The Ocean's Echoes

by Sayna S. Luke

The sequel to 'Stolen Tears'. Seven seasons have passed, and Emperor Ublaz is ready to search for the pearls again. He'll do anything to get them, even pit three best friends against each other in a ruthless game of death. Hearts will be tested, truth will be found, and prices will be paid as the saga of young pirate continues, and the stakes are raised.

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 23 In the Face of Death

"Whatever happens, I can't let Ublaz see ya, or know yer there. Ya can't either, not if ya ever hope ta see Romsca again."

"I know, ye've said that ten times now." Arashi raised an eyebrow.

Xzaris rubbed his forehead. "Sorry. I'm thinkin' up a plan here, ok? We'll be home by tonight ... evenin'. Maybe if I stall us some, we kin git inta harbor under cover a darkness, an' convince the Monitors not ta take us in 'til mornin'. After all, Zurgat was the smartest one, and she's dead."

"True." Arashi agreed. "Then what?"

"As we come in, look an' see if ya kin spot Freebooter, that'll mean Capt'n Barranca's home. An' stay outa sight a the ratguard. They're everywhere, an' Sagitar always has a ring a spies in place." Xzaris stated. "We'll slip overboard an' row one a the lifeboats in. After that .. it's up ta luck."

Arashi shrugged. "Ye mean Ignasa."

"As long as it gits us safe, I don't care what it is." Xzaris sighed, leaning against the back of his chair.

She didn't counter him, just asked, "What about Val?"

Xzaris looked at the ground, shaking his head. "I donno."

"Ye made her first mate, didn't ye? She will have to appear before Ublaz, won't she?"

"I'm tryin' ta work out what ta do." Xzaris groaned. "I donno yet. If only Skarbod hadn't ... but none a that helps now. I jist donno."

Arashi nodded grimly. "I understand. I'll take the watch."

She vanished out the doorway, and Xzaris fiddled with the quill on his desk, shaking his head. What would he do to help Val? He couldn't leave her to face the wrath of Ublaz alone .. could he? But getting three beasts out from under the Monitor's noses .. two would be hard enough!

You could stay here. You could send Val with Arashi instead.

Xzaris stared blankly at the desk, thinking of the stories. How Romsca never wanted to speak of what she saw in that throne room, of how Rasconza looked darkly at the ground whenever the rebellion was mentioned.

He'd seen beasts beaten to death for a minor infraction and tortured for not paying taxes.

He'd seen children that were orphaned by Ublaz's cruelty and ravished by the Monitors on the streets, or if they were lucky, recruited into the ratguard to face Sagitar's brutality.

Did he want to face that monster, have to look him in the eyes and tell him he could not find the pearls? No .. oh no. He wanted to get as far away as possible.

No matter the cost.

=Next=

Romsca awoke slowly, to see the warm light of evening streaming through her doorway, and she subtly wondered why her door wasn't closed. Then she remembered it had been destroyed, and why.

In the back of her mind, she expected herself to ache all over, but she did not. She felt truly refreshed. Invigorated. Alive. And she hadn't dreamed a single thing, at least not that she could remember, as if some tormented piece of her spirit had finally come to rest.

The encounter with Ignasa was disturbingly fuzzy, all the details she wished to hang onto forever seeping away from her, but his noble face was still clear in her memory.

"I will serve ya lord. I will serve ya an' only ya."

Was this how her father had felt? Standing in the face of death, but still so alive?

"I see why ya weren't afraid dad, I really do." A slow and strangely happy smile spread across her face as she realized her father truly was safe. Dead, yes, but safe. Ublaz had no power over him anymore.

"An' he has no power over me either." Romsca said this resolutely, but she only wished she felt as sure as she sounded.

"Who doesn't?"

Romsca turned to face Sayna, who handed her a bowl of soup that actually smelled like it was edible. "Uh .. Ublaz. He's .. he was me emperor."

Sayna nodded, before motioning to the window seat. "Sit down and talk to me while you eat, captain. If I am to be equipped for whatever we will face, let me know my enemy."

Romsca almost rebuked the mouse for giving her orders, but remembered how different things were now and caught herself. "I can only tell what I know."

"I understand." Sayna sat beside her. "I believe you have the power of the Healing Fire within you, but you were one of them. Who is this Ublaz?"

"He's a pine marten." Romsca took a bite of soup. "Those lizards I had on me ship? He has hundreds of them in his command, all loyal past the point a reason and terrible weapons a destruction. He also has at least seven-hundred ratguard in his service, as well as the allegiance of some seventy able capt'ns, their crews, an' their ships."

Sayna blinked, before nodding. "That does make things difficult."

Romsca nodded. "That's not to mention his spies, his wealth, and his powers."

"Powers?" Sayna looked interested.

"Yes. He can hypnotize a beast into killing even their dearest friend by meeting their gaze. He can make those lizards seem like sleepy kits, an' he can make green fire shoot from his paws, fire that burns an' kills on contact."

"A Shadow Fighter." Sayna looked grim. "And a powerful one, from what you describe. Yes, that does make things far more difficult than I thought. Any weaknesses?"

Romsca shrugged. "Not a lot. Maybe his tendency ta ignore beasts who don't seem important ta him. Or his fondness of playin' games with his victims. But ta outsmart him .. well me father's the only one who did it. He outsmarted Ublaz by getting' him ta behead him instead a torturin' him ta death."

"That does complicate things." Sayna nodded. "Is beheading a favorite manner of execution for him?"

"Sometimes." Romsca sneered. "Mosta the time though, he'd rather impale a beast. Or whip 'em ta death, he seems ta like that too."

Sayna made a face. "Sounds wonderful. Well. I suppose since you answered my question, I should answer one for you, if you have any."

"Well ... Yea, I do." Romsca nodded, picking her hair up an letting it spill across her lap. "What .. abilities do I really have now? I've seen how ya healed quickly when I cut ya that one time. An' maybe I should .. say sorry fer that now that we're talkin' bout this."

"I've had far worse." Sayna smirked, and Romsca believed her. "You will experience impossible things with that hair to protect you. You will die many times, only to live again .. in theory you are invincible, but there are five deaths that can easily take you down once and for all; beheading, poisoning, drowning, being buried alive or suffocated extensively, and cutting your hair."

"I'll .. keep me eyes open." Romsca made a face.

Sayna nodded. "You do possess the power of healing, though. In a sense. If you apply a thin lock of your hair to another's injury and cut it, no matter how bad it is, as long as they draw breath, you can save them. You will die in their stead however. You will vividly and completely experience the pain they suffer, as you are taking it for them, and depending on how much hair you cut, you may be dead for over an hour .. the longest I've ever been dead is three hours. You do not want to do that, let me warn you .. you will be exhausted for days afterward. Every time you die, the flower weakens within you and a lock of your hair turns gray."

"But ..." Romsca stared at Sayna's wispy silver hair. "That'd mean .."

"It would mean I am very close to dying forever. And I am ready, more than ready. I'm nothing but a lost echo of the past, and I belong with a people that died out years ago."

Romsca frowned. "What do ya mean by that .. ya is a woodlander, an' there are many woodlanders."

"Ah, but my kind of woodlanders are few and far between. I am a warrior. Once many woodlanders were warriors. We were feared, even by the greatest of vermin kings. We were known for our strength, our skill, and our names were renowned for our nobility." Sayna looked down with a deep sigh. "But apathy has risen within my people, breaking them. They are a mere echo of what they once were, and what they could be. It breaks my heart to see their unwillingness to fight evil, their desire to preserve peace at the cost of justice. Where is the self-sacrifice and feats of daring, the power of love, and the raging fire of freedom that I once knew? It echoes here and there Romsca, but it is being shunned for comfort. I fear for my kind, they will be their own undoing."

"I .." Romsca didn't know what to say. "But they are the goodbeasts of the world."

Sayna sighed. "A goodbeast who hides from the wake of evil and allows his brothers to fall to it is not what I would call good. In my day, everybeast stood, and we stood together. There were the peaceful beasts, like my own sister Laterose .. but even she, the gentle, loving wife that she was, drew steel and fought beside the warriors in battle, because there was a fire in her heart. A fire for justice, a fire of loyalty to those she loved. But that fire has grown cold in many a heart. And it troubles me, more than I could ever say."

Romsca finished her soup, slowly standing up. "I .. donno how ta respond ta that."

"You don't need to." Sayna stood as well. "I find it interesting you call woodlanders the goodbeasts of the world. Don't vermin consider themselves good as well?"

"Yes." Romsca slowly turned around. "I was taught that our kind was the better one. That we were the heroes and they were the villains. What a screwed up lie from Hellgates."

Sayna raised an eyebrow. "What changed your mind?"

