Chapter 7

Torrin breathed a sigh of relief as he looked over the bank below the tower. He had been afraid of what he might find there. Well, spread out on the bank really, but he didn't have to think about that now.

His momentary relief faded away as worry crept in. Sure, Colan hadn't hit the bank, but had the impact with the water hurt him? Had he hit the bottom the river and broken something? Or, even worse, gotten stuck in the mud of the riverbed?

Banishing these thoughts form his mind, he focused on the task at hand, finding Colan. If the otter wasn't splattered all over the bank, he must've landed in the water, which meant...Torrin began running south along the riverbank, he needed to get a boat.

He continued scanning the river as he ran south towards the docks, he didn't want to miss the otter if he had dragged himself out of the river and passed out on one of the banks. Besides that, there was always the chance he could be taken as an escaped slave, they hadn't gone out in public together yet, so only the other slaves would know that the otter was his, and most of them wouldn't bother speaking up. Torrin's mind was slightly eased as he recalled the clothes he had given Colan, those should clue a few of the brighter guards in that he wasn't a normal slave. A few wouldn't care though...Torrin shook his head, was he always this pessimistic when he was worried? Perhaps he hadn't really had anyone to worry about before.

He soon reached the docks and he was soon weaving through groups of more privileged citizens to get to his boat. Few were allowed to moor their boats near the royal docks, most had to either go farther downiver or go all the way to the port.

Torrin dashed down the dock and leapt onto his craft, swiftly untying the lines and pushing away from the rough wooden planks of the dock. Speedily hoisting the sail, he sat next to the tiller as the wind caught the triangle of fabric, pushing the craft out onto the river. Torrin sailed down the river, zig-zaging back and forth as the river widened. Torrin's tail drooped as he neared the river's exit into the ocean, he was loosing hope.

_ ~~***~~ _

A wave washed over Colan's face, dragging him sputtering from his sleep. He flipped upright, looking frantically around for his coracle, how could he have been so stupid as to have dozed off? Ripfur was going to kill him this time for sure! Colan froze as he realized something was different, he hadn't ever swum here before. Then the memory of the last few days crashed down on him and he almost sank under the water with relief. He wasn't under Captain Ripfur's jurisdiction anymore. Colan inhaled seawater as he remembered how he got to be in the water in the first place.

What would Torrin think when he got back? To him it probably looked like he had taken off first chance. How could Torrin trust him now? Even worse, the rat probably got away so Torrin wouldn't believe his ridiculous story. Colan winced, how could he call the Prince by his name now? He had let a stranger into his Master's chambers, had caused the destruction of Master's property, and then he had run away. If the Price gave him another chance, he'd practice swordsmanship hard and make sure that he was ready next time.

Colan treaded water with his footpaws as he checked that the dagger and saber were still on him. It wouldn't do to compound his problems by loosing his Master's possessions.

A large shadow fell across him and the otter turned around, taking a few strokes back in surprise as a large, sleep vessel slip up behind him. Water splashed him in the face as he flinched back, a rope slapping the water next to him. A voice called down to him. "Now, I may have been gone a long time, but I know that yer not supposed to be here. Climb up 'ere so I can get a good look at yew."

Colan reluctantly grabbed the rope and began to pull himself up, gritting his teeth as his back throbbed in protest. He wasn't sure if these beasts (corsairs, or so he assumed by the look of the ship) would take him back to Torrin or to some other port to sell him. Colan narrowed his eyes, they wouldn't keep him from getting back to To--Master.

Clambering over the side of the ship, he looked nervously around at the group of corsairs that ringed him. A ferret stalked toward him, paw on the hilt of a cutlass at his side. His grey shirt billowed slightly on the incoming sea breeze. The twin tails of the red cloth tied around his head sailed out beside him, reaching toward the island. The smile of smug superiority faded from his muzzle when he saw the hilt sticking over Colan's shoulder. Whipping out his cutlass, he pointed the gleaming weapon at the slightly shivering otter. "Where did you get that saber?"

Colan reached up and grabbed the hilt reflexively. "My Master gave it to me."

The ferret gritted his teeth, "Liar, the royal slaves are mice."

"That was true, sir." Colan agreed, "But three days ago Prince Alspur cut them to pieces for a charge of treason."

The ferret took a step forward. "Are you calling me a liar?"

Colan held up his paws, "No sir! I'm just saying that you haven't heard about what's gone on over the past few days."

The ferret nodded, appeased, "Perhaps." He held out his paw, "But I'll hold on to it until I clear this with my nephew."

Colan clutched the hilt again and backed up, bumping against the railing of the deck behind him. "No."

The ferret raised an eyebrow. "No?"

Colan shook his head. "My Master gave it to me and I'm gonna keep it safe for him."

The ferret's mouth dropped open for a moment before snapping shut. "Why you insolent..." he gestured to his crew. "Grab him."

Colan spun and leapt for water for the second time that day, although for a much shorter distance this time.

Torrin looked up at the side of the vessel he had pulled alongside. "Well, what d'ya know? I didn't know Uncle Zayin and the Darkwind were comin' in." There was a shout from the vessel and a figure shot over the side and angles toward the water. As the figure hit the water, two more followed it over the side.

