CHAPTER VI
Rain and Celtian were brought into Shadowfang's cabin, followed by almost a score of guards.
"Well hello my prisoners. Take a seat." He gestured to two very comfortable looking chairs. They both remained standing, a look of defiance and determination written in their now cold features.
"Fine, have it your way." The ferret said in a hard voice. "Now, you have three choices. First, you can join my horde, if you promise loyalty to me. Second, you can continue to be my slaves until you die. Or, I can kill you right here and now." He finished, resting his scythe on his right shoulder.
"I speak for both of us when I say we would rather kill ourselves than jo-"
"I'll join your horde!" Celtian interrupted. Rain looked at his brother in horror. "Celtian? You can't be serious!" The otter pleaded.
A thin smile spread on the badger's face. "Aye, but I am. Rain, if you're not smart enough to join us, than I think you need to remain a slave."
A feeling of joy spread it self throughout Shadowfang's body. A rested a paw on Celtian's shoulder. "Good choice. You will be my fifth lieutenant. For now, you will simply be known as 'Fang'."
"TRAITOR!" Rain screamed at his brother and former best friend. "All that we did for you, and now you betray us? I'll kill you!" The guards held the ranting otter. He wasn't as strong as he used to be. They led him out, kicking and clawing, biting and tail slapping until he fell unconscious under a hefty blow from a stoat.
"Take him to the oars. I want him chained up and ready. Wake up the rest of the slaves." As Shadowfang was saying this, a rat stood at attention in the doorway.
"Yes, Talon, report." Shadowfang said to the rat. The rat was of medium height and build and carried two bone-handled scimitars.
"Aye sir. We are approaching the northern shores of the mainland. We are at the closest point as we can get to Natakeu Monastery from the water."
"Good…go back to your post now, you will be rewarded later." Shadowfang brushed him off. "Fang, it is time for your first battle. Rustfang, take him to the armory. He may have any weapons and armor he wants."
"Aye sir!" The weasel nodded, and led his new comrade below decks.
"Bluefang. I want you to get the horde prepared to march. Send them all to the high deck for briefing." He commanded another of his lieutenants, a vixen.
"Yes sir!" She hustled out of the cabin.
Shadowfang licked the blade of his scythe. He had cut some small ducts on the blade where he would lay wolfsbane, a powerful poison. He wanted his enemies to writhe in pain before they died.
Soon, he thought to himself, the monastery would fall before him like Holt L'aqua had.
A hare made his way through the pine and cedar trees, obviously very quick and agile, as well as aware of his surroundings. He saw Natakeu Monastery from his standpoint, and was soon within a few paw lengths of the walls.
"Ahoy there, wall guard! Let me in here 'fore I freeze m'tail off, wot!" The hare yelled up the squirrel on the wall top, armed with a bow and arrows.
"State thy name, rabbit." He said, as he started to reach for an arrow with the subtlest of paw movements.
"I can see that yor still green, sah! I'm Norek Zephyr Bladewind, t'give my full title. Summon your master. And it's hare, sah, and don't you forget it!" Norek said, pointing his weapon at the guard. It was an odd sort of weapon, with a curved blade atop a short staff.
"Mister Bladewind! My apologies, sir! Wait, I'll open the gates." The anxious squirrel scurried down the steps, and ran right into Ashido.
"What's with the yelling, Cobal?" The ferret asked, his eyes scanning the timid soldier.
"Th-there is a rab- I mean hare…here to see you sir!" He managed to babble.
"Very good, open the gate, and get yourself something to eat, it's mighty cold out here!" He made a shivering gesture to lighten the mood. The guard ran to do what he was bid.
A few moments later, Norek strode into the compound. He was a tall, lanky mountain hair, with dark brown fur and hazel eyes. Though his size didn't reveal it, a better fighting hare than him was hard to come by.
"Norek, what brings you in these parts? How is the camp faring?" Ashido asked him, extending his paw.
"I bring news." He said, taking his friend's paw "My shore patrol has sighted a ship lingering on the horizon. Looks as if they were mounting an attack. They may march inland."
Ashido nodded, biting his lower lip in thought. He swallowed hard "Do you know who it is?"
"Darkclaw. Has to be. I've never seen a ship move that quickly. The black…we get a chill just by looking at it." He said, bowing his head.
The ferret sighed in frustration. "We'll talk more over lunch. My cook just finished making a mushroom and leek soup. We'll have a Council of War."
"Good!" The hare said his good spirit returning. "The bally old tummy was starting to growl."