Disclaimer: Yeah, it's still not mine. But some of it is so: ¡No Tocas
Nada!
A/N: Accept my sincerest apology for the previous mistake and thanks to Froster for actually telling me about it.
Chapter Five.
Three days later a guard looked out over the side of the mountain to see a panicked hare bolting towards the mountain. The young rat had had standing orders to look for just such an event and called down to his comrades to open the gate and have the hare sent immediately to Destruction's throne room.
Destruction smiled gleefully once he received the knowledge that his brilliant plan had come to fruit. The hare had told him of how the Silvercat had eaten up his story of the hares' plight. Of course he'd had to hurry back because the cat's second mate, the cynical fox, hadn't bought the story and had been chasing the helpful hare back towards the mountain; but fortunately the he had informed the wolf that Sheede rarely listened to the brooding creature. Yes, he thought with satisfaction, all is going just as I'd hoped it would.
But how could the wolf know that Phillet had been thinking the very same thing? The young hare had thought to come running into the mountain and made up some ridiculous tale of a gullible leader and a cynical second in command; just what Destruction would want to hear. Now, as he was led back down to join his comrades in the dungeon his heart swelled with hope. He knew that all the hares would be in agreement; and he also knew that Destruction wouldn't be smart enough to keep all the hares locked up while the trap was being sprung. And if they were very lucky then the headstrong wolf would take all his men to wait for a cat, who wasn't going to be there, and leave a very large door unguarded.
Once inside the cell an older hare with eyes as hard as flint grabbed him roughly,
"Well, how d'ye feel now buckoe? Ye've betrayed us all now lad!" Phillet struggled fruitlessly for freedom crying out,
"No, no, Commander Thornblower, you don't understand! Lemme go, wot wot!" After a moment other hares came to his rescue and placed their paws on the lean Commander's shoulders to calm him and he finally released his iron grip on the young hare.
"Alright lad, report in!" He commanded suddenly; Phillet jumped to attention and began to explain what had transpired in an urgent whisper.
"Sir, I made contact with the Silvercat; she's a regular noble soul wot wot! I told her just what that snot-nose wolf had planned and we agreed that the beast is just thick enough for us to hoodwink him easily! All we have to do is get the front door open and the rest is up to her and her crew!" Instantly the entire attitude of those around changed; now Phillet was swarmed by joyous, proud hares; each one was trying to give him a hefty paw slap on the back for his courage. Once the group calmed down Thornblower approached Phillet again and grinned slightly sheepishly and offered Phillet a paw,
"Well done lady-buck! I apologize for my previous loss of control it won't happen again." Phillet only shrugged and replied,
"We've got more things to worry about than just proper etiquette Sir, wot wot!"
The following morning the hares were released to do their daily chores as usual; the only difference was the air of anticipation that hovered over the mountain. The young hare who delivered breakfast to Destruction noted how the wolf paced eagerly across his quarters. The lean hare quietly stationed hares to quietly work near all of the exits that the wolf was going to use; everyone was waiting for Destruction's word.
Finally at the appointed time the wolf strode out on to the balcony that hung over the central inner court yard and addressed his troops,
"The time of final victory is upon us!" His horde gave a bloody roar. In the shadows one hare leaned over to another and whispered,
"Truer words were never spoken wot wot?" her companion nodded with a slight smirk. As Destruction's troops, himself included, descended slowly in to the bowels of the mountain several hares muttered silent prayers that all would go smoothly. Then the last of Destruction's beast were safely in the cellars and all that remained above were a few paltry sentries and well- over a hundred able-bodied hares with chips on their shoulders.
Phillet looked at the bound vermin and smiled; it was working. It was really working. The doors to the cellars were sealed and if all was going well for Sheede then there were archers at all the exits to the beach. All that remained was for the cat and her crew to arrive and help flesh out the trapped vermin. Then, like a cry from the heavens, a hare's voice sang out:
"Commander! There's a great crew coming and they're bein' led by cat whose fur glistens like steel!" Thornblower ran off to the sentry hare to see for himself. As he looked out over the dunes he felt his jaw drop; there before him were creatures of every kind marching as though they were brothers!
