What has it been… like a year since I've last updated. So sorry that it's been so long, but I just got really busy this past semester. For those that have found the story in the depths of the archives and read it, thank you. Even if I'm not getting any reviews it's still nice to know that it's still being read. :)

After everyone retired to their quarters an otter named Bolare, a seasoned warrior and Lilly's mate, assembled his own war meeting. Bolare had always been war hungry and managed to make everything seem like an imminent threat.

There were six beasts in attendance: five otters and the seagull. Lilly, Bolare, Tavin, Schorl, and Bonaparte willingly joined the meeting. The Skipper of sea otters, on the other paw, was very hesitant. He was a firm believer that the island was well-hidden, but not even he could deny the fact that an ominous cloud hung over the sea that night. They had all come to the decision that Lilly and Bolare's cave would be the best place to meet, since it was out of earshot of Theta.

Their cave was relatively small so it seemed as if it were packed from floor to ceiling with shells and all sorts of knick-knacks. Lilly happened to be very fond of collecting anything that she found washed up on the beach.

When everybeast had assembled, they all just sat and stared at each other. No one knew how to break the tension that hung over their heads. It was so still that it seemed as if they were getting smothered by the very air around them. It was Skipper who eventually broke the silence.

"Well. Let's get on with this then. If we're all goin' ta sit around and look at each other all night, I'm goin' ta get some sleep." He was just getting up to leave when Bolare called him back down.

"No, please. I- we need all the help planning that we can get. I think that this ship is a very real and immediate threat to our peaceful livelihood. If we have the means to fight for our way of life, I say we fight to the very last beast."

"Hopefully the very last beast is ours and not theirs." Tavin quickly added.

"Right. We must hold this island. If it gets overrun by searats, then this place will turn into a stronghold in which the vermin can prey on innocent ships and- "

"Oh stop makin' such a big deal out o' everything Bolare!" Skipper interrupted. "I mean we don't actually know if they will discover the island."

"Brothers…" sighed Lilly. "They always 'ave ta butt heads on everythin'."

"So, they're always like this then?" Bonaparte asked.

"Yep, and they'd continue goin' on like this even if the sea turned red." remarked Schorl.

"I can't b'lieve that 'e made me cum up 'ere in a storm like thissun. Now if'n I were cap'n- wouldn' that be sumthin', Cap'n Bilgeclaw. 'As a nice ring to't that does."

Just as the first mate was getting to the top of the crow's nest, the weasel, Slint, called up to him. "Oy! Ye mangy rat. What're ye doin' up thar inna storm like this?"

Slint was a short and slim female weasel. Her eyes were a deep brown and narrowed, as if she were constantly looking down the shaft of an arrow. She had a quiver full of arrows that were fletched with gull feathers, and a crossbow that was slung across her back. The clothes that she wore were as black as night, but everywhere else on her body was decorated with silver jewelry.

It was just at that moment that Bilgeclaw thought of an ingenious idea. It wasn't too often when he got to think since he was usually used for his brawn and not brain.

"If'n I can get Slint on my side, may'aps I can get some o' the rest of the crew to go with this liddle idea o' mine." As Bilgeclaw was formulating his plan a slow, thin smirk spread across his face.

"'Ey rat! What in the blazes are ye smlin' about up there." Slint yelled up at him.

"I'm thinkin'-"

"That 'splains all the smoke comin' out o' yore ears! Harharhar ha- I 'ope it doesn't 'urt too bad!" By this point Slint was practically doubled up on the deck guffawing.

Bilgeclaw muttered something unintelligible, and most likely rather rude to himself and then yelled down at the weasel, "Oh shaddup you! If ye want in on a liddle secret, I think you'd best cum up 'ere."

"Ooooo. I do love secrets," with that Slint started to climb up to the crow's nest. When she got to the top Bilgeclaw was sitting up there, still smirking to himself. "Wha' yore still smilin'? This must be a perty good secret."

"Better. Much better than ya t'ink. I 'ave an idea, an' I need yore 'elp to see it out-"

"Would ye spit it out already."

"Ah'm getting' to it. Jest be patient." Bilgeclaw leaned in close to Slint, and in a voice that was barely above a whisper, but with every word dripping with venom, he said, "'Ow would ye like ta be first mate."

"First mate ye say. Are ye plannin' on steppin' down?"

"I was thinkin' more o' the other way. If'n we turn the tables on the cap'n, we can both move up in rank." Bilgeclaw explained. "Wha's that on the 'orizon?"

"So it's settled then. The gull- er Bonaparte will go an' do a bit of spyin' on the ship."

"And then I'll fly right back to deliver the news, but I need to do something first."

"That's not part of the plan…"

"I'm going to recruit some reinforcements."

Bolare sunk back in his chair. "Sorry. I don't want anythin' going wrong," he muttered.

"Now, I think it's really time fer us all to get some sleep." That being said, they all departed and settled down to sleep.

"It's alright Bolare," Lilly whispered to him. "It'll all turn out fine." With that she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Outside there were two sets of ears pressed against the outside walls of the cave. Sturm and Drang had been eavesdropping on the entire meeting.

"Finally," Gorvin Terass said with an air of satisfaction, "Slint! Get down here. Ah need ta talk with ye."

"What do ye think that the cap'n wants with me?" Slint asked Bilgeclaw. For the first time in her life there was a moment of hesitation in doing something. Bilgeclaw waved her on, and she clambered down to the deck.

"Yes cap'n."

"Ah 'ave a funny feelin' that Bilgeclaw is plottin' something. Ah need ye ta keep an eye on 'im fer me. Do this an' there will be some pretty rewards fer ye at the end."

"Like what cap'n?" Slint asked, completely mesmerized.

"'Ow would ye like ta be first mate?"

"Aye-aye cap'n," said Slint, a sneer slowly spreading across her face.

It was still partly cloudy the next morning, although it had stopped raining. On Halfmoon Isle it seemed as if time had stopped. There was a gentle breeze that whispered secrets to the trees, as it blew through them. The sea, however, was restless and impatient. It seemed to be expecting something.

Sorry if this chapter might be a tad confusing in terms of the timeline.