping just before rapping the still slumbering fox kit on her muzzle. Jack peeked his head out of the cocoon of blankets and vixen he was wrapped in to survey their surroundings.
The oxen pulled carts had traveled the brief length of the desert that the dunes gave way to, the land now still scraggly yet fresher than what they had left. Blue eyes blinked at the passing collection of fuller vegetation and colorful birds he had never seen before. A scattering of homes and small farms were tended to by mammals who gave the carts a brief look before continuing on with their day. Smiling, the little hare was about to settle back into another light slumber, swayed by the movements of their resting spot, when they came to a halt.
A larger collection of buildings lay not far off from their stopping point, a sign stating their location to be Fire Fields Brewery and Inn, Podunk. Jerked fully awake by the sudden lack of motion, Jack's sensitive ears picked up the sound of heavier pawsteps and voices heading towards them. His eyes widened in panic as he casted a glance at the barrels they were resting against.
By how they had shifted when he and Skye leaned against them, he judged the barrels to be empty, a stroke of much needed luck as the steps grew closer. But efforts to hide were futile as he made to move, only to be scooped up and held tightly by Skye. She smiled and murmured in her sleep, pulling the struggling hare effortlessly under her chin.
"Skye!" Jack gasped as quietly as he could. "Wake up! They're coming! I must hide myself!"
She was undisturbed by his squirming and urgent whispers.
"Up and at 'em, Ben!" Came a jovial voice from the front of the cart. "Wouldn't want you to sleep through a visit to the finest brewery and inn this side of Zootopia! Cami, Alestair, and Lucian would be most disappointed, my spotted friend."
The voice was too close for comfort. In a panic, Jack's ears again lightly brushed Skye's nose. In her sleep, she flinched and pulled her muzzle back as if to sneeze. Struck by sudden inspiration, Jack let his ears tickle her nose again. Her paws suddenly released him as she shot up.
"Ah-CHOO!"
Not a moment too soon, the hare sprang from her grip, landing easily into the closest barrel. Paws bracing themselves on either side and trying to get his breath under control, Jack listened closely to the mammal on the outside approach his former sleeping spot.
For her part, Skye snorted her discomfort at the tickling sensation in her nose. Giving it a wiggle, she sighed in relief as she turned to the now empty spot beside her. There was no longer a hare there. Instead, there was a pack, stuffed with who knew what and obviously not hers.
Her ears perked to the sound of her father approaching, she tossed the blanket over it hurriedly, before draping herself on top.
"MMM-ahh!" She yawned loudly as her father came round the side of the cart. His green eyes landed on her with a surprised smile. "What a wonderful rest! How happy I feel to have slept so soundly."
She tried not to let her nose twitch as it picked up Jack's scent coming from his barrel. Matthew cocked his head as regarded his daughter.
"And here I thought I would have to work to wake you," he smiled as he scooped her up, pressing his nose into her neck affectionately. She tried not to tense as her father breathed deep, a blush fighting to spread across her skin under her fur.
"My dear," he started as he pressed his nose into her fur again, "why do you sm-"
"AYE!"
Both jumped and turned their heads to the doorway of the inn they had stopped at. A kit fox stood at the entrance, her bluish green eyes flashing dangerously behind her.
"¡Idiota!" She shrieked at some unknown mammal still inside the building. "Lucian, I told you no! Don't mess with my cocina, pero no! You go and you ruin my tamales! ¡Dios mio! ¡Imbecil!"
Skye's arms tightened around her father's neck as the vixen turned to the carts in front of her shop. Her gaze softened as it traveled from Vivian sitting up from her resting spot, down the row until it rested on the todd holding his daughter with wide eyes.
"Aye, Matty!" She clasped her paws together and hurried over. "¡Tu hija es hermosa! Mi amigo, it has been too long!"
"¡Hola, Cami!" Matthew smiled at the vixen as she approached. Her eyes alighted upon the kit in his arms. "I would ask if we find you well, but that seems a bit redundant!"
"¡Aye, si! I am always well, Matthew. Even when dealing with foolish ardillas trying to ruin my lively hood," she exclaimed, extending a paw up to Skye. "And who are you, mi bonita zorra?"
