Heart of The Storm

[Esme]

The guards dragged Iris along the ground, even as she bit and fought to get to her sister, Daisy.
Tears were pouring down Daisy's face, and her mouth opened and closed, but not one sound emerged, even as she reached a paw desperately towards Iris. They just managed to touch paws briefly, and then they were ripped apart again.
'Gah, these two're tough, ain't they?' Snarled one of the rats dragging Daisy.
The stoat dragging Iris cuffed her around the back of her head. 'Th'two of'em are sisters. Got taken ten years back tog'ther. Th'older 'ne's been fighting constantly to keep tog'ther ever since.'
He drew a dagger, and pressed it to Iris's throat. 'Stop yer fighting, already. Orders are that yer t'stay tog'ther anyways.'
Iris froze. Not because of the dagger at her throat, but because of the one now pressed to Daisy's, too. Their gazes met, frantic, but neither of them moved, apart from the furious paw signing flying between them.
"Daisy, don't move. Not one muscle, understand?"
"But, Iris...!"
"No buts! Please, Daisy-they aren't like our old masters! They will kill us!"
Daisy's eyes widened in fear, and Iris knew instantly that she would do as she'd asked. She didn't sigh in relief, though. They weren't safe, not yet.
The two young ottermaids were dragged across the ground, stones digging into them from below, as the gates to a compound were opened. Without any warning, they were thrown inside it, landing straight in a muddy puddle.

[Rausaro]

The cold winter rain pounded unmercifully upon the hard basalt roofs of Stormhold. To any normal creature, it would probably signify the winter seasons; a season to be kin and family, filled with warmth and good food. But those days were long gone for the slaves of Stormhold

In the wood and stone pens that lined the inside section of the outer ring of walls, the conditions were quite different. For the otter slaves family and kin were often long dead, victims of Obsidious, his horde, or the conditions of slavery. Food and Warmth were but a distant, dreamlike memory.

***

For Tala Sunfire, such things had long ago lost any meaning to her; the only warmth she now felt was anger. She shifted uneasily underneath the leaking roof of her pen. Dead The last few days had been a strange blur. Her friend had been unexpectedly executed... And it's all my fault. If only I hadn't drawn Surlo's attention to him... She considered, and the shunted that chain of thought to the side. Surlo's petty enough as it is. He didn't need a reason, he might have been planning to kill him from the start. She clenched her paw in frustration.

The Ottermaid's uneasy brooding was cut short by the sounds of jangling armor. With agility unfitting of her condition, she rose to her feet. Around her, the other slaves wearily rose to stand.

Behind the reinforced door, Tala heard the muffled sound of struggling, and then silence. Before she could react, two young ottermaids were thrust through the door, which immediately clanged shut. Some of the slaves shuffled uncomfortably, not sure what to expect.

The ottermaid quickly rushed to the newcomers, who were lying stunned in the mud. With a firm grip on one of each of the newcomer's wrists, she pulled them out of the sludge, and back to their paws. She looked sympathetically into the faces of the maids, reminded of her younger days as a slave. "Well mates, welcome to Stormhold." The older maid paused, and offered her muddy paw. "I'm Tala."

[Esme]

The two ottermaids gaped at her, then glanced at each other. Suddenly, Daisy ducked behind Iris, clinging to her sister in fear as she peeked out from behind her. Iris blinked at Daisy's reaction, and then looked back up at Tala.
'I... um... I'm Iris. This is Daisy. Um...' Iris accepted the paw, noting the strength in the older otter's paw, despite the condition she was in. 'About Daisy... She's mute. She can't speak.'
Daisy nodded rapidly behind Iris, and then grabbed Iris's paw, whirling her round.
Iris, is she another otter? She looked around, her eyes still wide with fear. What is this place...? Do all otters look like this...? Will Esme look like us when she finds us?
'Daisy, slow down! Yes, Tala's an otter. And I don't know what this place is. No, Esme won't look like we do when she finds us, I swear it to you.' Iris, forced to release Tala's paw, grasped both of Daisy's firmly.
Daisy pulled away, looking at Tala, and smiled as she signed something. Iris managed a tense smile of her own.
'She's sayin' hello. Seein' as she can't talk, she's always used her paws instead. See, the one she's doin' extra slow is the sign for your name, Tala. What is this place, can you tell us? All we know is, our old group o' vermin got absorbed by this lot.'

