Chapter 19: To Reign and Serve in Hell

On the docks of Sandbeach, a ferret and an otter sat on a box awaiting their orders. While in theory the ferret was a soldier and of a higher station then that of the otter next to him, he certainly didn't feel like it. The sea otter sighed deeply, as he was given a temporary rest from his long and exhausting work of carrying cargo between ships and the dock's warehouse. His shackled feet swayed with the sea wind, and his heavily scarred back gave a slight twinge of pain even just sitting down. The ferret wasn't much better, for despite having a spear which was leaning on the box, he hid his own almost equally scarred back beneath his armor and clothes, a brand mark of an eye still tingling his cheek whenever he ate. The ferret had to admit that despite being a soldier in the Green Eyed horde, he was as lost and slavish as the sea otter next to him, the two had struck up a rare and casual friendship in their captivity.

The two were lorded over by their master, a feral cat who was looking over at a group of approaching ships coming to dock in the harbor. They were wild cat ships, but ones for which had sailed off earlier from the cat's harbor. The feral cat waited patiently on the docks as the sea otter and ferret awaited their orders. The two had a rather morbid game they had been playing for several seasons now, guessing the cargo of the ships which would dock soon.

"I bets it be yer kind, otter. I thinks they went northward, which is where a good number of Green Isle's colonies be if I am correct."

"Nay. I bet me rudder its vermin. I thought I saw it turn when it left, towards the eastern coasts of Mossflower."

"Ya bet yer rudder? What am I goin do with a rudder, otter. I'd prefer vittles to be all honest."

"Oh ya wouldn't like the vittles these whiskered fiends feed us, I bets they'd make your own stomach turn."

The vermin soldiers shook his head "No doubt, wouldn't surprise me much if they feed us the same damn thing."

The two heard a sudden whipcrack over their heads, as they stood at attention, their master furling up his whip which they had not noticed he had taken out. The soldier took his spear at attention, both fearfully looking at him, and then down onto the ground of the stoney docks. The feral cat hissed at them both "You two do not speak unless spoken to. Now stay at attention." The feral cat paced out, with a worried glance. Both began to whisper once he was far off away.

"He be in a bad mood this mornin."

"No doubt. Now be quiet before he comes back." The two awaited, standing on the docks. Both equally hated their time here, both knew if they didn't obey they would be lashed harshly. A moment of truth arrived as the ships docked in the harbor to see which one was right. Several vermin began to climb out, but yet neither of them had won their bet. Much to their shock and surprise, a large group of strange figures moved through the crowd. Large, terrifying, and dubious figures.


A white sea otter was scrubbing the floor of Sandbeach's palace, sighing abruptly while he looked at his reflection in the sheen of water and marble. It reflected a sad and frightened face, one for which blurred heavily as he scrubbed away. Lumbert did not consider himself very lucky, even though compared to the others outside the walls of the palace, his life was comparatively spoiled. He may have been well groomed and well fed, but he was beaten and weary as any other. He wasn't as bored or sad as the other slaves in the halls of the Greeneyes, but rather exhausted from non-formal duties. Lumbert would occasionally look up, looking about with curious eyes, as the albino looked around him. He was currently in some small hallway, the early light shining through the ornate wooden windows like a dancing light upon him and the several other slaves cleaning the marble floor. The two slaves, also fellow sea otters from Green Isle like himself, looked at him a bit confused. He was not a normal part of their work crew, and certainly didn't look as starved or beaten like they were.

Lumbert was listening intently, silently aiding the others and only slowed when he heard panicked footsteps coming down the hallway. Two wild cats, both arguing with one another came by. Lumbert lifted a hood to himself and shifted himself so that he was facing the front of them, hiding his tail beneath his body. The other two continued working, but were anxious to question the strange servant.