"I saw .. well .. a lot of things." Romsca looked down at her paws. "I saw what I could do, for one. I ain't innocent a bloodshed. I tried ta not capture an' enslave woodlanders ta make meself feel better. I was lyin' .. ta meself .. cause I knew. I knew what me father had said, an' I knew I was wicked an' everythin' Sampetra did was too. I was just too scared .. too cowardly ... too pathetic .. ta do what I knew was right. I tried ta make meself a better pirate so I wouldn't feel so guilty. It just made me empty. So when Lask ... tried ta eat ya .. it was too much. I knew I could either die defendin' ya or see yer faces in my nightmares ferever .. an' now .. me crew is dead, an' I should be dead with em."

The ferret's shoulders slumped as she met Sayna's gaze. "Why did ya save me? Why didn't ya just let me die? I deserved what Lask gave me .. I do not deserve this."

"Do any of us?" Sayna's black eyes glittered. "Forgiveness is not something you earn, Romsca. But trust is. And since it was Durral that saved you, not me, I suggest you thank him. It'll be awhile before you earn his trust, after all, you did take him away from everything he loved, lock him up with me, and put him through a considerable amount of danger."

Romsca sighed. "Yea. An' I need ta get us back on course. But .. yea .. I'll talk ta him .. donno what I'll say."

She walked away, stopping on deck. The dead Monitors were still there, and Romsca made a face. "Ugg .. wonderful."

"Yes, we decided to wait for your help with those." Sayna shook her head. "They weigh a terrible amount."

Romsca scowled. "Yea. About five hundred pounds apiece. Where's the abbotmouse?"

"In the galley. Just so you know, I didn't make that, he did." Sayna shrugged.

"Huh. I thought we were almost out a rations." Romsca frowned. "I hope we have enough to make it home."

She walked to the galley, and Sayna followed her. "How far is it?"

The ferret shrugged. "Probably a day or so. I hope ... me uncle's home."

"Will your uncle help woodlanders?"

"I .." Romsca shook her head. "I donno. Uncle don't like woodlanders one bit, but I don't think he'd turn on me. I think he'd help fer me sake, an' anyway, since me others friends are gonna die .. less I can do somthin' .. Barranca's probably our best bet."

She stopped in the kitchen, and Durral looked nervously up, looking like he didn't know what to say or expect.

Romsca made a face, suddenly blurting, "I'm sorry .. it ain't gonna make up fer nothin' but I shouldn't a done it. An' I'm sorry I shoved ya against that tree on the way. An' I wish I could send ya back ta yer .. red castle place."

Hope flashed across his face. "Can you?"

"No .." Romsca looked down. "No, I can't, not right now. Things .. are complicated. Really .. complicated."

"Maybe you should tell us how much." Sayna prodded.

Romsca sighed. "I guess ya deserve ta know. Ublaz .. I had two other friends who was captains. Ublaz made us sail three different directions, an' he said he'd spare the one who got the pearls. I got 'em .. an' that means ... Xzaris and Rasconza are gonna die unless I can git back there and stop it. Besides that .. we don't have rations ta go back ta Mossflower. An' once we git on Sampetra, I don't know if we can get off."

She sat down at the table, putting her head in her paws. "My nation is enslaved themselves. It weren't always this way .. but I guess we deserved it. All the death, all the pain ... I wonder if we coulda stopped that. If I coulda."

He hair spilled over her face as she clenched her teeth. "I got ya inta an awful mess abbotmouse. An' I'm sorry."

Durral blinked several times, before sighing. "Well .. I suppose .. I should forgive you. As long as you take me back to Redwall .. when you can."

"When I can, I will take ya there meself." Romsca paused. "Unless after that battle we had ... it wouldn't be a good plan. Which it probably .. wouldn't."

"Never mind that at this moment." Sayna crossed her arms. "For now, what's the plan."

Romsca slowly stood. "Let's get rid a those filthy carcasses. When night falls I'll determine our position by the stars. An' keep a sharp eye fer gulls, shoot them on sight if you see them. I wanna take Ublaz unawares, an' those gulls made a pact with him, so don't let them report back."

=Next=

Night came, and with it pounding rain. Very little thunder or lightning, just moderate winds and a soaking, non-stop deluge. Xzaris had never been more delighted about a sopping fur coat than now. He could barely see the lights of Sampetra, though he knew they were in the harbor, and the Monitors seemed to know it.

Lussak walked slowly by Xzaris, hissing, "You muzzt go before the emperor."

Arashi met Xzaris's gaze, and the male ferret spoke quickly. "Aye. I must. But it's night .. do ya think we should wait 'til mornin'? After all, he's probably sleepin' an' ya wouldn't wanna disturb him. Tell ya what, we'll moor on one'a the piers, wait out the storm an' night, an' go first thing inna mornin'."

Lussak paused, seemingly thinking, before he nodded. "Yezzz. We will do that, but you will zztay in your cabin until morning."

He shoved the ferret from behind, and Xzaris's bad leg crumpled beneath him, sending him reeling to the deck. Val was there the next second, helping him onto his feet. "Ok, ok, ya don't gotta push him around."

"Crippled ferret." Lussak grinned. "Cannot run far. Zzzeemzz like a good feazzt after Mazzter zzeezz."

Xzaris glared at him. "Wull let's leave it ta the Emperor."

The lizard sneered. "I would not think of elzze."

Val pulled the door shut in Lussak's face as Xzaris sat down in his hammock, rubbing his ankle. The fox didn't move for a moment, before she hugged him suddenly. "It's gonna be ok! It's gotta be!"

"It don't gotta be." He planted his foot on the floor, twisting it a little this way and that. "But I do gotta plan."

The vixen perked her ears up. "Ya do? Finally?"

"Yea, I've been mopin' too long, an' Arashi made me see it. We're gonna slip overboard an' swim fer shore. It ain't far. An' sides, it's better'n Ublaz."

Val cocked her head. "An' .. where do we go after that?"

"To Barranca's manor, if'n he's here. If not, we'll hide at Romsca's til she get's back." Xzaris raised an' eyebrow. "Ya got a better idea?"

"Nah. Not really, that sounds about as good as it gits." Val agreed. "How we gonna pull it off?"

"Yeaaa .. an' getting' past the guards." Val pointed out.

"Ugh, one thing at a time."

He rubbed his forehead. "An' I wanna git Arashi out too. So ya see we gotta a problem."

"Maybe I kin get out if'n I tell 'em I'm gonna cook supper." Val suggested.

Xzaris raised an eyebrow. "Cook what?"

She rolled her eyes. "Come on, we've gotta little left. I've sorta .. hid it. So we'd have it long nough ta last."

"Well then .." He smiled slowly. "Yer doin' good. Yea. Do that. An' tell Arashi ta be ready."

The ferret limped to the windows, looking out at the pounding rain outside. "I'd say meet when the moon's at its zenith, but since ya can't see the moon .. try fer an hour."

Val nodded, going to the door and pulling it open. A Monitor growled at her, but she spoke quickly. "Hey, I ain't the capt'n. I'm gonna make supper."

Lussak appeared in front of her, growling. "But you are the firzzzt mate."

"Aye, an' ya don't have another cook, do ya?"

He watched her for a few moments, as if looking for a trick. Finally he gave up, growling, "Fine, you will cook. But one of you watch her, and zzee zzhe doezzz not get away."

Xzaris met her gaze with a wince, before the door was slammed shut. That wasn't supposed to happen. Now Val was stuck in the kitchen, with no real way to tell Arashi, and no real way to escape, either.

He knelt silently on the floor beside the closed door, looking through the crack. A Monitor was guarding it, and three others were on the side of Darkshroud that was moored on the pier. There was no getting off that way.

However, the seaward side of the ship was more promising .. not a Monitor in sight. They must not think anybeast would be stupid enough to brave the sea, even in the bay, on a night like this. Well, they were dead wrong.

The ferret stood up slowly, walking away, and fell to pacing. After a bit, he sat down at his desk and fiddled with his quill, staring at the paper in front of him. The words came to him, and he scratched them down, smiling in some places, looking sad in others. But it was all worthwhile, in case he didn't survive, because she needed to know what he feared to tell her. He sealed it with his signet ring, before pondering who to give it to. Who could he trust, that would be sure to give it to Romsca .. and wouldn't die?

Anybeast he entrusted it with could die or be captured, but maybe Arashi. Or Val if needed. He slipped the scroll into his satchel, and knelt beside the door again, watching the Monitor closely. It had been awhile, it was cool and wet outside, and it was night .. all things that made the beasts lethargic.

Xzaris slowly tried the door handle, pushing it open a crack, but there was no sound that showed this had been spotted. He opened the door inch by inch, breathing as softly as he possibly could, and nothing moved. The Monitor that should have been watching had let its head droop forward and its eyes film over. They weren't closed yet, but the creature was obviously in a light sleep. One false move would awaken it.

The seconds crawled by as he silently shut the door, thanking fate he'd remembered to oil the hinges on the island of wrecked ships. Out in the rain he quickly limped into the shadows, hidden by darkness and his scent masked by water.

Arashi was already waiting, soaked to the bone, but not showing the slightest sign of discomfort. "There ye are."

