PART EIGHT
VENGEANCE
Chapter I
"I want them dead, Warspite. Not injured, not maimed, not crippled, not alive. Dead is all I want."
"Of course, sir." Warspite looked at the map again. "And this is where they are?"
"Of course it is. Your scouts found them and told me they were there. Unless your scouts lie, they are there."
Starbane snatched the map up and pinned it, open, to a tree with a dagger. "Listen up, gang. This little clearing right here," he pointed to a blank spot on the map, which signified a clearing. "This is where the scum are staying. You are the best lot I have. Follow Warspite and kill them all."
The score of vermin drew their blades and gave a loud shout.
"Go. I want them dead."
Led by Warspite, the war party ran into the woods. Starbane looked about the camp. With only two score left, it seemed an empty place. Fire pits that were equal to the number of beasts left in the horde were scattered about the clearing, some of them still burning embers waiting to be doused.
"Brother, is it wise t' lower yer number by that much?"
"So long as they die. Ten cannot handle a score, especially when four are wounded."
"What news of Foxtribe?"
Starbane refused to look at his brother. "They have vanished. Our scouts found no traces of them."
"They can handle two score easily, and that's all ye've got left in this camp."
Darkbane was right, but Starbane still played over confidant. "If they attack, we will hold them off. This clearing is not ideal for such guerrilla tactics."
"It's yer funeral."
"If they catch you, brother, it will be yours too."
Darkbane let out a chuckle. "Skullrag taught me well in the short time he had me. It's rather hard t' catch what ye can't see."
"You are never going to be able to complete your training, why don't you join the horde again?"
Darkbane drew one of Skullrag's daggers and fingered the blade. "Skullrag had friends in th' business. One o' them is a rat, like m'self, and is lookin' fer an apprentice."
"Where are you going to find him?"
"South o' here. Near th' big lake."
Starbane turned and glared at his brother. "You are throwing your life away, brother."
One of Darkbane's eyes glinted, to Starbane, his brother seemed to have changed completely from what he had been while still a member of the horde. There was something hostile and cold in Darkbane's gaze.
"Brother, who's more foolish, me fer leavin' this ill-fated lot, or you fer stayin' here an' waitin' fer th' attack t' come? I'm leavin', and I ain't lookin' back."
Starbane narrowed his eyes. "Then I will say farewell, brother."
Darkbane did not move. "I will offer you once more th' chance t' come along. We can be brothers in th' trade, terrorisin' th' lands."
The commander looked back at the pitiful remains of his horde, then to the map that was pinned to the tree. "I will stay. This is my horde, and I believe we can win."
Darkbane shrugged. "Alright. Then farewell, brother. I'll see ye at th' gates of th' Dark Forest when I get there."
"If you don't get there first." Starbane turned and started walking away from his brother. "If you are not gone when I turn around, my best archers will-" He turned and swallowed hard. Darkbane was gone without a trace.
Chapter II
Montel's gaze never left the four foxes as he slowly ate Elflein's latest soup concoction. Food was becoming scarcer, and that was starting to show in the daily menu. Now it was simply a three vegetable soup and hardtack for dipping. Lady Flynt and Elflein had distanced themselves from the rest of the group and were carrying on one of their conversations. Celleste and Ghost were resting in one section of the camp, away from the others and though he could not hear, Montel knew they were discussing the foxes. Corbin was sitting behind the four guests, his longsword resting by his side in case they decided to do anything.
"I say, quiet bunch you have here...uh, Montel, right?"
The badger only gave Trent a slow nod.
"Well, I'd like to know what our plans are from here."
"We wait."
Trent glanced down at his untouched bowl of soup. He had tasted better food from his own cook in Foxtribe, and he could not bring himself to accept the bland tasting meal. "Well, what do we wait for?"
"Blood."
Trent's eyes shot up and he stared at the badger. Montel only grinned and ran his paw over the sharpened edge of his battleaxe.
Snitch nudged Trent and pointed at the two ferrets. "Look at those two, closer than freshly laid bricks."
Montel growled at the young fox's remark. Trent ignored the badger and glanced at the two ferrets. Celleste's head was resting on Ghost's shoulder, and he had his arm around her shoulders.
"You should teach your young manners, Trent."
"What was that?" Trent looked back at Montel, then to Snitch. "Right, mind yourself here."
Snitch looked slightly annoyed and returned to eating his soup. Bloodwort shot his commander a grin and chuckled silently. Trent shook his head and returned to stirring the soup with his spoon.
From her spot on the ground, Celleste could see all four of the guests as they ate their lunch. She shook her head and looked up at Ghost. "I don't like them. They give me the creeps. Something's not right."
"They're just here because they needed help, Celleste. They already agreed to help us in return. Besides, they were injured."
"I never saw their wounds. They keep them covered up, even the bandages. I don't think they're wounded at all." She scratched her chin. "Well, Trent did lose an ear when Montel found them, but that's about it. Couldn't you ask to have them checked out?"
"I did. Bloodwort is their own healer and he gave me his word that he had already treated them. He went on about how if I removed the bandages now, the wounds would reopen and it would just create a mess."
"I still don't trust them."
Ghost sighed, anxious to switch topics. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on them. If they do anything, I'll ask that they leave the camp."
Celleste rolled onto her stomach, resting her head in her paws and her elbows on Ghost's chest. "What if that's too late?"
Ghost shushed her. "It won't be. Now stop worrying. You worry too much"
She flicked his ear. "I don't worry too much."
"Yes you do." He grabbed her wrists and pulled her down.
"Ghost, they're watching."
"So you're embarrassed by me?" He kissed her and held her in a warm embrace. "Let them watch. They'll get jealous."
Elflein chuckled and nodded toward Ghost and Celleste. "Look at those two. They're like old dibbuns when they get their first whiff o' love."
Lady Flynt glanced over her shoulder. "They'll make a great couple. Two as rare as they are tend to."
"And look at our guests. The younger one seems to have a rovin' eye." Elflein cupped her paws around her mouth. "Hey, Snitch, you ain't ever seen two ferret's kissin' afore?"
The young fox shot her a glance and hid his head in his paws as his face turned red beneath his fur.
"I say, ye handled that well." Lady Flynt rolled her eyes. "Ye know, I just wish I found someone like Ghost."
Elflein arched an eyebrow. "Really? A devilish rogue who comes an' jus' walks off with yore sister? Go right ahead."
