The Plucky Paws Guild Part 2

Brother Fulce Riverwalker completed his prayer to the shepherdess, removing his hand from the small mouse's injured paw. The infected cut was gone, replaced with a soft scar that would fade in time. He closed his eyes, bowing his head to give a quick thanks to Ewena for answering his prayer and healing the child. A small crowd gasped at the miracle they had just witnessed. True they knew of the power of the Gods, but it was not often they saw such a potent act of divine might.

“Oh thank you, revered one! That cut had gone bad and the apothecary’s medicine is so costly!” the mother cried in gratitude. “I fear Pipkin would have lost her paw had you not saved her.”

“Thank the Shepherdess not me, it is only by the light of Ewena that your child was healed. I am simply Brother Fulce, good mouse, only the Shepherdess is revered.”

“But how can we repay you?” she asked.

“Do good, serve the Shepherdess. That is all I ask.” the young priest responded.

“If you will excuse me”, he said, stepping back onto the road to continue his journey. “I must reach The Dancing Ferret by dusk. A good friend awaits me there.” He waved to the small crowd as he began briskly walking towards his destination.

“Oh!” he called over his shoulder. “Tell Pipkin to have more care around the nettles by the river. Yes, the berries there are good, but the thorns are sharp, as she now knows!”

The mother waved to him, assuring her she would. The happy child, now free of the fever and the pain of infection danced a little jig and shouted in her sweet, young voice. “Three cheers for Brother Fulce!” The small crowd happily obliged her and shouted out “Huzzahs” for the young healer. He smiled to hear their joy and again gave thanks to his Goddess for the good work done that day.

And yet more good work lay ahead! Hopefully even greater work! His dear friend Melodus Wyndsong was finally going to do it! They had talked many times of this endeavor, dreaming of the great good they could accomplish for the Great Woods if they succeeded in their audacious quest. It had been several months since his Deity had whispered to him to find the famed minstrel and join forces with him. Now today he would see the first fruits of their friendship.

Melodus had been shocked when they had first met at the Dancing Ferret, Fulce immediately embracing him like a long-lost brother. But the bard had clearly recognized a kindred spirit and before the night was over they had been brothers in all but blood. And the plans they had made, the dreams! Audacious didn’t begin to describe it! 

Since choosing the Path of the Wanderer as his devotary, Fulce Riverwalker had wished nothing more than to serve the flock of his Shepherdess. And now it appeared he would have the opportunity to do greater good than he had ever hoped! Melodus had insisted that he needed time to plan, to assemble the right heroes if they hoped to be successful. The young raccoon had returned to his master, the venerable druid, Silvanea Whisperhoof for counsel, promising Fulce that he would summon him when all was prepared.

Finally, the epistle had arrived just over a week ago, instructing him to meet at The Dancing Ferret at dusk on this night. The very place their dreams had started! Fulce could barely contain his excitement! Tonight he would begin his life calling! What more could he want?

He finally arrived at The Dancing Ferret, the homely inn lying on the southern edge of Crooked Hollow. It was a large, rambling affair. A single story, clearly enlarged by many extensions over the years, adding rooms for additional guests.  Yes, the ancient Inn had prospered. A well-kept stable lay to the right of the main entrance. Celdric kept a clean stable, all knew that, but it was nothing compared to the actual Inn. The Dancing Ferret was rightly famed throughout the Great Woods.

Fulce followed a small band of weasels into the common room. As the day closed more of the forest folk made their way to the Inn for a meal, or pint, or to just enjoy the good company of friends. Fulce looked to the corner by the hearth and was dismayed to see that the chair was absent. That was Melodus Wyndsong’s preferred spot. Had he gotten the night wrong?

“Fulce!” a familiar voice happily called out to him. “My friend, my brother! It is so good to see you! Come, join us!” The bard waved him over to one of the larger tables, occupied by some large customer. A badger perhaps? Or a small hound? He was shocked as he drew closer to see the minstrel’s companion was a raccoon. But such a large raccoon!