Skye shyly hid her face in the ruff of her father's neck, much to the amusement of the adults. Vivian had climbed from her spot to join them, chuckling at her daughter's behavior.
"That would be Skye," she said beaming down at the smaller vixen. "She normally isn't this shy."
"It is ok, mi amiga!" The kit fox grinned at Skye and winked. "You may call me Cami!" She turned to the barrels on the cart and her grin grew. "And Alestair will be giddy knowing you have his barrels, Benji. Almost as giddy as myself if you have what I asked for…"
Matthew grinned back at his old friend, allowing his wife to accept their daughter from him.
"I do indeed!"
They hurriedly walked to the lead cart, Skye being carried by her mother as she looked back worriedly at barrel Jack was in. Cami was in a tizzy about some chili pepper plants the Frosts had delivered, the vixen letting out a delighted laugh as she rushed back to the inn.
"Ven conmigo," she called back to them, "you look famished! Lucian! Lucian call Alestair and his helpers and let his wife know their barrels are here! They must be filled! Tell him the Frosts are here and they have his blackberry honey, stonecrop, Susans, and cornflowers! And a list of the amount of mead and wines Ben needs. Now, lad, andele!"
The door to the inn was flung open, an irate grey squirrel stalking out, his brown eyes meeting the hard glare of Cami.
"Lucian, do this! Lucian do that!" He mimicked. "I'll have you know I am one third of the owners of this establishment, Señorita Palo! You can not order me around like one of your kitchen workers!"
He stomped one hind paw to drive his point home, scowling up at the shorter fox. Even Skye gulped as the air around Cami grew fridge. Drawing herself up, her tail whipped dangerously behind her, her light green work dress sweeping her feet. The apron she wore was untied and slowly wrapped around her paws as she glared at the squirrel.
And after moment, Lucian's ears and tail dropped as he bolted off to another building.
"Yes, miss," he called over his shoulder, "right away."
"Oh, now that's a trick you must teach me, Cam," said Vivian breathlessly. Skye was set down and her paw firmly grasped by her mother. The kit fox merely smirked over her shoulder.
"Mi amor," she smiled as she held the door open, "my spice is not limited to my cooking. How else could I keep that squirrel under control?"
Skye glanced back at the barrels again, her keen eyes noticing the black ear tips of her friend still hiding. The sound of a door being slammed open and the many pawsteps made them drop back down. To her horror, several large mammals, mostly pigs and wolves, dragged another large cart behind them. One by one, the barrels were transferred away from their spots before the collection of workers hauled them away.
Including the one that hid Jack.
….
General McLeaps sat in his chair facing the window. One elbow propped on the arm rest with his paw at his chin, unseeing blue eyes watched the morning sun break over the horizon. The other paw absently thumbed the old spyglass he held.
In his mind's eye, his youngest son's ears nearly blocked his view of the sea. And it made him laugh. He held the spyglass to the young buck's eye, pointing it towards the horizon, scanning it for activity. All they had seen were seagulls, but it didn't stop his Jack from tracking their every move. Pride filled him as his kit took a rapid interest in his father's work. Jack couldn't wait to be a Leveret.
He's to be a great general one day, had been Baylor's thought.
But now, the general sat in the same chair, with no Jack in his lap, ready and eager to learn. His daughter was still standing behind him, her body straight and at attention. Her ears trembled with effort to stay up and her eyes were glassy with tears as she awaited a response from her father.
Baylor did not shift position. He neither blinked nor raised his voice an octave.
"You are herby stripped of your rank," he said in flat voice. Deodra allowed a few tears to course down her cheek as her ears fell. "You will gather your belongings and be escorted from the mountain of Salamandastron by noon today."
Taking in a breath, he pulled himself up from his seat and blinked his eyes into focus. Now carefully studying the horizon, he tried to keep the growing anger and anxiety he felt contained.
"When I gave permission for the campout, I did it under the assumption that you would comfort your brother," Baylor kept his voice even but was unable to stop the venom from leaking into it, "perhaps tell him stories of Martin and Matthias, how they overcame the odds and became great warriors. Even though they were mice."
