Part One: Rapidly
Salamandastron was at its miserable and sorrowful times. Vermin were scurrying the land, especially the parts around Salamandastron, all looking for someplace to rule and take over. Lord Winterele had sent thousands of hares out of his mountains in groups, making them report back to him when vermin were spotted heading towards Salamandastron. Major Embaril Burine Rinteran's Long Patrol was constantly sent out to scour the land for vermin who were heading their way. Galloper Diltherwhirl, mostly called Whirl unless one of the officers was tremendously mad at him, stood on the beach of Salamandastron, shivering as the cool wind blow past him, but enjoying every last bit of the fresh air. Whirl was one of the nine hares of Major Embaril's Long Patrol. He was a carefree sort of creature, and was quite popular among the other hares. Facing the sea, the hare scoured around the horizon, looking for any ship that looked somewhat like a vermin craft. Finding nothing, the Galloper crossed his arms in boredom and paced around the beach, extremely bored.
"Sarge Winsah jus' has to put me up fer vermin ship sightin' duty, wot! 'Tain't me fault that I said I wanted some fresh air and that I was bored inside. I'm more bored out of the blinkin' mountain anyway. Now I have to stay out here in the jolly cold, freezin' me bally bobtail off an'-"
"Whirl! I've brought your vittles for you!"
Whirl stopped his pacing to see a young female hare run down to him with a basket with what he guessed to be the food.
"Flimipaw! Jus' in time, wot! Me bally stomach was jus' talkin' to me blinkin' brain about how hungry it was. Thankee extremely!"
Flimipaw smiled warmly as she handed the Galloper the basket.
"Not much; just a bit I collected from Heran's kitchen. I got redcurrant pie for you too. I know that's your favorite."
As Whirl dug into the basket and everything he found inside it, Flimipaw told him the news she had collected from the mountain. The haremaid was like his personal assistant, and told him of everything that he needed to know.
"Embaril is taking us out again to looked for vermin. Lord Winterele is getting really worked up. He thinks that something bad is going to happen really soon, and he wants us to be prepared for battle. So we're leaving tomorrow with Embaril to look around. The same hares are coming: Lieutenant Frillin, strangest and most comical hare in the officer mess, Sergeant Winsah, famous for his hard bark, the admired Captain Imerilane, known for her perilous blade and skill, and also her stunning beauty of course, Blackstarr, or 'Shadow of Salamandastron,' whichever you want to call him, Dart, the Long Patrol spy expertise, Cramber, healer and extraordinaire when it comes to preparing food, and of course, we're going too. Oh, and news on your sister, Alderrain. She's still away; they say that she'll be back in a season or two. Sorry about that."
Whirl sighed wistfully at the thought of his favorite sister as he munched on a scone, murmuring around it, "Good old Rain."
Flimipaw giggled as she stuck her paw into the basket and pulled out a beaker of strawberry cordial, along with two flasks. Pouring some for the both of them, she asked, "Did you see anything?"
The hare grinned his thanks as he grabbed his flask and drained it in a few gulps.
"Nah, m'gel, nothin' yet. How's me family? Missin' me, even iffen I've jus' been out here fer a while, freezin' to my grave?"
"Think they're a bit glad your away; now they can get a bit of peace. Don't worry, they'll miss you when we're away with the Major hunting vermin."
Whirl winked at the haremaid, then shivered as a cold gust of wind blew past.
"Think you should go in, old gel. It's startin' to get colder. Go on, an' if the Sarge ever considers lettin' me inside, send him my regards, wot!"
Flimipaw skipped off towards Salamandastron with the empty basket, then at the gate, turned around and gave him a cheerful wave.
**
Captain Imerilane twirled her dirk around absently as her head shot around, scanning her surroundings. Dart had to scoot out of the way to avoid being hit.
"I say, marm, if yer goin' to twirl, please do so away from me, eh, wot!"
