A Redquest Tale

Chapter 6 - Benjam & Snow make it

enjam and Snow were making good progress as land was clearly visible and closer now in front of them. The sky had turned a much lighter blue as the day had come into life fully now, the sun now high enough to not get into their eyes but the reflection on the surface of the sea still caused them problems. Both though were getting very tired and exhausted from the amount of swimming that they been doing all through the night.

Snow panted as he looked up and smiled. "Can you believe it? There are green trees, actually green tree's are above that cliff. Oh to see large grassy fields again to go running about in."

Benjam frowned as he continued to kick. "I don't think you be in the condition to run anywhere if we hit land." The otter got a splash of sea water into his mouth and spat it out. "Ugh, I tell you, I won't be sad to never see the sea again."

Snow laughed which turned into a cough. "That's a laugh, an otter that says they don't want to see water ever again." A large wave went over them both and as Snow's head came back up again, his mouth open for air, swallowing it down, he frowned. "But I do see how you would think like that, friend. Hang on; what's that ahead of us?"

Benjam blinked and looked over the waves as he saw something moving about on the beach. "I think that's someone or something, not sure." The otter kicked out as slowly the figure started to get bigger as both saw that it was a otter, walking about on the sand, stopping now and again as it bent down to pick up something, then continued on its way. Without thinking, Benjam chirrped loudly as Snow turned to face him. "What are you doing?!" He asked as he heard the otter chirp again loudly making Snow complain. "Ow, my ears, you broke them." The hare could only hear a whistling sound coming from the ear near to the otter beside him.

On the beach, was a middle aged otter, named Tongra. His head shot up as he heard a noise and looked about, his webbed paw moving to a small pouch on his belt. Hearing the chirp again, the otter's head moved towards the sea and he blinked at what he could see. He walked towards the sea line, the otter blinked once more as he saw something just beyond the wave and then when it went down, he saw two forms hanging onto a log. Turning his head around, the otter placed a paw into his muzzle and whistled loudly.

Another otter came up from behind a rock, holding onto some large shells as Tongra shouted. "Pearl! Come quickly!" He watched Pearl drop her shells onto the floor, the otter ran up to where Tongra was and blinked. "What? What is all the fuss about?"

Tongra grabbed Pearl's shoulders and turned her to face the sea as he let go of her before he ran off into the water. "Two forms in the sea, an otter and a hare by the looks of it." The male otter splashed into the water as he dived in. Pearl was quickly on her mate's heels as she slipped into the sea without making a splash.

Benjam looked at Snow as he grinned. "They've seen us, they've seen us!" The old otter was beaming as he kicked out towards the two otters which were zooming towards the two old furs quickly under the water. Eventually both popped their heads up and blinked at the two forms.

Tongra could see that they were exhausted and turned to look at Pearl who nodded. They both moved around the log, Tongra took hold of one end of the log, while Pearl had moved to the other side and they nodded their heads. Snow was about to speak when Pearl shook her head. "Please, stay quiet and preserve your energy."

With both young otters helping, the four quickly made it back to the shallows; both Benjam and Snow were unable to stand up, still holding onto the log. Tongra looked at them both and shook his head, looking at Pearl who was looking a bit shocked at the sight of their backs. Tongra only muttered some words under his growling. "Slaves..." He turned back to the sea and clenched his fists. "Bastards!" He roared loudly.

Pearl grabbed her mate's arm and shook her head. "Calm down dear, just be thankful that by some miracle that these two made it to land. Come on; help me get them back to our cave."

Tongra nodded his head as he helped Benjam up, letting the otter place an arm over the back of his neck. Pearl, who was just as strong, lifted up Snow easily as she felt the light hare hanging onto her. Slowly they both moved slowly up the bank as they left the water and onto dry sand.

Benjam came around for a brief moment, saw the sand under his paws and felt the warmth, the softness made his heart fill with joy. He smiled, feeling for the first time in his life for such a long time the freedom of not being owned and abused by another. Slowly he saw his foot paws go out of focus and then he blanked out.

Pearl and Tongra looked at each other as they dragged the two old furs with them until they reached a large rock and slowly moved around it to show a cave which had seaweed covering the entrance. Tongra chirrped loudly as two more otters came out and he nodded. "Come help us you two. We have guests."

Rapidrudder ran up to his father and ducked under the other arm of Benjam's lifting him up from the ground as both males went into the cave. Watercress came up to Pearl and churrped softly. "Were did you find them?" Helping to carry Snow into the cave, watching as the seaweed moved about around them.

