Six months have passed since that fateful day and now we are reduced
to working for scum...not a trace of our formal glory.
My soldiers trust me with their lives, that is apparent...it is a trust I am proud to receive, a trust I honor and am proud to bear.
Our hunt for Visla has taken us to the west, to a large territory owned by governors...one of whom is our employer. He claimed knowledge of Visla's whereabouts, his fee; our neutralization of an opposition against him. Even now I am uncertain we made the correct choice in working for this squirrel...he has the backbone of a slug and is about as trustworthy, I have no doubt he will prove a liability in the future...but for now, I swallow my revulsion and my pride...if it leads us to the murderer of Kalis, I will willingly work for the Lords of Hellgates themselves.
The mission went off without a hitch. The rebels were taken by surprise and posed no threat...not a scar was suffered among our warriors...it's a victory we aren't keen to boast of either. Some are voicing fears the Iridas-a very secretive group of otter warriors-shall be called against us...the Iridas are far greater in number so that a single patrol of theirs should wipe us out without losing half their warriors...I have never met an Iridian and I doubt I want to.
It is a risk we have to take if Visla is to be found...our erstwhile employer's knowledge of the Death Watch may no doubt spring from dealings with them himself...I am going to visit him shortly and collect our payment...and if that bastard has something planned against us, I shall kill him with my bare paws.
It has been a real bad week all in all.
-Eroket Nightblade.
Governor Jihal was pacing his grand entrance hall nervously, having dismissed his guards for the night, pausing to look out his window at the splendid sea that his palace had been built by, shining under the moon's glow, in clear view of his grand mansion-more of a palace.
"This was a mistake, this was a mistake..." He whispered under his breath, the short squirrel's long tail twitching in agitation, graying fur hidden beneath his stately robes, teeth gnawing at his lip as his footpaws paced the grand rug again and again. "He's going to kill me..."
"Governor!" The voice called from the doorway as the tall ermine walked in, his golden amber eyes set coldly in a solemn face, blade sheathed at his side dancing in time to his stride without the proper fastening, a show that the ermine had been in a hurry.
"The opposition has been dismantled..." Efficient as always, Jihal thought, in spite of the obvious danger...if only that weasel had kept his part of the deal, he'd never have to see this ermine again...or the rest of his ragtag mercenaries.
"Good, Eroket!" Jihal managed a smile, trying not to look at the voluminous curtains, "Your fee?"
Eroket snarled in spite of himself, crimson paw coming up with a dagger, instantly pressing to the frightened Jihal's throat. "My fee...yes...you know damn well what I want! One of your aides told an interesting story with the right amount of gold, Jihal! You've harbored a murderer...funded his attempts to rebuild the Death Watch!
"I'll ask you once before I take out your forked tongue...Where is Visla?!" The final word was spoken with such hatred, such vehemence, the amber fury in the ermine's eyes reduce Jihal to terrified gibbering.
"I...I don't know where he is!! He left just last night!"
"Not the right answer!" Eroket snarled, blade pressing closer to his treacherous employer's neck, drawing a drop of blood. "I killed your enemies...you tell me where to find mine!!!" All rationality seemed to have deserted the ermine; sweat poured openly down Jihal's face, his dark eyes flicking slowly to the side of the room...and was pleased to see the tip of a crossbow poking out from the curtains.
Jihal's gaze saved his interrogator's life, Eroket dropped he dagger, flung himself to the ground as the victorious cry echoed through the room, "We're right here, Calpathion!"
The crossbow bolt slammed into the wall opposite of the one where Geras had fired, in the split second it took the ferret and his three guards to tear the curtains away from their faces and emerge from their hiding places, Eroket was up and making a run for the window, yelling back at his employer, "You crossed the wrong beast, governor!"
Geras ran to the window as Eroket leaped, nearly shoving Jihal out of his way, daring to look down, hoping Eroket's fall had been broken on the rocks below.
He cursed as he saw the ripples on the otherwise placid surface of the sea, whirling on the Jihal, the squirrel daring to voice a question. "Is he...dead?"
"I doubt it...severely," Was Geras's snarling reply.
He was astounded to find a smile spreading across the squirrel's face. "Well...that is about to change..."
"Is this a joke, governor? Because if it is..." Geras placed a paw on his sword, words no longer necessary.
