The Fox of Wales

Chapter 14

After resting for some time, the group filled themselves up again on the water and set out once again. 

"The Great Sea has one great port used for trade. His majesty has a mighty vessel docked there, which we shall use." 

"Won't the humans catch us and skin us?" An animal bellowed from the back of the pack.

"The human knows nothing of this vessel. We will sneak in and none shall see us." 

"I must really get home! My parents must be worried sick. I would not like to bring the wrath of the humans down upon all of you!" Abigail felt the tears 

"You will see your parents soon enough my dear. They will be waiting for you when our adventure has concluded." 

The desert stretched on and on. The water they had drank in the cavern kept them going for at least four or five miles. 

"I can't walk anymore. My feet hurt. Please tell me we are close to the port!" One of the animals yelled.

"We shall be there soon friends! Have faith in your guide!"

The grumbling did not cease. The sand was so hot that not even their worn sandals could hold the heat back.

"I've been to the port before. I was freshly hatched but I still remember the glorious stench of fruit and the brand new rugs woven in the West." A duck squawked from the back of the group.

"I remember a large fountain with glittering coins everywhere! A fortune is bound to still be there." A lizard spoke as he crawled along, avoiding the feet as he went.

"I've heard that there's a massive market with jams, pastries, and all different kinds of jewelry." A dog barked as he trotted along.

"Yes! You will get new clothes, sandals, and maybe a nice bath as well." The Eagle sounded confident, but the look on his face suggested otherwise.

A sign appeared that read:

Port of Salador 2 Miles

The group started to trot forward with passion. Their tongues couldn't stand the uncomfortable dryness any longer. They had a zombie-like quality to them. Their eyes were fixed on the road ahead, the horizon twinkling in their padlocked eyes. For them, the heaven they had known, their home, shrunk into the distance. The Oracle, or the Banished One as he soon became, would never quench their desires again. For them, home was death. The Eagle was their life.

"Welcome my friends, to the Great Port!" The Eagle turned after that long trot, expecting deliverance. The town and port sat as brown and lifeless as the sand around it. Flags and banners still hung from poles and above shops. Walking down the main street was the worst part. The ovens were buried under think blankets of filth and bone. Coins did litter the street and skeletons seemed to wave at our group from the ground.

"A raid no doubt." The Eagles eyes scanned all the buildings. Nothing moved, except for the hawks circling the scene.

"Why do we stand out in the open? Someone is bound to see us!" Abigail stamped her foot and dust circled and swirled around her dress.

"Afraid the hawks will get you? They seem to be the only living thing that has touched this port in a few years." The dog barked.

"Not even a distress signal? This was the center of trade for our kingdom. Look at all of my dead subjects! Many animals seemed to have died protecting this market. Pity my father knew nothing of your suffering." He started to cry.

"No human remains? This was the last intergrated port in the land, yes?" The duck asked.

"Yes, but in their last letters, the humans were thinking about leaving for newer territories."