Picayune

by John DeJordy

  “They can't be trusted!”

  “They can be trusted more than you! Now, honor our agreement and give me permission to enter the Mines of Despair.”

  The king huffed and walked around the other side of the table where he started to mutter out loud. “All the preparation, all the planning, gone up in smoke. Work with savages, the very idea.”

  “They are more civilized than you can possibly imagine. If you were to walk in their footsteps, you'd see they are not all that different from you.”

  The king scoffed and looked one last time at the tiny figures that had been placed on the map to represent his battle plan. “Very well, I have little to lose by trying to be diplomatic. I still think it will fail, but I won't let it be known that I was the one who failed when it comes to war. So be it! You have indeed kept your word. I hereby proclaim that you have my permission to enter and remain in the mines for as long as it takes to achieve your goal. Do you need it in writing?”

  “No, your word will suffice. I take my leave of you now, but first, one last thing. Remember, the orcs live, have fun, have children – in short, everything you have. Try to see them not as orcs, but as other living sentient creatures, like elves or dwarves.”

  “I will remember.”

  Picayune flung the door open, passing the stunned men in the hall. He strode up to his gizzo mount and rubbed the side of its head before climbing into the saddle. He urged Hazard to move forward with a slow gait, so everyone could watch them. The sun had just set below the horizon, but Picayune knew all eyes were watching his movement as he rode to the west. Once beyond the last of the army, he ordered his mount to go and was gone in a flash.

  For half the night, Picayune rode in the direction of the mountains, until he saw the flame columns that lined the entrance to the mines. He gave two more treats to his faithful ride, before drawing his sword and walking to the opening.

  A faded sign had just enough print on it for Picayune to read. “No one may enter the Mines of Despair without express permission of the king, under penalty of death.”

  “I know you've taken her here,” he said aloud, and approached the wooden door that leaned over the entrance of the mine. Taking a deep breath, he moved the door to one side and took a step inside. He was expecting something to change, a new smell or sound to warn his senses, but nothing altered. He shrugged it off, and walked deeper into the mine.

  Chapter 18

  Picayune sat up in his bed and stretched. He scratched his side. “That was a great night's sleep,” he announced and climbed out of the bed. Looking around the room, he was happy to see his companions just getting up, too, but his smile turned to a look of concern when he noticed that Trailblazer was missing. “Where's Trail?”

  Phineas shook his tail and walked to his friend, slipping his arm around him. “He left earlier with Azure-Bound. They were giggling up a storm.”

  Everyone dressed and shuffled out the door with Picayune. While they contemplated where to go, Azure-Bound and Trailblazer appeared holding hands.

  “And a good morning to you, cuties,” Azure-Bound chirped. She looked at Picayune. “Father said he will talk to everyone after we've had breakfast.”

  Picayune was puzzled, but nodded back at her. “Well, could you escort us there?”

  “Of course!”

  Picayune followed Azure-Bound, watching her bouncing stride as she moved down the corridor to the dining hall.

  Tables had been set up on the ground. The entire surface had been filled with a delightful assortment of food and drink.

  Picayune took a small bite of baked fruit rolled with a toasted, crushed nut mixture. After savoring the wonderful taste, he couldn't resist and shoved the rest of the treat into his mouth. Each new morsel met with the same fate and, before long, the table had been picked clean.

  “Enjoying our food, I see,” Maharajah said, flying to his throne perch.

  Picayune swallowed the last portion of food, then wiped his mouth. “Yes, Your Majesties,” he said while he watched Maharani fly to her perch.

  “Hello, Dad. Hello, Mom.” Azure-Bound joined her parents.

  “Excellent! Now that everyone is here, let's get to the matter at hand. After thinking long and hard about the pros and cons of the matter, I must admit I have mixed feelings about ending hostilities with the badgers. Even if I were to extend the olive branch, I sincerely doubt their queen would want peace. We have to consider their fire beetle, and now their spirit rocks. There are too many issues to ignore.”

