In the snow covered wasteland of the north, across the frozen plains and massive snow drifts, there stood four massive walls that surrounded a great, fearsome looking castle built into the side of a great mountain. This castle, which was known as Kovara, with its three large watch towers and its five catapultss, has never been conquered by any invading force.
Not that any force was greater or fiercer than the great ferret lord Kova! And even if by some miracle that any invaders ever made it passed his walls, they would have to deal with his personal royal guard. Now unlike most vermin Rulers in the north, who would usually force vermin into their command, his army was composed of volunteers and followers. Friends, brave warriors, adventure seeking beasts, and many others signed up for his army. Brawny otters, agile squirrels, brave hearted mice, fearless shrews, perilous ferrets, warrior stoats and many others joined his army.
The massive castle of Kovara was also the leading protection for the small village of Hort, which was just a simple farming village of fifty villagers. Fifty villagers that the ferret ruler had sworn to himself to protect. Kova considered it his sworn duty to protect the beasts that depended on him, and whoever was stupid enough to harm even a single mouse was caught and either disposed of or thrown in the dungeon. And in a year the prisoner was taken out and judged by his actions in court. Usually he would be lenient on the offender if no deaths were involved, but if the bastard hurt one of his villagers he would behead the damned creature at once.
Now the village of Hort was a place of pure joy and peace. Not only woodlanders lived here, but also a scatter of vermin. It was not uncommon to see ferrets, weasels, rats and foxes commingling with squirrels, badgers, and otters. There were no prejudice slurs, no racial discrimination, no hatred between the to so called "vermin" and "woodlander", because the two words didn't exists in the north. There was no distinction between a ferret and an otter, because in the north they were both the same.
Today was also a special day for the little village. Beasts of all ages and sizes ran around, hanging banners, setting a large table with silver ware and plates, a group of rats and shrews sang a little sailing song as they set food on the table, the whole village seemed to be running around. Two ferrets were struggling with a massive platter of food as they attempted to carry it down it to the large table. One of the ferrets squeaked as the his legs gave way as he fell to his knees. His companion was on the verge of collapsing as well, and his legs wobbled and he fell, but the platter didn't thanks to a giggling badger maid. She shifted the platter so she now held in one paw and looked down at the prone panting ferrets.
" Well, well, well, if it isn't my two favorite polecats! Now what were you two doing carrying something this big!" she turned to the side and pointed at a group of ferret maids. " Tryin' to woe yourselves a couple of mates are ye?"
One of the two ferrets made a move to answer the badger but flopped back down, his tongue rolling out as he panted. The badger laughed as she walked over to the table and set the platter of food down. The two ferrets were trying their best to get ready for the daily celebration the villagers held every year, which celebrated the day there leader Kova came and saved them from almost certain doom. But that's a story was for a different time. Later the beasts all gathered at the massive table, some of them had to sit under trees or stand as they all recited there blessings, and with a loud cheer: "Long live Kova! Harrah!" the feast began. As they dug into the steamed vegetables and bread, the little ones were running around, playing warlord versus hero, and a ferret fell over, clutching his heart as he fell over his tongue sticking out. Then and otter kit swept up a squirrel maid and bravely "liberated" her of her loose string bonds. The other little ones cheered, but a weasel kit, who was new to the game, ran over to the "slain" ferret and started crying as he tugged at the ferrets arm.
" Oh nnooo! Wahaha! Yew swain im'! Wahahaaha!" The weasels eyes widened in shock as the ferret sprung to life, swinging his twig in the air as he gallantly announced: " Harhar! I live!" Nothing compared to the weasels happiness that day as he danced around, proclaiming the miracle that had just happened behind the adults back.
OH SWEET JESUS THIS WAS THE CHAPTER I HAD BEEN WAITING TO TYPE. YA KNOW HOW THERES REDWALL, SALADAMSTRON, AND THERE BOTH INHABITED BY WOODLANDERS? WELL NOW THERES KOVARA AND ITS INHABITED BY VERMIN AND WOODLANDER! WOHO! I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW LONG I'VE BEEN DYING TO ACTUALLY TYPE SOMETHING LIKE THIS….
ANYWHO… KEEP READING AND REVIEWING!
