Russet stood on the grass in the sun, looking up with a slight smile at the solid stone arbour in the place where the wooden one had stood before. It was composed of five grey marble pillars streaked with white; they rose from an oval granite platform. On either side there was a small shallow pool of water with a gently flowing fountain in the centre. Winding around the back edge of the platform sat a bench with a rising backrest, made of the same marble as the pillars. Supported atop the pillar was a curved domed oval roof, covering the bench. It was a perfect place to sit in seclusion, surrounded by the shrubbery and trees planted around the arbour and hidden from the house.

"It's perfect," Russet said smiling as he looked up at it. It had been seven weeks since the catastrophic storm that had caused such devastation in his garden and home. Seven weeks since the snowkittens Leana and Eliki had visited and he had made two new and wonderful friends. "It just needs one more thing," Russet said happily and reached into a box by his side. He lifted up in both paws a large stone statue carved in the shape of a skunk and upon whose brow a representation of the coronet of the elements shone.

Humming to himself Russet clambered slowly up the ladder set beside the arbour. Holding the statue in both paws, he reached the top and stretching, attempted to slot the hexagonal stop at the bottom of it into the centrepiece in the arbour roof. However Russet couldn't quite reach the centrepiece he strained and wobbled dangerously atop his perch. Suddenly he yelped in surprise as two long red ribbons enveloped his waist, wrapping around him and then lifting him up so he was within reach of the centrepiece.

"Go on," a voice called from below, "I've got you. Put it in, then I'll bring you down."

With a soft chuckle Russet slipped the statue into place as the finishing touch of his new garden arbour. Russet's tail swayed in a gentle breeze as he was lowered to the ground and the ribbons unwound and retracted from his waist. Turning around, Russet's muzzle split into a broad smile at the figure standing before him: a red furred, red spined hedgehog wearing a pair of grey shorts and a beige T-shirt. As Russet bounded forward, the two supporting ribbons that had held him aloft twisted over the grass and changed back into the hedgehog's, arms which soon found themselves enveloping the skunk in a hug as he rushed into the arms of his dear friend Orona the Hedgehog.

"Orona!" Russet exclaimed with a laugh, "It is great to see you, when did you get back?" he asked smiling up into the Hedgehogs green eyes.

Orona laughed and hugged the skunk in his arms tightly, "About three days ago. I thought I would wander up here today and see you now that I'm settled back in at my place in town." He stepped back and looked up at the arbour with an appraising glance. "So what's with the new look?"

Russet chuckled and led Orona down the path out from the secluded area around the arbour and into the garden proper, the devastation of the storms aftermath was gone. A new wall had been put in along the cliff-top while all around, the manicured lawn, flower beds and shrubs were in bloom. "There was a lot of storm damage a few weeks ago; I had to redesign the entire back garden." Russet said with a smile as he headed up the path towards the veranda leading into the kitchen. Russet sat down on at the table and bade his friend to join him.

"So how was your trip?" he asked as Orona sat down opposite him.

"It was great fun. I had an amazing time, but it is nice to be at home." Orona sat, slipping into a chair and let his tail writhe across the floor under the table to snag and wrap itself around Russet's. He grinned at Russet and chuckled, "It was a very interesting trip. So what have you been up to? Pining over my absence, right?" he said mockingly.

Russet laughed and smiled at his guest, "Yes I missed you as well, but. well, it has been a productive two months." Russet said sitting back in his chair and pouring apple juice into two glasses for them. "I met Eliki: you know, the nowkitten artist from Phoenixbrook?"

Orona blinked at that and smiled. "You lucky skunk, how'd you pull that one off?" he asked as he sipped his drink.

"Well I apprehended a couple of art thieves who had one of his paintings. He and his sister came down here to collect it and wound up staying the night because of a storm." Russet said, telling his friend about the events that transpired several weeks before. "We became great friends. So much so that they have invited me up to their place for a week. I leave tomorrow morning."

Orona smiled as he listened to the story, laughing as Russet re-told how the roof had landed on them, drenching them in rainwater. "That must have been some fun gathering. I'm glad I came up today instead of tomorrow - I would have missed you."

"I know," Russet said with a smile, "It is nice to see you. And now that you're here," he said jumping up and tugging Orona after him by the paw, their tails still entwined, "you can help me with the last stretch of roses."

"Hey!" Orona exclaimed as Russet dragged him down the path and around the lighthouse, "I didn't come up here to do gardening!"

Russet chuckled and knelt down in the last patch of bare soil, "Oh but your perfect Orona, you can help me to dig the holes."

