Previously on Plush Kits: Fluff and Sorrow, Chapter 2:

Trapped on the wrong side of the cold iron fence they could not climb, surrounded by the Wild Hunt who just murdered and ate a helpless plush-fur in front of them, both plush kits are injured.
                                   
Malcolm took off the Rowan necklace, placed it over Mara’s neck, and grabbed a broken-tipped spear, causing the hunters to laugh.

 Realizing he had no idea how to use a spear even with two arms, Malcolm used the spear like a pry bar, ripping a piece of cold iron off the fence.

Grabbing hold of the iron bar, he wrapped his paw closed around it with a piece of his shirt, and tied off his paw, gasping in pain as the dead cold shot through his paw and arm

His paw felt like it was stuck in the water of a frozen lake in wintertime, going numb, with tingling pains shooting up.

Tightening the rag to tie a knot using his other paw and mouth, Malcolm gritted his teeth against the pain.

 No matter how much it hurt him he couldn’t drop the iron now.  Mara started to slowly sit up, and looked around with terrified eyes, trying to find a way out.

“Run away, little cubs!” called out a hunter.  He looked eager to give chase.
                                                        
Keeping his eyes on the hunters Malcolm said “Mara, stay behind me. When they get me...you run as fast as you can.”                                             

“Mal, how do we get awa--”, Mara started to say.

 "Remember that I love you, and I did my best.” said Malcolm.

A hunter dressed in green looked over, amused.  “Do you expect to kill us all with the iron and escape, plush cub?”

Mal raised up the iron bar and calmly said.  “Me ? No.”                                                                                                                  
               
“But you rutting bastards don’t get her!” said Malcolm.

*****
                                                                                                                               
[Miss Kitty]

After knocking on the door to Rag’s den for 10 minutes, Miss Kitty finally heard someone groan, and yell to ‘keep yer britches on’ and a crash as something hit the floor.

An older brown bear with an eyepatch and a missing leg opened the door, slamming his eyes shut against the sunlight.  He smelled like a brewery and looked very much the worse for wear.

“...What do you need [burp] Misses Kitty?” asked Rag.

“It’s ‘Miss Kitty’ not ‘Misses’, the gods never chose to change my name after marriage.”, said the matronly cat.  “I need information on that Black Bear Clan member who was causing trouble at the Goodbye Gathering.  Mrs Redfox had a loan from him when she died, and he is threatening her kits to collect.”

“Loans...per the ‘Accords’ loans aren’t permitted to non-family members from either clan. Not since the last of the Clan Wars over 100 years ago.   Use ta’ be there were ‘loansharks’ making loans to anyplush who was desperate, and if you didn’t pay up huge interest then you were a dog toy.

Both Clans had rogue members involved in crime so bad no-one could trust either clan.  Any bear walking down the street was considered a criminal, the males, thugs, the females...well they were considered an ‘overly friendly female with a need for Ulfcoin’ begging your pardon, Miss Kitty.

Even worse, the Clan Members could no longer trust the Teddy Bear beside them in the ranks.  How can you trust the bear to protect your life if he might work secretly for a criminal gang that is your enemy?  Or who might have been the one to have murdered your 3rd cousin over a debt?

Finally the two heads of clans met, and made a pact.  It was discovered that the last of the Clan Wars were not true battles of honor.  It was manipulators making Ulfcoin off the spilled fluff in the streets.  Manipulators who worked for the Crime Lords who were all driven out into the wilderness or killed.”

Shocked, Miss Kitty considered.  “Then what should I do?”

Rag looked over.  “Try to pay it off quietly.  Then say nothing.  If that fails, talk to the Officer of the Black Bear Clan.  The loansharking bear was called ‘Roger Redblood’.  A real tailhole, begging your pardon, Miss Kitty.

His officer seemed a fair sort.  His name is ‘Butler Blackbear’.” said Rag.

 *****

 [Mal and Mara]

A hunter charged forth at Malcolm, spear raised up.  Mal fought the urge to run, his bladder emptying.  The cub ran forward swinging the iron bar wildly at the rider atop the mount.  As he came closer the un-natural flaming horse reared up,  it’s eyes rolling at the scent of cold iron coming closer.

Malcolm tripped and the iron bar swung wide, hitting the un-natural horse in the legs, slicing through the belly and back legs completely and making the rider fall to the ground, stunned as the remains of the horse rolled over him.

Malcolm desperately got to his feet and bashed the hunter over and over, green blood flying from the flesh.  As the cold iron struck, the meat  smoked and dissolved where it touched.  Wildly swinging, Malcolm went savage knowing if the hunter got up, he and Mara were both dead.

Finally realizing his current enemy was no longer moving, Mal looked over at the other Hunters, wondering how many would charge next and take his life.

“Mara, be ready.” he called out, breathing hard, wiping  green blood off his muzzle, raising the weapon again in his aching paw.  Soon he would need to hold his arm with his other paw to swing it.

Surprisingly, a female voice laughed wildly and called out.  “Hold, Ironpaw.  Your savage courage has earned you a boon.  You amuse me, Malcolm Theodore Redfox, son of Samantha and Will Redfox.

I am rarely amused, Ironpaw, and you should be rewarded.”                                                 

Malcolm and Mara were both surprised to see the Mistress of the Hunt was the speaker.

- 

The hunters backed away, and the Mistress of the Hunt approached, unarmed, holding up her empty paws.  The smile filled with sharks teeth sent a shudder down Malcolm’s spine.  This was not a fox, whatever it looked like on the outside.

“Ironpaw, I will grant you one request. I suggest you think it over carefully.” said the Mistress.

“Will you keep your promise?” asked Macolm as he hugged his sister close.

“Of course.  We cannot violate an agreement once made.  We will stick to the words of the agreement you make, Ironpaw.” the Hunt Mistress replied.
“I will give you more information as well:
We cannot get you over the iron fence.
We cannot escort you to safety.”

Looking at Mara she continued:
“The dead cannot be raised to life by us, little one.
“Ironpaw, I can bring you no closer to a teacher of fighting than you are now.

We are not escorts.  We are the Wild Hunt. Our fate is to hunt our prey.  Almost always it is the fate of prey to die or join the Hunt forever as a hunter.”                                                                                                    

“Ironpaw, tell me the boon that you seek from me.”, said the Mistress.

 Malcolm looked at Mara, but she seemed to have no input.

“Let us pass and don’t follow us.”, said Malcolm.

“Are you sure that is your request, Ironpaw?  You made no mention of safety.”, said the Mistress.

“Let us pass unharmed, and do not follow from here.”, said Malcolm.

The Mistress seemed disappointed somehow.  “Ironpaw, I grant your boon.  We grant you safe passage from this place, and The Hunt will not follow you from this place.”

