River flapped down, landing next to the inn where she had been staying. ‘The Carrot and the Stick’ was a three story wooden building built against the inner eastern wall of Yellowrock. It was known that druids frequented the inn, and as such it had and oversized kitchen, galley and storeroom off to the right side. Stone stairs led from the left side all the way to the top of the inner wall, giving the patrons and any passerbys the chance to look out over the gentle sloping farmland, the otter and beaver shantytown and the eastern river.

Entering the inn she nodded to the bar mouse, Cathy, a spry lady with a penchant for holding her paws out too long for tips as if the generous druids had all the clams to spend in the world.

“River! She told me that she would be up above for the next hour if you wanted to contact her.”

Cathy didn’t need to say the name, River already knew that her mentor would be waiting for her.

“Thanks. I’m going to want some extra seeds… I mean the normal amount.”

River kept forgetting that she always asked for extra and they always gave her more than she needed.

“Not a problem, miss.”

River gave her a pearl for her trouble and the palm stayed open just a breath too long for Rivers comfort. She sighed dropping a note of Riverfolk company scrip.

“It’s what I have.”

Cathy nodded. Leaning to indicate the exit that River should use for her exit.

River plodded up the steps, taking them two at a time. It would be too much wasted energy to flap up the three stories to the wall.

Turning left on the wall, she saw the open arch leading into the old guard house. River kept it warded whenever she was in, having learned that trick from Spring herself. She paused at the door, reaching out to find if the warding was in place. Burning her last snack up, she brought her magically enhanced vision to bear and a simple ward was the only thing stopping an entrance.

River knocked on the door. Holding her breath, she waited for the ward to come down or for the creator to let her in.

“Come in.” The ward disappeared as River moved to unlock the door.

“Teacher.” River opened the door to see the mouse sitting cross legged on the floor. Her eyes were both closed as River shut the door.

“River, I trust that you’ve been practicing?”

“I have. And I have brought you some samples that you might enjoy.”

River opened her pack, bringing out a sweetroll from the bazaar.

“Good. Is your special project in motion, then I take it?” Spring opened her eyes, accepting the roll and sniffing it deeply.

“More or less. I might get one ranger, but I might get three at this rate.”

“Don’t be greedy. When I make the ask from the riverfolk, I want then to make their contribution to the order willingly. If they think that you are poaching some of their best talents… well let’s not go down that path.”

“I was able to start laundering some of the company scrip, but at this rate I’ll need to be an otter more often. Or we need to find someone with the talent among the otters that will do the work.”

“Remember that this is just training, and when it’s real you won’t get the chance to debate the ethics of using the companies money.”

River nodded.

“Now let me tell you about my latest inroad with the Admiral.” Spring said.