Orona shook his head and moved Russet out of the way and knelt down in the soil where he had been, he reached out a paw and as he did so it shifted and changed, elongating, sharpening into a digging tool. "You bring them over I'll ut them in." he said simply and began to turn the dirt and soil. Russet rolled over a large roll of black sheeting and together they cut it up into the correct shape and then laid it onto the turned soil.

Next Russet dragged a bag of nutrient rich soil over and then returned with a large half grown rose bush held gingerly in his paws and knelt down next to the digging hedgehog. "I would like this one in the middle."

Orona nodded and cut a part of the sheeting out and then dug a deep hole for the rose bush in the middle of the empty bed and with Russet's help manoeuvred it into place and then filled in the hole with the soil patting it down. Over the course of the next few hours Orona and Russet dug and worked at the flower bed joking and laughing together as they did so. By the time the trolley of plants was empty there was a ring of small shrubs around the outside with a collection of Rose Bushes and flowering shrubs.

"There," said Orona with a smile looking down at their work wiping his sweat soaked fore head, "Its finished that wasn't so hard."

Russet chuckled and shook a dirt-clogged paw at the hedgehog, "not yet Hedgehog, we still need to put down the wood chip."

"Wood Chip?" Orona said with a groan staring at the large bag Russet was dragging out.

Russet grinned and nodded, "Yup we got to lay it down, I hardly want a flower bed where you can see the sheeting to keep the weeds down."

Grumbling Orona slit the bag open and pulled out a pawful of the brown and black bark chips. Russet was bending down over the flowerbed smoothing down the sheeting. With a chuckle Orona reached forwards and dropped the pawful of bark chips down the collar of Russet's loose shirt. With a yelp Russet jumped up pawing at his back and shaking his shirt to try and dislodge them, when he stopped dancing around on the lawn he glowered at the hedgehog whom stood smiling innocently before him.

"What did you do that for?" Russet demanded growling gently in the back of his throat.

"Sorry, you kind of blended in I thought you were part of the sheeting." He said with a straight muzzle.

"Really?" Russet said with a malicious grin and when Orona nodded he laughed and launched himself at the hedgehog tackling him to the ground. "Whoops I guess I tripped!" he shouted out as he attempted to wrestle his friend to the ground. Russet however never learnt that attempting to get one over on Orona was a foolhardy mistake. Orona wriggled and reformed around Russet and in less then thirty seconds he found himself on his back pinned underneath a lazily grinning hedgehog.

"You never learn do you Russet dear, you cannot win." He said with a grin licking the smaller skunks nose.

Russet whined softly and flicked Orona with his tail, "Ok, ok you win, now can we please finish this, I feel all icky and soiled I just want a nice long shower." He said

Orona laughed and stood up helping the rather mussed skunk back to his feet, "Lets get this done then." He said and they began to lay the bark chips on the empty spaces of sheeting, "What I want to know is why do you insist on doing this yourself, you could afford gardeners and such?"

Russet nodded and helped Orona lay the bark down, "I do, I have people who come in and see to the lawns and keep the hedges in order but this is all new. I wanted this to be my special flower bed which I look after myself, it just feels more mine that way." He said softly

"Ah Skunks," Orona said playfully, rolling his eyes heavenwards, "Always up to some madness."

"Hey! Be nice," Russet exclaimed shoving Orona playfully before standing up and patting his paws together to dislodge some of the dirt. "I'll get rid of the wheel barrow and be back, you finish that."

Orona nodded and watched the skunk wheel the barrow away around the corner of the lighthouse to where the new stone tool shed had been built. He carried on placing the bark down and had just finished when he leaped in fright as a cold stream of water splashed into from behind. The hedgehog spun around and saw Russet laughing and holding the hose pipe spraying the hedgehog and in turn the new flower bed with fresh, ice cold water.

"Why you little." Orona growled advancing on the skunk but he just got a muzzle full of water as Russet dodged his lunge. Orona stretched forth his hand and grabbed the hose pulling it out the Russet's paw but as it snaked forwards towards him he was blinded by spray and before he could get it under control and aim it at the skunk the water flow faded and dripped out.

Russet re-appeared around the edge of the tool shed and waved a greeting as the hose began to retract across the grass.

"Come on Orona, I want to have that shower." He said and was gone into the conservatory and away into the house.