Ignoring the spy, the officer continued spinning her blade, shaking her head.
"Where 'as Whirl gone to? We should 'ave set off by now. The rascal, jus' wait till 'e gets here; I'll give 'im a piece o' me mind!"
Frillin strolled over in his usual cheery manner, winking at Imerilane roguishly.
"Don't want that to happen, wot! Oh, the chap'll be so scared, havin' the captain go a'ter him an' whatnot. 'Please, oh beautiful, perilous captain,' he'll say. 'Please spare a poor hare like me! Y'wouldn't actually hurt a Galloper would you, wot?' Hahaha!"
The 'beautiful, perilous captain' gave the Lieutenant a playful shove, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Dart suppressed his laughter by coughing quite loudly -though there were faint hints of giggles in between the coughs- as Imerilane pointed the tip of her dirk at Frillin's neck, grinning mischievously.
"Y'seem to know what 'e'll say t'me for me t'spare 'im, but what about you, eh?"
The irrepressible Lieutenant gulped and wailed out, "Oh please, dear captain, spare a gallant officer like meself so later on I kin dump water on yore fair head, wot!"
The captain suppressed a chuckle and made a move to pounce on the laughing officer when Embaril Burine Rinteran marched in. He stared at Dart, who's coughs died off slowly as he saw the Major, Lieutenant Frillin, who waved from his position on the floor, and Captain Imerilane, who saluted with her dirk in true Salamandastron military fashion, inching slowly away from Frillin as if she hadn't done anything. The Major shook his head in puzzlement and continued marching forward, calling for Whirl. The hares in his Patrol had always confused him at times.
Sighing with relief, Imerilane left the scene to chat with the Sergeant Winsah, and Dart stopped coughing -though he was still giggling- and joined Cramber. Frillin jumped up and started dusting himself off, a strange smile upon his face.
Whirl came bouncing up, Major Embaril and Flimipaw behind him. Giving the captain and large grin, he saluted Sergeant Winsah in an awkward manner.
"Hullo, Sarge, fine mornin' ain't it, wot? Say, about yesterday when I was on lookout, d'y'mind iffen I don't e'er do that job agin?"
Winsah's face hardened suddenly as he turned away from Imerilane and roared out to the hapless hare.
"Y'll be on lookout when I say y'will, y'll march when I say y'do, an' y'll fight when I say y'fight! So stand straight, y'pickled toadwolloper, chin up, whiskers stiff an' ears alert. Let m'find y'slackin' off agin, or e'en thinkin' bout it, an' y'll be findin' y'self in the back o' the line, haulin' all our bags! Now march away from us two officers an' join the other young'uns in their mischievous play. That's an order!"
The galloper slouched off, muttering to himself moodily.
"I say, bit too much fer a measly Galloper like me, wot! Whoe'er promoted the old chap should un-promote him, or somethin' like-"
"Back straight, good posture, y'liddle sloshin' good fer nothin' blighter! Now.march!"
Following the sergeant's orders, Whirl sighed in wonderment as he headed towards Dart, Cramber, and Flimipaw.
"I say, the Sarge mus' have eyes'n'ears on the back o' his head!"
Major Embaril looked around the small group of hares, trying to see if he was missing anybody. "Imerilane, Winsah, Dart, Cramber, Whirl, Flimipaw.where's Frillin? Oh, there he is. So counting meself, that's eight.we have nine in total. Where's Blackstarr?"
The Major looked around calmly; he was used to missing Blackstarr. The 'shadow' was pretty hard to find when he was camouflaged, and the only time you could see him was when he wanted you to. "Blackstarr, sah, come out o' hidin' this instant, please. We're on a tight schedule, the lud's expectin' us to be out by noon. Blackstarr!"
A roguish looking, light brown furred hare appeared right in front of Embaril, his nose just a few inches away from the Major's.
"No need to shout, sah, I'm right here."
