Episode 10: Whistler's Quarry
The Farthing Wood animals were rejoicing to the return of Fox and Loveday after their late occurrence, battling off against the fox hunt and winning it all in the end by rescuing their newest group member Vixen, who had soon fatefully chosen to be Fox's new mate.
Recently so far into their celebration, the enthusiastic animals had longingly wanted to hear Fox and Loveday tell them about their adventures which they did happily obliged, Lovedays story got them talking about the most due to the part about her being self-blessed with animal senses to help her be more related to them harmoniously. Some didn't believe her yet but they were eager to see it was true overtime. The powers she processed still took some getting used to too.
The foxes became quite the popular couple themselves. Most of the time they wanted to enjoy being alone together since they were both now romantically mated for life, but the animals they were surrounded by simply didn't make it any easier for either of them. Above all, they decided to be patient with it until they got to their new home.
Laying close next to Loveday wearing her white dress again, who had the baby rabbits hugging her chest inseparably. Fox was being embraced on the side by a joyous Mole embarrassingly.
"Oh I'm so happy" Mole expressed sheading a few tears of joy as he again hugged Fox's fur.
Badger gave a deep sigh "Oh Moley!...if only your tears weren't salty none of us would be thirsty again".
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" the animals all laughed at him.
"Aye, you can say that again Badger" Loveday agreed "these two just won't let go of me" she showed the bunnies clinging onto her chest very tightly.
"It's funny how much longer they can be able hold on to you Loveday" Fox chuckled with Vixen next to him "goes to show they have been missing you the most eh?".
"Ok very funny" Loveday said sarcastically while shaking out her long hair.
"We never want you to go away again Loveday, we missed you" said the boy rabbit as he looked up.
"Please" added the girl rabbit "we love you".
"And I Love the two of you" Loveday stroked them "But there's no need for you both to stay clinging on to me I'm not going anywhere again, this I promise you".
"Really?" the two bunnies chorused.
"Cross my heart" Loveday promised, when the baby rabbits had finally realised and sprang off, Loveday could feel herself breath again with a gasp. This too made the animals laugh.
"Haha I told you we'd all make to White Deer Park didn't I mateys?" Toad praised himself.
"Um…Not quite all Toad" Owl calmly scorned with a stern look, the Voles and Field mice were looking very miserable and mournful.
Fox turned to them with regrets "Loveday told me what happened to the mice. I'm sorry".
Vole looked up "Its ok we've learnt our lesson and were just happy to know that Loveday has taken care of that monstrosity for us".
"Yeah… thank you for burying them Loveday" added Filed mouse with a pleased look.
"It was nothing" Loveday turned away; she didn't want to discuss it.
"But where's Adder? I'd like to thank her for saving me and Loveday" Vixen wondered.
"It wouldn't be wrong too; Adder certainly has gained all of our utmost respect" Loveday nodded in agreement. Even though Loveday didn't see what Adder heroically did when she passed out, she knew by all means that Adder was good-hearted when the snake didn't show it.
Weasel pointed over to a thick bush "Adders hiding!" she sang.
"Why?" Vixen asked looking confused.
"She's ashamed" Weasel answered with a laugh "Ruined her nasty reputation, Adder? come out, come out where ever you are!".
Adder reluctantly came slithering out of her hiding place, over to where the foxes and Loveday sat.
"If you hadn't struck out at the horse it would've trampled on you Adder" Vixen said with a grateful smile.
Adder put on a grim face "As long as you realise I was only saving my own skin" she hissed.
"Lucky for us" Vixen commented as she and Loveday shared a confusing look.
"Next time you might not be so lucky" Adder spat.
"Don't ruin yourself Adder, you're only going to bring more attention to yourself if you do" Loveday said, "your welcome to hide in my bag if you want somewhere proper to hide in".
"I don't need anyone's assistance, not even yours" Adder left in a huff. Fox chuckled loudly to this amusing scene.
"Hehehe, You clever vixen" He teased his mate "and nice try there Loveday".
"Sometimes I just don't understand some creatures" Vixen mentioned.
"Don't you worry about Adder; it takes some getting used to her but really she's just…um solitary, if I may be right" Loveday reassured to Vixen.
"Thanks Loveday" Vixen said, "when are you going to tell me more about your background? I'd really like to get to know you better".
"I'll tell you everything once were traveling together; it will give us something better to do" Loveday explained with a smile. Vixen nodded in agreement.
"Couldn't have thought better about it myself" Fox joked making them all laugh.
"Kee! Kee!" Kestrel was making her way back to the group in a hasty pace before landing again in a tree "I've found you water at last, in a quarry not far".
The animals were very glad to hear this. Since Loveday ran out of water their throats were dry as sandpaper.
Toad himself felt an excitable spark run right down his blubbery spine "Quarry?...Did you say a quarry matey?" he asked the hawk.
"Yes, it has a wiry fence around it, it looked like it hasn't been used for ages" Kestrel described it to Toad.
Toad was out of this world. He was laughing as he said "I knew it! I've been there before on my travels. There's ducks, water birds and I don't know what else? it's a treat of a place, oh we'll be quite safe there mateys".
"He's off again" Adder complained as she rolled her golden eyes.
With Toad leading the way, the animals and Loveday made their own way down and out of the south side of the slope and right across the open plains where a few sycamore trees stood guard and faint hill silhouettes were seen in the distances.
Loveday and Vixen were in dialogue conversation, as promised Loveday told Vixen her full story about her golden childhood and how she ended up escaping from the girls home in order to find out what her Grandmas ring meant. and from it all had then ended up becoming a close ally for the animals of farthing wood, since it was her Grandma's wish who had wanted for Loveday to take care of them, just like when her Grandma did when she and Fox's family go way back to being great friends and kept the peace flowing in the past.
Vixens eyes flashed with bewilderment. Amazing to think that she became the wife of a great leader and was soon finding herself in the middle of a humans unsolved destiny as well as a hard journey. However she was fascinated to hear every mysterious detail coming from Lovedays mouth.
"and so you see. If I want to find out why I am a feral psychic then I must find the answers in the animal sanctuary myself. That's why I've been training my powers and animal instincts ever since, to not only learn all about you animals and your ways of life but it's to help me make things better between us, so you can say it all happened by mere coincidence" Loveday concluded.