"Worthless, double dealing, baggard! How could he do this to me, his father! If he were here now, I would tan him right now!" Shaer Greeneyes yelped. Lumbert could recognize the voice, the cruel and bumbling voice was not hard to miss, nor was the accompanying voice of Burba Greeneyes, or Burba Blon as she was preferred to be called.

"Don't you threaten Kurgle like that, it isn't his fault Minto called him out! Besides, your plan was stupid anyway, and it would have never worked!"

"Minto's fault? More like your fault, you silver spooned witch!" The two stopped at the feet of the three cleaning slaves, Shaer snapped at them in silence with his paws and they moved aside meekly. They stopped in the hall, ignoring the slaves they knew would never talk, even as they openly spoke against their liege lord. After all, what is an otter's word against a wild cat's. A slave's word to the brother of the emperor's. Shaer scoffed and brought his wife to his side "Listen here, Burba, Milo is going to call the entire host to war, the start of fasha's plans. My plan was perfect, while he was gone, we would have used our combined control over the isle to starve out my accursed brother, and take the crown with our influence. These dumb brute guards take money, not promises."

"Except for the fact it still failed! You promised me we'd be rich after this, and where are we now! I am not going back to that quarry to get dust in my eyes of our worthless home and spend my days and nights listening to worthless slaves scream into the night!"

"And you won't, but not until the armies leave for Mossflower, which is today." Shaer weakly reassured his wife "However, we still need a lackey to take over the forestry. I am starting to think Milo or even his foul tempered wretch he calls a wife is suspicious of us."

"Oh don't get me started on that mange tailed, hill toothed, creeper!"

"Shhhh! Don't mention her! You know full well how that. . .thing. . .can be!"

"Oh what, Maria Felis's stern eyes a bit too much for my 'brave' and 'intelligent' husband to handle, unlike that alley cat you were so fond of visiting!"

Shaer hissed "Hey, I didn't know she would. . .I. . .Oh, you scummy, useless, alley cat! Trash ridden soured scum!" The two were about to come to blows, but relented, not wanting to look foolish or silly.

Burba collected herself and snarled "You best get a lackey on our side of things in this little plot of yours, or I am going to make what Kurgle did to those rebellious slaves in the quarry look like a vacation compared to what I am going to do to you!"

The two left, clownishly trying a mixture of looking both united in their overbearing and golden finery, while also aggressively antagonizing one another. Lumbert looked up and was commented to by one of the slaves who scoffed at them.

"If that Milo was any more like that lot, we'd be free by now I bets."

Lumbert sighed and agreed, getting up and slowly moving up.
_

Lumbert was at the door to Lady Maria Greeneye's chamber, and had to prepare a rather delicate and difficult task. Maria had been his mistress for years now, and silently he paced in the beautiful and serene silence of the castle. Maria was a difficult wild cat to serve, she was specific and easily to displease. Lumbert fiddled his paws, always unsure of what to say and at what time to say it. Lumbert gave a sad sniff and a cough before entering the room, his growing confidence ready to face Maria.

This was soon shattered when he had not only forgotten to knock, but upon entering, he saw something which he honestly did not wish to see. Maria was with a white wild cat who was about to get undressed. Lumbert cringed, closed the door and was backing away with wide eyed expression of having to realize he had just disturbed his mistress's hidden pass time, and having given her quite a fright. The white wild cat came out, sword in paw and looked down at Lumbert and was relieved to see him.

"Ah, whyte otter, you's given me quite a terryble fryght!" Maria was practically screaming from the outdoor "Who is it, Lougar! Did you kill it! Quickly! Get Lumbert, and clean up the mess!"

Lougar Whitefur was a foreigner, a strange and exotic fighter from far off lands in the west, and a veteran of several brutal fights. Not particularly idealistic, lusting for gold and adventure, he and his regiment of albino cats had been naturally drawn to the emperor's service and it surprised no one on the isle when Milo personally made him a captain. Like any cruel and sadistic vermin, he grabbed Lumbert by the throat and quickly pulled him inside, much to the increasing fury and dismay of Maria Felis who was putting on her fine clothes. She looked down, angrily at Lumbert as Lougar shoved him to the floor and rejoined Maria at her side, giving her a hollow kiss on the cheek.

