Dusk settled over the makeshift camp of Algan's Death Watch patrols.
Many of the vermin were anxious to hear from Larken's patrol. Algan himself
was extremely irritated that his rat subordinate seemed to be dawdling in
his scouting, having been due back two days ago.
The rat commander was seated by a large fire with his second in command; the silver ferret Meras.
"Unless I am very much mistaken, Algan.there is a raven making its way towards us..." Meras's soft voice pierced the stillness of the evening.
Algan looked up, his sharp eyes catching the descending figure as the small raven landed in front of him. "Skyshadow.still carrying out your menial labor for Visla, huh?"
Skyshadow dipped his beak scornfully, the raven was small for his species but the trademark night black feathers of a raven made him stand out against the flickering shadows of the flames, his long beak clicked as he replied. "Still your tongue, Algan.I can ill afford to stay here long.I just wanted to say," The raven's beak clicked and formed into what Algan and Meras could only guess was a smile. "Our esteemed general feels you are unaware of the fact that two full Calpathion patrols advancing on your troops right now."
Skyshadow delivered his news in a smug, elitist tone, the fact that he would enjoy seeing the foolish commander slaughtered didn't escape Algan. The rat found himself enraged and terrified.
Meras seemed unconcerned as always. Even the prospect of imminent death didn't seem to excite the silver ferret. "I assume the General decided to tell us to make due with what we have? Who are we up against, Skyshadow?"
Skyshadow's dark eyes took on another smug look. "Well.General Visla decided this bit of foolery-staying out in the open where any of the Calpathions could catch you- was the final straw of your command, Algan."
"What?!" Algan cried in shock. "The general cannot demote me! I've scored victories for the Death Watch before.I lead the greatest patrol they have."
"And your failures far outweigh your successes, Algan...the general remembers your maneuvers with the Calpathions that devastated your patrols, your incompetence that left Commander Koltro slain and his patrol massacred by The Manticore." Skyshadow shuddered here at the ferret swordsbeast's title.
Algan rose to his feet, unsheathing his sword. "By the fates, bird! I have half a mind to chop your yapping beak off!"
"You'll not touch him, Algan." Meras replied, his soft voice tinged with amusement. One paw withdrew his own saber from its scabbard. "Its this same attitude that has got you in this position.Bredge! Ragfang!"
The short fox and burly ferret strode up from their fireplace, the two sergeants saluted Meras.
"Guard Messenger Skyshadow.even from 'Commander' Algan."
The two grinned and unsheathed their blades. None of Algan's command were fond of their incompetent, bad tempered and brash commander.
Algan was feeling himself consumed by rage but the threat of the two armed beasts hung heavy. Skyshadow watched the proceedings with amusement. "The general has sent a group led by Subcommanders Cirath and Jethorin to take control of the situation. He adds that Commander Algan has a chance to redeem himself if he shows leadership qualities in this battle.editorial from myself: Unlikely."
This was too much for the rat, Algan sprang forward and brought down his saber upon Skyshadows head.
Blood splashed to the sand, Algan fell back, a look of abject shock upon his face, his throat slashed with a single move from one silver ferret. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Meras's blade lowered, he gave Algan's corpse a look of distaste. "Ragfang.take the corpse of this rat and bury it as soon as possible.I want no burnings lest we alert our pursuers to our presence."
Ragfang nodded and sheathed his sword. "Bredge! Gimmie a paw, will ya?" the short fox nodded. The large ferret grabbed the dead rat by his paws, Bredge by his feet, the two lifted him and carried him out of the camp, the Death Watchers were all watching, most very amused. It was one less mouth to feed, one less idiot to get them killed.
Skyshadow smiled. "Shall I go back to our General, Meras? Shall I tell him what transpired?"
Meras nodded his head, his features emotionless, making it impossible to read him. "Commander Algan was slain for insurrection.Visla won't give it much thought."
Skyshadow nodded. "I'll put in a word for you, Meras.you seem more capable then your predecessor.Visla's reinforcements will be arriving momentarily, by the way.I led them here but I had to move on ahead to deliver my report."
Meras bowed at the neck. "Farewell, Skyshadow."
The raven flapped his wings and roses from the ground, flying fast as possible, back in the direction of Visla's main camp.
Meras sat back by the fire, warming himself, picking up Algan's saber that had fallen from the rat's lifeless grip. He liked his own blade fine but tradition demanded a use for this.whether to Visla or to another use.