"Why didn't ya go without me?" Xzaris knew he was late.

The ferret shook her head. "Dragons are known for their stubbornness. It brushed off on me."

Xzaris smirked, before asking, "What about Val?"

"I don't know. She hasn't come out of the galley, I don't think she can." Arashi frowned.

Xzaris didn't move for a moment, just stood still, gritting his teeth. If he escaped and Val didn't, she would have to take the full wrath of Ublaz .. alone.

"Well? What will we do?"

"I donno. I'm thinkin'. How can we get her outa there?" Xzaris leaned against the railing, before Arashi pulled him to the ground the next second.

"Hush. Somebeast's coming."

Neither ferret moved an inch for a split second, before Xzaris hissed, "Quick, git over that rail. Use the anchor chain .. move!"

He glared at Arashi with fire smoldering in his blue eyes, and she silently did as he said. Xzaris pressed himself against the rail, for there was no time to flee, and the scraping sound told him it was a Monitor even before the scaly green legs appeared in his vantage point.

If he didn't move, and it didn't look directly at him, maybe the rain would mask his scent enough he wouldn't be caught.

A sudden, searing pain lanced through his tail, and he bit his own tongue hard enough he could taste blood, least he yelp.

"Funny. Somebeast musta lefta rope." There was a splashing as Val dumped something overboard, and Xzaris couldn't tell if she was covering for him or if she simply didn't know better. Since she didn't move her foot, he guessed it was the latter.

The Monitor behind her was sniffing about her feet now, and the ferret knew his cover would be blown in a matter of seconds. He grabbed his tail with one paw and his pike with the other just as the lizard looked up with a vicious growl.

Xzaris leapt into action, fear taking hold of him. He ripped his tail from beneath Val's boot, using the pike to vault himself over the rail .. or at least halfway.

The Monitor was lighting fast as it lunged, seizing his vest in its teeth and yanking backwards. Xzaris didn't have time to make any noise whatsoever, he was flung to the deck and pinned down by an iron weight the next second.

"You are not going anywhere, captain."

Lussak shoved down on his chest, making breathing difficult and escape impossible. Val slowly stood up, as the Monitor dug his claws into skin, sneering, "Thought you'd get away?"

"Let him go!" Val exclaimed as Xzaris coughed, gasping for breath.

The lizard growled for a moment, before licking his fangs. "I would love to eat him now little foxzz. But Mazzter wantzz him."

Val glared back. "Well let him breathe, or master won't get him."

Lussak took a step back, and Xzaris gasped in air, holding his throat as the Monitor snarled. "We will not wait for morning. We will go tonight."

Xzaris didn't move as Lussak advanced on Val. "And you are hizzz firzzt mate. You will come with uzzz."

=Next=

Arashi could not hear every word said, but she got a good idea of what went on. She slowly let herself down the anchor chain, eyes wide as she searched her mind for some way, any way to stop this, but nothing seemed possible.

One beast could not defeat thirteen Monitors on a ship that was moored on a dock that ratguards would likely patrol. And forget the ratguards, the lizards would decimate them in a matter of minutes.

This was not something she could do alone.

The ferret dropped into the agitated sea, holding her breath as she plunged underwater for a moment. She came to the surface quickly, for the waves, while tossing, were nothing like they must be outside the sheltered bay.

The rain was thick, and blinding, but Arashi kicked out strongly, making for the blurry lights of the city. It didn't take as long as she'd expected, though the surf tossed her roughly on the sand, trying to drag her back the next instant.

She crawled up the beach, soaked, cold, and alone in her old home .. hostile now. The ferret flattened herself against the water darkened sand, glad of the incline as a group of ratguards, Monitors .. and Val and Xzaris walked by her, before turning on one of the streets and vanishing into the maze of buildings.

Arashi slowly stood, shaking herself. It was no use however, as the rain re-soaked her the next minute. She needed help, somebeast who would work with her. Perhaps Romsca, but with the rain, she had no way of telling if Conva's old ship was in harbor or not, and breaking into her twenty season old daughter's manor was probably not the best idea. Especially when that daughter would almost certainly have no true memory of her.

Barranca. He would likely be shocked, but everybeast was going to have to go through that sooner or later.

Arashi hurried through the rain, as a gust of wind drove it into her eyes and the sky lit softly with sheet lightning. The storm was either nearing its end, or gaining strength.

It had been forever, it may as well have been eternity, but she remembered the way. Now she was forced to stick to the side of the rode, as she saw several patrols of ratguards and Monitors. However in the driving rain, the beasts were not as alert, and the guard would only be thinking of finishing their patrol.

She finally reached Barranca's manor, as more lighting ripped across the sky, followed by thunder. The storm was a determined thing indeed. Knocking on the outer courtyard would be completely useless, but the ferret dug the key out of its hiding place behind a loose brick.

"Bless ye Barranca, ever a creature of habit."

Arashi unlocked the gates, pulling them shut and bolting them behind her once more. Lightning lit her way, followed by ominous rumbling. The ferret hurried onto the porch, and pounded on the door multiple times, with no response.

"Arg, blast ye Barranca, ever the hard sleeper!"

But it was useless. Maybe he wasn't even there. For all she knew, he was halfway across the world on a raid.

She went around to the back door, but it too was locked, and pounding was futile. Arashi considered breaking one of the windows, but decided against it. Worn out from hopeless shouting, slamming, and throwing rocks at the shutters ... most of these efforts drowned out by the storm anyway .. she made her way to the stables. Conva's old palomino and Barranca's gray greeted her, first with alarm, then with hopefulness.

She patted the palomino on the muzzle, whispering, "It is good to see ye Summer. I suppose ye don't remember me."

He nudged her, and she ruffled his forelock. "If only I could get in! You're here, so that means Barranca must be ... by morning .. it could be too late."

She laid her head against his, sighing, "Of course, there's nothing even he can do, is there? To defeat a beast like this Ublaz .. one would need an army."

Arashi slowly let herself into the tack room, grabbing a horse blanket and laying down in front of the old horse's stall. "I remember when ye were just a young stallion, Summer. So long ago .. so long."

She laid her head on her arm, closing her eyes. "Oh Xzaris. And Val ... I can't be with ye. Ignasa, protect them. I beg ye, protect them, for only ye can."

=Next=

Xzaris didn't look at Val as they were escorted through winding streets toward the palace. The rain still pounded down, and though he'd tried looking for his friend's ships, it was futile. He could see nothing but darkness and water.

Part of him was mad she had blown his cover, part of him hated himself for being willing to leave her to Ublaz's wrath, and most of him just wished none of this had ever happened.

Sagitar met them at the top of the steps, a scrawny black rat on her left and a thickly built silver one on her right. "Well well. We've been expecting you, captain Xzaris."

He shuddered, and did not answer.

"A bit out of tongue, I see." She nodded, turning to the silver rat. "Cruith, inform the Emperor we are coming."

He vanished into the palace, and Sagitar smiled condescendingly. "Come with us."

Xzaris and Val had no choice but to obey, and their gazes met for a second. Val's eyes were terrified, and a little betrayed as well ... it all made him feel worse. Maybe he deserved this.

The corridors were dim, lit sporadically by paper lanterns and now and then, a flash of lightning. The reached the red doors that led into the throne room, and Xzaris suddenly saw himself here just several months ago with his friends, confused and afraid of what might be. Not much had changed, only now he was alone. Even though Val was with him, he wouldn't blame her if she despised him now, for his cowardice.

Sagitar stopped at them for a moment, the small black rat at her side flattening his ears and reaching for the handles. "The Emperor will see you. Where is Zurgat?"

Lussak stepped forward. "Zzurgat izz dead. I took over for her."

"Very well, you will give the report to Ublaz. Shilo! Open the doors." She glared at the scrawny beast, who scurried to obey her.

They swung silently open, the crimson hall shrouded in the darkness of night. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the dragon throne and its dark occupant, who was watching them with his usual, sickening smile.

Xzaris knelt, as did Lussak and Val, the vixen keeping her ears pinned tightly to the nape of her neck and her eyes averted.

Ublaz slowly stood, rich purple cape spilling out behind him. "Captain Xzaris, Lussak .. and this one .. hmm .. she seems familiar to me for some reason. Ah yes. Valentine Bloodpaws, isn't that right? My little kitchen slave that made a .. quite admirable escape eight seasons ago."

Val shivered in obvious terror, and Xzaris felt a rising anger. That sick monster.

"Lussak, what is your report?"

The Monitor kept his head lowered. "We lozzzt two beazztzz, Zzurgat wazz one of them."

Ublaz shook his head in mock sorrow. "A pity. Well Captain Xzaris, I assume you made this sacrifice worthwhile? I assume you found my pearls?"

"M .. Milord ..." Xzaris found himself stammering the words he guessed the pine marten knew anyway. "We searched .. the southern seas as well as we could .. but they weren't anywhere ta be found."

"An even greater pity." Ublaz slowly stood, folding his paws together. "And I had such high hopes for you, young captain. But what is cannot be changed, can it?"

