Agent Capybara stroked his goatee. The tall rabbit sat in a booth in the back of the inn, waiting for his contact to arrive.

“She’s not here yet,” the serving mouse said, “But can I offer you another carrot soup… if you’d like?”

He placed his pipe down on the table.

“I’m going to go for a smoke,” he said, “and perhaps one of the them will return by the time my embers are done. I’ll take the soup, though.”

He walked outside, only lighting his pipe once he got under the sign advertising “The Carrot and the stick” above.

The warm fire kept the drab overcast harvest season day from becoming too depressing. He smoked for a minute, listening in for anything from inside. The usual motley crew of mixed mice, rabbit s and otters was probably out partying somewhere else.

Two pairs or wings flapped above, and he stepped back to welcome his quarry.

“Druid Spring,” he said to the sparra, “Druid River.” He tipped his pipe to the raven.

“I take it that you realize that you’ve gotten terrible information, and have come to apologize?” River said.

“You’re going to need to figure out what happened, if River is going to do well on her practical exam…” Spring said.

“Let’s talk again about what I need you to collect on, I think we need to widen the scope,” River said.

“By all means,” Agent Capybara said, “Let’s have a chat.”