Pearl replied back as they made their way to the end of the cave and lowered down the two forms. "They were found in the sea; now don't bug me with questions. I need you two to do me something. Watercress, go back to our home and bring me my herbal bag that I use for medicines. See if you can find fresh moss and leaves I can use for bandages."

Tongra nodded and turned to Rapidrudder. "Come on, son. Let's go get some dry leaves if there is any left from last night's storm, as well as twigs to build a fire." Looking at Pearl, she nodded and shooed them away. "Go on; let me take care of them, now hurry. We move them to our other home when they are ready to travel. Oh, Watercress, bring some food back as well."

All three otters nodded their heads as they headed back out of the cave quickly, leaving just Pearl alone with the two old furs. Shaking her head, she got up and looked about. Finding what she was after, she made it to a wall and picked up a moss blanket, making her way back to where the two forms were and placed it over the two sleeping forms. Sitting down in front of them, she waited until the rest of her family came back.

Tongra and Rapidrudder didn't take long to come back as Tongra carried a lot of twigs in his arms as he dropped them to the floor. Kneeling down, he nodded for the grass and leaves to be placed on the floor also as he began with help from his son to arrange the small rocks to keep the fire in place. Placing the twigs into place as Tongra moved the kindling about, making sure that the grass and leaves were in the right position, the otter picked up two of the twigs and began to make the fire.

Rapidrudder watched his father begin to slowly rub the two sticks together very quickly, bending down to blow a few times before returning back to rubbing the sticks together. Slowly a flame sprang to life, crackling on the leaves and grass as Tongra blew on it gently, placing more grass on top as he watched the fire begin to build up. Turning around to Rapidrudder. "Go get as much wood as you can find and bring it back here. I don't want this fire to go out." He saw his son nod and then backed away before turning around and heading back out of the cave.

Pearl smiled at Tongra as she looked at the two sleeping forms. "It's amazing that they have survived. You don't hear about this sort of thing happening much and when you do, I hate to think on what these two have to say when they come around."

Tongra shrugged his shoulders. "I can imagine what they have to say and I don't like it. We haven't had a slave ship in these parts for ages and that scares me. I don't want to remain here as much as we need to. Can you get them up on their feet quickly?"

Pearl nodded her head as she heard the seriousness in her mates tone. "I get them up onto their feet as quickly as I can without forcefully pushing them." She saw Tongra nod his head as he got up and checked his weapon. "Good, as I won't let any of you have to face that. I don't want to even face that sort of life myself but since they are in the area I have to get everyone to be careful. I make sure word is sent out as well that there is a slave ship in the area. This can't be good."

Pearl nodded as she stroked one of Snow's ears gently, shaking her head from the marks that were on them, some of the ear was scarred. "Why do they do this?" She said, looking at Tongra sadly.

Tongra frowned. "They don't need a reason; they don't even have any remorse on it either." Padding about the cave, the otter shook his head. "They're murderers the lot of them. They don't care as long as they get those to do the work for them while they reap all the rewards. You know, they're so impatient that they don't want to have to wait if there is no wind to fill their sails, as long as they have free labour to work their oars to keep them going." Tongra stopped and moved over to where the other otter was lying and sat down. "These two are just rejects I suppose. Not able to work to their slavers opinion and just thrown overboard. Look." Tongra picked up Benjam's arm gently and growled. "Looks like they bit through their bonds after they were thrown overboard, I don't think these were supposed to have survived and I don't know how many actually didn't."

Pearl nodded as she inspected the hare and shook her head. "There are marks all over this one. Bites, bruises, even some scars from a whip or stabbing." She looked at Tongra. "We have to save them?" She saw her husband nod and heard one of the otters come back in again as he nodded to Rapidrudder. "Ah, good, you're in charge of keeping the fire going. I have to go see someone." He looked at Pearl who nodded her head. "Do you think that our leader will be in?"

Tongra got up as he headed towards the exit of the cave and paused turning his head back. "I have a responsibility to go and inform him about what has happened. You know that, he wouldn't be happy if we kept this from them." Picking up his bow and arrows from the cave wall he smiled. "I be back soon after." He came up to Pearl and gave her a kiss on the nose. Then Tongra turned around to face Rapidrudder. "Look after your mum." Without saying another word, Tongra walked out of the cave.

