If I had a nickel for everytime someone told me I was crazy... I would be a few cents short of remembering to actually keep track of that.
Everybody doing well? Good? Pudding?
I thought so.
Anywho, it seems fair enough to warn all of you that I'm approaching the end of this story. I have one heck of an ending planned and I do hope it entertains. I pride myself on some of my battle stuff... so that's one plus going for me. Haha.
So... fav, follow, review, enjoy, and grab that strange snack. I've been dipping blueberry scones in yogurt and peanut butter. Mmmm love it.
"He's… just sitting there…" a red fox mumbled, more to himself than at any particular mammal.
"Yes. Yes we know, Nicholas," Judith sighed, her boredom and frustration evident from the way she rested her head in her paw, cheek squished against it and eyelids heavy. "You've said that repeatedly for….what?... The past two days?"
"Feels like it's been forever," Nicholas groaned.
The doe rolled her eyes, lifting her head to look the tod in the eyes and speak, "What did you expect? That they would have foreseen our arrival and given us immediate passage and rights to speak to them?"
"Something like that," the fox grumbled, embarrassed and scratching the back of his neck. He then got up to stretch, a few stiff joints and tendons popping, much to his relief.
Taking a deep breath and standing up straight, Nicholas remained quiet for a few seconds more, before saying further, "You know what… I'm gonna go and take a walk. It's not like anything will happen."
Giving her mate a lasting look, watching him descend the large number of stairs they sat at the peak of, she then turned back to staring at the yak who was meditating peacefully in the chilling air.
Upon their arrival, the kindly yak, Yax, heard out their tale and told them about the monastery. They were a closed off group of mammals that oversaw the land and practiced peaceful rituals of spirituality.
Their home was the monastery embedded within the mountain itself, to which a large amount of stairs wound up the steep face of to reach.
The gates to such were large and separated by a crevice from a landing at the peak of the stairs. A raised drawbridge sat across the small expanse, barring entry to the monastery.
Yax had guided the group up the steps, at least those that weren't preoccupied setting up camp and procuring supplies, and spoke with a sheep just inside the gates. Everyone expected a grand entrance, considering how polite the yak seemed. Instead, the gates were immediately shut and bridge raised. The naked mammal calmly explained that the members needed to commune with one another and meditate upon their response to their plea.
That was two days ago.
There had been no response or any such indication that those within the monastery were even around. For all they knew, there was only a couple mammals within the large structure.
Only the howling of the wind above could be heard, raking over the rising peak of the mountain. If the grey bunny had to guess, she figured that the monastery was about a third of the way up the mountain side.
For those two days, Yax also seemed exceptionally content with sitting, just sitting, and meditating at the top of the stairs with a small smile on his snout. It honestly annoyed the rabbit, but her giving into frustrations wouldn't make the doors open. All she could do was wait and….
A horn blasted its low tone into the cool air, coming from an observation balcony above the large door, the small sheep from before blowing into a metal horn too sizable for her stature.
At the cessation of the sound, it's echo still playing on the wind, the drawbridge budged and began to lower slowly.
Judith's ears perked, looking down, as she heard a loud groan from the stairs below.
"Really?" Nicholas yelled in futility. "I finally decide to make the trip down and step upon the last stair… and they choose to open up NOW!?"
The grey doe could not help but burst out laughing at his perfectly ill timed misfortune, a paw clasped to her muzzle to silence the noise.
"I can hear you snickering!" he continued to call out, the bright red tail obvious to her as it swished back and forth, the fox climbing his way back up.
On the other paw, Yax had finally moved, getting up and standing lazily right before the area where the bridge would touch down. Judith was still unnerved by the naked mammal, but it became more of a dull buzz of annoyance in the back of her mind.
Trying to take her mind off the 'buzz', the grey rabbit turned to look down, seeing a few other members of the group traveling towards and up the stairs, having heard the horn that signified the monastery was opening for them.
Bogo, Gazelle, Meeko, Honey, Nathan, Flora, and Penny were making their way up the path. The yak waited, ever the patient mammal, for the rest to join him and Judith.