"You were expecting me to do your job as a parent," came the cold voice of his daughter, "and, instead, are furious I did my job as his sister."
Baylor turned to her, blue eyes ablaze, reminding himself of his promise to never strike his children.
"You dare-" he began, only to have Deodra cut him off. She cried openly now, her face contorted in anger.
"Yes, I dared!" She sobbed as her back straightened with new resolve. "I dared because he needed his father. I dared because someone had to step in. You were obviously not going to, otherwise he would still be here. You gave him no chance, so I found one for him."
"It was not your call, Deodra!" Baylor took a breath and composed himself. His posture straightened before he allowed himself to continue. "I had every intention of fixing the situation. To make sure no one else would feel tempted to act on any impulses. If he is to be a Salamandastron hare-"
Deodra's scoff cut him off.
"What war are you preparing for, Father?" She asked. "The time for the warrior has ended, our service is not needed, has not been needed in centuries. Perhaps it's time to join the present instead of living in the past."
"Leave," whispered the general. A steady paw pointed to the doorway. "Leave now and pray I find your brother unharmed and in one piece."
With a look of resolved despair, his daughter swallowed thickly before drying her eyes. A final salute was given before she turned on her heel and left. It was only after she was gone and her pawsteps faded that Baylor let his face crumple. Tears of hot anger and worry fell only briefly before he collected himself.
"Edgar." A privet who had been waiting just outside the doors promptly entered and saluted his general. "I want a search party organized. Send runners to the village and inform Mayor Fischer and Admiral Shellton I wish an audience with them. I want a complete sweep of the area and completed logs of every trading ship and cart that has passed through."
General McLeaps turned back to the window, his paws clasped behind his back.
"I want my son in front of me by the end of the day," he said, his voice cold enough to send a shiver down the young privet's spine. "If he is not, inform the search parties they will be un-welcomed at Salamandastron until Jack is found. The one who returns him to me will be greatly rewarded."
Edgar's ears shot up at that, a greedy gleam in his brown eyes sparking as he saluted the general's back before taking his leave. Baylor considered the view outside of the window, spyglass warm in his paw as he raised it to his eye.
Wherever you are, Jack, he thought as he scanned the brightening horizon, I shall find you.
…..
Jack was bounced and jostled inside his barrel most ungraciously. The workers, with smooth expertise, had tossed the heavy things as if they were naught more than feathered pillows. The hare's own hiding spot was none the exception, the jolt of his barrel landing was hard enough to make him withhold a gasp of pain. Paws still extended in effort to keep it from falling over, blue eyes peered fearful up at the barrels's entrance as he felt himself be carted away.
The sky above gave way to the darkness of the brew floor, small glimpses of tall vats and walkways breaking up the uninteresting ceiling. Until a lid was hastily fitted to the top, a mallet hammering it into place drowning out the 'meep' Jack gave. The bung hole at the top allowed air and light to still pour in, a small comfort until the mammals began talking.
"Two of elderberry wine, take these two here!"
Sounds of still empty barrels being tossed around hit the frightened hare's ears.
"One each, blueberry and plum wine," Jack's heart nearly jumped out of his chest as a paw slapped the top of his hiding spot, "and fill this one with blackberry mead! Two for strawberry fizz cordial and the rest will be October Ale."
Baylor and Merida McLeaps enjoyed a sup or two of wine, usually in the evenings with supper. Jack, his siblings, and peers were not strangers to the drunken antics of their elders, far between as they may be. Some even more bold youths, Daniel for instance, had 'stolen' many a mouthful from their parent's glasses. Not knowing they had purposely turned a blind eye to it. Rite of passage, as they say.
Never did the little hare think there would be a day he would be trapped in a barrel that had been shoved under a spout, with dark, sickly sweet wine pouring in. His eye widened in panic as he watched it splash over his feet. Paws immediately went to pound the side of his cage, trying to gain the attention the nearest worker.
The workers, however, were a buzz with activity. Barrels being filled, ingredients being mixed, and the constant shouts of laughter and singing echoed within the large brewery floor. Jack's shouts for help were effectively drowned out. None spared the barrel a glance.
