Chapter 16: Green Isle

Salgor and Dagor Ironpaw were mostly hoisting sails together on the Mountain of the Sea with neither of the two speaking to one another. Dagor hated it, the silence and awkwardness of a bunch of sea trapped woodlanders who had the common decency to not tear each other apart, but not enough sense to know how miserable everyone was. It was days ago when Galgor angrily called his two superior hares into the captain's cabin, and Barfoof angrily strode out in silence and locked himself in a private quarter to stew himself. The big had become quite a common, and popular place for a lot of figures to let off their rage and frustration, all except Gaglor who seemed the most silent. He stood on top of the captain's bridge, looking out over the sea, expecting to arrive at Green Isle shortly. Adam Waterblow IV and Biggum stood looking out over the sea, silently speaking to one another. Dagor knew full well what had happened, as he heard the hares whisper while he slept.

Barfoof was demoted, and he was demoted sourly. He had been brought to a lowly lieutenant and once they returned to the mountain, he would likely pack his things and move with a small crew to Fort Tussock, far off from Biggum and others. Biggum was deeply disappointed, and wanted a less harsh punishment. It was humiliating to him to devalue a skilled hare like Barfoof, even with their many differences, having to strip him of his metals in front of his lord. It disturbed Biggum the most that the hare stood valiant, not humiliated, in front of Galgor, as if he was a defeated enemy.

Many hares also found it to be demoralizing, and for many good reasons. They had all just come out of a terrible battle, and the terrible things said between one another remained unaddressed. Dagor, bored and going insane from the silence finally attempted to speak up to his wayward brother.

"Try to pull your back into it, Salgor! I don't do this kind of thing alone, eh?"

Salgor aided, but remained silent. Dagor was displeased even further, and spoke his mind. "Come now brother, it's been days. You must at least speak to me."

"You are correct, Dagor. I am your brother. Doesn't mean I wish to speak to you. Or anyone else on this ship."

"Do not be like that brother, we are all allies."

"Allies, not friends."

Dagor couldn't help but roll his eyes. Even after all this time, Salgor was still an unbreakable stone, a bulwark against common and decent conversation. Dagor wanted to speak to his father more, but he knew full well that his father looked stressed and would only offer a less amount of decent speaking. Dagor angrily hoisted the sails, growing more and more frustrated.

"You can be a really difficult creature you know! No wonder father wants you to go away."

Salgor stopped helping and let go of the ropes, letting Dagor do it alone. Dagor struggled at first, but held on regardless with Salgor folding his paws. Dagor grunted as he held on, not because of fear of failing a task, but to prove his own point. Salgor spoke up, angry and disillusioned in any sanctity of brotherhood between them "No wonder, indeed. At least I keep things in line why my warrior brother plays hero. I at least take the time to learn our laws, study them, and enforce them if need be. We cannot afford to be overconfident, nor incompetent. Yet here I am dealing with the likes of you."

Dagor shot back, raising his voice "At least I am helping! You silver spooned cretan, to think I even congratulated you."

Galgor boomed out his voice to his sons, particularly at Salgor "Will you two stow it, or you will be both rowing the rest of the way to Green Isle! Salgor, help your brother, or so help me I will make an example on this ship of you."

Salgor grunted and returned to his duties. The badger lord did not look happy, nor did anyone on the ship for that matter. It was going to be a long trip to Green Isle, and Galgor could not wait to see dry land.
_

Adam Waterblow entered his cabin he had been sharing with Biggum and Galgor. It was built for a badger, but the room was cramp with bedding. Adam preferred sleeping with his sailors and marines at times, as the night dragged on. Even though he hoped to see Green Isle by morning, a close call came when four smaller pirate vessels trailed them for several short hours. Tomorrow would be the day they arrived at Green Isle, and he had some things he needed to say to Gaglor. As he walked into the cabin, the badger lord was chugging down an entire bottle of rum and began choking it up in embarrassment. Without condemning him, and with what had happened these past few days, he fully understood.

"Oh, didn't think you would retire so early, Adam."

"Sir, I had some things I wished to discuss with you before we arrived. It's nothing too important, but a badger lord hasn't stepped on the shores of Green Isle in quite a long time. There are several ports and political information I wished to keep you informed on. Also, if you'd prefer to chug your sorrows away, I'd suggest the Tipsdale Brandy, its a smaller bottle, but it will knock you out quicker."

Galgor sadly nodded "Yes, but I shouldn't. Especially not now. I swear, Adam, if my own father was here, he'd probably be giving me a good and long talking to. The way my sons act. . .I never truly believed the old tales. 'Two badgers cannot live together under the same mountain'. Me and my own father got along fine, and I thought it was just a myth. How sorely I was wrong."

"I understand fully, sir. You have no need to be apologized to on your son Salgor's behalf."

The badger lord sighed deeply "Maybe I should have let him go off on his own for a bit, allow him his space. Now I have three constantly angry sons, all of them hate one another where there should be brotherly love. Now, you had things to tell me?"

"Yes. When we arrive on the isle. . .try to not be too surprised."

"By what?"

"By. . .its high king's behavior, wot. He can be quite a bloody bounder if you don't know much of him."

"Sarlo Wildlough? When he visited the mountain when I was far younger, he seemed quite well built and sane. Has something happened?"

"He sustained quite some injuries my lord, from fighting off the raiders. Green Isle has prospered, yes, but it suffered waves of vermin attacks. Barbo was the first of the isle's problems, followed by these cats. The isle suffered terribly, and many of its settlements were razed and its people enslaved. The otters have fought back bravely, but I do not know how long till they sink under pressure. Such things has torn at the mind of Sarlo, sadly. He was quite war-like, and his fury is. . .controversial."

"Do not mix that word with me, Adam. What do you mean 'controversial'?"

"When we took some prisoners, his first instinct was to behead all of the prisoners. All of them sir. He is quite blood thirsty, practically smashing his axe into a vermin's head personally. Took quite a sadistic pleasure in it."

The tale froze Galgor. He knew there was anger, certainly, but to act like some vermin warlord, slaughtering prisoners and enjoying it? It sounded like a bad dream. He had known Sarlo when he visited his mountain, a meek and peace loving creature. He could only imagine what horror he had endured to endure such hatred at all. Galgor shook his head in disbelief, but believed Adam. "I am hoping the otters can help us, Adam. Certainly they will, correct?"

"Most likely, and hopefully. However, I also fear the otters may not be in a good position to help. When I was last on the isle, we were practically fending off the pirates from moving more inland. They were improving however, the Green Isle's navy had been improving quite a bit, but not as fast enough to fend off all the sea raiders at once."

Galgor closed his eyes. He stood there for a moment, giving a slight twitch. Galgor felt a vision overcome him as Adam looked a bit confused at first. To Galgor, the room went dark and before him laid a vision. Coming harshly and swiftly to it, it was a vision of a sandy beach, followed by sandstone houses and huts surrounding a great city. He saw all manner of beasts and evil within, visions of terror which filled him with dread which began to overwhelm him. He opened his eyes, trying to pierce the gale of red blood vision, only to see a red palace, which was wrapped in chains and wire. A great figure mocked him as his vision entered the throne, a great red figure which stood over an empty place for which it alone ruled. It sarcastically lifted its boney fingers, shaking it from side to side as he heard Adam calling for aid. Galgor was on the ground, convulsing from a vision.

Galgor was lifted into his bed by his sons and seemed to be at peace. Dagor was mortified, asking questions "Is he sick? Is he going to be okay?"

"He was having a vision. . .but i've never seen it do something like this before."

Biggum entered the room, covering his lord with a sheet in a delicate manner. Biggum dismissed the group, with only he and Adam watching over the sleeping badger lord, discussing what had happened. Biggum was concerned. He had seen badger lords like Galgor and his father have visions, but none of them overtook them like this. Whatever hidden power or magic they wielded, Biggum never understood, but believed in it fully. Adam was not so convinced.

"Is he sick?"

"No, but this hasn't happened before. I shall watch him tonight, you try to get some sleep."

"No, no. Let me join you. Brandy?"

Biggum gave a rare smile to the admiral and nodded.

The misty island of Green Isle shined on the open seas, its tall and rocky cliffs had seen much change in its days. Generations of prosperity and peace had led the isle from a couple scattered clans to a bustling mix of settlements, castles, and ports along the whole of the isle, to a point where there was simply not enough room for every otter family. The sea otters ventured out and built colonies, claiming them by conquest or the word to expand their bustling kingdom. In one such port, called Port Rigbane, a walled off trade port had seen a great deal of activity.

Rigbane was a newer port, with many jutting piers and small homes for sailors, and in its earlier years had been bustling with trade. It laid in the southern end of the island, beneath the ruins of the burned down fortress when it would get its name. The port used to be a popular spot for Mossflower trade ships, and even northern trade ships from distant woodlander kingdoms.

Now it was a refugee port.

The mysterious invaders from the sea, bearing green flagged ships, raided the coasts of not only their own isle, but overran many otter holts and colonies. Even with their full force, the sea raiders were mostly pirates, with a mix of wild cat ships which came to deeply concern the sea otters themselves. The pirates and corsairs were overly successful at first, much like Barbo was, and in their cruel acts of barbarism destroyed the barrack settlement of the Green Clan Regiment. The remains of the regiment were forced inland, and resettled closer to the capital in a tent city. Many villages had to be abandoned, and militias had to be expanded. The corsairs may have terrified the gentle beasts of the isle, but it's clans rallied to drive them off. Ports like Rigbane, once used for trade, now became a military port. Many former trade ships were being outfitted and marines being trained within expanded barracks which had once been guild halls.

A younger and handsome sea otter stood at the edge of Rigbane's pier, waiting impatiently. Several ships in the harbor were being moved out, including three heavy war galleys and a refugee ship from the north which had evacuated one of the colonies was being purposefully sunk off the coast. The sea otters had learned to use older and useless ships as sea walls, denying an easy means for the sea vermin to simply hop into a port and steal their ships, and made the cowards keep their distance. He watched as the faces of worried and frightened sea otters from many clans clammer onto the shores, some hopeful that they would return to decent homes. However, he knew the truth, most would be shoved into small tent cities, unable to do much but wait and hope the food problems they faced wouldn't overwhelm them all. The island was besieged, and even basic fishing had become a highly dangerous task.

However, the younger sea otter waited, dressed in a royal garb and tunic, his fine silken kilt and silver lined cloak laid limp in the misty wind. He was waiting for something, and was growing more and more impatient. He was approached by another otter in warrior gear. Even though he wore a Streamdiver kilt, he wasn't a part of the clan itself, but a part of a separate clan which was closely related to them. He held his paws behind his back and came up to the royally dressed otter, trying to comfort him.

"My prince, ya shouldn't be too worried, matey. I bet me rudder an' me paws that your brother will be back in port soon enough."

The royal sea otter sighed and continued to pace "He's late as usual, my brother is of course the one who wants to play hero. You'd think he was the Shellhound himself with the way he acts."

"Prince Canton Wildlough, you and I both know it isn't about playing hero."

"I suppose yer right, Murg." The use of Canton's full name always made him shiver, especially when it came to Murg Breakwave using it. Never a creature to console others, Murg had been Green Isle's leading admiral for years, and continued to be his father's most trusted captain. Murg had many scars from many battles and sea raids against the corsairs, several proudly earned from his brave boarding of Barbo's ship where he faced off against the infamous corsair himself. Murg and his clan had become quite efficient at killing vermin, a practice which he drilled into the wild elder son of his liege lord.

Rather suddenly, several ships came onto the horizon, as Canton squinted his eyes to them. He recognized only one ship which was being followed by five larger and far more impressive vessels, one which was truly massive. Canton felt a slight tingle of panic "Murg, I see my brother's ship? Where are his support ships! Is he under attack?!"

"No." Murg calmed him down "Look at the sails, laddie. Those are hare ships!"

"What? How can you tell?"

"I've seen em' before, ya clam baked brain. That be that Hare's ship. Adam Waterblow. Look, yer brother's ship be pullen on in! I say we go greet em."

Canton couldn't help but be relieved. "Have the hares come to help us once again. Murg?"