"I really don't know what to say about it" Vixen gasped with amazement "you are lucky to have come this far".
"And I wouldn't have achieved it without my friends by my side" Loveday said as she proudly looked to the animals all around her "there is nothing I want better than being hear with animals for comfort or company. It makes me feel happy and full of life".
"Now I understand" Vixen realised "You were chosen to stay because you'd do anything to protects us from the human world, cause we animals took you in and you return your support for us in that favour".
"Your not wrong there Vixen, protecting you and these animals gives me the motivation I've always wished for ever since I lost my Grandma…I miss her everyday" Lovedays face looked down sadly.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, every time I miss someone I always say 'once you love someone they stay in here forever" she placed her hands onto her centre where her heart vibrated. Vixen felt sorry for Loveday and was now even more grateful to the human for saving her against the hounds before.
"No matter who or what you may be to me Loveday, I'll always be here in case you need someone to talk to".
"Thank you that means a lot to me" said Loveday "Come to think it Fox actually said the same thing to me like you did" Loveday giggled as she remembered.
"Has he been doing a good job of it lately?" Vixen snickered.
"Well yes…Only its nicer to have another female around here who understands" Loveday and Vixen laughed together, Fox was glad to see the two of them getting along well. He had his worries about choosing between Vixen and Loveday but now he knew there was no competition.
A little while later, Badger was watching as a few green leaves that were dropping above.
"See the leaves are falling, soon be autumn" he exclaimed before turning to Fox "Sometimes I wonder If did right, leaving the mice, voles and shrews behind, but you see we simply couldn't wait till those babies grew big enough to travel with us. No time" Badger regretfully confessed.
Fox had to agree "Quite right Badger, nothing else you could do".
"The truth always hurts but yes" Loveday added "The next time I have a vision I'll be sticking to it from now on then nothing bad can happen like it did at the river".
"I don't know Loveday" Fox protested "Avoiding your vision is what led me to Vixen, maybe it was meant to happen".
"It was probably luck" Loveday understood "But I hope you can trust me with what I have to warn next time".
"And when will that be?"
"I don't know it always comes on its own. Nothing to do with me" Loveday replied.
"Oh alright, I'll be more serious if that makes you better" Fox yielded.
"It does" Loveday says then she spotted Toad looking tiresome and was struggling to stay in front of them. The warm weather was probably taking toll on the amphibian and was in need of water.
"Nearly there mateys" he panted dryly.
"Fox? I think Toad could use some help" Loveday whispered beside him.
"Leave it to me" Fox replies as he strolled over to him. He stopped and gestured to Toad with his head "Toad jump up!" he kindly offered giving him a ride.
Toad was happily satisfied "I can ride on you Fox! like the old days" in one powerful leap Toad landed excitedly straight on Fox's red furry back.
"And me!" came Vixens voice "I'll take my turn carrying the smaller animals" she lowered herself to takes a few creatures.
Fox became dazed "You Vixen?" he said with blind admiration. His eyes focused directly on her as Badger was still talking to him.
"I thought well?...uh..Toad here will need to go into hibernation before long and he's our only guild, we rely on him. Can't have him falling asleep on us we've got to get to White Deer Park first. Did I do right Fox?...Fox?" Badger turned to see that Fox wasn't paying attention to him.
Fox woke up with a jump "Oh! Sorry badger?... I wasn't listening" he said.
"Metaphorically speaking, you have been struck by cupids arrow Fox" Loveday giggled as she hauled her bag up over her shoulder, carrying the bunnies with her like she always did.
Weasel of course was bursting out laughing "Hahahah! He's in love, our leaders in love!" she teased intensely.
"I'll thank you to speak of Fox with more respect Weasel" Badger sheepishly told her off. Mole sitting on him was having trouble holding in his giggles like a few animals were. Fox was getting too easily distracted every time he laid eyes on Vixen these days.
"At least Fox is enjoying himself" Loveday thought. She wondered if she ever will fall in love herself one day.
"Were nearly at the quarry mateys!" Toad shouted happily "I can feel it, isn't it wonderful, my instincts pulling me to White Deer Park now, instead of home to Farthing Wood. I'm over the hump I am, I'll not have any trouble getting us to White Deer Park now!"
"Hooray! Hooray for Toadie!" Mole cried.
Thought right at the back of the line, Owl and Adder were unenthusiastic about Toads nonstop bragging.
"Toads getting above himself" hissed Adder to Owl.
"Hmm? And if love is blind as they say it is. It's a fine state for our leader to get himself into" Owl despised.
"You helped save him" Adder mocked.
"You helped save his mate and not to mention Loveday" Owl argued back.
Adder flicked her fork tough sharply "I was saving myself!".
"Says who?" Owl taunted, soon their little quarrel ended with a huff.
The animals soon found themselves in between their temporary location, a giant net wire fence was in their way with no source of entering. The big pool of water was in their view with white cliffs all around and they really needed to get in, they hadn't come all this way not to get a taste of cool water.
"Oh dear" Badger sighed miserably. Then the little creatures started to bound right through the fences gap holes, after making it look easy they all soon scurried downwards to the pool like nothing happened.
"Lucky for some" Loveday brought up "my kind never lets people go where ever they want that's why this world is full of barbed fences".
"You mean to say humans are territorial?" Fox asked curiously.
"Yes but way worst in some manner of cases" Loveday replied with disgust.
"It's alright, we can all hop through" Toad encouraged as he leapt in the area happily through the fence.
"Um…Toad!" Loveday called to make him realise "We can't get in!".
Toad halted with embarrassment and turned to look back at the larger members "Oh see what you mean…I forgot how big you all were".
"Oh Toad" Loveday said as she facepalmed.
"That Toad is so astute" Adder complained as she threaded herself through.
"Can your powers move the fence for us Loveday?" Hare asked her.
"I think using my powers for this sort of thing is out of the question" Loveday reasoned "I don't think I can lift something this complicated, it may not work the same way as you expect".
"Better you don't do anything Loveday girl" Fox agreed. He didn't want Loveday to push herself again to soon.
"Would it help if I tunnelled underneath?" Mole asked brightly.
Badgers face lit up "Moley! what would we do without you?" he said proudly to his friend.
"Die of thirst I should think?" Adder mocked from on the other side of the fence.
