Glitter and Goldie

Goldie had been on the road for quite some time when he finally spotted a village on the horizon. The prospect of sleeping in a bed rather than out in the open gave him the strength to press on and, in no time at all, he arrived in Crooksford.
He made arrangements to spend the night and put down his last coin for supper. The night was young and the fox soon grew board. He decided to venture out and see what the town had to offer. Even without a cent to his name, a traveler could always find welcome at the local pub. Spinning tales and making boasts could earn a drink or two and it was a sure way to while away the hours.
The villagers were colorful and made for good company. He told of his adventures and they offered up advice and good cheer.
“The swamps in this area are so full of thorns; you’d be wise to get some footwear, boy!”
“Such a fine long coat, yet you go about without even a set of sandals? Your pads must be hard as rock!”
“I hear there are thieves lurking about! Bad for some, but good for others…”
“Fenced goods sell for lower prices… Or so I’d imagine!”
Goldie was a brave and honest lad, the type who would never buy stolen goods. He made a note to keep an eye out for any shady characters. Maybe there’d be a reward if he brought them to justice…

Hours passed and Goldie was on his way back to the inn. It was late and the streets were deserted.
“Hay, you!” a voice called from the shadows. “Over here!”
Goldie squinted into the darkness. The voice belonged to a black furred fox that was wrapped in a cloak.
“You look in need of some boots, lad. I’ve got a pair for cheep…”
“I have no money.”
“Perhaps a trade? I like your coat…”
“It’s how I stay warm.”
“Warm paws make for a warm body lad!”
“I’m quite fine, as is.”
The black fox noticed Goldie’s sward and took a step back.
“Alright, suit yourself…”
Goldie turned to be on his way, but stopped dead in his tracks. A thin dart now stuck from his neck and he fell away in a heap.
“Haha… Never turn your back, lad…”

A short while later, Goldie came slowly awake. The poison had worn off, but his head still felt light and off kilter. He found himself in a most unpleasant situation. His coat and sward were gone and he himself was bound up in some sort of stocks. His ankles and wrists were through the holes, but behind his back. His shoulders were sore from the weight of his body and his knees were numb from the cold stone floor.
“What’s going on?” he called into the darkness.
“Oh, you’re up! Good, it’s no fun torturing a fool in his sleep!”
“Wha…”
“Look, I’ll break this down fast for you. You made this hard on yourself. Sure, a set of warn out boots may not have been worth your pretty coat or fine steel sword, but now you’ve got none of the above. You should have taken my offer, lad!
“You see, if I don’t bring back something of value each night, I get subjected to the same torment you’re about to endure! I don’t like it, but the boss sure seems to! I’ll give him your coat tomorrow and than your sward. You’ve given me time to catch up on my work! Petty theft is hard, but it turns out I’m rather good at kidnapping!”
“But what about tonight?”
“Tonight? Why, tonight, I’m giving him you!”

The bandit boss was a great big monstrosity that may have passed for a wolf in the right light. He enjoyed making others look weak and feeble, if only to reinforce his own stature. On the inside, he was sad and insecure, but no one dared say so!
“Oh, ho! What have we here, pighead? I sent you out for treasure and you bring me a pup! What use is he to me?”
“Amusement, me lord! He’s from out of town and so will go unmissed. You can torture and tease him to your hearts content!”
“Haha! You hear that, pisshead? He’s turning you over for the fun of it!”
“My name… is Goldie!”
The wolf turned on his pray.
“Oh, is it now? You hear that, Dribble-chops? He says his name’s Goldie! I guess you found some gold for me after all!”
The bandits all laughed, all but one…

Goldie’s chest hurt from laughing and he felt as if his belly would burst at any moment. The bandits were running feathers up and down his soles and the poor boy wasn’t sure how much longer he could last. The sound of his torment was music to the wolf’s ears and he chuckled and howled along with him.
“Please…” Goldie begged. “I… Haha! I can’t breathe!”
“Can’t breathe? Perhaps his shirt is too tight! Open it up!”
The vermin tore open his shirt and set to work tickling his chest and belly.
“No! Haha… Please!”
But it did no good. They played with their new toy right up to dawn, giving him no mercy and showing him no favor. At last, the first rays of sun rose on the horizon and the game was over.
“Well, boys, that was quite a night!” The wolf said with a yawn. “Now, go home and have a rest!”

Goldie was covered in sweat and panting for air. The room was cold, but his body burned with anger and shame…
A noise caught his ear. Someone was unlocking the stocks.
“Don’t say a word. I wager this is going to hurt, but try and keep your mouth shut.”
As the hooded figure lifted the bar and the fox’s arms came forward for the first time in hours, blood and feeling rushed back into them and he nearly fainted in agony.
“I told you it would hurt…”
“Who are you?”
The figure was silent.
“What’s going to happen to me?”
“I’m getting you out of here. You’re in a bad way, my friend. There are others like me who can help you, but you must trust me if you are to live. Betray me for a moment and I’ll leave you to die…”
“What about my things?”
“I care not for your trinkets…”
“My coat and sword are not mire trinkets!”
“Quiet!” the figure shushed him. “I can only safeguard you for a short time. If you wish to forfeit your life over material goods, perhaps you are not so unlike these thieves!”
A black furred hand extended from beneath the cloak, pointing to the bodies of two foxes. One of them was the one who had brought him in. Both had their throats cut out.
“My word!”
“You carry a sword yet are shocked by their work?”
“No… I just… Did they even have a chance?”
“They didn’t deserve one… Let’s go.”

~To Be Continued