Thieves
Chapter 15 - Threesome in the Tent


In the morning, Sis was awakened by the rustling sound beside him. It was Jack, who was just rising as well. The fox felt a chill on his back, when the human lifted himself from the hay. They somehow must have gotten close together, during the night. No wonder, it was fricking cold, even in the stable they had sought shelter in last night. Or maybe it was the wine, Jack had brought.

After they had settled for a quarter yesterday, Jack and Sis had eaten ham and drank wine, 'to celebrate the successful, first burglary of my little foxy friend," he had said, or something like that, Sis remembered vaguely. He brought a hand to his aching head, he might have overdone it. But it was the first time that he drank alcohol. At first he was reluctant, but once started he couldn't stop anymore. The good company helped, too.

Till late into the night they had talked and laughed about the stupid look that rich dandy would make, when he'd take a stroll through his mansion, in the morning, and find only a nail in the wall, where his precious painting once hung. And about the jeweler, searching every corner for the missing diamond. Somehow, it made Sis feel happy, to know that he'd taken something from them, just like they had taken something from him and all those others.

Later, Sis remembered, taking his first look around the - mercifully - dim lit stable, he had finally shoved Jack flailing into the hay, for calling him foxy again. Jack had pulled him into the heap with him, and after that he got extremely touchy. Sis couldn't recall much anymore, except that he couldn't stop laughing while Jack fumbled over him. Deep down he knew he'd look like an idiot, but he just couldn't stop.

It didn't proceed any further, however. Sis didn't remember when he fell asleep, or whether he or Jack fell asleep first. Apparently, it was during their play, since they still lay in the same heap as yesterday.

"Everything good, foxy?" Jack asked as he saw his friend drowsily crawl from the hay.

"Urgh," was his only response. He wasn't drunk anymore, like he was last night, but his head felt empty and full at the same time. The empty wine bottle still stood where they had left it. He didn't even remember that they had downed the whole bottle. Finally he stood and scanned the room. "It's still early," Sis remarked, noticing the faint light that entered the stable through small windows and the slits between the boards, the house consisted of.

"Yeah," Jack stretched and yawned. "I still need to buy the equipment, and we should leave this place as soon as possible." He pulled on his jacket and brushed the hay from his clothes. "You can wait here. Market isn't far. I'll try to be quick. Any wishes for breakfast, or a favored supply for the trip?" Jack asked and shouldered his bag.

"Somethin' warm would be nice," Sis mumbled and sat back down onto the hay, clutching his pullover.

Jack laughed, "Something warm? You're good. It would be frozen before I'd be back." Sis only murmured a response, still a bit groggy from the wine and freezing in the early morning. "Don't worry," Jack said. "I'll bring you something good. Make sure you get enough rest, we need to make good way, later." And then, Jack left.

***

Jack's shopping tour was short, he didn't plan on staying any longer than necessary. Most of the provisions they'd need, he found in the grocery store: dried meat, rice, apples, hard cheese and potatoes would serve as long-lasting supplies. Bread, some fruits and vegetables and fresh meat he bought on the market. These weren't so durable and would make their first meals on the trip.

Next on the list was a tent. The merchants in St. Curson hadn't too much of an assortment, but eventually Jack settled for a light and handy two person tent. Simple in construction, mobile and adequate for the winter nights, it would serve them well. The inside space would be big enough for himself and the fox ... and the other fox, Jack thought. A little cramped maybe, but proximity meant warmth and that meant surviving in the snow. Jack had to smile as he thought that the two foxes, while being only half the size of a human, could comfortably be placed one above the other, in the tent.

Actually, he had planned to 'get a little closer' with the fox. Alone. But with the vixen on board now, this would likely have to wait. He hadn't even thought of taking yet another fox on the trip, when he had made the promise. This would make things more complicated, but as long as Sis was happy he didn't mind. And actually, freeing a lady in need out of her servitude wasn't that bad a thing.

First things first, he thought, making his way to the next stop on his errand. There are still some things they would need.

