The fox descended from the mound of vines, and the animals began the hard work of making the net.
“Perfecto,” sang Bismark. “Now that the workers are busy, only we, the elite, the special few, remain. Time to observe, instruct, and be glorious! Come, amigos. Tobin, Dawn, Poly-poo…” The sugar glider extended his flaps to beckon his friends. Then he scrunched his small face in confusion. “Uno momento…where’s Tutu?”
Dawn scanned the surrounding landscape. It was buzzing with animals already at work, but Polyphema was nowhere in sight. “Strange,” the fox murmured. “She was just here a moment ago. Very strange.” She narrowed her amber eyes and searched the ground for the tuatara’s tail markings. But she could detect not a single trace. “Well,” said Dawn, “as long as we’re alone…there’s something I need to share with you.” The fox paused, making sure no one lingered nearby. Then she leaned close to her friends. “Something odd happened while you were gone. Follow me.”
Dawn led her friends toward the mountain.
Bismark eagerly bounded after the fox. “Where are you taking us, ma chérie? Have you found the beast? A pomelo tree? A romantic hideaway?” The sugar glider’s face brightened, and he trailed the fox even closer so the fur on her tail swept his face.
As they walked farther around the mountain, Tobin realized how tired he was. “Oh goodness, it is getting late, isn’t it?” He gazed at the sun, peeking over the horizon, and yawned. There had been so much traveling and alarm in the course of a single moon, and now it was past his bedtime.
“Just a little farther,” urged Dawn, sensing her friend’s exhaustion. She, too, was tired and her legs ached, but she needed to take her friends to the fortress. They had to find out who Polyphema had been talking to. Dawn quickened her pace, despite the pain in her limbs.
At last, with heavy breath, the Brigade arrived at the stone tower. In the early light of the morning, its rocks shone a pale orange.
“It’s the fortress we saw from the mountain,” said Tobin. “Why did you bring us here?”
Dawn motioned for the group to stay quiet. “Earlier, when I followed Polyphema, she climbed inside,” she whispered. “Do you see her?” The fox’s tawny fur stood on end, and her eyes scanned the tower for signs of movement. Was the tuatara here? Was she hiding nearby?
Bismark looked left and right. “Nope! Nada. Sorry, my love. No three-eyed Tutu.”
Dawn nodded slowly. “Good,” she said. The fur on her back relaxed. “That means we can search.”
Tobin furrowed his brow. “Search for what?”
“For whomever Polyphema was talking to.” The fox tilted her snout toward the fortress. “I heard mumbling. She was speaking to someone inside.”
Tobin’s eyes widened. “Oh goodness! Do you think…” he gulped, “do you think it was the beast?”
“What? Nonsensimo!” exclaimed Bismark. “The big bad beast? Cooped up in there? No, no, no.” He nervously laughed and backed up.
But the fox moved forward. “We need to get closer,” she whispered.
“Whoa there, muchacha! Have you lost your mind?” The sugar glider threw up his flaps. “Enough of this detective work. Listen to your trusty Bismark and come back with me. I have animals to command at the crater!”
Ignoring her friend, Dawn pressed her ear to the stone. Hesitantly, Tobin followed, making sure to keep his scales quiet against the rock. Finally, Bismark joined with a sigh.
Moments passed. The trio closed their eyes, straining to hear any sound. Anything to indicate a creature lurking on the other side of the wall. But there was nothing—just the low, cold hum of the wind.
Dawn took a seat on the ground and let out a grunt of frustration.
Bismark, though, chuckled, relieved. “Don’t be disappointed, ma chérie. Be grateful, be thrilled! Don’t you know what this means? Polyphema is innocent. She was talking to no one. Now vamanos! Let’s go.” The sugar glider shuffled away. “The beast is off doing beast things. No need for us to stay here and wait for his deadly return.”
But still, Dawn hesitated and lingered next to the fortress.
“Really, Dawn, there seems to be nothing here,” said the pangolin. “Let’s go back to the crater and help build the net.”
“Si. It’s been a long night, and you have breathed in mucho ash. Perhaps it has gone to your head and you imagined that strange mumbling sound!”
“No, I didn’t,” Dawn argued. “There’s someone in there.” Her eyes shone with determination. “I’ll prove it to you.”
The fox placed her paw on a stone, attempting to climb the wall once again. But, just as it did before, the tower started to shake as soon as she gave it her weight.
“What are you doing, princessa?” cried Bismark. “Are you out of your beautiful mind?”
Dawn took another step up.
“Come down!” Tobin cried. “You’ll get hurt!” The worried pangolin covered his eyes with his claws, recalling his close call with the rockslide just hours ago.
“I need to see what’s inside,” said the fox.
“We need you,” stressed the pangolin.
Dawn looked up at the top of the fortress, then below at her two Brigade-mates. Finally, with a sigh, she climbed back down.
“Mon dieu!” Bismark cried. “This jealousy you have for Tutu is really making you loco! Now listen,” he said, cuddling up to the fox, “we’ve been over this. Polyphema is no threat at all! Yes…she has a third eye, and her spikes are strangely attractive, but you know you’re my numero uno!” He embraced the fox’s front leg. “These ‘mumblings’ you heard must have been your own thoughts of true love for me!”
Dawn gazed at the fort, the pangolin, then the sugar glider. “This is not a joke,” she stressed. “I heard real voices. They were not thoughts of you.” Frustrated, she flung Bismark off of her paw. “Someone’s here…and whoever it is could be dangerous!”
Bismark raised his flaps to his face in shock. He knew that sometimes his silly remarks annoyed the more serious fox, but she had never responded like this. “W-well then,” he stammered, “perhaps I should go where I’m wanted.”
“Bismark, that’s not what I meant—” Dawn said hurriedly. The Brigade always worked together. It was important they remained united and that Bismark stayed by her side.
But the sugar glider cut off the fox. “If anyone needs me, I will be back at the crater,” he announced, “where animals adore and respect me! Adios!”
And with that, Bismark spun on his heels and marched away through the ash.