“Remove the iron from yourself, Ironpaw.  It destroys both Fae and Plush flesh, only you die more slowly.” said the Mistress.

Malcolm untied the cold iron from his paw.  The numbness had been moving up his paw to his arm.  Opening his paw he saw a small mark there where he had been gripping the iron. The paw felt dead and he could not use it at all.

The Mistress spoke again. “Ironpaw, I grant one more thing: The Hunt will make camp here for 1 hour while we feast.”

Mal looked over and felt ill when he noticed the body of the torn up wolf-plush was being carried over.
Mal wondered why anyone would ever be tempted to eat and drink with the Fae.

“You even have time to change your pants, Ironpaw.” said the Mistress with a frightening smile, pointing to his pee-soaked crotch.

- 

The two siblings raced off through the woods, trying to keep the road in sight.  They wanted as much distance from the Wild Hunt as they could get.  Something felt odd about the Fae.  Like a fish discussing a walk through desert sands. 

As the sun started to get lower in the sky, Mal and Mara both jumped at the sound of a horn.  It was the sound of the hunting horns used by the Wild Hunt, but from a different direction.

Mal froze, terrified.  He thought about the agreement he made.  “They moved to hunt us from another place!”  The agreement did not state that the Wild Hunt could not move and start over.  The Mistress tried to warn him, but he did not listen!

The two ran blindly off into the night, running away from the horns.

*****

[Miss Kitty]

Barry found Miss Kitty near the doorway to the pub called ‘Publick Howse’ .  “We managed to come up with 53 Ulfcoin, there is no more to spare right now.  Can we get more time?”

“I don’t know.  I’ll have to ask Redblood, if I can find him.” said Miss Kitty.

*****

[Roger Redblood]

Roger was sitting in the Main Hall, drinking an ale and trying to beat Larry at Dragon Poker when one of the cubs used as a message runner stuck his head in.  “Roger your cousin’s housekeeper is here and has some business with you.”, said the cub.

“Tell whoever it is to go rut themselves.  I’m playing Dragon Poker.” said Roger.

“She said it's important. About Ulfcoin your cousin owes you.  For a loan.”said the cub.

Roger tried to inhale his ale, and ended up coughing until he vomited on the table as Butler was walking into the hall.

“Can’t handle your liquor, cub?” taunted Butler.  “How about we give you mother’s milk instead?”

Roger nodded and ran off as fast as he could without a word.

“What was up with ‘Screw-up Roger’?” asked Butler.

“Something about his cousin and her housekeeper.”said the cub.

 “I didn’t know Roger had a cousin that could afford a housekeeper.” thought Butler.

Roger was acting strange.  Butler wondered if he accidentally mated and was being chased around by the family of the soon-to-be-mother.  Butler would have to look up whoever Roger’s ‘cousin’ was.

But later.  He had a glass of ale calling his name, and there was a full pot at the dragon poker table to be won.

*****

[Mal and Mara]

  Mara was having trouble keeping up with her shorter legs.  Both kits were starting to tire out already, and Malcolm was still hurting from his shoulder wound.  He picked up Mara with his good arm, and carried her.

They stopped to rest and heard the hounds baying, and then a voice was heard shouting.  “The hounds have the scent!”

Mara urgently said “Go in circles!  It will confuse the hounds.”

Malcolm started to follow the path through the wood, and wound his way around.  He hoped this worked!

- 

Running blindly, barely able to move any more Malcolm tripped over a rock, stubbed his toe, and  fell...into a stream!  Both kits were soaked now.  If they did not dry off properly then Malcolm’s cut would begin to rot his stitching.

Mara got up, and grabbed Malcolm, trying to drag him down the stream.  “Come on, Mal!  The hounds can’t sniff our trail through water!”

Malcolm started to stagger forward a little, to keep moving.  Malcolm looked at Mara for a moment.  Odd.  In the growing darkness she seemed to glow a little, around her neck...the Rowan wood necklace!

The fae could sense it.  “Mara, we need to get rid of the necklace! The fae can sen--” Malcolm started to stay then he looked up and stopped dead.  In front of them, on the bank of the stream was a feral skunk. 
 
“Mara, don’t move-” Malcolm started to say quietly. Skunk spray way way stronger than normal scent.  Hounds could scent that for miles!

Mara ran forward and grabbed hold of the skunk.  The skunk sprayed both kits liberally, and Malcolm closed his eyes tightly and tried to not to breathe, fighting the urge to vomit from the stench.

After a moment, Mara released the skunk and it took off running.

Mara grabbed Malcolm’s paw and dragged him downstream, half walking, half crawling.

If he had the breath, Malcolm would have been screaming at his sister; she probably just got them both killed.

*****

[Roger Redblood]

Roger ran to the front entrance, and saw a female cat plush there.  “Who the rut are you and what do you want?” he demanded.  Best to make a strong entrance and let her know who was in charge.

“I am here to talk about your...loan-”, started Miss Kitty

“Shut the rut up! Don’t talk about that here!” said Roger, looking around to make sure no one was watching or listening.  “Half an hour, Publick Howse.  Be there!  Now get the rut out of here!” said Roger.

Miss Kitty nodded.  This teddy was nervous about something.  Maybe nervous enough to be dangerous.  She considered her next steps and left for the Publick Howse, sending messages to Barry the baker, Rag, and a few others involved.   Maybe they could re-negotiate the loan and be done with this business.

*****

[Mal and Mara]

Malcolm fell again for who knows how many times.  He tried to get up but couldn’t. He was too tired after the brutal day they had, plus his injuries...

“Mara, leave the rowan necklace with me and run.  I’ll try to distract them.  When you get to the road head back to Danu, go to Miss Kitty.” said Malcolm.

“Mal, I don’t have to leave, I can stay--”, started Mara.

“Mara!  They can track the necklace.  You need to run away now, please!” said Malcolm, nearly in tears.

Mara laughed. “Mal, they can’t track our scent now.  Thats OK if they track the necklace.  The skunk has it!”
                                                                                                                                                            
It took Malcolm a moment to process this new information.  Then for the first time in a long time Malcolm laughed.  He could imagine how much trouble the Wild Hunt would have tracking that tiny little animal, assuming an owl didn’t get the skunk first and drag the rowan necklace off to the top of a tree.

- 

The night started to set in and grow colder.  Both kits were soaked to the bone, and didn’t dare light a fire.  They hugged each other for warmth and shivered.

“Mara, I’m sorry.  I just wanted to get some Ulfcoin to live on, and find a fighting teacher.  I didn’t mean to ruin everything for you by bringing you with me.  You should be somewhere warm and safe with a full belly.” Malcolm said.

