VIII

Skivel did not need to fear the elders. For that morning held something worse. An army of toads, martens, weasels, stoats were just near the edge of the village. Sister Mora had gone on her morning walk after the early visit to Skivel's home. She saw them. They saw her as an early catch. Being a squirrel, she took to the trees, but she was not safe there. A Toad arrow pierced her . The army was on it's way to Varki, and nothing would stop them. Though this was

Stripepaw's plan, Lashclaw the mink was leading the way. "Let him think he has control,'" thought Stripepaw, "Then he'll wish he'd never attacked me". They knew would reach the valley soon, but they hadn't counted on one things. Sister Mora, slightly injured, was ahead of them in the trees of Banarang. She needed to worn the other elders, they needed to be ready for the vermin. But she was slowed down by the arrow in her leg.

The elders were wondering what had become of Sister Mora. She always went for a brisk morning stroll, but she was usually back by late morning. They were worried she may have gotten stuck or caught by the crows that had been seen earlier. " I just be sayin that alls we should be looking for Mora. She be back by now," said Brother Galan the shrew.

"I agree Galan, but many are busy right know and we are too old to be wandering in the forest at this hour," added Brother Tadle. As the others were ready to add, they heard a rustling in the trees. It was Mora. They noticed the arrow in her leg. She was almost dead, and before she could fall to the ground, old Figgle ran to grab her. " Mora? What append? Where youse been?" asked Galan. "Army… Vermin…Rose.. Soon…here…" Those were Sister Mora's final words.

Skivel had seen it, but not heard it. Yet the looks on the faces of the elders had struck fear into the squirrel maid. Brother Roscan went to ring the village bell. All the villagers ceased movement. Brother Tadle began.

"My friends, I am saddened to inform you that our own Sister Mora has been slain.

We shall mourn her death soon, but first we must listen to the last words she had said."

Brother Roscan continued. "Mora used her last bits of energy to worn us of a vermin army heading this towards the village, and they will be here soon. Brother Figgle and Brother Galan are going to open the vault of the old weapons. We may not be trained warriors, but every able bodied creature should be ready." Many creatures young and old followed Figgle and Galan, including Skivel. Brother Tadle Stopped her. "Young Skivel, why are you in such a hurry. You're not thinking of fighting are you?" Skivel knew she needed to fight and so she explained the situation to Tadle. "Brother, I must fight. It's mainly my fault the vermin are coming. There is no time to argue." Brother Tadle nodded and told Skivel she must explain everything later. And Skivel hoped that there would be a later. She Ran to join the others, as they tore in to the vault that held weapons from old battles. Skivel grabbed a nearby spear and some old armour.

Most of the village was armed, and in good time, as the vermin army appeared just over the horizon…..