<html> <body> Inchoate Carillion, Inconstant Cuckold By Charles Matthias Berchem had both Anson and Ralph took turns keeping a close eye on him for the remainder of their scouting tour through the woods south of the Glen. James's frustration grew with each hour, but it was tempered by the knowledge that come tomorrow he'd be scouting with other Glenners and could put the little misstep behind him. And maybe he'd be able to leave the bell behind this time. Every time he touched its smooth bore he saw the bunny with gaping blood-smeared holes where its ears should have been. How could that have happened? It was just a bell. Even as they passed from the cluttered woodlands to the cleared fields of the Glen, his thoughts strayed back to that moment, a moment that the object dangling from his hip seemed to throb a paean to each time he touched it. But lo, a stir is in the air! He slapped his hand down on its surface to silence the voice that resounded within. James had no desire to find out what was stirring in the air. Ralph glanced back at him, the vole's queer nose twitching as he waved a long-clawed hand. “Is something wrong, James?” The donkey shook his head and snorted. “Nothing. It's good to be back.” “Let's report in,” Berchem said with a flick of his tail. Neither James nor the others objected. Torches were lit all around as evening closed in on the forest glen like a fist. James glanced at the Matthias home, but it was dark within. His hand curled around the bell's broken lip and steadied his heavy breaths. Lord Avery's two boys were standing guard just inside the brewery door. Darien and Christopher were still a head shorter than their father, and they still had the characteristic perpetual twitch common to squirrels, but their expressions were very serious as they fulfilled the duty their father bound them to. They scrutinized them with wide, black eyes, and then motioned for them to come inside, their tails flicking back and forth like bees flitting from flower to flower. Brian Avery was standing over the map as he'd been the previous night, checking off various places with the badger Angus. They both smiled when they saw Berchem and the others approach. “How did it go today?” Brian asked, his voice weary but brave. “Nothing unusual,” Berchem replied without much enthusiasm. “We saw no Lutins nor anyone else for that matter.” “That's good,” Angus said with a faint smile that revealed a few fangs along his jowls. “However,” Berchem added as he glanced back at the donkey, “James nearly got himself killed when he slipped on a stone and took a tumble down a culvert.” Both badger and squirrel turned to him. Lord Avery frowned. “You slipped on a stone?” “I didn't see it,” James admitted, grinding his flat teeth together. “And I wasn't in danger. I caught some trees on the way down and landed safely.” His face darkened. “The mountains are very dangerous, and there won't be trees to catch you if you stumble.” The squirrel sighed and shook his head. “I'm afraid I can't send you into those mountains for now. Get some food and rest. You'll be scouting again tomorrow.” “But,” James blurted, hands and tail quivering. How silently serene a sea of pride! “We'll discuss it again later,” Lord Avery cut him off. “I cannot do it right now. I'm sorry. Go get something to eat and some rest.” James gripped the bell tightly with his right hand to keep it from ringing in his mind, glared once at Berchem, then stormed out of the brewery and into the cold night air. He heard Angus's brusque voice call after him, but no one followed him into the darkness. ---------- Evening settled around the Glen with a somber stillness that made Charles anxious. The woods and snow piles glimmered in the torchlight like a thousand eyes watching and waiting. Into this gap Charles and Erick rode quietly, the hooves of their ponies disturbing the silence as if they were wandering a graveyard and not the Glen's commons. He'd not seen the commons so quiet since Nasoj's attack the previous winter. How barren and miserable it had become. Everyone hid within their homes offering their prayers that the plague would not reach them. Before the only infectious thing that pervaded the Glen had been cheer and a leisured woodland pride. If Kimberly and his children were here, at least he could have some cheer within his home; but even that would be denied to him now. They rode Armivest and Malicon to the stables that Sir Saulius had erected near the Matthias home. There they tended their steeds and gave them oats to sate their hunger while they removed the tack and draped them in blankets to keep them warm through the night. Neither spoke except to offer commands and compliments to the ponies. There were no lights on in his home so Baerle must not have returned from her patrol that day. Charles was not terribly interested in going there either and decided that he would see if he could find James at the Inn later so they might share drinks together. But first he and Saulius needed to report what they had seen and what they had done with the soldiers from Hareford. Lars Hasgkenn's brewery was subdued, but compared to the commons it breathed of life. The twin squirrel boys Christopher and Darien stood guard at the door, their bearing serious despite the faint