Lady Flynt chuckled. "I'm tellin' him ye said that."
"Go right ahead. He wants t' marry my sister, then list'nin' t' what I've got t' say is th' least he can do."
"But ye know what I mean, right? Admit it, yer hopin' that someday-"
"Alright, we all do at one point or another." Elflein grinned. "I'm just happy for her, an' when th' time comes, I'll wish 'em th' best."
Corbin was resting with his arms draped over the quillons of his longsword. The day had been slow, and the inactivity was making him anxious to move around. He glanced up at Montel and gestured to the two foxes. Montel gave a nod; he would be able to watch them without help. Corbin stood and locked his longsword in its back scabbard. His mind was shouting at him to get up and do something, and he was going to do just that.
He made his way through the trees and to a small spot in the forest where the sun cut through the leaves, spotlighting a single space in between four tall elms. The feeling of doing something left him, and he sat down to bask in the sunlight. The warmth had a paralysing effect on him, and he was soon lying down on the ground, his sword beside him and within easy reach. As drowsiness started to take hold of him, he allowed his eyes to shut.
"Naw, yer crazy if that's 'ow yer gonna do it."
His eyes shot open and the adrenaline started coursing through him. He gripped his blade and darted into the underbrush. Two vermin, a ferret and a weasel, stepped out of the surrounding foliage, both consulting a map.
"Lissen," the ferret pointed to something on the map. "If'n our group swings in from th' south, then theys ain't gonna 'ave no chance in th' worl' t' fight back."
The weasel glanced up and Corbin recognised him immediately.
"Now you listen to me. Starbane gave me control of the group. If you do not do as I say, then I can see to it you are placed in the first wave." Warspite looked back down at the map. "Attack from four sides. Five on each side, one of those five an archer. We'll take out half of the force in one blow, then we can rush and wipe out whatever is not running away. Our archers can stay back and pick off the retreating scum."
The ferret cocked his head and glared at Warspite. "A great plan, if'n ye don' mind separatin' our group int' four smaller 'n's. They'll murder us in th' charge."
Warspite shook his head and gave the ferret a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Only if they are alive."
Corbin growled and charged.
"EULAYLIA!"
He brought the heavy sword down on the ferret first, landing a solid blow to the vermin's head, and then turned to face Warspite.
"Warspite, we meet again. Where's your tree branch this time?"
Warspite calmly drew a curving cutlass and glared at the mouse. "Corbin Swiftblade, we meet one on one." He chuckled. "Not for long."
The trees behind Warspite moved, and a score of bloodthirsty vermin crashed out. Most of them were shocked to see the mouse confronting their commander, with a ferret already dead at his feet. A few, however, regained their senses and drew blades. Corbin was too fast for them all, and in a flash was gone.
Chapter III
Montel jumped to his feet as Corbin charged into the camp.
"Score inbound. Four archers, ten with short range weapons, five with spears. Warspite is at the lead."
The badger growled and hefted his axe. "We'll show that weasel a thing or two."
Ghost limped over with Celleste at his side. "Alright, first off we worry about the archers. Lady Flynt, Trent, Snitch, Bloodwort, and Dengar, get your bows and arrows and find a good position to take them out from without getting caught. Ambush them and make them unsure about coming into our camp. Elflein, get your sling and try to circle around to their flank. If there is an attack coming at them from two sides, all the better for us. Be careful. The rest of us, to the centre, weapons ready for a charge."
Just as quickly as the news had come, the camp was back in order. The snipers had gone to find their positions while Montel, Corbin, Ghost, and Celleste formed a fighting square in the centre of the camp. The shouts of the charging horde beasts drew nearer, and Ghost grinned at the three around him. They were ready.
Five distinct screams sounded in the midst of the warcries.
"That'll be our archers." Ghost readied himself. "Ready!"
The wave broke through the trees and charged. One fell to a neatly planted stone from Elflein's sling, but the rest charged on unaware. Five more fell to arrows just as the first reached the fighting square. Montel's axe made it a short fight. Three were felled by a wide swing, and two more dropped from a quick attack by Corbin. The fighting square broke and spread to flank the remaining three, two rats and a stoat; Warspite was nowhere to be seen.
"Listen, surrender now and you'll live another day." Ghost stepped towards the stoat. "Alright?"
"Die, traitor."
The stoat brought his rapier around with a startling speed at Ghost's neck. The attack never carried through. The three were struck dead by black shafted arrows. Ghost kicked the rapier away and growled.
"Trent! You didn't have to kill the other two, they weren't attacking."
Trent stepped into the camp; his bow slung over one shoulder. "They would have. Besides, I never shot them, I hit the stoat." He kicked the still body and grinned. "Nice shot too, right between the shoulder blades."
"You're cold, Trent."
"And you were never?" Trent looked up at Ghost, a challenging look on his face.
Ghost started to say something, but Celleste stopped him by placing a paw on his shoulder.
"We have better things to worry about right now." She glanced at Elflein as the otter strode into the camp twirling her sling. "Starbane will probably send another attack when he finds out this one failed."
Trent grinned. "No he won't, he's down to two score. He does not even have enough to lay siege to a hut."
Ghost caught on to the fox's intentions and gave a slow nod. "Then we counter attack. Tonight, by the light of their own campfires. Trent, you and your archers will attack from the tree line, as will Lady Flynt. That should cause enough confusion to send them running. Montel and Corbin, you will wait on either side of the camp and deal with any who try to run away. I will confront Starbane."
Celleste coughed and glared at Ghost. "You forgot me."
Ghost shook his head. "No I didn't. You get ready to treat any beast that might need it. There is going to be bloodshed tonight. I suggest we all get some rest."
Ghost walked away from the group with Celleste at his side.
"Admit it, you just want me out of the way."
"Maybe I do, Celleste, maybe I do. But remember, you are the group healer and you are no good dead."
"Well thanks. That makes me feel a lot better."
He kissed her cheek. "Cheer up. This will all be over soon. Once it is, we'll find that Loamhedge place Elflein told you about and find a place to live."
Celleste kissed him back and grinned. "Aye, your right."
"Besides, we got this far with the whole thing, I don't want to risk losing you now."
She laughed and pushed him slightly. "You're stuck with me. From now until forever."
"Forever is a long way."
She draped her arms around his neck and grinned. "Yes it is, and I like it that way."
