From his hiding spot in the crown of a large oak-tree, the squirrel had a perfect view of the country-road below and the carriage currently traveling on it. A carriage whose doors were decorated with the Vinolian emblem and which were escorted by twenty armed riders, ten in the front and ten in the back. Among these riders, there was one in particular who caused the squirrel to almost fall out of the tree.
So, you've returned to Frigonia, General, the squirrel thought, his eyes narrowing. How come, I wonder?
He had barely asked himself that question, when a thought came to him: Who was in the carriage? It had to be someone important, more-so even than Jeraddin. Otherwise, the lynx would surely be the one riding in it.
Maybe it's crook-tail, herself? I have to inform the others, if we act quickly we can set up an ambush.
The Squirrel threw himself into the air and landed in another tree. He proceeded to jump from to tree, his heart racing with excitement. All those long hours watching the road had finally paid off.
****
Leorin was still on deck, gazing down into the ocean, the bat's voice still in his ears, when he became aware that he was not alone.
"Are you going to say 'I told you so?' He asked.
"No" Sara replied, "I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"She tried to kill Risha...and Merees." Leorin's clutched the taffrail, digging his claws into the wood. "I never should have come to her aid back there."
"Hey, now" Sara protested. "You saw someone in need and decided to help, its not your fault that the person you helped turned out to be a, well, an enemy."
Leorin seemed to ponder this. After a moment, he spoke again:
"Where is she now?"
"In the brig."
Hearing this, Leorin lifted his head and looked with surprise at Sara.
"Really? But, we're using the brig as a spare storage room."
"That's right. I guess our stowaway is not going to have much leg-room for the next couple of days."
A smile crept briefly over the porcupine's face before turning into a frown.
"Not that she deserves any better, wouldn't you agree?"
"Ought to tie her up and throw her overboard", Leorin growled fiercely. His antipathy towards the bat being equal to the sympathy he had, until recently, felt for her.
Sara made no reply to Leorin's statement. Instead, she moved closer to him and put her paw on the black cat's shoulder.
****
In the cramped brig, the subject for Leorin's and Sara's conversation, pondered her situation. Escaping from her prison did not pose any difficulty. True, the door was locked, but there was a porthole and the bat was confident that, with some effort, she'd be able to squeeze past the bars.
And then what? Outside, there was nothing but water, as far as the eye could see. How far would her wings be able to carry her, before she became too tired and...
No! She dared not. And yet, what choice did she have? It was either risk certain death outside, or wait and see what fate her captors had in store for her.
Her captors.... They had been so nice at first, until she had told them about the lynx and the dragon and their faces had turned to stone.
Then there was Leorin, the first person who had shown her kindness since she had left the island. She had thought he was her friend but, he too, had revealed himself to be another enemy.
The Bat could sense anger flare up in her. She hated them all, Leorin especially.
Among the items stored in the brig was a crate, which the bat decided to vent her feelings on, by kicking and punching it, all while screaming one word over and over again:
"Hate! Hate!!"
She continued to do this, until, her forces spent, she collapsed into a sobbing heap on the floor.