Both kits froze in terror when they heard another voice, very close.
“It sounds like YOU seek Kodi, the Bear Master!  He is a master warrior! Or so I am told.”

Looking around, the two kits saw no one.  Mara called out “Where are you?” while slowly reaching out for a rock to throw.

“You have your paw on my head, kit.” said the voice.

Looking down, Mara saw a small rock with large googly eyes on it and a mouth.
“I am Ricky Rock, a former Pet Rock to the furry ones and now a dispenser of Wisdom.” said the rock.

*****

[Roger Redblood]

Roger Redblood raced down the main road of Danu with the half-charged pink Bark-bie jeep whining furiously as he kept the pedal to the floor.  Seeing the “Publick Howse” he slammed on the brake and skidded to a stop, running inside.

Looking around, Roger noticed the cat-plush was sitting at a table with several others.  She saw the bear and waved him over.

“Look, cat, this is personal business between me and you so let's go somewhere priv--” started Roger.

Barry looked over. “We all know about the loan, Redblood. We are all here to discuss terms.”

Roger considered.  The money was important, but so was silence.  He needed to “kick up” some money to the “higher ups”...but be secret about it.  
“What terms?  Money was loaned, and needs to be returned.”, said Roger.

“We only have 53 Ulfcoin.” said Miss Kitty.  “We can pay more, but need more time.”

“I need to get 80 Ulfcoin by the full moon.” said Roger.  Extending his claws, Roger added “and complete secrecy.  If word gets out about this loan, I’ll kill you myself before the Black Bear Clan kills all of us.”

Unimpressed Rag asked “Does that mean the Black Bear Clan is breaking the Accords?”

“No...just, pay up and this goes away.” said Roger, looking around.
He needed to get out of here before someone saw him driving the jeep and all alone, sitting with plush-furs he would never have business with.

Without looking back, Roger stated “You have an extra 3 weeks.  Bring all the Ulfcoin then.”  as he ran out the door.

Rag took a drink of his ale.  “That young bear stinks of fear.  Perhaps he’ll be killed and this will go away.”

[Mal and Mara]

The two kits stared at the rock.  It winked at Mara.  “Like I said, cutie, your brother needs to get to see Kodi.  He is a Master Fighter, from what they say.  Bring me with you, when you go.  I’ve no further wisdom to gather here.  I’ll guide you.”

-

The two kits travelled in the cold dark night, guided by the pet rock, until they found a trail marked by tree trunks that bore huge claw marks.

Following along, they came to a hut, with a large firepit outside, burned low.  The sound of loud snores could be heard.  Ricky shouted out “Kodi!  You have guests in need of warmth and shelter!”

The snoring changed pitch, paused,  then continued.  Malcolm called out “Hey!  We are cold and wet and need to talk to you!”  No response.

Mara’s teeth were chattering, so Mal activated the firelog outside.  “Mara, go by the firelog and warm up.  I’ll try to wake up ‘Master Kodi’ and see if we can spend the night.”
Mal walked into the hut and saw a huge brown teddy laying up a pile of pillows, fast asleep, with an empty wine jug next to him.

Ricky said “Lets test him!  A great master would never be surprised...throw me at him!”

Since this aligned with all the “fighting master” legends Malcolm had heard, he did not hesitate, and threw the paw sized pet rock at the sleeping bear.  Mal was very surprised when the Fighting Master did NOT reach up and snatch the rock from the air, or beat it away.

The rock smacked Master Kodi in the head, making him yell and grab his head, then let out a tremendous roar of rage directed at Malcolm.  “Why did you rutting hit me in the head with a rock, little cub?!” he demanded.

“I’m sorry, Master Kodi, Ricky just said I should test--” Malcolm started.

“Who the rut are you to come into my home and hit me with rocks?!  While I am sleeping?  Would you like to be hit in the head by a rock? Who the rut are you anyways, cub?”, Kodi demanded.

“I am Malcolm Theodore Redfox, and I am looking for a fighting teacher...me and my sister need shelter for-” Malcolm started to say when he was interrupted.

“Look here, Malcolm Teddy Readsfoxes, or whoever you are; if you need a teacher, I’ll teach you.  First law: You obey my rules.  First rule: Don’t hit me in the rutting head with rocks! Does this look like my home, or a rutting stage play?  You hit anyone in the rutting head with a rock and it hurts!” screamed Kodi.

“Second...rule...[burp]..I don’t allow no stinky teddies here...you smell like skunk! Go use the sponge in the bucket outside!” said Kodi.  Malcolm noticed the brown teddy seemed...a little worse for wear from the wine he had been drinking.

“I’m not a bear, I’m a fox-” , started Malcolm.

Kodi continued as though Malcolm were not speaking at all. “Now you two go take off those soaked clothes, warm up by the firelog, and go to sleep in a corner somewhere!  Damned [hic] cubs.”

- 

Mara went near the firelog, and stripped naked, getting out of the near freezing clothes that reeked of skunk.  She started to warm up, and grabbed a plastic sponge, and wiped her body down to get the worst of the stench off her, then handed the sponge to Malcolm who did the same thing.  

Worries about being naked next to each other were forgotten in the need to not reek.  They took turns scrubbing themselves, and each other, until finally most of the stench was gone.

Malcolm used a small bandage on his shoulder cut.  It wasn’t fully healed but it hurt a lot less now.

Mara went to grab her unicorn sleeping bag, but it was soaking wet, and Malcolm spread it out near the firelog to dry, along with their clothes.

- 

Malcolm was done wiping their clothes down with the sponge, and finding Mara’s sleeping bag was wet, but Malcolm’s dry, turned to Mara.  “Mara, we will have to sleep in the same bag, OK?”

“That’s OK Mal.  You are nice and warm!” said the little vixen.

They climbed in, still naked, with their clothing all drying out.
With a whisper, Mara asked “Malcolm, do you want me to suck it? So you can sleep?” Recent experience told Mara that her brother would cum hard and fall asleep immediately if she sucked him off.

“Not tonight, Mara.  We have no privacy, and I’m still hurting a little. I just want to hold you, keep you safe and warm, is that OK?” asked Malcolm.

Mara smiled.  “OK, Mal.”
They both crawled into the sleeping bag and drifted off quickly.

-

Mara woke up to the smell of fish and pancakes.  Malcolm was still sleeping, so she slid out of the shared sleeping bag and grabbed her clothes that had been drying by the fire and got changed after a quick swipe with a “Bark-bie cleans up” sponge.

Grabbing a plate of food, she started gobbling the plate down, starved after yesterday’s activites wore her out.  Kodi came over to her.  “Hey little cub, hungry are you?  You are so tiny you could be mistaken for a fox kit instead of a bear.”
                              