Lumbert was well within Maria's inner circle, but only because he was useful to her as a common spy, and did not move up from the ground he was shoved to. Overly apologetic he began making his excuses, but Maria was not fully interested in his cowardice and silenced him. "Be quiet and speak of what you heard. What is my brother-in-law and his wretch of a wife up to these days?"

Both wild cats listened with a bored expression as Lumbert explained to them what he heard. Lougar was quite amused, although Maria was insulted "Mange tailed, hill toothed, creeper. An insult worthy of Burba's increasingly desperate vocabulary."

Lougar shrugged "Ey am certain she meant every word, my love. However, why bother yourself with such thyngs. If you so wish, Ey'll start makyng the arrests myself."

"That isn't how it works here, my white faris. Lougar, I do want you to start rounding up Shaer's closer subordinates. The more those two fools continue to hamper my husband's fool war, the more it hampers the coming tide against Green Isle. Be. . .discrete as usual of course my dear. I must, unfortunately, speak to my husband."

Lougar got up and got his favorite spear, shield, and pointed helm and was off. Lumbert remained on the floor in a position Maria rather fitting, uncomfortably remaining and paws and knees before her. "Lumbert, while I am gone, I suspect all my things clean. I don't have to repeat my litany of punishments I would force on you if you slack off, correct?"

The white otter shook his head as Maria got up and walked out of the room in her finery, leaving Lumbert alone. When he had first arrived, doing these vicious rituals, in that loneliness he would weep. Now, all he could do was stand alone, surrounded by the prison he could only call home.
_

Maria Felis, a name which spoke more pride to her then Maria Greeneyes. As she walked down the paths of the marble stone, she was in a short and brisk pace, heading towards her husband's office which he practically lived in. Maria had come to know her husband far too well, a creature of habit who lived to plot, a trait she would have admired in a close advisor rather than a husband who refused to bow to her. Maria walked with very little to her finery, a wild cat who did not delude herself in the finery and luxury of her villa home. She thought of herself as different, stronger and more intelligent than all those around her, especially the very slaves she would walk past.

The wild cat consort made her way past a group of Rudderwake otters, her daughter-in-law's servants who were discussing the coming day with each other. Maria noticed them, talking to themselves in low voices. She stopped, turning to them and giving them a harsh stare. The otters stopped, and for a moment looked at her, revealing eyes which burned with disgust. It was a watershed moment for the two, who realized what the cat wanted of them, putting their paws behind their back and meekly bowing their heads in her direction. Maria smiled, it was a desire to see such beasts in a proper place, a natural order of her world. Power. Power to look at a creature and they would obey without question, erasing thoughts to have them think of nothing else then to serve their betters. A fate for all such creatures which stand in the way of my ascension, of my coming conquest. When she left, she smiled deviously to herself.

A knock on the office of Milo Greeneyes brought him to the door's attention, and called out "I am busy, Morma. Just leave it on the floor, I shall get it later."

The voice which came on the otherside was of understanding, but also a mock fury "Call me by the name of that slave beast again, Milo, and see what happens."

Milo was in his comfortable and silver lined clothes, not in a crown but a green cap of his own special make with a tassel of gold. He had been at his desk, drawing up plans of his conquests with the map provided by his minions in Mossflower. Milo got up slowly and went to the door, allowing his wife to enter. He was silent, and looked at her with a cringed expression, unsure as to either try to excuse himself or bluntly tell her to go away. He sat down with Maria facing him, as he continued unabated with his planning.

"What do you want my wonderful, patient, and dear wife? I am busy planning out the making of my empire." Milo said sarcastically.