Tongra made his way slowly up the beach as he felt the warm breeze coming in from the sea, the fresh salt air wafting into his nose. Shifting his shoulders a bit to get his bows into a comfortable place, the otter moved up along the sand, kicking some up as slowly the wind began to blow grains of sand over them. Looking ahead, he could see Watercress running up towards him, carrying several things that bounced off the sides of her body. Smiling, he walked right up to her and churred. "Ah, it is good to see that you haven't lost your speed. Best get to it, eh?" He moved to the side as Watercress ran past with a nod and Tongra chuckled to himself, before continuing on his way.

Watercress ran into the cave before skidding to a halt as she began to unload the bags around her body quickly. Kneeling down, the young otter churred. "The holt is okay. It did look like we had a visitor but they didn't wait about, but they left some fresh scones on the inside of the holt."

Pearl smiled. "Ah, that be Pip, wonder what he wanted?" She pulled some of the stuff from the bag and looked at Rapidrudder. "Mind making something to put the pot on top of the fire?" She saw her son nod as she continued to work with the contents. Pulling out a flask, she smiled and then nodded at Watercress. "Help me here. While I hold them up, try to pour some of the fresh water into their parched mouths but only a small portion though, just a sip. Don't want them to feel sick."

Watercress nodded her head as she saw Pearl lift up the head of the hare as she slowly placed the flask to the hare's lips. Carefully Pearl began to pour some of the cool fresh stream water as she watched the hare swallow some of it. Slowly Pearl placed the head back down again as she moved over to where the old otter was and lifted up his head as Pearl slowly poured some of the water into the dry mouth, making sure to wet the cracked dry lips.

Benjam coughed as he swallowed down the water and croaked, his eyes opening as he looked out to two female otters hovering over him with one of them holding a flask. He croaked out the words quietly. "I must have died."

Pearl grinned and shook her head. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but you haven't died yet and I have no intention of losing you either, but welcome back to the living nonetheless." Benjam began to lift himself up, but Pearl placed a paw on the old otter's chest and shook her head. "Oh no, I don't think you should be getting up and about just yet. Rest, you're in good paws. What's your name?"

Benjam took another sip of water and licked his wet lips as he felt his voice slowly coming back around again. "Benjam." He smiled. "And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

Pearl smiled as she took some of the moss, took the flask from Watercress as she wet the cloth before placing it on the head of the otter. "My name's Pearl and before you goes asking the next question. I am already mated and you are too old for me anyways. This here is my daughter Watercress and my son is nearby keeping the fire warm for you. Even if it is spring, it can get quite cold on the coast this time of year."

Benjam gave a slight smirk. "Ah, so you are a mind reader as well. It's a pleasure to meet you Pearl." He took a deep breath and sighed. "How is my friend?" The old otter turned to look at the hare who was still lying on the floor with his eyes closed.

Pearl moved over to him as Watercress bathed the otter's head. "He's still out but I think he will recover." She placed the flask and wetted another piece of moss before placing it on the hare's head. "So mind telling me why you two thought it be a good idea to go swimming in the sea?"

Benjam gave a slight frown but it went right away. "We didn't have much choice in the matter." He slowly got up and managed to under Watercress's protests, but she gave up and moved one of the back packs behind the otter so he could lean back on it, letting the otter to hold the wet patch of moss against his head. Wincing slightly, he shook his head. "No one had a choice in the matter, it just happened."

Pearl nodded her head slowly. "So it was that bad?" She lifted up Snow's head again and placed the flask to the hare's lips, pouring some more water in as she pulled the flask away and watched the hare swallow it down. She turned her gaze to Benjam's, she could see the hurt in the other's eyes.

Benjam removed the patch of moss from his head and looked down with it in his paws; slowly he moved it about as he thought of what to say and then nodded his head. "It was the worst kind, miss. I was taken away such a long time ago that I don't even know where we are now." He paused and took the flask from Watercress who moved over to the fire as she began to help her brother in making some soup.

Pearl listened as she took care of Snow as the old otter explained what had happened. "I met Snow who you are helping by the way right now at the time when we were about to be thrown off the ship. But I haven't a clue on who came on board first."

Snow murmured softly. "I was." He coughed and spluttered slightly from the water. "Hey, stop trying to drown me." He coughed and pushed the flask away from his mouth as Pearl blushed, placing it down onto the floor. "Oh I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that." Pearl wiped the hare's mouth to dry it out a bit.

Snow grinned. "That's okay." He turned to face Benjam and weakly lifted up his paw as he took the old otter's paw into his own and smiled. "We finally made it." Tears welled up in the old hare's mind. Benjam smiled back and nodded his head softly. "Aye, we made it, old friend. We're free."

