Vulpuz Have Mercy

[Chokk]

The she wolf Zacari was reclining in a large high backed chair when the group entered her chambers. The slow worm Salishan had draped itself loosely over the wolf's shoulders. The reptile's odd yellow eyes were trained on a set of strange markings scratched into the floor at Zacari's footpaws.  The wolf's mutterings ceased as Alan strode forward and spoke.

?My lady Zacari, we seek an audience.  Sooner, preferably, than later.? His curt voice rang out in the dimly lit room.

Zacari glanced up at Alan though Salishan's eyes never left the markings. ?You seek audience eh? You must wait your turn Captain Blacktip.?

Chokk ambled forward until he was even with the mink. He glanced at Alan, eying him coolly. ?If you want the attention of you vermin types you must make yourself heard.? Without waiting for the captain?s reply Chokk slammed his tail down hard on the floor. Though it reverberated harshly throughout the chamber the sound seemed to have no effect on the wolf or the slow worm. Salishan continued staring at the floor, seemingly oblivious to the others in her chamber.

?How did she not hear that Mr. Wulgar?? Rallentando asked. The rabbit had pinned her sensitive ears back and was rubbing the side of her head lightly with one paw.

?Sorry young missy, should have warned you.? Chokk spoke out of the side of his mouth as he moved towards the wolf.

The beaver?s expression showed determination he did not feel as he walked towards Zacari and the reptile. He wrinkled his nose at the thick scent of burning incense in the room and took a stalk of river grass from a pocket in his over-alls. He placed the stalk between his  front teeth and chewed lightly as he spoke.

?Is this how you welcome a poor slave who has come to serve you??

The slow worm looked up for the first time. The wolf cocked her head as she appraised the beaver with a cold gaze. ?A slave are ye? You don?t speak as a slave. You don?t wish to be speaking to me, and I can sense you are no slave of Kotir.?

Chokk turned his head and nodded to Alan. ?I?ve got their attention mink. Care to explain our situation??

"That's Captain to you woodlander." The captain spoke flatly to Chokk as he passed by.  "Getting to the point, that snake of yours, Salishan, has been predicting water and death for the past month.  It's about that we've come."

?Ah Captain Blacktip is it? Who else have you brought today?? She leaned over to get a good look at the other creatures. ?Tobias the builder. Ah! I?ve been meaning to speak to you.? Her lips lifted in a toothy smile at the mink. ?I was looking out my window this morning and noticed a flaw in the masonry of the window ledge. Do you think you could send somebeast to-?

?As I was saying-? The captain cut the wolf off but before he could finish she was speaking again.
?And who else do we have here? A beaver who seems oh so anxious to be heard.? Chokk narrowed his eyes at her. ?And a young bunny. What?s a pretty little thing like you doing in this dark dreary place eh??

Rallentando shrank back as Chokk spoke. ?That?s enough seer! Please hear us out.? His voice softened as he spoke. Keeping Zacari and Salishan in good spirits was probably the best course of action for the moment.

Alan continued. ?As I was saying,? He paused to make sure he had the wolf?s attention. ?Ah, em.  Yes.  Well. The point is we died.  I think."

Zacari?s ear twitched. Salishan's tongue slid slowly in and out of her scaly mouth. ?Go on.?

The beaver broke in. ?We?ve been to see Zanzer and lord Vulpuz.?

?Not possible.? The wolf shook her gray furred head and chuckled. ? The only way to see the lord Vulpuz and his assembly would be to travel beyond the gates of Dark Forest.? She glanced up at them and pursed her lips. ?The only way to see them would be to pass beyond this world. To die.?

The words echoed around the room and into Chokk?s mind. He felt himself coming apart from the inside out. This was all crazy! How could he have died and returned to life a week before? It just did not make sense. On top of this he was in company with vermin! Siding with them! Asking them for help to save their own rotten fortress! His head nearly split as these thoughts coursed through his mind.

?Mr. Wulgar? Mr. Wulgar sir, a-are you alright??

?Beaver, we need you for this to work. Snap out of it!?

Chokk shook his head as Rallentando and Tobias spoke to him. He chewed the stalk and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. He had to get himself under control. He was a leader, he had commanded the river dwellings and most of Mossflower. Now was the time to be strong, stronger than he had ever been in his life. He opened his eyes and nodded.

?We did die.? His words came flat and resolute.

The she wolf took a moment to consider this statement. She dipped her muzzle and whispered something to the slow worm. Salishan nodded as the wolf continued to speak. ?Your words ring with truth, but this cannot be.? Zacari sniffed and reached for a goblet at her side. The wolf sipped lightly. ?Can you prove your words to us??

Chokk could think of nothing to say. As he racked his brain Tobias spoke. ?I will not be able to fix your window flaw. Your chamber is on my final building inspection rounds though I feel you fixed the problem well enough yourself."

?Eh? And how do you expect a healer wolf such as myself to fix a problem in masonry?? Zacari looked intrigued.

?I was going to fix it but I know you have a perfect piece of cork already carved to fit the spot.? Tobias winked knowingly.

Zacari fumbled through her robes and pulled forth the cork wood piece.

?Yes, do put that in the flawed spot. It will fit perfectly and get the job done well enough. I saw it where you will place it at some point tomorrow.?

Salishan hissed softly in response as Zacari continued to speak. ?Perhaps there is truth to what you say.? She rolled the wood around in her paws. ?Or perhaps you are cleaver with the trickery eh??

?Why would we waste our time trying to trick you healer?? Chokk snorted impatiently. He turned to Alan. ?What good will convincing her do for us anyway??

"Because, idiot, she knows more than us about - look, the lord of darkness said that the wolves had a fight with someone." The mink captain retorted.  'She knows who.  And she's more likely to believe us... I hope...  I'm starting to doubt our story."

Chokk lifted his lip. ?Says you, captain.?

?I told you to watch your mouth beaver!?

Chokk was about to reply when Zacari broke in. ?The question is not can we help you but will we help you.?

The group turned their eyes to the she wolf. She chuckled dryly. ?Imagine the captain of our fine guard and a chief builder associating with woodlanders.? She spat to the side at the notion. ?If I needed proof of your situation that would have been enough. It is obvious that something supernatural in nature has happened to you and so?? She nodded once. ?We shall assist you. Tell me what you want.?

Chokk let a low whistle escape from between his teeth. The first step of the plan had actually fallen into place. It felt like victory and defeat rolled into one for the beaver. Chokk had a feeling this was the first of many steps that would leave him feeling this way.

He spoke softly to Rallentando as Alan moved towards Zacari to explain more of their plan to her. ?May Vulpuz see it fit to have mercy on us.? The beaver popped another stalk of river grass between his teeth and started to chew.