Feeling agitated for being doubted, Mole furrowed his eye brows and started shovelling the earth right in Adders face. He forgot he was supposed to dig toward the pool.
"Turn round Moley!" Weasel said ,"your digging in the wrong direction".
Mole stopped what he was doing and looked up "Oh sorry" he apologised with pink cheeks. Again he redirected his construction even faster than lighting speed at the fence's edge, specs of earth and soil came pouring down in the animals eyes. Mr Rabbit was suddenly getting piled up as the dug-up access he stood on rose up higher to his chin.
"I say? Steady on Moley" Badger protested as he blocked the spraying specs from himself.
"Take your time, don't hurry yourself" agreed Loveday doing the same.
"Don't panic…my husband is being buried" Rabbit warned "Don't you dare say a word" she told her mate who was now piled high.
"Yes Rabbit. I think we have had enough of your panicking, don't you?" Fox asked in an annoyed manner.
"Yes Fox, sorry Fox" Mr Rabbit replied shamefully. His wife tried shushing him.
"Then we'll say no more about it" Fox finished then turned to encourage Mole again "Keep going Mole you're doing fine".
"Give us your best shot Mole" Loveday added "you saved us when we all got trapped back on the farm remember. Now do your best again".
Mole looking more confident did exactly what was asked. Pretty soon he dug out a big extended furrow underneath the fence and was burrowing further in until he was swallowed up whole in the structured earth.
"Bye Moley!" Weasel laughed as she watch him go down, in no time at all Mole successfully emerged himself out of the bank. This was his best work done yet.
"Well done Mole!" Loveday waved to him. She lowered her bag to let the babies come out from the top.
"Thanks Loveday" the boy rabbit said.
"Thanks for the lift" his sister said too.
"Anytime" Loveday replied and just when she was preparing to secure her bags straps on top, so it wouldn't fall off when she crawled into Moles tunnel when it was ready. Her ultra-hearing suddenly picked up an odd, funny and echoing kind of noise. It seemed to be coming from up above her.
"Is it just me or can either of you hear…whistling?" she looked confused to the foxes and badger.
"I can hear it coming too" Vixen nodded with an ear straightened up.
"Is it another human?" Fox asked as he looked directly around.
"No, up there look!" Badger patted Fox's shoulder and pointed upward. To their unexpected surprise they saw a long elegant looking bird with stilt like legs, flapping right above them with its massive white and grey wings.
"It's a heron" Loveday described as she watched it sour the sky in a big circle "he's making that funny noise".
"A fine display of flying technique wouldn't you agree Owl?" Kestrel commented as the birds both sat perching on top of the fence.
"Needs oiling of you ask me" Owl disagreed; she thought the herons wonky flight fashion was a disgrace to birdkind.
Eventually after seeing that, the hedgehogs kindly tested Moles tunnel to see if it was sturdy enough for everyone else. Thankfully it was in great formation.
"I'm out, I'm out" said Hedgehog getting out of the hole "Come on out dearie".
"I'm coming" said his wife. She too popped out and went down to the pool with her mate. Mole scurried back through his channel.
The squirrels were just about to jump into the entrance hole when Mole came out from the darkness "Wait a minute. I've got to widen the tunnel for Fox and Vixen and Loveday. Wait your turn" he asked the squirrels politely.
It didn't take long until Mole soon came back out after he'd broadened up the tunnel to just the right width for the even larger creatures. "Now try it" he said excitedly.
"You go first" Fox offered to Vixen. She steadily went into the tunnel and soon came back out safely "Over here!" she called to them.
"Well done Mole" Badger congratulated.
"Thanks Mole old son" Fox said. He was pleased that Mole saved their day.
"That's alright" Mole modestly replied.
"Your our little hero Mole" Loveday complimented him as she approached the hole. "Come on then let's go".
"Right behind you" Fox smiled.
Bending right down on all fours, Loveday started to crawl herself right through. The tunnel was dark and very damp but fresh air was coming right from the bright circle at the end where it all opened. Half way through Lovedays body nearly got stuck in the middle and needed to squeeze herself right out. Crawling all the way out actually reminded her of being in Alice in wonderland during the rabbit hole sequence.
"Phew I'm glad that's all over" Loveday thought when she'd finally got out. "It's not hard, come on!" she called back to the waiting animals. Moles tunnel had brought her to a place covered in overgrown bushes and long grass. There was even a wide path leading down to a large crater made from bare chalk. As she followed the pathway Loveday found the pool dotted with vegetarian islands and stones big enough to walk on.
"Come on Loveday! the waters cool and sweet matey" Toad shouted to her from a submerged stone in the water "do join us won't you?".
"Absolutely Toadie" Loveday said back as she walked along the sandy water bank, the whole place was overshadowed with high cliffs and made it feel out of this world.
"For an old quarry this is what I would call the perfect resting spot" Loveday said to herself with satisfaction, she went over to fill up her water flask "I'll bet this will be a nice quiet place to swim in…actually why not"
She decided to paddle her feet in the shallow waters. Leaving her shoes and socks with her bag, she gently entered the cool water and soon found a stone to relax herself upon. She laid there with her arms propped up and allowed her feet to dangle up and down against the water's surface.
Fox and Vixen were nearby drinking their fill. They both looked to see Loveday laying there peacefully on the stone.
"Poor Loveday" Vixen sighed "She must be very tired".
"Yeah, this is the first time she's ever taken a break from anything in ages. She always seems to keep herself busy" Fox said next to her "perhaps it'll be best if she stopped using her powers for a while, she might make a better recovery".
"I've yet to know what other things she can do. We still haven't quite finished talking" Vixen explained.
"Well you wait and see" Fox said.
While this was happening, back where the rabbits and squirrels were about to head on under the fence. The only thing was Mr Rabbit was still engulfed in his pile prison.
"Help! Help!" he kept calling in a mournful manner "You're not going to leave me here are you?".
"Perhaps this'll teach you not to complain as you always do" Squirrel spoke severely next to him.
"Yes and if you hadn't complained nobody would have noticed us, and Fox and Loveday wouldn't have remembered what happened at the river" Rabbit said looking very cross with her mate for giving them away.
Rabbits daughter was in the hole and heard the whole commotion "Is poor daddy being punished mummy?" she asked innocently.