Mara looked puzzled.  She was a fox kit!  Looking at Kodi she noticed his eyes seemed a little glazed.
Paying closer attention, she noticed that Kodi seemed to be looking at nothing, next to his shoulder.

“So, Princess Petals told me about you two.  You both earned names.  The Hunt Mistress called you  ‘Red Menace’, you seem to be the brain. The Fae call your foolish but brave brother ‘Ironpaw’. 

Ironpaw showed great courage but not so quick on the uptake as you are, so I’m told.  The Hunt chased that skunk for hours before they realized they had been had.  Mistress Kari laughed so hard she nearly needed a change of pants.” said Kodi.                                                                                          

-

Malcolm woke up to Mara gently shaking him awake.  “Mal, come get some breakfast!” she said in a loud voice.  In a lower voice (almost a whisper) she said “Kodi seems friendly but a little strange.  He called you ‘Ironpaw’ and thinks I am a teddy.” 

Malcolm got up, grabbed some dry clothes and got dressed with Mara’s help before grabbing a plate of fish and pancakes with his good arm. The numbness was gone from his hand, but his shoulder had still been cut, and fluff was poking out.

Kodi wandered over, and noted the injury.  “Hold still, Ironpaw.” and pulled out a ‘Dr Feelgood play-kit”. He touched the plastic “injector” to the wound, and the rest of the pain went away. Touching a “surgical stapler” to the wound sealed it up.

A part of Malcolm’s knee had torn during one of his falls, and he had a circular hole.  Kodi pulled out a patch, held it to the tod’s knee and it changed shape to match the kneecap.  Kodi sewed this on, and Mal’s knee was as good as new.

“Eat up, cub. You have a lot of work to do if you want me to train you.” Kodi said.

Malcolm gobbled his food, then went to go find Kodi. He found him with a stick, drawing in the dirt a large circle near the hut.  “OK cub. Here is where the hut for you and your sister will be.  I need you to go knock down some trees and drag them back here.  Since we haven’t started training yet, you can use the saw instead of punching them down.”

-

*****

[Butler Blackbear, Black Teddy Bear Clan Leader]

Butler was pissed off. He had gone to grab the Bark-bie jeep last night, and it was gone, off the charger. He came back this morning and drove off in it, only to find out the battery was near dead!
Some fool teddy had disconnected the charging jeep, driven it near dead, and then left it half charged the next day.

He had gone to the “House of Donuts” and found himself broken down on the way back. He was carrying 3 dozen donuts meant for a Black Clan breakfast this morning. walking down the road of Danu.

Someone was going to pay when he found out who took the jeep and why!

- 

[Mal and Mara]

As the sun went down Malcolm dragged the last of the small trees to the clearing where the hut was, and placed them in a neat pile as instructed.  Turning to Master Kodi, he asked “How do we make a hut out of a bunch of wood? I don't know anything about that!”

“Patience, young bear!  Now go over and have your sister help make….20 milkshakes from the ice cream and milk and syrup supplies.  Then 10 pieces of bread, and 40 cups of beer,” said Kodi.

“Master Kodi, I told you, I am a fox-” said Malcolm for the 7th time that day.

“Stop arguing, or find another teacher, cub. Now hop to it!” said Kodi sternly.

“Yes, sir”, said Malcolm, and ran over to make all these snacks and drinks. Why do we need all these things?  There is no way the 3 of us can eat and drink all of this!

Soon all the mysterious drinks and pieces of bread were ready.  “Go put these drinks and the bread on the small plates and leave it outside. Make yourself some supper for us all, and then be ready to stay inside all night!” said the brown bear.

Malcolm considered.  Maybe this was some test and he needed to stay awake inside the hut all night to prove his dedication?  “Am I proving myself by staying in the hut and avoiding temptation or something?” asked Malcolm.

Puzzled, Master Kodi said “No. We have to stay in so the new hut can be built.  Make sure we have everything we need in here!”

Malcolm made food, fed everyone, and made sure to bring in the “Mary-Loo learns to potty” portable toilet, screened off by a blanket, a small firelog, and plenty of drinks.

Mara came over to Malcolm and whispered “Is Kodi crazy? He keeps calling me a bear and talking to things that are not there.  He told me my dances are a little wrong, and meant for foxes, not bears!”

“Lets wait and see, Mara” said Malcolm. He was worried himself, but it made more sense to go with the flow instead of confronting an unstable teddy.

Ricky piped up. “Do not worry. Just no matter what you hear, stay in the hut!”

Master Kodi approached them.  “Like the talking rock said. No matter what happens do not leave the hut until sunrise!”

- 

Mara woke in the middle of the night.  She heard some furs outside walking around, being very loud.
“What the rut is this! Don’t they know how to stack logs?  All I would like to see is someone be ready for a change!”, said one voice

“Your sister was ready last night, Gobble! She told me to be ready tonight too!”, and then Mara heard loud laughter.

“Hey, look at this spread! Milkshakes!  Beer!  Fresh Bread!”, said another voice.

Kodi looked over. “You listen to me now, little bears!  Don’t you even look outside this hut until sunrise.  Try to go back to sleep.” Kodi wandered over and tuck Mara back in bed, adjusting her sleeping bag around her foot-paws before he lay back down.

Mara lay down, until she heard snoring from Kodi. She just had to know what was happening.  She started to unzip her sleeping bad, when Kodi woke up.  “Mara, I told you, no looking even.  Not a single peek, unless you want serious trouble.  Do you remember what we agreed to?  No going out or looking.”  How did he know?

A while later, Mara heard sounds of sawing, banging, and lots of cursing and yelling.  She went to jump up and go look, and checking carefully noticed a thin string tied to her sleeping bag leading to Kodi’s wrist.  Mara bit the string until it snapped.  She waited a moment, and went to move silently, and Kodi grabbed her paw.  “Mara, I said no looking.  Do you remember what happened when you didn’t listen about the Wild Hunt?”  Mara nodded and lay back down.

Hearing a rumbling, and then neighing that sounded like horses, then beautiful singing Mara just had to know what was happening. She crept slowly out of her sleeping bag, approaching the wall where the toilet was.  She could dig underneath the wall and look….

About to begin silently digging, the small vixen was startled when her tail was grabbed by Malcolm, who had woken up. Mal shook Kodi, who got up, poured a drink from a bottle into a cup and said “Well cub, we can look, just once, but drink this first, so you don’t get surprised by our workers.”

Mara drank, and saw a small winged fairy appear on Kodi’s shoulder. The hut looked like a palace with marble floor instead of a dirt floored plain hut. “Finish your drink, little bear.”, said Kodi.

