Chapter 2: The Slumbering Captain

Tutsan, stood at the port entrance to the mountain fortress, seeing off the sea otters on their journey home. As he watched The Morning Star sail towards the horizon, he gave a final salute to his friends. Turning to go back inside the mountain, he found his way blocked by an eager runner standing painfully at attention - clearly a novice in the ways of the Long Patrol. The young creature kept his hind paws snapped tight together, ears pointed upward, chin in, chest out, but despite his best efforts he looked little more than a leveret playing dress-up. With a nod, Tutsan put the runner at ease. Just as the young creature was about to speak, Brea came bounding up behind him.

"Word was I'd find you out here." The tall muscular hare called out to the captain. The young runner's ears drooped as he reported with a sigh, "Lieutenant Brea has returned home, sah." His now-unnecessary message delivered, he excused himself and withdrew, unnoticed by the officers.

"I see you've returned home in one piece, old lad," Tutsan laughed, giving Brea a few playful punches to the shoulder.

"Right you are, Sah. Heard about yer newest bundle of joy. Might I extend congratulations, or would you rather condolences, wot wot." He winced slightly, stepping back as Tutsan hit him a little harder than intended.

"And when are y' going to settle down, Brea, old chap? Don't think I haven't noticed you and Miss Mayweed." He couldn't resist one more dig at Brea.

"Steady on, Captain, let me make a full report before you decide to start matching me up." He nodded toward the mountain. "I'm off to give a full briefing to the Colonel and Lady Oranna. I'm assuming you wish to be present."

Marching off smartly, the pair made their way to the officer's mess. They chatted and joked as though they were creatures of far younger seasons.

…

Killicia lounged in bed even though it was well past noon. Hearing a knock on her cabin door, she pulled up her blankets and called out, "It's open! Come in."

Jack the searat strolled into the room, bearing a plate of food. It was simple fare, but well liked by the young ferret captain; cooked fish and fried potatoes, although it looked more like blobs of white and gold on the plat. Setting the food beside the bed, he sat down beside her sitting in the void where a right leg ought to have been.

"Bogbean tells me ye're not getting up today. Want to tell me why?" he said in a fatherly manner most unbecoming of a searat.

"'cause I don't care to. We must be sailing into Badger territory by now. Kindly tell the crew to stow arms, will ye, Jack? Set a course for shore. We're going to need to take on water before heading to Sampetra. Send the twins ashore, but remind them to keep their heads low and not cause any trouble. Better yet, send them in unarmed. Those hares won't attack an unarmed creature." The young creature put both paws behind her head and settled back on her pillow.

"As ye say, Cap'n." Jack slowly got up and turned to leave.

"An' one more thing, Jack," Killicia said with a smile. "Don't wake me up again untill we're being boarded."

…..

Giving into her mother's wishes, Peony delivered the two leverets to her mother's quarters to spend some time with their grandmother. Mem Samara had been particularly keen on seeing Blyth, and at Peony's insistence the two were not to be separated. Both leverets were to be raised as though they were flesh and blood siblings. Peony was not about to stand for any objections. It felt strange, these short periods away from her children. There was a pang of guilt being away from them, and the hint of fear that Letti may experience another one of her fits. She pushed those nagging feelings aside for the time being. Her mother had raised two daughters of her own, and they were not that far away shoul anything happen. Times like this would be few and far between, and Peony did want to take advantage of these little breaks.

Strolling past her mother's chambers, she wandered though the hall of officer's rooms. Each door bore a plaque displaying the name of the individual or individuals within. Coming upon her room, she happily ran her paw over the engraving, infused with a sense of pride. The elegant script curled, intertwining each letter of their names. Passing by several more doors, she came up to the chambers of Major Bernard Mullins. She knocked on the door and called out, hoping the Major was still in.

"Hello, Major? It's me, Peony Linwood."

The door clicked and opened, revealing the stout hare. The room behind him was very different from the Linwood chambers. Still a bachelor, Bernard had a smaller living space lacking any sort of feminine touches. Like the Linwood quarters, it was divided into two rooms. The office portion was small and had a small desk and matching chair as its only furnishings. Peony could see past that into the bedroom from where she stood; by the state of things it was easy to tell the Major was packing for his patrol.

"Hello, Peony," he said in a brusque, awkward manner.

"I see you're busy, Major, but might I come in for a moment? I promise I won't keep you long, Sah." She smiled as he stepped aside and granted her entrance.