"Can I not share a moment with my dear and dutiful husband?" Maria recoiled in partial disgust, even though she had been quite sarcastic in turn

"You can, but I am still busy. Now speak, what do you want."

"I am wondering, it's no secret you will begin the war soon, that you and your father spend decades planning out. I sure do hope my husband would like his wife's advice on his claims to Green Isle, our enemy."

"This again?" Milo was distracted from his work and groaned. It was a casual response which Maria suspected of him "Maria, you and I both know that conquering Green Isle is child's play compared to Mossflower. All this planning isn't to capture a few more otters and rule over two islands, but to take Mossflower itself. I haven't sacrificed so much just so Mossflower could prepare for this invasion, it's all about secrecy, and keeping this grand horde together is no easy task."

"Minto at least shows enthusiasm for his ancestor's claims, while Tarlo is off conquering Mossflower for you, I would only ask you to leave me my own son to lead a grander and more serious raid."

Milo froze for a moment and breathed in, and Maria knew something was wrong.

"Minto is going to lead the main invasion of Mossflower once he returns, Maria. In fact, I will be pulling our pirates fleets away entirely for ground support."

Maria froze in her chair, not sure what she heard. She quickly hissed at him "What? Why?"

"Minto is my son as well, but the boy is aggressive and experienced. Tarlo is the one who will rule my empire when I pass, but Minto will be the one to conquer it for him. Once Mossflower is settled, Green Isle is next."

"Why not Green Isle now! You have tides upon tides of minions to do your bidding, why not Tarlo? I need Minto, you cannot just steal him fro-"

"He is not mine to steal, he is family, and as family he has a duty to his dynasty. My dynasty, not yours."

Maria was beside herself as Milo chastised her "Your obsession with Green Isle has haunted me for years, Maria. The fact Minto seems to agree with you wholeheartedly on these insane notions of control over them is honestly hampering me. I agreed to keep the otters here, under 'our' care when you asked, restricting their trade to the western cities. Your brother, rightly in my opinion, thinks this was a stupid idea. We have to trade the pirate loot we get from Gashan more and more just to feed them, keep them clothed, along with their overseers. Your family suffered as mine by the hands of the woodlanders, our families were nearly wiped out by them. I made my sacrifices, you can make yours."

Maria sat in her chair, and took a nearby wine glass and slathered it at Milo. Milo didn't react except give Maria a vicious glance as she pounded it on the ground and stormed off. Milo was soon joined by his personal slave Morma Puff who came to him with a rather ironic new glass of wine. The dormouse, looking at Milo surprised, quickly blurted out "I shall get you fresh clothes, my lord."

Milo sighed and nodded to his favorite slave "Yes. Please. It's going to be a long day."


Farther out in the western sea stand a small and rocky island with short cliffs. The island has no resources, no value by any other means, and no strategic importance. It was a sad little thing, a pathetic and nearly sunken place with no tree for shade, and not even the creatures of the sea washed up on the beach. The heat on the island was unbearable, a wretched place no creature who loved the sea or lived a decent life would wish to end up in. Yet, here stood a great stone citadel, a massive stone fortress which sat on the island's largest hill, overlooking waves and beneath it were two entire settlements. One settlement was a stoney outpost, full of taverns and warehouses, and another was a slave pen and work station, with a wooden barracks and stockade surrounded by high and depressing wooden palisades. Wharves and docks surrounded this island, filled to the brim with ships, almost all bearing the green flag of the Green Eyed Horde. What was perhaps the most important aspect of the isle itself was that it had a different kind of wall, beached and wrecked ships of many dragged away vessels lined the shores like a sea wall. Fishing trawlers, merchant vessels, and even warships all lined the beaches.