Nicholas padded over, stopping next to his mate, foot tapping the cold stone landing in aggravation. He then let out a slow breath and collected himself, his foot slowing to a stop.
The large doors to the monastery opened, hinges and wood creaking loudly, making the three mammals, as well as the ones reaching the landing, twitch their ears in irritation and reflexive cringing at the noises. To the fox, it was worse than hearing someone intentionally scrape their dagger on metal armor.
Two small sheep heaved the doors open with great effort, huffing and puffing to keep moving the doors far larger than they were. Behind them was a larger grouping of mammals, to which the group furrowed their respective brows and let their jaws slack slightly in confusion.
"I thought this place was all ewes?" Bogo whispered to Gazelle. She worked her mouth in response, but ultimately shrugged with a look towards the yak.
"Mind explaining this?" Honey voiced to Yax, who looked blank and unexpressive as usual. During the time they had spent here, it was somehow heavily implied by the yak that he knew those in the monastery, having remarked upon them being only ewes.
"Oh ya," he began, "I've actually never been inside the place. Just met the sheep outside the gates."
To the contrary of his implied claims, there was a plethora of variable species in a grouping in front of their own group, greeting them with many different expressions. Some positive smiles and others stern grimaces.
"Really?" Meeko piped up. "Any idea why they never let you in?"
"Because he has been basically squatting on the land and we don't know whether to trust him fully yet," a moderately sized, yet imposing looking male gazelle mentioned upon getting within earshot. "That and the greater majority of us find him annoying."
Yax just laughed, saying, "Such a joker."
The gazelle's eyes focused on the yak, a dry laugh leaving him as he mumbled, "Yes… joker."
His gaze now gravitated back upon the group now standing at the gates, giving them all a long and slow look, sizing them up, metaphorically speaking of course.
"On another note," the buck continued, "we, the collective of members here, have decided to allow you in on a few conditional terms. I am sort of the leading member, though unofficially. My name is Kline."
"What are your terms?" the bull inquired cautiously.
Another mammal, a coyote, stepped forward to say in response, "As we have not decided unanimously that you aren't a threat, we entreat you to leave all weapons outside the monastery. To follow that same spirit… only five of you will be allowed in to speak with our council. Lastly, we will not promise to be able to address your concerns as you may think we can, so do keep your expectations tempered."
"Agreed," the buffalo replied simply, giving a curt and respectful nod to the mammals.
"We'll let you confer and chose your council," Kline voiced to the group kindly.
Bogo turned to those on the landing with him, pointing to Nicholas, Judith, Honey, and Meeko, bluntly grumbling, "With me if you please. And my dear mate, do take the others down and keep the camp informed. I'll be back down when I can."
"Of course," Gazelle breathed with a gentle smile, giving her bull a kiss on the muzzle.
The buck and others of the monastery parted the way, allowing the five to make their way in.
An outflux of warmth flowed from the inside of the mountain, washing over the chilled mammals. A couple of areas were lit up, being firepits or lit torches. The ceiling inside was rather dark, but enough light played off the walls to see the general structure of the monastery. It looked rather bare and devoid of most of the homey touches.
They entered into a massive main chamber, the middle housing a large pit with burning coals and wood upon it, keeping the heat at a comfortable level. Columns were spread out, rising from the floor into the high ceiling, positioned at regular intervals around the centric fire pit. Away from the center were a few openings that led into other rooms or hallways. It was difficult to figure out the entire scope of how large this place was, given that it had an entire mountain to be constructed in.
The five mammals were directed by those of the monastery into a side passage, leading down a short hallway into something that looked like a war room of sorts. A large table sat in the middle, with maps and pieces strewn over them.
"Now that we are here," the leader buck spoke, leading their attention, "what is it that you need? We've been told a small part of your story from Yax, his memory being one trait we've come to respect, but lack much context."
"We've come on a long journey," the grey doe began, bursting to speak to these mammals for nearly two days, to which she was thankful no one stopped her, "and fought against so much… to find a place for refugee mammals from an oppressive land to flee."
"That much has been relayed to us," a small ewe chimed in. "We're asking what you need of us specifically. We can't just jump up and start giving out what little we have to make things good for you."