Chapter IV
If looks could kill, Warspite would have been dead as soon as he set foot in the camp. Starbane had apparently deduced by the lack of returning horde beasts that failure was all there was to report, but upon hearing the words total failure, he was enraged.
"You are a skilled leader, Warspite, but a coward. Only the coward leaves his command when defeat is inevitable."
Starbane called the remnants of the horde to him. "We have run into an unforeseen obstacle, my comrades. Two guerrilla forces have attacked us relentlessly and have forced upon us a choice. We can leave now, return to the north, and reinforce our numbers to return here again, or we can stand and fight the groups off like the warriors we are."
A loud chant rose. "Fight, fight, stay and fight."
Starbane clapped his paws together and opened his arms to the horde. "My fellow warriors, I was truly honoured when I became the leader of this group. Comrades, we must gear up for war. The number we face is few, ten. We can win if we play it smart. They will use their quick strike tactics, but we must be ready to trap them at their own game. Warspite, you have a skill for setting traps, take our best thinkers and get one ready. I will take the rest of you and we will set a simple fallback plan of our own."
Warspite took five and found a spot to think up a strategy for the team while Starbane led the rest to the centre of the camp.
"Alright, start digging a round trench, and make sure you pile the dirt on the outside of the ring as a wall. Get lances, javelins, pikes, spears, and whatever else you find to line the rim. That will be our little fort." He jumped in beside a rat and gave him a pat on the back. "There you go, just like that. Make sure you build up our wall. You there, Sliver, start collecting spears and the sorts for our defences. We'll show that ferret a thing or two about war!"
Starbane stepped back out of the way as he supervised the digging. Part of him hoped they would win and told him that there was no possible way they could lose. Another part of him, a smaller part that nagged from the back of his mind, told him not to doubt the fighting capabilities of the ferret and his group. He chose to listen to the louder voice. If ten could beat forty, then Starbane would willingly die fighting; and take a few with him.
Warspite shook his head. "That won't work. We need something better. We all have good minds, let's think!"
A quiet stoat twitched an ear and spoke. "How did they manage to take out your group?"
"Archers. Five archers were positioned in prime perches and picked off the group one at a time. Ten fell to their arrows alone before the fight even began."
A ferret raised a paw to speak. "Who do we have in th' way of archers?"
"Hlysa and Grimwake, the two rats."
"Not as many as they had, but it could be enough. Send them both to find good perches. Order them to take out th' archers first."
Warspite gave the ferret a nod. "So, we have a beginning. Now we need to get them in a hopeless position."
"We let them charge." A young rat pointed at the ditch. "They're buildin' a fortified trench. Let th' ferret an' that group 'o 'is charge th' trenches an' get slaughtered."
Warspite looked doubtful again. "That is relying heavily on our brute force to handle the situation."
"Lissen." The rat leaned in closer to the rest of the group. "Th' archers take out two, maybe four before they charge. That leaves six t' eight o' them fer our eighteen. If they charge int' th' open, th' archers cen fire on 'em from their perches. Then, if they charge th' trench, they'll meet spear an' javelin. Long range weapons attackin' 'em as they come down. We'll win."
Starbane had wandered up at some point during the conversation. "You're a bright one. What's your name?"
"Korick, sir."
"Korick, there may be a future for you if we get out of this."
Warspite cleared his throat. "How long will the trench take?"
"By nightfall."
Korick hissed. "Archer's won't be good in th' forest at night. No moon tonight."
"A minor technicality." The stoat stood. "Chances are they will not attack tonight. If they do, however, we will have th' trench, and that will serve us well."
With that, and a nod from Starbane, the war council ended their meeting.
Chapter V
Ghost stared at the dead camp from the tree line and grinned. The horde had moved all of its remaining numbers into the centre, and had a large fire burning in the middle of their trench. Above him, Lady Flynt called down in a hushed whisper.
"I think they're stupid for lightin' that fire. I can pick them off one by one because of it."
Ghost grinned. "You just might have to do that, unless we can get them out of the trench and up onto the main field. Lady Flynt, your eyes are better than mine, did they leave any fire pits lying around the main camp?"
"Aye, plenty of them, too. What's your plan?"
"Celleste, I'm going to need your help after all. Elflein, come here, I'll need you too. How fast can you light a fire?"
Elflein chuckled softly. "I'm a cook. Fire's are simple."
"I can do it if she can." Celleste grinned. "Why?"
"We'll burn them out."
He quickly outlined his plan, and the three fire starters crept out into the camp, unnoticed in the darkness. Ghost found the first fire pit and found the embers were still warm. He stoked it and fed it a few small branches until it was burning. To his left, two more fires were slowly beginning to light the camp. He darted away from the fire as two arrows struck the ground and began seeking out another pit.
Elflein ducked as an arrow whistled past her ear. She was already moving on to her third fire and silently hoping that at least some of the horde would take the bait. So far, none had. Fires were springing up all around the camp as Celleste and Ghost worked their way around the trench on their fire starting campaign. The otter chuckled to herself as another arrow flew by her with plenty of room to spare. Ghost was crazy, but sometimes crazy was enough to work.
Celleste and Ghost met at the same fire pit and shook paws. Ghost glanced around at the work they had accomplished.
"All well for now. I'll take this last one. Tell Lady Flynt that there are two archers, if she hasn't figured that out already. Have the archers wait for the signal, and then fire at will. This war is over. We will win."
"Be careful. I still need to patch your robe up." Celleste gave him a quick kiss and ran back towards the tree line.
Ghost took a deep breath and started to light the last fire. The flames were slow at starting, but soon became a small blaze. Two arrows flashed in his vision and thudded as they struck the ground. He turned and glanced at them, only to feel a flash of pain as a third struck him in the leg. He fell to the ground and rolled away from the firelight. His eyes watered as he broke the shaft and stood; now shrouded by darkness. He cupped his paws around his mouth and took a deep breath.
"EAGLE WATCH!"
The horde froze as the loud cry echoed throughout the camp. Almost immediately following it, before the sound even had a chance to die, five black shafted arrows appeared in five different targets. The two archers fell, both struck in the back. Korick was struck in the throat, and two other rats joined him on the ground, the black shafts protruding from their chests. Starbane glared at the slain archers, they now had no long-range defence.
Five more arrows materialised out of nowhere. This time, two missed, and only three struck their targets. The horde was getting restless in the death trap and started shouting.