This place went by several changes in names, its ruler always changing its name to fit their own ends. The pirate who built their first camp here called it Gaskglog, named after his father. That pirate was murdered his first night, the second ruler called it Huspclaw's Beach after himself. A pirate maiden discovered the settlement, shot the previous ruler full of arrows, and named it Hamma's Land in honor of a fallen sister. She was poisoned by a rival, who took his slaves to the island and built the first fortress, which fell and was rebuilt by another rival on the other side of the island by the previous crew. That fortress still stands, renovated over and over again. On and on the wheel of time turned, more and more added onto the brutal settlement of vermin 'civilization', as generations of sea raiders ended up on the island. It was here where Gashan challenged the western pirate lord of the sea, a name stricken rat who madly cackled in the halls as he feasted away in laziness. Gashan slew him and took his home for himself, and with old tradition renamed the island to Gashan's Free Port. It was quite an ironic name, to say the least, for ever since Gashan had ruled, many slaves were brought to the isle, including fellow vermin from Mossflower who were press ganged into Gashan's fleet.

Gashan had returned to the island with a purpose, not only to get away from the business of Sandbeach, but to also attend his own meeting. Milo was to call his entire host of allies to war, including Gashan himself, but there were rules and laws to be kept. Even amongst the lawless rabble of sea raiders, they all abided by a code of conduct to prevent each other from murdering one another outright. On this island, it was neutral ground, as Gashan re-entered his halls and prepared for his coming guests, a massive wooden haul made to look like the mess hall of a grand ship, and the central piece of the fort. Sitting in the back was an ancient chair, not a throne, but a wooden chair. It was the first piece of furniture ever brought to the isle, and the humble throne of the pirates.

"You there, slave beasts!" Gashan called out to several sea otters, dormouse, and hedgehog slaves who swept up trash and gathered dishes from groggy vermin. "Clean out these tables, sweep der floor, an make room fer me mess mates!"

Gashan then pointed his sabre at one of his own crew "Get these land licking fools outta me hall! There be proper sea scum commin, an' room be needed it does!" The crewmates of the Pike's Revenge began to shift the vermin out of their chairs and kick them harshly out of the hall. Gashan sat on his chair, tended to by one of Milo Greeneye's 'gifts' to him after his valiant efforts to aid Minto in his raid on Green Isle a season back. He was a former sailor himself and Gashan's only personal assistant, looking much like a pirate himself except for a pair of manacles clasped to his feet paws, and carrying a small plate of hardy sea rations and a tankard of grog. Gashan gulped down his drink and ate, watching as his minions and servants went about their business, busily getting ready.

"Bah, what a bunch of land lubbers, I'd rather be at sea right now, eh Gols?" The sea otter only sighed "Aye, sir."

Gashan slapped the sea otter's back "Aye 'Cap'n' to you! I want no 'sirs' or 'masters' about it! I am Cap'n of the entire sea, an' me mates will know I take care of em! Ain't that right mates!"

Several sea rats shouted out "Aye, cap'n!"

Gashan smiled as his rowdy crew began to sing and hum a song, drinking away as much as 'helping' as they could.

I knew a rat from yonder shore, an idiot from Mossflower's bore

He joined a crew of killers, a danty chariot of beast

He asked em fer some vittles, and got a knife in his cleets!

They pushed an' robbed em, made him clean the decks

He took a knife to his throat, but he relents

He swore to make stew of em, to the evening sky

So he trained an' fought, till the day he died!

I knew a rat on a boat, a fool from yonder shore

Swore he did to kill his mates, but the mates found out

So they took a boulder to his chest, an tied him abouts

Threw him into the sea they did, laughing along

The rat met his end in the coral reefs, cursing all along!

Gashan joined in the midst of the chorus, his crew eager and happy as he shared their song. Even several of the vermin, new to Gashan's crew and 'sold' to him by Milo joined in the dandy tune. As vermin began to bring out pots of stew and hearty meals, opening expensive barrels of alcohol, and the slaves lit roaring fires for the pirates to warm themselves, Gashan felt ready to meet his peers. He sat back on his wooden chair, slumping uncomfortably in it. Gols occasionally would look at one of the younger slaves, a sea otter like himself, his daughter who was captured along with him. Gashan nudged him "Ya worry too much me hearty, once ya just accept that yer a no good sea raider, maybe ya an' yer pretty daughter can join us, eh?"