A paw shot up to the spout to stem it's flow. The result of the attempt had him gasping in surprise as it shot into his face. An accidental mouthful was swallowed, the sweetness of the mead causing him to clasp his paws over his muzzle in alarm. The liquid still sloshed in at an alarming rate, his feet now fully submerged.
In desperation, another mouthful was taken, this one a bit more pleasant than the last. A small smile formed on Jack's muzzle by his fourth gulp of mead, the taste becoming quite enjoyable and warming his belly. No longer worried about the barrel, now fill1ed to his knees, another drink was taken, followed by a small giggle from the hare kit.
Jack hiccuped and leaned against the wooden side, wondering why anyone would ever wish to drink anything other than mead.
….
To the adults around her, Skye was just a shy, quiet, little vixen in a room full of strangers.
Cami was quite charming, jesting with Vivian and laughing with Matthew, as she encouraged Ben to enjoy as many tamales as he could handle. The squirrel, Lucian, sullenly nibbled at his as he glared at the hospitable kit fox. On occasion she would send a smirk his way, which made his gaze drop and teeth grind, but otherwise kept silent.
Skye slipped away from the table they were all seated at in the kitchen, while the adults were distracted with food, to rush back towards the carts. The lobby of the inn was mercifully deserted, though there was no one to assist her in opening the front door. It took a clever and well timed jump to release the latch, the small vixen wincing as the bells on top jangled.
A quick glance to the kitchen door was given before nimble little legs darted outside. Skidding to a halt at the now vacant cart, she inhaled deeply to pick up any familiar scent.
"Come on, Jack," she muttered, "where are you?"
Nose almost touching the ground, she sniffed at the paw and hoof prints still imprinted in the dirt, her eyes following them towards the large warehouse Lucian had dashed to. For once thankful her clothing was light and simple, Skye ran full might towards the open doors.
Singing echoed out of it, mixed with calls for more barrels, less hops, and other words that meant nothing to her. There was neither trace nor sight of her little hare friend, Skye's heart plummeting as she realized he may still be trapped. Cautiously peeking into the brew floor, her eyes scanned the closest corners.
Workers moved about the floor, some building more casks, others hammering corks into filled containers. There were even some sampling their hard work, lips smacking in appreciation of the flavor while eyes admired the color of the brews in the cups.
Seeing her chance, Skye darted inside, making her way quickly towards the stack of empty barrels. Her nose was never still, nor were her eyes as they scanned every possible hiding spot for her hare. Still no sign of him!
Coming upon a large vat labeled Blackberry Mead, she darted behind the barrel poised under it's spout. Jack's scent was slightly stronger but still very muddled. Skye gave out frustrated sigh as she rapped her forehead against her wooden hiding spot.
And jumped when something rapped back.
"…..la la, la la, la la…." came a slurred voice from within it. Skye pressed her ear to the planks and listened closely. "Splishy splashy! Wooshy, washy! *hic* this stuff grows on ya, it does…."
The sound of liquid being treaded and splashed about drowned out the light trickle that came from the larger vat spilling into it. Her eyes widened and paws shot to the top of the barrel. Pulling herself up, the vixen looked over the large vat, trying not to let panic overrule her logic. Without a thought as to who could see her, she fumbled with the spout, successfully halting it's stream. Her claws scratched at the mouth of it, withdrawing a sodden piece of cloth.
"…hey…." came a weak cry of protest.
Shaking her head, Skye tossed the cloth aside with a huff. Hopping down, she rapped her paw against the wood. Jack gave an audible gasp, the splashing of liquid followed by a thunk from the other end of the barrel.
"…it's fighting back…" he muttered to himself.
"Jack?"
"….and it sounds like Skye….." he gave another little giggle followed by a hiccup. "Skye, Skye, Skye, Miss Pretty Blue Skye! *hic*"
"Jack, it's me!" Another audible gasp was heard at that. She gave the barrel an experimental push, finding it much too heavy for her to budge. "I'm going to get you out of there!"