Grumbling and shaking out his dripping fur and spines Orona tracked through the house and into the rotunda, following the noise of running water he walked into the main bathroom and saw Russet. His clothes discarded into the wash bin to one side and the skunk himself was standing in the shower under a stream of hot water, with a grin Orona walked towards the glowing control panel just outside the doors.

Russet stood under the water and sighed happily at the warmth pouring down over him, it was so nice after a hard day in the garden. With a scream and a yelp Russet leaped out of the cascading water as it suddenly turned ice cold. He reached for the control thinking he must have hit it when all the other nozzles and outlets in the walls and ceiling let go with a spray of cold water leaving him nowhere to escape to. With a shout he burst through the doors and pummelled the laughing hedgehog on the other side with his fists.

"You monster, that was evil," he shouted at the hedgehog panting from the cold.

"Call it pay back for the hose," Orona said grinning and stopped the skunk from hitting him by holding his paws.

Russet re-set the control to hot spray and stepped back in, "Leave it alone," he warned and closed the door.

It did not last, a few moments later the hot stream of water cut off and cringing Russet prepared for another cold blast. It did not come however, all the nozzles and jets began to release a fine warm mist filling the shower with a lush warm haze. The door opened and Russet turned to look at the hedgehog, his red fur and spines glistening in the soft mist as it began to cling and dampen his fur.

"Hey!" the skunk said, "What is the idea? I was.." He got no further as the hedgehog had his arms around the skunk in a warm embrace and looking into the blue eyes before him he lowered his muzzle until they met. "Mmmhmmm." Russet groaned softly as the mist filled the shower and the bathroom with a lovingly caressing warm haze.

The sun shone across the horizon lighting the tall edifice of Fair View House in its soft morning light. The light shone down through the open windows of the master bedroom on the third floor and lit up the faces of two furs sleeping wrapped peacefully in each other's arms.

Russet woke at the sun on his muzzle and yawned softly and nuzzled the hedgehog next to him before turning over and drifting off to sleep for awhile longer. Several hours later after the sun had climbed higher in the sky Russet and Orona where both awoken by the ringing of the alarm clock. Twisting in bed Russet hit the alarm with his tail and switched it off before he slunk out of bed and wrapped a robe around himself.

"What's the rush Russet?" Orona asked sleepily smiling up at the skunk.

"I need to get dressed and ready to leave, Trent will be here with the car in an hour and it is a four to five hour drive to Phoenixbrook." Russet said padding into the en suite.

Orona chuckled and swung out of bed, "Of course I forgot, you are leaving to visit your friends today aren't you." He called out as the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. A few moments later Russet re-appeared looking refreshed and happy. "Yes I am sorry you couldn't stay longer, If I had known you were back I'd have postponed the trip."

Orona shook his head and hugged the skunk before padding into the en suite himself. "No, I wouldn't have let you, I'll see you when you get back, it'll give me time to get the house in order and such then we can spend some good time together."

Russet nodded and set about getting dressed, he slipped into a pair of cream trousers and a light pale blue shirt, he had just finished buttoning it up when Orona returned and encircled him around the waist for a hug.

"Hmm I like that on you skunk, now what does a hedgehog have to do to get fed around here?"

Russet chuckled and turned around to face Orona and wrapped his own arms around him drawing him close, he whispered something in his ear but only got a swipe from the Hejji. "Bad Skunk no, or you'll be late, now food" he said pointing at the door.

Russet laughed and licked his nose before scampering to the door, "Well you get dressed and come down and I'll see what I have for hungry hedgehogs."

Twenty minutes later Russet and Orona we're digging into a meal of fried bacon sandwiches and cereal with apple juice. They had just finished eating and where cleaning up the plates when the door bell chimed its way through the house.

"That will be Trent," Russet said standing up and hugging the hedgehog as they walked out into the hall and opened the door. "Trent good morning, just that bag please," Russet said pointing at a bag by the hall table, "I will be along in a moment."

Trent a friendly looking otter nodded, picked up the bag and trotted back towards the waiting Bentley. "Well Orona, thank you for the wonderful evening and it was great to see you and I will have you round for a few more days when I get back." Russet said with a smile.

Orona nodded and licked the skunks nose as he locked the front door, "Ok hon I'll see you in a week, take care and be good no scaring those poor snowkittens now, I'll keep an eye on the house for you."

Waving Russet trotted down to the car a small bag looped over his shoulder, Trent opened the door and let him into the back. After handing the sheet of irections to the otter the car pulled out of the drive and with a last wave back at Orona his journey to Phoenixbrook had begun.