Although he had had Blackstarr in his Patrol for many seasons, the approach of surprise always seemed to shock Embaril. The major jumped in astonishment as the 'Shadow of Salamandastron' stared at him unblinkingly, showing no expression. Inwardly, he was grinning. Catching the major off guard was always interesting to see.
"Blackstarr, please avoid doin' that next time!"
The Captain and Sergeant marched up to the Major and both saluted swiftly.
"Well then, major, shall we be settin' out now?"
Embaril nodded at Imerilane, a slight smile hovering around his lips.
"Yes.why don't you get them marchin' in true military form, Sergeant."
Winking swiftly, Winsah turned to the other six hares and started shouting like a true Drill Sergeant of Salamandastron, roaring out fiercely.
"Well now, m'lucky walloping buckoes, into a straight line, pick 'em lazy footpaws up, march! Hup two three, stand straight t'attention, lookin' directly in front o' yerself. Head straight Whirl, don't see how the ground could be so interestin'! Cramber, left right left right, not the flippin' way around. Get it correct, laddie buck, else yore poor paws'll ne'er 'member wot it feels to be restin'! Come on now, y'sluggish lot, march an' show them that yore from Salamandastron!"
**
Dart giggled softly as Imerilane shot Frillin another sharp look as he continued singing his own silly little ditty called, 'Rapidly' that he had make up for the occasion.
"An' the rain rains rapidly, as it rains so rapidly. An' it soaks me down so rapidly, That I'm soaked very rapidly. An' I marched so rapidly, As the sergeant barked rapidly. An' so I sang so rapidly, The captain glared at me rapidly. An' so now I must rapidly Finish my-"
The boisterous Lieutenant shut up quickly as the Captain growled at him softly, her paw straying deadly close to her dirk. But Frillin's song related extremely to their conditions. The rain was pouring very hard, and the Long Patrol was soaked to the bone. Whirl turned to the Sergeant as he queried him.
"Must we keep marchin' on like this in this bloomin' weather, Sarge? Kin't see a thing in this blinkin' rain, wot!"
Winsah shrugged, keeping up his strong, steady pace.
"That, m'laddie buck, is a question fer the Major. Soaked right through th'fur, all o' us, Frillin's at 'is confounded singin', an' th'good Cap'n looks like she's got the right mind to pounce on 'im!"
The Sergeant shook his head and sighed, wiping rain water out of his face.
"Aye, bucko, 'tis a gloomy day, ain't it? Well, cheer up, the sun'll 'ave to shine some day, eh?" Whirl nodded in a depressing manner, trying to keep up with Winsah's fast stride.
"Righto, Sarge, 'cept I'm 'fraid that the day when the sun comes out ain't goin' to be sometime soon. Still, like y'always say, chin up, whiskers stiff an' ears alert. Slackin' off causes bag haulin', wot, so follow the officers' commands an' y'won't find yerself with pickled paws from marching thousands o' leagues, eh. Show them we're real Long Patrol Warriors, eh, wot!"
Sergeant Winsah smiled and ruffled the Galloper's ears fondly.
"Aye, yer learnin', young sir!"
**
The rain continued to pour down on the Long Patrol as they trekked through the mud. Galloper Whirl shuddered as he pulled his cloak closer to his soaked body, pushing against the harsh winds. Through weak eyes, the hare looked around. The officers had managed to keep up their strong stride, helping the others ever so often. Cramber, the Long Patrol healer, had slipped upon a rock, spraining his ankle. Frillin was supporting the hare, and the two made their way through the rain with quite a lot of difficulty. Flimipaw had help from the saturnine Imerilane, who was sustaining both she and Dart. Blackstarr was up in the front with the Major, both looking considerably battered. Whirl himself had the help of Sergeant Winsah, who although was quite strict, had a kind heart. Supported by the Sergeant, Whirl fought against the strong blasts of wind and rain to get to the Major's side.