"Alright! leave me here then, I know when I'm not wanted" Mr Rabbit urged.
"Very well. Come baby!" Rabbit meaningly left him all on his own, taking the children down the tunnel.
"Come back! I didn't mean it!" Mr Rabbit pleaded, looking sad to see his family leave him like that.
"Some creatures just never learn do they?" Squirrel deadpanned on Mr Rabbit as she started to help dig him out of the pile.
Still down in the pool pit together, the animals and Loveday were really enjoying themselves. This was their most relaxing part of their journey and it felt almost like a holiday to them.
"This is the life eh mateys!" Toad croaked cheerfully, jumping into the water he made a rather big splash which landed right in Lovedays resting face.
"Hey! Watch it!" Loveday got up coughing the water out of her nose and mouth. She heard Fox and Vixen laughing at her on the shore.
Loveday smirked to them "I suppose you think it is funny do you?".
"Don't even think about Loveday" Fox warned as he saw the human place a hand in the water and threw a soggy water strip, making them a little drenched on their fur coats. The foxes didn't matter anyway they all had a good laugh afterwards.
"Got you that time I did" Loveday laughed as she trembled through the water back to shore.
"Don't make a habit out of it though will you?" Fox chuckled while he and Vixen admired each other's reflections.
"It so peaceful, like a different world here" Vixen softly spoke to Fox as they looked at the secluded landscape in front.
"No humans" Fox agreed in a dreamily tone "If only they'd follow Lovedays example, then life itself would be different for us and we wouldn't be running for our lives from them".
"Lovedays not the only one who detests about it you know. Not all humans hunt, some are mostly good because they run nature reserves like this White Deer Park of yours, wasn't it Loveday who recommend that it was all real?" Vixen reminded.
"Yes it is true and some humans actually go home from hunting us to pet their dogs and their horses" Fox remembered "I tell you there is no understanding why humans are such complicated beings. Expect for Loveday I'll never really understand them".
"Still we must be fair" Vixen nuzzled up next to him lovingly "Let's just forget all about the hunt as we know it and anything connected to it. I can't imagine what Loveday would be thinking if we spoke behind her back, it'll really upset her".
Fox sighed as he nuzzled her back "Yeah your right, Lovedays been my closest friend ever since we began our journey and If she'd refused to be our guardian then I don't know what I'd do without her".
"neither would I to be exact" the foxes turned to see Loveday was sitting behind them sliding on her shoes. When she was drying herself off she heard what the Foxes were talking about admiringly. "Living among beside you and the animals all this time gave me that feeling of belonging once again, the same way me and my Grandma used to feel for one another. And I tell you it's the best thing you've ever done for me, you saved my life by not sharing this adventure, it was being here with you and Badger and all the rest. And that's why I'm crazy enough to call you all my family because I love you".
"You are always welcomed among our family too Loveday, you do belong here with us and we love you as well" Fox smiled warmly as she came to sit with them.
"Yes, we really do enjoy your close company like all the others" Vixen nodded "I just hope that you won't be too lonely when we get to White Deer Park, it may be difficult living on your own".
"Trust me, I've been living a lone wolf before I even knew I was a feral psychic" Loveday reassured.
"What's is a wolf?" Fox asked.
"Let's just say?...it's a powerful canine creature that lives faraway" Loveday defined "How are you coping on this journey Vixen?".
"Quite enjoying it, thank you" Vixen replied, "Look at Owl and Kestrel" they all turned to see the birds busily ruffling up their feathers, enjoying a nice bathe by scooping up water over themselves.
"At first I thought Owl was the leader" Vixen chuckled, all three laughed with amusement.
"To be honest, I think Owls just upset that she wasn't chosen instead to be in charge" Loveday laughed.
"Look at the hares with squirrel" Vixen pointed to them leaping and playing on and off between the rocky bands and islands.
"Cute" Loveday commented "Looks like their having fun".
On the bank, the hare's and Squirrel took a breather from their little game of chase.
"This place is just perfect" Mrs Hare remarked "I feel so safe, couldn't we stay?".
"But there are no trees" Squirrel protested.
"Hares don't need trees" Mrs Hare pointed out.
"Excuse me? But Toad says White Deer Parks not far now" Hare persisted to his wife.
"That's true and look what happened to the field mice when they thought they'd found a home" Squirrel reminded.
"Yeah we must stick together" agreed Hedgehog who'd joined them.
Loveday and the fox couple were still observing their friends "And look at Mole!" Vixen said.
They watched as Mole and Toad were busy splashing about catching or digging up worms right from underneath their wet feet. They were eating too many and were throwing them right into their mouths.
"Oh he's so greedy" Vixen noted.
"Haha, Toads almost as bad" Fox laughed.
"Those two really like to eat but they could do with watching their waistlines" Loveday teased.
As the three continue to sit silently watching their friends with delightfulness.
"Good Evening!" said a distant friendly voice.
Looking up at the cliff behind them, they saw the same heron from earlier, balancing at the top looking down on them.
"May I introduce myself!" he asked shyly.
"Oh! How do you do?" greeted Fox with a pleasant smile.
"Oh all the better for seeing you" the heron replied nicely, he opened his wings and came gracefully down making that odd whistling sound every time he flapped.
"I hope we aren't intruding?" Vixen respectfully asked as he landed in front.
"Oh no! Guests are always welcome" the heron said looking pleased to see them here.
"Thank you" Loveday said, "What's your name?".
"Call we Whistler, everyone else does" he said before noticing with surprise that he was talking to a human girl "you can understand me?" he asked Loveday.
"Yes of course I do" Loveday answered, "I'm a feral psychic".
"a…a what?" the heron was confused.
"Don't you worry old son, Lovedays a friend of ours" Fox calmed him.
"Oh really? My apologises" Whistler said to Loveday "I didn't realise".
"That's alright. I'm used to getting that reaction everywhere I go" Loveday confessed.
"I hope you won't mind me asking but-" Fox didn't want to appear rude to their host.
"The whistle?" Whistler read his mind without threat "Hmm…someone mistook me for a pheasant, took a pot-shot. Winged me. Air goes straight through it when I'm flying, makes a whistling noise". He stretched up his damaged left wing to show the visible hole.