There was a sudden movement as Val stood up, and something in her eyes snapped. "Xzaris did his best, this ain't right! It ain't fair!"

Ublaz looked interested, and he stepped forward, slowly circling the vixen. "Really now, is that so? Well it's a simple fact that life isn't fair, my dear."

He smiled. "And I agree with you, it isn't fair, is it? You worked so hard, but it just wasn't hard enough."

"Don't do this ... please sire!" Val's eyes filled with tears. "I beg ya .. please."

"My poor child, I can't go back on my word, can I?" Ublaz sneered. "I am always a beast of my word."

Xzaris met Val's gaze and shook his head to tell her to be silent. All she could possibly do was make her situation worse, because nobeast could save him.

Ublaz turned to Sagitar. "General, I do believe I had something planned for our friend Xzaris, if you would ..."

Val's eyes smoldered, and she suddenly burst out with no warning, as though she could not control herself. "Ya always have ta have somebeast else do yer dirty work fer ya, don't ya? Jist like what ya did ta me family! Yer not brave 'nough ta do yer own wickedness, is ya?"

Sagitar growled, raising her trident, but Ublaz held up a paw. "Now General, don't be hasty. Valentine actually has quite a good point, don't you think?"

Val took a slow step back as the fear returned to her eyes, and the fur along her spine flattened. Xzaris closed his own eyes a moment, before stepping in front of her and pinning his ears. "Don't hurt her, it weren't her job ta find yer pearls, it was mine. So let the blame fall where blame's due."

"Ever the noble one, are you not? Always the one to do the right thing?" Ublaz laughed softly. "Do not fear little captain, your wish is my command."

He nodded to Sagitar, who grabbed Val and dragged her back, forcing her onto her knees and holding her paws tightly behind her. Xzaris retreated one step, teeth slowly clenching in a growl of anger. "Leave her alone."

Ublaz smiled patronizingly. "Oh I will captain. Might it interest you to know that Valentine will take everything you worked so long for, everything you invested your life into? While you die slowly in more agony then you have ever experienced, acting as bait for your friends .. especially the one you are so deeply attached to. A pity she never cared that much for you while you lived, isn't it? Of course .. what was there to care for?"

"Yer a liar." Xzaris snarled.

"Am I?" Ublaz sneered, almost joyful at the ferret's defiance. "When I am through with you, captain Xzaris, she will never want to look at you again, let alone love you. Let me assure you that."

He spread his claws, fangs gleaming in a terrible smile. "You are right Valentine. It's been too long since I tasted blood on my own claws."

The vixen struggled against Sagitar, growling, but in was useless. Xzaris looked around at the Monitors and ratguards, his hackles rising with both terror and hatred. Ublaz stalked forward, pale eyes alight with the glow of the lanterns. "Come captain. You know there is no escape."

He dared to meet that terrible gaze for one second, and that second was more than enough. He froze, unable to move, the choice of defiance stripped from him in the instant. Ublaz ran one claw gently under the ferret's chin as he circled him. "You failed to bring me the tears of the oceans, so you shall never shed another tear. You will desire to with all your might, but you will be powerless to do so, just as you will be powerless to do anything else. I will make you your greatest fear, captain."

The pine marten's voice was a whisper as he passed Xzaris's ear. "I will make you worthless."

Xzaris had no choice but to remain frozen, he couldn't even close his eyes to protect them, as Ublaz spun around, slashing his claws across his face. There was a cry from somewhere, but Xzaris couldn't tell if it came from Val, or him.

He staggered from the force of the blow, falling against something smooth and hard; through his blurred vision, he could see it was a pillar.

Ublaz tore into his face again, ripping razor sharp claws across his eyes, cheeks and forehead with no mercy. This time, Xzaris knew the scream was his own, but there was nothing he could possibly do to hold it in, the pain was too agonizing.

He could no longer see a thing as the horrific punishment continued, but he still had no ability to resist, somehow, he was still caught under the Emperor's spell. Ublaz's claws ripped through his fur like liquid fire, relentless, brutal, and unbearable.

Xzaris felt his knees buckle and he collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath. He struggled to lift his head, but the wave of pain that crashed down upon him rebuked this. Blood was everywhere .. threatening to suffocate him, but it was too much, everything was.

Why couldn't he have at least made a bold stand like Romsca said her father had? But no .. he was a worthless coward.

And this was how a coward died.

=Next=

Val shivered from head to tail-tip as Sagitar let go of her, and she fell to her hands and knees, her vision blurring.

Ublaz pulled out his silk handkerchief, wiping blood off his paws like he had spilled something as trivial as tea or crumbs on them. He shook his head, smiling at Val. "I always win Valentine, in the end. You can run, you can make shows of petty defiance, but all they really do is confuse you about who really rules your life. I do. I choose what you will be, I choose when you live, and I choose when you die."

He knelt beside the vixen, speaking as though he was explaining some small thing to a cub. "I am the Lord of Sampetra, and soon, I will be lord of all."

Val's forepaws shook, and her voice was a whisper. "I find pity even fer the woodlanders, if they will face ya."

"Woodlanders deserve nothing." Ublaz sneered, before smiling again. "They are pawns to me, and I will wipe their kind from the face of the earth entirely. Never forget that. A woodlander deserves no sympathy."

Val wrapped her arms around herself, closing her eyes against him. She glanced at Xzaris, laying broken on the rose marble, blood soaking his black hair and trickling into the cracks between the floor stones .. no wonder he'd been so eager to escape.

What would she tell Romsca?"

Ublaz laughed, stalking around her, and she sniffled rebelliously. "Why don'tcha jist kill me?"

"Because you have spirit." Ublaz smiled. "I have hurt you, yes, but I have not broken your spirit. If I kill you now, it is like a defeat. You will sail Xzaris's ship for me. I will turn you cold, and bitter, and cruel, until everything that made you unique is destroyed. Then I might kill you, but only then. Because I know that will cause you more suffering then killing you would. And you will do it too .."

He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Won't you?"

The ability to move was stolen in that second, and Val could do nothing but meet his gaze and nod.

Ublaz sneered. "I though so."

He held his paw out, ring twinkling in the light. "Swear your allegiance, captian."

Val had no choice but to obey, and Ublaz grinned demonically. "Good, my little pawn."

He dropped his paw, and she returned to normal, eyes brightening again.

"Are you afraid?"

She didn't look up, just shivered, and he laughed calmly. "I thought so."

Ublaz turned to the two ratguards with Sagitar, ordering, "Take this mess off my marble. Put him in the cells and clean the wounds, if he lives, I might use him as bait and leverage. If he doesn't .. it's not like I need him. He'd be just a bit more torment for Romsca and Rasconza."

The little black rat scurried to obey, struggling with the limp ferret's weight. Sagitar huffed. "Cruith, assist him."

The bigger rat did so, and the two dragged Xzaris away, blood from his face and sopping hair marking his path to the dungeons.

Ublaz turned to Sagitar, stating, "Valentine has a ship to take care of, see that she gets there."

"But sire .." Val's eyes widened. "I ain't really a capt'n .. how'm I supposed ta be somethin' I'm still learnin' about?"

"That is not my concern. I give position, it's up to you to use it .. and I assume you'll learn quickly." He turned around, cape flowing behind him. "Escort Bloodpaws out, General. And see somebeast cleans the hall."

=Next=

Romsca had not bothered to go to sleep, for she truly did not seem to need it, and with a storm and only three beasts aboard, it would have been stupid. The rain had been driving, but thankfully, for all the lightning toward the end, the waves had been relatively small at least out in the open sea. Near reefs, it had probably been far worse.

She stood by the wheel now, trying to determine their position by the dawn, since the stars had afforded her nothing during the storm. They would be at Sampetra by tonight or even before, and she had no doubt in her mind about this.

"Well captain, are we close?"

Romsca glanced at Sayna, nodding. "Very close. I hardly dare hope .. but do ya shoot worth anythin'?"

The mouse nodded. "I am an archer, yes. Why?"

"Ta shoot down all an' any seagulls we see. If they get word of us ta Ublaz, all is lost."

Romsca paused as Durral came out on deck, and she frowned. "Also, I want to sneak in unnoticed. I ain't tryin' ta boss ya, but yer gonna need some proper clothes ta pull this off. No offence."

"None taken, you make an excellent point. We need some disguises." She smirked. "And honestly, it might be slightly amusing, seeing Durral dressed like a pirate. Do you have some we would fit into?"

"Yea, I think so." Romsca sighed. "Raf always had some spare outfits."

She tied the wheel down, before nodding to Sayna. "Follow me. Abbotmouse, can ya keep an eye out fer gulls? Don't let 'em see ya."

Durral looked rather unsure, but he nodded. Romsca walked down the galley steps, Sayna behind her. She opened a side door, walking into a small cabin and opening a trunk that was against the wall. "Let's see .. yea, here's somethin'. He's got 'bout three changes in here, ya can take what ya want. I'll send Durral down an' look fer gulls while ya do that. Oh, an' I'll get ya a bow."