"I say, m-major sah, can't we j-jus'.stop f-fer a rest?"
The Major shook his head sadly, blowing large raindrops from his eyes.
"I'm afraid we can't, m'lad. Even if we stop and break camp, that doesn't mean the rain'll stop. Damage our equipment, it will. So keep going, young 'un. Don't have to go fast, slow if you want to. But don't stop, stop and you'll have a greater chance of being battered unconscious. Chin up, Whirl, still hope. By the seasons of Salamandastron, never seen so much rain in my life!"
The Galloper nodded, forcing a small smile onto his face.
"Aye, when I said I liked Rain, I ne'er meant this kind o' rain, wot!"
Major Embaril cracked a small smile, turning to Blackstarr.
"Everything there and accounted for, sah?"
The camouflage expert winking from behind the bag he was carrying; he was probably the one least affected by the rain. If anything, he seemed enjoy it. Blowing water from his eyes, he replied, "Aye sah, e'erything together, least y'count the vittles that Frillin stole an' scoffed when th'sun was still up! Haha, the blighter, always hungry, eh Major?"
From the back of the line, a mock stern voice called out, "I heard that, you young rip! Jus' wait'll this rain calms down, I'll get you fer that then, wot!"
There were multiple chuckles from the Long Patrol, including a giggle that couldn't be mistaken as anybeast else's but Dart's. Imerilane nodded at Blackstarr respectfully, turned to Dart and Flimipaw, and winked.
"Aye, that un's smart, no doubt 'bout it!"
"I say, Immi old gel, whazzat supposed to mean?"
"Call me Immi agin an' I'll personally cut yore ears off an' bake 'em in me next supper!"
As the banter continued, the skies began to clear up, and the rain began to slow.
**
Deep in the shadows, amid the pouring rain, was a rat. Watching the soaked group of hares with shifty yellow eyes, he sat in the rain, ignoring all the downpour around him. Rising up to his muddied footpaws, he gave the patrol one last glance before slinking off to his squad.
Salamandastron was at its miserable and sorrowful times. Vermin were scurrying the land, especially the parts around Salamandastron, all looking for someplace to rule and take over. Lord Winterele had sent thousands of hares out of his mountains in groups, making them report back to him when vermin were spotted heading towards Salamandastron. Major Embaril Burine Rinteran's Long Patrol was constantly sent out to scour the land for vermin who were heading their way. Galloper Diltherwhirl, mostly called Whirl unless one of the officers was tremendously mad at him, stood on the beach of Salamandastron, shivering as the cool wind blow past him, but enjoying every last bit of the fresh air. Whirl was one of the nine hares of Major Embaril's Long Patrol. He was a carefree sort of creature, and was quite popular among the other hares. Facing the sea, the hare scoured around the horizon, looking for any ship that looked somewhat like a vermin craft. Finding nothing, the Galloper crossed his arms in boredom and paced around the beach, extremely bored.
"Sarge Winsah jus' has to put me up fer vermin ship sightin' duty, wot! 'Tain't me fault that I said I wanted some fresh air and that I was bored inside. I'm more bored out of the blinkin' mountain anyway. Now I have to stay out here in the jolly cold, freezin' me bally bobtail off an'-"
"Whirl! I've brought your vittles for you!"
Whirl stopped his pacing to see a young female hare run down to him with a basket with what he guessed to be the food.
"Flimipaw! Jus' in time, wot! Me bally stomach was jus' talkin' to me blinkin' brain about how hungry it was. Thankee extremely!"
Flimipaw smiled warmly as she handed the Galloper the basket.
"Not much; just a bit I collected from Heran's kitchen. I got redcurrant pie for you too. I know that's your favorite."
As Whirl dug into the basket and everything he found inside it, Flimipaw told him the news she had collected from the mountain. The haremaid was like his personal assistant, and told him of everything that he needed to know.
