Retribution

[Chak Ku'rill]

There were two pirates ahead. Their clothing was mismatched and sloppy, accented with bright colors, and the lean lanky one was surly a weasel or stoat. The other was maybe a rat. They were accompanied by a squirrel with a light, sun-catching kerchief on her head - the big bushy tail being a dead give-away even at a distance.

?Ahoy!? The weasel waved enthusiastically, seeming to recognize Chak. It was then that Chak realized who they had found. It was Tooley.

And it was Daggle.

The rat limped a little, leaning on Tooley for balance, mainly, but he was well enough.

Well enough to save his own hide.

His wandering eye turned upward while the other gazed nonchalantly ahead at the approaching group of allies.  He gave Chak a nod and an easy salute, completely unaware of the growing rage pulsing behind the slave driver?s eyes. Chak increased his pace with set determination, leaving the others behind. Only when he was close enough for the rat to recognize the menacing body language did Daggle show any sign of fear, taking several steps back until he tripped and fell on his tail.

?Daggle, mate, are ye ?? Tooley?s confusion turned to alarm as Chak yanked his driftwood cudgel from his belt and fell on the floundering rat, clubbing him violently.

?Stop! What are you doing?!? The squirrel shrieked, clawing desperately at him in an attempt to halt the attack, but Chak had eyes and ears for the rat alone.

?Fifty-nine beasts ye left down thar, scumbag!?

*THUD*

?Fifty-?

*THUD*

?-nine?

*THUD*

?ta DIE!?

*THUD*

He continued to bludgeon screams from the rat, cracking ribs and pulping the side of his face until the hunk of driftwood cracked and broke into pieces.

?Stop it! Stop it!? Tooley leapt onto Chak, wrapping his arms around the otter?s neck and pulling him back from his gasping friend. Chak grabbed the weasel?s arms and forced them down until he was able to turn and slug him in the chin.

Daggle was sobbing, thick strings of bloody mucus hanging from his broken nose. ?Please! T?wern?t my fault! I were bein? jumped by hares an? chased by the mad badger an? I done me best but there weren?t nuthin? fer it! They're jus' slaves, mate!?

Chak grabbed his wrist and started dragging him toward the water.

?The cap?n ordered me ta help!? pled the rat. ?Take it up wi? her, mate! I jus? be followin? orders!?

Waves washed up around them as Chak hauled the rat deep into the water.

?Look! Look!? Daggle sputtered. ?I still be havin? the key, mate! I ain?t abandoned ?em! Here ? it be right ?ere!? The searat held the key up from where it dangled around his neck with shaking paws.

Chak seized the rat by the throat and snarled into his face. ?Yer right ye b?ain?t be abandonin? ?em, mate. Ye be joinin? ?em.?

With that, Chak shoved Daggle?s head under water, pressing down with both paws as the rat frantically thrashed and kicked. Claws scored Chak?s forearms fiercely, then slowed and became feeble gestures. The slave driver watched with brutal satisfaction until the last bubble of air gurgled to the surface from Daggle?s open mouth, and his struggles ceased.

Vengeance bestowed, Chak released the limp figure, tearing the key spitefully from the drowned rat?s neck. Daggle?s body surged back and forth with the surf as Chak sloshed through the waves and wet sand toward Minstrel and Scrufftail, ignoring the horrified stares of the others.

Kneeling at the slaves? feet, he first jammed the key into the mouse?s manacle, then the squirrel?s. The chain fell into the sand with a metallic clink. Only then did Chak meet eyes with Minstrel, who pursed his lips and gave the otter a barely perceptible nod of understanding.

Chak stood, emboldened. Let the others think what they would. He had all the affirmation he needed.