The Major said nothing and returned to his packing, every piece of his kit fitting perfectly into place. He finished the task in a silence that neither hare broke. No words were needed. It was Bernard who finally spoke.

"It won't be the same without you, Peony. I've been assigned a new tracker, but I doubt he'll live up to your standards."

"Nonsense. I'm sure he'll be absolutely top notch, especially with an expert like you to teach him, Major. I must admit I will miss you and the other chaps this time around. Promise you won't replace me too quickly."

Straightening his uniform, he bestowed a smile upon her. "Never, Peony." Pausing, he spoke again with a deep sense of seriousness. "There is danger apaw, Peony. There are rumors in the north that I fear will be prove true. I don't wish to startle you, m'dear, but I hope you will be back on duty before the trouble starts. There are only a few hares who'll be able to handle the situations that may unfold. And you jolly well are the best we have."

"Thank you, Major. From you, that means a lot."

Fully packed and ready to go, the Major lead Peony out of his chambers. Peony hugged him tightly, taking Bernard completely by surprise.

Taken even more by surprise was Captain Bloomberry as she turned the corner and saw the two hares. She watched as they embraced and Peony whispered into the Major's ear. Waiting for him to depart, Bloomberry approached her friend.

"What was all that jolly well about?" she asked in a demanding tone.

"I was only wishing my officer good luck on his patrol. Is there a new law you haven't informed me of, Bloom?" Peony said defensively.

"Last time I checked, that isn't the customary goodbye for an officer. Besides, you don't even like Major Bernie."

"Correction: You're the one who doesn't like him. Major Mullins and I are friends, and have been for seasons."

"I can see that." Bloomberry stepped in front of Peony to cut off any escape. "Is there something I should know about? " Her tone slipped into that of playful banter.

"Oh yes, he's asked me to jolly well run away with him." Peony rolled her eyes and locked elbows with her long time friend. "Now listen here Bloom, the babes are off with mater, I have about two hours, wot ever will two charming doe eyes beauties like us do in that time? "

Patting Peony's paw, Bloomberry strolled casually beside her ears wiggling comically. " Here's a wiz, why not pop down to the beach, with our dearest friend a flagon of elderberry wine. Perhaps he might even invite his mates along, some mountain cheese, perhaps a scone or two."

"Capital idea." Nudging Bloomberry they walked off together to enjoy their time together.

Lieutenant Brea relaxed in the officer's mess with a hot cup of tea. Having given his full report, he took the opportunity to lounge and relax with his fellow officers. Oranna sat back absorbing the information just relayed to her. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it all yet, but was pleased she had taken part in her first official briefing. Tutsan sat at the small table drumming his paws on a small map, laying out the lands around Mossflower.

Sighing, Brea put his cup aside. "Sorry I don't have more to tell you, Tutsan. It's just like they vanished."

Tutsan shrugged, folding his paws in front of him. "You did all you could, old chap. Well, Lady Oranna, Colonel - what do you propose we do now?"

Before Oranna could speak, one of the young runners ran into the mess. "Lady Oranna, Watch just reported the vessel that's been anchored off the coast has started to move closer to land."

Oranna climbed to her feet. "What colours are flying?" she asked in a no-nonsense manner that impressed Colonel Hardan.

"Watch says Vinland colours," the runner replied promptly.

"That would be the Nixie then," Colonel Harden said. "A vermin vessel, but mostly harmless. Still, it would be a good idea to investigate." The hare officer rose from his seat, adjusting his uniform. "Shall we make formal introductions, M'lady?"

"You mean to board the vessel, Colonel?" Oranna inquired.

"Why not? It's good to give the blighters a bit of a verbal warning, and will give ye a chance to practice. This won't be the first time ye'll have to address some vermin wot wot." The colonel went to follow the runner, nodding to the others. "Complements, chaps. Be back soon."

When the knock at the door came, Killicia Swiftfang was ready. In a well-rehearsed maiden voice she answered, "Enter, please."

Into the small cabin came Jack the searat mate and Bogbean the weasel boson, both vermin leading the large female badger and the Long Patrol hare. Killicia had crossed paths with Colonel Hardan before, and now she couldn't help but smile as though they were old friends. The other members of the crew watched curiously from the doorway. Having been thoroughly warned by Jack to hide any weapons and to be on their best behaviour, they looked on in silence. Their newest crewmember, the fox Reginald Goregeo, had elected to stay on board, fearing that the villains who slew his cousin would make an attempt on his own life should he return to Mossflower. Bogbean sought to assure him that this would not be the case and begged Killicia to maroon the fox on the first island they came across. Reginald fixed a monocle to his eye and tried to get a better look at the Salamandastron officials.