"No, no!" Jihal cried, "Look at the harbor!"
Geras flashed his guard a sign, the fox moving to stand behind Jihal, eliminating the squirrel governor's chance of running.
Geras walked to a second window overlooking the town-Jihal seemed to pride himself on viewing the town from this high mansion, Geras mused.
What he saw astounded and pleased him. Three large ships had docked, each bearing an insignia; A sword over three blue wavy lines.
"The Iridians..." Geras breathed, a grin appearing on his face.
"Yes..." Jihal smiled. "As your General Instructed, I sent a messenger to them...that the Calpathion mercenaries have been murdering political activists...and in a way, that is true...
Geras laughed, nodding to the fox behind Jihal, "Get to the ships...send the Iridian otters to the Calpathion camp...and tell them that the Calpathions have been killing innocent women and children while you're at it.
"But...there's no evidence to support that!" Jihal protested...and the smile Geras gave him chilled him more then any outburst, the ferret's voice was soft and cold.
"Don't worry about it...we'll make some."
***
Eroket was freezing...diving into a sea to escape one's enemies in the middle of winter most certainly had its disadvantages...
Eroket had rid himself of his armor instantly, had swam a fair distance before he came up for a breath of precious air, much to the ermine's discomfort.
The Death Watch in league with Jihal...this was bad, most definitely bad...Eroket had to get back to camp ASAP...
The ermine began a swim for the harbor, hoping the Death Watch wasn't taking a patrol...when he reached the harbor, he would have preferred the Death Watch.
Iridian ships...and he could see a group of otters, dressed in the armor and cloaks if their order, all carrying swords with easy grace...and the leader-a youthful sort...he looked only slightly older then Eroket himself-was talking to a fox dressed in Death Watch armor.
Eroket ducked under the surface of the water and swam as silently as possible, aiming for the nearest ford...he HAD to get back to his soldiers in the forest...their lives depended on it.
***
Eroket ran as fast as his legs could take him, having found said ford in the middle of the blasted forest, the ermine had darted in the direction he knew camp to be, knowing it was a race against time until the Iridian otters found his comrades...he HAD to get there first...
Eroket reached camp a full ten minutes later, nearly collapsing. Deran ran over instantly, "Sir! What happened, what did you fi-"
"Evacuate! We have to get out of here now!"
Eroket was on his feet, running into camp, issuing orders to evacuate frantically.
Not a single Calpathion knew why he was shouting so, but all knew and trusted the young ermine General.
Then the Iridian's came...a voice cut through the chill winter air like a death knell.
"Calpathion mercenaries!"
Sixty heads turned to stare at the otters who had come upon them silently and out of the trees, the lead was the youthful otter Eroket had seen talking to that Death Watch fox.
"Calpathions, I am Garic Riverblade of the Iridian forces...you stand accused of murder of political activists and innocent civilians."
Well, that last part was a bit of a surprise, but if the armored otter or his three hundred companions noticed they took no care. "Surrender and we insure you shall be treated fairly! But resist and we shall bring swift retribution!"
Eroket and his soldiers shared glances, Talrid, Deran, and all the others understood...Visla had played them...had played this all...if they fought, they would die here...if they surrendered, they would CERTAINLY be given to Visla...for his perverted pleasure...their ends would come just as certainly and the methods less swift, in that moment Eroket made his fateful decision...the decision that ended the war of the Calpathions and the Death Watch....
"Calpathions, attack!! And get the loudmouth first!"
Nobeast could ever recall who struck the first blow...but it was pure chaos...the Calpathions made their stand against their enemies, Eroket Nightblade at their head.
Eroket cut down two otters within the beginning of the melee, the Calpathions fought beside him...and they died where they stood.
Deran's squad had been overwhelmed at the start, the otters taking no chances with the veteran projectile beasts. Deran was the only prisoner himself, knocked unconscious by a punch to the head.
The remaining Calpathions-all twenty five of them- had no retreat, they managed to give ground, killing many of the Iridian otters as their comrades died around them
Talrid found himself pressed with Eroket, both bleeding from their injuries, Eroket's eyes filled with sorrow at the death his actions had brought to his comrades.
"For the General!" The cry echoed across the field, a rat, his left arm torn and useless at his side had issued the cry, a sword held in his right paw. The cry was picked up by the rest of the Calpathions...and together they charged their enemies.