***

Sis had spent another hour or so sleeping, or, more correctly, drowsing. The sun had found its way into the old stable, by now, and the fox felt a little less drunk. He'd spent the rest of the time nibbling on the last remnant of the ham from yesterday and staring through the empty, green glass bottle, thinking, until Jack finally returned.

"You got everything you needed?" Sis asked, getting up from where he sat.

Jack was fully loaded. A big roll of something made of leather was strapped over his back, a second roll of hides and pelts clamped between it. Under his left arm he held a brown bag that had an earthy smell to it, and apples, Sis recognized. Over his right shoulder hung a small backpack, a new one, not Jack's old one he'd left with Sis, and in his hand he held a stack of folded clothes, bound together with a rough cord.

"Yep," replied Jack, letting the bag flop to the floor and taking the new backpack from his shoulder. He handed it and the stack of clothes to Sis. "That's for you," he said and went for his own backpack to store the rest of the newly bought equipment.

Sis put the backpack down between his legs, it was heavy and smelled strongly of bread and meat. He inspected the stack, snapped the cord with one claw and unfolded the fabric. On top was a thick leather jacket, dark brown and nicely lined with soft wool. Underneath was a simple, thin linen singlet and a new, woolen pullover, matching the brown tone of the jacket. Last, there was a pair of trousers, leather on the outside and wool lining inside.

"Thanks, Jack," Sis marveled over the new wardrobe resting on his knees. This would do a decent job in keeping him warm.

"No problem, foxy," Jack said, packing up the rest into his backpack. "Go on, try it on. I bet you look good in it."

The fox got up and started to change. He'd stopped caring by now, whether he was clothed around Jack, or naked. They'd been way too intimate in the past to be picky about it now. Not to speak of the future. Soon they would share nothing more than a tent in the open field.

"Well?" Sis asked, presenting himself in his new garment. "How do I look?"

Jack eyed Sis over. The brown leather style really fitted him, even though, he preferred his natural 'coat'. His black furred paws looked like gloves, in contrast to the jacket. "Lookin' good!" confirmed Jack. "They warm enough?"

Sis nodded, "Yeah, plenty. Thanks again, Jack. They're awesome."

Jack smiled satisfied. "Good. So, you stay here, I've got one last thing to do and then we're off," he said.

Sis knew instantly what he meant. Knowing what he'd bring back next made him feel even warmer than the new jacket.

***

Back on the slave market, Jack tried to remember where exactly the place of the trader with the vixen was. It took a moment, but he found him.

Of course the slave trader, like last time, immediately approached Jack. Even more eager now that Jack came for him. "Ah! You came just to the right man, my fine sir. Here," he pulled on a leash and brought a shackled mouse up for display. "Have a look. He's strong and durable. A real worker!" the man praised. He obviously didn't recognize Jack from the prior day.

Jack looked at the poor creature. This mouse might be many things, but not a worker. Or at least, not any more. He was thin, shivered and his eyes had lost their hope long ago. He spoke to the trader, putting up a smile, "Oh, I'm sure he is, but I'm looking for something else. You see, I was here just the other day and saw that vixen, nice little thing, red fox," he clarified. "Well, I'd like to buy her."

"Oh, I'm too sorry," the man said, dropping his features theatrically. "I already sold her. A real eye catcher she was, indeed. But don't worry! I've got plenty other examples, better ones even!" he promised.

"To whom have you sold her?" Jack questioned.

"I'm sorry," the slave trader repeated. "I'm not supposed to talk about business with other customers. I'm sure I'll find another vixen for you, if you insist. I might even offer a discount for the inconveniences!"

"I'm really just interested in that particular vixen," Jack said, but the man only shrugged apologetically. Reluctantly, Jack reached into his pocket and protruded a gold coin. Slave traders, he knew, earned far too much as that a silver would made him talk. He waved the coin in front of him, "I'm really interested in her."

Finally realizing that Jack wasn't going to buy anything, the trader accepted. "I sold her to the owner of a bakery," he explained vaguely, reaching for the payment.

Jack pulled back, "Which bakery?"

The man shot a dark glare to him. "Gwennis, Gwerris, Quellish, something like that. It's down the main road," he pointed across the market into a wide street.

