Chapter 6
At Fortress Marshank, a lone squirrel of the Gawtrybe peered from behind a large pine tree. He wore a sash, loincloth, his face was covered in red and green plant dye, and he wore a gull feather in his ear. He was armed with a stone tomahawk and a bow made from a sycamore with a few stone arrows in his quiver. The tribal squirrel scurried up the tree, and perched himself on the top branch. He spotted two weasels, patrolling the Fortress' ramparts. He then saw Damien with Falos, and Golfang walking out of the longhouse. The squirrel smiled and drew his tomahawk, he scaled down the tree and swiftly moved to the Eastern Wall. Inside Marshank, Damien was telling Falos about his plan to bring in workers, and slaves. Falos grinned at the idea of owning creatures, he licked his chops in excitement. Damien placed a paw on the fox's shoulder.
"Listen, fox. The creatures were taking will not be whipped, starved, or killed. Unless they lie, steal, slack off, or rebel. Then we make an example out of them, got it?"
"Yes sir."
Falos scoffed, Damien patted his Second-in-Command's shoulder.
"Alright, Falos. You and I are going on a slave hunt, Golfang, keep an eye on this place while Falos and I are gone, I don't want any mishaps or problems, got it?"
Golfang saluted Damien.
"Got it, shire."
Damien grinned to one side of his mouth.
"Good. Shouldn't take too long, I'd say we'll be back by sun up tomorrow."
"I'll keep sentries and wall guards posted. Didn't Keller day about a small village around here?"
Damien chuckled.
"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding, Gol."
Falos stepped in the conversation.
"We take the creatures of our Cook's village, he might not feel so melancholy."
Damien scratched his chin and snapped his index claw with his thumbclaw.
"You know, you've got something, Falos. We take Keller's creatures from their homes and give them a new one here, we protect them from dangers such as serpents, cannibals, gigantic flesh eating birds, and so on and so forth. I will finish what my father started, I will make Fortress Marshank a walled community, I will make this place strive."
Damien said with outstretched arms. Damien turned his attention to his searat Captain.
"Gol, before you and your crew took in Keller, do you know which direction he was headed in?"
"Well, shire. He was headed Southeast, from here. But, I flanked him from the West."
"Alright then, Southeast, got it. We go at sundown."
The beasts attending the kidnapping all responded.
"Yes sir."
Damien's cloak fluttered in the breeze and he crossed his arms in admiration to the animals loyal to him. The Gawtrybe squirrel climbed the Eastern Wall. He grabbed a ferret by the tail and flung him off over the edge, the vermin landed on his neck, killing him instantly. He then jumped over the wall and landed on the ramparts. He drew his stone axe and drove it into a weasel's skull. Damien saw the lone squirrel kill his creatures left and right. The stoat Commander drew his broadsword and shouted.
"We've got an intruder!"
The squirrel pulled his axe out of the skull of the weasel guard and jumped down to the ground level where Damien and his Captains were at.
"My name is Asukka, and I am the son of Wakk, Chieftain of the Gawtrybe. I have come to slay the one called Damien. Are you he?"
Asukka questioned, Damien popped a kink out of his neck and pointed his sword right at the squirrel's face, and grinned from ear to ear.
"Yeah, I am he."
Asukka pointed his stone tomahawk right back at Damien.
"Prepare to die!"
The squirrel shouted, he lunged forward and saung his axe forward. Damien simply sidestepped and tripped the tribal beast. Asukka tried again and lept forward. The stoat Commander did the same trick again, but before Asukka could do it a third time, Damien placed his left footpaw right on the squirrel's chest. Falos jumped in and snatched the tomahawk from the squirrel's left paw. Damien smiled and sheathed his sword. Damien clicked his tongue in pity at the Gawtrybe creature.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You've got a lot to learn about fight, young one. Never bring a hatchet to s sword fight, especially a toy."
"That is no toy, stupid beast, I personally hand crafted that tomahawk myself."
Asukka responded with his teeth gritted. Damien signalled for Falos to come over and see the tomahawk. Falos placed it in his Commander's paws, and Damien inspected the weapon forged from stone.
"This is some good, craftsmenship. Wow, you did do good."
Damien called out to two rats.
"You too, bind our guest up and escort him to my longhouse."
"Yes sir!"
The two rats propped Asukka up, he saw Damien walk to his longhouse. He then stopped, turned around, and walked back.
"Just in case our guest tries something funny."
Damien punched the squirrel straight in the head, knocking him unconscious.
Brome dressed out of his habit and into a grey belted tunic with vest and scarf, he fastened a scabbard to his waist and shesthed a sword, which he dubbed "The Evening Light." The sworc would help protect those who were in danger, and slay those who oppressed anybeast. Brome gave his wife a kiss goodbye, and kissed his little Rosie's forehead, before picking up his haversack and hesding out the door with Keyla, Celandine, Grejor, Vinsar, and Grayhound. Keyla, Celandine, and Grejor were armed with javelins and and staves. Vinsar was armed with a rapier, amd Grayhound was armed with a double edged battle axe. The team of warriors travelled down to where Keyla's ship was. Brome drew his sword and pointed it to the clouds.
"Here we come, Damien. Your evil ends here!"
All the beasts shouted their old battle cry.
"Fur and Freedom!"