"Hold it!" Starbane's voice brought order to them. "We're sitting ducks in here, and sitting ducks out there. However, out there we stand a chance of getting away. So, I am going to leave it up to you. Run and take your chances, or die in here."
"No. Listen up." Warspite came up alongside his captain. "We can still win this. The archers are all firing from the south. If we run north and circle around behind them, we can catch them in their own game."
The horde seemed to like that idea better.
"Good. We're decided then. Warspite had a good idea. When I say go, make a break for it. Run north." Starbane took a deep breath. "One...two...three, go!"
The remaining horde beasts took off running. Four more fell to arrows, and one dropped from a sling stone to the head. Starbane took a quick mental count. Twenty two, not counting Warspite and himself. Another sling stone and arrow lowered his count by two.
"EEEULAAAYLIIIIAAAA!"
Mouse and badger charged into the retreating horde from the north side. The forerunners fell, leaving fourteen, plus Starbane and Warspite, trapped between a rock and a hard place. Starbane braced himself to watch the utter destruction of his horde, but oddly enough, the two halted the advance a good distance from the horde. Oddly enough, the arrows seemed to have ceased fire.
Warspite gathered the fourteen remaining beasts together and started issuing orders. At just that moment, the arrows started flying again. Two more were cut down. Massive panic ran through the rest of the horde as they scattered and ran in every which way. For Starbane, an odd sort of calmness about the situation had flooded him.
The searat watched the scene before him with a spiteful hatred. Fires reflected in his eyes, one black and one a pale white. He watched the flames jump and leap about the camp, wreaking havoc wherever they went. Left and right his horde scattered and rushed about, some battering away at the fires and others sending scores of arrows and javelins at anything that appeared to move in the surrounding trees. He locked his eyes on a large weasel that was shouting out orders.
"Warspite, come here."
The second in command turned and started for his commander. The weasel had proven himself countless times on the field, and even now had taken charge and was directing the horde in battling the fire and the unseen enemies.
"Yes sir, you called?"
"Warspite, listen to me good. I want whoever is responsible for this dead at my feet. Take no prisoners, kill them all."
The weasel gave a brisk salute and turned to leave. Something whistled past the sea rat's ear and struck Warspite with a thud. The second in command staggered forward a step and fell to the ground, dead, a black shaft protruding from the centre of his back. The searat drew a rapier and swung it about in a wide arc. The top half of the shaft jumped into the air as the blade cut cleanly through it.
"We finish it now. Turn and fight, rat."
The searat hissed and whirled, drawing his second rapier as he faced his adversary. The sight before him made him seethe. "You are a traitor to your kind."
The ferret drew a pair of long, thin-bladed daggers from under his dark green robe. "To the death. Only one of us leaves alive."
The searat narrowed his eyes. "Who are you, ferret?"
"Naught more than a ghost, Starbane."
A second black arrow streaked past Starbane's head and struck a stoat who had been about to ambush the ferret. The would-be ambusher dropped dead with a shaft in his throat. The ferret paid it no mind and started moving in for the attack.
"You will die tonight, ferret."
The ferret's expression was calm as he locked his dark amber eyes on Starbane's white and black ones. "A ghost can never die."
Starbane felt a shiver course through him as the cold eyes bored into his own. He gripped his rapiers and readied for the coming attack.
Ghost twirled one of his daggers and took another. "You lost, Starbane."
"Not without some victories."
"Acer will be avenged."
"Try me, Ghost."
Ghost charged, ignoring the pain in his leg, and brought his right dagger down at an angle, aiming a blow at Starbane's chest. The rat blocked the attack neatly with a rapier and slashed out with the other. Ghost ducked, narrowly missing the attack, and lunged forward, both daggers aimed at his opponent's gut. Starbane dropped the rapiers and batted the two daggers aside. Ghost ran into him full on, and the two fell to the ground. Starbane managed to take one of the daggers from Ghost and he stabbed blindly at the ferret, scoring a few light blows, while Ghost clamped one paw on the rat's throat and started to squeeze. Starbane locked his free paw on the hilt of Ghost's other dagger and held it back. Ghost was to an attack, and the horde leader took little time in attacking. He slashed at the arm that was strangling him, and then drove the blade up at Ghost's body. It struck its target, but did nothing.
Starbane looked at the ferret and shivered at the icy glare he received. Ghost pulled the dagger from his gut and drove it into Starbane's chest. Pain exploded throughout Starbane's body, and he released the second dagger. Ghost changed his grip on the blade and pressed it to Starbane's throat.
"For Acer, and Eagle Watch."
He drew the blade across the rat's throat and stood, leaving the horde commander to die. The numbing effects of the adrenaline coursing through him had begun to wear off, and he became aware of the pain in his gut. Ghost pressed a paw to the wound and started to stagger towards the tree line. In his blurred vision, he could see what appeared to be two figures, but was actually one, running across the camp towards him. He took a step towards it, and collapsed. Blackness flooded his vision, and the pain vanished.
EPILOGUE
"Shhh, he's coming around. Now back up and give him room."
Ghost opened his eyes and saw nothing but blinding light, so bright he had to close them again.
"Actually, on second thought, leave the room."
"Are y' sure y' don't need help? I'm a jolly good healer, wot!"
"Yes, I'm fine."
The voices seemed distant, though he knew that the speakers were in the same room. He tried to open his eyes again as a door closed. This time the bright light had gone and he was able to see his surroundings. Celleste was sitting next to his bed.
"How long was I sleeping?"
"Two days. We had to carry you here." Celleste took a cool, damp cloth and gently daubed Ghost's forehead. "You had me scared half to death."
"I'll try not to next time." He glanced around the room. "Where are we?"
"Salamandastron. Solace has been a great help since we arrived." She smiled and set the cloth aside.
"How long until I can walk?"
"I'll give you a week before I let you do anything. The others will wait. Trent and his friends chose to camp outside, so they won't be getting into any trouble soon."
"You still don't like them?"
Celleste shook her head.
Ghost rubbed his head. A terrible headache had set in. "My head hurts."
"I have something that might help."
He eyed her curiously. "What's that?"
She leaned down until she was eye level with him. "Oh, a special treatment. It was taught me by my mother." She kissed him. "You kiss it and make it all better."
Ghost closed his eyes as she kissed him and grinned. "I think its working. My head feels better already."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. "Forever?"
Ghost looked up at her and nodded. "Forever."