"Embaril is taking us out again to looked for vermin. Lord Winterele is getting really worked up. He thinks that something bad is going to happen really soon, and he wants us to be prepared for battle. So we're leaving tomorrow with Embaril to look around. The same hares are coming: Lieutenant Frillin, strangest and most comical hare in the officer mess, Sergeant Winsah, famous for his hard bark, the admired Captain Imerilane, known for her perilous blade and skill, and also her stunning beauty of course, Blackstarr, or 'Shadow of Salamandastron,' whichever you want to call him, Dart, the Long Patrol spy expertise, Cramber, healer and extraordinaire when it comes to preparing food, and of course, we're going too. Oh, and news on your sister, Alderrain. She's still away; they say that she'll be back in a season or two. Sorry about that."
Whirl sighed wistfully at the thought of his favorite sister as he munched on a scone, murmuring around it, "Good old Rain."
Flimipaw giggled as she stuck her paw into the basket and pulled out a beaker of strawberry cordial, along with two flasks. Pouring some for the both of them, she asked, "Did you see anything?"
The hare grinned his thanks as he grabbed his flask and drained it in a few gulps.
"Nah, m'gel, nothin' yet. How's me family? Missin' me, even iffen I've jus' been out here fer a while, freezin' to my grave?"
"Think they're a bit glad your away; now they can get a bit of peace. Don't worry, they'll miss you when we're away with the Major hunting vermin."
Whirl winked at the haremaid, then shivered as a cold gust of wind blew past.
"Think you should go in, old gel. It's startin' to get colder. Go on, an' if the Sarge ever considers lettin' me inside, send him my regards, wot!"
Flimipaw skipped off towards Salamandastron with the empty basket, then at the gate, turned around and gave him a cheerful wave.
**
Captain Imerilane twirled her dirk around absently as her head shot around, scanning her surroundings. Dart had to scoot out of the way to avoid being hit.
"I say, marm, if yer goin' to twirl, please do so away from me, eh, wot!"
Ignoring the spy, the officer continued spinning her blade, shaking her head.
"Where 'as Whirl gone to? We should 'ave set off by now. The rascal, jus' wait till 'e gets here; I'll give 'im a piece o' me mind!"
Frillin strolled over in his usual cheery manner, winking at Imerilane roguishly.
"Don't want that to happen, wot! Oh, the chap'll be so scared, havin' the captain go a'ter him an' whatnot. 'Please, oh beautiful, perilous captain,' he'll say. 'Please spare a poor hare like me! Y'wouldn't actually hurt a Galloper would you, wot?' Hahaha!"
The 'beautiful, perilous captain' gave the Lieutenant a playful shove, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Dart suppressed his laughter by coughing quite loudly -though there were faint hints of giggles in between the coughs- as Imerilane pointed the tip of her dirk at Frillin's neck, grinning mischievously.
"Y'seem to know what 'e'll say t'me for me t'spare 'im, but what about you, eh?"
The irrepressible Lieutenant gulped and wailed out, "Oh please, dear captain, spare a gallant officer like meself so later on I kin dump water on yore fair head, wot!"
The captain suppressed a chuckle and made a move to pounce on the laughing officer when Embaril Burine Rinteran marched in. He stared at Dart, who's coughs died off slowly as he saw the Major, Lieutenant Frillin, who waved from his position on the floor, and Captain Imerilane, who saluted with her dirk in true Salamandastron military fashion, inching slowly away from Frillin as if she hadn't done anything. The Major shook his head in puzzlement and continued marching forward, calling for Whirl. The hares in his Patrol had always confused him at times.
Sighing with relief, Imerilane left the scene to chat with the Sergeant Winsah, and Dart stopped coughing -though he was still giggling- and joined Cramber. Frillin jumped up and started dusting himself off, a strange smile upon his face.
Whirl came bouncing up, Major Embaril and Flimipaw behind him. Giving the captain and large grin, he saluted Sergeant Winsah in an awkward manner.
