by Velvet D'Coolette on May 22nd, 2008, 6:36 am
Chi'ima explained her history briefly:
"Snively order me from Grand Master Mantiss' fighting school. His retter say he promise properity and good fortune in the West, in leturn that I perform a task as protector. But he give me-"
The collar tightened and she choked. She was aware that Fidget was looking at her curiously as she leaned against a tree, struggling for breath.
Presently he excused himself and left her. Once she was alone, the collar seemed to loosen again and Snively spoke to her through its speaker.
"The business with the collar remains between you and me," he insisted. "Now get the hedgehog."
Chi'ima turned and looked at the hedgehog, still trying to fend off his invisible foe. That hedgehog's crime had been to cause her master's hair to fall out. Whatever the circumstances, this didn't appear to require death as compensation. And this wretched collar...
It was in this moment that the situation dawned on Chi'ima: she was in the clutches of evil. She was afraid, but she wondered: was Sonic evil too? Was there balance in this chaos? She resolved to watch and learn of his sentiments.
She was confused also as to Fidget's final evaluation of the hedgehog: what was a 'speedfreak'? Perhaps it wasn't important, perhaps it was simply an insult. With so much else to take into consideration she let the idea drift from her mind.
Recovered, she approached the circle of villagers and picked her way carefully between them; they appeared not to be concerned about her presence. At the front of the crowd, she watched as Sonic continued to fight his assailant. And as he approached, taking no notice of her, she coiled her limbs...
"All the world will be your enemy, prince with a thousand enemies,
And whenever they catch you they will kill you.
But first they must catch you. Listener. Digger. Runner.
Prince with a swift warn.
Be cunning, full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed."
Watership Down