This is the transcription of posts from ten different contestants in an offsite forum. One by one, they'll be eliminated until only the winner remains. Your vote counts! Please join us by clicking "homepage" from our user page.

Chapter 9. Revenge is a bitter pill

by Flynn

Rain was pouring down in buckets on the grassy field. Every living thing that stood out from grass was like to be soaked to the bone on a night like this. Thunder crashed ominously nearby, getting nearer every second. In short, it was not a night to be outside.

"Oh no, Skipper! No NO NO NO! Skipper!"

A sodden form could be seen lying on its side in the grass. A huge male otter, he was obviously dead, judging from the number of spears in his side. At his side sat a female otter, holding the corpse's paw, tears streaming down her already wet features.

"Listen Skip, I'll find them, those that did this to you, I'll find them, I promise you that. When I find them, I'll make them pay, yes… They'll scream half a season before they're done. When I catch up with them, I promise….I'll lay their skins upon your grave!"

The Vermin. It had to have been the vermin. No other creatures killed so savagely and cowardly. It had probably been a gang of them, ambushing him from the back…Yes, that must have been it! No beast could have fought with the Skipper of Otters paw to paw.

Three days ago, he had left. "I'll be right back." He had said in an attempt to placate her. "It's a routine woodland patrol, there's hardly any vermin in this stretch of woods anyways. I won't be gone long, one day, two days at the most." She remembered seeing him walk away, into the forest with the patrol at his back. How foolishly she had hoped he would come to no harm!

When he hadn't come back, she had gone to look for him. The driving rain could not deter Flynn from searching throughout the woodlands calling for Skipper. Finally, she had tracked down the scene of the battle field. Woodlanders and vermin lay scattered across the ground. Skipper was not there. Skipper's tracks had led far away from the carnage. It was there she had found him, alone and forsaken.

Flynn stood up, ignoring the still driving rain. She had to move the body now. The middle of a field was not worthy enough to be the final resting place of Skipper. Grabbing both ends of Skipper's feet, she made to attempt a rough coverage of the body with dirt and sticks. She had gotten halfway done with this procedure when she caught movement in the corner of her eye.

Turning around, she saw two moles standing side by side in the field just ahead of her. Strangely, they did not seem disconcerted in the least by the pouring rain. Finally, it was evident to them that Flynn was waiting for them to say something. The first one stepped forward arm outstretched and spoke. "Lady Flynn, we have come to deliver a message."

Something was definitely off. To begin with the first strange thing, they did not even have the mole accents! Flynn did not even know where to begin commenting on their passive,emotionless tone.

"You are officially and cordially invited to the house of one Professor Fallis, on an errand you might take interest in." The mole intoned in a flat, emotionless voice. "He resides in Northern Mossflower, and is currently awaiting your presence." After reciting this message, he and his accomplice stood rigid, almost as if waiting for some new order.

Flynn stood there, open mouthed, glaring at the two moles. Was this some kind of joke? Here she was, soaking wet, with a dead body and now those two clowns wanted her to go dashing off on some errand? "Wait a second; you somehow do not even see this body at my feet?" She yelled, "I have to bury him right now. After I do that, I have to track his killer! Do you even have any idea how little time I have to play games right now?"

The moles did not seem to be in the least disconcerted with the otter's rage. "We have orders to guide you to the castle of Professor Faliss; it is situated in the northernmost reaches of Mossflower. Nine others have been asked to come also. He assures you that your time will not be wasted. If you were to come now, the body would be buried in your absence."

Flynn stood there puzzled. How could she be certain that they would bury the body? She shook her head in disbelief, what kind of fool did they take her for? As she was shaking her head, she felt a quantity of wet substance slide off. Curious, she reached up and felt the top of her head. Only then did she realize that the driving rain had turned into snow at some point in the conversation. The body would be buried under the snow, and be safe-for the time being.

"It appears you were right about the body" she said in a somewhat muted tone. She then stopped to glare at the two moles. "But for the time being, there is still the matter of avenging Skipper. For the mate of a Skipper, there is no honorable alternative other than this. His killer must be found and brought to justice. Until that happens, I have no time for tea parties."

The moles gave Flynn a look that could almost be taken for a knowing smile. Was that a smile? "Master Faliss invited nine other beasts to the castle. Some of them were vermin beasts." The moles pause as Flynn visibly took this in stride. "One of the nine other beasts invited to the castle is the beast you are seeking." The mole paused again. "I have Master Faliss's word that he gives you free license to seek your revenge upon the one responsible. When you are ready, we will lead you to his residence."

Flynn tried to say something, anything but the words just wouldn't come out. Skipper's killer was at the castle? This 'Faliss' character offering her a chance to avenge her loss? What was his game? She finally found the words to express herself. "I accept the invitation. Nevertheless, I need no guide. I must go-alone."

So saying, she ripped one of the spears out of Skippers corpse and walked right past the moles.The castle, of course she knew where that was. Long ago, when she had just been a pup, she had seen it from a distance. The castle had been near an old otter trading route. She still remembered the way to it clear as day. That had been the trip her father died. She moved through the forest, oblivious to everything except getting to the castle.

Hours passed, her paws were blistered and sore, and yet she did not pay the least attention. Suddenly she saw it- A large building rising above the trees. Flynn hurried to reach the clearing and the path that led up to the castle. The castle was at the base up a mountain, past a long winding path. A moat and a drawbridge prevented unauthorized access. On the path stood a guard, a Lone squirrel dressed in odd garb standing blank-eyed in the middle of the path.

Flynn strode up the path, following its intricate winding and haphazardness. Eventually she stood face to face with the squirrel. "I believe I was invited by the good professor to his abode. Do I have your permission to pass?"

The squirrel looked Flynn right in the eye and held out his fore paw. "Professor Faliss does not allow any weapons to be brought into the castle. If you would be so kind as to leave the spear with me Flynn, you may proceed."

Of course, if his master knows who I am, it is likely the servant would too. No matter, a castle of this size must have few arms somewhere…"Here", she growled "Take it" She thrust the spear onto his paw. "If it's all right with you, I'll be going on my way now."

Without waiting for an answer, Flynn walked right past the squirrel and headed toward the moat. As she watched, she noticed there was another beast at the moat's edge, waiting for the drawbridge to lower. Was that a mouse? If so, the beast was dressed normally at least, and not like some brain dead slave. It seemed the other nine were here already….