Argus Swordstripe, the Badger Lord of Salamandastron, was restless. For the past few nights he'd been unable to get much sleep. Most of the time, when this would happen, he would simply sit at the window in his room and stare at the night sky. That was what he was doing tonight.
The breeze blowing in off the ocean brought with it the salty smell of the water. Argus breathed deeply, relishing the scent as he had many times before. The aroma of the sea was the one thing that hadn't changed in the numerous seasons the badger had ruled the mountain fortress. That, and the fact that Argus could always count on one of his hares to still be awake. That hare was standing in the doorway at that very moment.
"Good evening, Colonel," Argus didn't even bother turning around. Colonel James Edwin William Whipett IV walked in and plopped himself down next to the Bader Lord.
"Evenin' sah," the Colonel looked out the window, studying the moonlit coast. "Couldn't sleep again, eh?"
The badger drew a deep breath, "no, and I don't rightly know the reason. Maybe it's just old age catching up with me."
The Colonel chuckled. "If I may, sah. We both know t'ain't old age that's causin' this."
Argus knew that his old friend was right. The big badger stroked his graying beard, contemplating the Colonel's words. The hare had known the Badger Lord long enough to know that Argus possessed a sort of "sixth sense" when it came to trouble.
"You're right, as always Jimmy," Argus stood, leaning on the window sill. "Something's amiss, and I wish I knew what it was."
"You've always been this way when there was trouble brewin' with vermin."
Again the old hare was right. In the past, whenever there was a threat against the lands, Argus would get the same feeling he was having now. The strange thing was that none of the recent reports from the Long Patrol scouts had indicated any disturbances. But despite that, the badger couldn't shake his uneasiness. If his feeling was right, there should've been some indication of vermin. But neither hide nor hair had been seen.
"Might I suggest somethin' sah? We might consider sending the scouts out farther, just to be absolutely sure."
"Good idea, Colonel," Argus could see the sense in the hare's suggestion. "At first light, I want you to get the five fastest scouts we have. Tell them to travel as light and fast as possible. I want them to travel one full day out, and then head back. That should cover enough area to give us a good idea if any vermin are out there."
"If there is anythin' out there, sah, they'll find it."
"I've no doubt they will, Jimmy. They have had the best training officer."
The hare got up. He saluted and smiled, "we'll find out if anythin's going on sah, don't you worry."
"With you around, I never have."