"Don't kill him!" A voice that Torrin vaguely recognized shouted. A rowboat began to be filled with more beasts to go after the three who had already gone overboard.

Torrin tied his boat to the side of the ship and stood up, cupping his paws around his muzzle. "Ahoy, Captain Zayin!"

The ferret peered over the edge, "Torrin, you scalawag, git up 'ere."

Torrin grinned and grabbed the rope that came snaking down, yelping when he was jerked up as the rowboat began to be lowered. Laughing, he leapt over the side and the rope was unhooked from the rowboat below. Zayin swiped his cutlass through the air.

"Let's see how well you've learned t' use that saber I gave ya."

Torrin grinned and swiftly drew his saber, bringing it down just in time to block Zayin's first strike. Setting his stance, he fended off Zayin's first few testing strikes, then settled in as the strikes grew more aggressive.

Zayin's eyes narrowed as time passed and he couldn't find a hole in Torrin's defense. Torrin stood his ground, deflecting all of Zayin's attacks. He felt a pause in Zayin's attacks and went on the offensive, twisting his saber around Zayin's cutlass and whipping the weapon out of his Uncle's grip. As the cutlass flew by him, however, it got tangled with his own saber and pulled it from his grasp. Zayin laughed and clapped his paws.

"Very good Torrin, you've learned to use that blade well. How's the family?"

Torrin shrugged, "They're all healthy, and the same as ever, really. Except for Alspur perhaps, he's grown more cruel and overbearing to everyone, I even think he's starting to chafe against Father." He glanced at the side of the ship as one of the crew returned his blade. "What's goin' on here?"

Zayin glanced over the side, "You'll see, they're comin' back now."

Torrin turned and watched with mild interest as the boat began to be raised. A rat was first over the rail, obviously climbing the rope ahead of the boat.

"We got 'im cap'n." The rat said, "Well, sorta. He could've gotten away, he reached land a good distance ahead of us, then he turned to see how much of a start he had on us. 'E shouted somthin', then jumped back in the water and and actually swam to the boat."

Zayin glanced at Torrin, "Interesting."

Torrin was looking back at him suspiciously. "What's going on here, Uncle?"

Zayin smiled, "You'll see...ah, here they are."

Torrin watched as three figures disembarked from the medium-sized rowboat. A ferret and a weasel flanked Colan, all three dripping wet. Colan's eyes lit up when he saw Torrin, and he grinned with joy. Uncertainty flickered through his eyes and his smile faded, replaced with and expressing of doubt, then shame. The two corsairs on either side of him let go as he walked forward slowly, head hung.

When he got within a few feet of Torrin, he stopped. "I-I'm sorry Master. I-I shouldn't have opened the door, a-and even when he came in, I should've stayed in the rooms and kept him from damaging your possessions."

Torrin ignored his stammered apologies. "Colan, the rat is dead. Nothing is broken that can't be replaced. The important thing is, are you alright?"

Colan glanced nervously at the corsairs around him. "A little sore, Master."

The ferret sighed. "Well, I suppose that a restful day is out of the question. Now," he smiled at Colan, "tomorrow we will rest, both of us."

A small smile reappeared on Colan's face, but behind it the unease was evident. He had decided to trust Torrin, but his mind was still reluctant to comply.

"Let's go back to my rooms." Torrin said. Turning to Zayin, he asked, "Would you like to come?"

~~***~~

Colan winced when he saw the destruction the rat had caused. "Sorry Master...I should've--"

Torrin spun around and grabbed the otter by the shoulders. "Colan. You. Did. Nothing. Wrong. Stop all this subservient slave scrapings, it's driving me nuts. You're my..." He glanced at Zayin, who was watching the duo with interest. Torrin shrugged and continued, "You're my friend, Colan."

The uncertainty fled from Colan's eyes. "So you're not angry with me?"

Torrin shook his head. "No, the only thing I am upset about is that you thought my friendship could be so easily shattered, but I forgive you for that."

Zayin pushed them both into the room and shut the door. Motioning to the chairs, he ordered them to sit. "After that little scene, it's obvious that you two don't have a typical Master/Slave relationship." He turned to Torrin, "I always knew you were different than the rest of your family. Turned out more like me, you did."

Colan cut in. "But you're a corsair."

Zayin smiled at Colan's nerve and shook his head. "Sort of. Sure I take on some vessels, but hardly anyone ever dies. My crew is proficient in knocking anybeast out." He chuckled, "Very proficient." He winked at Colan, "Besides, who said we stole all our stuff? We word as traders between islands a lot as well. Don't tell my sister though, she wouldn't like it." He turned his attention back to Torrin and Colan. "So, back to you two, what are you to each other?"

"Colan's slave status us purely political." Torrin said. "Inside this room, and when we're alone, he's Colan and I'm Torrin. Nothing more, nothing less. We've only known each other for a few days, so we still need to learn to trust each other, but that will come eventually."

Zayin motioned to Colan. "I can see you've already started by giving him one of your most valuable weapons."