It was a long four and a half-hour journey from his coastal home to the town of Phoenixbrook in the north central region of Aredria. Russet spent the time listening to music on the car's CD player, reading a book with his glasses perched on his muzzle or just staring out the window enjoying the scenery flash by. They stopped after about two hours at a rather nice pleasant looking restaurant by the road side where Russet went inside to order something to eat while Trent filled the car up at the petrol station and headed into a fish restaurant across the road. Once they had eaten and joined up again they set off and an hour later they drove through the town of Thornton on the far northern border of Vardenai and as they left the town behind they drove between two large stone monoliths atop which a blue flame burnt, as the car passed between them the blue flames streamed skywards and then changed to red before settling down again, signalling to all that the Duke of Vardenai had left his duchy to go north. An hour after passing the monoliths they crested a final hill and peering out the front window Russet got his first view of Phoenixbrook.

"Trent, stop, stop the car!" Russet called out excitedly, as soon as the car had stopped Russet jumped out and ran around the front to peer down at the enchanting town spread out on either side of the river below. The town was surrounded by tall stone walls with four archways leading in at the points of the compass, below him the southern entrance stood, atop the arch was a strange kind of guard house flanked by two towers with multi-coloured tiles. Beyond inside the town Russet could see the suspension bridge across the famous phoenix river as it flowed south into his duchy to the Lake of Mists and then finally the sea. As Russet stood staring down on the town his excitement faded and an air of nobility, knowledge and mystery seemed to descend upon him. After a few moments the first few drops of rain began to fall and after a minute Trent was by the skunks side the otter holding an umbrella to shield his master from the rain.

"Trent," Russet began in a quiet voice, "Why have I never been here before?"

"Your grandmother always said the Vardenai's should never enter Phoenixbrook sir, some ancient superstition I believe." The otter said formally sensing the strange mood that had befallen his young master.

Russet nodded and walked back towards the car, "Take us in Trent we need a book shop called The Bookshelf, Leana and Eliki are meeting us there." He said, Trent nodded and climbed back into the car and began to take her down the road towards the wide stone archway flanked by towers that led into the town.

After they had passed through the gateway Russet's mood seemed to improve and his excitement returned as he peered out into the rain slick streets of Phoenixbrook taking in the ancient buildings, after about ten minutes Trent pulled to a stop before a set of bollards blocking him from driving any further into this obviously pedestrian only street.

"The shop should be down that street and to the left your grace, will you need me to bring your bag along?" the otter asked looking back at the skunk.

"No Trent I can carry it myself, you get along to the hotel I have booked for you I will page you if I have need of you and I will see you at the end of the week," Russet said. Trent nodded and climbed out of the car and opened the rear door for Russet, he handed him his umbrella against the falling rain and got his bag from the boot. Russet bid farewell to his chauffeur and headed down the nearly deserted street into the rain.

Russet wandered along in no real hurry looking up at the architecture of the street and buildings around him, he saw a small pedestal with a glowing screen sitting in the street before him and walked up to it to see it was an interactive guide to the town centre and the shops. He typed in the name 'The Bookshelf' on the shop directory page and it brought up a map on how to get there, Trent had been right it was just down the street to his left.

Smiling and looking up at the buildings around him Russet padded down the street his paws making no sound on the damp cobbles of the street, he turned left into the next street and was wandering along quite happily taking in the scenery when a voice shouted out in excitement and turning to look he found himself bowled over by a bundle of damp white fur and pinned to the ground in a hug.

"Heee you made it, I can't believe you came all this way." Eliki said as he let the skunk get back up. Russet stopped to smile at the snowkitten as he brushed himself down taking in his jeans and long overcoat and damp paws.

"I said I would come didn't I Eliki, so here I am, though I didn't expect my first experience of Phoneixbrook to be the puddles," Russet said with a smile as he shook his soaked tail at the snowkitten.

Eliki blushed under his fur, "Sorry about that Russet, I guess I got a bit excited, come on lets go meet Leana and then we can head home and get you dried out." He said smiling and taking Russet's arm he tugged him down the street towards a rather nice looking old building with a sign above the front window.

Russet stopped to peer through the window at the contents displayed within but Eliki had already opened the door and motioned him inside, so letting his umbrella fold down he followed the snowkitten into the slightly musty smelling interior.

"Leana!" Eliki called out, "Leana are you in here?"

"Up here Eliki," Leana's voice came floating down from atop a ladder near the back of the room. The snowkitten soon came into view identical in every way to her twin brother except for the obvious differences in clothing and gender. "Russet dear, you made it how great," she said as she caught site of Russet standing in the door way, she stopped in her approach as she caught sight of his dripping tail, "What ever happened to you tail?"