The large raccoon looked up, an empty bowl before him, a small chunk of bread in his paw. His eyes brightened when he saw the young priest approach. “Ah! Excellent! A follower of the Path! A wise choice for this venture, Melodus!”

“Brother Fulce Riverwalker,” Melodus began formally waving from the priest to his seated companion. “May I introduce Reginald the Brightblade, the slayer of Sabletooth the Cruel! A mighty warrior for good! Brother Fulce has been instrumental in helping me plan this great adventure!”

The large raccoon colored slightly at the lofty praise. “Well I don’t know about that…” he muttered, rising to greet their new guest.

Fulce took the large paw that had been extended toward him with enthusiasm! “Oh yes! Reginald the coyote slayer! I have heard your name praised by the small folk throughout the forest! Ah, Melodus! You do think big, don’t you? What a great choice for our venture, I am excited to see the others you have selected.”

--

Theo Goldspinner held onto his wide-brimmed hat as he ran down the twisted streets of Crooked Hallow. His purple cloak lined with arcane symbols flapped behind him as his leather travel back thumped heavily against his side, the large tome of spells and lore bruising his hip. 

He carried a long wizard staff in his off-hand, horizontal to the ground to avoid the humiliation of tripping over it. If his master could see him now, he thought with chagrin. That old tortoise would be mortified to see his best pupil running in such an undignified manner! Toturphys the Blind had always taught that a wizard's power came not only through their skill with the magical arts but also with the solemnity they projected through their calm, dignified aura of control and competence. 

Theo did not feel particularly dignified at the moment as he bounded down the narrow lanes. He was late! Late, him, Theo Goldspinner. If there was one thing Theo could not tolerate it was being late! He thought he had timed things so well! But who could have expected that delay he had this morning when entering the town? True he had been successful at saving the family of rats from the fire, and true he probably hadn’t needed to stay for all the celebrations and the feast to thank him for his valor, but still it was the principle of the thing! He could hardly have saved those poor folk and then sped away! Besides no one threw a better party than rats! 

Still, he cursed himself again for letting himself lose track of time. The sunlight was gone, and it was clearly past dusk. He was late! He had set out with plenty of time, so intrigued by the riddle that had arrived at his home just a week before. He carried the note safely by his grimoire in the bag at his side, though in truth he did not need the physical note as he had memorized the cryptic message after reading it once.

Quietly he recited the riddle yet again, as he hurried towards his destination

“Where shadows twist and lanterns glow,
A sprightly dancer steals the show.
With whiskered grin and nimble feet,
It twirls where laughter and revelers meet.

Where rivers bend in crooked flight,
And Hollow paths evade the light.
A town where fate and fortune weave,
There in secret, take your leave.

Not today, nor morning bright,
But when the sun gives up its fight.
Mark the seventh fading crest,
And step into a hero’s quest.”

It was a clever little rhyme, but the message had been obvious to one of Theo’s education and intellect. Meet at The Dancing Ferret in Crooked Hollow at dusk in one week’s time. Even the author of the unsigned letter had been cleared to the young mage. He had seen that penmanship before! His family owned an original ballad penned by the famed minstrel Melodus Wyndsong, and Theo had recognized the fine hand immediately.

So, the bard wanted him, Theo Goldspinner to join him on a quest. What quest? Well the riddle had not shed much light on that, but Theo was always up for a challenge. After pondering the matter over the seven-day trip to Crooked Hollow he had derived three possible quests he thought most likely. He was curious which one would be correct!

But first, he had to arrive at the Inn! His breath was labored and he knew his wizard regalia would be damp with sweat. Yes, he was not making his tutor proud at the moment, and he gave thanks his master could not see him right now. Unless he was actively scrying him! He almost tripped over his staff as the horrible thought occurred to him! He paused, outside the large wooden door, evoking a cantrip to detect scrying. Nothing, he nodded with relief upon completing the simple spell. 