"Skye, this…..is…t-the BEST…..juicy juice….I have…EVER…had….*hic*…." another round of weak giggling was followed by the sound of slurping. "Sip sup for me-" *slurp* "-sup sip for you!" *slurp*
The vixen groaned as she rapped on the wood again as quietly as she could.
"Oh, no Jack! Don't drink anymore! It's not-" A paw landed on her head, causing her to yip loudly and spin around. A large black wolf with amused blue eyes smirked down at her. Flicking his gaze to the barrel, where Jack had decided to start singing again, he quirked his brow back at Skye. She gulped and looked up at the wolf, whose grin simply grew larger at her discomfort.
"Well, well,well. And what, may I ask, is going on here?"
"Uuuhhhhh….."
" *hic* Lots…..*hic*" said the barrel.
Skye suddenly drew herself up, adopting a confident, haughty expression as she glared back at the wolf.
"Your workers simply MUST be more careful!" She gestured to the barrel, trying to ignore the growing grin on the wolf's muzzle. "Here I am trying to load up my family's purchase and what do I find?"
"What did ya *hic* find?" Came Jack's slurred voice from within. Skye's composure didn't even falter as the wolf looked at the barrel in alarm.
"What, indeed?" She asked, looking every bit as indignant and haughty as she could. Given her small size and worn clothing, it was quite impressive.
The wolf crossed his arms and considered the little vixen. He knew the Frosts were expected today, aware that Ben would be with them as well as a couple other traders. They were all predators and, if his nose wasn't mistaken (which it was not), there was a lapin inside the barrel of mead meant for Ben. A young one, too.
"Alright, lads!" He called over his shoulder. The activity halted almost at once as eyes and ears tuned in on their boss. With a grin, the black wolf turned, and clapped his paws together. "I'm not the only one who smells Señorita Cami's tamales. And I'm sure for all your hard work, the lady would be happy to indulge your appetites! So finish what your doing and run off, lads! Go fetch your refreshments!"
There were appreciative shouts and calls of gratitude as the workers left off their tasks and filed out of the warehouse. They gave a respectful nod to the elegant lioness entering, bushels of dried hops carried in her paws as they passed. With a confused look sent their way, she continued on towards the wolf.
The wolf smiled back at her before turning his attention to the fox kit focused on the barrel. Which was singing again.
"Yo ho, ho, ho…ho…..oooo….*hic*"
"What is this?" Asked the lioness, smiling politely down at the young vixen. "You must the little lass we are looking for. It is dangerous to be sneaking in here, my dear. You could get trapped in cask or crushed!"
A bout of laughter came from inside the barrel at her words, all three mammals fixing their gaze upon it.
"Trapped in a *hic* cask! Hee hee *hic* can you imagine *hic*, Skye?"
The wolf smiled and held out a paw to Skye. "Alestair Mclver, at your service, miss. Keeper of the hops, they call me! Master Brewer Mclrate to my workers. And this fine lady to me right is my mate, Luna."
"Skye Frost," came the sweet response. Her blue eyes turned to the barrel again, where the hare was splashing about in the mead. "And that in there is Jack." One small paw beaconed the older mammals to come closer. "I would appreciate if this was kept between us, away from my parents," her other paw darted into the pocket of her trousers and pulled out a taffy she had been given but had yet to eat. "For your troubles."
Alistair accepted the treat with raised eyebrows and a small smile. He and Luna exchanged glances and shrugged, the taffy stashed away before a crowbar was fetched. The hops lay forgotten at their feet as the top of the barrel was pried off. Skye grasped the edge to pull herself up for a look at her friend inside. And sighed again as both adults exploded with laughter.
Jack stood in the center of his former hiding spot, pale fur now deep purple, his stripes near invisible against the stain, and his eyes heavy lidded and bloodshot. He still sang under his breath, paws making waves in the strong drink, his muttered words being broken up by the occasional hiccup. Realizing he was now fully exposed, he turned his unsteady gaze up at the three looking down at him.
"Skye," he started, swaying slightly in place, "I'm sticky…..*hic*"
Luna covered her face to try contain her merriment at the situation, but failed whenever she lowered her paws to look once more at the little hare. Alestair didn't bother hiding his own mirth. Gripping the edge of the barrel for support, his laughter echoed off the walls of the brew floor. Jack tugged his ears down to lessen the strain on his sensitive hearing.