[Rausaro]

The older ottermaid waited patiently while the two younger otters digested the new surroundings. In a flash, one of the maids hid behind the other. There was a pause, and the lead maid accepted her hand. "I... um... I'm Iris. This is Daisy. Um..." The maid shifted nervously. 'About Daisy... She's mute. She can't speak.' Tala nodded. While it was very uncommon, she had heard tell of fellow creatures who had been either born or injured in a fashion that left them without speech.

Iris quickly turned around to hold what Tala assumed was some sort of conversation. Iris spoke quickly in a reassuring manner to her sister. "Daisy, slow down! Yes, Tala's an otter. And I don't know what this place is. No, Esme won't look like we do when she finds us, I swear it to you."

Both otters turned around. Daisy smiled, and made curious gestures with her hand. Iris explained. "She's sayin' hello. Seein' as she can't talk, she's always used her paws instead. See, the one she's doin' extra slow is the sign for your name, Tala. What is this place, can you tell us? All we know is, our old group o' vermin got absorbed by this lot."

Tala smiled, but shook her head. "Not here, where they can 'ear you." The ottermaids looked puzzled, but Tala was firm. "I'll explain later. First, let's get under cover. There's a nice berth over 'ere. Then yew can tell me everything yew wish.

***
Once they had settled in dry corner under cover, away from the other otters, Tala explained the situation to the maids. "You asked what this place was... This is Stormhold. Home of th' Darkfire Horde and Obsidious Bane... a nasty piece o' work. Most o' us are survivors from his raids on th' north coast. I was about yor' age when I came 'ere." She folded her arms across her chest, considered what they had told her about the vermin. "If'n yor' group got absorbed, then that must mean ol' Obsidious is on th' move again..."

Noticing the distressed look on the faces of Iris and Daisy, she quickly changed the subject, loathe to burden them with another problem so soon. Now's not the time to tell them why I had them keep quiet, though. "Yew said ye' were from another group? Where did ye' come from? Are yew sisters?"

[Esme]

Iris frowned as she wrapped her arms around her legs. 'Aye, we're sisters. We were born down in Mossflower, in a small Holt that Pa set up. We were taken from our home with our Ma near on ten years ago, now. Ma didn't survive even a score o' days-she died trying to defend us. Pa was killed in the attack on our Holt. Th' only surviving member of our family who isn't a slave is Esmerelda, our eldest sister.'

Daisy tugged on her arm, and then pointed to a drawing of a daisy she'd made in the ground. Iris nodded before explaining to Tala.

'The morning of the attack, Esme actually showed Daisy how to make her mark on things. We've been usin' it ever since to tell her which way the vermin took us. We know she's been followin', because she left her own mark when she found Daisy's.'

Iris wrote Esme's name next to the flower that Daisy had drawn before continuing. 'We haven't seen any of her marks in a while now, though. Why did ye not wish t'speak where others could hear, Tala? Is somethin' goin' on that we should know of?'

[Rausaro]

Tala considered what the two maids had told her; it reminded her deeply of the events that had set up her life in Stormhold. But the part of most interest to her was the fact that a freebeast was looking for these slaves. The slightest inkling of a plan was starting to form itself in her mind, but it would depend on how far away the older sister was.

Iris continued. "We haven't seen any of her marks in a while now, though. Why did ye not wish t'speak where others could hear, Tala? Is somethin' goin' on that we should know of?". The older maid sighed at Iris's question. "Unfortunately, mate, not all slaves can be trusted t' 'old a secret. I've 'eard tell of a few loose tongues willing to spill a secret to the guards for a bit of fish or ale. Slavery can do that t' some."

She watched as Iris and Daisy considered this. "Yew can trust me, though." Tala clenched her fist, remembering with anger the previous week. "I'll tell ye' why later." She looked at the position of the sun through the misty clouds, and noted the time. "First, we need t' deal with a more pressing manner. What are ye' skilled at?" The older slave hoped that the maids had some skill with fishing. Their long term safety, and her plan, depended on it.

[Esme]

Iris huffed. 'We can both swim, and Daisy can cook pretty good. I'm more of a swimmer than she is, though.'

Daisy nodded her agreement. I don't like swimming like Iris does, but I can do it if I have to, I suppose.

Iris translated for her, and stretched her footpaws out from their cramped position. 'Why do ye want to know, Tala? What have these vermin-' she spoke the question quietly, keeping in mind what Tala had just told them about spies amongst the slaves '-done to ye? Yore anger is easy to feel, and I'm surprised that yore not scaring Daisy, if I'm honest, mate.'