"Hullo, Sarge, fine mornin' ain't it, wot? Say, about yesterday when I was on lookout, d'y'mind iffen I don't e'er do that job agin?"
Winsah's face hardened suddenly as he turned away from Imerilane and roared out to the hapless hare.
"Y'll be on lookout when I say y'will, y'll march when I say y'do, an' y'll fight when I say y'fight! So stand straight, y'pickled toadwolloper, chin up, whiskers stiff an' ears alert. Let m'find y'slackin' off agin, or e'en thinkin' bout it, an' y'll be findin' y'self in the back o' the line, haulin' all our bags! Now march away from us two officers an' join the other young'uns in their mischievous play. That's an order!"
The galloper slouched off, muttering to himself moodily.
"I say, bit too much fer a measly Galloper like me, wot! Whoe'er promoted the old chap should un-promote him, or somethin' like-"
"Back straight, good posture, y'liddle sloshin' good fer nothin' blighter! Now.march!"
Following the sergeant's orders, Whirl sighed in wonderment as he headed towards Dart, Cramber, and Flimipaw.
"I say, the Sarge mus' have eyes'n'ears on the back o' his head!"
Major Embaril looked around the small group of hares, trying to see if he was missing anybody. "Imerilane, Winsah, Dart, Cramber, Whirl, Flimipaw.where's Frillin? Oh, there he is. So counting meself, that's eight.we have nine in total. Where's Blackstarr?"
The Major looked around calmly; he was used to missing Blackstarr. The 'shadow' was pretty hard to find when he was camouflaged, and the only time you could see him was when he wanted you to. "Blackstarr, sah, come out o' hidin' this instant, please. We're on a tight schedule, the lud's expectin' us to be out by noon. Blackstarr!"
A roguish looking, light brown furred hare appeared right in front of Embaril, his nose just a few inches away from the Major's.
"No need to shout, sah, I'm right here."
Although he had had Blackstarr in his Patrol for many seasons, the approach of surprise always seemed to shock Embaril. The major jumped in astonishment as the 'Shadow of Salamandastron' stared at him unblinkingly, showing no expression. Inwardly, he was grinning. Catching the major off guard was always interesting to see.
"Blackstarr, please avoid doin' that next time!"
The Captain and Sergeant marched up to the Major and both saluted swiftly.
"Well then, major, shall we be settin' out now?"
Embaril nodded at Imerilane, a slight smile hovering around his lips.
"Yes.why don't you get them marchin' in true military form, Sergeant."
Winking swiftly, Winsah turned to the other six hares and started shouting like a true Drill Sergeant of Salamandastron, roaring out fiercely.
"Well now, m'lucky walloping buckoes, into a straight line, pick 'em lazy footpaws up, march! Hup two three, stand straight t'attention, lookin' directly in front o' yerself. Head straight Whirl, don't see how the ground could be so interestin'! Cramber, left right left right, not the flippin' way around. Get it correct, laddie buck, else yore poor paws'll ne'er 'member wot it feels to be restin'! Come on now, y'sluggish lot, march an' show them that yore from Salamandastron!"
**
Dart giggled softly as Imerilane shot Frillin another sharp look as he continued singing his own silly little ditty called, 'Rapidly' that he had make up for the occasion.
"An' the rain rains rapidly, as it rains so rapidly. An' it soaks me down so rapidly, That I'm soaked very rapidly. An' I marched so rapidly, As the sergeant barked rapidly. An' so I sang so rapidly, The captain glared at me rapidly. An' so now I must rapidly Finish my-"
The boisterous Lieutenant shut up quickly as the Captain growled at him softly, her paw straying deadly close to her dirk. But Frillin's song related extremely to their conditions. The rain was pouring very hard, and the Long Patrol was soaked to the bone. Whirl turned to the Sergeant as he queried him.
"Must we keep marchin' on like this in this bloomin' weather, Sarge? Kin't see a thing in this blinkin' rain, wot!"