Honey spoke up, "We need space. Plain and simple. This place was once some sort of threat to the empire that reigns now… and they burned this place for that reason. We were hoping you could help us find out why or tell us if you already know."
"This once great city was a threat," Kline detailed, "but no longer and never again, if the Shire has their way."
"What do you mean?" the badger questioned, drawing the attention of all as the gazelle sighed heavily.
"This city was no threat by military standards," he started to explain. "Instead, it was a threat by ideals. This city was rising in reputation and fame, starting as a major trade city, with roads and ports that allowed such versatility. The city was the envy of the land. We were the gem of the mountain. All species were welcome and invited, with trade being opened and allowed between all lands, near and far." the buck took a breath and wiped a hoof over his eyes.
"Oh," a few mammals said in minor realization.
"Yes…," Kline continued, "the city was deemed as a rising threat to the political structure they wished to implement on all known lands. I can't say for sure if the last war against the North was to destroy this city… but it was certainly a goal that they had at some point. Growing in size and scope, the city was starting to construct it's defense in great strides. Walls, battlements, and armories. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. The prey controlled states and their allies swarmed the city, overwhelming the incomplete defenses and razing it all. We are all that is left. We call ourselves the Remnant, mammals that look over what is now a grave of our fallen city and long dead citizens."
"That's it?" Honey asked blankly, looking stunned and a bit morose. "That's all there is to this threat?"
"That's all, I'm afraid. We scavenged what we could, with so few of us surviving… and vowed to look after our home. We've made sure to go through the ruins, burying our dead and keeping those that are unwelcome from staying long, with the exception of Yax. As annoying as we find him, he does no harm being here. We have no reason to oust him. As an unexpected bonus, he tells us of those that come through, like yourselves."
The red fox, hardly believing what he was hearing, became enamoured with something else, tuning the rest of the words out. On the table were various maps, all detailing the city at its height or remarking upon the topography. His mind was a whirlwind of activity, going through the details and putting pieces together in his head, slowly realizing many things. Over the course of what felt like many minutes, when it was in fact only seconds, a pretty big picture was pieced together in his head, to which the tod cleared his throat, grabbing the attention of all and quieting the murmur.
"Who are you all? What was your role in this city before its demise?" became his questions. The buck and a few others exchanged looks. "Any of you ever held positions within the governance of the city?"
Most of the mammals in attendance shook their heads, lowering them in remembrance. Even Kline hung his head.
"They were all executed, leaders, guards, and anyone the invading forces deemed worth putting to death by their steel," the coyote remarked solemnly. "Kline here is the closest thing we have to a leading role in the old government. He was a scribe to one of the secretaries that worked on the council that ran the city."
"One of many," the gazelle corrected, obviously lacking either the confidence in his worth or not wanting to raise the expectations of visitors to his importance. "I relayed messages and transcribed records as seen fit."
"Whatever the case," Nicholas resumed, "that would explain something that I've just noticed."
Kline blinked, standing straight up.
"What would that be?" he asked, slightly perturbed.
The red tod leaned over the table, pointing to the maps and stating, "Have you ever examined these beyond marking off where to look for food, water, or general supplies?"
"We once had a small group of bandits on the land," a wolf in the back offered, "and we had to resort to these to find defensible positions while we drove them out. We lost three good mammals that day driving them away."
"You're halfway there," the fox confirmed, his bunny, Bogo, and Meeko all looking on in confusion, a hopeful look crossing his mother's features, still recoiling from the potential pawsibility that there was nothing to be gained here. "Your leaders knew something that was going to be of great help to your city's ideals, something that would have sealed your defenses and made it impawsible to effectively siege or take it once they were complete."
"What? Tell me," the gazelle buck implored in rising frustration, a new fire lit in the previously complacent eyes.
"Your city is in arguably the most defensible location in the known world," Nicholas clarified. "With mountains to the north, a body of water wrapping almost all the way around, and only ONE bridge linking from the mainland to the peninsula, your city officials had almost completed the perfect means to bottleneck any invasion. Walls surround the land, keeping unwanted ships from the shore and forcing any army to approach from the bridge. I'm guess that the gaps near the bridge, where the wall was incomplete, was where the invasion broke through."
