Tales from Expermia: Silver Foxes, #11

By M.R. Anglin

Expermia is a large and varied country, and the stories it has to tell are no exception. This collection of four stories detail experiences which are unique to the Expermian people. From an Outsider visiting the country for the first time to an Expermian venturing through a city not his own—from a soldier on a mission to a brother accepting his role—dive in as we get a glimpse of some of the many Tales from Expermia.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.R. Anglin
• Release date: Dec 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215858660

Book preview

On the Run from Isofell

Skitter has one, simple mission in life: follow Kadaiel wherever he leads. This directive will lead Skitter to a country he’s never seen before where he’ll meet two people the likes of which he as never encountered. People with a unique problem . . .

First published in Furplanet’s anthology, God’s with Fur, On the Run from Isofell tells the story of Skitter’s first solo-prophecy endeavor. It takes place shortly after the events in Into Expermia and introduces Skitter to the world of Expermia and its gods. An introduction he isn’t likely to soon forget.

THE JOSTLING OF THE pick-up bumping over dirt and rocks was so relaxing that Skitter almost didn’t hear the whisper telling him it was time to disembark the truck bed he had been hitching a ride on. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. The sun beat down on his round, fur covered ears and made the skin under his brown fur itch. An endless sand sea stretched out across the landscape until it met the sky at the horizon—a sky so blue it dazzled Skitter’s eyes. Wind blew through his fur and clothes and whistled through the sand. Ash gray trees and cacti poked up through the barren landscape.

It was so mind-blowingly beautiful that Skitter nearly fell into a trance watching it. He shook his head and stretched, his arm flaps almost catching the wind and launching him into the air. As a flying squirrel, one wrong gesture on a windy day—or on a fast moving truck—could mean take off, so he kept his arms close to his body as he knocked on the window to the cab.

Excuse me. Skitter shouted at the driver, an otter named Darren who had agreed to give him a ride. I have to get off here.

Here? The otter’s voice was muffled. He opened the window and blinked in the wind. But there’s nothing around. He tried to glance at Skitter while keeping his eye on the road. We’ll be in town soon so hang tight.

Skitter sat back on his tail . . . then shifted position so he could move it out of the way. Darren was right; there was nothing out here. But he was sure that he heard Kadaiel tell him it was time to get off. And he knew better than to second-guess Kadaiel. If Kadaiel wanted Skitter to get off here, here was where Skitter was getting off.

He got to his feet. The special toga he wore fluttered in the wind. It had openings on the sides to allow his arm flaps to catch the air currents. He stepped onto the edge of the bed, stretched his arms to the sides, and jumped.

Hey! Darren slammed on his brakes. The truck squealed to a halt. Skitter had heard that some of the people on the mainland drove hover cars, but Darren’s car had wheels. He said it made it easier to traverse the desert.

Skitter’s flaps caught the air and lifted him up. But the wind he had felt earlier had died down, so Skitter parachuted to the ground and landed on packed dirt.

Are you crazy? Darren slammed his door before marching over to Skitter. You could have gotten yourself killed.

It’s okay, Darren-lo. Back on the island of Kasate, where Skitter was from, the suffix lo—li for females—was a term of respect. You didn’t have to stop for me. I—oh! Skitter stiffened. Wait! I’m sorry. I didn’t even realize . . . He pulled money out of his pocket. Here’s some gas money. Thank you for the ride.

Darren stared at the money. I don’t want that.

But you brought me all this way . . .

Forget it. Darren beckoned to Skitter. Back on the truck. We’ve got a few more miles to go until town.

But this is where I’m going. Skitter pointed down the dirt packed road he had landed on. It snaked its way through the desert. I’m supposed to follow this road all the way down.

This one? Darren pointed at the road. But there’s nothing down there. It’s just desert.

Sure looks like it, doesn’t it? Skitter put his hand on his hips as he studied the path. Guess I’d better get moving.

Stop! Darren jerked Skitter to a halt. Don’t you know what’s down there?

Skitter paused a moment, his eyebrows arching up. Maybe Darren was a little slow. You told me it was desert.

That’s the road to Expermia . . . you know, the land foreigners never return from . . . at least not alive. Darren waved his fingers in a spooky kind of way.

Skitter stifled a sigh. It was official. Darren was a bit slow. I’m sure that’s not the case. He brushed Darren’s hands off of his shoulders.

You don’t scare easy, do you? Darren rubbed his hands over his head. Okay, okay. I was exaggerating. But Expermians are not friendly to foreigners—what they call ‘Outsiders.’ And that’s only if you even make it there. That desert walk is a killer, and I’m not joking about that. You could die out there.