Pearl moved away as she left the two alone for a bit and sat down near the fire, looking at what the two were putting into the pot. "Poor dears, been through so much." She turned to the two of them. "How does fresh fish and vegetable soup sound to you?" She blinked as she saw them both looking at her, the hare sitting up immediately with both drooling. Both spoke in unison. "I think that's just grand, miss."

***

Tongra had made good progress as he marched through the woodland alongside the stream, long had he past their own home. Moving up to stand on a root, the otter placed his paw on the bark of the tree and dug his claws in to get a good hold. Standing there perfectly still Tongra flicked his ears about for a moment as he listened quietly. Carefully letting go of the bark, the otter reached back and picked out an arrow as his other arm lifted up his bow. Slinking the arrow into place, the otter moved the bow up slowly and quietly as his ears flicked about a bit more. Hearing something, Tongra let go of the arrow as it hissed into the air and slammed through the undergrowth on the other side of the river.

He heard a loud chirp as Tongra blinked and chirrped back before seeing a otter's head pop out from the undergrowth, holding the arrow in his paw and waving it about. "Hey, watch where you fire those. Oh hello, Tongra. You old rascal, you! Fancy taking a shot out of your leader, I would class that as treason, don't you know?" Without saying another word, the large otter slipped into the river without making a splash for his huge size and came over to the other side.

Tongra jumped down from the toot and padded over to where the large otter was pulling himself from the bank and hled out his paw to help the otter up. Getting up, the large otter looked down at Tongra and picked him up. "My friend. It's been a long time in seeing you, how goes down at the beach?"

Tongra churred and gave the big otter a few pats on the back before he found his paws touching down onto the ground again. "It goes well but I have something to tell you." Looking around, he blinked and stared back at the large otter. "Don't tell me you managed to sneak away again from being protected. What will your mate say?"

Grinning, Skipai shrugged. "Probably flog me for being a pain but hey, I am the chief and what I say goes but don't worry." Placing two webbed fingers into his mouth, he blew a loud whistle as the whole two sides of the bank were full of otters. "I was covered and they knew you were coming a long time ago. I thought I would surprise you but." Holding up the arrow, waving it about slightly. "You do know how close you came to killing me?"

Tongra looked about and shrugged. "Hey, you never know who could be about these days?" He looked at Skipai and saw that the friendly-ness had gone. "Erm, yeah. That's what I was coming your way to explain." Tongra moved to sitting down on a fallen log and looked at the otter. "I don't know yet so don't go about rushing into anything, chief. But we found two old furs. A hare and a otter who came from the sea. They look like slaves to me."

"What?! Where?!" Skipai barked as he came right up to Tongra and pulled him back up again to his feet. "Did you find out what ship it was?" Tongra swallowed as he shook his head. "No, I left them with my family to care for them as they were unconscious at the time. I thought I should come right to you immediately."

Letting go, Skipai turned around. "I want some of you to come with us, the rest go back to the main camp and inform the others." He paused and rubbed his chin for a moment in thought. "On second thoughts, do that but also send word out that to the other chiefs in the area that I may be calling a meeting."

Seeing the otters move into two groups, he nodded his head and turned to face Tongra. "Right, let's go see what you fished out of the sea." Wrapping his arm about the smaller otter, he churred. "So how really does it go down there?"

Tongra started to walk back as he watched the other big muscled otters walking all around him. "Things go well, chief. Fishing is good and the storm had washed up quite a fair bit of stuff to use. We have quite a lot of fish to pick up on the beach though."

Skipai shook his head while chuckling. "Oh come on, that's not all I want to know about. How is your mate and your two young otters. Hang on, I can't remember their names. What were they again?" The large otter placed a paw onto his chin and rubbed it.

Tongra smiled and churred back softly. "Mate's name is Pearl and I have Watercress and RapidRudder." He ducked but failed as he felt the large strong otter paw rubbed at his head, ruffling up the fur as Skipai laughed loudly. "Ah, that's what they're called, so how are they?"

Tongra smiled as his spirits slowly rose while surrounded by more of his kind. "They're doing quite well. They will be pleased to meet you but do me one favour, chief?" Skipai smiled as he nodded his head. "Anything." Tongra nodded his head. "Don't scare the old otter too much or shout at him. I think these two have been through a lot and won't like being pushed." Skipai nodded his head. "Understood, I wasn't planning to anyways."