The Wilder World by Jeff Hook

Author:Jeff Hook [Hook, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-21T22:00:00+00:00

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They knocked three times, then four. Eventually Hishano sighed and said, “I guess I can take the shurikens again.” It was going to hurt, but it was worth getting the money. They needed every bit of money they could get if they wanted to average fifty mezcop a day.

However, just before he was about to leap into the Lapine’s den the door opened on its own. “Come in, quickly!” whispered the rabbit, both of his ears twitching back and forth, with one going flat on his head just as soon as the other returned to normal. “You made quite a racket with that knocking… you never know who might be listening!”

They stepped in and H’raldri closed the door behind them.

“Why would people be listening?” asked Hishano. “We’re just getting ingredients for your potions.”

“Not just ingredients… reagents! And you must be cognizant of spies at all times. Did your human-warren not teach you this? Jump into a battlefield and close your eyes, this is why humans die so much.”

Hishano didn’t know what spies were, but if they were things that could hurt someone just by listening then they must be pretty bad.

“Okay, here’s what I need today: it’s a small root that grows past the bamboo forest. It’s not rare, it just doesn’t grow where humans can reach very easily. The last person I sent out there, he never returned, and now the townspeople won’t let their children go on errands for me… but you! You have no family here, so you’re perfect for this mission.”

Hishano started having second thoughts. He could heal, but it had limits… and Karugo could get hurt almost as easily as a normal human.

“I’ll give you eighty-nine mezcop if you bring me five roots.”

The doubtful second thoughts disappeared, replaced by third thoughts that were overwhelmingly in favor of the mission. That was almost twice as much money as they needed for the day in order to meet their goal! If they succeeded in dangerous life-threatening missions four out of the next seven days, then they’d be able to save Seth’s family and pay for their boat fare.

“Let’s do it!” said Hishano excitedly.

“Yeah!” agreed Karugo. “With eighty-nine mezcop a day we can save everyone!”

H’raldri gave them a sidelong glance but said nothing. Instead he grabbed a potion from on top of his desk, a glass flask with a rubber stopper that was filled with a thick red liquid. “Here’s one of the healing potions that I made yesterday. This is for the fire boy, just in case.”

“You’re so nice!” exclaimed Hishano.

“I just don’t want my helpers dying earlier than necessary,” muttered the Lapine. “I’ll never pay off my debts if you die.”

Hishano was extra sure now that they would do this. They’d be helping their island, Seth, H’raldri, and the villagers who consumed his potions. “We won’t let you down.”

H’raldri put the potion in a bag, one with straps for going over the shoulders, and then handed it to Karugo. “Be careful in the bamboo forests. The bamboo stalks look sturdy, but they won’t protect you.

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