"Chance, you're awfully quiet. Is something on your mind?"
"No, I was... Oh, yes. I was thinking, 'Why can't I leave the island?'"
"Leave?" Hope almost squeaked. "Where would you go?"
"I have no idea, but it's become... confined. I know every rock and tree from here to Broken Arrow."
"I know what you mean. Come on, let's go tease the otters."
I shrugged. "You go. I'll just stay here."
She didn't get a step in before the moon began to eclipse.
Cries of, "What does this mean?" went up. Some wept, some clung to each other, and some said it was a Hawk's Moon, bad luck.
Aurora, the white otter, was cringing against a table. I went to her and whispered. "It's all right. We're all scared."
"You aren't," she pointed out.
"I know what's happening. The earth is between the sun and moon. It's not bad luck." I helped her to her feet. "Now, help me calm the others."
She nodded. We went among the frightened creatures, offering a word here and there.
Suddenly, a shout went up. "Weasels! There's weasels on the grounds!"
I unsheathed my sword, looking for the source of the noise. An incredible melee of screeches, cries and growls rent the night.
Raura yelled as she tackled a weasel, locking her claws around its throat. It went limp, and she tossed it aside.
I clubbed one with the hilt, then sent him away with a slashed jaw. He retreated, barking threats.
In the confusion, Hope tripped into another squirrel. They went down with a weasel across them both. "A Pearl!" I shouted, and slashed her tail.
Aaron staggered, looking at me out of wide brown eyes. "Chance, Aurora's hurt!"
"So are you! Hope, see to him, and find Dad!"
I groped until I felt a blood-slicked face: Aurora. She was out cold.
"Blast. I need some mint. Hey, who knows where I can get mint?"
"Here you are," offered Raura.
"Thanks."
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