PART SIX
DOWNFALL
Chapter I
Starbane stared at the flickering flame of the watchfire, his mind elsewhere. There were only two problems that he could see that threatened his position. The ferret that was trapped on the ledge, and the freedom fighting group that had already accounted for over a score of horde losses. The ferret seemed the easier of the two to find a remedy for. They had him pinned, and he was not going anywhere any time soon.
"Trent an' his Foxtribe is gone, sir."
Starbane was torn from his thoughts and he looked up at the weasel. "Good."
"Permission t' speak freely, sir."
Starbane's eyes twinkled slightly. "Sit down and talk."
Warspite obeyed. "Dismissing Foxtribe was a mistake, sir. It dropped our numbers down another score an' a half."
The rat silently contemplated the number. "How many do we number know?"
"Five score. Since th' campaign started, we've lost half of our strength."
Starbane chuckled and gave the weasel a clap on the shoulder. "This is why I keep you as m' second in command."
Warspite chuckled. He had learned a while back that when his commander used a formal voice it meant he was in a tedious mood. Now he was slipping back into the freer corsair he had lived with on Rangear's ship.
"Warspite, me 'eartie," Starbane suddenly drew a dagger and grabbed the weasel by the throat. He pulled the startled beast in close and pressed the steel to his throat. "Do you think I care about numbers? Salamandastron is not my goal right now, crushing that ferret and his friends is. We have five score; they have seven and a few birds. I don't care if it costs me another five score of this pitiful excuse of a horde, so be it. Salamandastron can wait." He released Warspite and sheathed the dagger. "Understood?"
Warspite rubbed his throat and nodded. "Aye, sir." He pushed himself to his feet and walked off, leaving Starbane alone once more.
"You seem to be experiencing some rough trails, Starbane."
Starbane was learning not to jump at Skullrag's silent intrusions. "Nothing worth worrying about. Where is my brother?"
"Learning the trade, Starbane. I took him in as an apprentice."
Starbane glanced over his shoulder at the black-clad figure. "Is that so? I never gave him leave."
"You can try to get him back if you can find him."
"Your friend survived the fall."
Skullrag growled and drew a dagger. "Where is he?"
Starbane pointed at the cliff edge. "On a ledge down there, holed himself up in an alcove. Don't fret yourself, though, he ain't going nowhere."
"I want him dead."
Starbane stood and walked over to the assassin. "Why do you want him dead so badly?"
"He betrayed me; tried to kill me." The ferret tapped his own head with the tip of his dagger. "For that, I think he should die."
Starbane pressed his paws together and stared at the assassin before saying, "He will be dead within the week, more than likely sooner. He has nowhere to go but down, and that would kill him."
"You better be right, rat. If he lives through this, you will die."
Starbane blinked and gave Skullrag a cold stare. "Is that a threat?"
"No. It is a warning. Ghost was one of my best pupils, he can kill you and you would not even know it until you woke up in the Dark Forest."
"I will keep that in mind. Now, if you will excuse me," Starbane turned and walked quickly away from the assassin. Something in the back of his mind told him to take the 'warning' more seriously. What if this Ghost did survive; what would happen then? He glanced over his shoulder to see if the assassin was still there, but saw nothing but the surrounding trees.
Chapter II
Celleste gazed up at the grey clouds that were forming overhead and growled silently to herself. She had again come to the cliffs, but this time alone. The others had stayed behind at the camp, not wanting to attract attention with numbers. A faint hope that Flynt would be returning from the climb with news was now shattered, though. The rain clouds meant rain, and rain would make a climb down entirely too dangerous for even a squirrel. Still, she walked over to the base of the cliff. Shielding her eyes from the glare, she stared straight up at the distant ledge where Ghost and Flynt supposedly were.
"Hello. We meet again."
Celleste spun quickly, drawing her shortsword with blinding speed. She found herself looking at the fox the group had encountered the day before. "Well, do I need to teach you a lesson? Or did you learn from your two comrades already?"
"I came alone. There are a score and a half of us not far from here, though. If you make a move, I will just give a call and they will come."
Celleste kept her shortsword trained on the fox. "What do you want?"
"Starbane dead. He disbanded my unit, and simple revenge is all I seek." Trent clasped his paws behind his back.
Celleste lowered the sword. "Are you requesting to join our group?"
"No." Trent grinned. "But I would like to post an offer. We will pay your group for the death of Starbane."
"How much?"
"You name your price," Trent said. "We will pay."
Celleste eyed him curiously. "Interesting offer." She suddenly growled and raised the shortsword again. "We ain't mercenaries, fox. We don't do the dirty work of some other cowardly beast. Forget your offer, we won't take it."
Trent scowled. "Very well. Remember what happened here." He turned and walked off at a brisk pace.
Celleste smirked and sheathed her shortsword. It seemed Ghost and Flynt were not going to come today. With one last glance up at the ledge, she started walking back towards camp. She only got two steps, however, when her foot kicked something. Instinctively, she looked at it and was immediately puzzled. There was a book at the base of the cliff.
Looking around to see if the fox was coming back for it, she scooped it up and studied the cover. It was beaten and worn, and the front bore an embossed letter that could have been anything at one point. A piece of cord was holding it shut, so she untied it and opened it up. Her jaw dropped slightly as she read the owner's name, which was written in a fancy, brush style script on the inside of the cover: Ghost.
She stared back up at the ledge, thinking Ghost might have dropped it when he fell; however, that seemed unlikely. She did not bother reading the first page, as she could hardly recognise the symbols that were written there. The second page, though, was more intelligible.
To Eagle Watch, or whoever finds this book,
Lady Flynt made the climb up, a commendable effort on her part, and we have enough supplies to last us through the week if the need should arise. Starbane is as persistent as ever to see me dead. The first few hours I was here, I gathered enough arrows to keep an archer happy for two full seasons.
I trust all is well with the Watch. Acer must be doing a good job if we gained a new member in my absence. Take care, all of you. Think your strategies through wisely. I will be back as soon as I figure a way down from this ledge, though now that Lady Flynt is here I trust it should not prove too difficult a task. You can assist the efforts from the ground by sending either Gurren the lapwing or Stryker the gull tomorrow after receiving this message.
~Ghost~
Celleste curiously turned the page. There was another note, but shorter than the first. She read it over once and almost cried. She read it a second time before closing the book and rushing back towards the camp.
Chapter III
Ghost awoke to the soft sound of rain pattering against the stone ledge. He cracked his eyes open slowly and stared out at the vast, grey coloured sky and grinned tiredly. Lady Flynt was asleep against the far wall of the alcove, and Ghost gave her a soft kick.
"Wake up, lazybones."
The squirrelmaid stirred and opened one eye. "Whad'd'ya call me?"
"Lazybones."
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Ha, hardly. Who was it that climbed up here to rescue you?" She yawned and stretched slowly. "Aye, hardly lazy, if you ask me."
Ghost leaned his head out and looked up at the top of the cliff. Starbane had been lazy, and no guard had been posted. "I think it seems like a good day for another climb."
Flynt was immediately awake. "Are you out of your mind and crazy? I ain't climbin' in this weather. Not no way, not no how."
Ghost pushed himself to his feet and limped into the rain. "I think it's quite lovely, actually." He peered over the side of the ledge. "Perfect for our needs."
Lady Flynt scrambled to her feet and joined him. "What's goin' on in that head of yours?"
He pointed downward to the base of the cliff. "You see that?"
Shielding her eyes, the squirrelmaid stared down at the ground. "Nope. What is it?"
"I dropped a message, and unless my eyes aren't playing me for fools, some beast just ran south. Out of curiosity, where's our camp?"
