Prone To Wander (rough draft)

Chapter Twenty One

When Malaki heard what his punishment was to be, the young squirrel was thoroughly confused, but didn't want to admit it. He was expecting to be told he couldn't visit the puppies, or perhaps that he would have to spend a day in the house “thinking about what he'd done”. He was thrilled to hear that he would get to spend an entire day with Niki and the puppies, and was struggling not to show his enthusiasm.

“When do I get to go?” he asked. His mother stared at him, and he corrected himself, “I mean, when do I have to go?”

“Tomorrow morning. You know, it's alright to be happy to see them... but you will be spending the day helping, not just playing.”

The next morning, it was Ruben who escorted his nephew to the den. When they arrived, the puppies were nursing, so Malaki found a place near Niki's shoulder and settled in to watch the little ones. Ruben stayed and talked for a bit, but he couldn't stay long. He'd promised Jacob his help. It seemed a bird had managed to break the door to his family's home, and started building a nest inside. He'd just found it that morning and didn't know what to do.

When the puppies were done feeding, there were indeed messes that followed. Most of it was cleaned by Niki herself, but some of the bedding under the little ones had gotten damp, so Malaki was tasked with pulling out the worst of it and piling it near the entrance to be kicked out later. The work was harder than the young squirrel thought it would be. The bedding was heavy when wet, and unpleasant to carry. He never complained though. He would've rather done that job every day, than go a single day without seeing the puppies.

The morning was nearly over, when Arkadi came into the den. He saw the little piles of bedding and took a moment to kick them away. Malaki turned to greet him, and froze in wide eyed wonder. Hanging limp and lifeless from those powerful jaws was of all things, a large red fox.

“I didn't know you eat foxes,” the squirrel gasped.

“Well, it's better that than letting the fox eat you,” Arkadi replied, after dropping his prey.

The litter was asleep again, and Niki was glad to have a meal. However, she also wanted some peace and quiet, and a rest. She told Arkadi to take Malaki and find something to do for awhile.

“Why don't I just take him take him back to the clearing?”

“Because he's supposed to be out here all day. Maybe you can find something for him to do, he's here to help out afterall.”

Arkadi wasn't pleased, but agreed, and Malaki followed him out into the forest. The huge dog found a patch of sunshine, stretched out in it, and watched as his strange little companion found a place between his paws.

“So you're supposed to be doing something helpful?”

“Yes, sir... because I was very rude yesterday and I disturbed you and the puppies. I'm sorry.”

“Well, you didn't bother me, not really... and I can tell you've already been helping, you're all a mess,” Arkadi said, sniffing at the squirrel. “That must be what those little piles of soiled bedding were from.”

“Yes, sir. Niki said it was to help keep the puppies dry.”

“Alright then, I say you earned a break.”

With that, the huge paws crossed, and Arkadi rested his head on them. Malaki was surounded by fur, and soon could hear nothing, but the deep raspy breathing of the sleeping dog. He realized, that if he snuggled up by the dog's neck, it would be the safest place in the world. Nothing would be able to grab him, and what would dare try? But being surrounded by thick fur, in a sort of living cave, quickly became too warm. So, he climbed onto a foreleg, where he could snooze in the open air.

Malaki woke when he felt something tugging, very carefully, on his belt. Everytime Arkadi breathed out, he was pulled, very slightly forward. His eyes opened slowly, and he caught a glimps of white fur. The young squirrel realized what was happening just as his back paws were pulled away from his protector. He was going to call out, but a paw clamped his mouth shut, and he was carried along further, and further away. It seemed impossible that a creature could be both cunning enough to think up a way to take him from the dog, and idiotic enough to attempt it.

He was carried cautiously, behind a fallen tree where the creature paused and listened. The dog was still breathing deeply. Malaki noticed in the near silence, that he could hear his captor's heart beating like it would like it was about to burst out of the creatures chest.

“I'm going to let you go,” it whispered, “Stay quiet.”

Malaki was set on his own paws, and wheeled around to see an ermine. His ears pinned, his tail bristled, and he wondered if it was better to call for Arkadi, or run back to him. Whichever he chose to do, he knew it wasn't him, but the weasel who needed to worry. It listened for the breathing again... the sound was still there. It was a very nervous creature, and at least half of it's coat had turned white, with arrival of fall. It kept one paw out, near Malaki's shoulder, but wasn't holding him there. The ermine had two long deep slashes that ran down it's face, neck and right shoulder, they were scabbed over and would soon be scars. Finally it turned to face him.

“How are you not dead?” it whispered.

“Vincent!” Malaki gasped, and a paw shut his mouth again.

“Shhhh, or you're going to get us eaten,” he said pleadingly. “It's a miracle I got you away from that thing. Where did it come from anyway? That's not the one they had trapped.”

The only reply was a deafening growl from over their heads. They both looked up and saw bared teeth in an open mouth. Vincent gave Malaki a hard shove, “Run for it, pup!” he cried. But Malaki landed on his paws and darted back, taking his stand in front of the ermine.

“Please Arkadi, don't kill him! He thought he was rescuing me.”

“You know him?” the dog growled.

“Yes, his name is Vincent and he saved us from a coyote once.”

“He's a weasel, it's not against the rules if I eat him.”

“No, I suppose it's not,” Malaki said, his hopes dimming.

Vincent tussled the pups ears from behind, “Maybe it's best if you just move out of the beasts way... and here I was worried that stupid raccoon was going to eat me.”

“Does this creature belong to the raccoon?” Arkadi asked, without taking his eyes off of Vincent.

“I guess he kind of does,” Malaki admitted, “Uncle Quinn traded with another raccoon, and well... said he was going to eat Vincent when we found the others. Though Uncle Ruben wanted to at least give him a chance to run.”

“Fine,” Arkadi growled, “We can take it to the camp then. It'll be closer to a meal for the raccoon anyway.”

Vincent was taken between teeth, and started scrambling to get away, but Malaki called up to him and said it would be safer for him to just sit still. He took the young one's advice. The weasel was surprised when “the camp” turned out to be in the clearing. He wondered what had happened to the other ermines, but judging by what he had just witnessed, guessed that they'd mostly been eaten by dogs and raccoons.

Everyone was gathered by the firepit when they arrived. There were several fish roasting, as well as the bird that had been giving Jacob so much trouble that morning. Arkadi made his way to Quinn and dropped his quarry.

“I'm told this is yours,” the dog grumbled.

Quinn grabbed the ermine with one paw and sniffed, “Well, yes I do believe it is. Thank you, much appreciated.”

“The pup seemed to think no one would want it eaten. If that's true, I recommend you keep it out of my sight. Your little rules didn't say anything about weasels.”

Without another word, Arkadi turned and walked away. Malaki wasn't sure where he was supposed to go, back to the den, or stay at camp. He chose to run after the dog.

“Go back, Malaki,” he was told.

“Yes, sir. Thank you for not killing him, and... and I'm sorry I only caused trouble again.”

“No, I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have been sleeping on the job. I'm just glad you didn't get hurt.” Arkadi licked the squirrels head, “Just another puppy, aren't you?” he muttered. “You better go back to the others, I'll tell Niki what happened.”