“What oh the noes?” Berkr grumbled as he glanced my way sharply.
“Is everyone accounted for?” I wondered aloud. My gaze darted around. “Every beast, are they accounted for?” I stressed.
“Why need beast count?” Kehl asked.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I told him, “Dace had mentioned looking for a beast willing to be her guide. I mean, at first it was all about getting to the banished lands, the dumping grounds for the Unwanteds, but she also brought up some being familiar with the area to search out portals…”
“Where Maroumak?” Celuk bit out sharply.
“Candy-ass not go off with Maroumak. Him hate all the huedmans,” Berkr grumbled.
“Maroumak know ways ‘round Celuk not even know,” Joanie’s boss daddy mate, or so she addresses him, rumbled out.
“You mean, he might know where other portals are,” I croaked out.
Celuk nodded grimly.
“Him not dummy head ‘nough, take my- take Candy-ass,” Berkr grumbled.
Vurhg came rushing up to our little search party, looking winded. “Find this, Canny things!”
The second I spied my name on it, I snatched it out of his hands. “I looked all over her place,” I grumbled as I tore the letter open. “Where the hell did you find this?”
Pru,
If you’ve found this, you’ve either torn my place apart and found my secret cubby, or Snoopy Sally has sussed it out.
Either way, I’ll start off with an apology for misleading you, but I had my reasons.
You’ve done so much for me. I can’t thank you enough. Your friendship means so much to me. I just want you to be as happy, and I know that’s not possible with two thirds of your heart back on Earth.
A beast that said not to name him has agreed to help me to a portal. He swears I’m on my own after that but I’m pretty confident I can find my way back.
Please don’t worry.
I’ve gone to look for the Tree family, your Cypress and Elm, for you.
I wrote down everything you’ve ever told me about them, about where you used to live. I’m going to use it all to find them and bring them back to you if it’s the last thing I do!
Please don’t be mad at me.
Look out for Buu for me. He’ll be upset but he’ll understand.
See you when I return.
Dace
PS Please, please, please don’t be mad at me, though I’ll understand if you are.
Scouring over it several times before reading it aloud, I’d barely finished it when Berkr scoffed and leaned in closer to read over my shoulder.
“Where it say Berkr,” he grumbled. “Pfft. No say Berkr no wheres!”
“I thought you guys weren’t talking to each other,” I murmured.
“Candy-ass no talk Berkr!” Berkr exploded. With a snarl, he stepped off to the side, where he then began pacing. “She no want talk Berkr, then come to Berkr say crazies things, want Berkr take Candy-ass to portal! Berkr say no, she broke in head think Berkr say yes! Too manied bad things out there, eat little Candy-ass up, tiny pink painted feets first!”
“How Berkr know Canny tootsies wootsied painted pinks?” Vurhg grumbled at Berkr.