Some of the creature thought he looked peculiar and were giggling when he gently flapped them to demonstrate "Everyone knows when I'm coming" he shrugged.
"Oh my gosh!" Loveday reacted.
"Wouldn't do for me" Owl shook her head "I hunt by stealth".
"Do you now?" Whistler asked looking competitive.
"Yes I do!" Owl made herself clear.
"Well fish don't hear me; in the water you see. Tell you what I'll catch you some for breakfast, watch this!" He flew up very excitedly.
"What an exhibition" Owl grumbled "Surely you're not impressed are you Fox?".
To Owls disappointment everybody around her was watching with aww. They minded the sporty heron and payed no attention to Owls regular complaining.
"Coor!" Fox gasped with enthusiasm. The heron was unlike any bird they've seen before, that sound he made when he flew was very catchy.
"A wise leader is never influenced by mere show-offs, I wouldn't be" Owl continued "but then of course, my wisdom is legendary. What do you think Adder?...Adder!".
Adder was resting behind a rock so not to be disturbed. When she heard Owl calling her name she came slithering out to see the noisy heron bulleting her way forward. She gasped when he came straight for her like a dragon hunting its prey and hid herself right under the rock for safety.
When Whistler made a sharp swoop turn right against the animals, Mrs Hedgehog screamed and rolled herself into a ball. Thumbing down into the water with a plop.
"Your wife seems to like swimming" Hare said to Hedgehog.
"Yeah she's frightened of the heron you see. Always rolls up when she's frightened, we both do" Hedgehog explained before shouting over to his mate "It's alright dear he's a friend!".
Weasel was flabbergasted to see Adder looking so scared. This was a rare thing for her to witness. "There you are!" she shouted to her beneath the rock.
Not looking so pleased Adder said, "Somebody ought to tell that heron about the oath".
"Scaredy snake! Scaredy snake!" Weasel sang like a rotten child.
"Weasel stop that!" Loveday scolded her "Leave Adder alone".
"Oh your no fun Loveday" Weasel groaned as she ran away from her.
"Help! Help!" cried Mrs Hedgehog, she was having trouble getting herself out of the water. Loveday quickly hurried herself over to the drowning hedgehog.
"Hold on, I'll get you out!" she said as she stretched her arms and grabbed her prickly body out from underneath the water with her bare hands. The prickles didn't bother her skin at all.
"Thank you Loveday" Mrs Hedgehog coughed "But I can swim perfectly well on my own".
"Sure you can, come on I'll help dry you off. Why don't you and your mate join me for lunch, I was about to get something from my bag" Loveday offered carrying her back to safety.
"That would be nice of you" Mrs Hedgehog smiled "that heron nearly frightened me half to death".
"I'm sure he didn't mean it" Loveday said getting out her towel "Whistler's only trying to be kind. He's already caught quite a load of fish, he's very good".
"I don't like fish" Mrs Hedgehog huffed while Loveday dried her off on her lap.
"Fine rescue you did there Loveday matey, I was just about to swim over but you beat me to it" Toad laughed.
"Everyone was distracted so somebody had to help" Loveday replied then looked up, "I don't like the look of those grey clouds".
"Well I do" Toad smiled with excitement.
"You would" Loveday nodded.
Dark clouds were suddenly appearing. In seconds they busted out heavy galloping rain.
"Oh dear! It's starting to rain" Vixen noticed.
"Get under here quickly!" Loveday gestured to all the animals. They all retired under a huge cliffside with a roof above to keep themselves dry enough.
"The weather doesn't seem to bother Whistler" Fox noted.
"Or Toad" Vixen added.
"If your born to water you wouldn't be" Loveday confirmed, digging down into her bags inner pockets, she pulled out a few waterproof containers.
Toad felt a drop of jealousy for Whistlers tricks and had a thought of something in vain "Ahoy mateys! I can do what Whistler can, watch me!". Then he dived further out into the deepest part of the pool where Whistler was hungrily stabbing his long bill.
The animals stood to watch. One of the squirrels thought "What I needs is a nice comfy seat to watch this…AH!". Without looking she accidently leaned into Hedgehogs spines.
"Do look where your leaning, I'm not a rock you know!" Hedgehog criticised "me and my wife are eating".
"Seeing all of this fish catching has made me hungry too" Loveday said "Good thing I sealed up these essentials I took back from the farm. The breads still dry as a bone, I think I'll put together a peanut butter sandwich and finish off the chocolate bar".
"Did you just say nuts?" the squirrels both asked excitedly.
"Yes indeed" Loveday answered as she spread it nice and thick "you can have some if you'd like?".
"Yes please"
Vole and the rodents smelt the food Loveday was unpacking and came right over.
"What about us Loveday?, we haven't eaten anything decent and that fish the herons catching won't do us no good" Vole complained looking peckish like the rest.
"Oh…right" Loveday understood and opened up another tin "You Voles and Shrews I think would like to nibble these carrots and you Field mice would be fond of this cheese".
The rodents were amazed to see the boxes full of food to their liking.
"You had this all along?" one of the shrews asked.
"I must've" Loveday nodded as she passed everyone their dishes "Guess I must have forgotten".
"Well it's about time we smaller animals got what we truly deserved, why doesn't the bigger animals take better care of us like you do Loveday?" Vole admitted as he and the rest tucked into Lovedays food without a care.
"Better watch out Loveday" Fox notified "Don't want to hurt Whistlers feelings by feeding everyone do you?".
"I'm sure he'll understand that Lovedays only feeding all the vegetarians" Vixen certified "We've got plenty of fish for the meat eaters".
Back sitting on a rock, Toad eventually caught up to Whistler "Ahoy there Whistler! Lets see if I can catch a fish too!". After jumping in, Toad swam deep through the grey murky water until he'd nearly captured a tiny fish right in his green flippered hands.
When he failed his first attempt he came back up and turned to Whistler with determination "I want to learn how to fish like you" he panted.
"Toads don't catch fish" Whistler contended with worry.
"Well I do, I'll show ya!" Toad refused vainly "I'll do it if it kills me" he said going back underwater.
"Who's ever heard of a fishing toad?" Loveday thought after ultra-hearing from a distance.
"Now we have two exhibitionists" Adder whispered to Owl.
"Toad needs little or no encouragement at the best of times" Owl remarked.
