CHAPTER V
The afternoon sun beat down on the stone walls of Natakeu Monastery. The aged building loomed over the rolling, snow-covered hills that seemed to stretch forever into the horizon. The place looked abandoned, but it was very much alive. Squirrels in robes walked around at a quick pace, as if they were on a mission. There were warriors too, clad in steel plate armor, and armed with katana and dirks.
It was no wonder Shadowfang Darkclaw wanted this place. A vast evergreen forest surrounded it. The climate was very cold, but under the very foundation of the monastery ran a hot-springs river, and an underground forest contained within the cavern system. An army could be confined inside the walls for most of their lives, and not have to worry about food or water.
On the north rampart, a squirrel of medium height clad in a tunic held a staff in hand, performing various attacks and parries with his own shadow.
"Seth!" A gray haired squirrel in robes called up to the squirrel. Seth groaned.
"What is it, Father Akian?"
"You have been told many times that a priest is never to be seen with a weapon, even in self-defense!"
"Father Akian, I'm not a priest, nor do I want to become one!" Seth yelled back at his superior.
"You have no say in this, being a priest is in your blood. Let the fighters do the fighting, and drop your weapon this instant!"
The young squirrel hesitated, then dropped his oak staff. He stared at the ground, and climbed down from the battlement. He walked in the steps of the gray squirrel and prepared for his punishment.
The Death Sickle plowed through the waves at an impressive speed, due to the westward headwind. The otter tribe of Holt L'aqua had been reduced to oar slaves. Celtian and Rain sat a different oar each. They were fed just enough to stay alive, but were always very weak and very sick. It was always very dark and humid in the galley. For some unknown reason, they were given their own sleeping quarters, separate from the rest of the slaves, who slept on the oar benches. Shadowfang had plans for both of them.
Shadowfang sat in his cabin, honing the blade of his scythe and tending to some of his wounds. It had been a vicious battle, but he had come out victorious. His lieutenants sat with him, eating some of Shadowfang's best apples, scones and honey. Shadowfang was very grateful for the help they had given him. Holt L'aqua would still be standing if not for their intelligence and bravery. He was always very confident in them. He couldn't command this many soldiers alone. Of course, he would never tell them that.
Shadowfang looked over at his second in command; a smart and quick-witted weasel named Rustfang. In Shadowfang's hierarchy, all of his lieutenants were given the rank of Fang in his horde.
"Rustfang, anything to report? Were any seen escaping alive?" Shadowfang asked him.
"No sir. My survey team only spotted a team of badgers two leagues north heading toward the fortress before we left. That's why we had to get out when we did. Our force was weakened significantly."
"Good job, Rustfang. And your captains?"
"Aye sir. Only two survived. Splitear, and Allura."
"Okay." Shadowfang started "Bring them to me when you are fit enough to do so." He said slowly, almost hesitantly. "And bring me the badger and the otter with the blue eyes." He added as an afterthought.
"Aye sir." Rustfang threw a quick solute, and staggered out of the cabin, hobbling on his wounded leg.
Rain was stirred on his bed of straw, unable to sleep. Just as he started to dose, the voice of one of the lieutenants awakened him.
"Hey, otter!" Rustfang yelled into the small confinement. His three guards, two burly stoats and a lanky rat, stepped in and bound his paws. Rain looked into Rustfang's eyes coldly.
"What do you want?" Rain said in a voice matching his stare.
"Captain Darkclaw wants to talk to you two." He gestured to the six guards holding Celtian.
"Hah! I'm insulted! If you thought I was going to resist, you would need a lot more to contain me, filth!" Rain spat in Rustfang's face.
"Take him to the captain's cabin, and call more guards." Rustfang spoke, containing his rage against the witty young otter. With that, the horde beasts lead the two starving brothers to the cabin of Shadowfang Darkclaw.
Seth sat in his chamber, staring at his open book, but not reading it. He looked outside his window to make sure that the sun had gone down, and closed his book carefully, blowing out his candle. The moon reflected gently on the freshly fallen snow. Poking his head out into the main hall of the quarter's wing, he scanned the hallway for any beast wandering about. He stole off into the hallway when he knew he was clear. He tiptoed into a large, dimly lit chamber with a sign marked "Armory".
He immediately walked to a case, where the smaller blades were held. He stared in awe at the weapons that had never been used. He wanted to be a samurai so bad he could taste it.
"So, you like my collection little one?" A deep voice rang through the room. A tall ferret with white fur and gentle red eyes stood outlined in the doorway. Seth's blood ran cold.
"Master Ashido! I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were there- I, I mean I…I'm sorry…"
The ferret laughed. "Seth, wasn't it? It's okay, really." He walked to the small squirrel and stood over him. Seth was shaking uncontrollably from fear.
"Lighten up little one! I'm the monastery master, not a cold hearted vermin."
Seth cowered under the massive ferret.
"Here…" Ashido knelt next to the squirrel and smiled. He reached into the case and pulled out a lethal-looking, curved dagger with a silver blade with a bark-cloth handle.
"You are a warrior, natural born. I can see it in your eyes, the way that you look at these weapons. I want you to have this. I forged it myself, and I know you would be able to take care of it." The ferret pointed the handle in the frightened squirrel's direction, as if asking him to take it. Seth backed away.
"I can't! Father Akian said-"
"Father Akian doesn't have to know. This will be our little secret." Ashido smiled, and winked. Seth was no longer scared. He took the dagger gratefully and smiled back. The young squirrel hopped on the great leader's shoulder, and they stole off to the kitchens and snacked on candied hazelnuts like two naughty dibbuns into the night.