Knowing that he wouldn't get much more out of him, Jack flipped the coin for him to fetch and went in the indicated direction. The main road was big and crowded, a lot of big and wealthy stores lined the street. And also several bakeries. He scanned the signs for the right name and finally found Quennis' Bakery. A slender, but tall building of beams and bricks. The shop was a small one, albeit well established. New paint covered the facade, the glass windows were clean and decorated, and the whole business overall looked very nice and inviting. This bakery seemed to predominantly produce sweets and pies.

Dozens of sweet smells, of honey, baking dough, flour and sugar, greeted him as he entered the house. Although the kitchen worked in full swing, to prepare the day's goods, the shop was rather empty this early. One other customer was served by a young girl at the end of the counter. So when Jack approached an older looking woman, which likely had more to say than a kitchen maid, she stopped her work and greeted him.

"Welcome at Quennis'! What may I get you?"

Jack felt a little dumb in this situation, but he asked her right away, "Good morning miss. I heard you shortly purchased a female vixen slave that I have a particular interest in. Is that right?"

"Uh," the woman clearly was bewildered, hearing such a strange request, but answered his question nonetheless. "Well, we indeed obtained a vixen worker the other day."

"Oh, good," Jack smiled convincingly. "Because I am interested in buying her."

The women's features changed from confusion to certainty. It was clear to Jack that she didn't held much from his offer, still she remained polite and answered, "I'm sorry, sir, this is a bakery, not the slave market."

Jack tried to hook her with money, "I assure you, I will pay the full price for her."

She put one hand down and leaned on the counter, giving him a questioning look. "Why are you so insistent in purchasing her in particular? Why don't you get another fox from the market?" she asked.

Aaaand hooked, Jack thought to himself. Next he tried to make himself look desperate and in need, although he remained confident. "I would, but I had promised a good friend to buy her. It should be a present," he admitted. "Please, help me out. It's important. Just tell me what you paid for her and I will reimburse it," he promised, again leading her thoughts to the money she could make. It slowly seemed to work.

"She was hundred and sixty gold coins," the woman answered, trying to hide a haughty smile.

Jack noticed it. Anyway, he knew that she wasn't worth that much - financially spoken. But he had enough to buy her for that price, and he wanted to get this over with without making a big deal out of it. So he played along, "Oh, well... okay," he pretended to be intimidated by the high price. "I'll tell you what: I repay the amount and I will put two coins on top of that for the inconveniences. So I'll get her and you've even made profit. I'm sure you can find another worker for a good price."

The woman threw a glance through the, now empty, sale area in thought, then called for someone in the back, "Maggy! Send the newbie out here!"

A moment later the vixen emerged from the back area. She wore a massive iron collar and a new, linen tunic for the work. Ears and tail dragged behind her, and she looked defeated as she approached her owner. Before the slave could acknowledge her, the woman spoke.

"Go and get your leash, you're sold!" she ordered harshly. The vixen bowed, silently, and did as she was told.

Satisfied that it was indeed the right vixen, Jack took out the money and started to count the amount he had promised, while the woman reached under the counter to search for a document. Once done, Jack found his pouch almost empty again. The woman eagerly accepted the money and stored it quickly.

She put the slave's contract down, scribbled her name on it and held it out for Jack. "Write your signature under it yourself."

Jack folded the paper and stuck it into his pocket as the vixen returned. Affixed to the collar, with a metal carabineer, was now a thick cord. The other end of the leash she presented to her owner.

The woman accepted and passed the cord over to Jack. Now she reached into her apron and held out a small key for the collar. Jack secured it safely into his jacket. "And now, if you don't intend to buy any of our regular wares, I'd ask you to leave," said the woman.

Jack thanked her and followed her wish. Back on the street, he paused for a moment and lit a cigarette. "Now then let's go, shall we?" he spoke to the vixen beside him.

The female fox wrapped her arms around her, in the cold winter breeze. "Yes, master," she replied quietly.

She had the voice of an angel. Soft and kind, even in her situation. At least Sis has got a good taste, Jack thought, looking over the vixen. She was about his fox's height, maybe a little shorter, and had a fur that went more into a red nuance, contrary to Sis' bright orange. Her body was slim and gracile, her movements light. She was indeed beautiful, thought Jack, for a female.