"South."
Ghost grinned. "Good. With luck, they found the note. How far away is the camp?"
"Not far," she answered. "Takes less than five minutes to get here from there."
"Good. Then, if they did find the note, and maybe even if they just chance to think of it, they'll send a bird up. Have you got that rope handy?"
"Gurren doesn't like flyin' in the rain." She stomped back to the alcove and fetched the rope. "What do you need this for?"
"We're climbing down."
She dropped the rope. "You're crazy!"
"No." He shielded his eyes and scanned the skies. "I'm alive and want to keep it that way. I'm a ferret who wants to get down from here and rejoin my friends. I'm not crazy."
"Well, what's your plan?"
He waved her over and pointed down to a ledge not far down from the one they were on. Lady Flynt recognised it immediately as the one she had rested on the night before.
"The rope will reach that ledge, and we will use the rope to climb down to that ledge. Since Gurren does not like the rain, I will assume that the gull, Stryker, will be sent. He can untie the rope for us and fly the end down. We will use that method, and maybe even a little free climbing, until we are down. Couldn't be any simpler."
Lady Flynt snorted. "Hrmph. We still need a bird."
"Just wait, if they got my note, a bird will come."
"How can you be so sure?"
Ghost shushed her and cupped his paw around his ear. "Listen,"
Lady Flynt was sceptical, but cupped her paw around her ear and listened into the wind as well. To her amazement, a soft cry reached her ear, and she stared at Ghost in amazement. "What did you write in that note?"
"For them to send a bird."
"You could have told me that at the beginning."
Ghost shrugged as he began tying a loop in one end of the rope. "Lend a hand, will you? Take this and find a good anchor."
While Lady Flynt searched out an anchor to attach the rope to, Gurren soared up to the ledge landed next to Ghost. The squirrelmaid glanced up at her friend with a questioning look on her face.
"Gurren no like the rain, but you are friends. All right up here?"
Ghost grinned at the lapwing. "We're climbing down and need your help. Fly a low sentry and watch out for any horde beasts. When the two of us reach that ledge down there, free the rope and fly your end down to us. We will be needing it again later."
Gurren blinked his blood red eyes and gave a slow nod. "Easy to do."
"Alright, rope's anchored." Lady Flynt grinned and walked to the edge, throwing the rope down to the ledge. Surprisingly enough, it reached the lower ledge with some length to spare. "Huh, forgot it was that long."
"Flynt, you go first, Gurren, start looking out for any guards. Let's get off this rock."
Lady Flynt glared at Ghost. "Ain't no way I'm going first, and that's final. Start climbing. If anything happens which requires I make a hasty climb, I'll take the rock. You need a head start, though, so get moving."
Ghost needed no further urging. Taking the rope tightly with both paws he stepped off the ledge and started lowing himself down. Flynt watched and waited until he was halfway before taking the rope up and starting on her own descent. She had not gone far when Gurren swooped by and shouted the warning.
"Mean rat coming, Starbane. Hurry!"
She looked up at the top of the cliff and the sneering face of Starbane. With a mocking smile she waved at the rat and continued climbing down. Starbane glared at her, then the bird, then Ghost who was just arriving at the lower ledge. Then he waved his paw and vanished from view. Lady Flynt hesitated, confused by his behaviour. Seconds later, two archers appeared, bows already notched and drawn.
"Gurren, get out of range! Ghost, I'm comin' down fast!"
She looked up one last time as the first arrow came streaking down at her.
Chapter IV
Celleste was acting strange, and try as she might, Elflein was unable to pin it down. All morning she had been quiet, but with a hidden energy welled up inside of her waiting to break free. Gurren was still gone meeting with Ghost, in accordance with the message that Eagle Watch had received; yet something told the ottermaid that her sister was hiding something.
Now, Celleste was lying under a tree looking up at the sky, no doubt awaiting Gurren's return. Elflein watched her for a moment, and saw that her sister was not watching for the bird, but rather daydreaming. Curious, she slowly made her way over, trying to appear as casual as possible.
"What're ya thinkin' of?"
The daydream was shattered, whatever it was, and Celleste looked up at her sister. "Hmm?"
Elflein sat down next to her sister. "Yore daydreamin'. What's on yore mind?"
The ferret chuckled and looked back up at the sky. "Oh, nothin'."
"I know you better'n that. I know ye don't like sittin' out in th' rain starin' at th' incomin' rain drops fer nothin'." Elflein grinned. "Ye thinkin' 'bout Ghost?"
"Maybe."
Elflein glanced around, making sure no one was listening in. "Ain't no one here, what about 'im?"
"Nothin'."
"I'd say you were worried, but that ain't a worried look on yore face." She paused. "Aw, come on, tell yer ol' sis. What're ya thinkin' of?"
"I don't think he'd want anyone else to know yet," Celleste said playfully, smiling up at her sister. "But you can guess, once, and I'll tell you if you're right."
Elflein closed her eyes in deep concentration. "All right, ye had t' make this ol' riverdog think, didn'tcha.... Well, lemme see."
Celleste pushed herself up to a sitting position and grinned. "So, gonna guess?"
"Hold on, give me a minute t' think." She furrowed her brow, stuck as to what it might be. "Ahhh, I give up. What is it?"
Celleste shook her head. "Can't tell you."
"I'm yore sister, fer cryin' out loud. Ye can tell me anythin'."
Celleste pulled Ghost's book from under her cloak and looked around. "Alright, but you can't tell a soul what I'm about to show you, and you can't let Ghost know I told ahead of time, got that?"
Elflein nodded. "Aye, o'course. So, what is it?"
Celleste opened the book. "Read."
"Dear Celleste, if I ne'er get down from 'ere," Elflein suddenly snatched the book from Celleste's paw. "Ye shake it too much. Can't read it right." She held the book closer to her face and read silently to her self. When she finished, she closed the book slowly and smiled at Celleste. "What's yore answer?"
"That's my secret." She took the book back and returned it to its pocket. "What's your advice to me?"
"I told ye to be careful when we first clapped eyes on 'im sleepin' on 'is path. Nothin' but a thief, in my opinion." Elflein leaned closer to her sister, resting her elbows on her knees.
Celleste gave her older sister a shove. "Listen to yourself. A thief? What'd he steal?"
"Yore 'eart, sis." Elflein sat upright and set her paw on Celleste's shoulder. "Ye know what I'd tell ye t' say."
"Let me here you say it."
"Say yes."
Celleste grinned. "That's what I thought." Her face was suddenly dead serious. "You can't tell him I told you, though, and don't tell the others. I'd hate for it to be ruined,"
"We'll need t' plan a good, proper weddin' once this mess blows over, maybe that badger at Salamandastron could 'elp in that area." Elflein chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, ne'er thought I'd see th' day m'sister got married."
Celleste took her sister's paw in her own. "Just shows you how determined I can be."
"Aye, guess it does." Elflein smiled and stood. "Well, best watch fer Gurren."
By pure chance, a distant call drifted to them. "Bird sighted!"
"I tell ye, that Acer's got a loudmouth twice as big as 'is appetite." Elflein pushed herself to her feet and offered a paw to her sister. "Gonna come along an' 'ear th' news?"
With the help of her sister, Celleste was soon standing, and the two were making their way towards the main camp. As they drew nearer, and they were finally able to clearly see the others, it became obvious something was not right. Celleste started running towards Gurren, who was surrounded by Acer, and Corbin. Montel was watching the surrounding trees for signs of movement. Gurren was wounded by an arrow that had gone through his right wing.
"What happened?"