"I sure do hope so." feigned hope, for it would take more then a couple divisions of hares from Mossflower to help them now.
_

Galgor and his sons came onto the pier of Rigbane, but not via normal means. Much like last time Adam was on the isle, the Mountain of the Sea was a truly massive ship, and only one harbor on the western sea could hold it, and it wasn't on Green Isle. So, a chosen group would use lifeboats, at least the ones they had left, to sail the hares from the ship and leave a skeleton crew to keep things in shape. Adam's other ships however could at least park into the main harbor, with the harbor becoming truly packed. The ship which had guided them to Green Isle and protected the ship the remainder of the way was a group of sea otter war galleys, their own distinctive green sails nearly mistaken for the enemy. The small defensive fleet led the ships to the harbor, but the remainder of the fleet except one larger galley pulled into Rigbane while the remainder pulled away to other military harbors. Only one other ship remained in the harbor, a refugee ship from a southern island called Cleanwave.

Galgor and his sons watched as masses of sea otters, carrying their valuables and little ones, hopped from their ship. Some looked relieved and happy to see a badger lord and his army with them on the island, some openly saying they would soon defeat this pirate menace. Much had been stolen from them, but as Galgor continued to walk the pier, he continued to hear bad news. Several other colonies remained besieged, others just simply lost to rumor. Many suspected that another colony was hit, and its people taken captive much to the dismay of the Cleanwave otters. As Galgor came into view, towering over Canton, he was soon greeted by another otter who rushed to the pier to personally welcome him, a strong built warrior of a sea dog who wore a iron breastplate in which the symbol of the Wildloughs was crested upon it. He also was quite a towering creature in himself, patting Canton on the back with friendly abandon.

"Little brother, try not to make yerself shy, lad! This be a badger lord of Salamanderstron! How do ya do, me lord."

Galgor gave a humble bow of his head to him as he walked more closely towards solid ground of the stone base of the port. Many relieved and sea sick hares were being brought down from their ships, some even kissing the ground dramatically. Others were solemnly bringing down the horrifically injured and the honored dead. Adam, Biggum, and Barfoof came in the next patch from the Mountain of the Sea, with Adam swiftly coming up to Galgor to introduce the otters.

"My lord, this is prince Gorgland Wildlough, and his younger brother Prince Canton Wildlough, sons of High King Sarlo. This is Murg Breakwave, my peer upon Green Isle itself."

Gorgland gave a humble bow in return "Good to meet ya once again, me friend, Adam Waterblow."

"Indeed. We did not come here solely out of aid, we have injured and broken ships."

"Murg will take care of it. Me pa will likely want to meet ya all in Summerdell. We will head out immediately, an' without delay."

Dagor commented "Why the hurry?"

"We have news fer ya lot. A lot of good. . .and bad news."
_

Galgor and his sons were getting ready to head off, but Biggum wasn't ready just yet and waited patiently on the dock. Rowing into the harbor along with other hares was another group of characters. One was his proud scout and commando Doufy von Evergreen, who was shaking out his beret. The other was his friend Cemar Briggs, the two hares were great scouts and despite political differences liked one another. Rowing them into the pier from The Mountain of the Sea were the squirrel Dacks and Biggum's own son Sarl. Sarl kept his head down from his father, trying to not catch his eye as he clumsily tried to row. It was his first time, and despite Dacks trying to help him, it became pointless. Biggum looked down with disappointment at his boy, shaking his head head as he turned his attention to Doufy.

"Doufy, you will be in charge here at these docks, make sure the hares are well fed, rested up, and healed by the time we return."

"You goin somewhere, sir?"

"Yes, my good chap. To Summerdell with Galgor, his sons, and a small retinue. I leave you in charge here, along with Barfoof your subordinate."

Cemar gritted his teeth at the command. He found it humiliating and stupid how Biggum and Galgor treated his superior. He said nothing, but it was clear he was upset as he got up onto the pier and practically shoved his way past Biggum. Biggum was quick to notice, and would have had Cemar reprimanded, had he not wanted to deal with such fallout from further dividing his hares.

"I'll do my best sir, any other orders though? You'd not leave me in charge if it wasn't truly important."

"Between you and me Doufy? Barfoof is angry, and a lot of hares joined him. Things could have gotten very ugly and much more quickly, which is why I need you to keep an eye on him and his supporters. I don't normally deal with this, but I know you do. Can you keep everyone. . .content until we deal with this trouble? If I trusted Barfoof as far as I could throw him, i'd have left him in charge despite his new found rank."

"I understand, sir."

Sarl nearly fell into the water coming up on deck, with Biggum watching in mental anguish as his son tried, and failed, several times to try to get up onto the deck. He had not forgotten how his son had hid away during the battle on the ship, hearing only lately of how he locked himself in a cupboard. Such cowardice earned him a swift kick and a talking to. Yet, his failure to even get onto a pier angered Biggum. The general came over and awaited for his son to awkwardly crawl onto the docks, needing Dacks to help him. Standing at attention, Biggum dusted off his son's uniform, and gave him a light slap to the face.

"If I see you humiliating the name of Bigtail again, my young lad, you will be going straight back to training. Now, you will do whatever Doufy says, understood."

"Yes, sir."

"Good. At least you can do that." Biggum went off, much to Sarl's relief. Dacks felt bad for the younger hare as he came up to Doufy who was at least fun spirited and decent. Doufy took Sarl aside and quickly regretted his decision.

"Your pockets, turn em' out, lad."

"Sir?"

"Now."

Sarl slowly turned out his pockets, revealing a little blue book in it. Grabbing it swiftly, Doufy threw it into the sea and patted Sarl's shoulders. "You're lucky your father has terrible eyes for such things. You should know better, mate. If he caught you reading that, especially now, I think he would quite legitimately have you flogged."

"I wouldn't put him past him Dou-I mean, sir."

"Come, you two, let's get comfy. We have a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it in."
_

As Adam was making his final preparations to leave himself, he was approached by his sub captains and commodore. Having walked and talked together, they were surprised to see how tense all of the crew was from the Mountain the Sea. The captains of The Battle Log, Shepdog, and Bloodriver were all close associates of Adam, and only one was an adoptive son of his. Uldan broke from the group and rushed to Adam, the otter captain saluting him and then giving him a wide hug. Karner and Shren came up, with Shren laughing loudly "Heh! We showed that lot exactly what we were made of, if we'd stayed I'd have needed a new ship just to thrash em!"

Shren's shrew galley was anchored in the harbor, the shrew proudly looking over as several shell shocked former galley slaves were enjoying their new found freedom, and Shren's shrew and hare marines were celebrating their naval expertise with booze. Shren smelled of booze himself, which Karner was quick to notice. Karner was saluted his admiral who saluted back, with the group being informed of what had happened on the Mountain of the Sea. Shren seemed annoyed, if not angry.

"Bah! What a bunch of land lubber daisies, the lot of em! Had they given us reinforcements, we'd not be in this mess, an' we'd be scourging the sea by now! I say we leave now an' hunt down those pirates one by one, eh? Then maybe find Barbo, kill him too!"

"I'd agree, but we have orders first and foremost. . .and repairs to make. Your ship looks barely stable as it is." Adam looked over the boat in the far off distance of Shren's war galley, slowly but surely dipping into the water. It had holes and marks all across it, in which several repair crews were trying their best to make due with what they had.

"Shren, I will be meeting with Sarlo again, but while we are gone, I need you all to do me a big favor."

"Ya, sir?"

"Barfoof will be staying here, and he is not very. . .happy with my decision. Black Beach was a lost cause, but it doesn't mean we won't give up the chase. Shren, I need you to command our work vessels and begin scouting out our enemies. The rest of you, I need you two to keep out of this personal beef between Barfoof and Biggum, along with our crews. The less involved we are the better."

Karner interrupted "I don't know, sir, sounds risky. Aren't we all friends here, wot?"

"Yes, but you know how Barfoof can be. Normally I'd join with him, but he is. . .fuming." Adam tried to keep his words light when describing what had happened. Shren obeyed as Adam and Uldan walked together. "You told Galgor about Sarlo, right? I don't have to meet him again, right?"

"Worry not, my boy, I will make sure he doesn't try to forcefully conscript you again. I tried to leave that out of my report as well."

"I don't like it, sir. Keeping all these secrets, especially from a badger lord. They say they know things no other should know."

"You would be surprised, my boy, how untrue that is. It's all just superstition and sailor talk. I am proud of you, my good lad, proud of your first true battle out there. Smart thinking and all that."

Uldan smiled "Thank you, sir. I do try. . .or well, do as you say."

Adam patted him on the back "Good lad, now to meet our. . .calm and collected host."

"Sarlo?"

"Yes. Our host. I have no good words to say to that mad creature. Hopefully, Galgor doesn't do anything rash. Or his sons for that matter. I envy you being here, you know."

Leading on the Salamanderstron retinue, Salgor got to see the true island beauty of Green Isle, it's great hills and plains, its farming villages and rows of forests which felt like an alien and new world. Dagor wasn't as impressed, having seen such things before in his time spent up north of Mossflower. The feudal lands of Green Isle was filled with roads, its stone structures were of a different kind of beauty, simple and barbaric structures which rose from the ground into various shapes. The group passed by barracks, lumber camps, farming communities, and even a tavern. Several sea otter clansbeasts rushed out of the tavern, greeting and cheering on Gorgland, telling an exquisite tale of his victory over another green flagged pirate. "One down, many to go, but all will sink der ships on our reefs, lads!"

Then the city of Summerdell came into view. It was a large feudal city, built much in the way like that of the southward cities, but it still mystified Galgor to see it. It had high stone walls, with rows of apartments and structures which lined it. It was huge, nothing like he had never seen before, especially in Mossflower. Mossflower was populous, but it had villages, towns, and hamlets. Never a city. Yet, as they crested further up the hill, the sight of the city became rather depressive, as Galgor stared down at a vast amount of tents and small cottages which surrounded it. Gorgland sadly told his group, going in first. "Welcome home."

Gorgland began to head down into the grand array of impoverished tents, with many otters lined up in lines to get their rations of food. Many were young, others injured or fighting over the scraps they had. Most were sorrowful, depressed, and looked forlorn. Dagor looked mortified to see two younger otters viciously snarling and wrestling over a tipped over stew, stolen swiftly by an otter mum who was chased through the tents. The sea otters were acting more and more like vermin, jobless and thankless. Gorgland explained as they made past the tents and towards Summerdell's gate.

"The pirates keep pushing further an' further inland, our colonies produce refugees which come to the isle fer safety, but we are runnin out of food an' supplies. We have to send out warships just to keep our fishers safe. We began demolishing a bunch of places, cuttin up old groves much to me dismay, just to make way fer farms. Our grain shipments from Southward also fail, as pirates just eat at their ships when we aren't lookin. As ya can see badger lord, we are in a dire straight."

"I am sorry for the poverty of your people, had we'd known sooner. . ."

Gorgland angrily turned "If ya had known at all! We sent couriers, badger lord! A lot of em. How did. . ." Gorgland calmed himself, it was clear he was frustrated "I am sorry, forgive me my lord. We have not been in good tidings since the attacks began. Barbo was bad enough when he was one annoying corsair, now we have many ships which prowl our waters."

"I understand, we did not know ourselves till Adam informed us what had happened. They are our enemy as much as yours."

Gorgland grunted "Aye, but they target our isle and people specifically, even targeting the other otter holts on the sea. Rudderwake's last free beasts sit in these camps, along with many others."

The group came up upon the stone walls of the city, with several sea otter guards awkwardly trying to keep themselves standing and stoic, but were being yelled at by angry otters from various lands. They demanded food, proper clothing, and other necessities which the guards had no answer too. Gorgland came up to the group, calling out to them "Me mates, please, keep yourselves calm! Please! We will feed ya soon enough!"

"Where be the bread ya promised, Wildlough!"

"Me pups and I are starving!"

"Is this how fellow otters treat one another!"

Galgor stepped forward and spoke to the crowd "Good otters of the west sea, please be calm. I am Galgor, Badger Lord of Salamandastron. If your prince tells you that food will come soon, then it shall come soon. There is no reason to get angry and furious, for we shall help you as much as we can, I swear to it."

