The air was frigid and cool; the trees felt as though they were rocks. As arrived back to Kail’s whereabouts. Removing two fish and two smaller birds from his creel, he handed them over.
“For a second, I thought you would leave me.” Kail said, realizing soon after that he had nowhere to put the extra food. He chuckled, “I didn’t think this would happen today.” He set two of the animals onto the ground, “Let me, uh...” He removed the hood from his head completely, untying the lower ends from two of his spines on his neck, and placed the excess inside. Knotting both opposing corners of the square of cloth, the hood was transformed into a pouch.
As waited patiently for any crumb of information Kail would give him. Any lead was better than none.
“I guess I should tell you, uh, where those weasels go.” Kail suggested to himself, very quickly eyeing As’ knife. Kail stood and pointed in a direction, one that As knew was northwest. “That way, along there,” Kail’s finger moved in a horizontal line, “down that way.” He now pointed southwest, “That’s where I usually see them wander, anyways. I’m not sure how big an area they cover, but they’re always going that way.”
“Are there any other areas that you know of?”
“Um... Sometimes I see them over in the east, but it’s rare.”
“Alright,” He looked off to the northwest. “I’ll be on my way.” As took a few steps.
“Wait! You’re leaving right now?”
“Yes? I need to find the person I’m looking for.” As secretly wanted to close the conversation and start trekking.
“Uh- before you go, have this... for your hospitality.” Kail reached behind his back and gave a moderate tug. He revealed one of his loose spines in his paw, its chestnut color made a gradient towards the tip, turning into a light cream. “It’s, uh, for good luck.”
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As took the long spine, putting it into his creel, it sticking out of the basket from underneath the lid, “Thank you. Best of luck to you, too, Kail.” He gave a nod of appreciation before turning to face the field of trees before him once more. “I’m sure you’ll need it more than I.”
Kail was knelt down, picking up his pouch before arising, “Oh, that’s nonsense. You’ll-”
Looking at where As had been, he no longer stood.
* * *
Evic lied in his bed, keeping his eyes on a particular dark blotch on the ceiling. The room was a shade of chetwode blue with the day ending, the blinding of the sun discarded as bodies became restful. Briefly, Evic wondered if he had been too harsh with his demeanor earlier, only for it to turn into various ways to think of ‘No, he deserved it.’ many times over, only for the first consideration to loop back around, repeating the process. He turned his head to the right to see Scus and Gaffe lying as well, but they were in a chatter about tomorrow being collection day, and about how much money they could make by selling Wayne’s things. Collection day was once per week, when higher-ups from the Exporine kingdom would come to the camp, taking with them mostly all of the gained nuggets of metal to be “spread” into the economy, or so they said.
Evic sat up, the bed sheet somewhat sticking to his back, and he leaned over the edge before standing up. The floorboards creaked.
“Where d’you think you’re goin’?” Scus asked.
Evic drew in a breath, and sighed it out, “I’m goin’ for a walk.”
“This late?”
“Yeah!” Evic always became annoyed with Scus’ constant tone. He headed for the door.
“’Ey, don’ stay ou’ there too long. It’s cold.” Gaffe added, his voice sounded sincere and oddly caring.
Evic looked back at him, then turned forward.
“...Thanks.”
Evic opened the door, the night breeze rushing in. Other weasels immediately bickered at him to close it. With a rickety sound, the voices were silenced, and he headed towards the cells that held the prisoners.