Mara drained her cup, and then felt drowsy, staggering to her sleeping bag again and covering up. She was asleep before her head touched the Bark-bie pillow.

-
 
Malcolm woke first the next morning. The sun was shining through the doorway.
Going outside, he looked and noticed a new hut, next to the original one! With no sign of any sawdust, or logs left around, as though the hut had been sitting there for years, but was also brand new at the same time.

Heading back into Master Kodi’s hut, Malcolm ran up to the sleeping teddy.  “Master, there is a new hut there! Overnight it appeared!  How did it get there? Who built it?”

The teddy groaned.  “Hold on there, cub. I need my coffee first.”  The bear got up, went to the 'Little Homemaker Suzy' and pulled out a cup of glowing coffee, and sipped it slowly, blowing on it.  After about 10 minutes he looked far more awake and turned to Malcolm.

“I couldn’t have you two sleeping in the same hut as me, too crowded. So we cut the logs and dragged them down for materials. With the plans scratched into the dirt I just left out payment.  A brownie crew came by and built it all up overnight.” said Master Kodi.

“Brownies? Don’t they fix shoes for the gods?” asked Malcolm.

“Brownies will do a whole lot, but it costs more.  A bowl of milk and breadcrumbs might get shoes repaired.  For serious work they need serious payment.  That's why we needed all those milkshakes, loaves of bread and beer!” said Master Kodi.

- 

Mara ran into the hut to look around. It was nice inside the square wooden hut.  There were rushes on the floor covering the dirt, a nice door to keep out the wind, and even a small table and an actual bed big enough for the two of them.  No more ground sleeping in a bag, not until they left.

Going back outside, Mara started to practice her fox dances again, but was stopped by Kodi.
“Hey there, little cub, I don’t why you keep doing those ‘fox dances’ but you are doing them just a little bit wrong.”, said Kodi.

Taking her by the wrist, he aided her in her movements of the dance, and had her add in little snaps of movements while doing them, and when doing the kick moves to snap the kick out.

“Imagine the music.” Kodi told her.  “Keep the beat, follow the pattern. I’ll practice with you every day, I don’t know fox dances, but I know bear dances.” said Kodi.

- 

“OK, little teddy.  Go get the buckets! Put them on a pole, and lets go find some stairs!” said Master Kodi.  

“Stairs?  How?  We are in couple huts in the Wild Wood.”, asked Malcolm.

“Doesn’t matter where we are.  Look...there is a very large hill, with lots of boulders.  Fill those buckets with water and climb up.  Don’t spill any water!  When you get to the top, dig a hole and fill it with water. Keep doing that until the hole is full.”, said Kodi.

- 

Malcolm was exhausted.  He finally filled the dirt hole in the ground with the last bucket of water, it took him all day.  His shoulders hurt, legs ached and his plushfur was covered in dirt.
He called down “Master Kodi, what do you want me to do now?  The hole is filled with water!”

The brown teddy yelled back up.  “Fill the buckets and haul the water back down!”

“Then why did I bring it up here?” asked Malcolm.

“Ironpaw, when training you need to carry water around for a long time. I did that when I trained and  Faery Princess Petals agrees.” said Kodi.

Malcolm sat down, head in his paws and groaned.  That teddy is insane.

- 
                                  
Malcolm was dead tired from hauling water around. This was a very exhausting first day of training.  His shoulders and back were sore.  Approaching Master Kodi, who was packing a bag, Malcolm complained he was hurting.

“That happens when you roam around up and down hills carrying water to random places, little bear.” said Kodi.

“Can you do anything to fix me?” asked Malcolm.

“OH, you mean that old ‘trick’ where I clap my hands and do some ‘mysterious massage’ and magically fix your hurting body?”, asked Master Kodi.

“Yes!” Malcolm was happy hearing this.  Maybe this really was a thing that Fighting Masters did!

“Sorry, cub.  You've been watching too many ‘stage plays’ about fighting masters.  With strange ideas about hitting plush-furs in the head with rocks to ‘test them’ or fighting 50 opponents at one time.

If I was attacked by 50 opponents, I would run.” Said Master Kodi.

Handing over a bottle, Kodi said “Try these.  One is a drink.  The other have your sister rub on your fur.  I’m leaving for the night, watch the camp.  I am going to meet up with Hunt Mistress Kari.  Enjoy sleeping privately in your new hut for the first time.”

Malcolm looked at Master Kodi. “Hunt Mistress Kari?” questioned Malcolm.  “The Mistress of the Wild Hunt?” Why are you meeting with her?

After a brief pause, Master Kodi spoke. “Well, Little Bear, sometimes when two furs really like each other in a special way and sometimes these furs decide to show their love-”

“Master Kodi, you mean you are sleeping with a Fae that eats plushies after hunting them?”, asked Malcolm, shocked.

“Well, sometimes we go and attend the playhouse, or do other things.  Known each other for...a long time. I don’t do time well anymore...” said Kodi, starting to sound a little confused at the concept of time.

Changing the subject, Kodi continued “...No worries, cub.  We get along great!  What she does is her job and she doesn’t have a say in it.  It’s a Fae thing.”  Leaning over Kodi said in a conspiracy whisper “Hey, once you go Fae, there’s no other way!”

Malcolm just looked shocked.

“Cub, here is a bit of wisdom from an old teddy.  Don’t worry about how other-furs label your love.  If you have someone to hold in the middle of the night, you are fortunate. No worrying about what some other fool might say.” said Kodi.

“OK, Master Kodi, I will value your wisdom.” said Malcolm.

The old brown bear paused before walking off.  “Good to hear, little cub.”  

In a whisper Kodi said “Don’t be shy to show your sister your tongue, cub.  That's the gateway to heaven.”

- 

Mara was just finishing her practice on her dance, when Malcolm appeared, staggering a little as he walked.  “Master Kodi is leaving for the night.  He told me to have you rub this on my fur to make me hurt less.”

The two went into the hut, and Mara looked at the bottle.  It said ‘Dragon Balm’ with instructions to 'Put on space to fix meat.  No rub on eyes.  Drink make black bile death. No responsible for extra cubs made.'

Malcolm closed and barred the door, and stripped naked.  Mara smiled, and applied the balm to Malcolm’s plushfur, rubbing it in.  The glowing balm sunk into his body and he started to walk easier, and the soreness left him.   Malcolm no longer felt he was about to ‘pop his stitches’.

Still tired, Malcolm opened the other bottle, labelled ‘Dragonfruit Gensing Tea’ and drank half of it down.  Mara looked over.  “Can I try that too, Mal?”

“OK, Mara, you can have the other half.”, said Malcolm.

She drank and felt more energy in her body almost immediately.  Her tiredness from dancing fox dances all day or cleaning were gone.  