He felt foolish yet again, what would Tortuphys think to see him casting magic for such a trivial reason? The ancient mage had taught the young raccoon many times that magic was not to be used for trifles. He decried the parlor tricks of entertaining wizards and so called truth sayers. Magic was a great gift, it was divine, and as such should never be used for the mundane. Well at least he knew the blind tortoise was not scrying him, so he’d never know about his pupil’s momentary lapse!

With some effort, Theo opened the door to the Inn. He was immediately assailed by the scent of good food and the loud noise of good companionship. He had never been to the famed Inn before, but he could tell he was going to like it. 

Scanning the room he found the minstrel raccoon over in a corner with two other companions. Two empty chairs remained at the table. Well!!! One of those chairs was for him. He adjusted his cloak and hat and strode with as much dignity as he could manage, despite the shortness of breath and damp clothing. 

“Melodus!” he called as he neared the table, he doffed his hat and gave a low, courtly bow that would have made his first teachers proud. “Theo Goldspinner at your service!”

Melodus Wyndsong smiled seeing the young wizard at his table. “You’re late!” he chided good-naturedly. 

Theo looked embarrassed. “Er, yes…my apologies, but I was delayed.”

“Saving a family of rats from a fire I hear!” Melodus winked gesturing to one of the empty chairs. “That is a good reason to be late my friend! But then you were delayed even more by a party, or so I hear. But I suppose we must make allowances. How could you pass up a celebration held by rats?!?! Everyone knows no forest creature throws a celebration like a rat celebration!”

“Just so!” Theo nodded eagerly as he climbed into the larger chair. It was quite large, but then the raccoon on the other side of the table clearly required the larger chair. Judging from his sides and the accouterments of his profession he was a warrior, and not just any warrior!

“Why you must be Reginald the Brightblade! Name by Duke Feldmuss Wolfheart himself! It is truly an honor! Having you with us on this quest, we surely can not fail!”

If possible it appeared that the large raccoon shrank slightly, embarrassed at the enthusiastic praise.

“Ah yes,” Melodus replied. “Friends, may I introduce Theo Goldspinner, of the wealthy Goldspinner merchant family? As you can see Theo has a brilliant mind, it takes little for this sharp raccoon to connect the dots. I should have known my riddle would pose no challenge for you! Why I imagine you’ve deduced the very quest I plan to propose this night!”

“Well,” Theo enjoying the famed bard’s praise.”In truth, I’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities. I’m quite sure one of them is correct.”

“Indeed?” Melodus winked at the mage. “I’ll be interested to hear if you are correct and if so I must know the other two possible quests you have theorized! Perhaps we will have our next adventures already planned out for us, eh Brother Fulce?”

Brother Fulce smiled and raised his mug in salute to the bard. He could see Melodus was enjoying this and his friend’s pleasure warmed his soul.

“Well,” started Reginald, waiving to Celdric for another mug of mulled wine. “As it appears I’m the only one in the dark here, perhaps you can finally enlighten me as to this “great quest” you have planned for us, Melodus.”

“Ah!” Melodus answered with a dramatic strum on his lute. “But we are not yet complete, there is one other who must arrive! Then we shall begin!”

“But I am already here,” claimed a soft voice behind Melodus. 

The bard jumped in surprise, putting the spell caster to shame with his involuntary levitation abilities. His right hand spasmed, striking a bad chord on his lute. The discordant note rang out echoing in the sudden stillness of the Inn as the customers turned to see what had caused the scene. 

Reginald stood reflectively grabbing his sword and even going as far as to draw the cold steel a few inches from his scabbard before he recovered. Theo, to his own embarrassment, had started gathering etheric powers around him, the words to a defensive spell on the tip of his tongue. Only Brother Fuce seemed unperturbed, a smile on his serene face.

“Who the sour fur are you!” Reginald swore in surprise.