She hurried out, going back on deck and telling the abbotmouse to go join Sayna. The next order of business was to get a bow from the armory, but that was soon accomplished, leaving her alone on deck with nothing to do but scan the skies for gulls and look for land on the horizon.

Romsca fell to pacing, before she leaned over the railing, looking westward. Would she be too late? What would she find when she arrived? Were her friends alive?

The time would pass slowly until she knew, that was a certainty.

"Oh Xzaris .. Val .. Rasconza .. I hope yer ok. I hope ya is .. Ignasa .."

It felt odd to pray to anyone and truly mean it, but she was completely sincere. "Protect them milord .. cause I can't right now. Lemme see 'em all again .. please lord .. please."

There was a step behind her, and Sayna looked out over the rail. "He will. In his own way, he will. He has never failed me, all these long seasons."

Romsca looked at the mouse, blinking, and Sayna raised an eyebrow. "Well, do I look the part?"

"Ya do." Romsca admitted. "Now ya just gotta learn ta talk like us."

Sayna smirked. "I think Durral ain't likin' wearin' breaches. He's used ta dresses."

The abbot made a face. "It's not a dress, it's a robe. And is this really necessary?"

"If ya wanna live it is." Romsca handed him a spear. "You'll need this."

"But I don't know how to use a weapon like that, I'm a peaceful abbot!" Durral protested, holding the item in question gingerly.

Romsca looked at Sayna, who nodded. "He means it."

"Well .." The ferret shook her head. "Will ya lemme teach ya, abbotmouse?"

Durral looked down at the spear dubiously, and Sayna sighed. "Durral. Think about this; you are about to barge into a city full a bloodthirsty murders, who would all love nothing more than killing you. You might need that."

Romsca flattened her ears slightly. "That's not ... I mean .. if I may speak. Alla my people ain't like that. Oh, there are ones that are, trust me, an' there are plenty that'll turn on ya ta save their own skins. But most would rather just leave ya alone. They aren't all wave-riders like me. We're a nation .. there are families, merchants, ship-builders .. I ain't excusin' 'em, but we think a other things aside a killin'."

Sayna paused, before nodding. "I will accept that. But I'm in favor of you teaching Durral a few moves."

"Not to sound .. cowardly, but I don't know if I could honestly take a life." The abbot protested.

Sayna looked irritated. "I want you to be able to defend yourself. I won't be able to defend you forever."

"She's gotta point Abbotmouse. Cause we'll try an' keep outa fightin', but I can't promise ya there won't be any." Romsca shrugged.

Durral looked down, and Romsca added, "An' .. can ya try an' talk proper .. ya know, like us?"

He shook his head. "Captain, I am sorry, but I was never much good at impersonations. Besides .. being a scholar myself .. well, I just don't think it's possible."

"Alright, that's fine. Just don't talk." Romsca shrugged. "Pretend ta be a sad old drunk, nobeast'll pay ya mind."

Durral was somewhat insulted. "Captain, not to be rude, but is there anything else I could impersonate? I feel more fearful than depressed at the moment."

Romsca scratched an ear, pondering, but Sayna broke in. "I know what will help. It's not nice Durral, but it might help if you ponder the truth of the matter. You are about to embark on a dangerous mission into the heart of a Shadow Fighter's abode. You are by far outnumbered, and quite possibly could wind up being killed, meaning you would never see Redwall again."

The abbot looked both offended and horrified at the same time. "What awful thoughts you have."

Romsca frowned, interrupting. "Abbotmouse, ya don't gotta think a that if ya don't want ta. Instead, ya could pretend ya are a poor fisherbeast who's caught nothin' ta sell, meanin' yer shack will be reclaimed by the emperer tanight, an' ya an yer starvin' family will be left in the streets where the lizards'll eat ya afore mornin'."

Durral shivered, and Sayna raised an eyebrow in a nearly amused fashion. "I was completely serious when I spoke captain, but you do have an interesting sense of humor."

Romsca looked blank. "I wasn't jokin'."

The two mice looked at each other, then at the ferret. She flicked her ears back. "Do ya honestly think we don't suffer wrong ourselves?"

Sayna shook her head. "I ask your forgiveness captain, it is just hard for me to imagine a nation that steals from others as being poor."

Romsca sighed, looking away. "We keep very little fer ourselves. Ublaz takes it. It don't matter how much we work, he keeps us poor or impoverished, saying it will prevent rebellions. And ain't he right about that! Everybeast's too worried bout keepin' what they got an' earnin' their next meal ta fight him. I ain't rich, but I is lucky. Others .. they ain't. Many die every four seasons. Many are born, but many die. An' it hurts ta watch. But if they can't pay their taxes .. well, beasts that might wanna aid 'em can get in trouble fer doin' so."

She closed her eyes. "That's just how the world works. An' the memories a better days have faded fer me .. I know little else. Yea, we deserve it, I can see that. We've tormented others in the way we're sufferin' now. But it ain't right, none a it is. Not what we did, an' not what he does. I don't think nothin' will ever be right again. An' fer me ta .. right the wrongs like Ignasa said .. I can't. I just can't."

A paw was laid on her shoulder, and Sayna shook her head. "I am sorry. There are still things I don't understand, and I sometimes forget that."

Romsca shrugged, rubbing a paw across her nose. "It don't matter. I couldn't expect more from a woodlander."

She paused, before shaking her head. "An' I didn't mean it like that, I meant .. I mean .. I .. arg. Come'n Abbotmouse, I'll teach ya."

Sayna picked up the bow and quiver as Romsca fell into a battle ready stance. "Come at me." "But you haven't even drawn your weapon yet!" He protested.

"Who said I needed a weapon?" Romsca shook her head. "Ta be perfectly honest, I 'fraid ta use a blade on ya at first, as I don't often know me own strength. Now come on, pertend I'm after ya."

Durral made a half-hearted swipe that came within a few inches of the ferret, and she didn't even move. "What? Seriously Abbotmouse, I don't got all day here. You're supposed ta be defendin' yerself .. try an' kill me."

"If you're sure you want that .." Durral looked uncomfortable with the whole situation, but he obeyed, jumping forward and swinging the spear at the same time.

Romsca blocked the pole with her arm, clasping her paw around it the next second and pulling it from his grasp. "Hmm .. better. But ya gotta guard yer attack more. Like this."

She held the spear out straight, crouching with one paw on the ground, before launching herself forward, slashing through the air with a sharp swish. The ferret skidded smoothly to the side, a slow smile growing on her face as she ran forward again, hurling the spear into the mast with a thwack that split the silence.

Romsca stood straight again, walking to the spear and pulling it out. "That's how ya do it Abbotmouse. Simple."

Durral took the weapon slowly, shaking his head. "You must practice this .."

"Every day usually. Since I was five. Me dad put a hatchet in me paw an' told me ta hit a target. I won't ever ferget the day I did it the first time." Romsca smiled. "He was so proud a me. It was the best feelin' in the world, ta know I'd done somethin' he was proud a. He was me hero growin' up, an' I wanted ta be just like him."

Her face fell. "Don't suppose I did a very good job a it."

She looked down at her paws, before sighing, "Or maybe I did too good a job. I don't think he'd be very proud now, not after he followed Ignasa, an' all that I did."

"My daughter .." Durral looked hesitant, but he spoke anyway. "If your father truly did follow Ignasa .. well, I won't say you haven't done some pretty terrible things. But you are trying to help us now, I guess .. and from what I can see, I guess you're sorry."

"I am. An' I don't know how .. an' why I didn't see it before!" Romsca looked angry. "I've always prided myself fer bein' strong. Bein' me own beast. I weren't my own beast, I was a fool an' a pawn .. I was a murderer! Beasts have died at my paws Abbotmouse, or at my orders .. an' they won't ever be cleared a that."

She looked up, asking, "What's it like ta be a woodlander mouse? Ta be born inta a life where all the things that I did without even thinkin' nothin' about .. are bad? I didn't know it was wrong .. oh that's a lie, I did. But nobeast else .. an' I .. I was a coward. I said Ublaz would never break me .. but every moment I served him .. I was broken. He broke my spirit and I didn't even know it .. I couldn't even see it for what it was."

Durral didn't look like he knew how to answer, but he stammered, "Well .. I don't know anything about being a vermin, my daughter .. so all I can tell you is this. You can't live in the past. I know that from being an abbot. You make mistakes, but you have to keep going, you have to try again."

Romsca didn't move for a moment, before she looked at him, smirking, "Me daughter? That's how ya address beasts in Mossflower?"

"I meant Captain .. you want to be called captain .. I forgot that, my d .. captain." Durral quickly corrected himself.

"I don't care anymore." Romsca sighed. "Call me what'cha want. Maybe 'Seascum' would fit. Or somethin' worse."

Durral held the spear cautiously, as he stated, "I don't know what to think of you yet captain. I saved you ..."