Eroket's heart swelled with pride as he found himself running alongside his men, an otter attacked at his side, but Eroket took no mind, trusting Talrid to dispatch the otter. Talrid did so with a quick strike to the throat.
The Calpathions had run into this final attack with no hope of winning...only to take as many enemies as they could with them...one by one they fell, leaving only ten...and in only several minutes, two.
Eroket and Talrid were separated from the others, making their way to the trees, hoping at least to survive now and gain vengeance in any way they could later.
A huge fist hit Talrid in the skull, hurling him to the ground, unconscious as Deran, but to Eroket's eyes, his comrade appeared dead.
Eroket faced the fox, the same fox that had sent the otters to the Calpathion camp...and he felt only hatred, his amber eyes hardened as he whispered. "Alright...let's go."
The fox came at the ermine, sword clashed against sword with such force that both blades were knocked from their owners' paws.
Not to be deterred, the fox punched at Eroket's skull, but the ermine was quick enough to duck swiftly, coming up as he grabbed a rock in one paw and a fistful of snow in the other.
Eroket flung the snow into his opponent's face, disorienting him for a few precious seconds...and Eroket came on, rock slamming into the fox's snout, breaking his nose and jaw, throwing him back with a muffled howl of agony.
Blood ran freely from the wounded fox, paws clasped to his broken nose, but Eroket wasn't done, the ermine's paws gripping a dagger as he walked to his opponent. "You killed them..."
"You killed them all..." The blade ran across the fox's neck.
"We're all dead..." The blade slipped from crimson paws as Eroket sank to his knees. He offered no resistance as the armored otters surrounded him, offered no resistance as they moved him to his feet and led him off.
"What have we done...?" Garic Riverblade, the young commander surveyed the carnage...only two others of the Calpathions had survived-the other two, an ermine, and golden ferret who was unconscious...and over half the Iridians had died...and the final cry at the end from an unknown mercenary...these were not the beasts to willingly slaughter children...they had fought with honor, fought even without hope.
What had they done?
***
"So...you're STILL alive?"
A familiar voice...a hated voice...the Iridians had surrendered Eroket and his companions to Governor Jihal...and Jihal had given them to the Death Watch...and General Visla.
"I'm amazed...Kalis taught you well it seemed..."
Visla was eyeing his three prisoners coldly; Eroket, Talrid and Deran. Talrid and Deran under guard watch, Eroket bound paw and foot, forced by Geras to kneel in the snow to the pacing weasel. "Jihal played his part well, eh?"
None of the Calpathions gave an answer...Visla just laughed. "I think I'll sell you..." He nodded to Deran, "And you..." He nodded to Talrid. "But you..."
His gaze fell upon Eroket. "Taren wants you so badly...well; he'll have to be disappointed..."
Eroket didn't see the red fox, or the stoat captain Mahk in attendance, the ermine noted it as odd...he was barely even capable of thought, the deaths of his soldiers fresh in his mind...the final cry: 'For the General!'
"You have caused me too much trouble, Eroket...your accursed father as well..."
Eroket turned his head up, flinching as Visla pressed a paw to his cheek. "I'm going to kill you...ever so slowly...your father's death was too quick...but I'll make up for that by slowly killing his eldest son...ever so slowly."
Eroket spit in Visla's face.
Visla's face darkened and he struck the ermine violently, nearly knocking him unconscious, Deran and Talrid flinched sympathetically as Visla growled.
"Find a buyer for these two...and put Eroket in the torture tent...I'll visit him later..."
As the three were hauled to their feet, Talrid made one desperate move...the golden ferret's manacled paws rapped his single guard between the eyes, knocking him back to the ground, the golden ferret broke into a run, hesitating to look at his only surviving friends.
"Talrid, go!" Eroket screamed.
"Forget about us!" Deran's voice added to the encouraging shouts.
"I'm sorry..." Talrid whispered...he could do nothing for them, he knew...he turned and ran, into the open forest.
"Leave him!" Visla snarled as Geras raised his crossbow. "Hunt him down later...after the other two are dealt with..."
As Eroket was dragged off to the torture tent, one thought was on his mind; for his comrades, his soldiers and friends...General Visla would die.