"What are they doing here? We're not being attacked, are we?" the fox whispered anxiously, in obvious fear for his own pelt.

"Shut up, Reggi," the twins Ripp and Rapp muttered in unison.

Scowling at the young weasels, the fox noble pushed them aside to get a better look inside the cabin.

Oranna had never been on board a corsair vessel. It was clear to see the reputation of Salamandastron far preceded her. All the vermin crew seemed uneasy and terrified at the sight of her. Although, she hadn't expected the captain of The Nixie to be a ferretmaid younger then herself. Nor did she expect to find the leader of this vessel reclining in bed as though woken from a nap.

Killicia smiled politely to her two guests. "Jack, please find a seat for our visitors."

The searat began moving crates about, offering them to the badger and hare. Hardan waved his paw in refusal.

"No, we don't intend to stay long." the hare replied, moving his hind paw out of the way of the small hermit crabs that were curiously scuttling toward him.

Spotting the crabs, Killicia called to them softly. "Here, Monty and Tego, leave the gentlebeast alone."

Obediently the two hermit crabs climbed up onto the bed to sit at the ferret's side. "Now, we all know what you're going to say, Your Ladyship," the ferret said with a respectful nod to Oranna. "Let me assure you that neither my crew nor I are interested in assaulting Salamandastron or bothering any of the nearby inhabitants. We're only taking on water so we can sail to more favorable climates."

"Then you best be on your way promptly, ferret. I will not tolerate corsairs on my door step." The voice of Oranna rang though the cabin, startling the crew and Colonel Hardan.

"Corsairs?" Killicia sounded almost hurt. "Please, Yer Ladyship doesn't consider us to be such ruffians, does she? We are naught but humble traders. Have ya seen any weapons among my crew? If we were villainous creatures, surely we would have swashbuckled some innocents or whatever it is those cads do." She smiled sweetly, but neither Oranna nor Hardan were taken in by her innocent act.

"Don't play us for duffers, Miss Swiftfang," the hare scolded. "We've had our run-ins before, and I happen to know that you instruct your scummy crew to hide their weapons, wot. What do you bally well take us for miss?"

"Oh, very well. There is another reason I came, but it wasn't for plunder, because frankly none of ye b'yes down this end got anything that even remotely catches me fancy. There was a fire I think ye may be interested in. Some big shot assassin or summat went down to Jallgo's place, murdered the old merchant and Romlan de' Gorge, then packed up the whole lot of them and set sail."

"Away from Mossflower, or toward Mossflower?" the hare asked inquired sharply.

"Away, as far as we know. But they burnt out the whole trading post first and got more than one ship of ruffians out on the high seas. Thought ye might want to know about it. Putting in a citizen's complaint, seeing as I had 30 barrels of salt fish to take to Jallgo."

"If they are leaving our shores, then good riddance to them," Oranna said. "Ferret, Salamandastron has no interest in protecting the ports of vermin. We will not protect what you have earned from the suffering of good creatures. If you do not set sail within the hour, I will have my hares sink this vessel. We are done here now, Colonel." Oranna turned to leave.

Jack, who had been blocking the door, promptly stepped aside, allowing the badger and hare exit.

"Well, isn't she a sweetheart," he said as soon as they had left the ship.

Reginald, who had watched the entire conversation couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "What exactly was that exchange supposed to achieve? Besides the wrath of a badger and goodness knows how many hares?"

Bogbean shook his head. "You don't know the Cap'n very well, do you, mate?"

The fox huffed "Did you miss the part where the badger said she would have the ship sunk? I don't see how that helped us in any way. But please enlighten me."

Getting out of bed, Killicia buckled on her leg and strolled on deck, still in her nightgown. The two pet hermit crabs followed dutifully behind. "You see, Reggi my foxy friend, the badger missus my have missed the point of my little tale. However, ole Hardan has been around a lot longer, he knows how dangerous a new band of murders and robbers are even if they are not
sailing close to his territory. He'll get word out to all his hares to keep their eyes peeled. And they in turn will warn the other armies they encounter. Before you know it, every hare, squirrel, and otter who knows his way around a fight will be looking out for that lot."

"And how does that help us?"

Scooping up the hermit crabs and setting them on her shoulders, she explained. "Well, we won't have to worry about them, will we? I figure, let the goodbeasts take care of the ruffians for us. Now stop asking questions and get this boat moving."