Really? Skitter’s eyes grew wide as he looked down the road. Imagine a path so treacherous it could kill someone by walking it. It must be the heat and the sun . . . it was pretty hot out here. A smile came to Skitter’s lips. Maybe . . . just maybe, this was his time to take the final journey to Kadaiel’s side and . . .

No, no, Skitter. Not yet, came the whisper, and Skitter was certain it was chuckling.

Skitter sighed. Too bad. It’s okay, Darren-lo. He turned to Darren. I won’t die here. Kadaiel says it’s not my time yet. But there’s something he wants me to do down there.

And why do you look so disappointed about not dying? Darren gave a grunt. I should have known this was going to be a strange day when Dabae asked me to give you a ride. Leave it to his student to be as weird as he is. Wait there a moment. He made his way back to his truck. I can’t believe this kid is only thirteen. He’s causing me so much trouble . . .

Skitter glanced down the dirt path as Darren’s muttering fell away. He wanted to get going, but Kadaiel didn’t seem to mind the delay. He took a deep breath and waited.

Here we go. Darren returned holding a container with a strap on it. Dabae told me you might pull something like this. He said if you were insistent, I’m supposed to let you go. He also said you don’t think these things through.

Skitter cocked his head, his ear twitching a bit. What do you mean?

Water. Darren handed him the container.

Oh, thank you. Skitter slung it over his shoulder.

Now listen. Darren knelt so that his face was level with Skitter’s. His eyes were hard and serious, commanding Skitter’s attention. Like I said before, this road leads to Expermia, but it doesn’t lead to a formal border. A border’s not necessary. Most folks die of heat and thirst before they get anywhere significant. But there’s a little shop on the side of the road that marks the edge of Expermia. If you can get supplies there, you might make it to where you’re going. If not, your best plan is to turn your tail around and head southeast toward the town I was telling you about. It’s small, but the area around it is flat so you should see it if you’re within a few miles of it.

Thank you, Darren-lo. Skitter turned to face the road. It was nice that Darren worried about him so, but there was nothing to worry about. If Kadaiel called him to do something, how bad could it be?

Skitter’s fur prickled with excitement as he started down the road. This was it. He was on his first mission from Kadaiel without Dabae to guide him.

Be careful out there, Skitter, Darren called as Skitter walked. I don’t want Dabae to have to bury one of his acolytes.

I’ll be okay. Skitter waved at him over his shoulder. I told you; Kadaiel said it’s not my time yet.

Darren shook his head. He returned to his truck and took off.

Skitter turned his attention back to the road. You know something, Kadaiel. Some people say I’m flighty, but a lot of times they don’t listen. I’m sure I told him what you said about it not being my time once before.

And though Skitter didn’t see anybody, he was sure he heard Kadaiel laugh.

SKITTER HAD NEVER BEEN afraid of dying—rather in a way, he was looking forward to it. Dying meant he was on his way to see Kadaiel and live with him forever. But just because he wasn’t afraid of dying that didn’t mean he wanted to die. For all his life, he had thought that if he were given the option to choose his death, drowning would be on the bottom of his list. But now another option was added to his list of undesirable deaths: dehydration. But worse than dying of dehydration was living through it.

He smacked his lips as his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. His tongue felt like the sand on the ground, and his saliva was thick and sticky. It had only been a few hours since he left Darren, but the sun beat relentlessly on his fur. Heat from the surrounding air smothered him and drifted up from the sand, burning his sandaled feet. There was no escape from the desert’s torment.

Skitter plodded down the road, longing for the water he had long since finished. It was only through Kadaiel’s whispered directions that he hadn’t lost the road. The heat was making him drowsy and loopy all at once. And he was hallucinating. Often he’d see images of water shimmering in the distance. But every time he rushed toward it, there would be nothing but sand. Even know he saw a shimmer in the distance with what looked like mountains in the distance.

Skitter was beginning to hate those water-illusions.

A dark mass appeared on the edge of the road. As Skitter plodded closer, it took on the form of a small, wooden building that was bleached gray from the sun. The wood siding was cracked and split, but it held up a tin roof that sparkled in the sun.

Probably another fake vision. Skitter glared at it as it approached. It will disappear soon.

But it didn’t go anywhere. Skitter came to a halt next to it. Outside was a cart full of a peach colored fruit with red splotches on it. Inside was packed with groceries, food, and drinks.

I made it! Skitter tore toward it. This is the place Darren-lo was talking about!

He burst in, darted straight for the refrigerators, and grabbed an ice-cold bottle of water. Condensation dripped from it as soon as he took it out of the case. He downed the whole thing so fast, he got an ice-cream headache.

It’s totally worth it. Skitter clenched his teeth as the headache faded. Then he flung open the door to the refrigerator and allowed the cold air to waft over his hot fur.