"He needs teaching a lesson" Adder ridiculed.
"Too true Adder" Owl smiled "Pride comes before a fall, or so they say".
Loveday turned to them "Um…Owl the pronunciation is pride goeth before a fall"
"Excuse me Loveday but I was talking to Adder" Owl excused trying to not look embarrassed then she felt.
"Oh never mind" Loveday said as she saw Whistler generously add another freshly caught fish to the pile.
"Whistler you're soiling us" Vixen convinced as she and Fox ate up their last filling.
"You'll have us as fat us Toad and Mole" Fox chimed with amusement.
"I could save a few fish by putting some in my bag for later?" Loveday offered.
"He hasn't come up yet" Mole nervously spoke.
"Uh?...Who's that Mole" Badger asked him.
"Toad! He hasn't come up" Mole explained.
"Now that you've mentioned it Mole, you're right. Toads been underwater way longer than usual" Loveday observed anxiously.
"Perhaps he's so full of worms, he's sunk" Owl sneered.
"Toad!...Toad where are you!" Loveday called out. At that particular moment Toad came back up, conceitedly holding a fish right in his fist.
"Look what I've got!" he shouted across.
"Look there he is. He's caught a fish!" Mole pointed with impress.
"So he has" Loveday nodded then she was sure to be seeing something enormous and dark beneath the water. It was heading straight for Toad.
"Uh?...Toad! you better watch out!" Loveday cried, but Toad didn't hear her.
"Told you I could eh? Hehehe…AAAAH!" Toad laugh with pride as the dark shape came beneath him. Then without warning Toad got seized down by it aggressively.
Loveday and the others shocked with horror.
"OH NO! somethings happened to him" Vixen alerted.
"What was that thing?" Loveday asked them. Evidently a fish that was traitorous to its size was leaping in and out of the water. Gluttonously trying to gulp down Toad who was half in, half out of its jaws.
"Oh No!" Fox gasped as he saw it.
"Toad!" Loveday shouted.
"I say? That old carps got him" Whistler noticed.
"He's too fat to swallow" Adder pointed.
"Just as well Adder, Toads the only one who knows the way to White Deer Park" Owl thought back.
"Serves Fox right for trusting a toad" Adder criticized.
"Shield his eyes, he mustn't see this!" Mr Rabbit anxiously told his wife to cover their sons face.
"But I want to see, I want to!" the baby rabbit resisted.
"It's better that you don't" Loveday warned him "Please someone help Toad?"
"Whistler! Can you do anything to help?" Vixen desperately asked.
"My pleasure. I've been after that carp for years" Whistler obliged with ambition written on his face. He flew up very determined and effortless. Then just as he caught up to where the great carp was splashing, he sturdily lunged downwards with his long beak stabbing and he pulled it back up again. This time carrying the big thrashing carp in his grip.
"He's got him!" Loveday pointed as she and the animals held their breaths for Toad. Whistler carefully tossed the fish back onto the bank, hitting the ground made the carp open its mouth and Toad dropped out, laying perfectly still in front of the animals.
"Toad! Oh no!" Fox gasped as he looked at him with worry.
"Is he dead?" the baby rabbit asked.
All of a sudden Weasel pushed Owl and Adder aside roughly "Make way! Make way!" she shouted, picking Toad up by the back legs.
"Don't jump on him Weasel you'll squash him" Badger firmly told her.
"Do you know what your doing?" Loveday asked Weasel.
"Sure! I've done this before" Weasel nodded. Hanging Toad off in her paws Weasel violently shook him hard. Water came pouring out of his mouth and soon he recovered with very baffled eyes.
"Hooray! Hooray!" the animals cheered for their amphibian friend.
Although Whistler went up to see him first "Are you alright Toad?" he asked.
While regaining his breath Toad panted "…Yeah…Thank you!…" he said with gratitude for the heroic heron.
"Oh the pleasure was mine" Whistler smiled proudly.
"You gave us quite a scare there Toad" Loveday said with relief.
"I'm sorry Loveday" Toad replied before looking at the dying carp which tried to swallow him, "Poor thing" he muttered very sorry for it "Do you think you could throw it back?" he requested.
"I beg your pardon?" Whistler asked confused by this strange senseless favour.
"He's out of his senses!" Adder snapped at Toad.
"No I'm not!" Toad argued seriously "I just can't bear to see it gasping like that". The fish was gasping the life out of itself.
"Stupid Toad!" Adder coldly shouted "It was trying to swallow you" she pointed mercilessly at it.
Toad just ignored her and looked beggingly at Whistler "Please Whistler?...one last favour".
"Hm…I don't know?" Whistler wasn't too sure why; he'd never done anything like that for anybody before. But Loveday seemed to know perfectly well and gently went up.
"It would be a compassionate thing if you did" Loveday joined "that fish may of course try to do the same thing, but its old and it would be ashamed to not let it die in peace".
Being amazed by this, Whistler feeling woeful then understood "Well if you put it that way". Without further ado the heron raised the fish resistantly in his beak and flew back to release his prize back in the pool.
"What a sacrifice" Vixen remarked.
"You realise he's been trying to catch that fish for years" Fox reminded looking both influenced and displeased.
"I'm sorry if I made things worse" Loveday apologised "I know being too soft is sometimes regarded as naïve".
"Oh I wouldn't think so Loveday" Badger spoke "Toads probably realised after facing death, that every life is worth sparing".
"That does happen regularly" Loveday agreed as they saw the heron fly back "Let's hope that Whistler isn't too upset".
"I'm sorry matey" Toad contritely said to Whistler "what a way to reward you for saving me eh? Make ya throw your fish back".
"It does seem a bit odd" Whistler said thoughtfully out loud. He was sad that he may never catch the fish again but a new admiring feeling flashed over him to rethink about the act.
"The oaths changed us Whistler" Fox explained "Before we started out on this journey to White Deer Park, we'd none of us think for a moment about throwing back a fish like that but now-".
"Live and let live" Badger quoted "that's our motto".
"You see, fighting for our continued safety was what brought on us our change of behaviour, including our ways of living. Like me being here for example" Loveday added.
"Well?...it makes a change, I must say" Whistler said, his interest for the new comers had made him feel like a different bird altogether "you know I do find you animals and your human rather intriguing".
