Unicorns vs. Flarefoxes Part 3

Here's the third part to my little short story :) But before I put it here, I have a promise to keep from nearly a year ago. Kristy Tate advertised my book on her blog over a year ago, so I need to link to one of hers. I don't generally read romance novels, and haven't yet read this one, but it looks pretty good :) (And don't worry, she hadn't read mine either when she posted it, so I'm not cheating her by posting it without having read myself!)

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Fortunetellers-Tent-Kristy-Tate-ebook/dp/B00H2CA18U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1400102389&sr=1-1&keywords=kristy+tate

Anyway, here's part three! 

“This is very disconcerting,” said the general as Singe and Spark disappeared into the Healer’s Den. “This isn’t the first case we’ve heard of recently where strange flarefoxes turning up and asking for assistance. I’ve received reports from several other bases and even one or two citizen communities of this happening. And there may be even more of the latter – the only reason I’ve heard of those ones is that the foxes who helped them to tried to verify their stories and couldn’t, so they become concerned. And that’s another thing; whenever we’ve asked them about where they were from or where they were going, they’ve given evasive answers, or ones that couldn’t be followed up. And every time someone has tried to stall or detain them, they’ve escaped.”

“How?” Digger asked, wide-eyed.

“We don’t know. No one can catch them doing it. They just . . . disappear, and we can’t even follow their scent. So I have a task for you. I know you’re new, but I think that will work to your advantage. It should make you seem less threatening. I need you to offer to escort them home. No, don’t just offer. Insist. Make it seem innocent, but don’t back down. Obviously they will try to give you the slip. Don’t let them until you’ve determined what their up to. Hopefully they will be less careful around you because they will see you as inexperienced. Which you are, but I trust you can pull this off. We need to know if they are a rival group trying to take over our territory, or even something more sinister.”  

Digger shuddered at his words. “I’ll do what I can,” he said.

Later, as he watched the stranger foxes leave the healer’s den, he reflected on just how non-threatening the pair looked. They laughed harmlessly at some private joke and playfully nudged each other, then gave him a smile as they noticed him. And yet, in a way, that makes them all the scarier, knowing what I know now, thought Digger. He swallowed his fear and sauntered over to them, doing his best to look non-threatening himself. Small smile with no teeth showing, ears pricked to show confidence, tail swinging slightly.

“Hey guys,” he said, “I’ve been assigned to escort you home. Hope you don’t mind.”

Singe and Spark glanced at each other, and Spark shifted a little.

“I think we’ll be okay,” said Singe.

“Ya,” said Spark. “See, thing is, we were planning on taking the scenic route home. You know, make a few stops on the way? We’d hate to waste your time like that.

Digger put on his best brotherly demeanor, smiling and sauntering over. “Oh, come on,” he said. “I’d think after that forest attack, you’d appreciate an escort. Especially if you’re going the scenic route.”

“Uhhhh, no,” said Singe in a firm tone. “Come on, let’s go,” he said to Spark. The pair started to walk off.

Clearly they didn’t like the big brother effect, thought Digger. Time to try a different approach. He ran ahead of them and turned to face them once more. This time, he kept his head lowered and wrapped his tail protectively by the side facing them. “Look,” he said. “To be honest, I’m really new here. I think they’re just assigning me to you guys to get me out of their fur for a while. It’s not like they expect you to really need any help. They just need to give the new guy something to do, you know? And it would be niceto get away for a bit. Conversely, if you don’t let me come, I may lose my position for disobeying orders, and that’s no good. So do you think I could come with you? Please? I won’t be much trouble.” He tried his most winning smile, once again being careful to show no teeth.

The other two looked at each other once more, and Singe sighed, then turned back to Digger. “I suppose you can come,” he said. A threatening note entered his voice as he continued. “But there will be no bossing us around, no telling us what to do. Even if it’s for our safey. We’re on something of a vacation, and we won’t have some adult telling us what to do. Understood?”

Digger nodded.

“Good,” said Singe. “Now, if you need to do anything, do it fast. We’re leaving.”