"Mysti! Mysti! Mysterolie! Get back here, ya' little-"
But the cries fell on deaf ears, as the tiny ferretmaid toddled as fast as
she could along the white sanded beach. The little one liked the feel of the
sea-spray on her paws, the way the wind whipped through the many ribbons that
adorned her headfur. But most of all, she liked to see her Mommy and Daddy
annoyed!
Mysterolie looked back as she ran, giggling aloud. By the time she
realized the creature in front of her, it was too late, and she careened right into
the Trident-Rat who had been patrolling the shore.
"Well, little matey, an' what are yew doin' here?"
The ferretbabe could only wimper in fright at the huge searat, the
tatteres silks that danced around her footpaws, the metal breatstplate and skirt
that she wore, the gigantic three-pronged weapon she carried.
"Ahoy, Sagitar," interrupted Mysterolie's pursuer, a young female
ferret, clad in a blue silk sundress. The rat could not help but notice the tatoo on
her left paw, a dainty pink flower, growing from a yellow-green vine. The
pursuer continued, "An' wha are ya' doin' with my little daughter?"
"To tell you the truth, Romsca," answered Sagitar, "She ran right inta'
me! Poor little thing never knew wot hit 'er! But she's arright now, arencha'
Mysti?" Mysterolie only nodded her head.
"I suppose we'd better be going," said Romsca after a few minutes
of chatting with her rodent friend. "Thank yer' for findin' my daughter for me.
She may've ran into one o' those mangy lizards if not fer' you!"
"It's my pleasure," replied Sagitar, resuming her duties.
******************
On the way back, Mysterolie marveled at the sights of her home, the
Isle of Sampetra, in evening. But tonight was different. Colored lanterns, made
of parchment, hung in strings from the tropical trees. Tantalizingly delicious
smells-cooked lobster and fish, sugar coated fruit-wafted through the air. The
chatter of the seabeasts mingled with the sound of willow harps and reed flutes,
which were accompanied by the beautiful singing of gifted creatures.
Soon Mysti saw her family's camp, a large scarlet tent. Nearby sat a
young make ferret, a corsair by the look of him, trying to start a fire. His fur
was black-grey, quite dark for a ferret, actually. He looked almost formal for a
corsair however, since his tunic and headfur was not dirty and ragged, as it might
be normally. However, his handsome bright green eyes seemed kind and
carefree, and instantly brightened at the sight of his mate and daughter.
"Daddy!" called Mysterolie, waddling to him and holding up her paws
to be picked up.
"Well, I caught her, no thanks to you, Flotsam," joked Romsca,
giving the dark ferret a peck on the cheek.
"An' it's a good thing you did,"Flotsam replied, "Because I have
something I want to give her."
"Wha' is it? Wha' is it? Lemme' see!" Mysterolie started
scurrying around her fathers arms, trying to find the hidden present.
"'Old on, 'old on!" Flotsam cried, taking a small pouch off the
sandy ground. The ferretbabe quickly unwrapped it.
A beautiful seashell was revealed, about two inches wide. It was
creamy white, with a bit of pink on the smooth inner side. And on that inner
side, intracately engraved, was the name "Mysterolie" in flowing black letters. It
dangled from the end of a thin chain. Mysti, who loved shiny and artsy things
like this, immediately put it on. It was a bit big, butevery few minutes she would
fiddle with it in her paws, admiring it.
"I had Urchin do the engraving. Isn't it great?"
"It's beautiful," Romsca breathed. "A beautiful present, and she's
not a season old. You're wonderful!" She commenced to jump up and hug her
mate lovingly. "We're finally a family."
"Well, that reminds me of something I wanted to tell you," said
Fflotsam, a worried expression on his face. "Ya' see-"
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