  Picayune stood up. “Well, I don't think the queen will be an issue anymore.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We sort of left a trap for her.”

  “Would you care to explain?”

  “Before we left, we left a spirit rock as tall as me in such a way that it would explode the moment someone entered the queen's chamber.”

  “How do you know the queen was the one who released the trap?”

  Trailblazer stood up. “No one else would have entered her chamber, especially after the alarm announced that we had escaped.”

  Maharajah ran his wing over his feathery chin. “I see, but what of the fire beetle?”

  From above, one of the guards called out, “Sire, all patrols have reported no sightings of the beast since the explosion.”

  Maharajah nodded his head. “Well, that definitely changes things. Something still puzzles me. Why didn't you destroy the spirit rocks when you had the chance? You could have eliminated a mortal enemy for us.”

  “The only way we could have destroyed the spirit rocks would have resulted in killing all the badgers too, not to mention all the workers they still have mining the rocks. We are hoping we can find a way that everyone can live together in peace.”

  “You speak with wisdom beyond your years, but I fear that without a commonality between the badgers and hawks, we can't even approach the idea of peace.”

  “Dad?” Azure-Bound landed next to Trailblazer. “There might be a commonality, after all.”

  Maharajah looked befuddled at his naïve daughter. “Oh really? And what might that be?”

  Trailblazer drew in air, puffed his chest out, and grasped Azure-Bound's wing. “Your Majesties, I am in love with your daughter.”

  “What?!” echoed in the chamber as not only Maharajah and Maharani spoke at the same time, but Picayune and the rest of the room as well.

  Trailblazer fidgeted in place, looking down for only a moment before taking in a deep breath and staring back up at the hawks. “I know it has only been a short time, but we've been talking and she is funny, sweet, smart, and everything I've ever wanted in a female.”

  Maharajah's beak opened and his eyes widened. “But, but…”

  Alacrity hopped in place a few times. “We can have a big party in the forest.”

  Placing her wing on her husband's shoulder, Maharani looked down to the pair. “Are you sure, my sweetie?”

  Azure-Bound kissed the side of Trailblazer's cheek, causing him to blush and fidget even more. “Yes, Mom, I am.”

  Her mother gave her a big hug. “Then it truly is time to celebrate, isn't it?”

  Phineas sighed and ran his paw down his face. “Now I’ve heard of everything,” he mumbled.

  Picayune tapped his chest to clear his throat. “Perhaps Trailblazer could assume leadership of Clan Badger.”

  Trailblazer shot a glance at Picayune. “What? Me? No! Why would they follow me?”

  “You helped remove the queen from power. Remember the look on everyone's faces whenever she spoke? Now that she is gone, you might be able use their hatred for your queen and assume leadership as the one who removed her from power. Then a peace treaty would be easy, no?”

  Maharajah flew to Picayune. “I don't know what role you play in your own village, but your words honor both of us, and I'd be privileged if you'd be an ambassador to my people.”

  Picayune thought about taking a step back, but stood still and nodded. “I would accept th
at offer.”

  “Well, before we can do anything, we should check the status of the badgers.” Turning to his daughter, Maharajah chirped before issuing his command. “Azure-Bound, ready your squadron.”

  Swift-Hopper ran behind Picayune. “I don’t like flying.”

  Azure-Bound rose into the air, letting out a warbling, high-pitched call as she propelled herself out of a high window. About a minute later, six hawks swooped into the room, following her. She lifted Trailblazer while the members of her squad snatched Phineas, Alacrity, Swift-Hopper, Picayune, and Lacer. “We will be gentle, Swift, I promise.”

  Maharajah squawked loud enough to silence the chatter in the room. “We depart for the badgers! Under no circumstances are they to be plucked from the ground. This is a peace mission. Let's fly!”

  Azure-Bound followed her father. “You're going?”

  “Of course! I will personally present the idea of peace to the badgers and introduce them to our new ambassador.”

  Azure-Bound looked from her mother to her father. “In that case, you should be the one leading the formation. We will fall in behind you.”

