Parktails. Douglas G. Campbell

Both of them had stopped chewing on the plants they had plucked from beneath the water’s surface. “What brings you here?”

      Tromengard answered back, with her nose high in the air, “Just what business is it of yours to ask about our comings and goings?”

      I did not reply, for such insolence did not deserve a reply. I waited, knowing that Tromengard liked to talk; I knew that she could not resist her desire to be the center of attention.

      It was not long before Tromengard spoke again, this time with less ostentation. “The wind has shifted and the fire has crossed the highway and is heading this way. It will not be long before the fire reaches the shore of Big Sky Lake. So we have come to Beaver Island for refuge. We did not expect to find anyone here.”

      “We were hoping that the fire would not come this way. You are welcome to join us here,” I answered “Zornova has left me in charge here before taking her leave. We arrived yesterday afternoon after fleeing from Willow Meadow.”

      Tromengard moved closer to the shore then she stopped and started backing up again. “Oh gracious,” she cried, “You are here with a skaggle of little stinkers aren’t you? Well, you must all leave. You know that Udena is so sensitive. Surely you must know about her allergies. There is no other way; you must leave so that we can stay here safely. Get along now, all of you!”

      “That is enough silliness from you, Tromengard. You may stay or you may leave, but none of us are leaving this island until Zornova sends us instructions,” I answered. The nerve of that pompous moose!

      “Look, Blinkers,” shouted Spraybreath. “The fire is coming.” We looked westward and saw that the sky was glowing brighter.

      “Listen, all of you, and that includes you Tromengard—for I am in charge here until orders to the contrary arrive from Zornova,” I shouted. “When the fire gets closer we must all stay low to avoid the smoke. We will stay on the far side of the island. Tromengard and Udena, you are to stay in the water so that you will be breathing near the surface. I will keep watch to make sure that no sparks ignite and burn our refuge. If a fire should start on the island all of you must help put it out.”