"He'll be asking if he could come with us next, hahaha" Weasel joked.
"Hmmm?...Not a bad idea that" Whistler paced deep in thought "the more I talk to you, the more I begin to wish I were traveling with you".
"But its nice here" Adder argued.
"True, but it gets a bit lonely you know. Lots of ducks and fish of course but…are there any herons at White Deer Park?" Whistler asked timidly.
Toad immediately remembered "Now you've come to mention it. I did see one or two".
"Uh…Female herons?"
"Now there you got me matey…can't tell the difference see" Toad said in a joking manner. This caused everyone (Except for Adder) to laugh.
"That's a good one" Loveday laughed.
"And he's guiding us, ridiculous" Adder hissed.
"You're perfectly welcome to come along with us if you want to" Loveday welcomed "We already acquired a new friend and it won't be any strain having one more".
"And you might be lucky to find a mate Whistler…I was" Fox looked tenderly at Vixen who returned the look back.
"If we ever get there" Weasel said sarcastic, looking directly at Toad "Toads a bit accident prone".
"Yes! From now on Toad you'd better stick close, no going off on your own right" Fox reprimanded toward him.
"We were very lucky to have met Whistler otherwise you might not have been so lucky at this stage" Loveday made clear.
"You see Toad. You really are too important to lose; we must take care of you" Vixen reasoned.
Toad was astonished to hear this "I-I'm important?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yes" Vixen nodded.
"Definitely, you need to rely on us as much as we do for you Toad" Loveday added as she picked Toad up in her hands "Remember you promised to get us to White Deer Park, so you need to remember that more often".
Toad gave a big blush and started to jump joyfully on Lovedays hands "Ooh hoohoohoo I'm important! I'm important!" then soon he kart wheeled right off. Whooping to himself endlessly in high spirits.
"Was that wise Fox?" Owl asked with concern.
"It was kind Owl" Fox supported his beloved mate.
"Of course, Owl is right. We should've asked her advice on how best to take of Toad" Vixen advocated unexpectedly.
"Um…if you say so dear" Fox sheepishly smiled.
Loveday hid her giggles then turned to Owl "Yes, were sorry for not taking heed to you Owl".
"Well?...I shall strive to make a willing exception" Owl said to Loveday "And now Whistler wants to join us".
"You'll have ta take the oath" Adder dictated as she came up on the log Owl was perched to.
"Oath?" questioned Whistler.
"The Oath of mutual protection" Fox described.
"And so shall you my dear" Owl said with a little cheeky grin "Fox's mate cannot be exempt".
"I say!-" Badger irritated Owls behaviour.
"I shall be glad to take the oath" Vixen said excitedly.
"Wonderful" Loveday beamed "It's alright Badger. Go on, give it to them".
"Uh?...alright then" Badger cleared his throat to start the annunciation "repeat after me". Very soon they went through the whole agreement as the animals and Loveday have done before. They all cheered and clapped once it was taken by their new party members. By and by they all started to leave the quarry behind.
Around two hours later, Loveday and the farthing animals were all in a random line with Whistler flying overhead beside Owl and Kestrel. Going across the dry plains with very little cover around them.
A while later Adders body began to tire she poked herself out from Lovedays bag "I'm exhausted, can't we stop?" she asked desperately.
"We're safer moving" Fox replied.
"Safer he says" Adder deadpanned.
"Adder you can't be exhausted, I'm the one who's giving you a ride" Loveday said.
"It's too bumpy for me to sleep in" Adder explained as she looked up "That whistles a sure giveaway".
"Well it's not Whistlers problem" Loveday admitted as she continued.
"Might as well shout it from the treetops? The Animals of Farthing Wood are coming!" Weasel yelled out laughing.
"Shssss!" Fox shushed her "do you think Adders right?" he asked Vixen.
Vixen gave her opinion in a rather dramatic tone which made fox laugh "If we do meet any humans? They'll be staring up at Whistler so hard, we'll be able to pass right under their noses without being seen".
"Even me?" Loveday asked as she passed them.
"I pretty much think so" Vixen suggested.
"That reminds me" Loveday thought to herself "When I last got seen by that hunter, he said that I was a white fox in his eyes. I wonder what that all means?. Maybe I should try summing Kell to tell me if it's a part of being a feral psychic, it could be my disguise".
Some of the animals were also discussing about Whistlers whistle.
"High pitched whine, all morning I've had to put up with it. Gets on my nerves" Mrs Vole complained crossly to Mrs Fieldmouse.
"I like it. Just knowing Whistlers about makes me feel safe" Mrs Fieldmouse disagreed.
While they all continued to travel onward, surprisingly Kestrel was crying out to everyone below her.
"Kee! Kee! You've walked right into the middle of a pheasant shoot! Take care!" she shouted with alarm.
This soon got everyone strucked with stress. They were all having such a good day and it always had to be disrupted by something life threatening. With worry Loveday smelt the thin air until she caught a sweaty stink which meant a dog was on the loose.
"I can smell a dog and gunpowder" Loveday described very concerned "We have to hide!".
"Quick everyone keep together and don't come out until its safe!" Fox instructed the frightened animals, they all started to run all over the place, right into the bushes and long grass.
"Loveday keep an eye on those rabbits, your good with them!" Fox commanded her faithfully as he and Vixen hid deep inside a bush for cover.
"Rodger that Fox!" Loveday replied, she hid down next to the bunnies who were fidgeting uncontrollably. She quickly urged Adder to make room for the babies into her bag and told them to stay well inside. As the human girl and the adult rabbits observed the empty field with the hares next to them, they heard barking coming right their way.
"Oh those dogs!" Vixen shivered to the thought of being chased by the foxhunt "It reminds me".
"Shsss!" Fox calmed her affectionately "With any luck they'll be so busy with the birds, they won't pick up our scent at all".
BANG! BANG! The gun fired out of view.
"Don't panic! Don't panic!" Rabbit clanged onto Loveday for protection with her mate. A dead pheasant fell right in front of them with a shock. Loveday was remembering the unpleasant time when she first saw poor Mrs Pheasant get killed in her eyes, but that made her hold the rabbits protectively in her arms while keeping an eye out for the hunter with her animal eyes.
The hunters dog came to collect the pheasant. It didn't see the eyes stalking amongst the bushes.