THE END
EAGLE WATCH
VENGEANCE
Chapter I
"I want them dead, Warspite. Not injured, not maimed, not crippled, not alive. Dead is all I want."
"Of course, sir." Warspite looked at the map again. "And this is where they are?"
"Of course it is. Your scouts found them and told me they were there. Unless your scouts lie, they are there."
Starbane snatched the map up and pinned it, open, to a tree with a dagger. "Listen up, gang. This little clearing right here," he pointed to a blank spot on the map, which signified a clearing. "This is where the scum are staying. You are the best lot I have. Follow Warspite and kill them all."
The score of vermin drew their blades and gave a loud shout.
"Go. I want them dead."
Led by Warspite, the war party ran into the woods. Starbane looked about the camp. With only two score left, it seemed an empty place. Fire pits that were equal to the number of beasts left in the horde were scattered about the clearing, some of them still burning embers waiting to be doused.
"Brother, is it wise t' lower yer number by that much?"
"So long as they die. Ten cannot handle a score, especially when four are wounded."
"What news of Foxtribe?"
Starbane refused to look at his brother. "They have vanished. Our scouts found no traces of them."
"They can handle two score easily, and that's all ye've got left in this camp."
Darkbane was right, but Starbane still played over confidant. "If they attack, we will hold them off. This clearing is not ideal for such guerrilla tactics."
"It's yer funeral."
"If they catch you, brother, it will be yours too."
Darkbane let out a chuckle. "Skullrag taught me well in the short time he had me. It's rather hard t' catch what ye can't see."
"You are never going to be able to complete your training, why don't you join the horde again?"
Darkbane drew one of Skullrag's daggers and fingered the blade. "Skullrag had friends in th' business. One o' them is a rat, like m'self, and is lookin' fer an apprentice."
"Where are you going to find him?"
"South o' here. Near th' big lake."
Starbane turned and glared at his brother. "You are throwing your life away, brother."
One of Darkbane's eyes glinted, to Starbane, his brother seemed to have changed completely from what he had been while still a member of the horde. There was something hostile and cold in Darkbane's gaze.
"Brother, who's more foolish, me fer leavin' this ill-fated lot, or you fer stayin' here an' waitin' fer th' attack t' come? I'm leavin', and I ain't lookin' back."
Starbane narrowed his eyes. "Then I will say farewell, brother."
Darkbane did not move. "I will offer you once more th' chance t' come along. We can be brothers in th' trade, terrorisin' th' lands."
The commander looked back at the pitiful remains of his horde, then to the map that was pinned to the tree. "I will stay. This is my horde, and I believe we can win."
Darkbane shrugged. "Alright. Then farewell, brother. I'll see ye at th' gates of th' Dark Forest when I get there."
"If you don't get there first." Starbane turned and started walking away from his brother. "If you are not gone when I turn around, my best archers will-" He turned and swallowed hard. Darkbane was gone without a trace.
Chapter II
Montel's gaze never left the four foxes as he slowly ate Elflein's latest soup concoction. Food was becoming scarcer, and that was starting to show in the daily menu. Now it was simply a three vegetable soup and hardtack for dipping. Lady Flynt and Elflein had distanced themselves from the rest of the group and were carrying on one of their conversations. Celleste and Ghost were resting in one section of the camp, away from the others and though he could not hear, Montel knew they were discussing the foxes. Corbin was sitting behind the four guests, his longsword resting by his side in case they decided to do anything.
"I say, quiet bunch you have here...uh, Montel, right?"
The badger only gave Trent a slow nod.
"Well, I'd like to know what our plans are from here."
"We wait."
Trent glanced down at his untouched bowl of soup. He had tasted better food from his own cook in Foxtribe, and he could not bring himself to accept the bland tasting meal. "Well, what do we wait for?"
"Blood."
Trent's eyes shot up and he stared at the badger. Montel only grinned and ran his paw over the sharpened edge of his battleaxe.
Snitch nudged Trent and pointed at the two ferrets. "Look at those two, closer than freshly laid bricks."
Montel growled at the young fox's remark. Trent ignored the badger and glanced at the two ferrets. Celleste's head was resting on Ghost's shoulder, and he had his arm around her shoulders.
"You should teach your young manners, Trent."
"What was that?" Trent looked back at Montel, then to Snitch. "Right, mind yourself here."
Snitch looked slightly annoyed and returned to eating his soup. Bloodwort shot his commander a grin and chuckled silently. Trent shook his head and returned to stirring the soup with his spoon.
From her spot on the ground, Celleste could see all four of the guests as they ate their lunch. She shook her head and looked up at Ghost. "I don't like them. They give me the creeps. Something's not right."
"They're just here because they needed help, Celleste. They already agreed to help us in return. Besides, they were injured."
"I never saw their wounds. They keep them covered up, even the bandages. I don't think they're wounded at all." She scratched her chin. "Well, Trent did lose an ear when Montel found them, but that's about it. Couldn't you ask to have them checked out?"
"I did. Bloodwort is their own healer and he gave me his word that he had already treated them. He went on about how if I removed the bandages now, the wounds would reopen and it would just create a mess."
"I still don't trust them."
Ghost sighed, anxious to switch topics. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on them. If they do anything, I'll ask that they leave the camp."
Celleste rolled onto her stomach, resting her head in her paws and her elbows on Ghost's chest. "What if that's too late?"
Ghost shushed her. "It won't be. Now stop worrying. You worry too much"
She flicked his ear. "I don't worry too much."
"Yes you do." He grabbed her wrists and pulled her down.
"Ghost, they're watching."
"So you're embarrassed by me?" He kissed her and held her in a warm embrace. "Let them watch. They'll get jealous."
Elflein chuckled and nodded toward Ghost and Celleste. "Look at those two. They're like old dibbuns when they get their first whiff o' love."
Lady Flynt glanced over her shoulder. "They'll make a great couple. Two as rare as they are tend to."
"And look at our guests. The younger one seems to have a rovin' eye." Elflein cupped her paws around her mouth. "Hey, Snitch, you ain't ever seen two ferret's kissin' afore?"
The young fox shot her a glance and hid his head in his paws as his face turned red beneath his fur.
"I say, ye handled that well." Lady Flynt rolled her eyes. "Ye know, I just wish I found someone like Ghost."
Elflein arched an eyebrow. "Really? A devilish rogue who comes an' jus' walks off with yore sister? Go right ahead."