Mara was starting to feel tickly on her cunny, and she knew how to fix that now.

“Hey Mal do you want to...lay down in bed for a while?” she asked with a grin.

Malcolm was feeling ‘energetic’ himself (already at half-mast), obvious as he was completely naked and agreed.

“Mara, do you want to play a ‘special touch’ game?” asked Malcolm.

“What game?” asked Mara.

“It's called ‘guess, lick and sniff’.  To play you wear a blindfold, and put the otherfurs muzzle where you want it.  They need to guess where it is by sniffing and licking.  If they guess wrong they need to rub or lick for 3 minutes.”, said Malcolm.

“That sounds fun. Lets do it!”, said Mara.

They flipped an Ulfcoin, and Mara won, so Malcolm wore the blindfold first.  Mara moved his muzzle over, and said “Now”.

Mara saw Malcom move his muzzle around a little and could feel the closeness of his plushfur on hers, as he slowly moved around her body.

Moving closer, his warm breath went across her footpaws, making her toes twitch a little as Mara waited, her excitement building slowly.

The blindfolded Malcolm went closer to his sister, feeling her body heat, and the faint brush of her soft plushfur on his as he moved.

The room was filling with her scent, he could smell her excitement starting.  Fainter than an older vixen would be, but Malcolm could tell Mara was getting...needy.

Getting near his target, Mal took a deep sniff, and found a scent of vixen plushfur, with a small hint of grass, with a stronger smell of earth.

The male plush fox stuck out his long flat tongue and gave her sister a slow, long lick, his tongue feeling a groove, and slid it in gently to probe.

Mal succeed by finding tiny stitches in between the pawpads and announced “I found some cute little footpaws." Giving Mara another slow lick, making her giggle.

They switched, Mara wearing the blindfold and Malcolm moved Mara’s muzzle around and down slightly, a few inches above his growing need.

 Mara sniffed his fur, sending a thrill of excitement through him, having her so close and so naked. 

The six year old vixen moved closer to him, almost on top of him, put her muzzle halfway down his chest, and sniffed long, moving her muzzle around a little, breath blowing through his plushfur like a hot wind in the summer.  Mara's tail ever so gently brushed over Malcolm's foxhood as Mara moved around.

Lowering her muzzle, Mara took several small quick licks, the hot wetness touching his body, but above where he truly wanted her to lick.

She took a sniff, and couldn’t tell,  Took a lick and it was just fur, a flat spot.  “Your chest?”

“Wrong.”  Mara started licking around and feeling.  It was his tummy.  She licked down, getting closer to his fox-cock which was hardening, and counted.  At 3 minutes she stopped, making Malcolm breathing just a little harder.

Mal moved Mara's muzzle again, down lower, and as she started to take deep sniffs of him she went lower than he expected.  

Trying not to move, Malcolm felt both excited and a little awkward as Mara hunted for scents on his most intimate spot for a male.

Getting closer, Mara took a deeper sniff, not finding the expected hardened foxhood or the tight balls that her brother needed emptied near as often as she needed 'Special tickles' but a very unexpected scent.

 “Is this your tail?” she asked.  

Malcolm said “Yes.”

Removing the blindfold, Mara saw her brother’s tailhole.  “I don’t want to lick that Malcolm.” she said.

“OK, Tailhole for you is off limits now.” said Malcolm.

He blindfolded himself and Mara moved his muzzle, and he slowly sniffed around Mara’s body where she had positioned his muzzle.  Mal slowly let out his breath across Mara’s 6 year old form, knowing it would make her more excited.

Pretending to hunt around, Malcolm slowly slid his muzzle around, letting the plushfur of his face and muzzle gently rub against Mara’s form.

Mara felt so naughty.  Mal had used his clever fingers on her ‘Special Place’ many times, and he always made her finish, what Malcolm called her cum happen so hard it almost hurt, it felt so good.

Mara always wondered what it would feel like to be licked on her spot.  She liked to use her muzzle on Malcolm, and he loved having her lick and suck him.   Malcolm had offered to lick her cunny, but she always said ‘No.’.

She was afraid she might smell like pee or be dirty there, but she still wondered.  She almost asked him to lick her spot but was too shy to say it to him.

This game gave her a chance to try.

Feeling Malcolm’s breath and fur rub across her body, Mara opened her legs wide, and had to stop herself from using her paw on herself.  Sometimes she did that for Malcolm, ‘cause he liked to watch her.  It always felt way better when he did it to her.

Malcolm moved his muzzle to her tummy, up to her chest and sniffed around, pretending to go up, and then slowly slid downwards, then stopped at her belly again.  Mara started to breathe heavy, and had to stop herself from pushing Mal’s head down.  Getting more excited, Mara just waited and Malcolm slid his head down to her cunny, sniffing around, his warm breath rolling over the top of her mound that was begging to be touched.

Malcolm took a sniff.  It reminded him of Mara’s fingers when she played with herself, and he had wanted to lick her there since before he touched her that first night, but she always refused, too shy.

Grinning, tail wagging, Malcolm said in an amused voice. “I don’t know what it is from just sniffing, Mara...I guess I’ll have to...take a nice...long...lick and taste it.”
                                                                                                                                           
Shyly the little vixen said  “Malcolm, you don’t need to lick...if you don’t want to.”

Malcolm could tell from her voice that Mara wanted him to eat her out, but was shy.

“Do you want me to break the rules, Mara?” asked Malcolm, teasing.

“N..No, Mal. But you don’t have...” said Mara.

“I’m sure my pretty little sister tastes sweet and sexy.” said Mal.

Malcolm let his hot breath out over Mara’s cunny again, and started to gently lick all around where she really wanted him to lick, making her hips twitch as he ‘missed’ his target again and again, making her strugges more desperate for his mouth.

“Mal, don’t tease me any more!”, Mara begged. Her legs opening and closing in spasms as Malcolm swooped down and put his hot mouth on her cunny.  For the first time, Mara felt a long, hot wet tongue sliding on her ‘special place’ and gasped as Malcolm began to slowly lick around.

Putting her paws on his shoulders, Malcolm moved his tongue all over, tasting her sweetness as he used his thumbs to start to rub her flat nipples.
                                                                                               
Mara started to moan out “My spot...my...spot...feels so GOOD, Mal!”and thrusting her hips up in time to Malcolm’s licking.  It felt so good and she finally knew why Malcolm wanted her muzzle on his hardness so often.

Mara opened her eyes and noticed the timer for 3 minutes was done. “Mal, the timer…oh! Is done...you can stop...licking...if you...really...want!” Mara moaned.

In response, Malcolm kept licking, even trying to insert his tongue inside Mara’s cunny, then going back to licking, hitting her clitty over and over with long, broad licks.

