CHAPTER III

The sun beat down upon the sand and rock. A lone figure stood on the tideline ,where land meets water. "Marm, you commin' in?" A hare asked as he approached.
"I'll be right there, Bobtail," the badger-lord answered as he turned towards the big mountain behind him, Salamandastron!
"So what ya lookin' at, marm?"
"Oh, just that vermin ship, north of here, that's headed this way, it'll be here in a few days," the badger lady answered casually.
As he heard this the hare spun around and scanned the horizon. Sure enough there was a boat slowly, but surely coming towards the shore. "It's one a Deathclaw's ships!" Bobtail declared looking alarmed. "Tallonclaw if I'm not mistaken, miz Gorse, should I alarm the others?"
"Nah, wait a bit then alarm everyone, but while your waiten' stock up on food and water, check the armoury and post a sentry. So we can make sure to be ready when they get here," she answered, not showing any alarm.
"That's a bally good idea, wot?" Bobtail said as he ran off to complete the badger bidding.
"Spearlady Gorse turned and looked at the rapidly approaching ship. "You'll pay for killing my husband and daughter, Deathclaw; you'll pay in blood!"