Maybe then, Eroket Nightblade could find peace...
My soldiers trust me with their lives, that is apparent...it is a trust I am proud to receive, a trust I honor and am proud to bear.
Our hunt for Visla has taken us to the west, to a large territory owned by governors...one of whom is our employer. He claimed knowledge of Visla's whereabouts, his fee; our neutralization of an opposition against him. Even now I am uncertain we made the correct choice in working for this squirrel...he has the backbone of a slug and is about as trustworthy, I have no doubt he will prove a liability in the future...but for now, I swallow my revulsion and my pride...if it leads us to the murderer of Kalis, I will willingly work for the Lords of Hellgates themselves.
The mission went off without a hitch. The rebels were taken by surprise and posed no threat...not a scar was suffered among our warriors...it's a victory we aren't keen to boast of either. Some are voicing fears the Iridas-a very secretive group of otter warriors-shall be called against us...the Iridas are far greater in number so that a single patrol of theirs should wipe us out without losing half their warriors...I have never met an Iridian and I doubt I want to.
It is a risk we have to take if Visla is to be found...our erstwhile employer's knowledge of the Death Watch may no doubt spring from dealings with them himself...I am going to visit him shortly and collect our payment...and if that bastard has something planned against us, I shall kill him with my bare paws.
It has been a real bad week all in all.
-Eroket Nightblade.
Governor Jihal was pacing his grand entrance hall nervously, having dismissed his guards for the night, pausing to look out his window at the splendid sea that his palace had been built by, shining under the moon's glow, in clear view of his grand mansion-more of a palace.
"This was a mistake, this was a mistake..." He whispered under his breath, the short squirrel's long tail twitching in agitation, graying fur hidden beneath his stately robes, teeth gnawing at his lip as his footpaws paced the grand rug again and again. "He's going to kill me..."
"Governor!" The voice called from the doorway as the tall ermine walked in, his golden amber eyes set coldly in a solemn face, blade sheathed at his side dancing in time to his stride without the proper fastening, a show that the ermine had been in a hurry.
"The opposition has been dismantled..." Efficient as always, Jihal thought, in spite of the obvious danger...if only that weasel had kept his part of the deal, he'd never have to see this ermine again...or the rest of his ragtag mercenaries.
"Good, Eroket!" Jihal managed a smile, trying not to look at the voluminous curtains, "Your fee?"
Eroket snarled in spite of himself, crimson paw coming up with a dagger, instantly pressing to the frightened Jihal's throat. "My fee...yes...you know damn well what I want! One of your aides told an interesting story with the right amount of gold, Jihal! You've harbored a murderer...funded his attempts to rebuild the Death Watch!
"I'll ask you once before I take out your forked tongue...Where is Visla?!" The final word was spoken with such hatred, such vehemence, the amber fury in the ermine's eyes reduce Jihal to terrified gibbering.
"I...I don't know where he is!! He left just last night!"
"Not the right answer!" Eroket snarled, blade pressing closer to his treacherous employer's neck, drawing a drop of blood. "I killed your enemies...you tell me where to find mine!!!" All rationality seemed to have deserted the ermine; sweat poured openly down Jihal's face, his dark eyes flicking slowly to the side of the room...and was pleased to see the tip of a crossbow poking out from the curtains.
Jihal's gaze saved his interrogator's life, Eroket dropped he dagger, flung himself to the ground as the victorious cry echoed through the room, "We're right here, Calpathion!"
The crossbow bolt slammed into the wall opposite of the one where Geras had fired, in the split second it took the ferret and his three guards to tear the curtains away from their faces and emerge from their hiding places, Eroket was up and making a run for the window, yelling back at his employer, "You crossed the wrong beast, governor!"
Geras ran to the window as Eroket leaped, nearly shoving Jihal out of his way, daring to look down, hoping Eroket's fall had been broken on the rocks below.
He cursed as he saw the ripples on the otherwise placid surface of the sea, whirling on the Jihal, the squirrel daring to voice a question. "Is he...dead?"
"I doubt it...severely," Was Geras's snarling reply.
He was astounded to find a smile spreading across the squirrel's face. "Well...that is about to change..."
"Is this a joke, governor? Because if it is..." Geras placed a paw on his sword, words no longer necessary.