"Commander Meras!" Bredge's high voice jolted Meras to reality. The ferret turned to the short fox. "Yes?"
"Visla's forces have arrived."
As if to seal the fox's words, Meras saw a group of figures integrating themselves throughout the camp, most were lightly armored, bearing the Death Watch insignia: A weasel skull on their breastplate or shoulder, their skull shaped helmets on, gray cloaks flowing behind them, blades sheathed at their sides.
Many of the Death Watch soldiers carried packs, and they began opening them, many of the patrollers were delighted to learn they contained food and drink. The Death Watch fighters allowed them their provisions for the time, there was plenty to go around.
"Where is Algan?"
A deep, commanding voice cut through Meras's thoughts. He saw two figures, dressed in more elaborate armor then their subordinates, their blades finer and each carried their helmets under the crook of their arms. The beast who has spoken was a sable, dark furred with cream colored paws and throat, with dark brown eyes. Though he held a saber, he carried several daggers for throwing and combat thrust through his belt. Meras recognized him instantly: One of Commander Sariss's subordinates; Jethorin.
The beast that followed him was a stoat, reddish brown fur and blue eyes, carrying a longsword. He was one of Mahk's subcommanders. His name was Cirath.
Meras bowed. "My greetings, honored sirs. I am Meras. Commander Algan is dead and being buried as we speak."
Jethorin and Cirath exchanged cold looks. The stoat spoke first. "How did this come to pass, ferret?"
"I slew him.he attempted to slay our messenger."
Jethorin raised an eyebrow, Cirath smirked. Neither of them seemed too upset about Algan's fate.
"Then you know Cirath and myself have been appointed to take over the position as leaders here with a score of our warriors?"
Meras nodded once more. "I do.I welcome the leadership of fine warriors.I must tell you, if the Calpathions advance on us then I am certain Sergeant Larken and nine of his scouts were slain by them."
Jethorin shrugged. "My warriors would not be so careless.we will be ready for the Calpathions.I dearly hope The Manticore is among them.it would give our reputation a boost to kill him.and over eighty soldiers here now.twice their numbers at least."
Cirath sat by the fire and withdrew a flask of wine from his pouch and took a gulp. "Well then, Meras.let us prepare."
The rat commander was seated by a large fire with his second in command; the silver ferret Meras.
"Unless I am very much mistaken, Algan.there is a raven making its way towards us..." Meras's soft voice pierced the stillness of the evening.
Algan looked up, his sharp eyes catching the descending figure as the small raven landed in front of him. "Skyshadow.still carrying out your menial labor for Visla, huh?"
Skyshadow dipped his beak scornfully, the raven was small for his species but the trademark night black feathers of a raven made him stand out against the flickering shadows of the flames, his long beak clicked as he replied. "Still your tongue, Algan.I can ill afford to stay here long.I just wanted to say," The raven's beak clicked and formed into what Algan and Meras could only guess was a smile. "Our esteemed general feels you are unaware of the fact that two full Calpathion patrols advancing on your troops right now."
Skyshadow delivered his news in a smug, elitist tone, the fact that he would enjoy seeing the foolish commander slaughtered didn't escape Algan. The rat found himself enraged and terrified.
Meras seemed unconcerned as always. Even the prospect of imminent death didn't seem to excite the silver ferret. "I assume the General decided to tell us to make due with what we have? Who are we up against, Skyshadow?"
Skyshadow's dark eyes took on another smug look. "Well.General Visla decided this bit of foolery-staying out in the open where any of the Calpathions could catch you- was the final straw of your command, Algan."
"What?!" Algan cried in shock. "The general cannot demote me! I've scored victories for the Death Watch before.I lead the greatest patrol they have."
"And your failures far outweigh your successes, Algan...the general remembers your maneuvers with the Calpathions that devastated your patrols, your incompetence that left Commander Koltro slain and his patrol massacred by The Manticore." Skyshadow shuddered here at the ferret swordsbeast's title.
Algan rose to his feet, unsheathing his sword. "By the fates, bird! I have half a mind to chop your yapping beak off!"
"You'll not touch him, Algan." Meras replied, his soft voice tinged with amusement. One paw withdrew his own saber from its scabbard. "Its this same attitude that has got you in this position.Bredge! Ragfang!"