Acer looked over his shoulder at Celleste. "The three were ambushed, Ghost an' Lady Flynt are still on th' cliff, but on a lower ledge. Gurren got too close an' took an arrow in th' wing."
Celleste pushed her way up to the injured lapwing, shooing Corbin and Acer back a bit. "Elflein, come on and give me a hand." She gave Gurren a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, and hold still. The arrow didn't hit anything important, and I'll get it free in a jiff."
Gurren glared at her. "Ghost and Flynt still stuck on rock. Starbane trapping them above and below."
"Alright, then we'll think up a plan as soon as I've got this arrow out of your wing." Celleste studied the arrow for a moment, then gripped the lower half of the shaft. "This might hurt."
Chapter V
Ghost growled as one of the archers notched a flaming arrow onto his bow. The archer, obviously skilled at his trade, sent the projectile down, where it landed next to the rope. If the rope were aflame, then Lady Flynt would be left without a safe means to get down to the second ledge. He looked around for Gurren. The lapwing was circling a safe distance away, but glided in when he heard his name called. An arrow had impaled his right wing.
"Gurren, are you alright?" The lapwing nodded. "Then fly up and see if the fire is touching the rope. Hurry, time is important."
The lapwing nodded and took off like a dart. He was back in no time.
"Rope is burning."
"Thank you. Now go back to camp and get that wing looked after."
The lapwing jumped into the air. Ghost did not even wait to watch him leave. He growled in frustration and looked up at Lady Flynt.
Lady Flynt clung to the rocky face of the cliff for life. She had been driven down under the ledge by a hail of arrows. Gurren had vanished, and her thoughts were full of worry for his well being, he had taken an arrow in the wing, and consequently saved her life. Ghost was still on the ledge below, and having no troubles in dodging the few arrows that were launched in his direction.
"Flynt, just hold tight. They've got to run out of arrows at some point or another."
Had she been down on the ledge with him, she would have sent him reeling with a cuff to the head. "That's easy for you to say," she shouted down. Some rock shifted under her feet and she moved into a new position. "You're standing flat on your feet!"
There was a lengthy silence before Ghost spoke again. "When I say go, jump on the rope and hold on to it upside down!"
"Are you crazy? I'll end up as a pincushion if I leave here."
"Ready?"
"No! I ain't gonna do it. You're crazy, Ghost!"
"Set!"
"What's upside down?"
"Go!"
She pushed off the cliff and dove towards the rope headfirst. It was a dizzying sight, to look down, but she snatched at the rope and held on tight, waiting for the arrows that would end her life. They never came. Instead, the rope snapped and she fell.
Down below, Ghost gathered up the slackened rope and tied it tight to a stone anchor. It was a plan borne of desperation, but would have to suffice for now. He watched as a blur flashed past him and continued falling past the ledge. The rope snapped taught, and Flynt slid down a short ways as her fall was brought to an abrupt stop. Ghost grinned and waved as an arrow clattered a safe distance from him.
"Hello down there! You alright?"
Flynt looked up at him, frozen where she was. Her knuckles had lost all colour as she held on to the rope, swaying gently below the ledge where Ghost was. "I'm just fine. What'd'ya think? I just fell and had a fleeting glimpse of my own death!"
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're closer to the ground." He looked up in time to dodge an arrow. He cupped his paws around his mouth and looked up at the distant shapes of the three archers. "You missed me, ya blind idiots!"
"So, what now?"
Ghost peered back over the ledge at Lady Flynt. "Well, you can climb up here, or continue on down. I'd recommend down."
Lady Flynt looked down. Ghost was right, the fall had brought her closer to the base of the cliff, and it was now no more than a short climb away. She glanced back up at Ghost. "What about you?"
"I'll be fine, get down before Starbane gets wise and cuts that venue of escape off completely."
Lady Flynt growled slightly. Her shoulders were starting to hurt from being yanked so violently by the abrupt stop, and her paws here burned from sliding down the rope. "Well, you're a squirrel, ye can climb. Let's get it done with." She climbed the rest of the way down the rope and rested a bit before switching to the rocky wall.
Ghost watched her until she jumped down onto the ground below. At least she was safe, now he had to worry about himself. With an upward glance at the archers, he gripped the rope and lowered himself over the side of the ledge. His ribs hurt, but that could be ignored. The makeshift bandage on his gut had been soaked through with blood from his last climb down, and now it bled again from the stress placed on it. Ignoring the pain, he loosened his grip on the rope and slid down until his paws burned. Tightening his grip to stop him from going any further, he looked down at the ground below. It was nearer, now. He would make it, unless by some chance he happened to fall.
He shook his head at the thought. He would slide down until he reached the bottom of the rope, then he would test his rock climbing skills. He would, without a doubt, reach the ground; he just preferred to walk away alive after reaching it. Drawing a deep breath, he loosened his grip once more.
Chapter VI
Starbane hissed and turned away from the cliff as the squirrel reached the ground. "I want you archers to know that you're useless!"
The most experienced of the three spoke over his shoulder at his commander. "They're too far away fer any archer, no matter 'ow skilled they might be."
Starbane narrowed his eyes. "Kill them, or I'll see to it you get closer to them really quickly."
The fox gave a slow nod and sent an arrow flying from his bow. The black shaft missed its target terribly, clattering against the ledge below. The ferret shouted something up at them, and he felt his blood rise.
"Archers, hold fire."
Starbane whirled around, his red cape billowing as it caught the air. "Are you issuing orders?"
The fox glared at Starbane. "Yes, I am. An' if ye 'ad any sense in ye, you'd see it's a waste o' good wood an' metal t' try an' 'it those two. Why don't ye try summat smart an' send beasts down there t' catch em on th' ground?"
Starbane drew a dagger, pressed it to the fox's throat, and hissed. "You're not one of those Foxtribe scum I disbanded, are you?"
The fox blinked, but managed to hide his fear. "I wish I was, 'cause then I wouldn't be here lissnen t' ye."
Those were his last words. Starbane drew the dagger across his throat and dropped the gasping fox to the ground. "A lesson to all of you who serve me! No beast is above my law and order. Warspite, get two score of our best and send them down to kill those two. I want their heads by tonight!"
There was a scramble in the camp as Warspite selected and organised those he was to take with him. When they had gone, Starbane peered back over the cliff. The ferret was now climbing on the rope. He cast a cruel glare at the remaining two archers, who were staring at the body of their comrade.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Keep loosing those arrows or you'll be next."
The two archers nodded quickly and continued firing their arrows down the cliff.
Warspite growled. They were making slow progress, and chances were that the two fugitives would be long gone by the time they arrived. "Double time, march now!" He grinned as the two score of vermin hastened their step. This was more like it.
A rat near the front of the horde suddenly let out a shriek and fell, an arrow protruding from his throat. Warspite froze, as did the rest of the group. The second to fall was in the back, and he was soon followed by four more. Warspite shouted out an order, but it was lost as a hail of arrows rained down on them from the surrounding trees. The two score were soon one, and then ten. Warspite drew his rapier as the arrows suddenly came to a stop.
"Stand too, boys. Let's see what's been killin' our comrades off."
"Oh, Warspite, you should know all too well." Trent stepped out of the trees. "By the looks of it, we just killed two score of Starbane's best."
Warspite snapped at the fox, "Wrong, not even two score. There's still ten of us here."
Nine arrows struck their targets simultaneously, and Warspite was left standing alone. Trent drew his gold trimmed rapier and dagger.
"No, we killed two score. I'll give you a choice, weasel. Deliver a message to Starbane, or die right here with the rest of these scum."
Warspite threw the rapier down and gave a slow nod. "I'll deliver a message."