He scuffed a paw. "Somewhat for my own good, but you are no longer acting like those 'Seascum' would describe. I think I'll call you captain until you prove yourself worthy of else."

She straightened up, towering over Durral, yet her eyes were lowered, "I can take that Abbotmouse. Now, back to the matter at paw. Teachin' ya ta use that thing. Fergive me sayin' it ain't gonna be easy."

Durral frowned. "Captain, I don't want to kill a beast like this. Shedding blood would make me feel .. like a murderer. You did not need a weapon to deflect me .. can you teach me that instead?"

"Well any eight season old could deflect ya .." She paused. "I mean, yea. I can teach ya how ta fight empty-pawed. Me matey Razconza, now he could teach ya how ta do it proper. But I can try. You have ta use yer opponent's strength an' movements against them. How high can ya jump?"

Durral set the spear down, crouching down, and leaping up perhaps a foot or so. Romsca scratched an ear. "Uh .. ok. How hard can ya kick?"

"What?"

Romsca sighed, before launching herself two feet into the air and spinning around with a somewhat clumsy yet powerful circular kick. She landed with a slight stumble, regaining her balance and shrugging. "Like that. If ya ain't usin' a weapon, yer paws have gotta take it's place."

Durral looked down at his paws, shaking his head. "Oh my ..."

"Back ta the spear?" Romsca looked slightly hopeful.

"No." He shook his head. "I'll try using my paws."

Romsca sighed. "Ok. Well ya gotta be more .. uhh .. flexible, if ya know what I mean. What were ya good at in yer red castle place?"

"Well .. I was good at cooking. And I liked gardening too ... also healing." Romsca scratched an ear, sighing, "Ya ain't givin' me much ta work with, ya know."

Durral shook his head. "I'm sorry captain, I never wanted anything to do with fighting. I've never practiced anything having to do with it."

The ferret rubbed her forehead, muttering, "Woodlanders ... I mean .. ugg. Alright. I'm gonna have ta start from the very beginnin', aren't I?"

She crossed her arms. "Kick me."

"Are you sure .. I mean .."

Romsca was getting exasperated. "Abbotmouse, when I say somethin', I mean it. Now ki .."

Durral kicked her in the leg as hard as he could, then stumbled and fell. She winced, leaning down and gripping her leg for a moment, before the pain vanished from her face, and she looked bewildered. "Wha .."

Durral jumped up, asking, "Are you alright?"

"I am .. I don't get it though. Ya kicked me way harder'n I thought ya could .. but it only hurt fer a second." New respect shone in her eyes. "Alright. Yer stronger'n I thought, an' that's good. I think I can teach ya a little. But yer balance is awful, we're gonna work on that first."

The abbot looked unsure, but nodded slowly. Romsca opened her mouth to give instruction, but stopped as Sayna came running down from her post on the forecastle. "Captain, we've got trouble."

Romsca looked up, yanking her spyglass from her belt and holding to her eye. "Yer right. Abbotmouse, if ya can't shoot or throw knives, get outa sight. Ublaz don't need ta know ya exist if we don't kill 'em all."

She tucked the instrument away, picking up the spear Durral had dropped. "Get outa sight .. everybeast."

Sayna looked confused. "You think they don't know who's ship it is?"

"I guaranty they do." Romsca ducked behind some barrels. "They're lookin' fer survivors, that's all."

Sayna took cover behind the mast, asking, "Survivors? How would they know about the battle?" Romsca's eyes flashed. "Do not underestimate the Emperor. It'll be the last thing ya ever do."

Sayna nodded sharply, before loading an arrow and positioning herself. Romsca gripped the spear, snarling softly, "Wait til ya can't miss."

The three gulls broke apart to circle the ship, one landing on the crow's nest as the other two flew low to the deck, searching. Sayna dropped to one knee behind the barrels with Romsca. She drew her bow back, sighting up at the gull on the crow's nest.

The mouse let the string roll silently off her fingers, and her arrow pierced the gull through so accurately it died before it could squawk, slumping soundlessly to the planks below it.

The other two were still circling, unaware of the fate that had befallen their companion. Sayna took aim at the nearest as it swooped towards them, releasing seconds before the bird passed her aiming point.

It squawked as the arrow impaled it, bringing it flopping weakly to the water. However its companion pulled up short, looking for the source of the attack, and Romsca leapt up, hurling the spear at it with vengeance.

The weapon clipped across one of its wings, and the next second, one of Sayna's arrows took it through the throat.

Romsca slowly stepped out, pulling out her spyglass and scanning the sky in silence. Sayna rubbed her left shoulder, asking, "Well? Any more?"

"That's what I'm worried about. There aren't."

Durral stepped out of the galley, remarking, "If you ask me, we should be glad there aren't."

Romsca rolled her eyes. "An' that means Abbotmouse, that they're somewhere else."

"So long as they aren't here .."

"Shut up ok!" Romsca snarled, before hanging her head. "I'm sorry Abbotmouse. But if the gulls aren't here, it means Ublaz has 'em up ta other evil. An' I bet .. I bet it has everythin' ta do with me friends."

=Next=

Barranca awoke with the dawn, and dressed in no particular hurry. There was no news of any of the captains, the only thing that Sampetra knew was that their Emperor was in a very serious mood, and rumored to be rather tense.

As always, he went to care for the horses before eating, as he was the sole occupant of his manor at the moment.

The stoat grabbed a bucket, filling it with rainwater in a nearby trough, before walking into the stable. A second later he stopped dead, and the bucket smashed against the stone floor, splashing water everywhere.

He did not move however, for he knew he had to be dreaming. Either that or the past was vividly haunting him.

The familiar russet ferret stretched, slowly opening her dark brown eyes and looking at him a moment. She yawned, remarking, "Ye sleep as hard as ever I see."

Barranca shook his head dumbly.

"Yes ye do. I pounded on that door of yours loud enough to wake the dead, but did it wake ye? No, such never did."

He swallowed a little, wishing he'd brought his saber just in case. "Are .. Are you who I think you are?"

She sat up. "Who do ye think I am, Barranca?"

"You .. look like Arashi of the Dolphins, later the Dragons .. but .. you .. you've been dead for nineteen seasons!"

"Correction, ye thought I was dead for nineteen seasons." Arashi stood, crossing her arms. "I was marooned on the Isle of Wrecked Ships. Captain Xzaris found me and brought me home."

Barranca didn't speak for a moment, before asking, "Xzaris came in last night?"

"That is correct."

"Did he .. find the pearls?"

Arashi looked down. "No. He did not."

Barranca absently picked up the horse blanket Arashi had slept on and draped it over an empty stall. "Then he is already dead. I don't want to be the one to tell Romsca."

He slowly met Arashi's gaze. "I .. assume .. he told you?"

"Everything." Her eyes were hard. "I have quite a few thoughts on this Ublaz Madeyes."

She sighed. "Is me daughter back yet?"

"Romsca? No. And there has been no word of her either." Barranca shook his head. "You've come home to dark days, Arashi."

The ferret looked down. "I see that. Is there any way to find out Xzaris's fate?"

Barranca sighed. "I told you, he's already dead. And I assure you, you do not want to know how it was brought about."

"I assure you I do." Arashi crossed her arms. "I feel a responsibility toward the captain; he did save me, actually several times, and I will not stand and do nothing."

"There's nothing you can do!" The stoat protested. "You will only earn yourself execution, and endanger me too."

Arashi swished her tail across the ground. "Barranca, your greatest trouble is your hesitance."

"And yours is your impetuous nature!" He exclaimed. "Sampetra is not what it once was!"

"I can see that. But it's all the more reason to protect Xzaris, and Val. I am going out there, with or without ye."

Barranca groaned. "It's good to see you haven't changed."

He scowled. "Fine, I can't stop you, and I can't let you die either. But go in disguise at least."

Arashi nodded. "Now you're talking sense. Do ye have any clothes I could borrow?"

"Since when did I keep clothes that weren't my own?" Barranca looked grumpy about the whole situation, and he quickly measured to grain for the horses.

"How am I to know?" Arashi shrugged. "Last I knew, ye were quite the charmer. Entertained ladies left and right. For all I know, you're married."

Barranca flattened his ears. "Well I'm not. I never was, and I never will be. I did find love, even after you chose Conva over me .. but it didn't work out."

Arashi sighed. "Ye are a fine beast Barranca, and I've always respected ye, but I loved Conva. Let's let bygones be bygones, because to be honest, ye and I couldn't get along married. We're both too stubborn and cross. Can we leave it at that and be friends? We aren't children anymore."

"I saw that after half a season." Barranca stated. "I'm not mad at you. What happened .. it was after you .. left. You can't understand, and I do not want to think about it. I'll buy you some new clothes .. you do look like you need some."

Arashi nodded. "Thank ye .. while you're at it, I'll disguise myself. And after that, I plan to learn some gossip. Are the taverns still the best places to hear it?"

