The Day the Vermin Won
By Joseph Dunlap
Chapter 1
In a land far, far away there was a shoreside mountain called Salamandastron, in which of the extinct mountain of fire there lived a gathering of hares under the leadership of what was called a Badger Lord. The Badger Lord was the greatest of all the fighters in the land, maybe even the world itself at that time. Under his command was the most organized fighting unit within leagues, the Salamandastron hare guard, or simply the "Long Patrol".
At a particular time, during the reign of a Badger Lord called Dirion, there was a horde of vermin making its way from the South in search of riches. Its leader was called Rilmarr Kin, Warlord of the South Kin Horde. He was a stoat but had many beasts, stoats, weasels, ferrets, foxes, martens, and rats of all kinds at his command.
As the course of things go, the South Kin came across the fiery mountain during their travels. A scout reported to Rilmarr Kin his findings from far off, describing the appearance of the mountain and the manner of beasts who dwelled there. "Hares?" Kin commented to himself. "This is strange indeed. What manner of business is held in a place like this is far from my eyes." He tapped a crooked tooth with his claw thoughtfully.
Orders were given and the front flanks of the Kin marched out with Rilmarr to confront these mountain dwellers. As they reached view of the mountain they halted and waited. Then Rilmarr came forward and called out, "Hail! Hail, Mountain of the Sands!"
After a moment's pause an answer came back from the mountain. "Who be ye an' what do ye want, vermin?" called the voice of a hare.
"We are the South Kin," he answered. "What we want depends on what you have, friend."
There was another pause, then the hare called back. "This is Salamandastron the fiery mountain of th' western shores. Our leader is Lord Dirion th' Great Badger. If ye come in peace you and your companions are welcome to walk on our shores and shall be treated as friends. Otherwise... ye'll not 'ave things go so well for ye, wot." There was a blatency in the hare's words that impressed not those of boasting.
"I would speak with your leader," Rilmarr said at last.
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"M'lord," Colonel Frivard turned from the window. "Th' vermin wishes t'speak with you."
Lord Dirion stood a stately figure, wearing a great green tunic over his broad chest and holding the ceremonial mace of the fiery mountain, the size of a full-grown male hare, in one paw. He spoke with a great, booming voice.
"I shall speak with him," he said. He stood in full view in the window and addressed the stoat. "State your business, friend."
From his position it took him a matter of seconds before Rilmarr Kin could see the Badger Lord standing in a great opening high on the mountain. He caught his breath but checked any signs of bewilderment. "We are but travelers a long way from home, my lord," he called up. "We come in peace."
"Then what is it you wish here?" Dirion asked.
"I wish simply to parley, my lord," Rilmarr answered.
"Very well then," Dirion said. "It shall be done."
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An arrangement was made between the two sides. The South Kin were in need of supplies to continue on its way, and in return they had a supple stock of weaponry that would be useful in the Long Patrol. Lord Dirion of Salamandastron and Lord Rilmarr Kin of the South Kin Horde shook paws unflinchingly and sealed the arrangement, and each went his own way. Whether things would go as planned, neither knew, but an uneasiness settled that night with the darkness which was felt by all.