Trent brought his rapier down, severing the head of a nearby rat who had been slain early on. He tossed it to Warspite and grinned. "Tell him Trent is still here, and if he wants to do something about it, he'll need more than two score vermin to do it."
Warspite watched the fox vanish into the trees and he dropped the rat's head. An arrow suddenly screamed past him, so close that it left a small cut on the side of his head.
"Take the message to him, head and all. My archer will follow you to make sure Starbane receives it. Fare thee well, Warspite."
Warspite picked up the head and stared at it, his stomach heaving at the sight. Two score were now dead, three score remained. In less than five minutes, two fifths of their fighting force had been wiped out by an ambush. He shuddered and started running back to the camp. One thing was certain; Starbane would not like what he was about to hear. Off in the distance, he watched as a seagull flew south. He grumbled to himself.
"Sure, birds've got it easy. Trouble comes, they just fly away."
Chapter VII
Celleste had finished bandaging Gurren's wing and she stepped back to admire her handiwork.
"There, see how that feels."
Gurren waved the wing a few times. "It fine. Heal quickly, you see."
Celleste nodded. "So, Ghost and Lady Flynt are under attack. Will they be able to get down?"
Gurren shook his head. "No can tell. Ghost is smart, Flynt smart too, but rock is big."
Elflein put an arm around her sister's shoulders. "It'll be alright. Ghost's done well so far. If Starbane couldn't kill 'im th' night he fell, then that scum of a rat ain't gonna kill 'im now."
Celleste grinned and wiped a forming tear from her eye. "Well, we'll just have to sit here and wait then, won't we."
There was a loud shriek, and Gurren looked skyward. "Is Stryker."
The gull landed on the ground. "You be Celleste, right?"
Celleste nodded. "Yes, that's me."
"I return from cliff. Both are on ground, but in trouble."
Celleste's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly snatched up her cloak. "Where."
"Near cliff, at bottom. Safe from rat, but need help."
Elflein whistled for the rest of the Watch. "Acer, we've got a bit of an emergency. Celleste and m'self are goin' out for a walk."
Acer bounded up to them, a javelin in paw. "You're not goin' anywhere without me."
"Sorry, chap. Three's a crowd, and we don't want to attract too much attention."
The gull cawed at Elflein's comment. "Won't be no trouble. Group of foxes kill whole buncha de vermin."
Celleste swallowed hard, remembering her run-in with Trent at the base of the cliff. "Well, in that case I guess a crowds not going to make a difference."
"I guess not. Montel, Corbin, y'two stay an' watch th' camp. We'll be back. Lead on, gullthingy."
Stryker shot the hare a look and clacked his beak shut. "Longears better learn to stay quiet really quick."
Acer patted the gull's beak. "No offence meant, ol' chap. Laugh a little, wot!"
The gull took off without a word and started flying towards the cliff. Celleste and Elflein glared sarcastically at Acer, and the three laughed until they were clear out of the camp.
Ghost was leaning against the rocky wall of the cliff on one foot, one arm wrapped about his ribs, and the other pressed against the wound in his gut. Pain had returned. Lady Flynt silently tore a strip of cloth from the torn and tattered green robe and folded it into a compress.
"I told you not to jump down," she said as she moved his paw and pressed the compress to the dagger wound.
Ghost gritted his teeth. "I didn't jump, I fell." He coughed and felt bolts of pain shoot through his body. "I never was the best climber."
"You said you'd learn fast. Here, hold that there." She placed his paw on the compress and scanned the skies. "I hope Stryker got the message back to the camp."
"He did. No way he could get lost." He doubled over as another wave of pain shot trough him.
He had been about twice his height from the bottom of the cliff when his grip gave out. He had fallen hard and landed on his side. His left foot and ribs, which had been injured in his first fall, had now rendered him unable to walk without support. The dagger wound was only adding to his agonising condition. He slowly stood upright and waited for his head to clear.
"Listen, I'll leave you here and run back to the camp. I'll get the others, and we can fix up a stretcher of something to carry you back."
Ghost gave a nod, but said nothing. He slid down until he was sitting with his back against the cliff. Flynt handed him a small dagger.
"It's not much, but you might be able to fend of a small attacker with it." She turned to leave, hesitated, and turned back. "I'll be back soon. Trust me."
Ghost took the dagger in the paw that was not holding the compress and waved her off. Lady Flynt turned and dashed off, not pausing to look back. Ghost looked at the tiny blade of the dagger and tossed it aside. It was useless for anything other than cutting bandages, and he did not need those. He closed his eyes and tried to force the pain out of his mind. As he did, a dark shadow fell over him.
"Look what fell from the sky."
He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at the cold face of a fox. "Hello there. Wouldn't happen to have any poultice on you by any chance?"
"Don't pester me with stupid jokes, ferret. I come on a different matter. You are a part of the group fighting against Starbane, are you not?"
Ghost shook his head. "I don't talk to no beast who I don't know the name of."
"Call me Trent."
"Very well, Trent. Yes, I am with the group. Eagle Watch is our name. Who sent you, Starbane?"
Trent hissed at the mention of the rat. "Starbane is a fool. He disbanded my unit and left us to die. We struck back at him, though. He lost two score today, and if my numbers are right that would leave him with three score more. An alliance would benefit us both."
"Are you seeking justice, Trent? Or is it revenge you are after?"
Trent narrowed his eyes. "You are just like the other one." He drew his rapier and levelled the point at Ghost's throat. "All I do is for revenge."
"Back of, fox. You remember what I did to your two friends, don't ya?"
Trent turned and glared at the squirrel, otter, ferret, and hare that had suddenly appeared. The squirrel had a bow with an arrow notched, drawn, and aimed right at him. With a hiss, he sheathed the rapier and strode off. Lady Flynt started to go after him, but Elflein put a restraining paw on her shoulder.
"Let him walk, to kill him is no better than anything he would do."
Celleste ran over to Ghost and knelt beside him. "You alright?"
Ghost waved a paw as if the wounds were nothing. "I've had far worse than this."
"Look at you, you're a mess. Ain't nothing worse than the cleaning you're going to get once you're back at the camp." Celleste looked at the tattered robe. "Gonna need to get this patched up, too."
Acer laughed. "Look at th' two of 'em. Wot a hoot."
Elflein placed her arm around the hare's shoulder and started walking away from Ghost and Celleste. "Stryker was right, you need to learn how to be quiet."
Lady Flynt rolled her eyes. "Well, if those two don't start thinkin' about movin' back to the camp, he's gonna die out here."
Elflein looked back. "Naw, Celleste'll take care of him. I think the best thing we can do is head back to the camp."
Acer scratched his head. "But whose gonna watch them?"
Elflein pointed up as Stryker's shadow streaked past. "The gull and myself."
Lady Flynt grinned and started jogging back towards the camp, dragging Acer along with. "Come on, ya bally hare, show me wot sort o' tucker's waitin' at th' camp for us t' scoff!"
Acer immediately forgot about staying behind. "All sorts o' great stuff. Y'know, y'd make a jolly fine hare if'n y'weren't a squirrel."
Elflein chuckled and clasped her paws behind her back. "Celleste!"
"Yes?"
"Hurry up, haven't got all day."
"I'm workin' at it. He's got broken ribs and his left ankle's swollen, sprained pretty bad."
Elflein strolled over and knelt down to examine the ankle. "Aye, we'll have to walk him back."
There was a soft thud, and all three turned to see what it was. Someone had thrown the head of a rat from the top of the cliff. Elflein turned away in disgust, and Celleste busied herself with treating Ghost's dagger wound. Ghost just grinned.
"Wonder what the meaning of that was."