Lady Flynt chuckled. "I'm tellin' him ye said that."
"Go right ahead. He wants t' marry my sister, then list'nin' t' what I've got t' say is th' least he can do."
"But ye know what I mean, right? Admit it, yer hopin' that someday-"
"Alright, we all do at one point or another." Elflein grinned. "I'm just happy for her, an' when th' time comes, I'll wish 'em th' best."
Corbin was resting with his arms draped over the quillons of his longsword. The day had been slow, and the inactivity was making him anxious to move around. He glanced up at Montel and gestured to the two foxes. Montel gave a nod; he would be able to watch them without help. Corbin stood and locked his longsword in its back scabbard. His mind was shouting at him to get up and do something, and he was going to do just that.
He made his way through the trees and to a small spot in the forest where the sun cut through the leaves, spotlighting a single space in between four tall elms. The feeling of doing something left him, and he sat down to bask in the sunlight. The warmth had a paralysing effect on him, and he was soon lying down on the ground, his sword beside him and within easy reach. As drowsiness started to take hold of him, he allowed his eyes to shut.
"Naw, yer crazy if that's 'ow yer gonna do it."
His eyes shot open and the adrenaline started coursing through him. He gripped his blade and darted into the underbrush. Two vermin, a ferret and a weasel, stepped out of the surrounding foliage, both consulting a map.
"Lissen," the ferret pointed to something on the map. "If'n our group swings in from th' south, then theys ain't gonna 'ave no chance in th' worl' t' fight back."
The weasel glanced up and Corbin recognised him immediately.
"Now you listen to me. Starbane gave me control of the group. If you do not do as I say, then I can see to it you are placed in the first wave." Warspite looked back down at the map. "Attack from four sides. Five on each side, one of those five an archer. We'll take out half of the force in one blow, then we can rush and wipe out whatever is not running away. Our archers can stay back and pick off the retreating scum."
The ferret cocked his head and glared at Warspite. "A great plan, if'n ye don' mind separatin' our group int' four smaller 'n's. They'll murder us in th' charge."
Warspite shook his head and gave the ferret a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Only if they are alive."
Corbin growled and charged.
"EULAYLIA!"
He brought the heavy sword down on the ferret first, landing a solid blow to the vermin's head, and then turned to face Warspite.
"Warspite, we meet again. Where's your tree branch this time?"
Warspite calmly drew a curving cutlass and glared at the mouse. "Corbin Swiftblade, we meet one on one." He chuckled. "Not for long."
The trees behind Warspite moved, and a score of bloodthirsty vermin crashed out. Most of them were shocked to see the mouse confronting their commander, with a ferret already dead at his feet. A few, however, regained their senses and drew blades. Corbin was too fast for them all, and in a flash was gone.
Chapter III
Montel jumped to his feet as Corbin charged into the camp.
"Score inbound. Four archers, ten with short range weapons, five with spears. Warspite is at the lead."
The badger growled and hefted his axe. "We'll show that weasel a thing or two."
Ghost limped over with Celleste at his side. "Alright, first off we worry about the archers. Lady Flynt, Trent, Snitch, Bloodwort, and Dengar, get your bows and arrows and find a good position to take them out from without getting caught. Ambush them and make them unsure about coming into our camp. Elflein, get your sling and try to circle around to their flank. If there is an attack coming at them from two sides, all the better for us. Be careful. The rest of us, to the centre, weapons ready for a charge."
Just as quickly as the news had come, the camp was back in order. The snipers had gone to find their positions while Montel, Corbin, Ghost, and Celleste formed a fighting square in the centre of the camp. The shouts of the charging horde beasts drew nearer, and Ghost grinned at the three around him. They were ready.
Five distinct screams sounded in the midst of the warcries.
"That'll be our archers." Ghost readied himself. "Ready!"
The wave broke through the trees and charged. One fell to a neatly planted stone from Elflein's sling, but the rest charged on unaware. Five more fell to arrows just as the first reached the fighting square. Montel's axe made it a short fight. Three were felled by a wide swing, and two more dropped from a quick attack by Corbin. The fighting square broke and spread to flank the remaining three, two rats and a stoat; Warspite was nowhere to be seen.
"Listen, surrender now and you'll live another day." Ghost stepped towards the stoat. "Alright?"
"Die, traitor."
The stoat brought his rapier around with a startling speed at Ghost's neck. The attack never carried through. The three were struck dead by black shafted arrows. Ghost kicked the rapier away and growled.
"Trent! You didn't have to kill the other two, they weren't attacking."
Trent stepped into the camp; his bow slung over one shoulder. "They would have. Besides, I never shot them, I hit the stoat." He kicked the still body and grinned. "Nice shot too, right between the shoulder blades."
"You're cold, Trent."
"And you were never?" Trent looked up at Ghost, a challenging look on his face.
Ghost started to say something, but Celleste stopped him by placing a paw on his shoulder.
"We have better things to worry about right now." She glanced at Elflein as the otter strode into the camp twirling her sling. "Starbane will probably send another attack when he finds out this one failed."
Trent grinned. "No he won't, he's down to two score. He does not even have enough to lay siege to a hut."
Ghost caught on to the fox's intentions and gave a slow nod. "Then we counter attack. Tonight, by the light of their own campfires. Trent, you and your archers will attack from the tree line, as will Lady Flynt. That should cause enough confusion to send them running. Montel and Corbin, you will wait on either side of the camp and deal with any who try to run away. I will confront Starbane."
Celleste coughed and glared at Ghost. "You forgot me."
Ghost shook his head. "No I didn't. You get ready to treat any beast that might need it. There is going to be bloodshed tonight. I suggest we all get some rest."
Ghost walked away from the group with Celleste at his side.
"Admit it, you just want me out of the way."
"Maybe I do, Celleste, maybe I do. But remember, you are the group healer and you are no good dead."
"Well thanks. That makes me feel a lot better."
He kissed her cheek. "Cheer up. This will all be over soon. Once it is, we'll find that Loamhedge place Elflein told you about and find a place to live."
Celleste kissed him back and grinned. "Aye, your right."
"Besides, we got this far with the whole thing, I don't want to risk losing you now."
She laughed and pushed him slightly. "You're stuck with me. From now until forever."
"Forever is a long way."
She draped her arms around his neck and grinned. "Yes it is, and I like it that way."