Gols did not speak, a bit embarrassed how Gashan was enamored with how much he wished to turn him into a sea raider in front of the others. He had resisted him, but it grew ever harder. Gashan laughed heartily, almost knowing full well that his servant would never go to his low.

"Look, if a slave like me self can become a lord of all pirates of this sea, I'm certain some dumb creature like yerself can put aside yer little morality to join me crew."

There was one particular reason Gashan liked Gols, as he was the only slave he had which had the gall to speak back to him, the otter giving him a nasty glare "With the way those Greeneyes treat ya, mate, I'd say yer still a slave in other ways."

Gashan chuckled, knowing full well he was right, but not caring for it one bit. Gashan drank away, awaiting for his peers to come.
_

One by one, captains of various pirate fleets began to enter the halls, arguing with one another as always. It was practically a tradition, as each fleet of sea raiders would file in and begin yelling their concerns and criticisms at one another. Two rat captains were wrestling each other over an old dispute, another shocked Gashan when he came in with a crossbow bolt to his shoulder, and another ill looking older stout was brought in by his loyal crew on a cot, sat down upright as he was apparently paralysed. The pirates were all sitting down at their tables in the hall, warming themselves by the fire pit in the middle of the room, and rowdy as ever. The slaves who served food envied those who worked in chain gangs outside, as the rude and disrespectful creatures they served were violent and bloodthirsty murderers. The only thing keeping them alive was the fact they feared Gashan a lot more than their need to prove a point. Gashan saw a favorite captain of his, Zarkle. The one-eyed rat nodded in silence when Gashan noticed him, and Gashan nodded back.

The weasel sat in his chair in total comfort, watching as the main host of his most powerful and influential allies came on in. The first was a northern stout named Pent Pigrider, a corsair much like Gashan himself, whose favorite color was blue. How Gashan knew this was simple, as Pent colored his sails in blue, his garb was blue, his first mate had blue painted armor, and his personal hedgehog slave had blue painted spikes. Pent was especially infamous, a sea raider who had arisen from odd circumstances when he used to follow the orders of Kasg the Craven, having once allied with the infamous black rat much to his advantage. Gashan and he used to be rivals for the same throne, but Gashan outbid him in the end. The stout took a seat, tended to his servant who poured him a blueberry wine from a pitcher. The stout loved to show off his wealth and prestige to the other pirates.

Then came a silence, as Gashan held his breath when another crew came into the room, the most infamous slaver and pirate of them all came. Not an enslaver of woodlanders, but an enslaver of vermin, a savage for which towered over most in the room and came with a disgusted look, a massive and scarred wearet named Scarn Bloodfist. The massive corsair covered himself in a red toga, wearing a dangling chain of ferret skulls as a long necklace. Beneath him were groups of slavish and terrified looking ferrets, the thrallish slaves of the wearet who lumbered over to the opposite side of Pent and sat opposite of him, unable to stand his hated enemy. Scarn growled at other captains who moved away, his attendants stood at his back as their captain and master looked about the room with increasing disgust.

The pirates laughed and discussed amongst themselves in their usual violent manner, vermin corsairs lived to fight, and fought to live. To the woodlanders in such an unfortunate audience, it was an abomination. To the vermin themselves, it was blissful. Gashan arose from his wooden chair and clapped, silencing the room as everyone looked up at him, coming down to greet them all.