"Oh this" he said holding it up and shaking it over Eliki's head, "Well Eliki here thought it would be a good idea to introduce me to a rather friendly puddle as a way of greeting." The skunk said with a chuckle as Eliki blushed again as his sister turned to give him a stern look.

"Right," she said with a wry grin, "I would have started with something dryer like say the shops but I guess its your choice Eliki dear. Anyway I am not going to be finished for another hour, why not head down to the Bridge Café and grab a drink and a bite to eat, I am sure you are starving after your trip Russet then I will meet you there when I finish for the day." She suggested.

Eliki smiled and nodded, "That sounds like a good idea, come along Russet you will love the Bridge Café." And he began to head out the door.

"Oh and Eliki," Leana said with a grin that only Russet caught, "Keep our guest out of the puddles will you."

Eliki meeped softly and nodded once blushing again more furiously when Russet burst out laughing. Russet moved up behind Eliki and pushed him out the door back into the rain before he could make an answer. "It is ok Leana I have forgiven him, see you later." And with that they were gone back out into the rain swept afternoon. Chuckling Leana turned back to the task at hand.

Eliki guided Russet down the cobbled streets of his home town with an ease that came with familiarity and after about five minutes he led Russet out of a side street and onto a broad sweeping boulevard that ran along the edge of the river. Eliki led Russet over the road to stand by the railing looking down at the choppy waters of the river below them before he turned and tugging on Russet's paw led him towards a small rather quaint looking café on the river front, Looking up at to the left Russet could see the grand expanse of the suspension bridge spanning the Phoenix River.

"This is mine and Leana's favourite café its a secluded and usually quiet place." Eliki said leading him inside and to a table by the front window. "It is lovely," Russet said looking around at the paintings and decorations on the walls and shelves of the tea rooms as he set his bags down next to him, "This entire town is wonderful, it is more beautiful and intriguing then I could ever have imagined."

Eliki looked in surprise at Russet, "You mean you have never been here before?" he asked in surprise, "Surely you must have?"

Russet shook his head, "No never, Grandmother never allowed me to come to Phoenixbrook, there are superstitions about this town involving my family," he laughed, "but I for one do not give into superstitions so easily."

Eliki looked intrigued and after they had ordered some drinks and food from the friendly squirrel waitress he decided to pursue the matter further. "You mentioned Superstitions Russet, what superstitions would they be?" he asked as Russet dug into the steaming apple crumble before him.

"Oh just silly things really, It says that the Vardenai were once driven from the town for a crime and that ever should they return the SnowKittens would see them punished." He said with a twinkle in his eye, "Then there is the one that says when the coronets light shines from the darkest height the veil of the Mists shall be broken and the truth be seen. There are many and most of them are nonsense, we have books of lore and such on the town from when it used to be part of the Duchy of Vardenai when it spread from the coast to the mountains of Juirel."

Eliki sat listening in awe as Russet told him facts and information about the towns previous history that he had never heard before, "Where did you learn all this from Russet?" he asked at last.

"Why we have books on it in the library back home, but surely you must have heard it all before?" the skunk said looking surprised at the kitten before him.

Eliki shook his head, "No never, it's all new to me." He said

Russet reached into his shoulder bag and pulled out a small leather bound book entitled, 'The Town of Phoenixbrook' "Well you can borrow this if you like Eliki." Russet said handing the book over, "Its by one Merese Sharinda a snowkitten I believe my grandmother found it in a second hand books store in Thornton years back when I was about ten."

Eliki was turning the book over in his paws looking at it in awe and then smiled up at Russet, "I look forward to reading it and I am sure Leana will as well."

"I will as well what Eliki?" Leana asked with a smile on her muzzle as she strolled up behind her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck nuzzling into his cheek before smiling at Russet.

"This Leana, Russet brought it with him from Fair View." Eliki said handing the book to his sister. Leana's eyes went wide and she sank into a seat next to Russet staring at the book.

"How do you end up with these things Russet?" Leana asked shaking her head and leafing through the book slowly. "The brooch, this book, what else do you have?"

Russet looked at Leana in surprise, "Well nothing really, just a few books and that is all," he said looking increasingly unhappy as his ears and tail drooped low to the ground.

Leana laughed and ruffled his head fur, "Sorry Russet, sorry, I didn't mean to sound so harsh you just startled me that's all, I am very glad we met you now, you are a wealth of lost and hidden knowledge and I guess we can skip the punishment."

