Ryon was floating in a cloud of mist. His hooded eyes looked around, not seeing anybeast. Could he be at Dark Forest? No, it wasn't possible. Not yet.

"Ryon."

The squirrel turned around. Three figures were facing him. Two were Silver and Martin, and the third was unmistakably his…

"Father!" Ryon cried joyfully. Forgetting his role, he threw his arms around his father, crying and laughing all at once. Danin Oakleaf hugged his son, smiling broadly.

"Ryon, my son. You did it. You not only saved the Western and Eastern seas, but you also saved the land as well. And even though you have taken wounds that would have killed a lesser creature, you are not destined for Dark Forest yet. Not for a very long time yet."

Ryon regained his composure, and took his arms from his father. "What do I do now? Hunt the vermin down?"

Martin shook his head. "No. They will never unite under one banner again. But for now, I have a message for you."

Ryon cocked his head. "What?"

Martin smiled. "This is what I have to say.

When summer turns to autumn,

When forest leaves turn red,

Return the Warrior to his home,

The Abbey with a mouse as its head.

The captain will sail away with his own,

With the maid as company,

And for many seasons on

Will sail the open sea."

Ryon looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean by that?"

Martin merely smiled, but said nothing. Silver took over as spokesbeast.

"You will know, Ryon. All in good time."

Ryon's eyes fluttered, then opened slowly. He was in the cabin of the Javelin, lying on his bed. Lucar, Sharpear, and Blackreed stood by it, and Birchleaf sat beside him, supporting his head in her lap. They all let out sighs of relief when they saw he was awake. Ryon looked to the windows. Dusk light was seeping through them, and he turned his eye to Blackreed. "How long have I been out?"

The black otter smiled. "About two days, Captain. You still can't move yet, because your back's even more bandaged then it was after the battle at the island. Add that to the broken leg, and you're bedridden."

Ryon managed a grin. "And I wasn't before?"

There was laughter, more than there should have been. Ryon raised his head, his face blanching when he saw the other four main captains standing behind his friends. His green eyes turned to Sharpear, who was shuffling his paws sheepishly. "What are they doing in here?"

Sharpear shrugged, a silly grin fixed on his face as he tried not to laugh. "They insisted they check on you."

Riptide placed his paw on Ryon's shoulder. "Well done, Oakleaf. Ye did well."

Ryon waved his paw wearily. "Mayhap I did. Is there any chance of huntin' the vermin down?"

Mossfoot shook his head. "No. They all fled after they saw the Javelin come out and not the Pikeshaft. Don't know why, though. They still could have crushed us by weight of numbers."

Lucar spoke up, a bandage wrapped around his head for a wound slightly below his ear that he had sustained during the battle. "Maybe. But they turned and ran, just like all vermin do when they lose their leader."

Swordpaw walked up, shaking his head. "I didn't think it possible that we could win, Oakleaf. Small wonder I was wrong, with your reputation."

This time, everybeast laughed.

The story's going to be winding down now, so don't expect very much to happen besides the trip home. R and R!