"Of course." Barranca snorted. "But depending on which one you end up in, you might find yourself in a syndicate of spies."

It was likely ten in the morning before they were ready, Arashi having thoroughly coated herself in soot, rubbing it carefully through her coat, combing it into her fur until she was entirely black. She came into the foyer, dressed in the wrapping tunic, breaches, and boots Barranca had purchased.

"I'm a black stoat, if anyone asks. Arashi of the House of the Storm."

Barranca snickered. "You do know that's not a registered house, and you just made your name 'Storm of the house of the Storm', don't you?"

She looked unimpressed. "Any better ideas?"

"Sure. Arashi of the house of the Crab. That house is completely stoats and weasels, and there are so many of them running around, they don't know who's who. One of them mistook me for his cousin the other day." Barranca shrugged. "Does that work for you?"

"Yea. Let's get going."

Barranca stood. "If you're determined. I saddled the horses, they're waiting in the courtyard."

"It will be odd to ride after all these seasons." Arashi opened the front door, walking out onto the porch.

"I forgot about that." Barranca remarked as he followed her out. "Are you up for it?"

Arashi smirked. "Of course. But it might take a little to get used to."

She gripped Summer's reins, mounting clumsily. Barranca led his gray outside the courtyard gates, shutting them behind him and locking them, before swinging easily into his saddle. "Keep beside or behind me .. stop when I stop .. do what I do. And try not to look aghast at the unfamiliar things you may see. Remember, all these have been commonplace for the last eight seasons."

Arashi nodded, and the two trotted their horses onto the street the manor sat on. Right away, the ferret could see what Barranca meant .. the Monitors roamed loose, and beasts no longer stood and talked leisurely in the streets.

Everything looked generally shabbier. There had always been street rats and beggars, but strangely, there were very few sitting by the fountains; and no orphans ran through the crowds. In fact, crowds barely existed. All those who could were mounted, or walked in groups.

Arashi met the gazes of some she passed, the poor, the better off, the young, and the old. There was fear in their gazes, hopelessness, sorrow, and hatred. But all cheer seemed stripped from most faces. Deceit, selfishness, cowardice, and thievery shone in those eyes.

"Look a little less shocked, if that's possible." Barranca leaned over, whispering this in her ear.

She shook herself, pulling Summer to a stop as a little ferret scurried in front of the horse, cowering as he saw the danger he'd put himself in. Arashi frowned. "Ye watch where you're going son. A horse could kill a small beast like ye."

He was positively filthy, and his clothing was tattered and falling apart. "P .. please lady .. I'm sorry .."

His eyes were fearful, as he looked around. "I .. I gotta get outa here lady. Me .. mother needs me help."

They were standing at the side of the street, and the child looked around. "Can ya spare a little fer starvin' beasts?"

Barranca rode his gray up, shaking his head. "No, don't Arashi, Sagitar has always despised me, and she'd just love to snap me up for something like this. Besides, he's probably just grabbing money for the scoundrel who makes him."

"No .. no it's not like that .." Something snapped within him, evidenced in his lavender eyes. "I just have to protect Tai! Just lemme help me sister!"

Arashi looked around, but the small street they stood on seemed empty of all. She slowly dismounted, asking, "What do ye need?"

"J .. just a little money lady .. anythin' .. anythin' at all!"

"And it's for your sister?"

The ferret nodded. "Yea .. I beg on the streets so she don't gotta .. cause .. cause the lizards .. an' if I don't make enough .. Tai will have to! They'll .. eat her .. just like they ate our brother .."

He whimpered a little, and Arashi knelt, placing a paw on his shoulder. "What is your name, son?"

"Q .. Qi lady." He seemed confused that she would ask such a thing.

"And ye need the money to help your sister and mother?" She looked deep into his eyes, and something in him broke further.

"I .. I don't gotta mother .. she got sick an' died. Tai's all I got left."

"Arashi ..." Barranca's voice was a hiss. "We can't stay here long; the guard could come any minute!"

The ferretwife dug in her satchel, pulling out an empty drawstring bag and laying it on the cobblestones. She looked around a little, before scooping a large pawful of gold and silver coins from the satchel, and slipping them into the bag. She closed it quickly, dropping it into the boy's paws, before swinging quickly into her saddle, a sad smile on her face. "Don't ye spend it all at once son. Sorry I can't do more."

Qi stood stock still, gaping at her, before joy shone in his eyes, and he clutched the little bag to himself. "Thank ya lady .. thank ya .. yer the finest lady in all the world .. thank ya!"

He bolted away, disappearing into an alley nearby. Arashi nudged Summer with her heels, and

Barranca caught up with her quickly. "Where .. how .. you .."

"I pillaged a lot of shipwrecks Barranca. There's more where that came from, but I certainly don't plan to make a show if it." She reached up, rubbing the hilt of her sword. "Not in this place."

Barranca nodded quickly. "Aye, wealth like that'll bring you death on these streets."

"I can imagine that." Arashi looked over at the stoat. "Where do ye plan to go?"

"There's a little place down here that's stayed in business despite the taxes. It's no fine dining experience, and it's frequented by the dirt of society. Also the lower-ranking ratguards. A perfect melding of all forms of dishonesty. And the perfect place for all kinds of news."

Arashi nodded. "That sounds about right."

Barranca shrugged. "The only difficulty is that I don't spend a lot of time around such places and could arouse suspicion. Our only bit of luck is that Val used to work there, and is a close friend of my niece, which merits me asking about her."

"Is that convincing enough?"

"It'll have to be." Barranca remarked. "And you probably should remain silent about Xzaris. Kia runs this tavern, and she's always hated her son."

Arashi blinked, but nodded. They were on the docks now, and the Darkshroud was moored relatively nearby, though it seemed vacant.

Barranca stopped his gray beside a shabby old building and dismounted. He looped his horse's reins over a leaning hitching post, holding a paw out. Arashi tossed Summer's reins to the stoat, swinging out of her saddle.

He flicked an ear, muttering, "Let me do the talking." Arashi nodded.

They walked up the shabby steps an under the sagging overhang, ducking under a sign so weather-beaten it was unreadable. Barranca opened the door, and Arashi jumped as a strange squawking broke out.

"Raack! Two beasts!"

The ferret found the source of the noise in a stunning green parrot perched on a rafter. A door behind the counter swung open, and a dusky brown ferret in a crimson dress stepped out, leaning against the counter, her darkened eyelashes hooding blue eyes. "Well, well. If it ain't capt'n Barranca. What'cha doin' in this parta town, aristocrat?"

"Watch your tongue Kia, let us not forget who I am, and who you are." Barranca glared at her. She smirked. "Oh I know .. I'm just a tavern wench, ain't that right? Well we all know yer days are numbered, capt'n. I'll be sure ta come ta yer execution."

Barranca sneered. "How thoughtful. Look, I came to inquire about Val. I haven't seen her since the Darkshroud pulled in."

"What makes ya think she'll be here?" Kia raised an eyebrow. "She left me, she ain't welcome here. In fact ya ain't either, capt'n. Ya an yer high'n mighty niece an' my worthless son who likes ta play capt'n."

"You have no humanity, I swear." Barranca snarled. "He is your flesh and blood!"

"Ha! I disowned him, an' now he's dead. Good riddance." Kia growled back. "Now if'n ya got what ya came fer, get out."

Barranca seemed to think for a moment, before nodding. "Very well."

He motioned that Arashi follow, and they walked out, stopping by their horses. The ferret scowled. "What a lovely creature. Now what?"

Barranca shook his head. "It seems we're at an impasse at this moment. I hoped to hear gossip from the ratguards, but arguing with her would arouse suspicion. Still, there are a few other taverns, we may as well get moving.

They mounted again, but before they could leave, Arashi squinted down the beach a ways. "What's going on down there?"

"I'm not sure .. but we'll tread carefully. Pretend we were checking on Freebooter, if anybeast asks." Barranca reined his gray around, trotting toward the group of ratguards, Monitors, and shipbeasts on the shore near Kia's tavern.

Arashi followed him, and they slowed as they neared the growing crowd. As they were mounted, they got a good view of what had attracted so much attention.

The smashed remnants of a boat had been washed ashore, as well as a mangled corpse entangled in the mooring rope, still tied to the shattered stern. Nearby, another soaked body lay, dead paws still clinging to a broken board.

Barranca and Arashi exchanged a glance as the clopping of hooves rang out, and Sagitar arrived. She dismounted, stalking forward, and the crowd instantly made way for her and her guards. "Captain, explain your reasons for calling me to see a few fisherbeasts the storm took?"

The rat in question shook his head. "It's more than that general."

He held up a shattered plank of wood. "Look at the name on her."

Sagitar took the plank, and her eyebrows arched up. "I see. You had valid reasons captain, and this must be reported to the Emperor at once."

She nodded to the guard at her side, and he bolted off.

Sagitar tapped her claws on the board, before handing it the captain. "With me. The rest of you stop gawking like half-wits and dispose of the bodies."

