Captains Riptide, Swordpaw, and Mossfoot, however, did not have to resupply. Their flagships stood at anchor a league away from the Green Maelstrom, well away from the pull of the whirling vortex. The three Captains were meeting in Mossfoot's cabin, as it was the largest. The hare possessed a larger schooner than the other vessels in his fleet. Inside, the three captains awaited the arrival of Captain Jroca. Riptide leaned casually against the wall, his hooded eyes watching Swordpaw as he paced to and fro in the cabin. Mossfoot was sitting in a chair, studying a map. Finally, he slammed his paw down on the table, shouting at Swordpaw. "Pack it in already! Jroca will get here when he gets here!"

The eastern mouse turned and glared at the hare captain. He spoke seven words. "I do not take orders from fops." He then resumed pacing.

Mossfoot's ears shot upward and straight like spearhafts, sending his hat flying off of his head as his voice heightened with indignation. "Me? Me, a fop?"

Riptide watched the argument. Inwardly the otter laughed at Mossfoot being called a fop. But, it was true. Decked out in the most gold trimmed blue garments a captain could wear easily, with his hat covering his ears so they stuck out under the rear side, Mossfoot dressed like a fop. His cabin however, showed none of this. Maps, pictures, and papers were scattered across the walls and desk, and several different swords hung on the wall.

There was a knock on the door. Riptide opened the door, and allowed Jroca the shrew inside.

As the door shut, the shrew looked at Swordpaw and Mossfoot, their faces inches from each other. "Really, you two. It's the Sea Hordes we are supposed to be fighting, not each other."

The two captains backed down, muttering apologies. Riptide finally spoke. "Oakleaf still hasn't shown his brush."

Jroca shook his head. "I'm sure that Captain Oakleaf is just delayed. Some of our couriers reported that Vale Island was attacked by the Sea Hordes. They were driven off, however."

Mossfoot pursed his lips briefly. "We cannot do this unless all of the captains are united. And even with all of the help that we have, we still do not have the numbers that the Sea Hordes do."

The shrew nodded. "I would ask my Gousim allies to aid us, but I doubt that their logboats could get out this far in the ocean. Even if they followed the coast most of the way, they would not make it here on their own."

The other captains nodded, and the talk turned to tactics.

Ryon was in the longboat with Lucar, Birchleaf, Blackreed, and Sharpear. As the little boat nudged into the soft sand, Ryon leapt out. He tapped the score and a half of water gourds that they had brought with them with his saber. "We'll need to fill all of these up. There's a freshwater stream a short walk from here."

Each took a few gourds and followed Ryon. The squirrel spoke truly. There was a large freshwater creek, where they refilled the water gourds and went back to the boat. Birchleaf and Ryon went back with the last four. Birchleaf looked around at the forest. It was a myriad of green shades, and a riot of sound chattered from within the leaves. Ryon gave her an amused look. "Nervous?"

Birchleaf nodded. "Yes. What if the Sea Hordes are on this island?"

Ryon turned his eyes front. "Then they're in for the fight of their lives."

As they filled the gourds, Lucar walked into the clearing. Ryon regarded him suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

"Sharpear and Blackreed said that they could guard the boat by themselves. They sent me to help."

He took the last gourd and began filling it. A short time later, they were all walking back to the longboat, not noticing the unfriendly eyes peeping at them from the bushes.

The two searats watching the trio ran back to the Sea Horde camp, and reported to Blacktail. The stoat smiled. "Fleapaw, take forty and go after them. The rest of you, go and find water and food for the ship." The rats saluted and ran to their assignments. Blacktail smiled a grim smile. He had missed the squirrel on two opportunities, but this time, he would not fail.

Nothing much to say about this...R and R!