Daisy screwed up her nose. It's not that easy to scare me, Iris!

[Rausaro]

The ottermaid turned back to Iris. "If yew 'ave a useful skill, yew might be lucky and get out of the worst labor. If ye' don't...." She shrugged. "I could use yer' help if'n ye' know how to fish. Fishin' feeds better, anyway."

While Tala felt compassion for her new fellow slaves, she wasn't quite ready to let them in on her plan, or the fact that she even had an idea to escape. Tala shook her head. Only a week ago, she wouldn't have even considered putting this plan to the test. Now, though, with her family, friends, and even Rau dead, she was ready to gamble everything on her part. There wasn't much more she could lose, was there? But then again, what if the plan soured? What if....

'Why do ye want to know, Tala? What have these vermin'.... "done to ye? Yore anger is easy to feel, and I'm surprised that yore not scaring Daisy, if I'm honest, mate."

She blinked in surprise, realizing that she had been clenching her paw hard, and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry if'n I've been a bit on edge. They just took one o' my friends th' other day.... permanently." As she looked up at the rafters, her voice dropped to a quiet whisper that only she could hear. "An I intend t' pay them back. Soon."

[Esme]

Iris's eyes narrowed. 'Thievin' scum.' She muttered angrily beneath her breath. The scars on her back, scars she'd gained defending Daisy, stretched with her skin, and she palmed her shoulder, where one of the worst lay.

Daisy caught her paw, her eyes kind as she smiled, knowing what Iris was thinking. Why don't we teach her my signs, Iris? That way we can talk to her without fear of being overheard by others. That has to be better, right?

'Aye, Daisy, it would. Tala, Daisy wants t'know if ye'd like t'learn her signs. That way, we'll be able to speak withou' anyone here hearin' us.' Iris smiled grimly. 'Twould definitely be better, I think, than talkin' out loud where that lot can hear us.'

She nodded towards the otters outside their tiny lean to, some of whom were still watching the three of them with interest. After what Tala had told them about spies for the vermin, she knew they would have to be incredibly cautious.

It would be worth it for Iris, though. If she could find a way to get daisy out, then she would take it, and stuff the consequences. Her priorities would always be Daisy's health and safety, nothing more, nothing less.

[Rausaro]

Iris spoke to to her sister, and then to Tala, interrupting the otter's thoughts. "Aye, Daisy, it would. Tala, Daisy wants t'know if ye'd like t'learn her signs. That way, we'll be able to speak withou' anyone here hearin' us.' Tala froze for a second, caught off guard by the ottermaid's offer. 'Twould definitely be better, I think, than talkin' out loud where that lot can hear us.'

Tala nodded, pleased at Iris's clever suggestion. If it could be taught, then Daisy's language would be a much safer way to converse. I'd love to see the guards try t' piece those gesture t'gether. Probably would just think we're addled in the brain from too little food.

"Aye mate, if'n ye' can teach me, I'd be willing t' give it a shot. Th 'ard part is, when?"

Surlo, the vermin captain in charge of Tala's pen, hadn't been seen in a few days. Why? Tala had no idea. Perhaps he was striken with th' blight, or Obsidious got tired o' him? If only. The real problem was the unfamiliar situation with the new captain. Surlo was easy t' understand, but these new guards... will they pick up on anything quicklike, or will they miss it?... She shoved the thought to the back of her mind. It might be an issue, but for now, the sister's plan was looking good.

She once again toyed with the idea of telling them what she intended to do about the situation, but decided to wait a bit longer. With any luck, at least one o' them will fish with me... I'll tell them then. That stupid kingfisher had better be there, though. If it's not again....

***

Evening saw the otters hunched underneath a corner of the pen cover, as the poor weather had driven the guards indoor early. Talking quietly, Tala filled the new slaves in on what she knew about the fort.

[Esme]

Iris and Daisy listened to everything Tala had to say about the fortress, knowing their lives would depend on it. They looked at each other, and nodded.

'Th'guards that we came with aren't th'brightest, Tala. They might smarten up a little here, but not by much.' Iris stared out at the rain as it came down. 'We'll say we're swimmers, mate, an'Daisy'll just have t'learn fast. There's the good thing abou'her signs-they can be used above and below water jus'the same.'

She knew and understood the anger Tala felt about losing her friend to the guards. If something happened to Daisy, she would rip the vermin that did it to shreds instantly.