Arashi looked confused as the general rode quickly away, and the crowd broke into nervous murmuring. Barranca leaned down, tapping one of the seabeasts near his horse on the shoulder. "Bellay matey, tell me what that boat's name was."

The weasel shook his head. "Ya ain't gonna be pleased capt'n."

"I'll be less pleased if you evade my question." Barranca glared him down, and the beast nodded.

"Aye, if'n ya want ta know .. remember, ya asked. The name was Waveworm." Arashi inhaled sharply. "What?"

Barranca quickly pulled his horse in front of hers. "You mean to say this boat came from my niece's ship?"

"Yes capt'n. I told ya, ya wouldn't be pleased." The stoat did nothing for a moment, before sighing, "Thank you. Have they found anything else?"

"Captain .. General ..!"

Barranca and Arashi looked around to see a scrawny ratguard running toward them. One of the guards scowled at him. "What do ya want?"

"W.. where's the General? I found a survivor!"

The one ratguard who seemed to be somewhat in charge crossed his arms. "General Sagitar has gone to make a report to the emperor. We'll look into this. Where is this survivor?"

The thin black creature pointed toward Kia's tavern. "Th .. this way!"

Barranca looked at Arashi, who nodded grimly. They followed the crowd to where the ratguard led them, and sure enough, a beast lay on the shore.

He was soaked, his dark fur matted with grime and blood. The little ratguard knelt beside him, running a metal-clad paw gently across the creature's cheek. "See sir? He's still alive."

"Get back boy."

The older guard shoved him forcibly back, so hard he fell on the sand. "You're supposed to be on patrol, not sticking your nose into things that don't concern you. Go polish every grain of sand out of your armor or face five lashes for deserting your post! Don't think mommy dearest will spare you."

The young beast hung his head, before scrambling to his paws. "Yes sir!"

The guard roughly examined the injured beast, who seemed to be coming around. His dull blue eyes flickered open, and he coughed, groaning.

"Are you or are you not a sailor of the Waveworm?" The guard was not in any way the gentlest of creatures.

The sailor clutched his paws to a bloody cut across his torso, crimson trickling from his mouth as he tried to answer.

"Speak!"

Arashi began to dismount, but Barranca stopped her, whispering, "No! Don't do it, he's wet .. your disguise!"

"But we can't just do nothing .. he may know about my daughter! That fool is going to kill him!" Arashi snarled low in her throat.

However the next second, the answer came in the form of one of the barmaids from Kia's tavern. She ignored her mistress's call, bounding down the steps and running down the strand. The light brown stoatmaid fell to her knees beside the unfortunate, holding up a paw to stop the guard who looked about to strike him out of vexation. "Please! I'll git him ta talk! Don't hurt him more!"

The rat looked angry, but backed up a little.

The stoatmaid shook her head, wincing. "Kage? Is it ya .. what happened? Kage, talk ta me! Don't be dead!"

"I'm .. not .. yet .." he coughed, and the barmaid glared at the beasts standing around.

"Ya lot a fools! If ya want him ta tell ya nothin', how about ya git him some water? Well? Somebeast git some water!"

Before Barranca could move, Arashi had Summer galloping toward the tavern, and with a groan, the stoat followed her, sure she would get them both executed by the end of the day. Arashi pulled her horse to a stop, bolting up the steps to where Kia and a few others were watching. "Get me some water!"

Kia sneered. "Why should I?"

"Cause I have this." Arashi held up a silver piece.

Kia blinked, before nodding to one of her barmaids. "Git the lady some water, scat!"

She snatched the silver piece, looking it over, before dropping it sagely into her petticoats. "Hmm. Fancy."

Arashi snatched the water from the returning barmaid, running past her mount and down the beach. Barranca picked up Summer's reins, as Kia blinked hooded lashes at him. "Yer lady-friends a aristocrat do-gooder, huh?"

Barranca sneered. "Well she's got more compassion than a tavern-wench I know."

Kia smirked nastily. "Indeed."

The stoat scowled, leading the horses down the beach and wondering how he could get Arashi back to the manor and keep her there before she ensured their deaths.

He stopped their mounts near were the ferret was handing the barmaid the water, and he sighed, putting a hint of meaning into his voice. "Arashi .."

She nodded subtly, backing away as a youthful rat from Kia's tavern slunk over to her fellow beast and handed her some rags. "Here Merith .. Kia's not happy .. ya know .."

"A pox on Kia." The stoat growled. "Ya go tell her I've served her day an' night fer nine seasons, never complainin' at her poor pay an' poor temper, an' she kin gimme this one thing."

The rat swallowed, but nodded, creeping away. Arashi stood beside Barranca, muttering, "That ferret is Xzaris's mother?"

He nodded, and she shook her head. "They are as different as night and day. But he said as much."

The ratguard was getting impatient, but he said nothing as the stoatmaid bound up the other's wounds and helped him drink. A little life was returning to his flat blue eyes, and he struggled to pull himself into a sitting position.

"Well? State your name and the ship you were sailing on."

Upon closer scrutiny, it was clear the beast in question was more stoat than weasel, with dark brown fur and a grimy white underbelly. He let himself fall back onto the sand, his voice slightly muffled. "Kage a the House a the Crab sir. I was a sailor on Waveworm."

The ratguard raised an eyebrow. "And? What caused you to end up here?"

"The Monitors attacked us fer food, cause we'd been delayed by several storms an' ran out. We were bein' defeated, an' several a the crew tried ta escape inna lifeboat, an' I tried ta stop 'em. After that .. I don't remember much .. bein' hit by somethin' hard, fallin' .. an' then I was in the water. I made it ta the deserter's boat, but I don't remember a ton, like I said." He winced, closing his eyes.

"Was it in a storm?" The ratguard snarled. "Did the Waveworm go down or not?"

Kage glared at him, clenching his teeth together. "I donno! I said it already .. now please lemme stop talkin'."

Merith added her glare to his, and the rat growled. "Very well. Though General Sagitar may insist on an audience with you later."

He turned on the guards in the crowd. "And get back to your posts!"

Beasts slowly dispersed, and Barranca grabbed a frozen Arashi's arm, whispering, "Come on. You look far too emotionally invested in this."

"I am emotionally invested! What if my daughter is dead .. what if .. I never get the chance to see her again?"

"I know .." He hung his head slightly. "I know. But you're blowing your cover .. come on. Let's get out of here."

The stoat cast a glance over his shoulder to see the barmaid helping the sailor Kage struggle to his feet, and he scratched an ear. What had happened to his niece? Did the stoat know? The doubt and the worry would not leave him be until he knew for sure.

=Next=

The mid-afternoon sun shone across a strange and watery plateau, three ships, one facing two, and all sporting the same emblem.

Rasconza stood still on the forecastle, the wind whipping softly around him. Slashback stood beside him, and the fox spoke without looking from the opposing ships. "Ready the crew. Madeyes has a party to greet us, and today we go to war."

"Capt'n … the crew didn't sign up fer this."

Rasconza sneered at him. "They signed onto my ship, they submitted to my choices. I say we war, and we war, do you understand me clear enough?"

Slashback slowly nodded. "Aye, aye capt'n. But the crew ain't gonna like it."

"The crew is frozen in useless fear." Rasconza chuckled almost pleasantly, before his eyes grew dark. "Ublaz taught me a good lesson the day he made me watch my father die. He taught me how to persevere. And by all heaven above and Hellgates eternal, I will overthrow him and give this people something they are learning to forget .. freedom! He may have thought he sent me to my death, but he just ensured his own."

The fox walked forward, coattails snapping behind him, and he stopped at the railing. "Crew, to me!"

At the call of their captain, they came forward, uncertainty and reluctance on their faces. Rasconza leaned over the rail, calling, "Is this what Ublaz has made of you? Are we woodlanders or are we vermin? Are we land-beasts or wave-riders? Tell me now!"

There was a pause, before a broken cry rang out. "Vermin! Wave-riders!"

Rasconza shook his head. "Do you see what's been done? He's turned the world's most feared nation into a pack of mice and rabbits! Those are the creatures that serve us, they are the weak ones, not us. I will stand for something that has been lost on Sampetra. I will stand for justice!"

Silence answered him, and he folded his paws behind his back. "You don't think it is possible? It is! All it takes is one beast, one who dares to stand up for his country, for his passions, for his friends, to ensure a victory. I will be that beast. Blood will spill this day, and more blood will be shed in the future, but if we do nothing to stop the evil, the blood of our fellow beasts lays on our shoulders. We are the land of the Dragons, and dragons fight! We are pirates! We are vermin! We laugh in the face of death, or we cowar at its feet. What will you be .. cowards or heroes?"

Murmers rang out, and Rasconza held up a paw. "Vermin or woodlanders? Cowards or pirates?"

The voices were stronger now, growing in rebellion. "Vermin! Pirates!"

Rasconza clenched his claws into a fist, his voice ringing over the waters. "We are dragons! We will defy!"