Back in the stable, Sis already awaited them. He looked far better by now, rested and fully awake. The smile on his face, as he saw the vixen, made Jack happy, in particular. He approached him and placed the leash in his paws, then fished the key out and held it out for him. "There ya go, foxy," he said smiling and went for his backpack.

The vixen looked puzzled from the human to the fox in front of her.

Jack sat himself into a heap of hay and leaned back for a moment. He saw Sis' tail swing happily from side to side as he made short work of the collar.

Sis took the collar carefully from her neck and held it nervously in both paws. He couldn't stop smiling like an idiot as he spoke the words, "You're free now."

The vixen looked even more puzzled now. Carefully she cast a glance towards Jack, who observed the scene.

"Don't mind him," Sis encouraged her. "He's a friend. He is the one who bought you free."

She looked again to the human, then back to Sis. "Why?" she asked shyly.

"Because he's fallen in love with you!" Jack blurted out unashamed and smiling as always, while he rummaged through his luggage.

Sis' ears were burning red in embarrassment. He'd almost let the collar fall to the floor. "A- I'm not!" he protested in panic. "I'm not fallen in lo-. I mean... not uh, not that you are not lovely, but... uh, we just did it." He fidgeted the collar in his paws, feeling how the cold metal turned warm under his pads.

"Thank you," the vixen whispered, locking her eyes on the ground. It seemed she didn't know what to do now.

"So, uh," Sis fumbled for the words. "What's your name?" he finally managed to ask.

"Kirae," she answered.

Sis smiled. "I'm Sis, and that is Jack," he introduced his friend who had just brought out his book to read.

Jack waved a finger to acknowledge her. "Get some more rest, you two. We'll be going in an hour, or so," he instructed. Actually, he had planned to start right away, but Sis was in such a high spirit that he decided to let him savor the moment. The fox was so cute when happy. Besides, it would be good for them both to get to know each other, and for Jack to listen in on the conversation, to see what kind of a person she was. Secretly he hoped Sis wouldn't get along with her too good. It would be hard to be close with him anyway, with her around, but getting down with things would be too awkward, even for him.

"Where are we going?" Kirae asked softly.

"Into the north!" Sis exclaimed joyful. "Away from the slavery. You can come with us!"

Jack looked up at that. Buying her free was one thing, but dragging her all the way along was another. Keeping one fox hidden was hard enough already. He didn't say anything, though. Not yet.

"Oh," Sis realized suddenly that Kirae stood in front of him only in her tunic. "You must be cold. Wait," he said putting the collar down and went to grab something from his pack. "Here, take this," he offered, holding out the clothes he had worn before Jack had gotten him new ones. "It isn't much, but it's something."

Jack peered over his book and saw the vixen slip into Sis' old clothes. Such a gentleman, he thought amused. The pullover was two sizes too big for her, but it would do for now. Jack saw Sis' bright grin and how his tail flicked back and forth behind him. It made him smile. He continued to read his book, occasionally making a pause to listen in on Sis' and Kirae's conservation. The fox spent most of the time explaining to his new friend, how he escaped from slavery and ended up with a human. He reassured her again that Jack could be trusted and told her about how he helped him out. Jack was glad that the fox hadn't forgotten about everything he'd done for him, and hearing him joyfully retell their history - certain intimacies excluded - made him feel good and needed.

After Kirae explained rather briefly about her enslavement, something about being caught in a trap during a hunting trip a few years back, Sis took over the initiative again and asked her about her origin, family, other foxes and clans she'd been with and some other things concerning the society and life of short ones, Jack never got the knack to really understand. The vixen's answers were always sparse and short, Jack thought, though, she was thawing up. Sis didn't seem to notice. He was totally engaged into the conservation.

Reaching the end of the latest chapter in his book, Jack closed it and put it back into his backpack. Then he stood, "Okay, guys. It's about time we're off."

Sis looked like a kid being taken from his play, but he knew they had to go. Kirae, still uncertain about her new, human companion, searched for help in Sis' face, who explained to her quickly that they needed to leave the city.

