Enemies Through the Underbrush

Ruual's jaw was not harmed too badly in the fight, though he gained a nasty infection from his broken tooth that left him spitting out the taste of the healer's tonic for days. Zealak smirked at him if he ever walked by, and he returned the gesture with a wave. Any of the squirrel-tribe watching at these times would be clearly mistified. Ruual thought they were friends, Zealak considered him a friendly enemy.

Zealak watched Ruual pass, and, instead of a smirk, she squinted. It was obviously something Ruual did not expect, for he turned his head from side to side, seemingly looking for some other creature. As the black squirrelmaid began to turn her head away, almost as a mark of dismissal, Ruual's face creased into a deep frown of worry.

"Zealak, there's big news in the courthouse," he whispered. Ruual was sneaky and mischievious, and Zealak did not put it past him to eavesdrop on matters and affairs of the tribe's secret council.

"What now? More idiots like you getting their tails caught in trees?" she shot back.

Ruual winced. Such a remark was completely uncalled for, especially from your friend. But, he brushed it away. "Not even. They were talking about the attack on the enemy, and the latest message they sent by arrow. It said that they wanted slaves to build up their island fortress, and if they did not start handing over creatures, we'd all be killed."

"So?" Such matters did not lie heavily on Zealak's mind.

"They said you're first."

The squirrelmaid's eyebrows flew up in surprise. How could they give in so easily? She knew they were spineless, but giving into the demands of the enemy before the battle had barely started? Just in hopes that they would be overlooked afterward? Such ideas could only come from the fat king himself. No creature other than he could be that dumb.

What do you expect me to do now?" Zealak growled.

"I don't know. Run?" Ruual shrugged. He was clearly unhappy about the situation, but what could he, a mere ordinary squirrel, do to help? Either way, he could do nothing.

"Are you kidding me?! Have your brains fallen out? I've never run away from anything in my life!" Zealak was outraged. Ruual's suggestion was like telling a whale to sprout wings and do a barrel role in the sky. Impossible.

"Well, maybe you should start!" Whether Ruual meant to use such a tone was questionable. "You, of all creatures, should know when to back down!"

Zealak was shocked, stung and startled at this flash of anger and aggresion in Ruual. He had never been known to even raise his voice to another creature, and now he was actually angry? Apparently things were and never could be what they seemed. She hoped that this might be the last of such outbursts from the red squirrel, but such things can not be destroyed by the hopes of another creature.

Skarlick returned to his leader with the message. It was good for the whole troop, and especially good for him. Every creature of Vermin Vale- as many creatures called it- knew that pleasing messages given to the Forest Ruler, would earn them an extra ration of grog.

No one actually knew why their leader was called the Forest Ruler, in fact, most just assumed he called himself that because he had no real name and he wanted this land.

The Forest Ruler's story is a fairly long one, but it could be made brief. Years ago, he was cast out of his tribe, and, after years of wandering through the forest, he finally went insane. He was taken in by the Abbey of Redwall, in Mossflower country where he originally came from. Eventually, he was nursed back to health and in return he nearly killed the Infirmary Keeper. Escaping was easy for him, and he eventually travelled to the coast, where corsairs accepted him, and soon marooned him along with thirty of the treacherous crew.

All these thoughts cascaded through his mind as Skarlick slunk to his master's tent. He was beckoned to enter by one of the weasel guards. Nervously, he licked his dry lips as he faced, or should have, the Forest Ruler. A misty linen cloth separated Skarlick from the Forest Ruler. He could not see through it, and he doubted that the Forest Ruler could either.

"What do you have to report to me, Skarlick?" he growled in the thin voice of a stoat. "Hopefully good news?"

"Yes, Forest Ruler. The squirrels have agreed to send in slaves to help build up your fortress," Skarlick replied, as his voice began to gain confidence. Not every vermin of the troops had to grovel to their leader.

"What did they want in return?" the Forest Ruler asked. It was always expected that other creatures would like something in return. It was, after all, only sensible.

"That you avoid their land."

"Let me tell you something, Skarlick. Although I seem at tinmes to be completely out of my senses, but, I am actually quite sane. Those squirrels on the other paw, aren't. Do they honestly think that we would overlook their lush lands so rich in fish filled rivers and fruit bearing trees? I, Vallreck of Minesoll, will not overlook their land."

With nary a sweep of his clawed paw, two guards drew back the veil, and Skarlick faced his master. The Forest Ruler, or Vallreck, was of strong build. Muscles added an extra sheen to his silver-gray fur. He was only a few inches taller than any normal stoat, but his physique could have decieved any creature. His arms were crossed on his chest, a fiendish smile on his smart features.

"Do you know what this means, Skarlick?" he asked, obviously in was a retorical question. "If we attacked soon after a shipment of slaves is sent over, we could take them completely by surprise."

"Why not just attack them right now, before they expect anything, sire?"

"I have already thought about that. They will probably send over a few of their more knowledgeable trackers, which are the swiftest creatures they have in their little settlement. We should have forces already moving out in a wide berth of their path, we do not want them finding out our plans. If we attacked quickly and right when some of their best creatures were over here, we could gain even more slaves."

"I still don't think I understand, Forest Ruler," Skarlick replied nervously.

The stoat was patient. He knew the knowledge boundaries his horde possessed, and explained everything in their stride. It wouldn't pay for them to misinterpret his commands. That was indeed, how most leaders suffered their worst loses. "If they do not have as many of their strongest squirrels there, then their defence would be even less. Does that not make sense?"

Skarlick's face brightened. "It does indeed, sire. So, if we come as they leave, then we can gain the upper-paw if we attack while others are over here?"

"Indeed, my good hordebeast. Ask my top lieutanant to give you an extra ration of grog when the rations are given out." With a flick of his head, the Forest ruler dismissed Skarlick, who licked his lips and rubbed his paws together at the prospect of an extra pint of the strong drink. Could his life as a hordebeast get any better?

Ruual made Zealak run through the plan once more, just so he could be sure. "So, remind me again what's going to happen?"

"I will leave, probably to the coastal tavern, when night falls. You, will, a good while later, call the escape and point them in the wrong direction. Don't tell them you're in on it too, they will do anything to get the truth from you if they think you were involved. When they send out a search-party, you will join in, then break off and head in the direction of the beach. You'll meet me behind the tavern at high noon. Then, we'll climb aboard the first vessel we meet and sail away. That clear?"

"Perfectly. Hopefully they won't find anything out," Ruual replied.

Vontyr bounded away shortly after Zealak had mentioned Ruual's break-off from the search party. He had heard clearly what was spoken and intended the counsil to hear everything.

Finally, he could prove himself as a loyal servant of the king. Ashscruff would one day be too old and feeble to make any kind of decision, and Vontyr would take the throne.

It was true. Revenge was cold and sweet.

Finally, chapter three. That's a bit of a milestone if I say so myself. I trust that you'll write a little review.

I hope I can get as many reviews as my previous chapters recieved, for your suggestions and questions are greatly appreciated.

Zealak Silverdirk