  The entire flock departed through the opening and headed over the forest. This time, Picayune held on to the talons carrying him and enjoyed the view. He grinned when he saw Trailblazer holding his arms out and opening his mouth slightly to catch the wind.

  Trailblazer pointed to the south side of the riverbank. “Land near there, and I will go investigate the reactions of the others.”

  “Attack!” a call from the ground shouted as the hawks descended. A harpoon blasted from the treetops, approaching Maharajah fast.

  Azure-Bound screeched in alarm. “Dad! Look out!”

  Maharajah sped at the projectile and simply barrel-rolled out of the way, amazing everyone with his agility.

  “Stop!” Trailblazer shouted. Azure-Bound plunged to the ground with him, dropping him near the assailants. “We need to talk!”

  A rather slim badger jumped out of the bushes and pointed his spear at Azure-Bound. “What are you doing with these rotten birds?”

  Trailblazer extended his claws fully. “Back off, Hawk-Slayer. Who is in charge now?”

  Hawk-Slayer moved his head quizzically to one side and lowered his weapon. “Trailblazer? What are you doing? We've been looking for you.”

  A look of disgust crossed Trailblazer's face. “Why? Is it because we are escaped prisoners?”

  “No. It is because we were looking for our new leader.”

  Although they had departed the Hoo-Caw lands for that purpose, it still surprised Trailblazer when someone else suggested it. “Leader? Me? Why?”

  Hawk-Slayer looked around while the other hawks dropped their passengers next to Trailblazer. “You helped Clan Badger by dealing with the problem of our former queen. Trailblazer is the natural choice to lead us from here. You did what everyone else was afraid to do.”

  “I couldn't have done it without the help of Picayune. He should be the real leader, not me.”

  Picayune's eyes widened for a moment before he stepped forward. “No one knows more about the badgers’ needs than Trailblazer. He is really the best choice for the job.”

  From a perch high in the trees, Maharajah shrieked. He landed next to Picayune. “Amazing how one so small stands taller than us all, no?”

  Picayune looked down and put his paws behind his back. “I only have done what I thought was best.”

  Trailblazer walked up beside him. “Perhaps you should be our ambassador as well.”

  Picayune stood up straight. “I would be honored!”

  Maharajah chirped to Trailblazer. “Then gather your people here so that we might announce a new alliance between our people and so that we might join you and my daughter.”

  Picayune cleared his voice. “Might I also request that you not eat dormice?”

  Both Maharajah and Trailblazer said in unison, “Consider it done.”

  “And rabbit?” Alacrity asked as he hopped up and down.

  Lacer held up a claw. “I’d appreciate if you wouldn’t consume my people either.”

  Phineas crossed his arms. “You might as well add squirrel too, please.”

  Everyone there glanced at Swift-Hopper.

  Swift-Hopper looked around. “What?”

  Maharajah bellowed and raised his wings. “My friends, we have an accord.”

  Within an hour, the badger clan had emerged with food and drink. The female badgers who had washed the group decorated Azure-Bound with a dazzling arrangement of flowers, white and yellow streamers, and floral scents.

  Trailblazer licked his paws and slicked the fur on his head back. His eyes darted to Picayune with a panicked look. “How do I look?”

  Picayune showed his teeth in glee. “You look like a new leader about to take a beautiful bride.” He spun his friend to face Azure-Bound, who stood under a willow tree next to her father.

  Trailblazer strode toward the pair while everyone parted for him. When he got to the tree, the sun broke through the cloud covering, shining down on Azure-Bound. He gulped, his eyes going wide. His stride became a waddle as he inched closer to Azure-Bound and took her wing in his paw. They turned to Maharajah.

  Maharajah took a deep breath and placed his wing over his chest. With a forceful voice, he began to speak. “Today, we have come together for many reasons. One, our people have agreed to end the hostility with Clan Badger. We will live in peace. Two, and more importantly, I am happy to announce the joining of Trailblazer and Azure-Bound. May they always find peace and joy with one another.” When he was done, more of the sun’s rays broke through the treetops, covering the couple in a golden glow.