"No, no!" Jihal cried, "Look at the harbor!"
Geras flashed his guard a sign, the fox moving to stand behind Jihal, eliminating the squirrel governor's chance of running.
Geras walked to a second window overlooking the town-Jihal seemed to pride himself on viewing the town from this high mansion, Geras mused.
What he saw astounded and pleased him. Three large ships had docked, each bearing an insignia; A sword over three blue wavy lines.
"The Iridians..." Geras breathed, a grin appearing on his face.
"Yes..." Jihal smiled. "As your General Instructed, I sent a messenger to them...that the Calpathion mercenaries have been murdering political activists...and in a way, that is true...
Geras laughed, nodding to the fox behind Jihal, "Get to the ships...send the Iridian otters to the Calpathion camp...and tell them that the Calpathions have been killing innocent women and children while you're at it.
"But...there's no evidence to support that!" Jihal protested...and the smile Geras gave him chilled him more then any outburst, the ferret's voice was soft and cold.
"Don't worry about it...we'll make some."
***
Eroket was freezing...diving into a sea to escape one's enemies in the middle of winter most certainly had its disadvantages...
Eroket had rid himself of his armor instantly, had swam a fair distance before he came up for a breath of precious air, much to the ermine's discomfort.
The Death Watch in league with Jihal...this was bad, most definitely bad...Eroket had to get back to camp ASAP...
The ermine began a swim for the harbor, hoping the Death Watch wasn't taking a patrol...when he reached the harbor, he would have preferred the Death Watch.
Iridian ships...and he could see a group of otters, dressed in the armor and cloaks if their order, all carrying swords with easy grace...and the leader-a youthful sort...he looked only slightly older then Eroket himself-was talking to a fox dressed in Death Watch armor.
Eroket ducked under the surface of the water and swam as silently as possible, aiming for the nearest ford...he HAD to get back to his soldiers in the forest...their lives depended on it.
***
Eroket ran as fast as his legs could take him, having found said ford in the middle of the blasted forest, the ermine had darted in the direction he knew camp to be, knowing it was a race against time until the Iridian otters found his comrades...he HAD to get there first...
Eroket reached camp a full ten minutes later, nearly collapsing. Deran ran over instantly, "Sir! What happened, what did you fi-"
"Evacuate! We have to get out of here now!"
Eroket was on his feet, running into camp, issuing orders to evacuate frantically.
Not a single Calpathion knew why he was shouting so, but all knew and trusted the young ermine General.
Then the Iridian's came...a voice cut through the chill winter air like a death knell.
"Calpathion mercenaries!"
Sixty heads turned to stare at the otters who had come upon them silently and out of the trees, the lead was the youthful otter Eroket had seen talking to that Death Watch fox.
"Calpathions, I am Garic Riverblade of the Iridian forces...you stand accused of murder of political activists and innocent civilians."
Well, that last part was a bit of a surprise, but if the armored otter or his three hundred companions noticed they took no care. "Surrender and we insure you shall be treated fairly! But resist and we shall bring swift retribution!"
Eroket and his soldiers shared glances, Talrid, Deran, and all the others understood...Visla had played them...had played this all...if they fought, they would die here...if they surrendered, they would CERTAINLY be given to Visla...for his perverted pleasure...their ends would come just as certainly and the methods less swift, in that moment Eroket made his fateful decision...the decision that ended the war of the Calpathions and the Death Watch....
"Calpathions, attack!! And get the loudmouth first!"
Nobeast could ever recall who struck the first blow...but it was pure chaos...the Calpathions made their stand against their enemies, Eroket Nightblade at their head.
Eroket cut down two otters within the beginning of the melee, the Calpathions fought beside him...and they died where they stood.
Deran's squad had been overwhelmed at the start, the otters taking no chances with the veteran projectile beasts. Deran was the only prisoner himself, knocked unconscious by a punch to the head.
The remaining Calpathions-all twenty five of them- had no retreat, they managed to give ground, killing many of the Iridian otters as their comrades died around them
Talrid found himself pressed with Eroket, both bleeding from their injuries, Eroket's eyes filled with sorrow at the death his actions had brought to his comrades.
"For the General!" The cry echoed across the field, a rat, his left arm torn and useless at his side had issued the cry, a sword held in his right paw. The cry was picked up by the rest of the Calpathions...and together they charged their enemies.