"Oh dear! I can't help think about poor Pheasant and his wife" Mrs Hare wept. Her husband shushed her.
Weasel almost gave their game away by her laughter, if it weren't for badger who grabbed her and covered up her mouth with his firm paw. The dog looked in their direction but shrugged it off thankfully.
"Keep still, he'll be back!" Hare whispered.
"Not if I can help" Loveday whispered, she found a few big stones and started to gather them up.
"What are you doing?" Rabbit asked her, but Loveday told her to shush and kindly hid the adult rabbits beside her bag where Adder and the children were peeping through the top. Very cautiously she crawled over to a tree which stood alone in their area and started to climb it very silently while holding onto her stones.
The birds were gathered under near the tree and Whistler accidently flapped his wings to stretch them.
"Be quite!" Kestrel hissed at his noise "You don't want a matching hole in your other wing do you!".
"That would be unfortunate" Whistler said with regret.
"But deserved" Owl whispered to him.
"What did you say?"
"Shsss, I don't want to be taken for a pheasant!" Kestrel glared at the two birds. She soon spotted Loveday in the same tree she was in. She gasped to see the human going up higher until she got a few inches to where she could see the dog coming.
"This'll trick him" Loveday thought as she leaned over to see the dog sniffing the ground near them. With one rock in her fist she threw it down forcefully.
The rock made a noise which distracted the dog away from them. It looked as though it was about to turn back to hunt them.
Again Loveday threw a second time. The noise was to give the dog a warning but it stubbornly refused to turn away.
"Alright! you leave me no other choice" Loveday thought darkly with her eyes fixed on the dog.
She gave a hard toss of the stone; it punched the dog right in the snout. The dog whined and run away crying, but as it was turning to look behind, another stone aimed him right in the rump and this time was gone for good with an aching bottom. The hunter was ashamed to see his dog acting so babyish.
"Did you see that?" Vixen asked with amazement.
"I did. The dog ran away for no reason…unless" Fox turned to see that Loveday wasn't in place with the rabbits.
"Of course…" he realised.
"They're going away" Vixen pointed to the hunter and dog leaving in the distance. This pleased all the animals.
"We need to be sure of that before we go on" Fox told his wife "I think we'd better rest here for a while in this covering".
"Yeah…getting dark" Badger agreed as he looked above at the purple evening sky.
"We'll move at first light" Fox decided "Loveday where are you?".
"I'm up here!" Loveday waved from above. The animals were speechless to see that Loveday had been able to settle herself up in the tree without making any noise. Thanks to her considerate efforts none of the farthing animals got found.
"Care to explain yourself young lady?" Fox asked Loveday with a smirk.
"I don't think I have to" Loveday giggled as she climbed back down the branches, hearing the others laughing along with her. She was mostly thankful to see that the rabbit family was still altogether with no casualties.
"It could've been worst?" Loveday shrugged.
"You helped us again Loveday, thank you" Vixen nuzzled up to her.
"No problem" Loveday blushed, the rabbits and hares soon came to thank her for her help.
"You've certainly taught that dog a thing or two" Hare nudged her shoulder.
"Yes, quite a throw you did up there" Mrs Hare agreed.
"You kept my children safe" Rabbit said with thankfulness.
"Our children you mean?" Mr Rabbit added.
"Your children nearly squashed me" Adder hissed at them "That was my hiding spot".
"Sorry about that Adder, desperate times call for desperate measures" Loveday said.
"I don't know about you lot but…I think that it's time we all went to sleep" Badger yawned.
"Quite right Badger, we've all got a big day ahead of us tomorrow" Fox nodded.
"Well goodnight everyone" Badger said.
"Goodnight" the animals all said and snuggled down separately beneath the bushes and long grass. Leaving only Loveday and the foxes to themselves.
"You know?...if you two go over to that thicket over by the tree I was climbing in, nobody would be able to disturb you both" Loveday suggested "you've both had a busy day, you deserve some alone time".
"I'd thought you were the one who's been having a busy day" Fox said with chuckle "Will you be alright on your own?".
"I'll be comfortable" Loveday assured "Goodnight Fox, Goodnight Vixen" she said blowing them a kiss.
"Night Loveday" said Fox.
"Sleep well" Vixen smiled to the leaving girl.
"Shall we go then?" Fox asked looking seductive toward the thicket.
"Lets" Vixen said, Fox watched her lead on with romance gleaming for her in his eyes. Vixen turned round with a look that tempted Fox over to her without asking. They wildly rubbed against each other romantically and started to lick each other's faces. Feeling both irresistible and desiring to enjoy their night alone together for the very first time ever.
As the night grew darker with a full moon shining down her bewitching moonlight.
Owl was still awake; her mind was raving on about todays events. Secretly she flew over to speak to Whistler who was fast asleep on the grass.
"Well Whistler? And how are you enjoying the journey" Owl asked with sneer
Her interruption woke Whistler up with a jolt "Eh?...what?" he asked with a sleepy snort.
"I was just wondering, how you were enjoying the journey!" Owl spoke aloud.
"Well I'm beginning to see why you all stick together Owl, especially why Loveday does. She really is the most extraordinary human I've ever saw. She's rather beautiful if I do say so myself" Whistler honestly spoke to her.
"The sooner we reach White Deer Park the better" said a familiar voice. Owl looked to see that Kestrel was sitting right above.
"Ah Kestrel. I thought you'd be asleep" Owl greeted; she was pleased to see that she wasn't the only one still up.
"I'm anxious about tomorrow" Kestrel said to her friends "we still have a long way to go and there's just no telling what we might have to face next?".
"Only he who is without hope, is without anxiety but he who is without anxiety is at peace" Owl quoted prideful.
"Oh shut up!" all the creatures sleepily yelled at her.
"Hmm…nobody understands me" Owl said pitiful to herself.
Authors notes:
Yay! this story's had over 3000 views already!.
Hi guys, i hope my next chapter was alright? i really enjoyed writing it and introducing Whistler to the gang. And I'm even more pleased that I saved the baby rabbit who gets shot in this episode, it was so sad for me when i was young.
Remember to comment if you want and I look forward to posting the next chapter sometime next mouth.
hope you're all doing well? see you next time.
Good summer to you all in the north, or winter if you live on the south side of earth.