Russet's head jerked up at that and he stared at Leana in shock, "You know about that?" he asked.

"Of course, I know it you silly thing, it's a strange superstition no doubt, Andrina mentioned it when I told her you were coming to visit." Leana said with a smile, "But don't worry Russet we won't be dropping you off the bridge or anything, I doubt anyone has even heard of it outside the snowkittens anyway."

Russet shook his head and laughed, "It never made any sense to me and well here I am." He said picking up his glass and drinking from it, "and I hope you two will show me your lovely town."

"Of course we will Russet," Eliki said with a smile as he munched on a cookie, "We are just happy that you agreed to come and visit us, it is our turn to repay your hospitality."

Smiling Russet drained his glass, "Well I am just happy to be here, in the famous Phoenixbrook at last." He said with a chuckle standing up, "Though it is a shame about the weather."

"oh it will clear up I am sure," Leana said with a smile standing up as well and hugging Russet, "I'm sure it will." She repeated with a twinkle in her eye.

"Not if I get to it first Leana," Russet said back with a broad grin.

Leana stood poised for a moment wondering then hurried after Russet and Eliki as they left the café and grabbed Russet's tail, "Hey you leave the weather alone."

Russet smiled and nodded, "Ok, ok," Russet said laughing softly, "I'll leave it be, this is your home."

Smiling and laughing together the three friends made their way down the street in the direction of the Snowkittens home. Behind them standing in the shadows of an alleyway a dark furred figure watched them go wondering just who this new friend might be.

Twenty minutes later Russet found himself standing outside a beautiful old townhouse, it was set into a small hill at the ground floor but Eliki explained that was just mainly a storage level and garage and that the rest of the house was above them. Russet was led up a set of white stairs to the front door but he paused halfway up to admire the flowers decorating the hill behind the house and the banks on either side of the stairs and drive.

"They are gorgeous, it must have taken years to plant all these." He said bending down to sniff at a small bush covered in pale lavender flowers.

"I am glad you like them Russet," Leana said as she opened the door, "Now come on inside out of the rain and I'll get you a towel to dry off with."

Russet was led inside the house and he soon found himself settled into a large comfy chair in the living room and a large towel draped over him to let him dry out his sodden tail fur. As Russet sat ruffling his fur with the towel Leana went into the Kitchen to make them all some hot drinks and pop something in the oven for dinner that evening. Once he was dry Russet got up out of the rather comfortable chair he had been placed in and padded out into the hall to see if he could find his bag. His bags had both been taken from where he had left them and he could only assume that Eliki had taken them upstairs so he was peering through the door in the living room up the staircase when Eliki appeared at the top of them he looked down at the skunk for a moment before coming part way down the stairs.

"What is it? Something wrong?" he asked

Russet shook his head, "No I was just looking for my bags, I have some gifts for you both in them." He said with a smile as Eliki eye's lit up.

"Come on, I'll show you were I put them," Eliki said motioning Russet up the stairs after him. Russet followed Eliki up the stairs and was shown into his room. Russet spent some time looking around and peering out of the window at the view of the river.

"It is lovely Eliki, so warm and cosy," Russet said sprawling over the bed and delving down into his bag, he pulled out a couple of small bundles wrapped in tissue paper before he sprung back to his feet. "Do I get to see the rest of the house?" he asked with a grin as he watched Eliki's eyes linger on the packages before he smiled at Russet and nodded leading him back out into the upper hall.

"That is Leana's room, and mine," he said pointing at the doors to his left, "That room is my studio and no you cannot go in, I am working on something as a surprise so no peeking ok."

Russet looked at the door to Eliki's studio but he just nodded and followed Eliki back down the stairs and into the living room were they found Leana setting a tray of steaming cups onto the coffee table.

"There you are, come on I made us drinks, a tea for Eliki, a coffee for me and hot chocolate for Russet with extra cream." She said slinking into a chair. Russet and Eliki followed her example and sat down picking up their drinks and sipping at them, warming their paws on the ceramic mugs. Russet shifted on his chair until he was leaning forwards and placing his mug on a coaster picked up the first tissue paper wrapped bundle the purple and blue paper shimmering softly in the lights.

"This is for Leana," he said holding the package out to her, "I thought she might like it."

With a soft squeal of delight Leana took the package from Russet and began to unfold the tissue paper until what was hidden within was revealed to her sparkling eyes. It was a flat rectangular box of carved rowan wood, its polished surface gleamed red in the light from the lamps.