Daisy, sensing her sister's emotions, laid a paw on her arm and smiled. Shifting so that Tala would be able to see more clearly, she pointed at herself and signed her name slowly.

Speaking softly so the other otters wouldn't hear, Iris began to translate what Daisy was signing for Tala so she would understand. 'That's Daisy's sign, her name. You already know yours, mate. This one's mine, and' picking up a nearby stick, she showed it to Tala 'th'one she's doin' now is for a stick. Dependin' on how far apart her paws are, it can mean a branch or a log, too. Th'wider it goes, the larger th'item she's tellin' ye about.'

[Rausaro]

OOC: Dropping most of the accent, FYI. T'was a bit hard to write those parts.


While learning Daisy's language was a bit unusual, it was welcome, even enjoyable, distraction for an otter devoid of entertainment for years. The form was quite different, though some of the basic symbols seemed to burn themselves into her mind. Tala absently wondered how many symbols actually existed.

Daisy continued, showing her Daisy's variable word/gesture for sticks.

"So, this way, eh?" She practiced signing back her name, Daisy's name, and then Iris's. A question suddenly struck Tala. "How did ye' originally create the symbols for the names? Were Ye' taught, or did you two come up with this by yourself?"


***
It's late. It had been an interesting evening, no doubt, but the ottermaid remembered wearily that the morning would be upon them all too soon. She looked up. The cold, sleet bearing clouds had vanished, leaving the brilliant full moon exposed in the dark. She looked over at the two maids sound asleep next to her. This prison is no place for you, she thought.

[Esme]

Daisy stirred, and carefully sat up, trying not to disturb Iris. Looking over to Tala, and seeing she was awake, she smiled.

Tala? Why are you still awake? Daisy shifted slightly so that she was leaning against a nearby post before continuing, signing slowly so the older otter would be able to see what she was saying. The stars are beautiful at night, aren't they?

She pointed up at the sky, now clear of clouds, and continued with what she wanted to say. Iris says that something so beautiful shouldn't exist in a world like ours, but I think she's wrong. If we had no beauty to see, we would only see the ugliness.

[Rausaro]

Tala smiled at Daisy's sage words, and whispered. "You're right, mate." Before, the bright stars and the full moon had almost felt like a mocking presence above the filthy slave pen, hinting tantalizingly at something she had never known, but only hoped for. Freedom

The ottermaid responded to Daisy with the signs she that she knew. Even then, mate, don't forget; not all beauty worth living for can be seen. Even if Obsidious took the stars away, he can't take away what's inside of us.

Together, the two maids continued to watch the twinkling points in the midnight sky.

***
The sound of the gates opening abruptly woke Tala from the pleasent dream she had been having; a pity. It wasn't often that she slept soundly. And what was I dreaming about, anyway? She thought.

One quick glance slowed her pace, as she realized that it was a guard removing the buckets of last day's food and water. They had a few minutes yet, it seemed.

With her strong paws, she brushed off the caked mud in a small cloud of dust, and then quickly woke Daisy and Iris. Tala motioned for them to line up among the other slaves preparing for food. A s they lined up, a ferret named Ridgeback entered the pen and walked the line, counting the heads of the otters as they waited.

Apparently satisfied, he rushed out of the gate. The ottermaid took a quick glance at her friends. Iris and Daisy, hold on. Don't do anything to draw any attention from the new Captain, she quickly signed. As she did so, she fervently hoped that the guards would mistake her signals for that of nervous fidgeting.

As if on que, a familiar figure entered the gate, but it wasn't the new Captain. Surlo.....Oh no. She took one last look at Daisy. This isn't going to be good.

[Esme]

The instant that the weasel stepped into the slave pen, Iris's eyes narrowed slightly. He was in a foul mood, and she suspected that it had something to do with the bandage wrapped around his arm. Either way, he was a threat, and she knew he would likely stop in front of her and Daisy, if only because they were new to the pen.

Daisy, do you remember what we practiced? Where I spoke for you without moving my lips and you moved yours? We're going to do that again, understand?

Daisy had just enough time to nod slightly before he was stood in front of them, the pain of his injury having made him visibly angrier than he would normally be.

'I'd say welcome t'Stormhold, but this ain't a place fer yew to'ave fun. Yore here t'work. Wot can ye do? Speak up, now, and quick, or ye'll feel my whip across yore faces!'

