Chapter 4
Elmtail lead the marchers onward, his face was the expression of enthusiasm and determination. He looked behind him to see the other marchers of the Patrol acting sluggish and winded.
"Come on, you lot, it'll be the end of next season, the way you all plog along."
Elm had announced, Harlan gave a Elmtail a dirt look, and chunnered under his breath.
"Hmph, not all beasts are as young and spry as you, laddie."
Sam nudged Harlan.
"Don't worry about him, just go as fast as you can."
"Thanks lad."
Harlan said with a smile upon his face. Sam returned the smile and caught up with Elmtail. As they walked, the sun hid behind the foliage of the pine trees, each step they took, a pattern of shade then blinding light occurred. Sam took in the beautiful scenery and watched as pawful upon pawfuls of leaves snapped off the branches.
Hulgo was in the lead, he was eager to show where Sam and Elmtail were. Marching right beside him was Xaviel and Feraug. Feraug leaned in close to the rat's ear.
"You do know what happens to beasts who lie about this kind of thing?"
Feraug threatened. This caused Hulgo to glup loudly.
"Y-yes."
"Good."
Feraug said under his breath. Hulgo then started to pick up speed.
"Were getting closer, I can feel it in me bones!"
He shouted excitedly. Xaviel turned his attention to his soldiers.
"Follow that rat!"
He commanded.
Elmtail and Sam decided to stop the party and have a bit of lunch before pressing onward. Sam signalled a paw towards Harlan.
"Harlan, I need you and a few beasts to scout out the terrain, who knows what kind or how many creatures are out here, friend or foe."
"I'll get right on it, sir."
Harlan said saluting with his tail. He took three other squirrels with him. One squirrel complained to their higher up.
"What's the big idea, I was about to have some vittles!"
Harlan bopped the youngster on the head.
"Hush, you can eat later, right now we need to do some scouting."
"Hugh, fine!"
The mid adolescent squirrel complained. Harlan grabbed a bow and a few arrows, then climbed up the tallest tree he could find. High up in the treetops, Harlan scanned the land for any signs of life.
"Come you three, were goin' to go on a hunt."
Harlan said to his three scouts. Even though Harlan was up there in age, he was very acrobatic and nimble. The squirrel laughed as he swung, hopped, skipped, and sprinted from treetop to treetop. The adolescent squirrel following Harlan had an attitude adjustment. His grumpy facade was completely wash over by the joys of treejumping.
"Whoo-hoo!"
Exclaimed the young squirrel. All other three squirrels chuckled and laughed beside him. Though these squirrels were far younger than Harlan, Harlan could run circles around them. He gained so much speed he was out of reach and sight from his scouts. Eventually, the squirrel, and his trackers caught up with Harlan. Harlan's playful act was washed away with a facial expression of seriousness. Harlan watched as a group of vermin argued.
"But, this is where they were, I'm sure of it."
Hulgo blubbered out. Feraug grabbed the rat by the scruff of his chest.
"Save your breath, for when you reach Hellgates!"
Feraug shouted as he unsheathed his long dagger. Feraug slammed Hulgo on tree Harlan, and his three scouts were perched on. The weasel inched the blade tip nearer and nearer towards Hulgo's crying eyes. But, Xaviel placed a paw on Feraug's shoulders.
"I smell something."
Xaviel said as he sniffed the air. Feraug lowered his dagger and dropped the rat, Hulgo scrambled away.
"What, do, do, you, you smell, Chief?"
Hulgo stammered.
"It smells like treesap, and fur."
Feraug took a pace closer to Xaviel.
"With all due respect, Chief. I think you're smelling Hulgo's lying hide."
Xaviel shook his head towards his weasel's statement.
"In the treetops."
He whispered. This wasn't good, how could any beast have such a tremendous sense of smell? There was nothing Harlan and his trackers could do, except flee or fight.
Elmtail and Sam took a sip of water from their canteens.
"Rather be drink strawberry cordial or elderberry wine, than this stuff."
Elmtail chuckled. Sam nodded in agreement at his comrade's statement.
"I agree, but were just gonna have to make due of what we got."
Elmtail nodded towards Sam's response. As the Mossflower Patrol was enjoying their lunch it came to a rude interruption when one of the trackers of Harlan's raced back to the camp. Thinking it was a foebeast, Sam, Elmtail, and the rest of the party stood up and readied their weapons. But seeing the silhoutte of another squirrel they eased themselves. The tracker squirrel sprinted headlong back. When he halted he fell head over heels, eating some of the grass and dirt.
"Are you okay, soldier?"
Sam asked the youngster.
The adolescent squirrel spat out the dirt, moss, and grass as he reported what was going on.
"Harlan, ptoo! Is in, ftt! Danger, pitut!"
He exclaimed. Sam shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Everybeast, stop what you are doing, we've got ourselves a situation! One of our own is in danger, according to one of the trackers, were gonna follow him to Harlan!"
Everybeast accountable stopped eating and drinking, and stood firmly to attention.
"Lead on, young warrior."
Sam said to the middle to late adolescent squirrel.
Harlan drew his blade, he was surrounded by Xaviel and his hordebeast.
"Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, give up."
Xaviel said waving his index claw at his opponent. Harlan growled, exposing teeth and gums.
"A total of five 'gainst one, that sure is fair."
Harlan exclaimed sarcastically. Xaviel drew his sword and let out a chuckle.
"Yes, if you know me I never fight fair."
Xaviel said taking a pace towards Harlan.