"Maties, blunderers, raiders, corsairs, pirates, sea dogs, wave dogs, wretches, scum, sea scum, an' all you worthy lot!" Gashan twirled about the room, bringing up the joys of his subjects and guests alike "As ya all know, not too long ago, when I was but a wretched oar beast, I never thought I'd be here as yer friend an' equal. Now I am yer better!" Gashan and his allies cheered, while the others groaned. Undisputed, Gashan was 'lord' over all of them, every pirate owed him favor, every fleet of vermin raiders was in his pockets one way or another. Pent was introduced to Milo who allowed the pirates to sell his loot in his port for wood, grain, and lodgings. Scarn was saved from destruction when Gashan spoke on his behalf to the Green eyed emperor.

"As ya know, I take money an' supplies from the greeneyes, in return I tell em' that ya lot should leave em' alone, but I have new proposition fer ya all! A new deal, ya could say. Long have we raided to get the life we never had, long have we soiled the seas wit our ships in the vain hope of vittles an' loot we were denied by our wretched, unspoken lives! Well, the 'emperor' Milo wishes ya good tidings, me hearties! He wants to pay ya all out, to join his new expedition, a final one, one for which there will be loot aplenty fer us all!"

Pent looked over and was quick to raise objections "Oh? Gashan, you must know that sounds most stupid. What could that wild cat even be thinking. There are more pirates on the western sea than ever before, even as trade booms between north and south. Certainly we can avoid leashing ourselves to them."

"Aye, Pent, tis be true. However, do ya know what prize the Greeneyes were looking at? An' do be smart about yer answer."

Pent chuckled "Easy, Green Isle. They have done nothing but raid that island for seasons now, taking slaves of its people, much like some of your recent additions here." Pent grabbed the shoulder of a younger sea otter maid, pulling her close to him. Fearfully she tried to get away, as Gashan's own servant looked on in utter fright and dismay. Pent however let her go, as she scurried off as fast as she could. Gashan chuckled in return "Nay, in fact, ya be the wrongest in answer me ol' friend."

Scarn slammed the table, nearly breaking it. The wearet's eyes burned in contempt as he yelled out in an inhuman yelp "Tell us Gashan, and be quick! I have no time for such games."

"Mossflower. All of Mossflower, me gentlebeasts." Gashan raised a mug, much to the surprise of the corsairs. It was Milo's little secret, and it took a bit of murmur to discuss it. Mossflower was a big and bountiful country, not as prestigious as Southward or as chaotic as the north, a peaceful land which resisted invasion after invasion, and ate away at any corsair who dared run aground on its shores. Pent laughed "Mossflower? Are they mad?"

"Aye, an I am a mad beast who'd follow, along with all you lot. Can ya not see it me hearties, an' entire country, nay two entire countries open up its valuables to us. For once we have Mossflower to loot an' pillage, we'll sail to Green Isle an' do the same! We'll be rich, all of us, an more!" There was a joyous rapture in the room, but it was all swiftly silenced when another and late party joined in on the fun, loudly cracking open the doors of the all as all looked over at them.

A large and grim looking fox entered the hall, wearing a dirty and blackish looking pirate jacket, with a ruffled up hare's admiral hat which proudly still remained on his head, and a chipped ear from the battle he had with said hare he had taken his favorite hat from. The fox was accompanied by a motley crew of sea raiders from the north seas, including one ermine first mate who kept to his side. The fox grinned at Gashan who reluctantly and mockingly greeted him.

"Ah. Carch Viktor, I see ya invited yerself. How goes it, me ol' mess mate." Carch had a large satchel latched to his body, and pulled out a decapitated head of a rat which he casually threw into the fire. "Yer 'mates' best be keeping to der own part of the sea, Gashan. I kind got the invitation from Murgbor der. Ya can't call a moot of the seas demselves without inviting little ol' me, now could ya?"

Gashan bit his lip, and then smiled, motioning for him to sit. Carch naturally did not, and instead began maneuvering to a table to sit on its frame, knocking over tankards and stealing one to drink. "Tell me, Gashan, ya sea whipped oar beast, tell us how ya all want to put us on leashes to a green eyed menace who tries to raid me port! Maybe these lads really wanna be hearen what they do at Sandbeach. The brandings, the torture, an' slavery of those who do not swear to em', more so then what we do to the woodlanders."

