XI

Deep in Banarang, Stripepaw and his horde sat celebrating their victory. Ale was served, along

with a sparrow they had caught. Stripepaw thought to himself. He know had a horde, a treasure,

and a desire. The desire to continue. He knew there were other treasures to be found. Other

villages to plunder, and other leaders to backstab. He laughed to himself, thinking of Lashclaw,

lying dead in the centre of Varki. It made the old Marten smile. He had an army. An army that

rivalled that of Rawfurs. Or did it? He looked up. He thought he saw the Raven Quickwing.

Was the old badger still worrying about him? He laughed again. But his joy was cut short.

Behind Quickwing was a flock of ravens and crows. And they were in attack formation.

He grabbed his sword. "Ravens! Ravens on the attack! " His horde grabbed there weapons.

Quickwing's forces had the vermin outnumbered. The battle would be over shortly.

Lashclaw awoke hours later. He looked around. He was not in the center of the village, but on a

bed in a small home. "I see you have awakened my large friend." Lashclaw turned to see a

shrew. It was Brother Galan. He smiled at the Mink, who was slowly getting to his feet.

"Where am I? Asked the puzzled mink, staring at the old shrew. Galan started to answer, when

Brother Tadle appeared. "This is the Healing house. You were badly injured, so Brother Galan

healed you." Lashclaw wanted to attack, but a thought hit him. Why would these beasts heal him

after he attacked them? And again, why had he attacked them? Stripepaw. Stripepaw had

convinced him. "I owe you beasts my life. Even after I attacked you. Why?" Galan smiled.

"Because we could. You were hurt, and we did what we could." The Brothers led Lashclaw

Outside. Skivel and the rest of the council were waiting. The three sat. Tadle spoke. "Now, my

large friend-" he was interrupted . "My name is Lashclaw." spoke the mink.

"uh, Lashclaw," continued Tadle. "Your horde-" He was interrupted again. "They are not my

Horde. At least anymore. They are Stripepaws." Tadle started again. "Stripepaws horde has

stolen a valuable gem from us. We need the gem. You want Stripepaw. We are sending a group

after the gem. If you go with the group, they will get help, and you will get your revenge. What

do you say?" Lashclaw wondered for a bit. He wanted to get Stripepaw. And he knew he needed

to repay theses woodlanders. "Who is you group?" asked Lashclaw. Galan spoke up.

"Barkquill over there," pointing to a large hedgehog, "Driff the shrew,: said Figgle, pointing to

the young shrew, " and Skivel over here." Skivel was shocked. "Brother Galan, there must be a

mistake. I am no hero." Galan interrupted. "I saw you take down many a vermin during the

battle. You are a born warrior." Lashclaw was silent. A hedgehog, a baby shrew, and a

squirrelmaid? This was very odd. Never had he ever thought of travelling with such a group.

And yet there was a strange sense in him that made him feel as if he were meant to do this.

"I'll help you. But only to get back at that scum Stripepaw!" said Lashclaw.

"Then it is settled," said Brother Tadle, " Now come with me, I think I know where they will

go…"