The rousing speech didn't calm the crowd, as much as made them worry that a badger would swiftly give them justice. Most looked on in awe as the group entered, with Gorgland thanking the badger lord.

"Thank ya, although I wish I had better things to tell em."

"How bad is it truly?"

"Our silos can handle about one more month before we have to half rations again. After that, we enter starvation rations. Father thinks we may have to start raiding ourselves, actin like pirates just to get food. I think he fools himself into thinking it will be that easy."

"How can we truly help?"

"Unless ya can magically produce food, me chum, there ain't much ya can do to help."
_

The group came up upon the palace of Summerdell, which was located in the middle of the sea otter city. While perhaps smaller then what was seen in Southward, it was quite an impressive sight, but the problems seen outside were also found within. A sea otter baker was arguing with his customers, trying to justify his insane prices. A couple of impoverished guards walked the streets, keeping the peace the best they could. The muddy and rainy streets of houses was a fresh sight for Gorgland, but a tremendous pain to squeeze on through for the likes of Galgor and his sons. Galgor had heard of the great and beautiful Southward cities, vast stone houses and estates filled and brimming with trade and arts, industries of dyes, wines, and banking which still dumbfounded the badger whenever he thought of it. It was clear Green Isle's otters visited the land enough to copy it for their own, and were at first prospering for it. However, complex prosperity brought many issues. Space and food became the chief of them, and the troubles that came so suddenly had clearly caused a sudden reversal of fates.

Barbo's name was heard more than once, that cursed name Adam and Galgor both came to despise. The stout came out of the west with a single ship, joined by another smaller vessel. His deeds were indeed legendary, even admirable if his bravery wasn't to cause misery and suffering to every beast who crossed his path. His one beast siege of Green Isle was explained by Gorgland who brought the group further up into the stoney keep of his family's home.

"It began with Kasg's ally, Barbo Senger an' his cursed wife. The stout make a mockery of our ships, slaughtered or kidnapped our captains an' wives, an began a brutal raid to goad us out to sea to chase em. However, he was run off by the likes of these other pirates who took over. At first we were losing quite badly, we were locked in our ports as the gangs of slavers and murderers pillaged our coastal settlements. I an' Murg were able to consolidate our forces an' chase off the cowards fer now, but they still haunt us. They've taken a liken to attackin our barely defended colonies an' other settlements, knowin we cannot do much fer them."

"Like Blackbeach." Adam said sadly, "I am sorry to say we had failed to hold them off there, they came in great numbers and we barely escaped."

"I suspected as much, I suppose that means I don't need to evacuate em."

"Do you have any clue where these cats come from? They are run by cats, right?" Galgor asked, his battle scar from Minto Greeneyes still stung with the mention of his name. Gorgland shook his head "I couldn't tell ya, me lord. The wildcats be a strange brood. They come in ships of der own, an are well armed. They specifically come to fight us, an' were responsible fer what happened to our Green Clan regiment. However, that can change here fairly soon, for we had captured some of their number recently. We hold them in our prison."

The group came up to the palace gate which opened for them, an elite guard guided them in as they walked inside. The beautiful waterfall garden lifted up with stone stairs to a grand hall built like a clan hall of old, with a single grand tower to its side. It wasn't a defensive keep, but it did look fairly pretty. Gorgland showed them inside, but did not go the normal way, as he entered through the waterfall "Come on in, ya lot! Water's fine!"

There were two entrances, which Galgor soon discovered that the keep had a larger basement area for which was accessible through the waterfall. Despite Galgor insistence to not get himself wet, he relented only due to the awkward silence. Pushing through the waterfall and shaking off his drenched armor and fur, he found himself in a great luxurious hall of lights, illuminating a dining area filled with some of the most beautiful architecture the hares and badgers had witnessed. Statues of famed otter poets and bards stood on pillars, a chandelier of black painted iron hung above, and comfortable seats of delicately carved wood which was cushioned with fluff. Several castle servants brought out a larger couple of chairs for the badgers, having been kept around since Galgor's predecessors had been around. Gorgland however apologized "I am sorry my lords, my father has imposed a strict diet till the food situation is solved, so we will be eating only a simple fish stew."

"There is no need to apologize, your rationing brings you closer to those who starve aside you, and is an honored thing to do in these difficult times for your people." Galgor comforted the prince. He smiled and rubbed his stomach "Most good then, cause I am certainly starving! Nothing gets me more famished than fighting sea scum!"
_

Salgor sat far from his brother, and his brother sat far from him on different sides of the table, despite Galgor's clear disapproval. Salgor ate his meal humbly and with manners, while Dagor would eat him like a wild animal, joking and playing with the hares and otters next to him. They were like night and day to Galgor, but his focus was on his pounding head. Ever since coming to the isle, and since his vision of the strange red horror which he witnessed on the ship, he began to feel lost. As if a lot of his wisdom and skill drained from him, and age set in. Only Biggum's voice rang him back to life.

"Are you alright, me lord?"

Galgor shook himself awake "Yes, yes. We have been eating for what feels like hours, where are the otters?"

Biggum had seen Gorgland and Canton excuse themselves, promising to get their father. However, it had been several hours and Biggum grew worried. Galgor wondered what happened. Eventually, the two otters did return, coming down the stairs as heavy footed steps accompanied them. Galgor looked on with jaw dropped shock as Sarlo Wildlough came into view. To admit it, Galgor suspected a rougher version of Sarlo, a once handsome otter with some battle scars and a grim expression. Instead, he saw a smiling, almost elderly, otter with a single eye, his other was covered in a black eyepatch. His right hand was missing, and his other missed several fingers. He was brutally scarred and disfigured, head to toe was covered in various wounds. He wore a warrior's uniform, his only royal garb which he still wore was his dark green toga which he wore around his breastplate, and an emerald circlet which was the crown to all high kings and queens of the isle since the days of the High Rhulain. He practically looked half dead, but yet alive and vibrant as he greeted Galgor who stood to greet him.

"Galgor, ya old stripe dog! I haven't seen ya since ya were a wee laddie! Me guest an' friend of honor, I'd never imagine ya be out here!"

"Sarlo Wildlough? You look. . .better." Sarlo laughed with a raspy breath and bounded the table. Despite his many injuries and pains, he was certainly youthful and full of vigor. "I bet ya I look a lot better den any of yer lot, Galgor! Earned each an' every one of me scars from many battles fer me island! We drive Barbo, and dee'z Greeneyes back with each battle, eh! It is good ya finally come, fer a moment I thought we'd have to battle them ourselves."

Galgor turned his attention to his missing arm, which had no replacement. Sarlo looked wild, uncultured, and unshaven. He looked like he had just come out of a long journey, and smelled terrible. It was quite revolting, as Galgor noticed that all except Adam himself were shocked. Sarlo took up a cup of mead from one of the hares, practically chugging it down with a spill, throwing the cup behind him which was caught by one of the servants.

"Oh this? Ya can blame Barbo fer that one! I should tell ya the tale when I nearly caught the cretan me'self! Gorgland! Ya were there, ya remember?"

"Aye, pa. I do." Gorgland felt embarrassed, he wanted to be cynical, telling Galgor of how his father nearly killed himself trying to hunt down Barbo. Barbo was a truly evil creature, having baited out their own personal ship to chase him into an ambush, the stout corsair challenged the high king to a fanciful duel, which Sarlo accepted. Though a honorable duel at first, Sarlo was nearly slain, and Gorgland stepped in. The duel with Barbo had left Gorgland with a brutal scar across his chest, and his father having lost a paw in the fight. Canton however loved the tale of his father and brother fighting an evil beast of the high seas, and it always intrigued him.

Sarlo sat down comfortably in a chair, kicking his feet onto the table and relaxing like a rude vermin. He was ready to lay down years of unspoken history with the badger, but Galgor quickly related "I have no come to Green Isle solely to hear your tales, good friend. It is good to see you Sarlo, but we have just faced a terrible enemy, the same enemy which has raided your coast. Your son Gorgland says that you have a prisoner, one who could illuminate our enemy?"

"Aye, an' more! We know where dey be coming from, der numbers, an' even the true enemy. I shall show ya in me court. Canton! Gorgland! Grab the cat from the dungeon, eh? Don't be too gentle with it!"
_

Galgor, Biggum, and Adam appeared in the court of the Wildlough high king, although as beautiful as it was in the main hall, there were some key things that seemed missing. The tapestry of Tiria Wildlough and her family, emboldened onto cloth. The shape was made similar to that of what was found in Redwall, picturing a rather long winded story which was immortalized without words. The throne decorated in seashells and watery stones sat at the far end of the hall, with many prized things surrounding it. The slings and weapons of many former rulers of the isle laid dormant, a museum of warrior queens and kings and of lost heirs which were forever adorned. Sarlo's wife, who had died of illness, was immortalized herself, her favorite blanket had been wrapped around the throne for seasons. Galgor however turned his attention to what was missing in such a place like this, for the courtiers were missing.

Green Isle was run by a king, but it was also run by clans. Large and powerful clans which had very little in common since the fall of the wild cats. While not violent towards one another, being woodlanders, they still had many unsettled and petty feuds which divided them, a sore point which the High Rhulain of the isle contended with far after her story had ended. The Wavedogs and Riverdogs had a particularly nasty feud over fishing lanes, the Wildloughs were often challenged by Streamdogs over the power of the crown against the power of the clans, and there was an attempted coup by Galedeeps which was left under the rug. Galgor hoped to see the united skippers, all uniting against a common foe, but to see their presence missing left him concerned.

"Adam, where are the other skippers?"

"In their own holdings my lord." Adam whispered "Try not to bring it up. Sarlo threw a spear at us the last time we mentioned it. The Galedeeps are still mourning the loss of their skipper, several children and wives were captured by Barbo and many clans feel Sarlo should step down and let them run the place."

"He threw what at you?!"

Sarlo sat on his throne in comfort, he seemed rather happy. Canton came forward and spoke to his father "Should I get some drinks, pa?"

"Yes, yes. Grab some before a servant does, eh? Today is a day of celebration! Today, I get to show me new friends how far we came! Ya see me city, badger lord! Took generations to build!"

"It is impressive, bu-" Galgor was cut off as Sarlo was in a mood to pridefully gloat about his accomplishments "Ya should see the taverns, eh? Best beer in the entire darn western sea! We should drink some time, me mate!"

Galgor rose his voice, the vile taste of anger arose as he spoke out "Perhaps, but not now. I think we have larger issues afoot, Sarlo Wildlough. Please, we have come to help."

Sarlo's mood changed rapidly and suddenly, the overly friendly otter he had known suddenly began to snarl "Help, have ya? Where are me otters from Black Beach then, ya bounding wretch?" Sarlo's eyes widened like a mad beast, with Galgor giving a deep sigh. He had nothing to say, as Adam interjected. "We would have lost a lot more, High King Sarlo if we had not retreated. There was nothing that could have been done."

"Eh, nothing Adam Waterblow? Ya could have landed an' fought to a bitter end then! Ya may be blind to all things around ya, lot, but I am not! Me own otters plot against me as I fight fer this crown! Me sons, wit a bit a prodding tells me why yer ships be damaged when ya arrived, but clearly it be not enough. It tells me things, Galgor Ironpaw. King of Salamanderstron. It tells me many things."

"Such as?"

"Yer own captains don't take this threat so seriously, ya bring few ships to face an enemy which has grown since. Here, look, a cat to tell you exactly what I have already known!" Sarlo pointed to Gorgland and some guards, dragging a prisoner before them. Beaten and weary, a feral cat was thrown before the group, with a missing eye which looked burned out. He looked like a victim of torture, horrified and broken. Galgor raised his eyes with concern as Sarlo bounded from the throne and held the throat of the prisoner. The cat did not resist, having lost the will and strength to resist some time ago, even when bound in irons. Sarlo's face twisted a line between vengeful fury and sadistic playfulness as he spoke "Tell them as ya told me, slaver an' murderer, an' I may let ya live a bit longer."

Biggum angrily interrupted "Evil beast or not, High king, this isn't necessary. You are choking it!"

"Be silent an' listen, long ears! Listen to what they do me otters an' me isle!"