Chapter IV
If looks could kill, Warspite would have been dead as soon as he set foot in the camp. Starbane had apparently deduced by the lack of returning horde beasts that failure was all there was to report, but upon hearing the words total failure, he was enraged.
"You are a skilled leader, Warspite, but a coward. Only the coward leaves his command when defeat is inevitable."
Starbane called the remnants of the horde to him. "We have run into an unforeseen obstacle, my comrades. Two guerrilla forces have attacked us relentlessly and have forced upon us a choice. We can leave now, return to the north, and reinforce our numbers to return here again, or we can stand and fight the groups off like the warriors we are."
A loud chant rose. "Fight, fight, stay and fight."
Starbane clapped his paws together and opened his arms to the horde. "My fellow warriors, I was truly honoured when I became the leader of this group. Comrades, we must gear up for war. The number we face is few, ten. We can win if we play it smart. They will use their quick strike tactics, but we must be ready to trap them at their own game. Warspite, you have a skill for setting traps, take our best thinkers and get one ready. I will take the rest of you and we will set a simple fallback plan of our own."
Warspite took five and found a spot to think up a strategy for the team while Starbane led the rest to the centre of the camp.
"Alright, start digging a round trench, and make sure you pile the dirt on the outside of the ring as a wall. Get lances, javelins, pikes, spears, and whatever else you find to line the rim. That will be our little fort." He jumped in beside a rat and gave him a pat on the back. "There you go, just like that. Make sure you build up our wall. You there, Sliver, start collecting spears and the sorts for our defences. We'll show that ferret a thing or two about war!"
Starbane stepped back out of the way as he supervised the digging. Part of him hoped they would win and told him that there was no possible way they could lose. Another part of him, a smaller part that nagged from the back of his mind, told him not to doubt the fighting capabilities of the ferret and his group. He chose to listen to the louder voice. If ten could beat forty, then Starbane would willingly die fighting; and take a few with him.
Warspite shook his head. "That won't work. We need something better. We all have good minds, let's think!"
A quiet stoat twitched an ear and spoke. "How did they manage to take out your group?"
"Archers. Five archers were positioned in prime perches and picked off the group one at a time. Ten fell to their arrows alone before the fight even began."
A ferret raised a paw to speak. "Who do we have in th' way of archers?"
"Hlysa and Grimwake, the two rats."
"Not as many as they had, but it could be enough. Send them both to find good perches. Order them to take out th' archers first."
Warspite gave the ferret a nod. "So, we have a beginning. Now we need to get them in a hopeless position."
"We let them charge." A young rat pointed at the ditch. "They're buildin' a fortified trench. Let th' ferret an' that group 'o 'is charge th' trenches an' get slaughtered."
Warspite looked doubtful again. "That is relying heavily on our brute force to handle the situation."
"Lissen." The rat leaned in closer to the rest of the group. "Th' archers take out two, maybe four before they charge. That leaves six t' eight o' them fer our eighteen. If they charge int' th' open, th' archers cen fire on 'em from their perches. Then, if they charge th' trench, they'll meet spear an' javelin. Long range weapons attackin' 'em as they come down. We'll win."
Starbane had wandered up at some point during the conversation. "You're a bright one. What's your name?"
"Korick, sir."
"Korick, there may be a future for you if we get out of this."
Warspite cleared his throat. "How long will the trench take?"
"By nightfall."
Korick hissed. "Archer's won't be good in th' forest at night. No moon tonight."
"A minor technicality." The stoat stood. "Chances are they will not attack tonight. If they do, however, we will have th' trench, and that will serve us well."
With that, and a nod from Starbane, the war council ended their meeting.
Chapter V
Ghost stared at the dead camp from the tree line and grinned. The horde had moved all of its remaining numbers into the centre, and had a large fire burning in the middle of their trench. Above him, Lady Flynt called down in a hushed whisper.
"I think they're stupid for lightin' that fire. I can pick them off one by one because of it."
Ghost grinned. "You just might have to do that, unless we can get them out of the trench and up onto the main field. Lady Flynt, your eyes are better than mine, did they leave any fire pits lying around the main camp?"
"Aye, plenty of them, too. What's your plan?"
"Celleste, I'm going to need your help after all. Elflein, come here, I'll need you too. How fast can you light a fire?"
Elflein chuckled softly. "I'm a cook. Fire's are simple."
"I can do it if she can." Celleste grinned. "Why?"
"We'll burn them out."
He quickly outlined his plan, and the three fire starters crept out into the camp, unnoticed in the darkness. Ghost found the first fire pit and found the embers were still warm. He stoked it and fed it a few small branches until it was burning. To his left, two more fires were slowly beginning to light the camp. He darted away from the fire as two arrows struck the ground and began seeking out another pit.
Elflein ducked as an arrow whistled past her ear. She was already moving on to her third fire and silently hoping that at least some of the horde would take the bait. So far, none had. Fires were springing up all around the camp as Celleste and Ghost worked their way around the trench on their fire starting campaign. The otter chuckled to herself as another arrow flew by her with plenty of room to spare. Ghost was crazy, but sometimes crazy was enough to work.
Celleste and Ghost met at the same fire pit and shook paws. Ghost glanced around at the work they had accomplished.
"All well for now. I'll take this last one. Tell Lady Flynt that there are two archers, if she hasn't figured that out already. Have the archers wait for the signal, and then fire at will. This war is over. We will win."
"Be careful. I still need to patch your robe up." Celleste gave him a quick kiss and ran back towards the tree line.
Ghost took a deep breath and started to light the last fire. The flames were slow at starting, but soon became a small blaze. Two arrows flashed in his vision and thudded as they struck the ground. He turned and glanced at them, only to feel a flash of pain as a third struck him in the leg. He fell to the ground and rolled away from the firelight. His eyes watered as he broke the shaft and stood; now shrouded by darkness. He cupped his paws around his mouth and took a deep breath.
"EAGLE WATCH!"
The horde froze as the loud cry echoed throughout the camp. Almost immediately following it, before the sound even had a chance to die, five black shafted arrows appeared in five different targets. The two archers fell, both struck in the back. Korick was struck in the throat, and two other rats joined him on the ground, the black shafts protruding from their chests. Starbane glared at the slain archers, they now had no long-range defence.
Five more arrows materialised out of nowhere. This time, two missed, and only three struck their targets. The horde was getting restless in the death trap and started shouting.
