The rain spread over the kingdom of Mount Lions engulfing the cities and town in a stratus cloud.

Munich stopped by Mr. Iffy's and picked up Ortensia. "Would you like to see what I found on my way over?" he asked as she buttoned her raincoat. Reaching into the pocket of his raincoat he pulled out something wrapped in a cloth. He pulled back the layers and Ortensia's eyes lit up when she saw the little mouse.

"All the rain must have flushed him out," Mr. Iffy said. 

Ortensia took the little rodent in her paws. "He's so soft," she said looking up at Munich. "Thank you." 

"I'll get a box for you to carry him in," Mr. Iffy said and went to the back of the stores. 

"Say, Ortensia," Munich said, "what do you say we catch a motion picture at the nickelodeon?"

"Here you are," Mr. Iffy said coming back out front. The older zebra took the lid of the box and tossed in some discarded fabric. "You had better get him home quickly or he'll chew through the cardboard."

Ortensia put the mouse inside and watched him crawl around. "Can he come to the movie with us?" She looked up and asked.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Ortensia," Mr. Iffy said. "He might escape and frighten the ladies. "Why don't you leave your mouse here and pick him up on the way home."

Ortensia gave over the box and waved goodbye to Mr. Iffy and the mouse. It had stopped raining a little as she and Munich came onto the street. "What movie will we see, Master?" 

Munich looked down at the little girl holding his wrist. "Well I guess we'll have to decide when we get there. And Ortensia, how about you don't call me master anymore."

Ortensia tilted her head. "Shall I call you Sergeant Kassel?" 

Munich shrugged "Well I guess that's a start." The zebra said and they continued up the street to the five cent theater.

/

By the time the movie, which turned out to be a bit too scary for an eight year old, was over it was pouring rain. 

Ortensia and Munich ran up the street to a café and took shelter under the awning. The door to the café had been left open and the smell of coffee and cigarettes and the sound of the jukebox mingled with the scent and sound of rain.

Munich shook the water from his large ears and looked up from beneath the awning. "It is better than snow isn't it," he said to Ortensia who was pulling off the hood of her raincoat.

Munich closed his eyes as he listened to the music coming from the café. "This is one of my favorites. I used to have a music box that played it."

There's a 

"Come on." Munich said taking both of Ortensia's paws and waltzed her around the front of the café. 

Ortensia giggled as he lifted her off the ground and spun her around, letting her legs fly freely. Munich couldn't recall seeing her that happy. Not even when he gave her the mouse. The song ended and he sat her back down on all fours.

The scent of cigarettes suddenly became stronger and Munich looked in the doorway of the café. His heart jumped into his throat when he saw Lieutenant Torotto leaning against the frame.  

"Munich Kassel," the dark wolf said strolling out under the awning. "What a pleasure it is to see you." He leaned up against the black fence that separated the area for outside dinning. "Woo!" He exclaimed looking back at the rain. "It's coming down out here." He nodded to Munich. "Where are you heading?"

"Home." The zebra said. "We just came from the nickelodeon. We stopped here to get out of the rain." 

As Munich was speaking Torotto's eyes shifted to Ortensia. "And how are you this afternoon?" He asked with a wide toothy grin. 

"Very well, Lieutenant." Ortensia replied without looking into the wolf's eyes.

Torotto threw up his paws in astonishment. "I am amazed at you, Munich," he said. "You've taken a savage and turned her into a citizen." He pointed his cigarette at him, "You should open a school."  

"I don't think so," Munich said. 

"You're right," Torotto said. "They'd march all over you." He laughed. "Well it looks like the rain is letting up." He nudged Munich, "And keep up the good work." He put on his peeked cap and stepped out from beneath the awning haling a coach."

Ortensia was relieved to see him go and looking at Munich she could tell he was too. "What happened to your music box?" she asked him suddenly.

The zebra looked down at her. "Oh I had to pawn it." He said. 

"What does pawn mean?"

"It means...sort of like selling something." Munich said simply. 

"Why," Ortensia asked him as he walked to the edge of the awning. "Was it for a good cause?" 

Munich looked over his shoulder. "Yes," he said. "A very good cause." 

/

"Enter."  

Hero obeyed Head Mistress' voice on the other side of the door and entered her office. The emu was at her desk writing and she didn't look up as he came in.

Kidron the silver fox was standing by the door and he smirked at Hero. "It's all over for you," He whispered. 

Hero ignored him and approached the desk, taking a seat on an upturned barrel. 

Head Mistress finally looked up and removed her spectacles. "Are you familiar with the Quarry of Special Purpose?"

Hero felt his throat lock up and only managed to nod. Now he knew what Kidron had been smiling about. 

"Are you familiar with Commandant Amsterdam?" Head Mistress asked next. 

Hero searched his memory. "He runs the quarry camp?" 

Head Mistress nodded. "Yes," she said. "I'll be leaving for The Quarry tomorrow and I have chosen you to come with me."

"Me?" Hero gasped. 

"Yes." Head Mistress smiled. "The Commandant is keen to see the savage who fought fire."

Hero looked back at Kidron who was scowling at him now. The silver fox didn't have to worry. Hero was not out to win Head Mistress' good graces.

"We'll be leaving first thing in the morning." Head Mistress said. "Be ready."

/

Hero was ready early in the morning before the sun and helping Head Mistress into a coach. The ride was mostly silent aside from the reminders she kept giving him about the superiority of Mounts. Hero had heard these lectures before during school hours.

The Quarry was far from the suburb the school had been moved to but not as far off as the old mountain. Hero took in the scenery as they rode along. Watching the animals of Mount Lions was like being in any other country. Males joked and females scolded their children. Yet underneath it all Hero knew they were wicked. 

"Get your paws off the glass." Head Mistress said and Hero sat back in his seat. He continued to look at the window until Head Mistress reached across him and pulled the shade.