Sarlo let go of the prisoner's throat, the cat spoke with a fairly foreign tongue unfamiliar to the Salamandastron creatures, choking at first. Sarlo returned to his throne, scratching the sides with his claws, angrily peering down at the beast.

"I am's Zal they call me, I come from the isle of Sandbeach, I am sworn I am to Emperor Milo Greeneyes, true heir to Mossflower and Green Isle! I swear by me fasha and masha I am but a simple beast! Please, let me go! Let me go!"

Gorgland took particular offense to that "Simple beast indeed. Part of a raiding team he was, coming to enslave more of our people. Practically caught this one looking over shackles they would put on our people!"

Galgor looked down, he wasn't one for pitying creatures like vermin, but the creature had true fear in his one eye. It was clear some beast had used something hot to sear one eye, and he looked a bit younger for a raider. Galgor gulped his disgusted down and spoke, for even if he pitied the vermin, he still needed answers.

"Greeneyes. I thought they were all dead. Or should be. There hasn't been a wild cat in our lands for generations, more so even. They broke themselves trying to take the mountain of Salamanderstron, and their entire line perished long ago. How can there still be a wild cat of that name remaining?"

"I do not know, my lord. I just take their orders, I do. They sent my captain and I to raid this island for slave beasts to take back to Sandbeach. They muster armies on the island, where they have dwelled for generations!"

Biggum interrupted "My lord, it matters not of their family lineage, they could be bloomin any ol' name, all that matters is they take up this name now to claim all of Mossflower."

Galgor looked to the prisoner "How large are their armies, and why do they cull the sea of otters and infest its waters with pirates?"

"Cull? No, my lord. They bring them to Sandbeach to toil for the Lord of all Vermin, and the master of all slaves. They bring vermin from all across the eastern continent to them, all manner of beasts. They promise me and my people gold and land, they do, to make us lords ourselves! The master speaks of a great war he does, a great war to free this 'Mossflower' of. . of. . well you." Sarlo couldn't help but cruelly chuckle.

"Ya see Galgor? I am not the one to give you much hope in this place, but now you know. We are not the main target, oh not yet mind ya, we are the distant thunder for which the storm shall come to Mossflower an' the mainland."

Galgor tried to ignore the mad otter king, trying to speak loudly "Tell me, how large is his armies! Where will they come from!"

"I. . I do not know! Please spare me my lord! I do not know! They are numberless, many vermin, many allies! I am but a simple soldier!"

Sarlo bounded out of his chair, suddenly gripping a spear from the side and threw it harshly. Biggum, Galgor, and Gorgland dodged out the way much to their own dismay as the spear clattered with a sudden shriek into the prisoner. Sarlo took up the spear, shaking the blood from it as there was stunned silence in the room. Sarlo turned, his anger again dissipating as he spoke aloud "Now ya know what we all face. An endless tide of green robed slaves, obeying the whims of a mad beast. He'd said the same to us, an' had nothin more to say."

"You murdered him." Biggum said, shocked. Sarlo chuckled "Aye, an I will murder em more till every single last one falls at a blade, a lot of blood will be split before the end of this, an' I will make sure of that. Now come, to me office, we have much to discuss."
_

Galgor was deeply uncomfortable, which for a badger lord like himself, was a very absurd experience. He had seen and done many things, killed a lot of beasts, and made difficult decisions. Yet, speaking with a half mad otter he had once called a friend was starting to get to him. It was ugly, as Adam explained what had happened at Black Beach much to the high king's fury and anger. The group figured out rather quickly that the high king had been pushing a very controversial strategy to deal with the pirate threat, evacuating the otter colonies as quickly as possible and turtling on the island. Black Beach was going to be next on the list, which had meant that this greeneyed horde was well accustomed to their general strategies.

"We know very little about em', other then they come from a farther island in the west called Sandbeach. I given up sendin out ships to hunt fer em, cause each time a group of vermin sea raiders catch up to me ships. We know they got a lot of allies, but no one knows the extent of em. I suspect the kingdom of Ice an' Snow may be involved at least."

"How?" Biggum asked. The idea wasn't new, but it was rare. Vermin warbands would always claim to be supported by the far northern vermin, their armies of savages and wolverines could swiftly turn the tide of war quickly, but it was risky. The kingdom was less a kingdom and more of a collection of powerful tribes and warlords fighting each brutally, eating their remains, and fighting for a snow bound city filled to the brim with bone and misery.

"We see der ships, longboats which avoid us more often then not. They were spotted goin westward. We know it be a large settlement, much like the one ya all are sitting in now, but they are supported by the western ports an' cities of cats. Fer what purpose, I do not know, but the Greeneyes be collectin vermin from all over. We know the pirates confederated under a lord called Gashan, a sea raider who used to mostly be seen far south of us."

"Like toward Southward?"

"Aye. We know they got pirate forts somewhere on the southern isles, an' all manner of pirate fleets an sea raider caravans swears to him, and he swears to the emperor. All under our noses no less. While we all be fightin Kasg an' his cretan Barbo, this lot of evil was builden up this whole time, carefully an' secretly."

"Building up such a force would have taken generations, let alone incredible patience." Galgor wondered.

"Aye, an' more likely then not, their target was ya from the start, but how they would do it is beyond me. Even if they gathered the same or more then Kasg, ye lot are more prepared. . .right?"

"Barely. Our war with Kasg has left eastern and southern Mossflower in vermin paws, warlords like Gandal and Markem practically hold sway and large hordes. If this horde was to attack now, we would suffer for it."

"Then ya best be getting ready, me lads." Sarlo tapped his paws angrily "I must admit, to be disappointed dey do not come here, an' face the likes of me an me warriors. They must send raiders to gather laborers an' slaves fer there dark host. However, it always seemed personal. The Green Clan regiment's loss still is quite mysterious to me, an oddly specific an' risky venture which resulted in heavy casualties fer both sides. They attacked with arrows of fire, an with elite cats in heavy armor."

"We met a cat named Minto, and did quite a number on my face as you can tell." Galgor pointed to the scars running down his face. Sarlo only gave a amused grunt, lifting his shirt to reveal a heavier gash "An he did this to me belly. At least tried to. Gave him quite a bruising in return. I think it may be a brother or a son, I am not certain. However, this Milo remains unseen, an' dangerous. Finding an' destroying him will take time."

"Then we can help each other?"

Sarlo shook his head "No, we cannot. I have me own problems, badger, an' ya already take up valuable supplies repairing yer own ships. Ya came here as guests, not as diplomats."

"We came here for help, Sarlo." Biggum interjected, but Sarlo gave him a maddening glance "Ya did, eh? I can help ya get off my island!"

"Gentle beasts! There is no need for this." Adam yelled "We already have enough issues without tearing each other apart. Perhaps we can coordinate our strikes, fight off the pirates and tear apart their naval allies. Once that is done, we cou-"

"Nay. The wild cats will head fer Mossflower soon enough, an' ya will be needed there most. Fighting em aggressively doesn't end well, an be too risky. Let em' land and kill themselves fighting ya lot, an' we will handle our own troubles."

"You sound almost excited to see us suffer in war again." Galgor shot an accusing glance. Sarlo's eyes widened with rage and angrily shouted back "Don't ya dare think I want any of this, badger! It be the only tactic I got to even try to deal with this threat, yer lands are big an' filled with more beasts then I, an' I can barely muster enough ships to even protect me own shores. We may have a better fleet now, lad, but we still suffer a lot more for it. We sent fer aid an' got none back, and for a long time I thought ya were just ignoring us. Adam here at least explained to me that all me couriers are dead or worse! If they go fer you, it means I can recover and take der fight to them. Heading back home an' making preparations be the only thing ya lot can do. We can only fight this enemy defensively."

"Then you must agree we could use help of our own. Maybe some of those otters in your camps will join us in fighting for Mossflower, reduce the strain on the isle." Biggum suggested.

"No. Dey are my people, and I will not give em' up. If there are a fighting number amongst them, they will fight an' die fer Green Isle alone, like the tales of old. We will mourn later."

"Sarlo, even you must know we stand a better chance fighting an enemy together then without."

"Am I not already repairing yer ships an' feedin yer gluttonous hares, eh?"

"I mean, yes, bu-"

"No an's er buts about it, mate. We will fight this enemy on our own terms, and you will face them on yers. We will send a war galley under me son Gorgland to escort yer people back, and hopefully we will meet again as allies assaulting Sand Beach's shores. Until then, we will make preparation of our own. Once yer ships are repaired, ya will leave an' ready yerselves for the storm of a life time. I will help as I can, in me own way."

The hares sighed, knowing that this was the most extent of help they would get.

Two otter merchants were conversing in Rigbane Port over the economics of the island. They feared that there would be trouble soon, while one thought of a means of trying to hire some fishers to begin a risky business. Their conversation was cut short by Murg Breakwave entering their room "Out ya lot, yer goin back to yer homes for the time being."

"Wait, what? Whats gotten over ya, commanding us like that?"

"Move, lubber brain. The hares want to use this room fer their 'operations' an' what not. Go before I start draggin ya out your necks." As he spoke, Doufy von Evergreen and a cadre of Long Patrol scouts and commandos entered the room, setting up tables and chairs and pouring out a map of the island itself. Murg was invited to the room, as Doufy began circling spots on the map of the last raiding spots.

"Unpredictable, as usual, mate. Bloody bounders likely be purposefully shifting their raid spots to keep ye off their toes. However, vermin of any size or intelligence do make some fairly predictable mistakes. Look at these older beachheads here and here. Not well guarded, eh? Difficult to move in through the cliffs and hills, sure, but they will likely. . .land here." Doufy circled a small beach to the east of the isle, which Murg was a bit suspicious at. "Those areas are between some of our more guarded ports. They would be insane to attack there."

"Insane? Yes. They are vermin after all, bloody blighters are quite predictable as they come, mate. Their sense of sadism can make them quite brave, not to mention they have been circling the beaches for a while in a clockwise manner. They know you are setting up ambushes and towers along more defended beaches, but not so towards the ports. In those small areas which aren't guarded, they are probably moving raiders through to attack the in land villages. A risky manuever to be sure, but a profitable one. . .to excuse the language."

"None taken, lad." Murg looked at the map as Doufy turned his attention to the two otter merchants still in the room as they watched their former office get filled with hares. Two hares shoved them outside and locked the door behind them, sheepishly allowing their small guild office to become a new military station.

Doufy loved this, he loved being out in the open lands in small and cramped spaces, making plans and watching his Long Patrol comrades. He loved the smell of worry in the very air, the danger and plan making. While his commander would have always disapproved, he certainly loved the politics of the Long Patrol itself, he loved watching comrades ambitiously seek new positions, commanders quarrel over petty arguments, and he loved setting himself between them. Usually, he found his job quite boring, especially since Kasg was defeated, and it became quite a hobby to teeter between Biggum and Barfoof. He turned his attention to his commandos and gave a wicked smile.

"Now lads, lets talk about something else for a short second. Lavbuck, I need you to start following around Barfoof, but don't be shy to tell him outright you have been following him. He knows as much as I that Biggum wants him watched. Gal, you will be on watch for the first few nights in port, but I need your fighting Hares, once they are healed, to be ready for interception of any pirates we encounter here on Green Isle. Priven, I need you to 'shore up' our supplies, and follow Lavbuck, see what Barfoof has been doing truly when he knows he is being watched. I want two reports a day, brief and unwritten. Less he knows, the better I say. Also, Lavbuck, keep an eye on sergeant Aspen's hares, nearly half of em joined Barfoof on the docks, and I don't think it's because of his incompetence."

Murg looked rather confused "Please don't tell me yer hares are as divided as the clans are."

"Not in any way, not for a lack of trying mind you. Barfoof had a falling out quite some time ago, personal reasons an' all that, wot. Now about that beach. We never know for certain, but we could shore up your garrisons here and have several war galleys ready in the meantime. Raiders love to move fast, eh? I say we move faster."