Mal knew he she was close when Mara slammed her paws down on his head, grabbing his ears in a crushing grip, and trapped his head with her hindpaws, grinding his muzzle into her cunny as her legs spasmed and screamed out “Its...starting...to...HAPPEN!”

A few licks later Mara’s whole body twitched hard  and her climax hit so hard she peed a little. Mal licked up before she noticed.

Orgasm done, Mara moaned and shoved his muzzle away “please no more! Too much!”.

After a couple minutes Mara said “Malcolm, get over here!” and dragged  him down on his back, and started to climb over him.  

The blindfold and ‘game’ were long forgotten at this point.

“That feels so good to be licked!  I need to suck you now.” said Mara, lowering her head over Malcolm’s hardened need.

Taking her brother in her mouth, Mara reached down, and rubbed his tightened balls while he moaned loudly his fox-cock already twitching in her mouth almost instantly.

“Mara, I am so hot from licking you, I’m ready to cum!”Mal whispered urgently in her ear.

Mara took Malcolm out of her muzzle, and sucked on the bottom of the shaft then re-inserted it into her muzzle again, making her brother cry out when he lost the warm wetness, and shudder when she took him back in her muzzle tongue moving constantly over him.

Being daring, Mara gently inserted her fingers in Malcolm’s tailhole.  She felt a Mal’s rear squeeze hard on her finger as he started to moan and thrust into her mouth with his fox-cock, then Malcolm let out a fox-screech as he climaxed into his sister’s mouth and she swallowed every drop, then lay next to him as he collapsed into sleep moments later.

After a small nap, Malcolm woke up in Mara’s arms.  
Mara asked “Malcolm, will your pee-pee fit in mine so we can rut?”

“Not yet, Mara.  You are still too little.  When you get a little older.” said Malcolm.

Mara looked disappointed. Malcolm continued. “...But I’ll suck your cunny anytime you want, and make you finish on my tongue!”  The vixen seemed happier at that.

- 

‘swing your claws and slash that tree
knock it down, then follow me

dig your foot claws into earth
Roar your rage and show your worth

Stomp the ground and make it shake
Your enemies in fear will quake

Swing your paw, one mighty blow
with paws dug in, you power shows’

“Come on, Ironpaw, follow the training rhyme.” said Kodi.

“I’m trying!  I can’t put giant slash marks in a tree like you!  I can’t knock a tree down!  When I stomp the ground doesn’t shake!” said Malcolm, frustrated.

“Thats OK, little cub.  In time.  Work on your slashes and rooting to the ground, digging in your footpaws.” said Master Kodi.  “In time you’ll be a huge bear like me, and you’ll do it all better than I can!”

“OK, Master Kodi...I’ll do my best.” said Malcolm sadly.  He kept trying over and over to convince Master Kodi that they were not bears, but it never seemed to work.  Kodi would just smile, and talk to thin air, holding conversations with some imaginary Princess friend.  When not drinking Elderberry wine.

-

A week later, Master Kodi approached Mara as she practiced her ‘fox dance’.
“Little cub, your brother seems frustrated.  I think he needs a journey to break things up.  We need to travel westward, and find the Great Honey Tree.  Princess Petals needs special honey for her honey wine. Be ready to travel tomorrow morning.

For today, go grab him, and head down the left path, towards the mountain streams.  See the steam?  Thats a hot spring.  You two relax and go there today.  No more training today.  Relax and have fun.”

- 

Malcolm was trying to “claw” a tree and failing for the 100th time.  Mara approached him.  “Master Kodi says you need a break.  Get some drinks, I’ll grab food.  We are going to the hot spring today!” said Mara.

They grabbed supplies and headed off towards the hot springs, leaving Master Kodi playing chess against an invisible opponent, arguing that a move wasn’t legal.

Down the trail they went, Malcolm happy to be done training for a bit.  He had been working hard for weeks, and no progress at all! A good soak would clean his plushfur too.  As they got closer they could see more pools appear, of various colors.  The smell of sulfer filled the air occasionally and was swept away by the winds.

They approached the spring, and Mara stripped down, getting naked.  Malcolm did the same, easing his way into the water.  Mara just ran up and jumped in, then yelled at how hot the water was.  Malcolm laughed, then laid back to relax his sore body.

Eventually the heat made them thirsty, and Mara pulled out the drinks from the “Little Travelers Picnic Kit” and chugged down chilled fruit juice to cool off then ate a large lunch of glowing chicken wings.

Mara got quiet, and curled up next to Malcolm in the hot pool, leaned up against him.  “Thank you for taking care of me Malcolm.” she said in a tired voice.

“You’re my baby sister.  I’ll always take care of you.” said Malcolm sleepily as they both drifted off.
                    
Malcolm woke up to find his hardened cock in the entrance of Mara’s pussy.  She sat down, and the tip went in and stopped, and Mara let out an “EEP!” as the much-larger-than-her-finger-size penis stretched her sensitive pussy.

Malcolm felt a sexy wet heat and the thought made him throb, but he sat still, not wanting to penetrate his sister and cause her anything but pleasure.

“Mara, lets stop here, OK?”, said Malcolm.

She shook her head in agreement, and Malcolm allowed only the 1/2 inch inside that seemed to give Mara a little pleasure.  Getting out of the water, Malcolm laid back, and pulled out of Mara.

Instead of trying to insert his penis, he moved Mara on top and slid her pussy over the top of his flat against-his-belly cock.  He could feel the sliding, the heat of her pussy on his cock, without inserting it.

Mara felt her brother pick her up, and very slowly slide her on top of him, his cock gently sliding across the top of her “Special Place”, so they could take pleasure from the sliding without inserting.
                                                                     
Feeling her mound heat up as her brother’s hardened rod slid over her, and put fantastic pressure on her cunny lips to push on her “love button”  Mara loved the gentle way her brother slid across her.

Mara’s became even more excited and started to slide back and forth a little faster, breathing heavier. 
Mal held her paws as his dick stimulated them both.  It was a new way for them both to get off, and she started to rock faster and faster.  Malcolm grabbed her hips and slid them for her, back and forth.

Another feeling happened as her excitement grew.  “Mal, I have to pee!” said Mara, afraid they would need to stop.

Malcolm had a naughty thought and wondered how it would feel.  “Would Mara be grossed out?” Mal worried.  

He was very close to shooting off, and didn’t want to stop.

“Mara, we are next to a hot spring.  We can get clean...Why...not...just pee WHILE we do it!” said Mal.
“I promise I will clean you up, Mara.”

The thought making her feel even more excited, Mara decided to try.  Her brother had never seen her pee and she was going to pee ON HIM.  