Soon the massive group was in the gate and the Silvercat cried out,
"Alright Boyos! Get into groups and bring up the vermin!" With a hearty cry the great crew spread in a mighty wave and Commander Thornblower quickly ordered several of the hares to accompany each group to guide them through the labyrinth of Salamandastron. He then turned to the Silvercat and nodded respectfully,
"Pleasure to meet you Marm. I am Commander Thadeus P. Thornblower, the leader of those that remain." The cat nodded back,
"Then you've done well Sir. I am Captain Sheede Silvercat to my left is my first mate Tyril." She replied motioning to a lean fox who bowed his head in respect. Not long after that what once was the greatest horde to stalk Mossflower was dragged up from the dark under ground hallways bound and gagged. Last of all, the weasel Grange emerged from the crowd hauling a rather disgruntled wolf behind him.
"Face me yourself, you cowardly kitten!" the wolf managed to cry out; every member of the Silvercat's crew went silent. And Thadeus and Phillet saw how Sheede had stiffened and flexed her claws at the insult. They tried without success to hold back the fury that was Sheede Silvercat. She nodded decisively to Grange who quickly untied the wolf and backed away. Instinctively the crowd pulled back to give the combatants room.
"Coward am I?" the fierce cat growled to the stunned wolf, "Then you may attack first you piece of fish fodder." Destruction's ego roared in agony at the insult and the wolf raced forward in a blind rage. The moment he came within reach Sheede's arm shot out and grabbed him by the neck; then using by using his own weight flipped him on to his back with such force that stars flashed behind his eyes, all in one fluid motion. Destruction tried to get up but the cat kicked him savagely until his treacherous brain noticed a pattern. Feigning unconsciousness he waited until he heard Sheede step away then he leapt up from the stone to ambush the cat from behind; and fell harmlessly to the ground in a rapidly growing pool of his own blood, a dagger buried deep in his chest. All of this had happened so quickly that most of the crowd hadn' t even gotten out a gasp of shock. Sheede didn't even look back at the corpse,
"Thank you Tyril." She said to the fox as she stepped past him and over to a shocked Commander Thadeus. She looked at the Commander keenly and said,
"Sir, may I present you with Salamandastron free of any pesky tyrants." Her voice had a magical talent of carrying over the crowd at just the right moment and everyone, except the captives, let out a glorious roar.
Once it had died down Sheede turned to Phillet and said,
"What shall I do with captives, young warrior?" The hare thought hard and replied,
"I trust your mercy." The cat nodded and turned away addressing the prisoners,
"You have really no idea how lucky you are. I am going to give you the chance to keep your lives. You'll all be placed on a ship and sailed out of sight of the land. There the crew will board a second ship and return here; but you my pretties will be left bound on the empty ship to pilot where you will. Provided that it's nowhere near here. Hopefully, some of you are nautical." Several the vermin gulped in fear but one near the back sighed in relief. Frag couldn't believe his luck. He was the only one with any real sea experience which meant that he could guide the crew and ship back to their Northern homes; where they had a chance of living peaceful lives.
That night there was a mighty feast. Captives were fed and left in the dungeon. The hares danced and sang comically. Sheede's crew had gone to their comp and returned with their supplies so that they may remain in the mountain. At the beginning of the ceremonies Thadeus had stood before the crowd and spoke solemnly,
"As we celebrate tonight we must never forget those who have gone before. First, remember our noble Badgerlord, Bluepaw the Bold, a wise and gentle old soul; second, remember General Gryson Longears Stridefellow, one of my greatest friends whose warrior's heart beats strongly in the breast of his son Phillet. Without whose help we might not be here at all. And most of all, remember the countless young hares who refused to surrender even at the ultimate cost." And through all the revelry and sorrow Sheede Silvercat watched it all and wondered what was to come next.
A/N: Okay that's the end of Book One; I'll start working on Book Two: A Hero's Quest once I get some positive reviews. Or tacos. I love tacos.