All the mammals present, even those of Remnant, leaned over the map for another look. The tod surmised that they never cared about why the city fell, only that they needed to survive after. Looking at or thinking about the defenses was only a reminder of the failure that the city was known for. It also seemed clear that none of them were former soldiers or guards of the city. In fact, given the time that had passed, the fox wondered how old these mammals were back when the city fell, since most of them appeared to be middle-aged at the oldest.
"You're right…" Kline whispered, slinking down a bit, paws braced on the table and head hanging in realization. A small smile curled his snout. "Whether due to this new information… or some sort of manic epiphany… I have this spark of hope knowing this now. I don't know what it could lead to, but is there anything we can do?"
"I believe we can…" Nicholas started, pausing as the far off sound of knocking reverberated through the halls.
"Does Yax have something else to tell us?" the coyote spoke, rolling his eyes. To answer the sarcastic remark, one of the small sheep that tended the door came running in, legs moving as fast as they could.
"There's a party of mammals that joined the others at the base of the mountain," she squeaked between breaths. "One of them rushed up here and is demanding to speak to the one called Bogo."
The buffalo straightened at the mention of his name.
"Who is it?" his voice boomed in a low tone.
"Uh…" the ewe murmured in fear now, shrinking slightly, to which Bogo tried to soften his expression. "He said his name was Phoebus." the bull's eyes widened.
"I implore you to let him pass," he spoke to Kline, who looked a bit surprised at the sudden request. "Wait… nevermind. I'll meet him at the gate. Excuse me."
Bogo left the room, minding the smaller mammals and being as polite as he could on his way to the door. Everyone in attendance stared at him curiously, silence pervading the room as all were trying to listen to the conversation that was inevitable.
"Uh… is it just me, or does anyone else want to see what the fuss is about?" the raccoon voiced for most, if not all, of the mammals in the room. One by one, they all left the room, following the lumbering buffalo to the large doors, whereas the lion that Judith and Nicholas befriended at the beginning of their journey stood, impatient and fidgety.
Upon the bull's frame standing in the doorway, Phoebus took to giving him a warm embrace. Bogo wasn't expecting the gesture, eventually giving in partially, allowing himself to pat the lion on the back in minor comfort.
"Uh… there there."
"Oh shut up, sir," Phoebus laughed. "I know you aren't one for hugging. Part of the charm of doing so. I know it throws you off."
"Well… this is interesting," the gazelle buck remarked with a smile and raised eyebrow. "Let him in."
Closing the doors behind the lion, all the mammals now watched as he collected himself.
"What is it, my old friend?" Bogo said, enticing the lion to say what he needed, the urgency still riding high in his mind.
"Hey!" he roared goodnaturedly. "I'm not that old yet… but… I do have news. Good and bad."
"Do tell us," Honey voiced in concern. "We can't afford to tarry if it's important."
"Right you are. Ahem. I'll save the pleasantries and 'I have missed you all' speeches for later."
He then took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts as he began at length, "It appears that an army, with the Shire in command, is making their way north, towards the northern provinces. Since our separation, Wolfard, Philippe, myself, along with others of course, have been gathering our forces and dismantling our supply lines to cover our tracks, heading to the Tundra Federation, as per the backup plan. Your group was moving too sporadically and fast to catch up to effectively for updates. Plus, I heard you took refuge in Upendi, faced a mercenary army, and made your way here. I'm not the only one who knows you are here though."
"Who else?" Kline blurted in fear.
Phoebus turned to answer the gazelle, continuing to speak to all, "The Shire knows. Their army's first target is to either invade or make base here and use it as a supply relay for forces going further north. I do have good news. Thanks to whatever pull Honey has and whatever favors she has accrued with some in the Tundra… a certain Lord of the land instantly made a call to arms in your defense."
The badger opened her maw to potentially explain, only to be interrupted by the lion, "Ah ah ah… I really don't want to know. Something tells me it isn't very savory to hear, if the lord's reactions and turnabout wordplay is anything to go by." Honey shrugged, giving him an ambiguous nod in agreement. "Anyways," he resumed, "they have amassed some tens of thousands of mammals, small and large, to march north. Given the size and scope of the force, it could take them months to traverse the distance you have since covered in far less time. That time is something we need to use to our advantage. We need to rally our forces and go north."
