Ortensia guided her bamboo boat between the autumn tinted reeds along the marshy river. A nip hung in the air but she was dressed well enough to be out in it. She watched as the boat bobbed in the gentle tide already slowed from the beginning of ice from its origins in the mountains. As the boat passed between reeds she used a stick to draw it back to her. Picking up the vessel she cleaned the mud from it and walked further down the river to a clearer place. She had been cautioned about playing too deep in the water though it only came up to the sergeant's chest at most points.

She watched the river as she walked along its banks searching for a clear space to sail her boat. She finally came to the road where the reeds were cleared and the river mixed in with the mud of travel. Glancing across the winding water she knelt down and sat her boat in the shallows. It turned in a circle before colliding with the bank at her paws. When Ortensia looked up again something colorful caught her eyes. Something like a large colorful fish floating on the tide. The  leopard grabbed her boat and stood on her hind legs with the vessel hugged to her chest as she watched the colorful creature drift slowly downstream.

In hast she spun around and raced back to the house. As she ran through the front door she left tracks on the floor all the way to the kitchen at the back of the house.

"Well what brings you in hear so quickly?" General Pompeii Capricorn said with a smile. The wilderbeast looked at the zebra across from him who was also smiling.

"Is there something you need to tell me, Ortensia?" Munich asked.

"Sergeant, I just came from the river and I saw a colorful fish," Ortensia related with wide eyes.

Munich and Pompeii both laughed. "Ortensia, there are many fish in the water." Munich said but Ortensia zeal was not defeated.

"But, Sergeant this fish looked very much like a lady."

Munich was up in a flash letting Ortensia lead them down to the river. When they got to the bank and saw the floating body Munich quickly rushed into the chilly water. He grabbed hold of the small form in the lapping water and waded back to shore with it in tow. Panting hard as he climbed the bank he laid out the dripping form beneath him and Ortensia hurried over.

"It's a girl," Ortensia said. "She's not a fish."

Shaking water from his head Munich leaned his ear to the young goats chest and listened for a heartbeat.

"Is she alive?" Ortensia asked with concern.

"Yes," Munich said in disbelief. "We need to get her inside where it's warm." He picked up the goat and carried her limp body back up to the house. The hills were still damaged from the bombing and his neighbors now spent less time outside. It was just as well for winter was already riding in on the coattails of fall.

When they reached the house Pompeii was waiting for them and they laid the goat girl before the fireplace removing the shawl that had tangled itself around her. Ortensia rushed off to get a blanket and once they thought they had her warm enough they let her rest.

/

It was sunset when Siloam awoke. She first became conscious of the ceiling and then the shadows cast by the roaring fireplace. Sitting up she let the blanket fall from around her and she looked into the flame.  She touched her face then looked around the room. 

Another dim light floated in from the hall and she could hear voices. Getting to her hooves she took the blanket around her and staggered out of the living room. The voices grew louder as she inched her way down the hall toward the kitchen. She wanted to know what creatures had brought her here. Squinting her eyes she stepped into the light.

"You're awake!"

Siloam whipped her head around to a little leopard girl sitting at a table. From somewhere else in the kictchen a zebra stepped into view and upon seeing his uniform Siloam stumbled back.

"It's alright you don't have to be afraid." Munich said. "Ortensia, help her."

While the sergeant kept his distance Ortensia approached Siloam. "My name is Ortensia." She said. "What is yours?"

Siloam looked between the two of them still afraid of her surroundings. She doubted she could trust anyone in a Mount uniform and though the girl was obviously foreign she seemed too comfortable with this Mount. When she heard someone approaching from behind her she spun around only to be greeted by the General. Like a frantic songbird in need of escape she blundered into the kitchen crashing through the chairs until she was stopped by the wall.

In panic she turned to her captors in scolded them in her native tongue.

"Oh," Pompeii said. "You're Tangian." He spoke to her in her language and eventually received a nod. "She's a slave I'm sure." He then said to Munich. "Most likely run away from someplace."

"Do you think her masters will come looking for her?" Munich asked. "I don't want any trouble."

Pompeii laughed. "Sergeant, you are already in enough trouble. You can afford to hide a runaway for a few days. At least until we can figure out what to do with her." They both looked at Siloam who was watching their exchange.

"There is a heavy penalty for running away." Munich said. "If anyone should suspect that she's here they're will be draconian punishments for all of us. That's not to mention them finding you here, General. I'd surly be executed and they have no reason to spare Ortensia either."

"Sergeant, one runaway will not hurt us." Pompeii said. "I will find a place for her if you are not willing to help."

Siloam suddenly stepped forward from her corner sanctuary. "I am not a runaway." She spoke clearly in Mount. Munich quickly looked at Pompeii. "But you are right I am a slave. My mistress had me thrown into the river." She looked down. "She thought I would drown and I did too."

The Mounts were speechless and Siloam awaited her fate.

"Who is your mistress?" Pompeii asked.

"The headmistress at the famed school on the mountains." Siloam said nodding in the direction of the icy peeks.

"I know the one." Pompeii said. "Heart of ice she has. She goes regularly to the disgusting temple of Bellum to pray for victory."

Ortensia looked sadly at Siloam then at Munich. "Sergeant we have to help her." She said. "She needs us."

Munich turned to the kitchen window and stared into the twilight. He glanced over his shoulder before turning around. "She can stay," he said. "After all no one will be looking for a dead girl." He looked at Siloam. "But you must remain out of sight. People will talk and if your former mistress were to ever discover you still alive-"

"I understand." Siloam said.

"Good." Pompeii said. "Then it shall be the four of us then and I will take her with me when I return to the dessert. That way we will no longer endanger you Kassel. And soon we shall all be free."

"Amen." Munich sighed trying to suppress some of his worry.

Siloam looked at each of them before her then she looked down the empty hall. She hoped Hero had made it. With rebellion among the Mounts, yes soon, soon they would all be free.