"Poor, little lad," said Luna finally, wiping her eyes and pulling the soaked, drunken kit out. "Serves you right for being a stowaway."
Watching him being placed onto dry ground and unsteady feet, the wolf regained his control as the hare started to stagger towards Skye.
"Go easy on 'im, love," he looked up into his wife's amused amber eyes. "I remember a young, over confident lioness who thought she could put away a whole bottle of the stuff by herself. I'd say the lad is steadier on his feet than you were after two glasses."
"…..sticky….sticky….sticky….*hic*" Jack stood in front of Skye, his little head rolling from side to side as he tried to focus, ears folded forwards, dropping in front of his eyes on occasion. "I must say *hic*…. I'm having… a grand…. time *hic*."
The little vixen smiled and reached out to steady him. It was then that Jack's legs gave out. With a weak laugh, he fell into her arms, hiccuping and trying to pull himself upright, ears akimbo as they tried and failed to stay straight.
"Oh, Jackie," she murmured, her eyes filled with concern. She turned her gaze to Alestair and gave him a beseeching look. "Can you put him to rights? We leave soon and I don't wish to abandon him! He MUST come with us!"
Luna laughed again and helped set him back on his feet.
"Ay, love," she gave her a comforting pat as the small hare started to wander off, his gait unsteady and zigzagging, before sitting heavily onto the ground. "A good scrub, hearty meal, and sleep, the tyke will be good as new."
Skye smiled back up to her as Alestair gingerly went to collect the drunk kit. He was lifted easily, his back against his chest, tiny bottom being supported by a large arm with the other pressed to his front to keep him from falling. She couldn't get over how small he looked in the large wolf's arms. Unfortunately, her mother's persistently upset stomach made the look on his face one she knew all to well.
"I….*hic*…don't feel… so…..*hic*…..well," was all he could managed, before Luna grabbed a nearby pail for the hare to cast his guts into.
Paws pressed together and brow furrowed in worry, Skye could only watch as her friend let the mead out the way it came. Each heave sounded more painful than the last, until he finally hiccuped the last of it away. Luna rubbed his head soothingly as her husband turned his more sensitive nose away from the pail.
Grimacing at the sight of it contents, the lioness turned to the vixen and smiled kindly down at her.
"Go off with you and let your parents know you're safe," she sighed and looked over at the now dozing hare in her husband's arms. "We shall set him to rights and have him in your carts within the hour. Off with you, lass."
Full of hesitance, another concerned look was sent to her friend. Alestair sent her a smile and a wink before jerking his lead towards the doors of the brew floor. Finally, she nodded and left to find her family, one backwards glance given towards the couple doting on Jack.
She raced out of the doors, back towards the inn entrance. Two otters, both laughing uproariously with each other, spared her a quick glance as they unlatched the door and allowed her through. Smiling her thanks at the pair, she hurried towards the kitchen just as Vivian came running out.
"There you are, my darling!" She cried, before scooping Skye into her arms. Her mother's lip trembled and eyes filled with tears as she met her gaze. "You mustn't run off like that again, all right? I near fainted from worry!"
The kit was greatly alarmed by this announcement. Confused blue eyes met her mother's hazel ones.
"I always wander away, Mummy!" She reasoned. "You and Daddy have always bid me to go where I please as long as I return and stay safe."
Vivian nodded as she pulled her into a tight hug. "I know, my love, but now I changed my mind and insist you stay within hearing range of me!"
Her mother drew a deep breath and froze, her head pulling away to glance at her daughter. Skye followed her eyes down to her clothing, now stained from where Jack had leaned upon her. The scent of mead overpowered the hare's, but it was no less alarming to the already high strung Vivian that her daughter might be sampling the strong wine.
"Darling, why on Earth are yo-" Her mother's skin under white fur went green. The strong scent of alcohol upsetting her still sensitive stomach, Skye was abruptly deposited onto the floor before Vivian dashed to the door.
Her face screwed up in a mix of sympathy, worry, and vague disgust, Skye shook her head and stared after her mother.