DOWNFALL
Chapter I
Starbane stared at the flickering flame of the watchfire, his mind elsewhere. There were only two problems that he could see that threatened his position. The ferret that was trapped on the ledge, and the freedom fighting group that had already accounted for over a score of horde losses. The ferret seemed the easier of the two to find a remedy for. They had him pinned, and he was not going anywhere any time soon.
"Trent an' his Foxtribe is gone, sir."
Starbane was torn from his thoughts and he looked up at the weasel. "Good."
"Permission t' speak freely, sir."
Starbane's eyes twinkled slightly. "Sit down and talk."
Warspite obeyed. "Dismissing Foxtribe was a mistake, sir. It dropped our numbers down another score an' a half."
The rat silently contemplated the number. "How many do we number know?"
"Five score. Since th' campaign started, we've lost half of our strength."
Starbane chuckled and gave the weasel a clap on the shoulder. "This is why I keep you as m' second in command."
Warspite chuckled. He had learned a while back that when his commander used a formal voice it meant he was in a tedious mood. Now he was slipping back into the freer corsair he had lived with on Rangear's ship.
"Warspite, me 'eartie," Starbane suddenly drew a dagger and grabbed the weasel by the throat. He pulled the startled beast in close and pressed the steel to his throat. "Do you think I care about numbers? Salamandastron is not my goal right now, crushing that ferret and his friends is. We have five score; they have seven and a few birds. I don't care if it costs me another five score of this pitiful excuse of a horde, so be it. Salamandastron can wait." He released Warspite and sheathed the dagger. "Understood?"
Warspite rubbed his throat and nodded. "Aye, sir." He pushed himself to his feet and walked off, leaving Starbane alone once more.
"You seem to be experiencing some rough trails, Starbane."
Starbane was learning not to jump at Skullrag's silent intrusions. "Nothing worth worrying about. Where is my brother?"
"Learning the trade, Starbane. I took him in as an apprentice."
Starbane glanced over his shoulder at the black-clad figure. "Is that so? I never gave him leave."
"You can try to get him back if you can find him."
"Your friend survived the fall."
Skullrag growled and drew a dagger. "Where is he?"
Starbane pointed at the cliff edge. "On a ledge down there, holed himself up in an alcove. Don't fret yourself, though, he ain't going nowhere."
"I want him dead."
Starbane stood and walked over to the assassin. "Why do you want him dead so badly?"
"He betrayed me; tried to kill me." The ferret tapped his own head with the tip of his dagger. "For that, I think he should die."
Starbane pressed his paws together and stared at the assassin before saying, "He will be dead within the week, more than likely sooner. He has nowhere to go but down, and that would kill him."
"You better be right, rat. If he lives through this, you will die."
Starbane blinked and gave Skullrag a cold stare. "Is that a threat?"
"No. It is a warning. Ghost was one of my best pupils, he can kill you and you would not even know it until you woke up in the Dark Forest."
"I will keep that in mind. Now, if you will excuse me," Starbane turned and walked quickly away from the assassin. Something in the back of his mind told him to take the 'warning' more seriously. What if this Ghost did survive; what would happen then? He glanced over his shoulder to see if the assassin was still there, but saw nothing but the surrounding trees.
Chapter II
Celleste gazed up at the grey clouds that were forming overhead and growled silently to herself. She had again come to the cliffs, but this time alone. The others had stayed behind at the camp, not wanting to attract attention with numbers. A faint hope that Flynt would be returning from the climb with news was now shattered, though. The rain clouds meant rain, and rain would make a climb down entirely too dangerous for even a squirrel. Still, she walked over to the base of the cliff. Shielding her eyes from the glare, she stared straight up at the distant ledge where Ghost and Flynt supposedly were.
"Hello. We meet again."
Celleste spun quickly, drawing her shortsword with blinding speed. She found herself looking at the fox the group had encountered the day before. "Well, do I need to teach you a lesson? Or did you learn from your two comrades already?"
"I came alone. There are a score and a half of us not far from here, though. If you make a move, I will just give a call and they will come."
Celleste kept her shortsword trained on the fox. "What do you want?"
"Starbane dead. He disbanded my unit, and simple revenge is all I seek." Trent clasped his paws behind his back.
Celleste lowered the sword. "Are you requesting to join our group?"
"No." Trent grinned. "But I would like to post an offer. We will pay your group for the death of Starbane."
"How much?"
"You name your price," Trent said. "We will pay."
Celleste eyed him curiously. "Interesting offer." She suddenly growled and raised the shortsword again. "We ain't mercenaries, fox. We don't do the dirty work of some other cowardly beast. Forget your offer, we won't take it."
Trent scowled. "Very well. Remember what happened here." He turned and walked off at a brisk pace.
Celleste smirked and sheathed her shortsword. It seemed Ghost and Flynt were not going to come today. With one last glance up at the ledge, she started walking back towards camp. She only got two steps, however, when her foot kicked something. Instinctively, she looked at it and was immediately puzzled. There was a book at the base of the cliff.
Looking around to see if the fox was coming back for it, she scooped it up and studied the cover. It was beaten and worn, and the front bore an embossed letter that could have been anything at one point. A piece of cord was holding it shut, so she untied it and opened it up. Her jaw dropped slightly as she read the owner's name, which was written in a fancy, brush style script on the inside of the cover: Ghost.
She stared back up at the ledge, thinking Ghost might have dropped it when he fell; however, that seemed unlikely. She did not bother reading the first page, as she could hardly recognise the symbols that were written there. The second page, though, was more intelligible.
To Eagle Watch, or whoever finds this book,
Lady Flynt made the climb up, a commendable effort on her part, and we have enough supplies to last us through the week if the need should arise. Starbane is as persistent as ever to see me dead. The first few hours I was here, I gathered enough arrows to keep an archer happy for two full seasons.
I trust all is well with the Watch. Acer must be doing a good job if we gained a new member in my absence. Take care, all of you. Think your strategies through wisely. I will be back as soon as I figure a way down from this ledge, though now that Lady Flynt is here I trust it should not prove too difficult a task. You can assist the efforts from the ground by sending either Gurren the lapwing or Stryker the gull tomorrow after receiving this message.
~Ghost~
Celleste curiously turned the page. There was another note, but shorter than the first. She read it over once and almost cried. She read it a second time before closing the book and rushing back towards the camp.
Chapter III
Ghost awoke to the soft sound of rain pattering against the stone ledge. He cracked his eyes open slowly and stared out at the vast, grey coloured sky and grinned tiredly. Lady Flynt was asleep against the far wall of the alcove, and Ghost gave her a soft kick.
"Wake up, lazybones."
The squirrelmaid stirred and opened one eye. "Whad'd'ya call me?"
"Lazybones."
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Ha, hardly. Who was it that climbed up here to rescue you?" She yawned and stretched slowly. "Aye, hardly lazy, if you ask me."
Ghost leaned his head out and looked up at the top of the cliff. Starbane had been lazy, and no guard had been posted. "I think it seems like a good day for another climb."
Flynt was immediately awake. "Are you out of your mind and crazy? I ain't climbin' in this weather. Not no way, not no how."
Ghost pushed himself to his feet and limped into the rain. "I think it's quite lovely, actually." He peered over the side of the ledge. "Perfect for our needs."
Lady Flynt scrambled to her feet and joined him. "What's goin' on in that head of yours?"
He pointed downward to the base of the cliff. "You see that?"
Shielding her eyes, the squirrelmaid stared down at the ground. "Nope. What is it?"
"I dropped a message, and unless my eyes aren't playing me for fools, some beast just ran south. Out of curiosity, where's our camp?"