"Russet it is beautiful," Leana breathed softly turning it in her hands before placing her paw on the clasp and with a soft click it opened and she lifted up the lid her eyes going wide in surprise at what she saw hidden within. "Russet I cannot accept this." She exclaimed holding up the be-jewelled head band and bracelets, they glimmered with sapphires and rubies, emeralds and a diamond or two. "This is priceless Russet."

"I want you to have it Leana, it was my mothers, she always told me to give it to whoever I felt deserved it and I wish for you to have it Leana." Russet said taking it from her and draping the headband carefully over her ears and into her hair. "It looks better on you then it would on me anyway." He finished with a chuckle as Leana peered into the mirror in the lid of the box to look at herself.

"Thank you Russet, thank you," Leana said with a smile and hugged the skunk furiously before nuzzling his cheek in thanks and sitting back down, "Thank you very much, I will treasure it always."

Smiling Russet picked up the other package, this one was long and slender and wrapped in green and yellow tissue paper, "This is for you Eliki, a thank you for being a friend and for inviting me to your lovely home." He said handing it over.

Eliki carefully unwrapped the package to reveal a long roll of blue cloth, he unclipped the stopper holding it together and unrolled it to reveal a set of about twenty paintbrushes, pencils, pastels and an assortment of other artistic equipment, stencilled in gold lettering on each separate part were the words. I. L. Veneering. "I. L. Veneering." Eliki whispered softly staring at the roll before him, "You brought me a I. L. Veneering set? They are impossibly expensive."

Russet grinned and leaned over to hug Eliki, "I know but you deserve them for being a friend and for inviting me up here." He said sinking back into his chair.

Leana placed her drink down on the coffee table and smiled at Russet placing a paw on the box that contained her gift, "Thank you Russet but I feel awkward now, we have nothing to give to you in return for these wonderful gifts." She said solemnly.

Russet shook his head, "No you have given to me the gift of two friends and invited me into your home as a guest, that is gift enough for me my friends, more then enough." He said with a smile.

Leana let out a soft cry and threw her arms around Russet's neck nuzzling at him before drawing back, "Thank you Russet, thank you very much," she rose and dragged Eliki after her, "You sit there and relax, watch the TV, play some music, "Me and Eliki will get dinner ready." And with that she tugged her brother after her into the kitchen.

Russet sat still for a moment or to after listening to the low voices of the snowkittens in the next room and sipped softly at his drink, then he stood gracefully in one fluid motion and made his way to the stereo system set in one wall. Reaching out Russet pulled a single CD down from the shelf at random and read the cover 'Tranquility, The Sound of Nature' the title read and with a quick motion Russet placed it in the tray and set the stereo to play. Sinking back into his chair Russet lay his head back and with his eyes closed let the soft gentle music flow over him. Opening his mind to the senses Russet let his awareness wash over and flow around the streets and buildings of Phoenixbrook, there was power here, lying dormant under the town, the walls shimmered in his mind and to the north there was power lying dormant and asleep. Russet sighed softly and allowed his awareness to drop lower ignoring the flaring powers that dominated the town to seek out the quieter, hidden powers of her people. He touched briefly the shining power that was Leana glowing brightly in his mind and sheltering with love and care the dimmer yet potent power of her brother and twin. Throughout the town was a quiet lonely place with only one or two beacons of power and none shone brighter then the house of the snowkittens.

Opening his eyes Russet blinked twice to bring the living room into focus as his senses faded and site returned he found himself looking into the soft blue eyes of Leana crouched down before her.

"Find anything interesting?" she asked with a light shining in her eyes.

"Oh one or two things Leana," Russet said with a chuckle his nose and whiskers twitching gently as the aroma's drifting from the tray Eliki was holding as he stopped in the doorway.

"It's ready Leana, Russet!" he said before disappearing into the kitchen again.

Leana held out a paw and helped Russet to stand up, "Come along, he'll only moan if we let it get cold," She said as they towards the door. "I felt you touch our power, so what did you see?"

"Much," Russet said softly his voice distant , "there is much to see here," he shook his head and chuckled softly, "But enough of that I'm starving."

Chuckling herself Leana sat down at the table followed by Russet and Eliki and smiling the three friends sat down to eat away at the warm spread Eliki and Leana had prepared. As the meal came to an end Russet sat back with a soft sigh placing his fork back onto the plate that had moments before contained a chocolate fudge brownie. "That was delicious," he said with a smile.

"Thank you," Eliki said as he brushed crumbs out of his whiskers, "I enjoy cooking and am glad you like them."