"No," Nicholas spoke in a resounding tone. All in attendance turned to stare at him in mild astonishment.
"Why?"
"If all of you listened to my earlier explanation, this place is a highly defensible location. If we retreat further north, that benefit wanes. Furthermore, they wish to use this city as a staging ground to supply their forces. With how things look here, even as they are, it would be extremely difficult to disrupt that supply line from the Tundra. We should bolster our position here, complete its defenses and use this city as a means to keep the Shire from ever being able to conquer the northern provinces."
"I agree with my mate," Judith spoke up, grabbing her fox's paw and giving it a supportive squeeze. "I'm not as inclined as he is towards strategy… but we can't keep falling back. If we stand, if we fight, and never relent again, others will see that their power is limited. That their time is fading and a world where we all work together is worth rising to the task of building."
"You do know that we aren't just trying to come together as a community and rebuilding a temple or a home?" the lion asked in skepticism. "This is a call to WAR. One we will be sorely outnumbered and pawsibly under equipped to take on without a government and military to back us."
A resounding and booming laugh jolted most of the mammals in attendance to stare, unnerved, at the buffalo. It was both a heart warming laugh and something disturbing to hear, coming from a mammal who has difficulty smiling.
The grey bunny doe leaned in to whisper to her mate, "Nicholas, he's scaring me."
"You and me both, my lady," the tod relented, but his growing smirk said otherwise. "Although, I think everything is gonna be just fine."
"Do explain why?" she asked in response.
"Back when I served under him," Nicholas explained in a hushed voice, the booming laughter still going on, "there was this one time where about two dozen of us got pinned in a defunct barracks, under siege with no reinforcements en route or supplies to be delivered. We were outnumbered, ten to one. He had a laugh just like this at the time. We all thought that the poor captain had snapped… but he was digging deep and somehow at his best. We then were given orders and such to fortify the barracks, bolster our position and gave the forces sieging us one blazing good fight. He pulled us all together and made us a force to be reckoned with. If this is any indication… Bogo is about to pull out his best."
In accordance with that spirit, the bull stopped laughing, grinning wide and unnerving those around him.
"Sounds like long odds… Let's do it," his voice rumbled, low and steely.
"Damn it!" the lion yelled.
"What?" Meeko said.
"Lost my bet with Wolfard," Phoebus mumbled in frustration. "He said this would happen. Now I owe him ten silver pieces…." He let out a breath then clapped his paws together, smiling. "Well! As luck would have it on that end, I've told all our forces to converge here. They'll be here within the week and Lord Big's army is supposed to be properly called and come to our aid by the next week."
"So quickly?" Judith questioned. The lion eyed her with a caring glance.
"While your group has been on its journey for the past couple months, I and others have been shoring up our numbers and getting thing together. It was far from 'quick'... I assure you."
"Oh…"
"Regardless," he continued, "our forces were planning on coming around here to sweep the regions and gather willing souls to come to our cause. The fact we could have a position of influence will only further that end."
Honey cleared her throat, bringing attention back to her as she spoke, finally gathering herself from the earlier disappointment, "The only question left to ask is…" she turned to Kline, "will you help us?"
He clenched his jaw, not wanting to speak too soon, at least before he could mull the idea over. He and others argued for two days as to whether they would even allow the outsiders in to talk to. Something of this scale would obviously be debated over for weeks, if some he knew had anything to say against it.
To his surprise, when he turned to look around the main chamber, most, if not all, the mammals of the Remnant were looking and listening. They weren't murmuring amongst themselves, nor giving scowls to the outsiders. They all had a glint in their eyes that spoke one word that all had forgotten for some many years…
Hope.
The buck held his gaze at most of his flock, getting a gentle smile and a slow nod as the only affirmative from each in turn. Bringing his stare back around to the others not of Remnant, he took a deep breath, knowing the decision rested upon him.
"Yes. We will."
0000000
Several days and over two thousand mammals later, mostly consisting of the rebellion and any such refugees willing to bolster the defenses of Ewe-topia, the completion of the city's defenses was under way.