Iris didn't hesitate to answer. 'We can both fish, Sir, but we can't do much else.' She kept her gaze fixed straight on the ground in front of her, hoping that that would satisfy him.

The whip handle across her face said otherwise. Knocked back, she clutched her jaw, gasping for breath through the pain, but knew she had to stay where she was. Getting up would make it seem as if she was fighting back.

'I didn't ask just yew, yew stoopid otter. I want t'hear wot she can do' he jerked the whip handle at Daisy, who was crying now in fear. 'From'er. Unnerstand?'

Iris breathed through the pain as she managed a reply. 'Yes, Sir... I understand...'

'Good. Now, then... Let's hear what yew've got t'say, shall we?' The captain used the same whip handle to tip Daisy's chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. 'Well? Speak up, will yer!'

Iris vowed then and there to kill him for his treatment of Daisy, who was visibly scared, now. She signed for Daisy to mouth the words as she 'spoke' for her without moving her mouth. They'd worked hard to perfect this, but didn't have to use it very often. In fact, this was the first time this year that they'd had to.

'I'm th'same, Sir. I can fish, but nothin'else. I can't cook or anythin' like that.'

He nodded, satisfied with her answer, and then struck her as well. 'Tha's f'not speakin'up before.' he spat at her where she lay next to Iris, sobbing quietly, and then stamped on their footpaws.

'Are ye gettin' up or not, yew worthless lumps? Ye've work t'do, so get on with it! Ye're both on fishin' duty!'

He stalked away from them as they scrambled up, Iris keeping her face hidden as her eyes blazed with anger. He would die doubly hard for that strike on Daisy, and she would gladly make sure of it.

[Rausaro]

Tala stood stock still as the malicious weasel stalked by her, internally fuming.

Despite her cold fury for the obvious brutality the weasel captain had shown to the maids, Tala was secretly relieved that he hadn't caught on to Daisy's muteness. If he had? He probably would have made an example out of her. It wasn't a pleasant thought to think about.

The otter-maid wearily glanced at the bown whip on the hip the the Captain as he passed her, and remembered the story behind it with dread and anger. It was best if left unmentioned. Surlo's cruelty was famous among the slaves, especially when he was bored. And he was often bored. Still, the rumor vine had it that Obsidious himself was getting tired of the rash of dead slaves, and had put a halt to the worst excesses, though "Worst" was relative.

As the slaves dispersed, Tala rushed over to her friends. With a quick movement, she pulled Daisy up into a firm hug. "I'm so sorry, mate..."

[Esme]

Daisy wrapped her arms around Tala, sobbing frantically. She'd been beaten before, of course, but she'd always known why then. What she couldn't see, of course was Iris's face as she stood, the uncontrolled rage that filled her sister's eyes.

Tala. I'm guessing you have a plan to take that one out. And I want in. Whatever you do, don't let Daisy know. She's too gentle for such things.

The look on Iris's face was enough to say that she meant what she was saying, but as the guards closed in on them, she quickly schooled it, effectively removing it as if it had never existed, just in time for Daisy to lift her face and scrub at her eyes, sniffling a little.

[Rausaro]

After a few moments of embracing, Tala gently pulled away. "Come on, Daisy. We need to keep moving." The older otter patted Daisy on the shoulder, and led her by her paw towards the gate. It hurt to see her like this.

Daisy hadn't caught her sister's look, but Tala had. It was a classic look of pure hatred. Oh, she remembered what it felt like; but she hoped her friend would exercise caution. A few of the hardier slaves had already perished for resisting. Rumors persisted of a few Sea Otters who had defied that, but.... rumors were rumors.

Once we get to the river, I'll talk to them about the kingfisher. Maybe it can help track down some help. I just hope it co-operates. She glanced up at the gate as the three were led through, towards the dark pine forest an hours march away. Those fisherbirds.....

***
The cold winter sun shined down on the three otters and the five guards selected to watch them. Though the going was sometimes muddy, the ottermaid reveled in the fresh air, free of stone walls and the stench. She noticed a few early robins winging overhead, and wondered if the spring would be a warm one.

She looked down at Daisy. The maid, though still distressed, seemed to be happier out of the pen. A pity she had to go through this; such an innocent creature didn't deserve slavery. Off to her side, she could almost feel Irises's brooding. Thankfully, the guards were too dense to care.

Before long, they reached the pine forest.

[Esme]

Daisy soon forgot about the pain in her jaw when they entered the forest. There was beauty everywhere, when you knew how to look for it, and if there was something Daisy knew to look for, it was hidden beauty.