"South."
Ghost grinned. "Good. With luck, they found the note. How far away is the camp?"
"Not far," she answered. "Takes less than five minutes to get here from there."
"Good. Then, if they did find the note, and maybe even if they just chance to think of it, they'll send a bird up. Have you got that rope handy?"
"Gurren doesn't like flyin' in the rain." She stomped back to the alcove and fetched the rope. "What do you need this for?"
"We're climbing down."
She dropped the rope. "You're crazy!"
"No." He shielded his eyes and scanned the skies. "I'm alive and want to keep it that way. I'm a ferret who wants to get down from here and rejoin my friends. I'm not crazy."
"Well, what's your plan?"
He waved her over and pointed down to a ledge not far down from the one they were on. Lady Flynt recognised it immediately as the one she had rested on the night before.
"The rope will reach that ledge, and we will use the rope to climb down to that ledge. Since Gurren does not like the rain, I will assume that the gull, Stryker, will be sent. He can untie the rope for us and fly the end down. We will use that method, and maybe even a little free climbing, until we are down. Couldn't be any simpler."
Lady Flynt snorted. "Hrmph. We still need a bird."
"Just wait, if they got my note, a bird will come."
"How can you be so sure?"
Ghost shushed her and cupped his paw around his ear. "Listen,"
Lady Flynt was sceptical, but cupped her paw around her ear and listened into the wind as well. To her amazement, a soft cry reached her ear, and she stared at Ghost in amazement. "What did you write in that note?"
"For them to send a bird."
"You could have told me that at the beginning."
Ghost shrugged as he began tying a loop in one end of the rope. "Lend a hand, will you? Take this and find a good anchor."
While Lady Flynt searched out an anchor to attach the rope to, Gurren soared up to the ledge landed next to Ghost. The squirrelmaid glanced up at her friend with a questioning look on her face.
"Gurren no like the rain, but you are friends. All right up here?"
Ghost grinned at the lapwing. "We're climbing down and need your help. Fly a low sentry and watch out for any horde beasts. When the two of us reach that ledge down there, free the rope and fly your end down to us. We will be needing it again later."
Gurren blinked his blood red eyes and gave a slow nod. "Easy to do."
"Alright, rope's anchored." Lady Flynt grinned and walked to the edge, throwing the rope down to the ledge. Surprisingly enough, it reached the lower ledge with some length to spare. "Huh, forgot it was that long."
"Flynt, you go first, Gurren, start looking out for any guards. Let's get off this rock."
Lady Flynt glared at Ghost. "Ain't no way I'm going first, and that's final. Start climbing. If anything happens which requires I make a hasty climb, I'll take the rock. You need a head start, though, so get moving."
Ghost needed no further urging. Taking the rope tightly with both paws he stepped off the ledge and started lowing himself down. Flynt watched and waited until he was halfway before taking the rope up and starting on her own descent. She had not gone far when Gurren swooped by and shouted the warning.
"Mean rat coming, Starbane. Hurry!"
She looked up at the top of the cliff and the sneering face of Starbane. With a mocking smile she waved at the rat and continued climbing down. Starbane glared at her, then the bird, then Ghost who was just arriving at the lower ledge. Then he waved his paw and vanished from view. Lady Flynt hesitated, confused by his behaviour. Seconds later, two archers appeared, bows already notched and drawn.
"Gurren, get out of range! Ghost, I'm comin' down fast!"
She looked up one last time as the first arrow came streaking down at her.
Chapter IV
Celleste was acting strange, and try as she might, Elflein was unable to pin it down. All morning she had been quiet, but with a hidden energy welled up inside of her waiting to break free. Gurren was still gone meeting with Ghost, in accordance with the message that Eagle Watch had received; yet something told the ottermaid that her sister was hiding something.
Now, Celleste was lying under a tree looking up at the sky, no doubt awaiting Gurren's return. Elflein watched her for a moment, and saw that her sister was not watching for the bird, but rather daydreaming. Curious, she slowly made her way over, trying to appear as casual as possible.
"What're ya thinkin' of?"
The daydream was shattered, whatever it was, and Celleste looked up at her sister. "Hmm?"
Elflein sat down next to her sister. "Yore daydreamin'. What's on yore mind?"
The ferret chuckled and looked back up at the sky. "Oh, nothin'."
"I know you better'n that. I know ye don't like sittin' out in th' rain starin' at th' incomin' rain drops fer nothin'." Elflein grinned. "Ye thinkin' 'bout Ghost?"
"Maybe."
Elflein glanced around, making sure no one was listening in. "Ain't no one here, what about 'im?"
"Nothin'."
"I'd say you were worried, but that ain't a worried look on yore face." She paused. "Aw, come on, tell yer ol' sis. What're ya thinkin' of?"
"I don't think he'd want anyone else to know yet," Celleste said playfully, smiling up at her sister. "But you can guess, once, and I'll tell you if you're right."
Elflein closed her eyes in deep concentration. "All right, ye had t' make this ol' riverdog think, didn'tcha.... Well, lemme see."
Celleste pushed herself up to a sitting position and grinned. "So, gonna guess?"
"Hold on, give me a minute t' think." She furrowed her brow, stuck as to what it might be. "Ahhh, I give up. What is it?"
Celleste shook her head. "Can't tell you."
"I'm yore sister, fer cryin' out loud. Ye can tell me anythin'."
Celleste pulled Ghost's book from under her cloak and looked around. "Alright, but you can't tell a soul what I'm about to show you, and you can't let Ghost know I told ahead of time, got that?"
Elflein nodded. "Aye, o'course. So, what is it?"
Celleste opened the book. "Read."
"Dear Celleste, if I ne'er get down from 'ere," Elflein suddenly snatched the book from Celleste's paw. "Ye shake it too much. Can't read it right." She held the book closer to her face and read silently to her self. When she finished, she closed the book slowly and smiled at Celleste. "What's yore answer?"
"That's my secret." She took the book back and returned it to its pocket. "What's your advice to me?"
"I told ye to be careful when we first clapped eyes on 'im sleepin' on 'is path. Nothin' but a thief, in my opinion." Elflein leaned closer to her sister, resting her elbows on her knees.
Celleste gave her older sister a shove. "Listen to yourself. A thief? What'd he steal?"
"Yore 'eart, sis." Elflein sat upright and set her paw on Celleste's shoulder. "Ye know what I'd tell ye t' say."
"Let me here you say it."
"Say yes."
Celleste grinned. "That's what I thought." Her face was suddenly dead serious. "You can't tell him I told you, though, and don't tell the others. I'd hate for it to be ruined,"
"We'll need t' plan a good, proper weddin' once this mess blows over, maybe that badger at Salamandastron could 'elp in that area." Elflein chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, ne'er thought I'd see th' day m'sister got married."
Celleste took her sister's paw in her own. "Just shows you how determined I can be."
"Aye, guess it does." Elflein smiled and stood. "Well, best watch fer Gurren."
By pure chance, a distant call drifted to them. "Bird sighted!"
"I tell ye, that Acer's got a loudmouth twice as big as 'is appetite." Elflein pushed herself to her feet and offered a paw to her sister. "Gonna come along an' 'ear th' news?"
With the help of her sister, Celleste was soon standing, and the two were making their way towards the main camp. As they drew nearer, and they were finally able to clearly see the others, it became obvious something was not right. Celleste started running towards Gurren, who was surrounded by Acer, and Corbin. Montel was watching the surrounding trees for signs of movement. Gurren was wounded by an arrow that had gone through his right wing.
"What happened?"