Bogo was heading up the whole operation, with Kline and the Remnant becoming advisors, since they knew quite well the city that was laid to ruin. They knew the ins and the outs, the places one need not worry about and the greatest weaknesses in the walls that surrounded the city.
On the side, those that couldn't offer much in the way of construction were given other tasks. Salvaging what they could, mammals found any and all metal to rework into armor, weapons, and tools. Other mammals, more inclined towards agriculture, found and spruced up the fields that the Remnant members led them to, allowing them to expand upon them and do what they needed to, for future provisional demands.
In the span of such a short time, it was a sight to see a small community set up that rivaled some towns in scope of function. Some buildings were reconstructed to the most basic of fundamental stability, whereas a vast majority of habitable structures were tents and tarps. Any breaches in the walls were marked and given priority for future patching, depending on the size of the breach. Gates were being constructed and placed at the bridge.
Apparently, the wall that was constructed had one layer tier along the waterfront and shore, with three tiers by the slim borderlands wrapping around the mountain range's western front. Three tiers of walls, separated by nearly a hundred feet each, were being properly completed at the bridge into the forested area. With the canals splitting up many of the landmasses, the bridge and roads it connected to, going towards the center of the city, were basically the only viable path for an invasion.
To make sure it was, catapults and ballistas were being constructed or brought in to give the walls extra security. With those defenses lining the walls, an assault from the water would be wrought with significant losses. No matter the ruthlessness of any commander, they would be hard pressed to continue any assault via the water, if all their ships were being sunk far from the shore.
"Give that gate a patchwork job!" yelled Bogo. "We want them to think this was ill planned!"
There was some nods and whispered mentions from those working, as they set to their tasks.
Judith was in awe.
Long were her strides in becoming a viable combatant, with much praise from her mentor, Penny, as well as her mate. To say she was an expert would be a stretch, but she could take on similarly sized mammals, as well as some moderately larger ones too, without too much daunting struggle. She had only sparred with a few others, Nathan being her latest partner for such. Starting off at the same level of combat as she, the two were more frequently being paired to better their fighting styles together.
For most of their journey, the poor wolf was having difficulties adapting to a fighting style, but in the recent weeks, ever since Akela's demise, he was sliding further into a role he felt most comfortable. Unfortunately, that role did not mean he could wield the claymore longsword that his adoptive father could. He was more of a spear or saberstaff mammal.
Thankfully, Nicholas, at his bunny's request, was able to reforge the sword into a version of a spear with a longer blade. Instead of the point that most spears were known for, Nathan's reforged spear had an fourteen inch blade on a four foot shaft that he could easily swing in arcs and slashes. The other end had a blunt knob to offset the blade, balancing the shaft. It wasn't very ornate, but, given the time frame they had to work with and the need for the young wolf to learn how to fight with it, it was fully functional for all he needed and rather sharp.
Her reverie was interrupted by the dropping of a large shield, the clang jarring her and making the doe leap in surprise.
"Sorry about that," a smaller brown bear spoke, shuffling forward to grab the shield from the ground. He appeared to be carting a goodly amount of them around to other mammals, whether to equip or upgrade what they had, the rabbit wasn't sure.
"No need to apologize," Judith chirped with spirit, making the bear look less reserved and bashful as he offered a gentle smile to her in return, turning to resume his task.
Out on her break of sorts, the grey doe was wanting to get as many views of the land outside of the gates, before they closed them off and the war began.
They could run. They could retreat.
But… what would they gain?
The time and distance they would gain would only serve as a temporary stopgap.
No. This was right. This was just. If they stood and held their ground here, they could say… 'Here and no further.'
Looking out, across the expanse of the bridge, Judith saw something large and blue flapping over the trees. A banner.
An icy grip found its way around her heart and throat, fear settling in for a moment. They couldn't have already arrived. It was far too soon. The reports told said it would take them at least two months to make it to their 'gates' with a force the size of which it was believed they were amassing. Many tens of thousands of mammals to be exact.
The flag was swaying back and forth, the sound of a horn joining the various noises of construction around her.
