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 eacefrog yawned as he lay on his bedroll. The fire had long gone out, but the air was not yet chill enough to inspire any of them to restart it, least of all Peacefrog himself. He thought about the map that lay tucked under Arana's armor and couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. He looked forward to the time when the chest itself was beneath his hands, and imagined what would be inside when he picked the lock and it opened on rusty hinges. It was pure luck that Arana came to him when he discovered the map on the body of that crazed orc, seemed weeks ago now....
A twig snapped off in the bushes and Peacefrogs eyes flew open. He did not sit up but listened intently for more sounds. It was definitely not an animal; there were no beasts about large enough to make the kinds of noises that the thief had heard. He carefully pulled his dagger from its sheath by his side and flipped over onto his belly.
Another crack, and Peacefrog sprang into action. He leaped into the bushes even as the others sat up. Wisely, none of the others called out. Arana followed Peacefrog silently to back him, should the need arise.
Suddenly, a loud laugh echoed through the forest. The bush shook violently for a moment. Orange, Keith and Shahrressa pulled their weapons from their scabbards and prepared for a fight. Keith called out. "Arana! What is it?"
Arana and Peacefrog stumbled back through the bush with a third figure between them. "Lookee here, my friends," Arana said loudly. "We've caught a thief."
Arana was holding a boy roughly by the arm. He was struggling furiously against Arana's grip. He was haggard, dressed in rags and wearing a bearskin cape with the head still attached. He collapsed into a heap on the ground, covered his face with his cape and made bear-like grunts.
Keith and Orange growled at the stranger. "What have you to say for yourself, thief?" Keith demanded.
But the boy just looked up, frightened, and garbled something unintelligible, shielding his face with his arms.
Shahrressa knelt down on the ground before him. Gently, she peeled back his mask and lifted his chin so she could see his face. Her silky white hair was luminous in the moonlight and she spoke softly.
“Hey there,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “What is your name?”
The men stood by silently and watched her, dumbfounded. They had been ready to give the lad a good drubbing for his folly, but it seemed Shahrressa had another way to get information out of the boy. Peacefrog snorted. “Dames…”
Shahrressa’s eyes flashed at Peacefrog impatiently, but she said nothing. The boy looked to be about sixteen, and was absolutely filthy. He had been in the forest a long time.
There was a metal chain around his neck and dangling from it, a tag with an engraving. Shahrressa cupped it in her hand and read aloud what was written there.
“Raggot,” she read. “Raggot? Is that your name?”
The boy nodded slowly, a bit unsure.
“Can’t you talk?”
He shook his head sadly.
“Are you a thief?”
Now he shook his head excitedly from side to side. His stomach growled and he placed his palms there, clutching his thin belly with both hands.
Shahrressa stood up. “I think he’s just hungry, guys… I don’t think he meant any real harm. I think he just wants to eat.”
Peacefrog was frank. “Well he did not have to be sneaking out in the bushes in the dark. I think he is trying to fool you, Shahrressa.” It was obvious he did not approve of the circumstances.
“Well, feed the bastard and let’s go back to sleep,” said Keith impatiently. “I suppose we will have to keep him with us, or he will as likely slit our throats before morning.”
Arana nodded. “Aye, Shahrressa my dear, you may have a soft heart, but you need a hard one for these times. I’ll take first watch.”
Shahrressa frowned. “I know you men are fast to judge, but I really do think he means us no harm… come on, Raggot lad, I will get you something to eat.”
Raggot perked up at this and smiled a crooked smile. Even Peacefrog had to chuckle.
But nevertheless, they slept in shifts. Raggot curled up at the foot of Shahrressa’s bedroll. She gave him her own blanket to lay on, and the rag-tag group spent the rest of the night peacefully, beneath twinkling stars.
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