Purring softly Leana stood up and began to stack plates, "Well lets not just sit here, lets get all this cleaned up and then go watch a movie or something." She said.

So the three friends washed the dishes and stacked them to dry on the draining board together and soon they were all curled up on the sofa in the living room as they put a movie into the VCR. So chatting and laughing softly together as the movie unwound the three friends spent a quiet evening in. As the movie wound to an end Russet let out a soft yawn and blinked his eyes owlishly.

Leana tickled Russet's foot paws and laughed as he drew them up under him with a soft murr and battered at her softly but he was half asleep anyway and did not really try. "Well it looks like our skunk is drifting off to sleep on us." She said softly smiling at her brother who just yawned and stretched languorously.

"Well I just might join him it has been a long day and I'm shattered." He said standing up and dragging Russet up with him. Nodding her head Leana followed the other two up to her room and she was soon settled in and drifting off to sleep herself.

Russet let himself be led upstairs yawning softly every other step and after changing into a pair of soft blue silk pyjama's he had fallen into bed and drifted away into the realm of dreams and sleep.

Several hours later Russet's eyes snapped open and he sat up in bed, the atmosphere in his room seemed to crackle and hiss to his senses and his fur was standing on end. As he sat there his heart racing at being startled awake he became aware of a long wailing sound seemingly far away but steadily getting nearer. Alarmed now and slightly worried Russet got out of bed and switched on the bed side lamp and padded over to his window and pulled back the curtains to peer out into the dark street, even the street lamps were off. The sound of his door opening made him turn to see Leana enter dressed in a soft night gown and Eliki wearing only his boxers and looking tousled and half asleep still, but it was Leana who Russet's eyes fixed on.

"What." he began but got no further as Leana moved over to draw the curtains closed again and shut the lamp off.

"It is the Skiryks, the lost children, it is safer not to look and to keep the lights off," she led Russet back to the edge of his bed and sat him down as he was obviously disturbed by the wailing sounds which now sounded like the cries of hundreds of children and women. "Eliki stay with him, I want to check the rest of the house is ok." And with that she left the room.

Russet drew his legs up under his chin and as Eliki sat down next to him he saw that he was shivering uncontrollably his fur standing on end. Eliki sat down behind the skunk and drew him into his arms holding him tightly and stroking his head fur softly trying to comfort his new friend. "Hush Russet they will not harm us, we are perfectly safe."

Russet just held tightly to Eliki shivering and rocking slightly but when the first footsteps began to filter into the room from the street he cried out in distress and pain and curled up as the wailing rose to a crescendo. "hush Russet be calm," Eliki said hugging the skunk tightly.

"It's so, so." he said but Eliki hushed him and just sat stroking his fur as the skunk buried his muzzle in his chest fur as if to hide from the terror outside. After a few more minutes Leana re-appeared and sat down on the floor near the bed.

"I'm sorry you had to be here for this Russet," she said quietly laying a paw on the skunks own, "But they will fade soon, I never thought it would affect you in such a way."

Russet made no reply he just lay clinging to Eliki and sobbing softly and even after the wailing and footsteps had faded he clung to Eliki crying softly for the sorrow and loss he had felt but eventually he drifted off to sleep and Eliki lay him gently on his bed and draped the covers over him. He then stood up and looked at Leana who sighed and shook her head.

"I should have thought to tell him, he could have prepared himself." She said sorrowfully.

Eliki laid a paw on his sisters arm and shook his head, "Even if you had, what could we tell him to help him prepare for the Skiryks, at least now he has experienced them, he will be fine, go back to sleep Leana," he said noting how weary his sister looked, "I'll stay and keep an eye on him." Nodding slowly Leana padded down the hall and into her room. Eliki turned and walked back into Russet's room and shut the door softly. He sat for awhile on the edge of the skunks bed as he tossed and turned as dreams invaded his sleep. He cried out once or twice which caused Eliki to jerk his head up and he realised he had been drifting. Sighing softly Eliki looked down at the tossing skunk in the bed his blue eyes glowing softly and then he slipped under t he covers and wrapped the skunk back up in his arms holding him close to his soft furred body until he calmed down as Eliki focussed his mind to push the horrors of his dreams away and hold him safe. So wrapped around the skunk who was his dear friend Eliki slowly drifted off to sleep himself holding him close and safe, a bundle of warm fur black and white safe from the fear and terror the Skiryks had instilled and laying his head on the skunks shoulder he drifted off to sleep himself.