Up high in one of the trees, an observing watchmammal yelled, "It's a Tundra Federation banner! It must be Lord Big. Send for Bogo and Kline immediately!"
"Already here!" the bull sounded loudly, giving the watchmammal a curt nod. He then turned to another mammal, a weasel, saying, "go find Kline if you could. He should be attending to the south wall, near the old docks."
The weasel saluted him, offering an obligatory, "Sir!" then bolting off as fast as the small mammal could go.
Closer and closer the banner came, with the doe more clearly able to examine it now. It was a large, dark blue flag. It had a jagged triangle emblazoned upon it, white in color and shaded with a light grey and a sizable 'T' in the middle of it.
As the forces broke through the canopy and marched on the bridge, a perfect column filling the width from one side to the other, Judith could see the mammals. They were quite large and heavily imposing.
Polar bears.
Clad in shiny metal armor, hefting broad blue shields, with them each bearing the sigil of the Tundra Federation, and marching in perfect synchronization with one another, they appeared a force to be reckoned with by sight alone. Their heavy footfalls and resounding grunts began to rumble the bridge, the closer they approached.
A crowd of mammals began to form at the mouth of the bridge, with Bogo standing tall and undaunted at the forefront. Kline rushed in, weaving between mammals and muttering pardons as they let him pass.
Coming to the edge of the crowd, the imposing northern force halted, giving a final grunting huff. Parting at the front, two polar bears stepped back and to the side, allowing another bear to step forward.
His rank must have been above the rest, or he could have been the Lord that was spoken of, since his armor was inlaid with engravings and he carried no shield. Instead, he had hefted a large case carefully in his paws, to which another two bears set up a small table to rest it upon.
Opening the case, it unfolded to reveal the inside to be a very intricate housing for a small mammal, of whom was still inhabiting the case.
Judith and Bogo exchanged confused glances, unsure how to comprehend the oddity of which they were witnessing.
An arctic shrew, well dressed and looking very regal, stepped to the edge of the open case, giving a bow as he spoke to all in attendance, "Mammals of this fine city, I offer you the best I can muster on short notice in the ways of defense."
"And the city welcomes you!" a familiar voice emanated from just behind the bull, with the doe turning to see Honey has somehow found out and snuck her way to the front of the crowd.
"My dear Honey," the shrew greeted warmly. "I came as soon as I could forge a worthy force enough to defend your due cause."
"I am most grateful for that, Maurice, and do thank you for coming in the fur to accompany them," the badger replied, almost too politely for her normal attitude. "I am most curious as to what you have brought to our doorstep."
The arctic shrew's chest puffed up in pride, voice rising as he introduced his name and purpose, "I, Lord Maurice Big, have come to answer your call to arms against the powers of the prey controlled states that threaten to subjugate our world as we know it."
The army behind him straightened and stood to attention, a growling grunt signifying their unified nature.
"I bring my personal regional guard of three hundred polar bears, a regional military force of fifteen hundred mammals of varying species and talents, as well as over two thousand militia volunteers from my lands. All of them mustered in a short time, to which I was promised more would follow."
"More will follow?" Bogo asked simply.
"Absolutely," the lord spoke. "Tales of a brave few have reached many ears in other kingdoms, swaying their hearts and looking for a cause to rally behind…. Your city here is believed to be the vanguard of a fight for freedom."
"What tales have you heard?" Honey inquired curiously, throwing a smirk towards Judith, who simply became confused at the gesture.
"Few, unfortunately, though one line remains constant among them…"
There was a pause as the doe put all her attention on Lord Big, as did many mammals of witness.
"Forged of a union that was never expected, it is through Silence and Valiance that a beacon of hope can be seen by all."
I'm SO EXCITED!
preludes to a battle always make me twitchy and sweaty. Someone have a rag I can wipe my brow with?
Thank you.
Now then...
I do hope you have all enjoyed the story thus far and I will drive what little of my mind remains to give you a story I will be most energetic to complete. Look forward to a few more chapters before I wrap things up.
I have other projects I hope to either continue or start up, but I would never want to leave this hanging before starting something new.
Until next time, It's been a hustle, Sweethearts!