Eroket's heart swelled with pride as he found himself running alongside his men, an otter attacked at his side, but Eroket took no mind, trusting Talrid to dispatch the otter. Talrid did so with a quick strike to the throat.
The Calpathions had run into this final attack with no hope of winning...only to take as many enemies as they could with them...one by one they fell, leaving only ten...and in only several minutes, two.
Eroket and Talrid were separated from the others, making their way to the trees, hoping at least to survive now and gain vengeance in any way they could later.
A huge fist hit Talrid in the skull, hurling him to the ground, unconscious as Deran, but to Eroket's eyes, his comrade appeared dead.
Eroket faced the fox, the same fox that had sent the otters to the Calpathion camp...and he felt only hatred, his amber eyes hardened as he whispered. "Alright...let's go."
The fox came at the ermine, sword clashed against sword with such force that both blades were knocked from their owners' paws.
Not to be deterred, the fox punched at Eroket's skull, but the ermine was quick enough to duck swiftly, coming up as he grabbed a rock in one paw and a fistful of snow in the other.
Eroket flung the snow into his opponent's face, disorienting him for a few precious seconds...and Eroket came on, rock slamming into the fox's snout, breaking his nose and jaw, throwing him back with a muffled howl of agony.
Blood ran freely from the wounded fox, paws clasped to his broken nose, but Eroket wasn't done, the ermine's paws gripping a dagger as he walked to his opponent. "You killed them..."
"You killed them all..." The blade ran across the fox's neck.
"We're all dead..." The blade slipped from crimson paws as Eroket sank to his knees. He offered no resistance as the armored otters surrounded him, offered no resistance as they moved him to his feet and led him off.
"What have we done...?" Garic Riverblade, the young commander surveyed the carnage...only two others of the Calpathions had survived-the other two, an ermine, and golden ferret who was unconscious...and over half the Iridians had died...and the final cry at the end from an unknown mercenary...these were not the beasts to willingly slaughter children...they had fought with honor, fought even without hope.
What had they done?
***
"So...you're STILL alive?"
A familiar voice...a hated voice...the Iridians had surrendered Eroket and his companions to Governor Jihal...and Jihal had given them to the Death Watch...and General Visla.
"I'm amazed...Kalis taught you well it seemed..."
Visla was eyeing his three prisoners coldly; Eroket, Talrid and Deran. Talrid and Deran under guard watch, Eroket bound paw and foot, forced by Geras to kneel in the snow to the pacing weasel. "Jihal played his part well, eh?"
None of the Calpathions gave an answer...Visla just laughed. "I think I'll sell you..." He nodded to Deran, "And you..." He nodded to Talrid. "But you..."
His gaze fell upon Eroket. "Taren wants you so badly...well; he'll have to be disappointed..."
Eroket didn't see the red fox, or the stoat captain Mahk in attendance, the ermine noted it as odd...he was barely even capable of thought, the deaths of his soldiers fresh in his mind...the final cry: 'For the General!'
"You have caused me too much trouble, Eroket...your accursed father as well..."
Eroket turned his head up, flinching as Visla pressed a paw to his cheek. "I'm going to kill you...ever so slowly...your father's death was too quick...but I'll make up for that by slowly killing his eldest son...ever so slowly."
Eroket spit in Visla's face.
Visla's face darkened and he struck the ermine violently, nearly knocking him unconscious, Deran and Talrid flinched sympathetically as Visla growled.
"Find a buyer for these two...and put Eroket in the torture tent...I'll visit him later..."
As the three were hauled to their feet, Talrid made one desperate move...the golden ferret's manacled paws rapped his single guard between the eyes, knocking him back to the ground, the golden ferret broke into a run, hesitating to look at his only surviving friends.
"Talrid, go!" Eroket screamed.
"Forget about us!" Deran's voice added to the encouraging shouts.
"I'm sorry..." Talrid whispered...he could do nothing for them, he knew...he turned and ran, into the open forest.
"Leave him!" Visla snarled as Geras raised his crossbow. "Hunt him down later...after the other two are dealt with..."
As Eroket was dragged off to the torture tent, one thought was on his mind; for his comrades, his soldiers and friends...General Visla would die.
Maybe then, Eroket Nightblade could find peace...