Acer looked over his shoulder at Celleste. "The three were ambushed, Ghost an' Lady Flynt are still on th' cliff, but on a lower ledge. Gurren got too close an' took an arrow in th' wing."
Celleste pushed her way up to the injured lapwing, shooing Corbin and Acer back a bit. "Elflein, come on and give me a hand." She gave Gurren a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, and hold still. The arrow didn't hit anything important, and I'll get it free in a jiff."
Gurren glared at her. "Ghost and Flynt still stuck on rock. Starbane trapping them above and below."
"Alright, then we'll think up a plan as soon as I've got this arrow out of your wing." Celleste studied the arrow for a moment, then gripped the lower half of the shaft. "This might hurt."
Chapter V
Ghost growled as one of the archers notched a flaming arrow onto his bow. The archer, obviously skilled at his trade, sent the projectile down, where it landed next to the rope. If the rope were aflame, then Lady Flynt would be left without a safe means to get down to the second ledge. He looked around for Gurren. The lapwing was circling a safe distance away, but glided in when he heard his name called. An arrow had impaled his right wing.
"Gurren, are you alright?" The lapwing nodded. "Then fly up and see if the fire is touching the rope. Hurry, time is important."
The lapwing nodded and took off like a dart. He was back in no time.
"Rope is burning."
"Thank you. Now go back to camp and get that wing looked after."
The lapwing jumped into the air. Ghost did not even wait to watch him leave. He growled in frustration and looked up at Lady Flynt.
Lady Flynt clung to the rocky face of the cliff for life. She had been driven down under the ledge by a hail of arrows. Gurren had vanished, and her thoughts were full of worry for his well being, he had taken an arrow in the wing, and consequently saved her life. Ghost was still on the ledge below, and having no troubles in dodging the few arrows that were launched in his direction.
"Flynt, just hold tight. They've got to run out of arrows at some point or another."
Had she been down on the ledge with him, she would have sent him reeling with a cuff to the head. "That's easy for you to say," she shouted down. Some rock shifted under her feet and she moved into a new position. "You're standing flat on your feet!"
There was a lengthy silence before Ghost spoke again. "When I say go, jump on the rope and hold on to it upside down!"
"Are you crazy? I'll end up as a pincushion if I leave here."
"Ready?"
"No! I ain't gonna do it. You're crazy, Ghost!"
"Set!"
"What's upside down?"
"Go!"
She pushed off the cliff and dove towards the rope headfirst. It was a dizzying sight, to look down, but she snatched at the rope and held on tight, waiting for the arrows that would end her life. They never came. Instead, the rope snapped and she fell.
Down below, Ghost gathered up the slackened rope and tied it tight to a stone anchor. It was a plan borne of desperation, but would have to suffice for now. He watched as a blur flashed past him and continued falling past the ledge. The rope snapped taught, and Flynt slid down a short ways as her fall was brought to an abrupt stop. Ghost grinned and waved as an arrow clattered a safe distance from him.
"Hello down there! You alright?"
Flynt looked up at him, frozen where she was. Her knuckles had lost all colour as she held on to the rope, swaying gently below the ledge where Ghost was. "I'm just fine. What'd'ya think? I just fell and had a fleeting glimpse of my own death!"
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you're closer to the ground." He looked up in time to dodge an arrow. He cupped his paws around his mouth and looked up at the distant shapes of the three archers. "You missed me, ya blind idiots!"
"So, what now?"
Ghost peered back over the ledge at Lady Flynt. "Well, you can climb up here, or continue on down. I'd recommend down."
Lady Flynt looked down. Ghost was right, the fall had brought her closer to the base of the cliff, and it was now no more than a short climb away. She glanced back up at Ghost. "What about you?"
"I'll be fine, get down before Starbane gets wise and cuts that venue of escape off completely."
Lady Flynt growled slightly. Her shoulders were starting to hurt from being yanked so violently by the abrupt stop, and her paws here burned from sliding down the rope. "Well, you're a squirrel, ye can climb. Let's get it done with." She climbed the rest of the way down the rope and rested a bit before switching to the rocky wall.
Ghost watched her until she jumped down onto the ground below. At least she was safe, now he had to worry about himself. With an upward glance at the archers, he gripped the rope and lowered himself over the side of the ledge. His ribs hurt, but that could be ignored. The makeshift bandage on his gut had been soaked through with blood from his last climb down, and now it bled again from the stress placed on it. Ignoring the pain, he loosened his grip on the rope and slid down until his paws burned. Tightening his grip to stop him from going any further, he looked down at the ground below. It was nearer, now. He would make it, unless by some chance he happened to fall.
He shook his head at the thought. He would slide down until he reached the bottom of the rope, then he would test his rock climbing skills. He would, without a doubt, reach the ground; he just preferred to walk away alive after reaching it. Drawing a deep breath, he loosened his grip once more.
Chapter VI
Starbane hissed and turned away from the cliff as the squirrel reached the ground. "I want you archers to know that you're useless!"
The most experienced of the three spoke over his shoulder at his commander. "They're too far away fer any archer, no matter 'ow skilled they might be."
Starbane narrowed his eyes. "Kill them, or I'll see to it you get closer to them really quickly."
The fox gave a slow nod and sent an arrow flying from his bow. The black shaft missed its target terribly, clattering against the ledge below. The ferret shouted something up at them, and he felt his blood rise.
"Archers, hold fire."
Starbane whirled around, his red cape billowing as it caught the air. "Are you issuing orders?"
The fox glared at Starbane. "Yes, I am. An' if ye 'ad any sense in ye, you'd see it's a waste o' good wood an' metal t' try an' 'it those two. Why don't ye try summat smart an' send beasts down there t' catch em on th' ground?"
Starbane drew a dagger, pressed it to the fox's throat, and hissed. "You're not one of those Foxtribe scum I disbanded, are you?"
The fox blinked, but managed to hide his fear. "I wish I was, 'cause then I wouldn't be here lissnen t' ye."
Those were his last words. Starbane drew the dagger across his throat and dropped the gasping fox to the ground. "A lesson to all of you who serve me! No beast is above my law and order. Warspite, get two score of our best and send them down to kill those two. I want their heads by tonight!"
There was a scramble in the camp as Warspite selected and organised those he was to take with him. When they had gone, Starbane peered back over the cliff. The ferret was now climbing on the rope. He cast a cruel glare at the remaining two archers, who were staring at the body of their comrade.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Keep loosing those arrows or you'll be next."
The two archers nodded quickly and continued firing their arrows down the cliff.
Warspite growled. They were making slow progress, and chances were that the two fugitives would be long gone by the time they arrived. "Double time, march now!" He grinned as the two score of vermin hastened their step. This was more like it.
A rat near the front of the horde suddenly let out a shriek and fell, an arrow protruding from his throat. Warspite froze, as did the rest of the group. The second to fall was in the back, and he was soon followed by four more. Warspite shouted out an order, but it was lost as a hail of arrows rained down on them from the surrounding trees. The two score were soon one, and then ten. Warspite drew his rapier as the arrows suddenly came to a stop.
"Stand too, boys. Let's see what's been killin' our comrades off."
"Oh, Warspite, you should know all too well." Trent stepped out of the trees. "By the looks of it, we just killed two score of Starbane's best."
Warspite snapped at the fox, "Wrong, not even two score. There's still ten of us here."
Nine arrows struck their targets simultaneously, and Warspite was left standing alone. Trent drew his gold trimmed rapier and dagger.
"No, we killed two score. I'll give you a choice, weasel. Deliver a message to Starbane, or die right here with the rest of these scum."
Warspite threw the rapier down and gave a slow nod. "I'll deliver a message."