twitches still visible in their tails and whiskers. They greeted Charles and Saulius as officially as their unbounded enthusiasm could muster before returning to their duties. Beyond them, both rats saw a handful of the equine Polygamites clustered in one corner speaking quietly, while nearby some of the scouts and hunters for the Glen spoke of what they'd seen in the land, and in quieter whispers what they'd heard. Near the bar waited Lord Avery and Angus the badger. They both half-smiled when they noticed the rats. “Sir Saulius, Charles, it is good to see you both safely returned,” Lord Avery said as they approached. Angus stood for them, but the squirrel lord gestured for them all to sit down. “Are you famished? Jurmas has provided an excellent oatmeal mixed with some of last year's maple syrup.” “Aye, that wouldst be most agreeable,” Saulius said with a twitch in his whiskers. “We didst encounter Sir Dupré on the northern road, accompanied by soldiers of Hareford.” “They ventured to the west?” Angus blurted in surprise. The badger's eye ridges lifted noticeably in emphasis. “They usually do not.” “'Twas the ram knight's idea methinks,” Saulius replied with a renewed twitch. “They dost not yet trust him.” “And we should be wary of trusting him ourselves,” Lord Avery said with a nod. “Still, what did you find, and what did the folk of Hareford have to say?” Saulius regaled them with as many details as seemed prudent, but there was very little to tell. Their journey north along the road, and then to the Gateway had uncovered no Lutins or bandits of any kind. The hills and forests were quiet and peaceful as they usually were this time of the year. Even the folk of Hareford had offered nothing new to learn. “So, nothing new,” Angus said with a grunt. “That's probably the best news we can expect for now.” “Indeed,” Lord Avery agreed with a firm nod. “Thank you both. Where do you wish to travel tomorrow?” “South toward Lake Barnhardt,” Saulius replied with a faint smile. “Then north again the next day.” “Reasonable,” the squirrel agreed as he rubbed his forehead with one paw.. “Go fetch your dinners. You've both earned them. A few more scouts report in and I'll be able to fetch the sleep I didn't get last night!” “Has there been any news at all?” Charles asked. “Nothing unusual at the very least. The woods are quiet but for the animals eager for Spring. I fear the Vernal celebrations will be quite muted this year.” He frowned and then added, “James slipped on a rock today and tumbled down a cliff.” Charles's heart tensed. “Is he well?” “He took no injury,” Lord Avery said slowly, “but I'm afraid I can't risk him going with you into the mountains, not when he slips like that. We need men of sure hoof and paw for those slopes. Another scout will take his place with you, we just haven't decided who yet.” The rat shook his head and ground his incisors together. “No. It must be James.” “He's not as sure-hoofed as you say, Charles. I'm sorry.” “He is better than you think, and better than anyone else here in the Glen. Even you, Angus.” Charles squared the badger with a steely gaze. His heart clenched and pounded in his chest, and his flesh simmered as if soaked in scalding water. “Not only did he survive in the Barrier Range, but I saw him thrive there. He tumbled a man off a cliff and took not even a scratch. If he slipped today then it was only because he didn't have his gear.” The squirrel shook his head. “But he did slip.” “And he won't ever again,” Charles said through his teeth. “Ever. I've spent most of the last nine months of my life with him by side every day. If I could only take one other person it would be him and no other. And it will be him. Milord, as the head of the Long Scouts here in the Glen, I have it within my authority to select whom I will. I do not wish to do that to you whom I call friend and lord. But please trust my judgment when it comes to James. He will not disappoint you. He is the perfect man for this very important task. Please, trust me, milord.” Lord Avery glanced at Angus and sighed heavily. The badger grimaced but said nothing. Avery turned his gaze back to the rats and spoke softly but firmly. “Charles, I do trust you. I... I will place him back on this mission. But if he falls or puts others in danger again, then he will not go. And you may speak of the Longs but that will not change my mind either. Misha can complain all he likes later. This is about Metamor's safety. It is too important to worry over bruised pride. I hate putting it bluntly like that, Charles, especially with you who have been so loyal and so valiant, but responsibility for the Glen falls to me. Do you understand?” He took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you, milord. I will go tell him the good news.” “And let him know that I trust him,” Angus added with a grunt. “He's a good man.” Charles smiled faintly. “I will. Good evening, Angus, milord Avery.” Saulius bowed his head to the squirrel and the two rats left the brewery together in search of the donkey and the promised oatmeal at the lone Inn. The sullen, cold night outside brooded with unwelcome murmuring. ---------- May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love, Charles Matthias !DSPAM:4e8275e7131081804284693! </body> </html>