Randy was getting restless. His instincts were telling him it was time to make his own way. And yet he felt jumpy, as if he was the centre of constant attention.

There was a new tree by the main entrance to the town. It was a tree that gave him the creeps, Randy scuttled by it with his fur all on end. The tree was bearing five heads and one horned skull. It scared Randy, in the way it seemed to display its horrible fruit, almost as if the tree was boasting of its trophies.

And that was why he was currently far deeper into the town than was his wont. Randy was sniffing around the homes of the elves. The way the town was formed out of the forest kept catching his attention. Case in point being the way several trees and bushes were woven together to form what he thought was an inn or tavern. It had a sign by he main door. And after much effort Randy thought it said something like angry grapes.

He was just about to move on when he caught the tail end of a verse. It sounded as if a small group of people were trying to make a horrible song. A song celebrating the slaying of a band of misguided heroes, or murderous criminals. There seemed to be some disagreement amongst the would be songwriters. What caught his attention, was a name – Marty.

Randy wormed his way under a leafy bush, and listened in horror. By the time the songwriters had ceased their efforts due to an overindulgence in ale, Randy had a good – if exaggerated – idea of had happened in the local dungeon. He also knew whom the heads on the trophy tree belonged to. He also knew something about elves and their trophy trees.

The whole thing repelled him. But he couldn’t get the fact that the dungeon, the ‘Rose Dungeon’ had a controlling intelligence named Marty. He cursed the – the, whatever he was, God, Angel or Demon that had cast the three of them onto this barbaric world.

It was with extreme reluctance that Randy decided he had to find out if the Marty that was a dungeon was the Marty that was his brother. So in the dark of the early ours of the morning he headed towards the sound of the falls. The songwriters had been quite explicit about such details.

Randy looked down at where the waterfall came out of the cliff. He screwed up his courage and made his way down the stairway that was growing down the cliff. Then after another long hesitation he headed into the passageway that ran beside the fast flowing river. He moved slowly, pausing every now and then to shake his paws free of water.

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Then he arrived at the lake cave. He looked with despair at the large lake, the small pier was totally inadequate to cross the lake, while the two large rowing boats were way to big for him to use. He stood there for half an hour or so before turning to make his way out again. Just before re-entering the tunnel, Randy looked back, vowing to return. Then he turned and almost ran into a pair of Runners. Randy jumped in fright, slipped on the slick stone and found himself in the river being carried swiftly towards the falls.

A terrified skunk found himself swept into the air. He plunged into the turbulent waters of the lake at the foot of the cliffs.

A half drowned and bruised Randy surfaced near the southern shore of the lake, close by where the Whitewater River left it. He instinctively paddled ashore and dragged himself into the undergrowth of the forest. After coughing out what felt like half the lake, he closed his eyes and welcomed sleep.

* * *

Randy woke with the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Surprisingly he didn’t hurt, and something smelt good. He reluctantly opened his eyes, expecting to feel the pain of his bruises. But nothing hurt, and in front of his nose he could make out a polished wooden plate. It was filled with berries and fruit.

Randy looked round warily and found an elf sitting cross-legged observing him. The youngster smelt friendly. Randy eyed him warily.

The young elf smiled, “Go on, eat. I mean you no harm. I promise.”

Randy just lay there watching him warily.

“Look, I know you can understand me, I know you are blessed by the Beastlord.” The young elf reached out and plucked out a raspberry from the plate and popped it in his mouth.

That proved too much for Randy and he bolted the offering down.

“Beastlord blessing. What is?” asked Randy.

“Creatures blessed by the beastlord are people. They think, they are sapient, and you have spoken, at least twice.”

Randy mangled elvish once more, “What want you me with?”

“I want to know you better. I’ve only ever met one other being blessed by the Beastlord, and he is a cat. My name’s Bardion by the way. What’s yours?”

“Randy.”

“Well Randy, nice to meet you. I feel I should caution you against some of the spoiled young noble looking for Familiars. Most of them are – thoughtless if not downright – unpleasant.”

“Familiar is what? Like slave? Like friend?”

“It can be either, depending on the ritual. If you are asked don’t just say yes. The System, you know the System don’t you? Or are you too young? Well don’t select the ‘Y’, check the conditions first.” Bardion watched the young skunk, and guessed that he was still too young. He looked to be almost old enough to be making his own way in the world.

“Want to home go please. Have to think,” offered Randy.

Bardion smiled happily, “Certainly, do you want me to lead the way, or do you know how to get home from here?”

They walked through the forest companionably enough and made their way around the cliff. A couple of hours later Bardion waved a cheerful goodby to Randy, as he watched the young skunk get sniffed all over by his mother. Then Bardion, the Speaker to Others headed back to town to report to his liege lady.