A/N: Accept my sincerest apology for the previous mistake and thanks to Froster for actually telling me about it.
Chapter Five.
Three days later a guard looked out over the side of the mountain to see a panicked hare bolting towards the mountain. The young rat had had standing orders to look for just such an event and called down to his comrades to open the gate and have the hare sent immediately to Destruction's throne room.
Destruction smiled gleefully once he received the knowledge that his brilliant plan had come to fruit. The hare had told him of how the Silvercat had eaten up his story of the hares' plight. Of course he'd had to hurry back because the cat's second mate, the cynical fox, hadn't bought the story and had been chasing the helpful hare back towards the mountain; but fortunately the he had informed the wolf that Sheede rarely listened to the brooding creature. Yes, he thought with satisfaction, all is going just as I'd hoped it would.
But how could the wolf know that Phillet had been thinking the very same thing? The young hare had thought to come running into the mountain and made up some ridiculous tale of a gullible leader and a cynical second in command; just what Destruction would want to hear. Now, as he was led back down to join his comrades in the dungeon his heart swelled with hope. He knew that all the hares would be in agreement; and he also knew that Destruction wouldn't be smart enough to keep all the hares locked up while the trap was being sprung. And if they were very lucky then the headstrong wolf would take all his men to wait for a cat, who wasn't going to be there, and leave a very large door unguarded.
Once inside the cell an older hare with eyes as hard as flint grabbed him roughly,
"Well, how d'ye feel now buckoe? Ye've betrayed us all now lad!" Phillet struggled fruitlessly for freedom crying out,
"No, no, Commander Thornblower, you don't understand! Lemme go, wot wot!" After a moment other hares came to his rescue and placed their paws on the lean Commander's shoulders to calm him and he finally released his iron grip on the young hare.
"Alright lad, report in!" He commanded suddenly; Phillet jumped to attention and began to explain what had transpired in an urgent whisper.
"Sir, I made contact with the Silvercat; she's a regular noble soul wot wot! I told her just what that snot-nose wolf had planned and we agreed that the beast is just thick enough for us to hoodwink him easily! All we have to do is get the front door open and the rest is up to her and her crew!" Instantly the entire attitude of those around changed; now Phillet was swarmed by joyous, proud hares; each one was trying to give him a hefty paw slap on the back for his courage. Once the group calmed down Thornblower approached Phillet again and grinned slightly sheepishly and offered Phillet a paw,
"Well done lady-buck! I apologize for my previous loss of control it won't happen again." Phillet only shrugged and replied,
"We've got more things to worry about than just proper etiquette Sir, wot wot!"
The following morning the hares were released to do their daily chores as usual; the only difference was the air of anticipation that hovered over the mountain. The young hare who delivered breakfast to Destruction noted how the wolf paced eagerly across his quarters. The lean hare quietly stationed hares to quietly work near all of the exits that the wolf was going to use; everyone was waiting for Destruction's word.
Finally at the appointed time the wolf strode out on to the balcony that hung over the central inner court yard and addressed his troops,
"The time of final victory is upon us!" His horde gave a bloody roar. In the shadows one hare leaned over to another and whispered,
"Truer words were never spoken wot wot?" her companion nodded with a slight smirk. As Destruction's troops, himself included, descended slowly in to the bowels of the mountain several hares muttered silent prayers that all would go smoothly. Then the last of Destruction's beast were safely in the cellars and all that remained above were a few paltry sentries and well- over a hundred able-bodied hares with chips on their shoulders.
Phillet looked at the bound vermin and smiled; it was working. It was really working. The doors to the cellars were sealed and if all was going well for Sheede then there were archers at all the exits to the beach. All that remained was for the cat and her crew to arrive and help flesh out the trapped vermin. Then, like a cry from the heavens, a hare's voice sang out:
"Commander! There's a great crew coming and they're bein' led by cat whose fur glistens like steel!" Thornblower ran off to the sentry hare to see for himself. As he looked out over the dunes he felt his jaw drop; there before him were creatures of every kind marching as though they were brothers!