"Agreed." Doufy drew a large black line on the map as his hares set up their documents, folders, and made their battle plans. They were all well prepared for anything to come, and Doufy made well sure of it.
_

It was the hares first night in Rigbane, and there was a solemn casualty in the night which had demoralized the troop. A younger Long Patrol maiden had fallen ill from a leg injury sustained by a wild cat trident in the leg, and the infection took her. She had been a part of the troop and may not have been a rising star, but many of the hares had been devastated regardless of the loss. Barfoof had appeared to give words of comfort to her friends and comrades, but it wasn't out of the graciousness of his heart. Another hare had followed him around, one of Doufy's companions. He had kept following him for most of the day, not giving him a break to even rave and rant. Slipping up Doufy's minions was an easy enough task, getting out of the hare's general line of sight was a mountainous climb, and one he had to tread carefully on. When Barfoof retired for the night, he was joined by Cemar and Dacks along with a large contingent of hares in a makeshift barracks. When the lights went out, the shadow of Doufy's commando looked satisfied that he was asleep and his creeping form in the darkness of the window outside crept off to report to his master.

It was in that moment when Barfof made his move.

Barfoof was wide awake, and turned to Dacks who was also awake "Put the blinds up, my boy. I will light the lamp. Cemar, you awake?"

Cemar stood at attention in the darkness and gave a silent salute. Barfoof gave a slight nod and arose himself as Dacks went to work shutting blinds on the windows of the makeshift barracks. It, like other structures, was a guild hall turned into a general mess hall and sleep quarter for the hares, but there was one key difference. Cemar had been rounding up the hares, those who supported him and those who had been disillusioned by what happened on the Mountain of the Sea. The hares were gathered, specifically chosen by Cemar who gathered them in a single barracks under Doufy's very nose. In silent voices, Barfoof stood the hares at attention, and in a dimly lit room, he spoke to them confidently.

"Good to see you in better health and spirits, chaps. I am sorry we had such a rough ride to Green Isle, and in poor spirits no doubt. Now. . .let us discuss our last chapter. I know many of you are new faces here, but I am good to inform you that my proposals, while necessary, are not always popular. It is why we have these discussions in such secrecy."

Dacks finished up closing the blinds as many hares took out several small blue books. Barfoof considered himself rather lucky, Salamanderstron had its own printing press and loads of paper, gifts from Southward. The device intrigued Barfoof greatly, and he never truly understood why the badger lord put it with his trove of gifts and treasures beneath the mountain. Barfoof had even taken up writing his general thoughts for reforms within it, and spread it around. He had become quite an expert of catching Biggum and his favorite scout off guard, copying his book enough to spread it around the Long Patrol.

Barfoof held these sessions of book reading with hares who had been interested. His eyes glared about the room like a teacher as hares both younger and older then him sat listening. They had come to figure out the hare, and were impressed by his bravery to even face down a badger lord and his superior. Many were also new faces, the least prestigious of which was Sarl Bigtail who sat meekly in a corner, holding a wet and damaged copy of his book.

"As I was saying before our last session in Salamanderstron, our geo-political troubles do not end at the borders of Mossflower. The simple and deadly truth of the matter gents is that we simply do not have enough hares to defend every corner of the country, even though it is most desperately needed. Relying solely on small divisions such as how the Long Patrol currently operates is clearly not working, and there must ultimately be changes." Barfoof continued, although his voice was kept low. Many of a hares nodded in agreement, it sounded fairly reasonable, and many did not fully understand why their general despised these ideas so.

"As I discuss in a chapter about much needed drafts and conscription, Mossflower as a country must provide its defenders with more then just good will, it must provide a clear cut amount of food and soldiers for a growing army. That army is more then needed for just a defensive purpose, it must march to the aid of its allies at a moment's notice, and be ready for any threat such as the one we faced during Kasg's invasion."

One of the hares raised his paw, and Barfoof motioned to him to speak "Sir, if I may ask, isn't what the vermin do also conscription? Forcing themselves to fight for their armies?"

"Conscription isn't force, my lad, and I am glad you bring that up. As any country with any king, a levy is needed to keep its people in line and march to defeat an enemy. What the vermin do to each other is nothing short of slavery at every level, onto us and themselves. They force their own to take up meager rations and to fight on their selfish behalf, and if they do not obey, they are lashed, beaten, or killed. The conscription I wish to enforce is a duty of Mossflower's woodlanders, a duty to defend not only their homes from such tyranny, but to defend others from it as well. Gentle Beasts like otters, mice, and squirrels do not quickly go to war, but what I have proposed is a greater role for them to join us not only as equals, but as providers of important services to aid other creatures."

Sarl raised his own paw "Sir Barfoof, that is most reasonable, so why does my pa and the badger lords not agree with it."

"Old ideals is wot. The badger lords may have been wise kings in their own right, but they rely too much on tradition. The Long Patrol as you all know come from hare clans in the western and central parts of Mossflower, many living even within the mountains, farming our crops and providing us with our resources. However, this self-sufficiently is only good for a defensive garrison, and we are the Long Patrol, not Mossflower's army. We have in the past acted out to aid others, but in very few numbers, and what we should be doing is providing a stronger force for all woodlanders to free themselves from vermin tyranny wherever it props up, for not only ourselves but for their own sake. Biggum and Galgor are wise in different ways, but not wise when it comes to the stronger implications of reality."

The hares, including Sarl, nodded in agreement. Dacks however was always uncertain, perhaps the only creature in the room who wasn't sheepishly nodding their heads. Dacks agreed with Barfoof on many things, but lately there were others ideas which concerned him.

"Naturally of course, Galgor, being stuck in an old and stale set of his own ideas for Mossflower continues to refuse to even hear out my proposals, when cornered, I had been demoted. I doubt I will see you all in a short time, but if any of you wish, you may join me in Fort Tussock in our future campaign against Markem Brownnose and his horde. Now, in the next few chapters, I wish to discuss the role of the Long Patrol and the paradox of our loyalties to the badger lord. . ."

Barfoof began a long and winded speech, his little lesson to the hares began like a preacher and his enamored audience, glamored by his dry voice with the occasional witty remarks. He had noticed a hare outside the very door, keeping low and listening on the conversation, disgusted and concerned with what he heard. Doufy is goin want to hear about this.
_

"That was everything?"

"Yes, sir."

Doufy held his paw to his chin, thinking to himself. Barfoof had started his little personal crusade of idealism with good intentions at first, he wanted more creatures to participate in the Long Patrol. Now it sounded like he was openly treating his loyalties to the badger lord with clear disdain, growing more radical. Doufy twitched his nose and went over to the table of his maps. Blighter. Of course Sarl had to be there as well. Dacks, Cemar, this could get ugly pretty quick. The irony to Doufy was that Biggum had been a great general in the days of Kasg the Craven, when things were much simpler. Everyone worked so well together and without issue then, but now without Kasg, the Long Patrol was now dividing itself.

"Alright, I suppose its high time to meet with Adam's crews." Doufy turned to his gathered hares "I want you lot to start a couple things for me, a divide an' conquer strategy. Put some of Barfoof's hares in your own command, start taking them out on patrols all friendly like. Get friendly with them, hear out their concerns, an' report back to me you hear?"

"What will you do in the meantime, sir?" One of the hares asked. Doufy turned his attention to the map and sighed "I suppose it is time to talk to our sea breathed kin. I'll talk to Adam's commodore and his mates, try to get them in our side of this little debate. Although, they have been purposefully ignoring us quite well. Shren practically beat one of his shrews just trying to meet with Barfoof not too long ago."

Doufy excused himself as his hares set to work. The hare was anxious, more so than usual as he stepped from the port's path towards the barracks where Adam's sailors and marines were resting up in. Doufy had a particular way he liked to greet Shren and his marines, propping himself up against an edge of a barrel near the door and hidden from view. Doufy had a lot of time spent as Biggum's captain and over glorified secretary, so he had more experience then he was willing to admit to figure out everyone under the badger lord's command. At any moment, Shren would come out that door of the barracks, followed by Adam's adopted otter son Uldan and another hare named Karner. As if on time, Shren and his companions, followed by a larger group of laughing marines, marched out of the barracks.

"An that is when I told Adam 'If ya want to see a real sword, pick a fight with this beauty right here, then ya can talk to me about-'" Shren didn't get to finish his joke as he noticed Doufy as he made a fake cough. The group turned, seeing the commando hare in his dark green beret, giving a weak smile and patiently waiting for them. Karner and Uldan wanted to speak up in greeting, but Shren quickly turned to them "Ya lot start headin towards The Battle Log, we need to make better repairs den what the otters here be doin. No offense of course, me lad."

"Ummmm, none taken Shren. What about our good fr-"

"Best be goin now, Uldan. Karner." The group got the message, for as soon as they left, another hare came out of the building. Cemar approached Doufy, not particularly surprised to see him. Doufy however was surprised, his old mate had been swifter then he was, a first.

"I know why ya be here Doufy, an' I will tell you as I tell this bounder. Adam an' me want no part in this quarrel, ya here."

"There isn't much of a quarrel to start with Shren, we are all good servants of the badger lord an' Mossflower. Isn't that right, Cemar?"

"Aye. It is, mate. It most certainly is." Cemar gritted his teeth in annoyance. "Shren, like I said, all I wanted to do was congratulate you on your battles, eh? No reason to be hostile."

Shren gave a dangerous eye to Cemar "Ya, an yer boss certainly be a forgiving type. Look mate, Adam made the right choice, an ya challenging him on his own ship? Had ya been on mine, i'd have left you, your boss, and yer whole lot in a life boat so you can get yourselves killed in your own way. Adam an' I have been mates fer a long time, battling against Barbo an' hunting down his allies one by one. I won't have these personal disputes between you lot affecting me crew or me captains." Shren left without much of a word, leaving Cemar and Doufy alone.

"If you came to get Adam's help, I fear he is just overly neutral." Doufy noted. To him, such things were like a game, and before even moving the first piece, he was already in a stalemate. Cemar grunted in annoyance "Tis isn't a game, mate. You know as much as I do that Barfoof is right. About a lot of things."

"Like how the badger lord is an old ideal, wrapped up in the past while our future lies in conscripting poor farmers to fight those wars for us?"

The comment hit Cemar very deeply, particularly when it came to his old friend's ignorance of Barfoof's true idealism. For Doufy, he saw past all the fancy wording and mystical illusion of the wording. Neither of the two old friends wished to admit either was right about each other's beliefs, or admit to their own faults.

"Regardless, I suppose whatever beef you got with Barfoof is between you and us. We don't have to be enemies you know. Like the good ol' days." Cemar appealed to Doufy's past, when the two headed operations against Kasg's horde.

"I didn't think we were enemies at all, mate."

"You know full well what I mean."

"I do, but let us be honest with ourselves here. Barfoof is dividing up the Long Patrol for his own ends, and you bloody well know it. Look, we all knew Cato personally. We drank with him, laughed with him, but he knew the bloody risks. What he did was brave and necessary for our victory over Kasg. He was honored, an' honored well."

"He was a good lad, an' ya know full well why Barfoof is the way he is about it."

"Aye, but that be a mystery ain't it mate. In Cato's memory, he is actively trying to undermine the Long Patrol, the Badgers, an' us all in the process. You may not see it, but I do. Biggum does. An any other creature with a good mind."

The two looked at each other in regret, and walked away without a victory.

Minto Greeneyes stood at the prow of his war galley, taking in the morning fresh air and the smell of salt. Minto's face burned with pain and fury, the badger's attack on him left him scarred, but it was a scar he was deeply proud of. His hoped his father would approve as much as his mother did when he told the court of his duel with Green Isle's high king. He had raided Green Isle's coasts many times, but this time would be different. Very different.

Minto looked to the left and right of him, observing the small fleet he had amassed. He wasn't going to go on the usual raid, he was going to butcher the isle this time. He brought over 150 vermin between 6 galleys, not including his own. Two additional transport ships were requested, slave carrying ships which would bring his haul back to Sandbeach. Minto liked to imagine things, he saw himself a conquering warlord who turned Green Isle into his home much like his ancestor did. He may not have been a direct descendent of Riggu, but he certainly felt like it. He gripped his trident harshly, his mind racing with what he would do to the island. He knew the badger lord was there, and if he was lucky, would face him and his sons in battle. Maybe even kill one, or better yet, capture one. Pulkan Greeneyes however called behind him, melting away his sadism. "Sir Minto, could you help me for a moment?"

