Esme stormed into his room in a huff, a scowl on her face. She paused in front of Fritz, who was still half asleep. She pointed at him, touching his nose before growling, “YOU LITTLE…..”

“Whoa!” Fritz interrupted her before she could finish, “Wha-” he yawned, “What is this about?”

“You asked Gort where I was going and then you finished my painting!” she accused, crossing her arms. Fritz grinned she was too pretty to argue with. “You're not actually mad are you?” he asked, standing and hugging her from behind. She tensed, then relaxed, turning to kiss his nose lightly. “No, of course not. I was just hoping I could finish it before we had to go.”

“Thats why I finished it. We’re leaving today, as soon as you would like.” She nodded, then jumped slightly, as if she had just processed his words. “What!” she shrieked, spinning and tripping backwards over his bag. “Yah!” Fritz said, reaching out a hand to help her up. She glared at it and stood herself. “So we can leave whenever?” she asked, and her face glowed with excitement. “Can we leave now?” she asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Fritz laughed at her enthusiasm. “We can go as soon as you're packed!”

“Yes!” she shouted, racing out of the room, her night gown billowing around her.

She was done in mere seconds. She hauled a poorly packed bag into the hall. She looked as though she had just thrown on a gown without any care. But she still looked beautiful. “Well! What are we waiting for?” she asked impatiently and Fritz noticed he had been staring. “Nothing! Let's go find Terrilain!” He reached for her bag but she slapped his hand away, hoisting it over her shoulder and racing down the stairs. By the time Fritz had made it to the Savory den Gort had already gotten to Esme and was hugging her tight. He sobbed loudly, saying how much he would miss her. Esme had tears in her eyes also and she pulled away from the older buck. “Its okay. I’ll visit my best friend any chance I get.”

“I’m your best friend?” Gort asked, smiling slightly.

“Oh course you are!” Esme said, and Gort burst into more sobs. Eventually Esme escaped Gort’s clutches and asked for the food. As he handed it over and bid goodbye he shook Fritz’s hand.

“Listen here boy.” he said, leaning in close. “I don’t have a daughter, but if I could choose one it would be Esme. Now she loves you. If you ever hurt her I will track you down and make sure that you feel the pain she would feel if you left her.”

Fritz gulped and nodded, not knowing what to say. Esme was saying goodbye to a very old doe whom she had also grown fond of. Fritz went to walk over to her but she was being surrounded by older bucks and does, all of whom were crying. She kissed them all on the forehead saying, “Bye gramps, oh! Scarlet, auntie, I’ll miss you all so much!”

Fritz gave up trying to get through and waited impatiently for Esme to re appear. She emerged from the crowd a couple minutes later, a smile on her face and tears still in her eyes. “Lets go.” She croaked, then clearing her throat, she nodded at Gort before leaving the Savory den. Fritz followed her out, watching her carefully. She was smiling sadly as she pulled out a piece of parchment. “Here it is.” she said. “What I let someone torture me for. The map to Terrilain.” Her eyes flickered to her outstretched arm for a moment and she smiled wryly.

“C’mon.” Fritz said, taking her arm. “Lets find Terrilain.”