Winsah shrugged, keeping up his strong, steady pace.
"That, m'laddie buck, is a question fer the Major. Soaked right through th'fur, all o' us, Frillin's at 'is confounded singin', an' th'good Cap'n looks like she's got the right mind to pounce on 'im!"
The Sergeant shook his head and sighed, wiping rain water out of his face.
"Aye, bucko, 'tis a gloomy day, ain't it? Well, cheer up, the sun'll 'ave to shine some day, eh?" Whirl nodded in a depressing manner, trying to keep up with Winsah's fast stride.
"Righto, Sarge, 'cept I'm 'fraid that the day when the sun comes out ain't goin' to be sometime soon. Still, like y'always say, chin up, whiskers stiff an' ears alert. Slackin' off causes bag haulin', wot, so follow the officers' commands an' y'won't find yerself with pickled paws from marching thousands o' leagues, eh. Show them we're real Long Patrol Warriors, eh, wot!"
Sergeant Winsah smiled and ruffled the Galloper's ears fondly.
"Aye, yer learnin', young sir!"
**
The rain continued to pour down on the Long Patrol as they trekked through the mud. Galloper Whirl shuddered as he pulled his cloak closer to his soaked body, pushing against the harsh winds. Through weak eyes, the hare looked around. The officers had managed to keep up their strong stride, helping the others ever so often. Cramber, the Long Patrol healer, had slipped upon a rock, spraining his ankle. Frillin was supporting the hare, and the two made their way through the rain with quite a lot of difficulty. Flimipaw had help from the saturnine Imerilane, who was sustaining both she and Dart. Blackstarr was up in the front with the Major, both looking considerably battered. Whirl himself had the help of Sergeant Winsah, who although was quite strict, had a kind heart. Supported by the Sergeant, Whirl fought against the strong blasts of wind and rain to get to the Major's side.
"I say, m-major sah, can't we j-jus'.stop f-fer a rest?"
The Major shook his head sadly, blowing large raindrops from his eyes.
"I'm afraid we can't, m'lad. Even if we stop and break camp, that doesn't mean the rain'll stop. Damage our equipment, it will. So keep going, young 'un. Don't have to go fast, slow if you want to. But don't stop, stop and you'll have a greater chance of being battered unconscious. Chin up, Whirl, still hope. By the seasons of Salamandastron, never seen so much rain in my life!"
The Galloper nodded, forcing a small smile onto his face.
"Aye, when I said I liked Rain, I ne'er meant this kind o' rain, wot!"
Major Embaril cracked a small smile, turning to Blackstarr.
"Everything there and accounted for, sah?"
The camouflage expert winking from behind the bag he was carrying; he was probably the one least affected by the rain. If anything, he seemed enjoy it. Blowing water from his eyes, he replied, "Aye sah, e'erything together, least y'count the vittles that Frillin stole an' scoffed when th'sun was still up! Haha, the blighter, always hungry, eh Major?"
From the back of the line, a mock stern voice called out, "I heard that, you young rip! Jus' wait'll this rain calms down, I'll get you fer that then, wot!"
There were multiple chuckles from the Long Patrol, including a giggle that couldn't be mistaken as anybeast else's but Dart's. Imerilane nodded at Blackstarr respectfully, turned to Dart and Flimipaw, and winked.
"Aye, that un's smart, no doubt 'bout it!"
"I say, Immi old gel, whazzat supposed to mean?"
"Call me Immi agin an' I'll personally cut yore ears off an' bake 'em in me next supper!"
As the banter continued, the skies began to clear up, and the rain began to slow.
**
Deep in the shadows, amid the pouring rain, was a rat. Watching the soaked group of hares with shifty yellow eyes, he sat in the rain, ignoring all the downpour around him. Rising up to his muddied footpaws, he gave the patrol one last glance before slinking off to his squad.