Minto turned, with Kurgle and Pulkan struggling to put on the armor that Minto requested they take. It was a well padded armor, lighter than what they were used to, with a nearly blinding helm. Kurgle, as a warrior, was more used to it, but what neither were used to was the large shield they wore in the front like a breastplate. Minto helped Pulkan, his warped smile as he helped his younger cousin.

"We'll make a warrior out of you yet, young Pulkan."

"Thank you sir, although I don't understand why this is necessary. I'd prefer a breastplate."

"Believe me, this will be quite necessary. You two haven't raided before or gone into the waters of a contested landing, let alone boarded a ship. Heavier iron will sink you real quick and drown you in the sea, but these shields will protect you both. So do try to get used to them before we arrive."

"I don't get it." Kurgle complained "Why the helms? I can barely see out of mine!"

"Riggu Felis, my ancestor, was felled by a sling. The savages do love to use their slings, and believe it or not, they can most certainly hurt. These helms will protect you, believe me." Minto began to examine his ship, looking over the cats both he and Kurgle had brought. Kurgle had brought mostly a division of slavish vermin from a barracks in their swift trip, mostly sheepish looking rats, weasels, and foxes who were all branded with the Green Eyed mark, and looked down at Minto walking by them. In comparison, Minto had brought the newer soldiers his brother brought, the foreign gray cats who were more relaxed. Some were sharpening their spears, others were praying on matts they had brought in their packs. Minto looked outward to his soldiers, annoyed by their lax behavior.

"Minto, I don't fully understand. Why do we need such an army anyway? It's just another island full of savages." Kurgle looked over into the sea, the ships full of vermin, some pirates while others soldiers of Sandbeach.

"Green Isle has become quite a fortress, piercing into it especially with a group of badgers running about will not make our job easy. We'll burn down a port or two, capture some otters, and return unscathed. Easy in, easy out."

"I suppose, but you seem to think these slaves are a real threat." Kurgle scoffed.

"Up close? Oh no, I can slay them and gore them by the number. From afar? Otters use skirmishing tactics very well, and weaken their enemies before they slink up and make their kill. We will have to close the distance, before they pelted us with rock and arrow."

Kurgle nodded. He snapped at one of his new slaves, a former quarry slave who had not given him as much trouble and calmed to a broken life of serving him. He brought him a cup of wine which he chugged down "How can a meek creature like this be any real threat to the likes of us? I know you capture them, sure, but by the time we get them in the quarry, they obey like ants."

"That is because their families are held captive in Sandbeach proper." Minto reminded him. He turned his attention to the humiliated slave, and suddenly roughly grabbed him. He dragged him to the end of the ship. Pulkan was about to say something, as Minto grabbed a vermin's sling and put it and a single stone in his paw.

"I want you to hit my good cousin in the face, I know you can do it slave, and if you hurt him, you will be free."

"Cousin Minto, I do-"

"Do it now, or you will be fish food."

The slave gulped and loaded the stone. He feared Minto far more than Kurgle, and had good reason to. Kurgle stood still, a bit frozen in fear as his own slave whirled the stone expertly and let it loose. It hit him in the jaw lightly, with Kurgle feeling a sudden gasp of pain. He spat out, surprised just how much it hurt. Minto wasn't very shocked, taking the sling harshly from the slave's paws and giving it back to the vermin he stole it from.

"See what I mean."

"Owe! How can a stone hurt that much!" Pulkan quickly tended to Kurgle as Minto took up his trident. He came over to the otter, who suspected no less of being slain regardless of what he did and closed his eyes to accept his fate. Kurgle however called out "Nay! He be mine to deal with, cousin Minto. I believe you made your point quite well."

"As you wish, Kurgle."

The slave opened his eyes, but despair still ran through him, for in the distance was his home. Green Isle's misty shores laid far into the distance, and soon they would be home, if only for but a terrible moment.
_

Minto's fleet of raiders tried to keep their distance, but a fleet of their size was not easy to miss. Minto had his fleet pull back to a safe distance and began to circle the isle, sending his own ship out to scout out a means to getting to a new beach for which to land. Raiding Green Isle was becoming more difficult, as the otters pulled out new war galleys to fend off the raiders. Over raiding the isle had been a serious issue which made these raids more and more dangerous. Kurgle and Pulkan joined Minto at the front of the ship, looking into the distance of Green Isle. Minto looked for a specific beach, one which he had visited before, as he would often circle the isle in his seasonal raids. It was a less defended beach in an area which wasn't as developed, a couple small ruins of a fishing village had long since been abandoned as a marker for him. Pointed to the ruin on the shore line, half of the ships moved forward, for which would make landfall.

Minto had the galley slaves below his ship unshackled from their oars, ordering them to beach his ships, while the remainder of the fleet kept away. They would act as reinforcements and support if things went wrong. As the prisoners of the galleys were touching down back onto their home, they heaved their prison ship by ropes with their masters behind them. Minto looked on at the high cliffs and hills before him, taking in the fresh air. Kurgle and Pulkan were mystified by the island, having never seen such a land like this, the cold wind brushed against them as Minto turned to his cats.

"We have a limited time table before our enemy figures out we are here. We know the badger lord and his hares are here as well, and we cannot afford to dally long. We will raid the more undefended settlements and hamlets, and if I am correct, this is Galedeep lands. This east coast will provide us only limited cover, and if any creature falls behind, they will be left behind. That includes you Kurgle and Pulkan."

Kurgle understood and nodded. Pulkan only gave a meek gulp, his anxiety was overcoming him. An appreciated paw to his shoulder by his lord and half-brother Kurgle calmed him as Minto spoke.

"Captains. You will move silently, as to not cause alarm. The slavers and taskmasters will follow more slowly behind, carrying a cart of our chains and shackles. Our hunters will disregard any longer weapons such as spears, and we will primarily be using nets and Bolases. Captain Kurgle? Perhaps you should inform your lesser vermin of our main motives here. We are here for slaves, not loot."

Kurgle stepped forward and looked over his smaller and less experienced host of vermin. Most were Mossflower vermin, forcefully recruited. He looked them over with partial disgust "You will do as my cousin Minto requests of you. Throw down spears and take up any smaller weapons."

Minto planned out his assault in the meantime, drawing in the sands of the beach sands of the isle. He pointed to some areas "There is a good deal of hamlets and unwalled villages. You are to kidnap along the way, but our many targets shall be here and here. Slaughter only those who dare fight back, capture their women. Their children. We will take them back to Sandbeach in chains to await the mercy of my mother and father, and make them weep for every cat they slew those many seasons ago!" The group awaited for night, not knowing that in the cliffs above them, a hare and a sea otter looked down upon them. One of Doufy's commandos looked on, hidden along with his companion. The two looked at each other, and slinked away.

Galgor and Sarlo were still arguing in the throne room, which could be heard from the bottom hall. Salgor and Dagor were in a rare form of agreement, as they stood next to the two otter princes who looked upward, the bursting cries of their fathers echoed through the halls. Some of the servants feared to even bound up the stone stairs to tend to either of them, as the two towering figures argued and blamed one another. Salgor couldn't hear much, but his father was in his accusing mood, unwilling to compromise. Gorgland and Canton only gave a sigh, knowing that their own father was in an accusing mood.

"They have been at it for hours." Dagor noted "I should be up there."

"As you so wish Dagor, but I doubt you'll change much."

Canton nudged his brother "What is pa arguing about even? Aren't we all friends, eh?"

Gorgland shrugged "Pa is angry because the hares didn't defend Black Beach, and the badger lord is angry cause. . .well, you know pa all too well. If I had known he would kill that poor prisoner like that, I would have just left him down there."

"Killing a prisoner, let alone torturing them." Salgor grunted with disgust "Your father should be ashamed as much as you."

"He was a slaver and a murderer, he was lucky to live longer." Gorgland snidely remarked. "Regardless, Pa says we will help you fix your ships, and I will escort you back."

"So what, are we helping each other or not?" Dagor looked dumbfounded.

"Honestly I have no clue. Pa could change his mind at any moment, or keep it for a thousand years. Ever since Ma passed, he hasn't really been the same. The clans are angry, and rightfully so. We can barely defend our own isle as we lose our people to these constant slave raids. Some of the skippers think we are secretly hoarding food somewhere for ourselves, while others are. . .well. . ."

"Well what?"

"Some of the skippers, especially those who lost a great deal of their clansbeasts and family, think we should surrender to the raiders. . .or fight them bitterly. All of them are tired of this conflict, weakened by years of brutal raids. Ever since our defenders, the Green Clan regiment, was destroyed, a lot of my people lost hope. The line of the Shellhound was nearly extinguished yet again."

Dagor looked horrified "Surrender? As slaves to the raiders? Now that truly is madness."

"Yet I have nothing I can say to them to calm them, they won't willingly surrender yet, but some of the clans and their patriarchs are growing more and more weak with each raid. They lose their young uns, their elders, their. . .pups. We are desperate, but Pa wants to think big on this, and its gotten us out of one issue so far. At least now the raids are ceasing. If they do go to Mossflower next, it will give us the time we need to recover and actually help."

"By our former alliance, you should be helping us regardless." Salgor coldly said. Gorgland shot him an angry glance, along with most in the room. Salgor shook his head "If they come to Mossflower, and they win, they will come for you next. No amount of preparation will help you then. Our rules and laws demand that by agreement to our old pacts, you should aid us as we aided your people in the past."

"If that is how you see it, badger, I'd rather not help you at all." Gorgland gritted his teeth. Before the two could go at it more, there was a sudden notice of silence from above. There was a padding of feet as Sarlo came below, the sea otter high king looked devilishly happy as he ducked into an armory and grabbed an axe. "My boys! He is here!" He yelped "Minto Greeneyes is Here, on me shores! Gorgland! Gather yer otters, we go to Galedeep's holt to whack that wretch from this world!" Gorgland was off right away, with Salgor and Dagor grabbing their own respective weapons. Only Canton had no weapon to take, trodding over to his brother who was commanding a captain to grab some of his slingers.

Canton attempted to take up a sword from a pile in the armory, but Gorgland slapped his paw harshly. "No. Not yet, lad. Yer too young, an ya know it."

"Come now, Gorgland. I can fight!"

"Not this enemy ya can't. I promise I'll take ya on a patrol one of these days, but not today."

As the otters, hares, and badgers were off from the keep, they left Canton alone, giving a sad sigh as he sat at the dining table in his finery.
_

Doufy was informed straight away and was already making plans, his original suspicions were confirmed, but he had not suspected such numbers. They did not have a lot of time before they set out, so it was a challenge to hasten his hares along. He gathered two group of commandos, but sent Murg Breakwave ahead with a group of clanbeasts to begin making preparations. Doufy had a plan, a rather complex plan which he argued with Murg for. Barfoof entered into Doufy's war room, with the commando loading a bolt into a crossbow, and who stared at his entering guest with little amusement.

"How come I wasn't informed, Doufy?" Barfoof shouted, angry at being left out of the loop.

"You weren't, Barfoof, we are in a haste. We will be amb-"

"You could have at least sent someone to tell me. Don't think I don't know your little 'game' here Doufy." Barfoof sounded furious, his paws gave a light shake as he stared with increasing hate at Doufy. Annoyed that he would have to deal with the rogue hare now, Doufy turned to his companions "Go to the village Murg will stay in, lads. I'll meet you there in short order, wot. Be ready to take vermin heads, and make sure your forest paints are well applied."

Doufy's group of scouts and commandos left in short order, leaving only the two in the room. Doufy raised his voice at Barfoof "Okay, Barfoof, you bloody bounder. We are going to kill some vermin, can we do that today or would you prefer we wait on you and your damn little cadre of idiots and sycophants to find a means of benefitting from it."

"You act as if I would mix in my personal issues in such a time like this."

"That is because you would. Like you are doing now, since we arrived. Don't think I don't know things, Barfoof, and don't pretend that Biggum doesn't know things either."

"Fine. Take Cemar then at least if you must leave me and my hares behind."

