The Rowdy Raconteur

Leaning his back against the cool porous stone of a cement block, Elkryn watched nearby pups play, wrestling in earnest near the bustling marketplace that made up the Winterwhisker clandom. After a day of hard bargaining with the merchants he now felt quite tired yet utterly invigorated. In his paw was half of a hollowed pecan shell, within it a golden liquid which he sipped on eagerly, his last purchase of the evening. Just a sip of it's contents left him feeling buzzed and contented with a warm feeling in his belly. There was nothing prettier than seeing night fall on the colony's lands, the cool rays of dusk's last sunlight sending shards of red and orange clawing across the landscape, most of the merchant stalls were closing up for the eve and so mice swept around him as busy as ever.

One of the wrestling group of pups let out a triumphant cry and Elk tuned in, taking another sip of his drink and wondering where the adventure would go. 

"I shall take your head foul serpent" said the pup, standing with one hind paw on the back of the other and brandishing a thin twig, other younglings gathered around snickering and calling out encouragement to their peer. The pup on the ground tried to rise, but was shoved down roughly by his companion's foot so hard that his face mashed into the dirt. Elk's attention was suddenly twofold and he narrowed his eyes at the scene, something sour forming in his gut. It only took the next few lines for him to grit his teeth in understanding. 

"Let me up Thtamper, pleathe," pleaded the grounded pup. The other grinned and tapped his wielded twig against his victim's head. "No way, you talk like a snake, you ARE a snake. If I had my way little snake you'd be d-..."

The pup's words cut short as he was lifted into the air by the scruff. In no time Elkryn had crossed the distance between them held the one named Stamper up to his eye-level. Elk growled, loud enough for all the pups congregated to hear. "You would do what, huh?" His voice had dropped to a guttural register, and the sudden appearance of this Willheart beast certainly unmanned the pup who had begun to vibrate in his paw. 

"I..I...I..." stammered Stamper.

"That's what I thought," grunted Elk, letting the pup down gently. He looked at the others. "A bully is nothing more than a coward, and these are the actions of a bully. Is that what you all want to be? Get out of here before I devour the lot of you!" The buck took a step forward gnashing his teeth wildly and the pups scattered squealing, all except for their victim.. whom slowly lifted themselves up and with great worried eyes, mouthed the words "thank you" before turning and disappearing into the evening. 

Elk picked up his drink and watched them go. What was wrong with kids these days?