VII
Stripepaw was fearful. He knew that the mink would not think twice about slitting his throat.
He needed to get the valleys population on his side. He had a plan. He would speak like Rawfur, and promise wealth to those who joined him. Yes, with this many beast with him, Lashclaw would regret threatening him. Late that night, he woke all but the mink. He brought them to a remote part of the valley. The vicious vermin were kept quiet by Stripepaw's minions. He steeped forward. "My fellow vermin, I have been told that your leader Lashclaw has only been with you for two seasons now. Do you trust him? Do you believe that he will spare your lives when his food runs out? He will hunt you down and rip you to snake fodder! If you join me in my quest, I promise you all one thing you mink lord can't: Power!" The word rung through their heads. They could get treasure, but power would lead to more things: treasure, land, pillaging. And if this marten betrayed them, he would be outnumbered ten beasts to one. A plan was devised. The following morning they would invade the village that held the Rose, bringing Lashclaw with them. After they had the Rose, they would leave the old mink dead in the centre of Varki.
It was early morning the day following the discovery of the Roses disappearance. Skivel lay in her bed. But she was Not dreaming nice dreams. She was having a nightmare. She found herself watching a battle between old Varkio the shrew and a large badger. Her father had told her of this battle. Seasons ago, a large badger had ruled this area. Varkio had defeated him and the badger disappeared , most likely he had died. But this battle was different. The badger was beating the young shrew. Skivel looked at her hand. The ancient scythe Varkio used was in her paw. She looked up. Varkio was gone and the badger was rushing for her, his eyes glowing like the Rose of Banarang. She awoke just as he reached her. Her mind replayed the events that had led to this. The stone in the cellar, the crows wanting the Rose, the council plotting a search for the old stone. She knew they would come to her first. She was in the cellar first the day of the feast. She went down to the main room. She awaited her fate. Suddenly, she heard a creak. She jumped. It was just a spider. She reached the kitchen. Her parents were waiting.
"Skivel, the elders were here early looking for you. I told them you were asleep. They will be back soon". It was her father. When the elders came, her fate was sealed. Or was it?
Nightbeak and Quickwing were on there guard. They had hoped to find the Rose before they needed to report. It had been three days. Rawfur was waiting outside his sett. In his hand he held a small spear. Many a servants had lost their lives be the tip of that spear. They needed to make their news sound good. Rawfur smiled as the landed. " Well my scouts, I hope you bring me news about our little toad band. I hope nothing bad has happened to old Blackspawn. He! He!"
Quickwing stepped forward. Well boss, Blackspawn is in the great beasts belly, but his ferret commander has taken lead." Rawfur was pleased. " And the Rose of Banarang?" Nightbeak would continue. " Well master, we had some hostages to exchange for it but, there was this squirrel and it-" "What sort of squirrel?" Nightbeak continued, " It was a red squirrel, and it attacked us and-" Nightbeak would scout no more. The spear shot right into the crow's black plumage. " Now Quickwing, you will the Rose of Banarang, and you will find it in the next two sunsets. When they are up, all beasts in my service will die if the Rose is not found. Understand?" Quickwing nodded. He would find that Rose or his life would reach its end.