Trent brought his rapier down, severing the head of a nearby rat who had been slain early on. He tossed it to Warspite and grinned. "Tell him Trent is still here, and if he wants to do something about it, he'll need more than two score vermin to do it."
Warspite watched the fox vanish into the trees and he dropped the rat's head. An arrow suddenly screamed past him, so close that it left a small cut on the side of his head.
"Take the message to him, head and all. My archer will follow you to make sure Starbane receives it. Fare thee well, Warspite."
Warspite picked up the head and stared at it, his stomach heaving at the sight. Two score were now dead, three score remained. In less than five minutes, two fifths of their fighting force had been wiped out by an ambush. He shuddered and started running back to the camp. One thing was certain; Starbane would not like what he was about to hear. Off in the distance, he watched as a seagull flew south. He grumbled to himself.
"Sure, birds've got it easy. Trouble comes, they just fly away."
Chapter VII
Celleste had finished bandaging Gurren's wing and she stepped back to admire her handiwork.
"There, see how that feels."
Gurren waved the wing a few times. "It fine. Heal quickly, you see."
Celleste nodded. "So, Ghost and Lady Flynt are under attack. Will they be able to get down?"
Gurren shook his head. "No can tell. Ghost is smart, Flynt smart too, but rock is big."
Elflein put an arm around her sister's shoulders. "It'll be alright. Ghost's done well so far. If Starbane couldn't kill 'im th' night he fell, then that scum of a rat ain't gonna kill 'im now."
Celleste grinned and wiped a forming tear from her eye. "Well, we'll just have to sit here and wait then, won't we."
There was a loud shriek, and Gurren looked skyward. "Is Stryker."
The gull landed on the ground. "You be Celleste, right?"
Celleste nodded. "Yes, that's me."
"I return from cliff. Both are on ground, but in trouble."
Celleste's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly snatched up her cloak. "Where."
"Near cliff, at bottom. Safe from rat, but need help."
Elflein whistled for the rest of the Watch. "Acer, we've got a bit of an emergency. Celleste and m'self are goin' out for a walk."
Acer bounded up to them, a javelin in paw. "You're not goin' anywhere without me."
"Sorry, chap. Three's a crowd, and we don't want to attract too much attention."
The gull cawed at Elflein's comment. "Won't be no trouble. Group of foxes kill whole buncha de vermin."
Celleste swallowed hard, remembering her run-in with Trent at the base of the cliff. "Well, in that case I guess a crowds not going to make a difference."
"I guess not. Montel, Corbin, y'two stay an' watch th' camp. We'll be back. Lead on, gullthingy."
Stryker shot the hare a look and clacked his beak shut. "Longears better learn to stay quiet really quick."
Acer patted the gull's beak. "No offence meant, ol' chap. Laugh a little, wot!"
The gull took off without a word and started flying towards the cliff. Celleste and Elflein glared sarcastically at Acer, and the three laughed until they were clear out of the camp.
Ghost was leaning against the rocky wall of the cliff on one foot, one arm wrapped about his ribs, and the other pressed against the wound in his gut. Pain had returned. Lady Flynt silently tore a strip of cloth from the torn and tattered green robe and folded it into a compress.
"I told you not to jump down," she said as she moved his paw and pressed the compress to the dagger wound.
Ghost gritted his teeth. "I didn't jump, I fell." He coughed and felt bolts of pain shoot through his body. "I never was the best climber."
"You said you'd learn fast. Here, hold that there." She placed his paw on the compress and scanned the skies. "I hope Stryker got the message back to the camp."
"He did. No way he could get lost." He doubled over as another wave of pain shot trough him.
He had been about twice his height from the bottom of the cliff when his grip gave out. He had fallen hard and landed on his side. His left foot and ribs, which had been injured in his first fall, had now rendered him unable to walk without support. The dagger wound was only adding to his agonising condition. He slowly stood upright and waited for his head to clear.
"Listen, I'll leave you here and run back to the camp. I'll get the others, and we can fix up a stretcher of something to carry you back."
Ghost gave a nod, but said nothing. He slid down until he was sitting with his back against the cliff. Flynt handed him a small dagger.
"It's not much, but you might be able to fend of a small attacker with it." She turned to leave, hesitated, and turned back. "I'll be back soon. Trust me."
Ghost took the dagger in the paw that was not holding the compress and waved her off. Lady Flynt turned and dashed off, not pausing to look back. Ghost looked at the tiny blade of the dagger and tossed it aside. It was useless for anything other than cutting bandages, and he did not need those. He closed his eyes and tried to force the pain out of his mind. As he did, a dark shadow fell over him.
"Look what fell from the sky."
He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at the cold face of a fox. "Hello there. Wouldn't happen to have any poultice on you by any chance?"
"Don't pester me with stupid jokes, ferret. I come on a different matter. You are a part of the group fighting against Starbane, are you not?"
Ghost shook his head. "I don't talk to no beast who I don't know the name of."
"Call me Trent."
"Very well, Trent. Yes, I am with the group. Eagle Watch is our name. Who sent you, Starbane?"
Trent hissed at the mention of the rat. "Starbane is a fool. He disbanded my unit and left us to die. We struck back at him, though. He lost two score today, and if my numbers are right that would leave him with three score more. An alliance would benefit us both."
"Are you seeking justice, Trent? Or is it revenge you are after?"
Trent narrowed his eyes. "You are just like the other one." He drew his rapier and levelled the point at Ghost's throat. "All I do is for revenge."
"Back of, fox. You remember what I did to your two friends, don't ya?"
Trent turned and glared at the squirrel, otter, ferret, and hare that had suddenly appeared. The squirrel had a bow with an arrow notched, drawn, and aimed right at him. With a hiss, he sheathed the rapier and strode off. Lady Flynt started to go after him, but Elflein put a restraining paw on her shoulder.
"Let him walk, to kill him is no better than anything he would do."
Celleste ran over to Ghost and knelt beside him. "You alright?"
Ghost waved a paw as if the wounds were nothing. "I've had far worse than this."
"Look at you, you're a mess. Ain't nothing worse than the cleaning you're going to get once you're back at the camp." Celleste looked at the tattered robe. "Gonna need to get this patched up, too."
Acer laughed. "Look at th' two of 'em. Wot a hoot."
Elflein placed her arm around the hare's shoulder and started walking away from Ghost and Celleste. "Stryker was right, you need to learn how to be quiet."
Lady Flynt rolled her eyes. "Well, if those two don't start thinkin' about movin' back to the camp, he's gonna die out here."
Elflein looked back. "Naw, Celleste'll take care of him. I think the best thing we can do is head back to the camp."
Acer scratched his head. "But whose gonna watch them?"
Elflein pointed up as Stryker's shadow streaked past. "The gull and myself."
Lady Flynt grinned and started jogging back towards the camp, dragging Acer along with. "Come on, ya bally hare, show me wot sort o' tucker's waitin' at th' camp for us t' scoff!"
Acer immediately forgot about staying behind. "All sorts o' great stuff. Y'know, y'd make a jolly fine hare if'n y'weren't a squirrel."
Elflein chuckled and clasped her paws behind her back. "Celleste!"
"Yes?"
"Hurry up, haven't got all day."
"I'm workin' at it. He's got broken ribs and his left ankle's swollen, sprained pretty bad."
Elflein strolled over and knelt down to examine the ankle. "Aye, we'll have to walk him back."
There was a soft thud, and all three turned to see what it was. Someone had thrown the head of a rat from the top of the cliff. Elflein turned away in disgust, and Celleste busied herself with treating Ghost's dagger wound. Ghost just grinned.
"Wonder what the meaning of that was."