User blog:Skipper Rorc/The Rise of Freedom-Part 2

Chapter 11
Colan grinned as he watched Torrin walk a short distance in front of him. The ferret had dropped much of his public image and he came across more laid-back than even some of the nobles. Some would consider the distance between Torrin and him to be improperly small, but Torrin didn’t care.

This part of the city was full of movement, beasts walking back and forth to their various destinations, some of the wealthier ones with slaves trailing behind them. Torrin mode of dress fit the role of a minor noble better than a prince, his tunic had little ornamentation and he wore no gold or silver at all. Only the quality of his clothes and the saber on his back hinted at who he was.

Colan, as was proper, did not carry his saber. It wasn’t because he couldn’t, but more because they didn’t want to draw much attention.

Torrin had hinted that he had something planned, but Colan couldn’t figure out what it was. Unable to get any dues out of Torrin, he had let the matter drop and enjoyed the sights.

He had never been in this part of the city before, only traveling along the roads that took him to the oyster beds and back. Because the wealthy didn’t want grimy slaves running around under their feet, those roads were regulated to the poorer sections of the city. Now he was walking in the higher-end of the city. Mansions rose on either side of them as they made their way through a residential part of the city before emerging in the market.

Colan gawked at the sight before him. Sure, he had left the castle before, but they had never gone to anyplace like this! The large square had countless stalls covering the open space, the alleys between them crowded with a sea of beasts, the bright colors of their garments shifting like the sun shining through the crystal chandelier in one of the palace’s ballrooms.

Blinking, he rushed forward to catch up to Torrin, who had forged ahead of him, not noticing Colan’s astonishment. When he caught up to the ferret, he slowed down and looked over the wares. For the first time in his life, he saw beasts picking through the wares before selecting what they wanted. Torrin stopped at one stand and Colan stepped up next to him and picked up an apple from among the scores of similar fruits. Turning it over, he was amazed at its ruby color, its firmness, its unbroken skin. Of course, he had seen such apples in the palace, but he had assumed that they were grown specifically for the palace. To see that such quality was commonly available…it made him realize just how low slaves were thought of.

“Hoy, you! Git yer grimy paws off my wares, whelp!”

The otter stepped back in surprise at the sudden shouting, still clutching the apple.

“Hoy! Don’t yew even think ‘bout stealin’ it yew filthy waterdog or I’ll git yer master t’ give ya a hidin’ yew won’t fergit!”

Torrin glanced over at Colan and then turned back to the shopkeeper, his face cold. Rummaging around in his beltpouch he pulled out six copper coins and laid them on the counter of the stall. Grabbing a second apple, he leaned forward as the stallkeeper moved forward to take payment. Lowering his voice, he whispered dangerously. “A Prince’s slaves are never dirty.”

Colan grinned as Torrin swept past him, leaving behind a stunned and shaking stallkeeper. Still smirking, he took a bite of the apple, enjoying the fresh crunch, before turning away as well. Caching up to Torrin, he whispered in the ferret’s ear. “Is it always this busy?”

Torrin shook his head. “No, today is the weekly market day. Many of these vendors also have more permanent shops inside buildings, but a market is held once a week so beasts can get all their shopping done in one spot.”

The otter nodded, looking over the rolls of brightly-colored fabric that was being sold at one stall, and the needles and thread sold at another a short distance away. A fox was arguing with the rat selling the cloth, gesticulating wildly as a squirrel stood a short distance behind him, arms laden with the fox’s purchases.

Colan jerked as he head his name being called. Looking around, he noticed Torrin some distance ahead in the crowd, waving at him. Hurrying forward, he quickly caught up to the ferret, scolding himself for not paying attention.

They wandered around the market a little longer before Torrin led them out of the square and down a street lined with different shops. Each shop had its own unique sign above the door, even if they were the same kind. Most of the signs also had words along the bottom, informing the passerby what might be found inside. Colan saw many stores he had never thought of before, even one that sold merchandise specifically for slave owners. Colan shuddered as he thought about what must be inside.

Torrin eventually entered one of the last few shops of the street. Colan glanced up at the sign and wondered why Torrin was going into a jeweler’s. Shrugging, he entered and came to a dead stop just inside the door. It wasn’t the amount of precious metals inside the shop that startled him, no, he had gotten used to them at the palace. What really made him stop and stare was the intricate ornateness of the pieces on display. Only a few pieces displayed any kind of simplicity, most were made with such complex designs that one could look at a single inch and find new details after hours of looking.

Torrin walked over to where a nimble-fingered rat was working behind the counter, weaving thin silver and gold wire to make a veil, threading jeweled beads on here and there. Torrin tapped his paw on the countertop. “Did you finish my order?”

The rat didn’t look up. “How long ago was it placed?”

“A week ago today.”

Torrin watched as the rat’s fingers paused in their work, the rat looking up. Recognizing the Prince, he immediately sprang from his seat. “My apologies, Prince Torrin. I should have recognized your voice. Your order is complete, just as you asked.” Turning, he pulled a box from the shelf beside him before returning his attention to Torrin. “Here is your order, sir.”

Torrin took the box. “Do I owe you anything?”

The rat shook his head. “No, sir.”

Torrin nodded, “Thank you.” The ferret turned and exited the store, Colan close behind.

Once outside, Torrin turned to Colan. Opening the box, he pulled out a silver four-pointed star. The center of the star was a circle of gold, and it was hung on a gold chain from the topmost point. Torrin looked at the necklace. “I heard a story once of two friends who were like us, one was an otter, the other a “vermin”, a fox. The otter gave the fox a necklace as a visual reminder of a promise he made to the fox. These necklaces are replicas of the ones in the story, and the promise is the same. Your problems are mine, and anything you go through I’ll be right beside you every step of the way.”

Tears filled the otter’s eyes as the cold metal star settled against his chest. He reached up and gently rubbed his thumb across the tips of the points. He sniffed and quickly brought his paw up to wipe away the tears that had escaped his eyes.

“Thanks Torrin, I-” Colan’s voice failed him and he could only smile weakly as tears leaked from his eyes. Looking down, he lifted the medallion in his palm and stared at it. Taking a deep shuddering breath, he looked up. “Thanks.” He whispered.

Torrin smiled gently. The emotion in Colan’s eyes said more than words ever could. He lifted up the second identical medallion and hung it around his own neck. He turned, beckoning as he did so. “Come on Colan, let’s go back to the palace.”

Colan followed the ferret, still looking at the star in his palm. Torrin turned a corner but Colan, still absorbed in the medallion, continued straight. When he finally did look up, the medallion fell from his paw as it went rigid from shock. His head whipped around frantically as he tried to catch a glimpse of the ferret. Spotting a fox leaning against a wall ahead, he rushed over.

“Sir, have you seen my Master? He’s a ferret, about my height…” Colan paused as the fox pointed down the street beside him. “Thanks you, sir.” Colan blurted before darting down the street. He paused as he heard the rustle of cloth from one of the alleyways. His eyes caught a flash of black fur, and then he saw stars, and everything went black.

A large figure knelt beside the downed otter. A paw reached down and felt the otter’s pulse at his neck, completely dwarfing the smaller figure. The fox slid up next to the larger canine, placing a paw on his shoulder. The wolf looked down at the fox, then back at the otter. “He shouldn’t have run away from his master.” He rumbled. “Destroys all the trust they have in each other.” He glanced at the fox. “Now maybe we’ll have enough money to get off this island Saiir.” He picked Colan up. “Time to take him back to his master.”