"I think I've had enough vomit to last a lifetime," she muttered, turning to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for her heaving mother. "I pray I never experience tummy problems like that."
"Ahh," came the smooth voice of Cami. The kit fox grinned down at her and held out a paw, "I am thinking, mi amor, that you may not be alone in your adventures for long."
"Huh," came her startled response.
Cami laughed as she led her back to the kitchen. "Never you mind."
Skye looked over her shoulder as her mother followed after them, her handkerchief clutched to her muzzle and paw on her stomach. Matthew passed a glass of water to his wife as they entered the room. A kiss was pressed to her temple, before words were whispered into her ear. Whatever was said caused both to look over at Skye in alarm before exchanging looks between them.
What is going on? Asked Skye to herself as accepted a drink for herself.
…
Luna had followed Alestair up the back stairwell to their apartments after disposing of the pail. Jack lay in his arms, dozing and muttering, his clothing still drenched and fur purple from mead. Upon retreating to the privacy of their own space, the tiny hare was placed into the wash tub, his tunic being striped from his form.
"…hey…*hic*" the slurred, tired voice protested before the wolf took his small paws in his own and stood him up. His trouser were removed and bucket of water poured over his head. "OH!"
The cool water shocked Jack enough to stand straighter, eyes clenched shut as Alestair scrubbed his fur clean. Luna laughed as he weakly tried to pull away, taking the soiled clothing to be washed. But the time she had returned, the hare was wrapped in a large sheet and vigorously being rubbed dry.
Still slightly tinged purple, he looked warily at a small pastie placed in front of him. His eyes on the verge of closing, pieces were broken off and sloppily consumed, to the amusement of the two tending to him. Vegetable gravy and bits of mushroom dotted his muzzle. Luna felt a slight sting in her chest as Alestair smiled down at the youngster.
"Can we not keep him?" She asked as the small hare finally succumbed to sleep, a bit of crust clutched in his paw. Her husband shook his head and looked up at his wife.
"Though I'm tempted to," he admitted with a frown. "Something tells me we should expect visitors later today or on the morrow. If he is from where I think he is, then it would be safer to have him in our possession."
"So are we not going to put him back on the cart?" Asked Luna, her eyes filling with worry. Jack's tunic and trousers, damp from their cleaning were folded neatly before a worn shirt was found. The hare was freed from the sheet, his face scrunching up as his muzzle was cleaned off, and dressed in the fresh garment.
"We shall," Alestair finished dressing him before taking the tunic and trousers and starting for the door again. "To put it bluntly, I fear what would happen if he were found here. Cami and Lucian are a force to be reckond with, but they might end up insulting his pursers. And then Podunk would have a war on it's paws."
Luna followed her mate back to the carts out front, keeping a weary eye out for wandering gazes and over active noses. Alestair gave a deep sniff, at the back cart, pulling the blanket Jack and Skye had used aside to reveal his pack. The passed out hare was placed gently onto the cart before being covered again.
"I'll let the crew know I shall handle the loading," said Luna as she gave the kit a final pet on the head. "Come. I fear we have left Cami and Lucian unsupervised for far too long."
"Indeed!" Laughed her husband. "It is quite astonishing the inn hasn't burned down yet."
….
The barrels had been loaded back into Ben's cart, Luna careful to keep the still slumbering Jack hidden. Skye looked on, trying to not give way her anxiety at her friend's precarious hiding spot. She looked away towards her parents, her father giving Alestair instructions on keeping his new plants healthy. The wolf held the kit fox and the squirrel by the scruffs of their necks, while the two bickered over some nuance or another.
Such a sight caused a giggle to escape her. Watching the two adults trade insults and swing paws at the other while being effortlessly restrained was indeed great fun. Ben was preoccupied with the crate of tamales Cami had bestowed upon him, while her mother also chuckled at the display.
All too soon they were loaded up, a group of horses hired to pull the carts to their next stop, Bunnyburrow. It would be several days before they reached the small town, stopping at the various trading posts to rest and receive their correspondence. The small vixen sat in her usual spot, at the back of Ben's cart, next to the hidden lump that was Jack.
