Unicorn Lost

Presents

T	he court jester bobbled down a dim, empty hallway. He staggered into the only ferret guard on the floor, his breath stinking of rum.

Normally, there were more guards, but the others had all been pulled to deal with the recent disappearance of some 'guests' in the King's dungeon. The ferret wished now he had volunteered to join the dungeon detail.

"Shhish my aperthmunt?" he breathed, the foul stench of cheap alcohol forcing the ferrit to retreat a step.

"No, your royal ass-ship. You're three floors above your apartments. Go to the stairs at the other end of the wing and down. And for god's sakes, clean yourself up! If the King smelled you like that, he'd have your head!"

The donkey bumped into him again, patting him on the back with a raised hoof. "Shanksh," he managed to get out before stumbling off down the long, curving hallway. He looked back once before he fell out of sight, and smiled to note that the ferret was moving towards the far end of the wing, with his nose plugged and his ears lowered.

Straightening up, the donkey moved more surely, though he kept his irrhythmic gait until the guard was sure to be out of earshot. Stepping daintily then, so as not to make any sound, he put his muzzle into a shoulder bag and pulled out a key, which he used to open a heavy door made out of dried Chocolate Beanstalks. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him, locking it once again.

Inside, he smiled as he inspected the contents of the room. Tubes and bottles were arrayed on several of them, and on the others were stacks of books and papers, made from the thin outer layers of the Chocolate fruit. He scanned several tables until he stopped at the only one with both bottles and books. In the center of the table was a small, intricately carved box. On its lid was a picture of a female skunk. Her tail was a most unusual pattern, rather than the more normal longitudinal stripes. The black and white alternated horizontaly at jagged angles across the thick, heavy fluff. No matter which way Quicksilver looked at it, the creature seemed to be looking straight at him.

"This must be it," he thought to himself. He gently muzzled the box open to reveal a thin, purple bracelet. Grinning broadly, he nipped the bracelet. Closing the box's lid carefully before placing the purple loop in his bag. He turned and picked his way back to the door. The Wizier shouldn't miss this until it's too late. I'll have it out of the castle by morning, and that will help deal with our little adventurers.

He leaned an ear against the door before opening it, then carefully unlocked it and peeked out. The hall was dark and silent. Opening the door wider, he extended his neck into the hall and looked both ways. The guard was not to be seen. He slipped out of the Wizier's alchemy lab and tip-hooved to the stairs, where he hurried down to his own apartments, where another ferret, one with a brown mask and black feet, waited for him to return.

-page oo22-
written by ToraKiyoshi

Copyright and Credit:
  · Florence from "Freefall" © Mark Stanley.
  · Magic Gardener © Hortmage.
  · Jeanette © Jeanette Isabelle.
  · Kathy from "Carry On" © Kathy Garrison.
  · Kamida © Guest #1.
  · ToraKiyoshi - Writer.
  · White Pony from "Cross Time Cafe" © S.Kidwell.
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