Hey! You! Outsider!

Now let’s see. Skitter heard someone calling, but he didn’t know anyone out here that would call out to him. I’m going to need much more water to keep going. He scooped up as many bottles as he could carry.

Yo, Outsider!

Skitter’s stomach rumbled. I’m going to need food, too. He surveyed the shelves of food and caught sight of a selection of nuts on display. Oooo! Hazelnuts! And Almonds. My favorite! He glanced at his full hands and then the nut display. I gotta put this down. He ambled to the check-out counter.

The fox behind the counter stiffened his whiskers as Skitter unloaded his hands.

Now Skitter knew better than to stare at someone different from him, but this brown fox had ears so enormous, Skitter couldn’t help it. They must have been the size of Skitter’s head. Plus his brown hair had turned a shade of red at the end—as red as autumn leaves. His nametag read, Phain.

Listen, you Outsider! Phain’s angry tone snapped Skitter out of it.

Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. Is it alright if I leave these here a second? I’m going to get more stuff and come back to pay for it all. Skitter swung around to the nut display.

Wait a second! Phain caught Skitter by the shoulder. You can’t do that!

Oh! Skitter paused a moment. Is there a basket I can use, then?

I mean that. Phain shook the empty water bottle Skitter had drunk. This is unacceptable.

Skitter scratched the back of his head. I was so thirsty, but I’ll pay for it with the rest of my stuff.

We don’t serve Outsiders here.

But I have money. Skitter reached into his pockets. What currency do you use?

Phain thrust his chin in the air. We don’t sell things to Outsiders, and we don’t take their money!

Skitter raised an eyebrow. So you’re mad that I drank the water, but you won’t let me pay for it? That doesn’t make any sense.

It’s my establishment, so it’s my rules. Phain bared his teeth. Now, you stole from me. What are we going to do about that?

I’m trying to— Skitter’s ear twitched. A shadow fell over him. He turned to see that two foxes with large ears and bi-colored hair had approached him from behind. They cracked their knuckles.

Skitter blinked at them. They towered over him, their ears pinned back. They wore tunics with two splits up both sides and baggy pants underneath. Long pieces of cloth held in place by silver pins dangled from around their shoulders and waists.

Skitter gazed at them and their clenching fists. A . . . are you going to beat me up?

We don’t take kindly to Outsider thieves around here. Phain grinned.

Skitter’s ears fell. His tail flopped on the ground. He had never been in a situation like this before. What was one to do at this point?

A bright light dazzled his eyes. He tilted his head to see behind the two thugs and spied a creature, the species of which he couldn’t determine, standing behind them. It had a fiery sword in its folded hands, and its gold eyes were narrowed.

Skitter hissed in a breath through his teeth. Beating me up is not a good idea. I don’t think Kadaiel wants you to do that.

We don’t care what Kadaiel thinks, said one of the thugs.

Yeah. The other snickered. Bring your Kadaiel around here. We’ll beat him up too.

Skitter stiffened. Could it be that these people had no idea who Kadaiel was and how dangerous it was to badmouth him? Sure enough, the creature behind them—some sort of cat . . . a white leopard, maybe?—growled. He raised his sword to strike.

Wait, wait, wait! Skitter raised his hands. Don’t! Please. I’ll leave! You don’t have to hurt anybody!

It’s too late for that! the first thug said, and the other laughed in agreement.

Skitter turned his eyes to them. I wasn’t talking to you.

The two thugs furrowed their brows.

That’s it! Phain rumbled deep in this throat. I don’t know what game are you playing, Outsider, but it’s over now. Get rid of him, boys!

Excuse me! Another fox, this one Skitter’s age, shoved his way between the two big foxes. He was brown and had the largest ears Skitter had ever seen—even larger than Phain’s. Seriously, they must have been twice as big as Skitter’s head. And his glasses were two large round circles set on his snout. His two front teeth peeked out of his closed mouth. He wore the same type of clothes as Phain and his companions, but unlike Phain, his hair wasn’t two colors. He had a bag full of food and drinks in his hand. He shot a glare at each of the foxes and slammed down a bill. I’ll take three waters. He slid Skitter’s empty bottle and two unopened ones in front of Phain.

Phain snorted. That one’s opened.

I can see that. The fox adjusted his glasses. "These make sure of it. And you can take my money. I am an Expermian citizen."

You’re a feisty one, aren’t you? Phain jerked his head. The two brutes moved aside.

Once they did, Skitter glanced behind them. The creature snorted through his nose and disappeared.

Skitter sighed from relief. Everyone was safe.

Here. The big-eared fox tossed Skitter one of the unopened