Chapter Thirty-One: The Warrior and the Warlord
Thud!
Something struck the door to the bell tower, knocking it clean off its hinges. Nettleclaw looked up to see an extremely irate Adaracor enter the room, swinging his flail. Cursing his ill luck, the ferret fled up the stairs, into the belfry. Beechtail was up, and after him in a second. The stairs were too narrow for Adaracor to walk on, so he had to stay behind.
Up and up, the squirrel pursued the ferret. Reaching the heavy beam that supported the two bells; Nettleclaw ran a little way out and turned. Beechtail stepped on to the beam. He would have to be careful not to fall.
Locking blades with Nettleclaw, Beechtail pushed him back step. Beechtail pushed the Rapscallion sword aside, and then chopped down at the ferret. Nettleclaw sprang nimbly backward and the squirrel's sword lodged in the heavy oak beam.
Nettleclaw swung at Beechtail's neck, but the squirrel dropped down under the deadly stroke. Nettleclaw brought his sword around, and slashed diagonally. Beechtail jumped back, tugging the sword free, and stabbed at the ferret's exposed side.
But it was only a feint.
Nettleclaw brought his sword back, and smashed Martin's Sword from the squirrel's grip. He caught the sword as it flew in the air, and stabbed at Beechtail with the Rapscallion one.
On the narrow beam, there was little room to get out of the way. The sword cut a deep gash in Beechtail's side. The squirrel gasped and fell to his knees.
The ferret lowered his swords, "Ha, now were back to square one. Congratulations, you're my new hostage."
"Beechtail!" Maplefur had climbed up behind them. She ran out on the beam. Lifting her bow to shoot, she realized her quiver was empty.
Nettleclaw looked from one squirrel to the other, he grinned evilly, "I only need one hostage." He shifted the Rapscallion sword into a better position to throw.
Maplefur froze; on the narrow oak beam, there was little room to dodge.