Only five views. Oh well. Anyway, I actually already had this chapter completed when I published chapter 6, but didn't get around to posting it till now. It is a somewhat shorter chapter than the others, as it is the rap up for Destination Changes. Nevertheless, I hope all you readers (about five, apparently) enjoy it anyway. Warning: it is slightly S rated. Shalom!

Disclaimer: There should be several a few chapters back or so, and if you don't like those, you can make up your own and review it to me.

9

"No! I have lived here for twenty-four seasons, and I do not intend to leave today!"

Such was Caware's reply to Crakenough's request to travel with the Goodbeast Navy. He had enjoyed the short time he had been with them more than he had enjoyed anything in his life, and he now felt that he could do no worse with them then with his life here.

"Now Craw," he now entreated, "you know as well as I that there is nothing here for either of us. In the many seasons our family has dwelled in Mechin, we have been the outcast of the seagull tribes. Our more civil ways of lifestyle contrast with the ways of most birds, who prefer to group together and remain somewhat hostile to outsiders. But what I saw on those ships was in complete contrast to that; I have never seen so many kinds of creatures working with one another in my life. Nor has many others, I think I am safe in assuming. You know we have nothing in Mechin to bind us here. Why not seek a new life, a life which encompasses working with others to protect the lives of hundreds?"

Caware struggled to reply. "Crak, I no nothing of other lands. Whether I like it or not, Mechin has always been my home. How can I leave that, simply hoping that I'll find something better? No, I simply cannot do it."

Crakenough chuckled. "What has happened to the 'Don't get so attached to things.' Caware that was here this morning. Where has my 'Take the adventure that is put before you.' sister gone? When our parents died, you took the responsibility of bringing me up, and you did not bring me up to be afraid of risks."

Caware looked out at the docks, where she could still see the Runner sitting at anchor. Secretly, she, too, felt the urge to explore. But how can I leave here? she kept asking herself. She turned around, and looked over the port city.

What would God want me to do? That was the question her parents had always taught her to ask whenever she had to make a decision. It had always helped her before. It helped her now.

She turned to Crakenough. "Let's go." she said with a smile.

"Hoist the anchor." ordered Rat Singer.

"Hoist the anchor!" shouted Zerubbabel.

The anchor was hoisted.

Singer checked the wind. "We'll have to row her back to the fleet." he observed. "Give the order."

"Rowers to the oars!" Opt shouted again.

There was much commotion on deck as over half the beasts went below.

Admiral Singer waited a few moments for the rowers to get into position. "Go."

"Forward!" Opt called.

The sound of a drum could be heard down below. The ship began to move forward. Singer carefully turned it around, and soon they were headed out to sea.

Down in the Map Room, Ashleg and Thomas worked on the map. Sitting to the side, Silas Jacob continued to work on the leg, Ashleg having decided to bring him along for once, a prospect which Silas has been most pleased at.

On deck, two new crew members, both hares, were being given their tasks by Eshton. Their names were Billy and Fred, and they were there as a result of their new respect for a certain Black Hungry Hare, who had suggested that they join up.

Finally, perched on the bowsprit, watching the waves break before them, were the two newest additions to the Goodbeast Navy; one Crakenough the Seagull, and his sister, Caware.

Many miles away, upon the plains north of Loamhedge, two creatures were traveling upon an old path to Mossflower; the same path used by Loamhedge mice so many seasons ago. As they travel, one of them would play upon his bagpipes at intervals, and then would sing a song to pass the time.

Joost a leetle detty

For when I'm a roameen

Roameens gettin boreen

Hence I wroot thas detty

Here the meerkat would stop, and turn to his companion. "I weesh I coold thank oop a next line." he commented regretfully. "Boot I sappose that's joost the way eet works soomtimes. Auny soogestiuns?"

"Kk ch-ch, kk kk kk ch ch." the other creature answered.

"Aye, I knoo, boot I don't got auny theeng bettar to do." the meerkat apologized.

"Ch, kk kk, ch?" his companion wanted to know.

"Weell, you got auny bettar ideas?"

This ended the discussion. In this way, they would continue on, for miles and miles, days and days, catching things now and then to replenish their supplies. Thus they were, Goliath the Unknown Creature, and Iddo the Leader.

I hope this gives you food for thought. Enjoy your day, and I'll enjoy mine. God bless, and good morning! 10/26/2014 TTT