"I am not leaving any of you behind. In fact, they will be joining me. . .without you."

Barfoof looked at Doufy confused as he began heading out the door. It then dawned on him that whatever absurd plot Doufy had come up with was not in his own best interest and followed him out. "And, if I may ask, why are you taking 'my' hares."

"To show them what we are really fighting for, of course." Doufy scoffed "We are Long Patrol, we made our oaths, we show our enemies blood and vinegar, and we defend all good beasts from all manner of tyranny and vermin evil. Those poor lads need to know restraint and tactics, and I'll be the one to show them again. The talk you give them about conscription and the nature of our loyalties? Treason and rubbish I say."

"I see, the united Long Patrol must spy on one another."

"Only if some bugger like yourself makes it necessary." Doufy walked out into the fresh air of the dock, and lined up were a large group of hares, most which Barfoof recognized. In one battalion, Sarl was anxiously holding a spear alongside others, clearly shorter and fatter than his comrades. Doufy came up to Cemar who had been on the sidelines, and patted his back. "Looks like your coming after all, Cemar. Grab your armor and crossbow."

"Wait, wh-" Barfoof was about to speak as Doufy silenced him "Originally, I didn't think me good friend and comrade wouldn't come along, but I am glad you give your approval Barfoof. Isn't that right, Cemar?"

"Of. . .of course, sir." Cemar held back some disgust, as his friend was clearly in a tormentive mood. He obeyed, going back into his own barracks to grab his gear. Barfoof could only watch as divisions of hares marched off, leaving him alone with the injured and the sailors. Shren demanded to come along, but Doufy had him instead begin preparing a sea otter galley to begin a patrol, suspecting that reinforcements would be out to sea. However, seeing always the opportunity, Barfoof mosied up to Shren who was preparing a sea otter war galley. He had quite a plan of his own, and he would need Shren's help to do it.
_

On the evening road between Summerdell and Rigbane, an otter clansbeast and guard walked with a light tune. Knowing nothing of conflict, he was a simple creature, hailing from Galedeep's holt. His full name was Finalus Galedeep, but to his family, himself, and those closest to him in the tavern he liked to visit, they called him Fin. While a fisher once, his family was forced more inland, and had to stay with their uncle. His first and only thoughts were getting off his patrol and to slide back home, to meet with his wife and two baby pups.

He strode on the road, looking for trouble makers, but not the vermin he had originally signed up to fight. His chieftain assigned creatures like him to be on the lookout for youngsters from Summerdell's camps who had resorted to thievery and banditry, and occasionally keep a look out for raiders if they ever showed up. He was well armed, an iron helm covered his head, and had only some padded levy armor to keep him company. His clan wasn't rich enough to afford him an iron weapon, so he used mostly a sharpened stick, with a bundle of cheap javelins to his back. As he passed into an all too familiar forest, his thoughts were filled with what he would eat when he got home, or to formulate his favorite tavern story, or to not get accidentally gutted by a sword hanging in front of his nose.

Fin stopped suddenly and heard a sudden yelp and screeches around him. Before he could even move, let alone take up his weapon, he was shoved to the ground by a group of rats and was facing down two wild cats in green cloaks and foreign wear. The shields which clung like breastplates made them look weird to him as he was disarmed and his paws expertly bound by ropes.

Minto gave a cruel smile, revealing himself and taking up his trident to the underside of the nose of the sea otter in front of him. "Our first catch, and a decent one too." Minto exclaimed "Decent build, a patroller. Will make a decent laborer I believe."

"It depends on their spirit, Minto." Kurgle reminded him. Minto pushed his trident closer to Fin, giving a light scratch on his face as he was gagged with a cloth. From his whimpering and angry attempts to shove his captors away, it was clear he was frightened.

Minto was impatient, having decided to head out before darkness to begin kidnapping otters, but had very limited success. Fin was his only real capture, as one older patroller had fought to the death bitterly. Kurgle got a taste of otter tactics, the now very dead guard having turned expertly to throw several javilens at him, and was only saved when they clattered against his shield. Minto took the new captive to a campfire, and had him shackled to the chain lead he would soon chain many more too. Galedeeps were not new to these raids, and Minto knew the clan would fight bitterly every step of the way. However, Fin was younger then most Galedeeps and was more shocked and dismayed then in a fighting spirit. Fin knew full well what was happening, as he stared up at Minto, recognizing the devil himself from the terrible tales of the raids on his clan.

Kurgle took out the cloth gag, allowing the sea otter to breath again. He bent his knees down to the otter's level who was forced to kneel in their presence. "Now tell me, otter, the village we are coming up to. Is it yours?"

Fin shook his head "N-no. It isn't."

"A shame then. You could have provided a good amount of information. It's a small, unwalled farmstead." Kurgle ruffled his head playfully, but the sea otter slinked back in discomfort. "Now, little thing, do you have a family? Wife? Children? I would hate to separate you from your kin."

Minto kicked Kurgle lightly "It doesn't work like that, cousin." Kurgle stood up and rolled his eyes as Minto came closer. He brought his paws down on the sea otter's face, scratching at it a bit as Fin yelped in pain. He looked wide eyed in fear as Minto, with bursting hate looked into his eyes.

"Tell me what we want to know otter, the hamlets. Where are your least defended hamlets. You should know the ones. Perhaps, if you tell us, we will visit yours last and spare your family, maybe to toil cleaning floors in Sandbeach's barracks instead of on oars or in the quarries."

Fin didn't have many options, gulping loudly he blurted out anything the wild cat wanted to hear, just to avoid his face getting more scratched up. "Galad! There be a hamlet near Galad! Stop! Please!"

Minto retracted his claws and looked over his gathered gang of slavers "Then to Galad we go. As for you, slave, I am a cat of my word. However, if you prove us wrong, your painful death will be a folk tale for years to come, along with that of any family you may have."
_

Minto and Kurgle marched through the unpatrolled woods, they made their way northward but soon stopped at a small village called Galad. It was a small farming settlement, meager in size and barbarian in the eyes of the two wild cats and their retinue. Dragging behind Minto was Fin, barely able to keep up as the cats and their allies began to surround the village. Fin felt humiliated and depressed, seeing what the raiders would soon do to the village. It was nearly night as the group waited patiently, but as the night began, Minto began to notice some subtle differences. The most important of which was that there no otters around, not even pups playing outside the small hamlet. Minto approached the village with two guards, and began to ransack through the homes where he discovered a sight which terrified him. There were no otters, no signs they were there at all. Minto went to the town's central board, finding a single evacuation order. He angrily crumpled it in his paws, finally noticing a large number of tracks leading outward towards the walled towns which he purposefully avoided.

Minto returned to the brush and angrily shook the otter Fin "What trick are you playing, you damnable beast! Where are they!"

Fin didn't know either. He was fearful for his life, but he had nothing else to say to the wild cat. Minto came up to Kurgle and whispered to him "Now we can leave. Gather your beasts, we leave now."

"Now? We only got one creature. Certainly we can go for his fa-"

"No, we leave now you idiot. This smells too much like a trap! They wouldn't evacuate unless they knew we were here! The beach must have been watched."

"What if they are already at the beach?"

"They would have attacked sooner, more than likely they are setting up an ambush. We move. Now." The two Wild Cats got up, but as they did, a distant and thunderous cry was heard from the far off brush, followed by several shrieks of frightened and soon to be dead vermin.

"Eeeehhhh aayyyyyyy ehhhhhhhhhh!"

"Eulaliaaaaaaaaa!"

A group of badgers, two large and impressive creatures crashed through the brush. One with a war axe cleaved off the head of a foreign cat with such might, it sent it flying into the abandoned village. Joining them was the Galedeep Skipper in his armor, leading his clanbeasts personally into battle. Minto called out to Kurgle "The vermin are expendable, save our cats! Lead them to the ship, I will keep them busy! I shall meet you there!"

Kurgle obeyed, taking their one prisoner, Minto charged ahead with sudden and sadistic bravery, charging his trident into a clansbeast with full force. Rallying the vermin to him and some of his own, he held the line against the onslaught. However, he soon found himself far more outnumbered and outmatched, as he saw several bolts of crossbows fly out and hit into his protected chest. The otters retreated only a little ways as Long Patrol under Doufy fired volley after volley into the raiders.

Doufy and Galgor met up in the main hold of the Galedeeps with a full army, and when several patrols went missing, Biggum and Doufy correctly guessed that the vermin raiders were heading towards Galad. They were right, Doufy having spotted them and convinced the Galedeeps to abandon some of the villages to bring the raiders more inland, mostly so they could catch them with a full force. Minto called a retreat into the village, but he himself did not join them, and instead began to run and disappear into the brush. Followed closely by Doufy and Cemar who were slaying the vermin together, they fired bolt after bolt into Minto who nimbly avoided being killed. Several shots grazed his fur and arms, but the warrior kept on as his force of raiders made a hasty retreat back to their ship.
_

Two foreign cats were on the beach, playing a game of chance with fish bone dice. The two gray cats were joined by two rats who looked curiously at the game, and followed by Kurgle's personal sea otter servant. He was the only one allowed back onto the beach of Green Isle, watched over carefully by the raiders. The two foreign cats were counting their blessings, allowing the three watchers to join on into their night time game. Both rats were from Mossflower, their cheeks branded with the mark of the green eye which still made them fairly uncomfortable. They may have been a higher beast compared to the slave next to them, but to the feral cats themselves, they were just as subservient. It was odd to them that the foreign cats invited them at all, being more used to others being overly cruel and gawking at their own sense of superiority.

"That will be twelve boints, Zauk. Ha! Your luck drains with each an' every game!"

"I swear by the ancestors, you cheat like a stinking seal! A box be upon you. You three, you join into se game, yes?"

One of the rats looked over the strange game "Well, how do we play?"

"Simble! Roll dice, an's if it lands on 6 or 1 you subtract boints, 2 and 3 are added boints, 4s are re-rolls."

"An odd game." The sea otter noted. One of the foreign cats gave a strange laugh. "Slave beast think this is odd, eh? You should see that city of infidels and pretend cats we now live in now!"

"Don't let the boss hear ya with that." One of the rats noted "You think all this is strange too?"

"Strange, no. Betty, yes. If we were in Kalrio, we would be serving better lords. At least they have temple, yes. Se one named Tarlo at least be decent cat. Unlike this Minto. Build city they do with nothing but slaves, an' not sell them? Now that be true madness."

The five were enjoying their game in a brief comfort away from their roles under the lash of their masters, the foreign cats sharing stories of their past commands. One revealed more of his home country, far into the jungles of a land on the western continent. The other revealed he was in fact half-royalty, his father owned a spice farm. The group was in comfort, up until coming down from the high hills were groups of cats, yelling and screaming. The group turned to attention, as shortly behind them, Minto and Kurgle were dragging a small army of angry hares and otters. The slave of Kurgle smartly made his escape, rushing towards the defenders in his bid for freedom, and escaped into the arms of a Hare gracefully. His companions on the other hand he had been enjoying a nice game with did not fare better, and were swiftly taking wounds from sling stones and javelins.

Quickly rushing to the ships, the remaining raiders raised alarms as Minto called up for the raiders to raise shields as he and Kurgle made their way to their war galley. "Get the rowers rowing! Now!" He screamed, angrily yelling orders. Archers from the ship began to fire down on the otters trying to board them, as Galgor came bounding down along with Sarlo Wildlough. Sarlo was deeply disappointed as he yelled out "They are getting away! I hope those damn ships are coming up to trap them in!"

Adam came up shortly behind, not being a fighting beast on the ground. He proudly looked over the battlefield, seeing Biggum commanding his hares to return fire at the ship. "Those vermin raiders won't escape. My commodore shren is. . ."

"Right there?" Galgor noted. Adam looked out to sea, looking on with surprise as a sea otter galley seemed to bound from nowhere. Before the wild cat galley could even turn itself around and make it way back out onto the ocean blue, it was rammed to its back by the war galley. Shren and a group of hare marines were already boarding the ship, with Minto and Kurgle barely able to hold them off. Pulkan, who had stayed on the ship, acted swiftly and began chopping down a lifeboat. Minto, always impressed by Pulkan's pragmatism, shoved Kurgle to the side of ship where the lifeboat fell "Abandon ship! Take the prisoner with us. ."