The short fox and burly ferret strode up from their fireplace, the two sergeants saluted Meras.
"Guard Messenger Skyshadow.even from 'Commander' Algan."
The two grinned and unsheathed their blades. None of Algan's command were fond of their incompetent, bad tempered and brash commander.
Algan was feeling himself consumed by rage but the threat of the two armed beasts hung heavy. Skyshadow watched the proceedings with amusement. "The general has sent a group led by Subcommanders Cirath and Jethorin to take control of the situation. He adds that Commander Algan has a chance to redeem himself if he shows leadership qualities in this battle.editorial from myself: Unlikely."
This was too much for the rat, Algan sprang forward and brought down his saber upon Skyshadows head.
Blood splashed to the sand, Algan fell back, a look of abject shock upon his face, his throat slashed with a single move from one silver ferret. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Meras's blade lowered, he gave Algan's corpse a look of distaste. "Ragfang.take the corpse of this rat and bury it as soon as possible.I want no burnings lest we alert our pursuers to our presence."
Ragfang nodded and sheathed his sword. "Bredge! Gimmie a paw, will ya?" the short fox nodded. The large ferret grabbed the dead rat by his paws, Bredge by his feet, the two lifted him and carried him out of the camp, the Death Watchers were all watching, most very amused. It was one less mouth to feed, one less idiot to get them killed.
Skyshadow smiled. "Shall I go back to our General, Meras? Shall I tell him what transpired?"
Meras nodded his head, his features emotionless, making it impossible to read him. "Commander Algan was slain for insurrection.Visla won't give it much thought."
Skyshadow nodded. "I'll put in a word for you, Meras.you seem more capable then your predecessor.Visla's reinforcements will be arriving momentarily, by the way.I led them here but I had to move on ahead to deliver my report."
Meras bowed at the neck. "Farewell, Skyshadow."
The raven flapped his wings and roses from the ground, flying fast as possible, back in the direction of Visla's main camp.
Meras sat back by the fire, warming himself, picking up Algan's saber that had fallen from the rat's lifeless grip. He liked his own blade fine but tradition demanded a use for this.whether to Visla or to another use.
"Commander Meras!" Bredge's high voice jolted Meras to reality. The ferret turned to the short fox. "Yes?"
"Visla's forces have arrived."
As if to seal the fox's words, Meras saw a group of figures integrating themselves throughout the camp, most were lightly armored, bearing the Death Watch insignia: A weasel skull on their breastplate or shoulder, their skull shaped helmets on, gray cloaks flowing behind them, blades sheathed at their sides.
Many of the Death Watch soldiers carried packs, and they began opening them, many of the patrollers were delighted to learn they contained food and drink. The Death Watch fighters allowed them their provisions for the time, there was plenty to go around.
"Where is Algan?"
A deep, commanding voice cut through Meras's thoughts. He saw two figures, dressed in more elaborate armor then their subordinates, their blades finer and each carried their helmets under the crook of their arms. The beast who has spoken was a sable, dark furred with cream colored paws and throat, with dark brown eyes. Though he held a saber, he carried several daggers for throwing and combat thrust through his belt. Meras recognized him instantly: One of Commander Sariss's subordinates; Jethorin.
The beast that followed him was a stoat, reddish brown fur and blue eyes, carrying a longsword. He was one of Mahk's subcommanders. His name was Cirath.
Meras bowed. "My greetings, honored sirs. I am Meras. Commander Algan is dead and being buried as we speak."
Jethorin and Cirath exchanged cold looks. The stoat spoke first. "How did this come to pass, ferret?"
"I slew him.he attempted to slay our messenger."
Jethorin raised an eyebrow, Cirath smirked. Neither of them seemed too upset about Algan's fate.
"Then you know Cirath and myself have been appointed to take over the position as leaders here with a score of our warriors?"
Meras nodded once more. "I do.I welcome the leadership of fine warriors.I must tell you, if the Calpathions advance on us then I am certain Sergeant Larken and nine of his scouts were slain by them."
Jethorin shrugged. "My warriors would not be so careless.we will be ready for the Calpathions.I dearly hope The Manticore is among them.it would give our reputation a boost to kill him.and over eighty soldiers here now.twice their numbers at least."
Cirath sat by the fire and withdrew a flask of wine from his pouch and took a gulp. "Well then, Meras.let us prepare."