"Hold it!" Starbane's voice brought order to them. "We're sitting ducks in here, and sitting ducks out there. However, out there we stand a chance of getting away. So, I am going to leave it up to you. Run and take your chances, or die in here."
"No. Listen up." Warspite came up alongside his captain. "We can still win this. The archers are all firing from the south. If we run north and circle around behind them, we can catch them in their own game."
The horde seemed to like that idea better.
"Good. We're decided then. Warspite had a good idea. When I say go, make a break for it. Run north." Starbane took a deep breath. "One...two...three, go!"
The remaining horde beasts took off running. Four more fell to arrows, and one dropped from a sling stone to the head. Starbane took a quick mental count. Twenty two, not counting Warspite and himself. Another sling stone and arrow lowered his count by two.
"EEEULAAAYLIIIIAAAA!"
Mouse and badger charged into the retreating horde from the north side. The forerunners fell, leaving fourteen, plus Starbane and Warspite, trapped between a rock and a hard place. Starbane braced himself to watch the utter destruction of his horde, but oddly enough, the two halted the advance a good distance from the horde. Oddly enough, the arrows seemed to have ceased fire.
Warspite gathered the fourteen remaining beasts together and started issuing orders. At just that moment, the arrows started flying again. Two more were cut down. Massive panic ran through the rest of the horde as they scattered and ran in every which way. For Starbane, an odd sort of calmness about the situation had flooded him.
The searat watched the scene before him with a spiteful hatred. Fires reflected in his eyes, one black and one a pale white. He watched the flames jump and leap about the camp, wreaking havoc wherever they went. Left and right his horde scattered and rushed about, some battering away at the fires and others sending scores of arrows and javelins at anything that appeared to move in the surrounding trees. He locked his eyes on a large weasel that was shouting out orders.
"Warspite, come here."
The second in command turned and started for his commander. The weasel had proven himself countless times on the field, and even now had taken charge and was directing the horde in battling the fire and the unseen enemies.
"Yes sir, you called?"
"Warspite, listen to me good. I want whoever is responsible for this dead at my feet. Take no prisoners, kill them all."
The weasel gave a brisk salute and turned to leave. Something whistled past the sea rat's ear and struck Warspite with a thud. The second in command staggered forward a step and fell to the ground, dead, a black shaft protruding from the centre of his back. The searat drew a rapier and swung it about in a wide arc. The top half of the shaft jumped into the air as the blade cut cleanly through it.
"We finish it now. Turn and fight, rat."
The searat hissed and whirled, drawing his second rapier as he faced his adversary. The sight before him made him seethe. "You are a traitor to your kind."
The ferret drew a pair of long, thin-bladed daggers from under his dark green robe. "To the death. Only one of us leaves alive."
The searat narrowed his eyes. "Who are you, ferret?"
"Naught more than a ghost, Starbane."
A second black arrow streaked past Starbane's head and struck a stoat who had been about to ambush the ferret. The would-be ambusher dropped dead with a shaft in his throat. The ferret paid it no mind and started moving in for the attack.
"You will die tonight, ferret."
The ferret's expression was calm as he locked his dark amber eyes on Starbane's white and black ones. "A ghost can never die."
Starbane felt a shiver course through him as the cold eyes bored into his own. He gripped his rapiers and readied for the coming attack.
Ghost twirled one of his daggers and took another. "You lost, Starbane."
"Not without some victories."
"Acer will be avenged."
"Try me, Ghost."
Ghost charged, ignoring the pain in his leg, and brought his right dagger down at an angle, aiming a blow at Starbane's chest. The rat blocked the attack neatly with a rapier and slashed out with the other. Ghost ducked, narrowly missing the attack, and lunged forward, both daggers aimed at his opponent's gut. Starbane dropped the rapiers and batted the two daggers aside. Ghost ran into him full on, and the two fell to the ground. Starbane managed to take one of the daggers from Ghost and he stabbed blindly at the ferret, scoring a few light blows, while Ghost clamped one paw on the rat's throat and started to squeeze. Starbane locked his free paw on the hilt of Ghost's other dagger and held it back. Ghost was to an attack, and the horde leader took little time in attacking. He slashed at the arm that was strangling him, and then drove the blade up at Ghost's body. It struck its target, but did nothing.
Starbane looked at the ferret and shivered at the icy glare he received. Ghost pulled the dagger from his gut and drove it into Starbane's chest. Pain exploded throughout Starbane's body, and he released the second dagger. Ghost changed his grip on the blade and pressed it to Starbane's throat.
"For Acer, and Eagle Watch."
He drew the blade across the rat's throat and stood, leaving the horde commander to die. The numbing effects of the adrenaline coursing through him had begun to wear off, and he became aware of the pain in his gut. Ghost pressed a paw to the wound and started to stagger towards the tree line. In his blurred vision, he could see what appeared to be two figures, but was actually one, running across the camp towards him. He took a step towards it, and collapsed. Blackness flooded his vision, and the pain vanished.
EPILOGUE
"Shhh, he's coming around. Now back up and give him room."
Ghost opened his eyes and saw nothing but blinding light, so bright he had to close them again.
"Actually, on second thought, leave the room."
"Are y' sure y' don't need help? I'm a jolly good healer, wot!"
"Yes, I'm fine."
The voices seemed distant, though he knew that the speakers were in the same room. He tried to open his eyes again as a door closed. This time the bright light had gone and he was able to see his surroundings. Celleste was sitting next to his bed.
"How long was I sleeping?"
"Two days. We had to carry you here." Celleste took a cool, damp cloth and gently daubed Ghost's forehead. "You had me scared half to death."
"I'll try not to next time." He glanced around the room. "Where are we?"
"Salamandastron. Solace has been a great help since we arrived." She smiled and set the cloth aside.
"How long until I can walk?"
"I'll give you a week before I let you do anything. The others will wait. Trent and his friends chose to camp outside, so they won't be getting into any trouble soon."
"You still don't like them?"
Celleste shook her head.
Ghost rubbed his head. A terrible headache had set in. "My head hurts."
"I have something that might help."
He eyed her curiously. "What's that?"
She leaned down until she was eye level with him. "Oh, a special treatment. It was taught me by my mother." She kissed him. "You kiss it and make it all better."
Ghost closed his eyes as she kissed him and grinned. "I think its working. My head feels better already."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. "Forever?"
Ghost looked up at her and nodded. "Forever."
THE END
EAGLE WATCH