"What about the others?"

"What about the others."

Unknown to the fighting pirates and vermin, being swiftly slaughtered by otters and hares, Kurgle and Minto fell into the lifeboat with their prisoner. They hoped to secretly boat themselves away, only to have otter marines taking pot shots with javelins at them. Minto could hold them off with his trident, but was sustaining injury after injury as Kurgle and Pulkan rowed away. The otter marines only backed off when Minto took up his prisoner, putting his trident to his throat, threatening to murder his prisoner if they came closer.
_

Cemar and Doufy came onto the deck of the vermin ship, both firing their last bolts into two foreign cats who had been more successful holding off the Galedeep otters. Several otters rushed below the galley, as the two heard the pained and loud screams of the taskmaster below, and the jubilant cry of rescued galley slaves. Shren was onboard the sea otter galley, with Barfoof and Uldan looking over the side at the pathetic sight of Minto and Kurgle trying to hold off the attack.

Doufy came over, hiding his anger as he came to Shren first "I thought you would be hunting for their reinforcements Shren."

"Bah! What reinforcements will there be when I am done with them! Besides, we got their main ship, and we'll be pulling out. . soonish." There was an issue however. In the ramming of the wild cat galley, they had broken their own ship, which was obvious to Doufy. Barfoof looked over the side railing confidently, with Cemar loading one final bolt into his crossbow. Doufy came over, with Shren yelling out hollow orders to get the galley moving again. Any other sea otter ships would be commanded by Gorgland, who was gathering up a task force to surround the sea raiders. However, their galleys were slow in doing so, which worried Doufy.

Barfoof called down to Minto, who held his trident to the throat of Fin, the sea otter guard whimpered as he begged to be let go. Shaken by what was happening around him, the captive struggled.

"Let the otter go and surrender, criminal! Your jig is up!"

Minto called up "You should be the one to surrender, hare! My father commands the very seas themselves!"

Doufy said to Cemar "I don't like it. Even if you snipe the bugger from here, the other two could finish him off. The otter marines are keeping their distance for good reason."

"Its a risky shot, but even this wretch knows hes been had."

The sea otter galley hadn't pulled away yet, as Shren angrily came forward "We are stuck in the enemy's ship! We hit her too hard!"

Barfoof nor Doufy looked concerned at this, at least at first, up until one fast vermin pirate ship came forward. Thanking whatever spirits they worshipped, the vermin galley rowed fast and hard to the aid of the two wild cats. They saw only a small group of survivors, as one ambitious sea pirate bound to Gashan wished to make a good name for himself. The pirate galley pulled in closer. Seeing their opportunity to escape, Kurgle and Pulkan took to the oars and rowed themselves out to sea more towards the ship. Their prisoner held firm, Doufy angrily looked to Barfoof "We could have had this ship out to sea you idiot, ready for a situation like this." Doufy angrily turned to shren "I don't know or care what you need to do, but we need this ship moving now!"

"We can't! The front is too damaged! We will sink, whether you like it or not!" Doufy couldn't help to see his query escaping, and neither could the otters. Prisoner in paw, Minto gave a sadistic smile as his whimpering prisoner was pressed more into the trident. Then in a sudden instant, a bolt went into Fin's head, killing him in a sudden instant. Minto was shocked as he let down the dead prisoner into the water, and soon realized he had lost his meat shield. Cemar stood on the silent and mortified deck, the hare angrily looking on at Minto. The sea otter marines, horrified by what happened, soon realized that without the prisoner to act as a shield, descended both on Fin's body and the wild cats. The wild cats skirmishes with their foe, and finally found themselves onto the smaller pirate ship which was soon sailing into the distance. Injured, beaten, and humiliated, the wild cats silently rested on the floor of their rescuers.

"Take us to Sandbeach, and take us there in silence." Minto ordered the captain of the meager raiding ship. Taking the answer as satisfactory, the sea vermin raised their sails and went into the distance.

Doufy looked like someone had murdered him, he came swiftly over to Cemar and disarmed him of his crossbow which the commando allowed without a fuss. "What have you done, Cemar!" Doufy demanded.

"I saved him, Doufy." Cemar sadly retorted, slowly putting his paws behind his back.

The following day was an awkward series of conversations, with Cemar Briggs having remained mostly silent. Doufy was still in a state of shock, he had practically left himself in his command room, unsure of what to do. He and Cemar were close, they both served as elite scouts and commandos, both having done impossible things for the sake of Mossflower. Cemar however did something that only a vermin would do, killed some poor prisoner right before his very eyes. Cemar was held temporarily in Summerdell, likely being interrogated not only by his own lord, but by the high king himself. More than likely, Salgor would have argued heavily for the hare to be held to account by Green Isle law, which to Doufy would have been far more better than whatever law the badgers had. There was a great deal of talk around the hares, and a lot of yelling between Adam, Barfoof, and Shren. Yet, instead of making Barfoof less popular, he seemed to have only grown in strength.

Barfoof allowed an enemy to escape, sure, but he also very publicly saved a lot of tormented sea otters in several galleys. His dramatic entrance was almost a perfect ploy, and entirely by accident. He and Biggum discussed what had happened in detail, and neither he nor himself could explain what was coming over the Long Patrol. Perhaps it was those years fighting a desperate war with Kasg. Maybe it was always there, hidden like a poison deep in our gut. Maybe we are all just tired of war, pushing onward with no goal except to survive. Was Barfoof right about some things, and even the badger lords wrong? What if we are all wrong. The thought pushed Doufy further into thought, his eyes lazily looking over the maps of Green Isle. There was a victory today, a great and impressive victory, one which may turn around the otter's woes. Yet, it didn't feel like a victory, it felt like a mess.

There was a knock at the door and Doufy turned to it. "Come in. You aren't bothering anyone."

Much to his dismay and surprise, Cemar came in. His face cold and bland, regret and stress tearing away his age. He saluted Doufy, who did not return it. Doufy instead calmly came over and closed the door behind him, and grabbing Cemar by his jacket threw him into a wall.

"What is bloody wrong with you!" Doufy demanded "You killed that captive creature. Why! I demand to know why!"

"You wouldn't have caught up with him, Doufy, you and I both know that."

"There was a chance!"

"Gorgland wouldn't have caught the ship in time, it was a risk, and I took it." Cemar did not resist as Doufy slammed him again into the wall. "I want to know something, friend. I want to know what bloody fool idea caused you to do this. I'm surprised you aren't being hanged for what you did."

"I told Galgor and Sarlo my thinking, and let me go on conditions, Doufy. Perhaps I should show you what I mean."
_

It was the middle of the night, as Cemar and Doufy walked the lonely path out into western Green Isle, past the villages and farms. They were nocturnal creatures by habit, having spent many years fighting and scouting in total darkness. Cemar was silent, except for only to explain that Galgor would have had him punished severely had it not been for Sarlo. Sarlo showed mercy to him, but under the conditions that Cemar would forward any pay he had in the Long Patrol to the dead otter's family, and would never return to the isle. Salgor wanted an execution, angry that Cemar and Barfoof again flaunted the dignity of command, but only retracted his statement when his father interjected. Doufy was furious of Shren's fragrant glory mongering when he was reminded of it, but blamed himself for leaving Barfoof alone with him on the docks. Barfoof had convinced Shren to a naval landing against the pirates rather than the meager reinforcements which likely awaited outside. The battle at the shore was swift, and killed a large host of vermin at only a few lives of their own. The two old friends walked down the path to a large cottage at the far end of a path, near a walled settlement.

Like a silent ghost, Cemar pointed to the cottage. Doufy was suspicious, but allowed himself to go along with it. The two came up to the door with Cemar knocking on it. There were lights in the room of the cottage, as the door opened. Murg Breakwave looked up at the two. "Oh. Hello Cemar. Doufy." He said and yawned "How may I help you? I hope that report on. . .our failure to catch Minto was okay."

"It was fine, some small spelling mistakes, but fine, lad." Doufy nodded. He turned to Cemar, not sure what the hare was getting at bringing him to Murg's home. Cemar broke the mood "May we come in, were quite famished."

"Oh. Of course." Murg welcomed his guests into his home. It was quite a nice cottage with wooden floor and many wooden and stone baubles hanging about of grand and artistic design, with baskets of supplies hanging about. It was a very decent home, almost luxurious to Doufy all things considered. His own family home was a hole in the ground by comparison. Another sea otter in a nice apron came around a corner "Oh! Cemar, nice to see you again." She said Murg's wife kissed the hare between the two cheeks. Cemar explained to Doufy "When I was out in the country the other day, Murg invited me back to him home for some brunch. Ever had lobster before, Doufy? Its all the rage now-a-days, wot."

"I would love some." He loudly said, but then as the two went back to the kitchen to prepare a larger meal, he looked annoyed "Is there a point to this, Cemar?"

"Yes." Cemar whispered back "Come. To the kitchen."

Once in the kitchen, Doufy saw a large and strong looking otter, who was younger but yet taller. He looked sadly down at some dishes he was cleaning. Murg came over to him, taking a dish out from his paws and putting another one in. The pile next to him was massive, and they were all clean. Doufy looked confused as Cemar came over. Murg introduced him to Doufy. "Doufy, this is my son. Vager. Vager, why don't you say hello."

The otter looked to the hare, speaking with a horrified fright in his voice. "H-hello. Na-nam-name's Vager, sir. Vager Brokenwave, yes. No, no. I mean. I am sorry. I am. . ." Murg silenced him as he nearly dropped his plate he was cleaning. Sitting his son down on a stool, he was overly apologetic. Quickly taking him into her paws, Murg's wife spirited him away upstairs as Murg could only but look on sadly. Eventually, he followed them as Cemar beckoned to Doufy.

"Take a look and see, Doufy von Evergreen." Doufy followed Murg upstairs into the attic of Murg's home. Vager Breakwave was in a constant state of mortification, holding onto the paws of his mother tightly. Murg stood on a stool next to him, unable to say anything more to comfort him. Doufy stood next to Murg, who looked up at the hare, with a sadness in his eyes. He had the hare follow him back down stairs, knowing what he would explain to him would only upset his son more.

"Barbo Senger stole my son five years ago when he was a young soldier, brave like I was at that age." Murg explained, pouring the two hares and himself some ale. "Instead of killing him when we boarded his ship, he took him instead. He was forced to row his galley for three years, and 'serve' him as a servant for the remainder. We only recently got him back when he fumbled his attempts to steal more of my people."

"Was his captively that bad? Was it personal?"

Murg nodded "He took special care to torture me with the fact he held my son for so long. The only comfort he got was cleaning the stout's dishware. It broke him, it broke him brutally into. . . that." Murg looked upstairs with clear contempt and anger. "Now he is constantly afraid. He saw a lot of good folk and friends perish solely to get at him, and every time he hears the word 'Barbo', he practically jolts in fury. We try to bring him back to reality, but I fear he may be too far gone." Murg looked teary eyed, but held them back. There was a call from upstairs as he rushed upward.

Cemar looked to Doufy "That is what I saved that otter from." He said, taking a swig of his drink "You may not know it Doufy, but you aren't going to save them all. Barfoof is right, we need to take the fight to the vermin, before they turn us all into. . .that. Mindless, drooling cogs in some war machine, to be tormented and gored for the remainder of our lives."

Doufy looked at his friend and squinted his eyes "You know more well then I do that we can rescue them. We've done it before, we can do it again. You may have given up, friend, but I never will. If you are so set in your beliefs, there is a knife on the kitchen counter. You can go up there and slit his throat, right then and there, and 'save' him forever."

"It is not how that works, and you know it, friend."

"Is it? You think I don't think about these kinds of things, Cemar? You think I take this kind of thing for granted? I care deeply about these kinds of things, mate, I care more deeply than you think you know. We will help those creatures out, but don't think it will be 'saving' them from life itself. We will find the Green Eyed Horde, we will find them and kill them like any other vermin wretch out there. You mark my words."

Cemar shot him a pained look "I hope to mark your words, you bloody fool. I hope you are right, I truly do. I just know better."