  A trio of hawks burst into song while badgers drummed on fallen tree trunks. Everyone partied and danced. The festivities shook the forest.

  Standing at the end of the field, Picayune just stared across the purple blanket of flax as the sun started to disappear behind the distant tree line. He didn't even inhale the sweet scent, but instead exhaled a heavy sigh.

  Maharajah noticed his disappearance and departed to see if he could find his ambassador. Spotting him alone, he landed next to the dormouse. “What's wrong, my friend?”

  “With everything that has happened, I almost forgot why I came out here in the first place.” He looked up with the start of tears in his eyes. “I need to find Ameera.”

  “Well, it would be dangerous to go after her at night. If you promise to try to enjoy yourself, I can promise you we will all help you rescue her.”

  Picayune faced the hawk-leader. The image of rage and hatred that he had first encountered on Maharajah's face flashed in his mind, but was quickly replaced by the look of a caring friend. He nodded at Maharajah and walked with him to the center of the activity. His giggled when he saw Phineas.

  The squirrel was dancing with two female badgers and two female hawks. He was weaving and twirling his big tail around their bodies as the five of them circled the fire. Everyone clapped and stomped to the music. Even Picayune got caught up in the moment. When the group passed where he was standing, he was swept into the motion and began dancing with the group until everyone collapsed in a joyous heap.

  The night wore on, and eventually people broke off into small groups to sleep off the effects of consuming too much food and dancing. Picayune, Phineas, Alacrity, Swift-Hopper, and Lacer found a spot for themselves. Watching the starry sky, they all yawned at the same time.

  “Tomorrow,” Phineas started, after wiggling on his back to get a comfortable groove in the ground, “we will take the best fighters amongst us and get Ameera.”

  Picayune looked at his friend. “Thanks for sticking with me through all of this.”

  Inhaling the crisp air, Phineas chattered for a moment. “No need to thank me. That is what friends do.”

  Picayune closed his eyes, immediately falling asleep with a look of contentment on his face. He felt a sense of accomplishment wash over his body. He was so close to his goal.


  Chapter 19

  Creeping along the smoky passage, Picayune moved his mailed hand along the dirty, hewn stone. The dry air caused him to fall into a coughing fit. Eventually the tunnel opened into a room with a higher ceiling.

  He rubbed his eyes and coughed one last time to clear his lungs. Near the room's only other exit, he spotted a man in armor lying on the floor. Although he couldn’t see the stranger’s face, something about him seemed familiar. With a cautious step, he lifted the man's visor, then fell on his rump in horror. He scooted backwards on his rear until he bumped into the wall.

  “Tim?” he asked in a quivering voice. The man's skin was yellowed, cracked, and leathery. He crawled back on his hands and knees. Tilting his head to one side in disbelief, he removed his mailed glove, then reached out to touch the man’s face.

  Tim snatched Picayune's bare wrist in his own frail, bony hand, then blinked his eyes open. “Beware! Flee! You cannot succeed. You will fail.”

  “Tim, what happened?”

  “My arrogance was my undoing.” Tim dug his nails into his friend's flesh, easily piercing the skin.

  Picayune tried to pull his hand away, but Tim's iron grip would not release. “Let go, Tim.”

  Tim's eyes flickered before rolling back, exposing the eerily glowing whites of his eyes. His teeth lengthened to sharp points and he drew Picayune's hand closer to his mouth.

  Puissant was in the knight's hand in an instant. Picayune yanked his arm back and cut his friend's hand off at the wrist with his sword. He jumped to his feet and brought the weapon around, but Tim had rolled backwards onto his feet, as well.

  Tim's skin blackened, his greasy-brown hair grew past his shoulders, and his upper body gained tremendous bulk. Blood dripped from his long, bone-white fingernails. “You will join us soon.”

  Picayune jumped to the side as the creature that used to be his friend attacked. The lumbering hulk plowed headfirst into the rocky wall.