Torrin smiled, "I may not trust him fully yet, but I trust him enough to give him a weapon and not lock him up away from me. I can't say the same for Alspur though. I think he locks Runtha up in a cage at night."

Zayin nodded. Glancing outside, he sighed. "My sister probably knows I'm here by now. I should go talk to her." So saying, he left.

Colan sat down after closing the door behind the ferret. "So you trust him?"

Torrin nodded, "He's always been my favorite beast to be around. You don't need to watch what you say around him so much. Some of the richer youngbeasts around here..." he shuddered. "You can say your favorite color, and they'll boast that they know something the other's don't so much they'll all know it before the week is out." Torrin sighed, "Time for dinner, at least Uncle Zayin will be there." He grinned at Colan. "Get out of those wet clothes and into some dry ones, 'slave'."

Colan chucked. "Yes, 'Master'."

~~***~~

A few minutes later the two were walking down the hall, Colan patting his leg every once in awhile, as if to reassure himself. Walking into the dining room, Torrin took his seat, Colan taking up his place behind him. King Alcon was already seated, and he spoke as soon as Torrin was seated.

"Would you care to explain what went on in your room today and why you killed one of my soldiers?"

Colan noticed Zayin enter and wince slightly at the King's tone, then sit at the end of the table. Alspur followed shortly after, Runtha trailing behind in a rough brown tunic.

Torrin's voice was hard. "A rat broke into my rooms and destroyed my property, then chased my slave until he was forced to throw himself from the tower to escape."

The King pointed to Colan. "Slave, come here."

Colan hesitated and glanced at Torrin. The ferret twitched his paw in the King's direction, and Colan took that as a signal that he should follow directions. He stopped a few feet to the King's right.

"Is it true that you left your Master's rooms when you were told not to?"

Colan took a deep breath. "No sir."

Alcon raised an eyebrow. "No?"

The otter shifted nervously, "He...Master never told me to stay in the rooms."

The light brown-furred ferret looked surprised. "Did he give you orders?"

Colan nodded, "Yessir."

"And what were they?"

"He told me to rest today, sir."

Alcon grinned, "And if you were supposed to be resting, why did you open the door to your Master's rooms?"

He's trying to get me in trouble. Colan realized. He sighed mentally_, I hope Torrin won't be angry with me for putting some words in his mouth._ "Master told me when I first came that I would be answering the door when somebeast knocked."

Alcon swiftly switched tactics. "You ran when Zayin captured you. That deserves a whipping, don't you think?"

Colan shook his head. "No sir. I didn't know who Lord Zayin was, I though he one of the scores of Corsairs that sail by your shores every day. Also, he tried to take Master's possessions."

A look of anger crossed King Alcon's face momentarily, and he growled out his next words. "What were these possessions?"

Colan struggled to keep his nervousness out of his voice. "Master's saber and its swordbelt."

Alcon's amber eyes gleamed in triumph. "Slaves may not carry a weapon, it is against the law."

Colan bit his lip and looked back at Torrin, pleading for aid. The ferret quickly stepped in. "Father, I gave him that weapon, to use in protecting himself and me once he has been trained. I am pleased with his actions today and, as he is my property, I will deal with him as I see fit. There is now further need for this interrogation. Slave, back to your spot." Colan nodded and began to move back to his original position.

Alcon narrowed his eyes. "Slave, I am not finished with you yet."

Torrin growled, "Yes you have. You gave him to me and specifically handed all control over him to me. A decree like that cannot be changed for two fortnights."

King Alcon's knuckles whitened as he gripped the arms of his chair. "Very well." He said, and the rest of the meal was eaten in silence. After a dessert of raspberry cheesecake, the sight of which made Colan's mouth water, Alspur spoke up.

"Father," he said, "Why don't we send the slaves away so we can be alone while we catch up with Uncle Zayin?"

King Alcon nodded, "Very well. Slaves, leave us."

Colan decided not to push his luck and followed the order, exiting into a small sidechamber. The otter weighed his options as he waited for the rest of his family. He could tell them all about his friendship with Torrin, or he could keep it a secret. Runtha entered and smiled at him, and something in his eyes made Colan shiver. He didn't trust Runtha, and he still couldn't shake the feeling that he had something to do with Cetyl's death. Colan decided that it would be best if his friendship between him and Torrin stayed between them.

Azure rushed over to them as soon as the door closed. Runtha! Colan! Are you alright? Do they hurt you?"

Colan chuckled, "Mom, I'm fine. Master Torrin isn't the type who lets his property be damaged for no reason."

Runtha sat down near a chair. Not on it, Colan noticed, near it. "So Colan, what orders has your master given you?"

Colan was immediately on guard. He didn't like the tone of Runtha's voice. It had a...sneaky quality to it, like he was trying to be sly. "My orders are between me and my Master." He smiled at his parents. "I'll be fine, trust me. Master's no Ripfur." He grunted and muttered, "If I can survive that, I can survive anybeast."

~~***~~

"Well, what did you find out?"

"Nothing, Master. He wouldn't speak of it."

"My brother is up to something, I know it. I just need to foil his plans before he can foil mine."