The paintbrush looked at Arnie, a funny look on its face, as though it was deciding whether or not to answer. It continued to stare in this manner for what felt like an age.

Arnie noticed that it was a very thin paintbrush, the kind you would use for finer details and finishes on a painting. Its arms and legs were very much like those of the pens and pencils.

It had obviously decided to answer his question because its mouth opened. It had little black eyes on its metal face and a small line for a mouth. "I am Stickler" it said simply. Then it continued to look at him.

"And what are you doing here Stickler?" Arnie asked. He kept his voice measured and warm.

"I was standing there." he tried to point but his arms were still held by the two pencil soldiers.

Before Arnie could answer, Flimgog spoke. "It is highly unusual. The paintbrushes don't venture down from the mountains much since the fighting began... And when they do it is generally under very highly guarded conditions for trade." He sounded suspicious. "It is dangerous for a lone paintbrush to be wandering, especially near a village occupied by pens."

Flimgog looked straight at Stickler. Stickler looked straight back. Arnie wondered if he saw a flash of fear in his tiny eyes, but it was hard to tell. Other than that flash Stickler seemed unconcerned. He didn't answer Flimgog but remained silent, staring at Arnie. Was it challenge in his eyes?

Flimgog turned and looked at Arnie, still holding onto Stickler's arm. "Arnold there is something amiss here. Since the paintbrushes warned us of the invasion plans of the pens they have only come occasionally to trade with the pencils. And it is a very, very careful and highly secure occasion. Why would he be so near to a pen stronghold?"

Arnie looked from Flimgog to Stickler. He stared at the paintbrush some more and leaned in closer for a better look. "There has to be a better explanation for you being here. What is it?"

Stickler was totally silent now. Arnie admired his resolve.

"Bring him back into the village. We better find out what this is all about before we go on." he said. Flimgog and Alagog lifted the paintbrush by his arms. He didn't struggle as they carried him back through the gate and into the village. Arnie followed and the remaining pencils fell in behind. The two pencil leaders carried Stickler to the corner of the village wall and put him down. Flimgog spoke to Alagog without taking his eyes off of Stickler. "Set up a guard at the gate and around the immediate perimeter. Make sure if he tries to run he can't." Alagog nodded and turned away, directing orders to various pencil soldiers. The soldiers complied instantly, moving to their allotted positions.

Once he was satisfied he returned to Flimgog. "All set now. He won't get away."

Flimgog nodded and turned to Arnie. "What should we do now?"

"We need to get some better answers. Based on what you've said something isn't right."

Arnie approached Stickler and sat down in front of him. He tried not to tower over him as much as he usually did, something much easier said that done.

"Look Stickler, we have a bit of a march ahead of us and a lot to do. We need to get some answers from you before we leave. Why not just tell us what you're doing down here?"

"I was simply wandering around." Stickler replied. "Why not let me away and I shall head home straight away. I'm sorry to have held you up." He sounded innocent and was almost convincing, but it also sounded a bit forced. In fact it sounded a bit condescending, like someone talking to a stupid person. Arnie felt a flash of irritation and let it show in his voice.

"It's very dangerous to be wandering around in the current environment. Nay, it is crazy!" he raised his voice slightly at the last part. He was pleased to see the arrogance disappear from Sticklers face. "What is it you're actually doing?"

Stickler stared at the ground, but still he didn't answer. All signs of superiority were gone from his demeanor, but he maintained his silence.

Arnie opened his mouth to speak again, but a pencil man he did not know from Alagog's group ran forward and caught his eye. He closed his mouth and looked at him expectantly.

"Arnold sir. If you please I have something that may help." the pencil man bowed deeply, his voice was filled with respect. "What is it that you have?" Arnie asked him.

"There is a plant in the forest, just beyond the gate. I saw it as we were about to leave. If he swallows a crushed leaf of this plant he will be forced to tell the truth. It is rare and not well known, but I have studied a great deal about the forest. It will work."

Arnie felt compelled to question the fellow more. Of course the plants of the forest would have uses and properties. This was another area of intense interest to Arnie but one he hadn't even considered up to now. He held himself back from asking the barrage of questions he had forming in his mind but determined to ask them later.

He remembered he had wanted to ask Flimgog about the Queen of Sockland and more about the place in general but had totally forgotten. He made a mental note that he had to ask questions at the next available opportunity. Perhaps during the march he could get some answers.

He pulled his thoughts back on track. "What's your name?" he asked the pencil man. The man bowed again before he answered.

"Bobby Joe at your service." He replied. Arnie almost laughed, but turned it into a cough. He was shocked by the plainess, the humaness of the name. He had become accustomed to strange names like Flimgog and Alagog.

As though picking up on his thoughts, Bobby Joe spoke again, "My parents saw it sewed into a sock once when they were over in washingshire. It is unusual among my kind, but it was given to me and I would have no other." he smiled as he spoke. "Shall I fetch the plant?" Arnie recovered his wits and digested what he'd heard.

"Yes, of course. Thank you."

Bobby Joe turned and ran off through the gate. Arnie watched him over the wall as he disappeared into the trees, along the thin path.

It only took him a minute or two and then he reappeared from the forest, dashing through the gate and back to the group. This time he was clutching a tiny leaf in his hand. Arnie looked at the tiny green speck held in the hand. Bobby Joe spoke, "Shall I give it to him now?"

"Yes, go right ahead."

Flimgog and Alagog stepped closer to Stickler again. Just as Bobby Joe stepped forward to give him the leaf Stickler, who had been remarkably still and quiet, launched himself forward with more speed than Arnie would have expected. He crashed in to Bobby Joe who fell to the ground. Stickler used the momentum and launched himself forward. Flimgog and Alagog took off after him, but missed grabbing him. Arnie reached out a hand to catch him, but Stickler jumped - amazingly high for such a small guy - and Arnie missed as well. He let out an exclamation of annoyance and frustration.

Arnie twisted round and tried to get up at the same time. He watched Stickler dart off towards the center of the village. Just as Arnie was getting to his feet to make chase, a pencil soldier appeared from nowhere and tackled Stickler to the ground. They struggled for a moment, but by then Flimgog, Alagog and host of others had arrived.

They grabbed Stickler roughly. He was now surrounded on all sides by soldiers and they marched him back to the corner of the wall. Bobby Joe had recovered the leaf from the ground and now approached Stickler where he was being held.

Stickler visibly wilted, the fight totally gone from him. In fact he opened his mouth while Bobby Joe pushed the leaf gently in. Bobby Joe watched while Stickler chewed slowly and swallowed before he spoke again.

"He'll be ready to talk within the minute."

Please remember to vote if you like it! Let me know your thoughts so far by commenting too!