Chapter 2
The Return
Seasons passed, and Trattek's fort grew. Beasts from distant lands came near and far, coming to help protect the now-legendary Fort Blissban. But one day, the peaceful life of Blissban Country was broken.
Ragar Jumatek landed on the Blissban Shore, about a mile south of Fort Blissban. The Greatwolf looked at the beautiful autumn sky and sniffed appreciatively. When he spoke, his voice was a grating boom over the water to the rest of his fleet.
"Come, my Pack! Anchor and land. The traitor Trattek is near, I feel it. Come so you may know what happens to deserters of my Pack," he bellowed. An answering howl floated to him on the breeze, the eerie notes picking up the hairs on the squirrel captive's neck.
The squirrel's name was Finn Greenstone and though he did not know it, he was the great-great grandsire of the famous squirrel warrior Wing Pikepaw. But that's a different story. Finn peered through the porthole and growled softly at the sight of the enormous wolves swimming to shore. He was a tall, fit male squirrel with long black fur and an impressive brush of a tail, but he was gaunt and skinny from long captivity. Deep scars ran down his body from Ketnon the slave master's whip, and his ears were nicked and ragged from fights long ago, when he was a free warrior.
Finn turned, rattling his chains, as the door to his tiny cell in the bulkhead burst open. Ragar and Ketnon stood in the doorway. Ketnon motioned to Finn with his folded whip. "Come on, slave, time to get back in the line." He grinned savagely, showing his long fangs. "Trattek was always a soft beast. The sight of some poor, emancipated slaves should make him come running out."
Finn stayed where he was, still defiant as the day he was captured. His fur stood on end as his warrior blood rose in his eyes. He didn't like Ketnon ordering him around. Ketnon lunged forward and grabbed Finn's neck chain. "Come on, squirrel scum!" he growled angrily. "Don't keep the Alpha waiting."
Finn launched himself upon the bigger beast, roaring his battle cry as he struck out with his claws and teeth. "Yaah, s'death to you, wolfspawn! Come and fight a real warrior! Greenstooooone!!!!!!"
Ketnon screamed in agony as Finn's teeth found his throat. Rage engulfed the squirrel as he sank his teeth deeper, seeking bone. Suddenly, he was yanked upward violently by a mighty paw. Ragar struck him savagely, again and again, until Finn saw stars. The Alpha wolf dropped him carelessly and hauled Ketnon to his paws, ignoring the other wolf's anguished whimpers.
"Get that cleaned up," Ragar growled at him. "I'll take the slave to the line myself. We march, now!"
Ragar picked up Finn's neck chain and half-dragged the squirrel out the door. Finn fought for breath as the cruel metal collar dug into his neck, choking him. He tried to get up, but Ragar kicked him and continued dragging him. Finn struggled wildly, tongue hanging out for lack of air. His footpaw connected with the back of Ragar's knees, and the wolf stumbled. He roared and whirled on Finn, yanking him around on the chain like a rag doll. Finn's vision dimmed, and he blacked out. Ragar whipped the unconscious squirrel's back spitefully with the end of the chain and hauled his limp form over to the other slaves.
Ragar expertly hooked Finn to the slave line and snarled at the other slaves, "Carry him or drag him, makes no difference to me. Get marching, scum!"
Two otters supported Finn and began a weary trot with the others. The Pack of Ragar marched relentlessly on behind them, weapons drawn. This evil caravan headed towards Fort Blissban, where Trattek had just woken to scent his enemy on the breeze.