CHAPTER VII
Celtian, now called 'Fang' by his new comrades, helped in preparing the longboats for the short trek to shore. He fully looked like a horde member. He wore a battered cape that fluttered in the wind like so many dead leaves, and wielded a giant pole axe that was originally meant for decoration in a far-away palace. His new brass breastplate and deep red bandana made him almost look like an overgrown weasel.
Shadowfang stood on an elevated plain as he had before the fall of Holt L'aqua and confronted all of his officers with a stare, followed by the usual speech. "Natakeu Monastery will fall before us today, and the Darkclaw Empire will spread throughout the land!" He tacked to the end disdainfully. He knew this wouldn't be as easy as he had made it sound.
"Fang." He approached Celtian after the motley crew dissipated and began preparing for all-out combat. "I want you to take the oar slaves inland. You will also take 20 of my best archers to command. Paw pick five others, and take two longboats. I want camp set up by the time we get there. Understood?"
Before Celtian had the opportunity to respond, Shadowfang interrupted him, "If you double-cross me badger, I swear, it will be your blood on my scythe. Do you understand me?" They were nose-to-nose by now. Celtian could smell the ferret's hot, foul breath.
"Aye sir, I understand. I won't let you down." He boomed.
"Right!" Shadowfang said, backing down. "Go, immediately, while there's still daylight. Those squirrels work best at night. Try not to alert them of our presence. Dismissed!"
Celtian soluted and trotted off to retrieve the slaves from the hold. Everything was going his way, he just had to figure out how to keep it that way.
He pushed his entire uncertainty aside as he gazed over to the other boat. Seated at two oars alone was his brother, Rain. He had a fixed stare on his battered face. His body looked as if it had been under-fed and badly mistreated, but in his eyes shone a dangerous light. A look of determination and spirit shined only through his eyes as he powered with all his might towards the growing shoreline with most of the other slaves.
The spot Shadowfang had picked out for the reconnaissance team to land happened to be near a cave where a temporary landing camp could be set up. The water stayed deep enough to bring the Death Sickle in a later time.
Celtian stepped onto the cooling sand of the shore, watching his troop rush onto the sandy beach to stretch from the trip. Night had already fallen. The moon cast an eerie glow about the jittery crowd as they began to unload. He lit a torch and handed it to one of his archers, a rat.
"You. I want you to oversee the unloading of the slaves and the cargo. Make sure it gets unloaded, and the slaves chained together. I want this done in an hour. Go!" Celtian boomed.
The rat sneered,
Celtian turned and tended to some business of his own, checking the cargo. He looked up at the star-filled sky and at the full moon, and he mumbled something to himself, looking back down and continuing his work.
Ashido paced furiously in front of the two leaders before him, Father Akian and Norek.
"So basically," He started, "we don't have a chance."
"N'why would ya say somethin' like that, sah?" The hare questioned with half of a mushroom and leek flan hanging out of his mouth.
"Because half-wit," Father Akian interjected, "he outnumbers both of our forces put together four to one."
"Not true, sah. I did receive word from a merchant ship that Holt L'aqua fell under Darkclaw's forces." Norek piped up, tearing into another flan, the gravy from the last one dripping from his chops.
Ashido stopped cold, his pink eyes with a look of unpleasant surprise. "You mean to tell me that-but how?"
"Strength in numbers probably." The ancient squirrel inquired, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. "Excuse me mister hare, could you possibly make a larger mess?" Akian asked with outraged sarcasm.
The hare shrugged, "I sure could try iffin y'wanted me to, sah!"
"Both of you, knock it off! This is serious. Darkclaw is coming, and he's after THIS!" He slammed his fist on the stone table and gestured around the room.
The two looked on in stupefied silence.
"Right now, I can't have a stubborn priest and a comedian general throwing insults and one-liners at each other! What I need is a reconnaissance team of three to scout the area. Now, either you two can help me get this operation started, or I can throw both of you out so you can happily fight." He paused, "What will it be, gentlebeasts?"
Norek leaped up, grabbing his bladed staff, "I'll go with ya, sah! 'Tis the least I c'n do for ya."
Akian shook his head furiously, "There is no way I'll be able to go. I'm too old for this." He looked into the infuriated ferret's eyes, "But I suppose you already know that, sir. So who did you have in mind? Maybe Ares, or Tyr?"
"Actually," Ashido started, "I was thinking more along the lines of Brother Seth…" he trailed off.
"Have you gone mad, sir? He is young and of no combat experience! He is a priest, born and bred! I will not have him-"
"You will not let him live his life to its potential, right Father Akian?" Ashido interrupted, "There is something special about him. I'm not sure what it is yet, but there is only one way to bring it out. Besides, who said anything about combat? This is just a simple recon mission."
Akian grumbled and rose from his seat. He wordlessly left the kitchen area, letting the heavy doors slam. Norek grinned.
"Well, I guess he won't be supporting us, will he sah?"
"No, General Bladewind, I don't believe he will." Ashido sighed.