The stable they had rested in, lay at the edge of town. Good for making a quick exit, without being seen by too much eyes, but still too risky to wander around with two free foxes.

Sis put the rope back around his neck and helped Kirae to get the collar back on. The vixen obviously preferred it to stay off, but given her situation she let the fox lock it tight. Jack shouldered his backpack, with the tent on top of it, and Sis carried his luggage - Thankfully it was not uncommon for slaves to carry their master's baggage, so the sight shouldn't rise too much attention. Once Jack held the rope and cord in hand, they quickly exited the stable and went for the shortest way out of city.

The weather was not actually the best travel weather, but it had its perks. The stiff breeze shooed the people inside, only the regular travel of traders and workers occurred. Clouds covered the sky, and Jack got the feeling that it would be snowing again soon in the evening, if not even a storm. He regretted for a moment to have taken the rest, should the snow too soon force them to put up camp, they would still be too close to the town. Additionally, the vixen was slow. Starved and weakened from her tortures she simply didn't have the strength to keep the pace. Still one needed to give her credit for trying desperately. Silently and enduringly she marched behind Jack and beside Sis through the snow. The way ahead, through snow, cold and wind must have been nothing compared to the horror that lay behind her.

Thankfully they soon reached the forest. The trees, sparse at first, but quickly growing closer, covered them not only from the city, but also from the biting wind. Also, the snow wasn't as high here as it had been on open field. While they had left St. Curson, the snow reached up to Sis' knees. For Jack it wasn't that bad, but the two foxes had their difficulties. Now the ground was more like frozen dirt, covered with only a thin layer of powder snow that dropped down from the spruces and firs, or found its way through their branches.

"You sure we won't get lost?" Sis asked from behind.

Jack didn't stop to not waste any more time. He called back to him, "Isn't much we can do wrong. Th' river's bowing here widely. For miles!" he explained and drew a line through the forest. "We're almost sure to hit it and then we just follow. If it gets real bad, I have a map, though!"

Short before nightfall, Jack decided to set up camp, on an even place of ground, covered by some large trees. Exhausted, Jack put the heavy backpack down into the snow. He considered for a moment whether they should set up a fire or not. Food and water was secured for the moment, without the need to simmer it. A fire would be warm, but he wasn't exactly certain how far they'd gotten from the city. They could risk a small one to heat them up, but in the end it was still mostly useless. With three people in the small tent, and the winter not having reached its peak yet, they would make it. It wouldn't be the most pleasant of nights, but better safe than sorry. In the end Jack decided to let the foxes have a word about it.

"So, you guys wanna make a fire? Because we don't need one. I'd rather not take the risk, although it's a small one."

Sis looked questioning to Kirae, who in return looked questioning to Sis. In the end she spoke softly, "If we don't need one, and there's a risk, we shouldn't start a fire."

Sis looked to Jack. "No fire then," he said.

"Good," Jack said, taking the rolled up tent from the backpack and unwrapping it. "Get something to eat. I'll put up the tent. Best to go to sleep before snow sets in an it's get'n really cold."

The tent was a rather simple construction: a thick layer of leather to cover the ground, thinner ones to form the triangular shape. A few sticks to keep it upright and some tent pegs to stop it from flying away in the wind. The entrance was made of two leather flaps which could be tied together with a leather cord. The floor was covered with the most of the pelts they had brought, some were used to cover Jack and the foxes and on top, over all three of them, lay the brown wool blanket from Jack. The backpacks were placed to their feet, to additionally cover the entrance and keep the wind outside. The waterskins lay under their heads und under the pelts, to serve as a pillow and keep the water from freezing.

As they lay there, all three lined up, Jack was grumpy. He was grumpy, because Sis had offered the middle spot, since it was the warmest spot, to Kirae. He wasn't grumpy, because he wanted the warmest spot himself, the two little creatures wouldn't keep him warm anyway. He was grumpy, because he wanted Sis to have the warmest spot. Or, more correctly, he wanted him to lay beside him. Now he had to snuggle up to a female to stay warm. How disappointing!
