CHAPTER II
The sun rose high, and the raiders drew ever nearer. The blistering heat didn't stop the determined warriors of Holt L'aqua. The archers and slingers hid in the cliffs facing the shore where the raiders would land. The plan for the junior officers was being put into effect. Their ship, The Scarlett, named after Rain's deceased mother, sailed west and slightly south, waiting to ambush the raiders from behind. Only a score of the most elite otters were to begin the battle head on. The rest waited in the cliffs or on board the Scarlett. It was a plan that had worked many times before, and would work many times more, or so they thought.
Rain stood at the stern of the Scarlett, pawing at the hilt of his new saber anxiously. He could feel his chain armor weighing him down, but he didn't care. He looked over at Celtian, who was going over some maps with another junior officer. For Celtian, it was like the chain armor wasn't even there. He went through the plans in his head again, and again. There was no way he was going to mess this up.
"Okay Ruby, this is the place." He told his steers-beast.
"Righto cap'n!" She grinned.
Rain sighed. In his mind, Ruby had to have been the most beautiful otter that lived. Her eyes shined a hue of red in the sunlight, hence the name, Ruby. Her fur was soft and sparkled in the sunlight. She could be gentle and loving, or she could be deadly with her twin daggers. He couldn't help himself from smiling back.
Their eyes locked, and they continued to smile at each other, their gazes deepening.
"Rain! You need to see this!" A voice yelled from the starboard side of the ship, the same beast who had been going over the maps with Celtian moments ago. "Two; no three small raider ships coming from the east!"
Rain ran headlong to the starboard side of the ship just in time to see three small boats landing on the east shore of the fortress. The guards, he thought. The guards can take care of them. Ha! Uncle Kincaid and his troop can take care of a few vermin!
"Continue as planned." Rain said calmly, inwardly mad that somebeast had interrupted him.
Shadowfang Darkclaw the ferret captain stood at the wheel of his massive ship, the Death Sickle. Evil seemed to emanate from the ships sleek design. The two monoliths that served as masts for the great ship towered high above the ocean to catch the best headwinds. The ship was painted completely black as a trademark to the presence of Shadowfang and his massive horde.
Even Shadowfang's appearance struck fear into the heart of his enemies. His dark, silk-like fur and his black eyes were enough to drive a grown otter mad with fear. His speed and strength were matched only by his skills with a scythe. His cunning and intelligence were well known throughout the seas. Him and his unusually well trained horde were like an unstoppable plague.
Shadowfang went over the battle plan in his head. He could see the small form of an ambushing ship from a league away. He had heard stories of the great defenses of Holt L'aqua. His three longboats should be at the opposite shore, he thought. He laughed in his head. It was a perfect way to throw them off guard. If they were smart, the ambushing ship would head for the opposite shore where his longboats had landed.
Shadowfang turned to see his officers lined up neatly, weapons drawn and saluting.
"This is it! Holt L'aqua will fall before us toady!" Shadowfang yelled at his captains and lieutenants. They cheered.
"Take everything you can get." He paused. "Your life depends on it." He said in a lower tone.
"Yes Lord Shadowfang!" They all yelled in unison.
"Up anchor, take us in toward victory!" He barked at his steers-rat.
"Aye sir!" The rat yelled back enthusiastically.
The battle was on, and only one side would win.