The Shore

Dethfur and his crew were in foul spirits. They had not lost much of their group, just the former bosun Foulpaw, former cook, Lumpgutt, and their first captain, Bloodpatch. And the tracker rat Nightrip, but nobody really cared about him. They still had six rats, counting Dethfur, four weasels, three three stoats, two ferrets, and a fox.

Still, they were in strong dislike of their present captain, Dethfur. The rat had first seemed strong, but now he was hesitant, cautious. They said he wasn't a real searat anymore.

Dethfur decided he needed somebody to watch his back. Foulpaw had became his first mate when Bloodpatch died, but Foulpaw was dead now. He needed somebeast well respected by the crew, and loyal to him.

Darktung Ripphook the one fox was a dangerous beast, tall and lean with a sly and hungry look on his face. His left eye was missing, the result of a long-lost battle, and it was covered with an eyepatch, and his left paw was also missing, replaced by a long, sharp silver hook. His back fur and top of his head were a dark gray, almost black, and his eyes were violet, just like the emperor's. He wore a long black cloak and was a master of disguise, he had the ability to vanish into the night, and carried aThere was a rumor he was the cousin of Emperor Silvertung, or of some relation. He used a long blackthorn staff that was sharpened on one side, and the other it was swirled around itself.

There was also Raej the stoat, a tall, tough, and burly beast that used a large battle-axe. He was feared, along with being very cunning. He'd once defeated a pike and saved the life of the smaller, plump stoat Radge that followed him constantly, admiring him.

His last option was Scrags the rat. The rat was a bit of a runt, and teased by the crew. However, he had been the third to join them, Dethfur and Bloodpatch, and Dethfur knew he was deadly with his poisoned dagger, and heard all that was going on with his crew. Even if he would not become Dethfur's first mate, he would certainly make the thin rat his ally.

The crew were in a group around a fire surrounded by large stones and their tents. The farthest stone, just out of the dim fire light, upon it sat Darktung Ripphook. Dethfur approached the fox warily from behind, Darktung had a reputation as a killer. The fox had watched as the rat returned from Scrags tent, and heard the words that were exchanged.

The rat opened his mouth to say something, when the fox vanished suddenly into the night, then moments later the blackthorn staff zoomed from the air at the rat's face, and then nicked the top of the captain's mouth with the sharpened staff.

Holding his mouth open wide, the rat backed away slowly as to not rip the inside of his mouth open.

"What do you want... captain?" asked the fox, his violet eyes glowing in the night.

Once he was away from the staff, the rat said, "I want you, I need you to watch my back."

The fox vanished again, then next thing Dethfur knew was that Darktung was standing behind him, and his deadly hook was at the rat's throat.

"What's in it for me?"

Holding his head up, Dethfur answered, "W-well, you'll be second-in-command, and just as much share of loot as me."

The rat winced as he heard the fox growl, "Sounds like I could get more by killing you now and becoming captain myself. Your request is denied. Now go, before I change my mind against your favor."

Dethfur knew better than to argue. He ran off to find Raej.

Unlike Darktung, Raej was in the middle of the camp, drinking, eating, and laughing with the rest of the crew. The rat approached with sword out, the stoat could get violent.

Seeing the captain approaching, Raej loudly said to the crew, "'Ey, 'ere's are noble cap'n, mates! Hmm, he's not sleepin' in luxury with fine food, so he's probably wantin' one o' us t'do 'is dirty work, eh?"

The crew guffawed as Raej stood up to confront his captain, a grin on his face. "So, wot'll it be? Want be to go swimmin' in the sea an' bring a shark back fer yer dinner? Or 'ow 'bout I go up to the mountain an' kill the big badger an' bring back 'is 'ead?"

Radge chuckled. "Huhuhuhu! That's a good 'un, Ca- I mean, Raej."

As the crew laughed louder, Dethfur growled, not failing to notice that Radge had nearly called Raej captain, confirming that Raej was plotting mutiny. "Follow me."

Raej shook his head. "Eh, I'd rather stay here, if ye please."

"I don't."

"Well, then, too bad, me captain. I'm stayin'."

Dethfur shrugged. "Very well."

The captain walked away to his tent. Just as he got to the flap, he looked back. Raej gave a gurgle and fell to the ground, dead. Smirking, Dethfur walked back into his tent where Scrags was waiting.

"He shoulda listened to his captain," said the rat.

Dethfur chuckled. "Good work. You got Ripphook too?"

Scrags's smile faded. Indicating a hole through his right shoulder, the rat said, "I tried. I raised my knife over him, but then he vanished, then his hook got me. That fox is a better assassin than me!"

Dethfur's face went grave. "Oh no. No doubt he's going to go after us. I dunno 'bout ye, matey, but I don't wanna be on the bad side of Darktung Ripphook.

Scrags nodded. "Neither do I? What do you suggest we do?"

Dethfur sat on his cot and pondered for a moment, then his frown turned into a smile. "You'll see..."

oooooooooooooo

Farran the Poisoner, thought Darktung Ripphook, as he snuck through the deserted halls of Salamandastron the following morning. They knew the tale of him, with Ferrahgo the Assassin. Dethfur wanted him dead, because the fool thought Ripphook wanted the captain dead. So, he sent Ripphook to infiltrate Salamandastron, and kill any hares or otters or who know what else that came out during disease time. No doubt the fox would get sick too.

But Ripphook would surprise Dethfur. He would do the job more than perfectly, and then he would kill Dethfur, taking captainship himself.

oooooooooooooo

A hare captain called Fabian L. W. Longleap came from his door. He had recently received news that his young brother, Trav, had died from the Mortifer's disease. He would be buried in the caverns with the other hares, many of whom dead from the disease. Wiping tears off his face, out of the corner of his watering eye he saw a black cloak vanish down the corner of a cavern. His curiousity, piqued, he considered heading down the path, but thought better of it. Turning back, he thought it could be one of Trav's friends, as the young hare was a popular one. Turning back, he continued, tears returning.

And lucky for him he did.

oooooooooooooo

Corvil, a young, portly hare and a friend of Trav, was one of the kitchen assistants and was headed to his friend's funeral. His fur wet from tears, he walked down the cavern.

He suddenly felt a looming presence behind him. But before he could do anything, he killed over, blood spilling from a slit in his throat. The dark-furred fox stood over him, then vanished into the rocks, waiting.

He was surprised at how simple it was. Hares came this way, then seeing their friend on the floor, they dropped down to check on him, giving Darktung a perfect opportunity to slay them. All too easy.

Silent, Darktung crept away from the spot, though decided to stay close in case he heard a hare call out. Creeping along, he heard,

"Aaaaaaaugh! No, kill me! Don't take me daughter! I'll give ye anythin' ye want, even me life! Take me instead!"

The cries were that of hares believing they were back in long-gone battles, they had gone mad, Darktung reasoned, as he crept closer he saw they were coming from the infirmary.

Two-score beasts were lying on white beds, crying in pain. These were undoubtedly the victims of Mortifer's. A young female hare was tending to them, and gave a gasp of fright when she saw the dark fox. Darktung made short work of her.

Leaving the dead hare on the ground, the fox put each and every one of the hares out of the misery, all forty-four of them. Smirking to himself, he walked to the window, content he had killed enough.

The fox heard something, then turned around.

Krudeblade and his father, Thirstblood, stood at the entrance, fury on their face. They raised their swords and charged.

"Hooooooolaaaaaawheeeeeeeeeeeeey!"