She'd noticed Iris was feeling down, so when she saw daffodil bulbs sprouting nearby, she gently tugged on her sister's paw and pointed carefully at them so the guards wouldn't see.

Iris followed her sister's gaze to the tiny shoots and couldn't help a small smile that tugged at her lips. I should have known she would notice something... She nodded her agreement, just as a robin landed on a nearby branch. The robin trilled at them, and then hopped a little closer.

She was about to reach out to it when one of the guards cut it down with his sword.

'Ha! That'll make a good meal, won' it, Stinker?'

'Ol'Cap'n Surlo will want that'un, Patchear.' The one named Stinker scratched lightly at his nose, then shrugged and prodded Iris with his spear. 'Come on, yew. Ye've work t'be gettin' on with.'

Iris didn't say anything, too shocked after seeing the mindless cruelty of the vermin. Daisy watched in horror as she moved away, her movements jerky. Turning to Tala, she signed her frantic question.

Tala, what's wrong with her?! She's never been like this before!

[Rausaro]

Tala quickly turned her head over her shoulder. Iris seemed strangely unaware of what was going on around her, and she listlessly moved away. Before she could wander off, the older maid quickly grabbed her left arm and pulled her close. The guards shoved them both forward in response, but didn't follow up. Probably more interested in that poor robin. Daisy started to check on her sister, but Tala signed for her to wait. It was too risky to draw attention to Iris; she dreaded what the oblivious vermin would do to harass them if they put two and two together.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the river. A quick glance revealed that unusually high flooding had taken place during the recent storms; the banks were badly eroded. As if to demonstrate this point, one of the guards gave a yelp and sank up to his knee in sandy mud. She looked closer, examining the normally crystal clear water, now dark and murky with mud and detritus. She thought she saw a long, dark shape.

The ottermaid suppressed a shudder, remembering her dance with the pike a few short weeks ago. Moments later, it became apparent that the shape was merely a piece of rotted wood. She sighed in relief. At least the pike will have moved downstream for now.

If anything, she was actually more concerned about the conditions of the water. The swollen river would be anything but the relatively calm learning environment she had hoped, and she feared the dangers posed by underwater snags in the poor visibility; her friends would have to be especially careful with the collars and chains.

Tala groaned as she considered her options for communication. This gunk is going to make signing a pain. Early on, she had realized that Daisy's form of signing would actually give the otters an advantage underwater; up until now, all communication between swimming otters had been in body language and simple signals. Now, they could "speak" without fear of harassment if the water cleared. And we can't even use it.

Before long, the guards proceed to fit each otter with a chain and collar. Tying the chains to several large, spaced branches to avoid fouling up the chains, the others went to go laze about.

Stinker, as he was called, waddled up to the otters in short order, snarling out his orders to Tala. "You know the rules. Pass them on, or I'll flog yer little mates when we get back. I want six pails of foodstuff by nightfalll." She kept her eyes downcast, playing the role of submissive slave. Idiot. Outwardly, she hid her scorn, keeping her voice timid. "Right, sir." She spun about. "Alright mates, the rules are this. When the lines are pulled, we come in, no matter what. If we resist, we get five lashes. If one of you escapes, our lives are forfeit." She felt the prying eyes of Stinker behind her. "Oh, and we aren't allowed to eat any vittles; we need to collect enough to fill the buckets." She gave the two maids a wink. Trying enforcing that, carrion. The maids needed better food than the slop they got. I guess I'll show them the real rules for food. "Lets get to it."

Confident that the steel collars and long, fine chains would hold them, Stinker moved back to his fellows and promptly napped. Tala was immensely grateful that Surlo wasn't around to keep the vermin on their feet. A small mercy.

With Stinker out of the way, she turned to deal with Iris. The maid was clearly in shock from the cruelty of the vermin. Tala snuck a hateful glance at the napping guards, imagining the many ways she would get her revenge. She sighed. S If only one of those guards would slip into the river; I could have some real fun. Iris would have to let it go, for now. There would be a time for vengeance later.

Iris's silent, dead stare alarmed her greatly. Only a short while ago, she had been burning with anger; this sudden mood shift felt very wrong. Seeing no reaction when she waved her paws in front of Iris's eyes, she swiftly slapped the otter across her dark colored cheek. Daisy frantically signed protest, but Iris was already stirring dazedly. Snap out of it, mate!