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The Council of Varki, Brother Figgle included, was in a meeting. They needed to discuss
the strange behaviour of the vermin, the facts about the rose, and what to do with the
large Mink in the center of town. As they spoke, Skivel walked in. All went silent. She
spoke. "I know about the Rose of Banarang. I was the one who found it." The council
stared at her. Brother Tadle spoke. " Skivel, why did you take the Rose from our hiding
Spot?" Skivel tried to explain the facts. "I was curious. I wondered why a beautiful gem
would be in one of Figgle's cellar." The council huddled together, whispering.
Skivel spoke again. "And I don't have it know. I saw the Marten that led the attack steal
it during the battle." Once again, all was silent. Brother Tadle could only stare at her,
his eyes filled with anguish. Skivel wanted to speak again, till she heard someone
out side say, "The Mink is waking up!"
Lashclaw the Warrior was becoming conscious. The last thing he remembered was his horde
attack him without warning. He knew it was the Marten's fault. As he opened his eyes, he found
himself still in Varki. In front of him, the elder beasts were burying their dead and the younger
beasts played with each other. This was the village he had attacked mere hours ago. And yet they
seemed calm, not frightened. He looked up and saw an old mouse next to him. He wanted to get
up and strike, but he couldn't. He was too badly injured. The old mouse spoke. " We offer to
heal you. I am against the it, but it all depends on you." Lashclaw finally got the strength to
Stand. He looked. Behind the mouse, stood a shrew, a mole, a hedgehog and a young squirrel.
"I need no help," said the mink, "I just need to be on my way, I will seek revenge on Stripepaw.
That Marten will pay for his taking of my horde!" Then he collapsed. It took ten able-bodied
Villagers to carry him to the village healer.