“Mal...It’s starting to happen!  Don’t stop...sliding...me!” Mara moaned out.  Mara started to lose control of her bladder, and let it flow.

Mal felt burning hot urine running over his fox-cock and went wild, going even faster in him sliding his cock over his sister’s snatch.

He continued to rub against his sister and gasped and said “I’m...finishing! NOW!!” as her climax hit.
Malcolm continued to rub, and she moaned “Too much, Mal! Too sensitive!!”

“I’m...almost...THERE...[YIP]”, roared out Malcolm as his painful orgasm flooded out of him and he collapsed back into sleep after they both slid into the waters of the hot spring.

- 

Mara woke up Malcolm, saying it was time to go.  Standing up, he dried off with a towel, and started to dry Mara off with her towel, and stopped.

He thought he heard something.  Looking around he caught a glimpse of movement.  Looking closer he saw green-skinned furless forms.  It looked like goblins, but bigger.  Not one friendly one, but  4 or 5 of them, armed and mean looking.

“Mara, leave your clothes.  Head for the hut!  Get out of here, we have to run.  There are things out there coming this way!” said Malcolm.

Leaving everything Mal jumped up and grabbing Mara by the wrist started to run.
Just as they we about to head up a winding hill he stopped.  There were 3 more in front, blocking them in.

Pointing to the basket they left behind, Malcolm motioned for the creatures to take their supplies.
The only response was laughter as they edged closer.

Malcolm pushed Mara behind him and took on ‘Strong bear stance’ and dug his hindpaws into the ground and tried to roar, which came out more like a ‘yip’.

The leader came over, and Malcolm stood tall, and threw a strong right slashing paw, which the creature just stood still for.  When the solid blow landed and the creature was completely unharmed,  Malcolm threw more blows, left and right swings, and the only result was that he was knocked backwards.
                                                                                                                                                           
“Stupid lwynog tegan!...try to fight hobgoblinThrag? I use fluff for body clean!” said the large creature,  pointing to it’s backside.

Two slashes and a kick had Malcolm down on the ground, helpless.  Hearing a commotion, Malcolm screamed “Mara, get away!” and looked to see the little fox doing a stupid dance!

All of a sudden a snapping paw movement from Mara chopped a hobgoblin in the neck, making it keel over, followed by a snapped out dance kick to the jaw, knocking it out cold!

The little fox dodged around with little slaps and hits doing little damage but hitting dozens of times, staggering the shocked hobgoblins.  As a small fox-kit Mara had been almost ignored by them until it was too late.

When the 3rd hobgoblin went down, the rest grabbed the picnic basket and ran off.

Malcolm tried to get up quickly to help Mara but felt dizzy and then everything went dark...

‘Mama, I’ll be seeing you soon.’ Thought the tod.  Dying seemed very quick.

- 

Mara watched her brother collapse as he tried to stand and ran over to him.  His chest was torn open with fluff falling out.  Mara grabbed onto Malcolm and held him.  “Mal, don’t die!  Wake up! I don’t have the doctors kit here, we need to fix you!”

Mara tried to drag Mal, but he was too big.  She was only 6 after all.  Stopping, she noticed the bandage was still on Malcolm’s shoulder.  She removed it, and then placed it on the large wound on his chest.  It sat there and did nothing!

Hearing a noise behind her, Mara spun and saw Master Kodi approaching, holding the doctors kit.  He examined the wound.  “It’s OK Mara.  He isn’t dying yet.  He just lost too much fluff and stood up too fast.  A bandage and a drink will fix him.”

The brown bear dug around in the doctors kit, looking underneath the fabric plush-patches and stethoscope and found the bandages.   Kodi placed a new charged bandage on the tod, and his wounds began to knit.  Kodi held open Malcolm’s muzzle and poured in a bit of Elderberry Wine, and Malcolm swallowed and coughed and opened his eyes.

“You sit still, little fox.  Take it slow for a moment.” said Kodi.

“I tried to fight them and I lost!” said Malcolm.

“I see that.” said Kodi.  “You should learn a fighting style that matches you.  Bear style doesn’t work for foxes.”

Looking at Mara, Malcolm asked “Mara, will you please teach me fox style?”

“You have to call me ‘Master Mara’ now, Ironpaw!”, said Mara with a grin.

The two foxes were surprised again.  “Master Mara, will you do me the honor of training me in fox-style too?  I wish to know both Fox style and Bear syle.” said Master Kodi.

“I will teach you both.  But you are not allowed to learn it to defeat me!”,said Mara.
“We will start training next week, after Malcolm heals!”

Turning to her older brother, Mara asked “Malcolm if I am your ‘Master’ can you still take care of me?”

“Of course, Mara.  Forever.”, said Malcolm.

“Good.  I want you to make cookies for me, Mal!” Mara said.

“Not too many cookies.  We still have to go to Irlia and back when training is done.”, said Malcolm.  

Mentally he added ‘I have to get back Daddy’s hat, and take Revenge on that Black Teddy Bear, Roger Redblood.’

Fluff for fluff, life for life.  I’ll make HIS FAMILY CRY for what he did to us.

*****

Malcolm was washing up after a training session.  He was getting better and better, thanks to Mara and Kodi both helping.  Mara knew the forms, and Kodi could show how to make the form into a fighting style.

He heard a bird scream out, and a voice said ‘You have mail!”
Following the noise, Malcolm noticed a “Mailman Bob” mailbox.  The flag was raised, showing mail was in.  

Kodi opened the mailbox and pulled out a package addressed to “Malcolm Redfox” and handed it over to Malcolm.  In the Dreamlands, it didn’t matter where you were to receive mail and packages.  If someone knew your True Name and you were near a “Mailman Bob” for any length of time you would receive your mail.  If you had moved on, it would be forwarded.  Malcolm couldn’t imagine Master Kodi received much mail.

Malcolm tore open the package, and found first a letter which he read.

“Malcolm Theodore Redfox, Son of Samantha Redfox and Will Redfox:

You should have just paid me and kept it quiet.  I told you what I would do. You involved your neighborhood in personal business.  Give me another 27 Ulfcoin before the full moon or worse happens.”

Malcolm looked inside the package, and crushed the box, while body flexing in anger and shock.

Raising his head he let out a primal fox-scream of rage and sadness so loud and long it echoed through the hills, making predators stop where they were and look around them.

When his sore throat made him stop, Malcolm dropped the box and ran mindlessly off into the forest, just wanting to get away.

Kodi picked up the package and found a green fox sized had, covered in bear shit, and partially burned.

Also in the box  contained a pair of calico-patterned kitty-plush ears that looked to have been roughly hacked on the bottom.

Kodi did not know the pattern matched to Penelope Kitty, their 6 year old neighbor plush-cat.