One small paw waved farewell to the Fire Field Brewery and it's caretakers. Looking back towards the now full barrels, she sighed and shook her head. Another look was given to her friend, this one softer and laced with a smile, as he lay in his mead induced slumber.
Crazy hare.
….
Deodra McLeaps sat in one of the taverns within Portsworth.
She had not dawdled on the mountain after her father's blunt dismissal, her meager possessions and clothing shoved into a pack with little rhyme or reason. Though she was drawn to the kitchens before leaving. Nothing had ever felt more intimidating than the door that had her mother on the opposite side.
She willed herself to find the courage to push it open and bid her farewell. One last embrace before her banishment commenced. Her mother would not have it, though.
Merida had a tradition whenever her children were not within their own beds for the night. She would wake extra early, and prepare a basket of fresh bread and jam, along with whatever fruit they had available, and some tea. On the high walls surrounding the front grounds, she would wait, watching the sun as it rose, bringing with it her adventurous children.
Her mother had known what had happened instantly. From the moment she had seen her daughter's lone figure returning from the dunes, Merida McLeaps knew exactly why her son was not with her. The guard next to her on the wall had nervously fidgeted with his sword as he looked from the approaching Deodra to his general's wife.
No time was wasted sending him to her husband to inform him of this new development. The early breakfast forgotten on the wall, Merida strode down the stairs as her daughter approached. Deodra had paused at the sight of her mother's cold, hard glare. But her words were stopped before they left her muzzle.
"I will speak to you," said Merida, one paw held up to halt any attempt at communication, "after I have spoken to Jack."
The two does held each other's gazes, one full of barely restrained fury, the other anxious and remorseful.
With a nod of understanding, her mother abruptly turned from her and strode back to the mountain. The guard that had been sent to the general gave Deodra an apologetic salute, having just arrived as Merida turned to leave.
"General Baylor wants word with you, ma'am," he said, waiting for a salute in return.
And now she sat, banished from her home, staring into a small glass of some spirits she knew naught the name of. The mayor and admiral sat at a table not far from her, their laughter subdued as they talked town business. Though most chatter fell to the wayside as the door was pushed open.
Two tall hares stepped through, sharp eyes scanning the room before resting upon the two otters. Both gave the newcomers incredulous glances as they walked briskly to the their table. Deodra's ears bolted upright to catch their conversation.
"The general wishes an audience with you, sir, ma'am," the voice of Ben floated into her ears as they strained to hear his next words. "It is urgent and he asks for the ship and cart trading logs."
Mayor Fischer raised her brows in surprise before looking over at the admiral.
"Very well," she responded hesitantly, "though, what seems to be the problem?"
"His son has gone missing, it seems," came the voice of Kenta. "Perchance, have ya caught sight of him? He's a wee lad, large ears, with stripes upon them and his face?"
Both shook their heads. "But we can be there with the paperwork within the hour. Has a search party been formed yet?"
"Aye," confirmed Ben, "three of them. A reward has been promised to the one that returns Jackson."
The admiral smiled and stood. "Very good! I saw to the departure of three ships this morning. I shall send a boat to have them turn hull and come back to Portsworth."
"And I shall send my mammals out to the surrounding areas," said the mayor, "let them know to be on the look out for him."
"That won't be necessary," was the terse reply from Ben, "our parties have already made tracks towards there. Now, my father awaits and the guards will grant you entrance upon your arrival."
Deodra pushed her coin towards the barkeep, along with her still full glass. She discreetly slipped from her seat and headed for the door, thankful that the others within the tavern were larger than she.
"And traitor," called Ben. Deodra paused at her brother's words, one paw stretched towards the door. "If you see our brother, do send him our way, will you?"
Familiar blue eyes met hers when she turned to scowl at her litter mate. The patrons of the tavern paused once more in their activities to regard the scene curiously. The otters stood from their chairs to break up a fight if need be, though it was unnecessary, as Kenta's paw came to rest upon Ben's arm. His eyes flicked down at it before rising to his sister again.
Not bothering to respond, Deodra took her leave.
Like hell, I will, she thought as she raced through the village.