Soon the massive group was in the gate and the Silvercat cried out,
"Alright Boyos! Get into groups and bring up the vermin!" With a hearty cry the great crew spread in a mighty wave and Commander Thornblower quickly ordered several of the hares to accompany each group to guide them through the labyrinth of Salamandastron. He then turned to the Silvercat and nodded respectfully,
"Pleasure to meet you Marm. I am Commander Thadeus P. Thornblower, the leader of those that remain." The cat nodded back,
"Then you've done well Sir. I am Captain Sheede Silvercat to my left is my first mate Tyril." She replied motioning to a lean fox who bowed his head in respect. Not long after that what once was the greatest horde to stalk Mossflower was dragged up from the dark under ground hallways bound and gagged. Last of all, the weasel Grange emerged from the crowd hauling a rather disgruntled wolf behind him.
"Face me yourself, you cowardly kitten!" the wolf managed to cry out; every member of the Silvercat's crew went silent. And Thadeus and Phillet saw how Sheede had stiffened and flexed her claws at the insult. They tried without success to hold back the fury that was Sheede Silvercat. She nodded decisively to Grange who quickly untied the wolf and backed away. Instinctively the crowd pulled back to give the combatants room.
"Coward am I?" the fierce cat growled to the stunned wolf, "Then you may attack first you piece of fish fodder." Destruction's ego roared in agony at the insult and the wolf raced forward in a blind rage. The moment he came within reach Sheede's arm shot out and grabbed him by the neck; then using by using his own weight flipped him on to his back with such force that stars flashed behind his eyes, all in one fluid motion. Destruction tried to get up but the cat kicked him savagely until his treacherous brain noticed a pattern. Feigning unconsciousness he waited until he heard Sheede step away then he leapt up from the stone to ambush the cat from behind; and fell harmlessly to the ground in a rapidly growing pool of his own blood, a dagger buried deep in his chest. All of this had happened so quickly that most of the crowd hadn' t even gotten out a gasp of shock. Sheede didn't even look back at the corpse,
"Thank you Tyril." She said to the fox as she stepped past him and over to a shocked Commander Thadeus. She looked at the Commander keenly and said,
"Sir, may I present you with Salamandastron free of any pesky tyrants." Her voice had a magical talent of carrying over the crowd at just the right moment and everyone, except the captives, let out a glorious roar.
Once it had died down Sheede turned to Phillet and said,
"What shall I do with captives, young warrior?" The hare thought hard and replied,
"I trust your mercy." The cat nodded and turned away addressing the prisoners,
"You have really no idea how lucky you are. I am going to give you the chance to keep your lives. You'll all be placed on a ship and sailed out of sight of the land. There the crew will board a second ship and return here; but you my pretties will be left bound on the empty ship to pilot where you will. Provided that it's nowhere near here. Hopefully, some of you are nautical." Several the vermin gulped in fear but one near the back sighed in relief. Frag couldn't believe his luck. He was the only one with any real sea experience which meant that he could guide the crew and ship back to their Northern homes; where they had a chance of living peaceful lives.
That night there was a mighty feast. Captives were fed and left in the dungeon. The hares danced and sang comically. Sheede's crew had gone to their comp and returned with their supplies so that they may remain in the mountain. At the beginning of the ceremonies Thadeus had stood before the crowd and spoke solemnly,
"As we celebrate tonight we must never forget those who have gone before. First, remember our noble Badgerlord, Bluepaw the Bold, a wise and gentle old soul; second, remember General Gryson Longears Stridefellow, one of my greatest friends whose warrior's heart beats strongly in the breast of his son Phillet. Without whose help we might not be here at all. And most of all, remember the countless young hares who refused to surrender even at the ultimate cost." And through all the revelry and sorrow Sheede Silvercat watched it all and wondered what was to come next.
A/N: Okay that's the end of Book One; I'll start working on Book Two: A Hero's Quest once I get some positive reviews. Or tacos. I love tacos.