Gashan chuckled "As always, ya gotta ruin a good thing Carch. I don't see it as a leash, I see it as an opportunity."

"I see. Scarn, ya are a smart beast, ya wanna be benden yer back to a wildcat?" Carch shifted his head, giving a confident smile at the wearet pirate who growled dumbly. "Nay! Gashan you scum, what is the meaning of this!" Gashan could see what his old rival, pirate 'lord' of the north sea was doing. The older fox victoriously drank as a conversation erupted and Gashan could feel he was losing control already. Gashan stomped his foot and spoke up.

"Carch gotta good point, but let me make me own maties. Sure, it looks like a leash to ya lot, taken orders from a wild cat who looks down on all vermin with equal disdain, who takes our good kin an' makes em' tame. However, I ask ya this, why do any of ya care? Ya are sea raiders and scum all, murderers an' thieves, born to pillage and take what ya wants! However, we are smarter den this lot of fools, an' a lot smarter to know that scum like Milo offerin us service for a nice price, an' that price be the loot of Mossflower itself! Let the wildcats have Mossflower I says, while we take what we want an' head back out to sea! You will all be rich, richer then ya are now, an' ever could be again! Whose with me!" It was quite an arousing speech, and Carch was speechless as the pirates were quickly swearing themselves to Gashan's cause. Carch took another sip of his grog. You dumb and pitiful fools, you don't know what any of you are getting yourselves into.
_

Gashan and his vast fleet of pirates were readying themselves to head to Sandbeach to meet up with Milo and his host. Pirate crews were loading their weapons and gear onto their ships, with Carch watching a sight which depressed him. He had gone to sea to get away from this kind of mustering, his time as a conscript taught him only one truth about it all, that these poor and unfortunate souls were lining up with gleeful smiles to die for some cause they had no stake in. Gashan was busy with his own ship, with Carch only having convinced a few captains to keep away from this mess. With his own plans having failed, Carch was about to get ready to head out, but not before meeting up with one captain in particular who bounded out of the hall.

"Zarkle, always good to see ya. Hows Sagan?" The one eyed rat came out from the main fortress, with Carch pushed up against the stone base of a tower. Under old and ancient traditions, pirates would not harm each other under neutral flags, but once they got out to sea, that could change quickly. Carch didn't want to give Gashan the chance, awaiting for him to leave. Taking his isle would have been insane, and Gashan knew this, which is why Carch was trusted enough to lay low on the island while Gashan was away, a small time insult to the fox pirate.

Zarkle turned to Carch and gave a friendly smile, the two had known each other when Carch and Sagan were young and ambitious pirates, both foxes as close as brothers at one point.

"Matey, even Sagan be flying the green flag. Ya know what happened in Sandbeach?"

Carch looked at him with disbelief "I asked how our mutual friend be doin, Zarkle, but thanks fer the stab in the back. I know ya be a honest beast, but remain honest wit me, I know full well Sagan would never fly a wretched flag like that on his ship."

"But he took der bribe regardless, although to be honest Carch, he did it fer his own reasons. Badger lord be out to sea on the Mountain of the Sea. A prize ya both sought when we were all decent an' young crew."

Carch shrugged "I don' gettet. Ya are a smart one Zarkle, ya gotta know this is all foolhearty. The greeneyes be wanting to put us all in chains if they could, marchen to der tune, like the warlords we all escaped from. Gashan is pulling you in by his tune, leaden ya all off a cliff."

"A cliff an' into a sea of gold, matey. Gashan be right, we will all be rich by the end of this."

Carch sadly and angrily chided him "Rich? What ya think happens when they take over, me friend, the Greeneyes gonna just leave ya alone? Ya will all be rich for a few seasons, until ya realize yer all their thralls one way or another. Ya may not be in chains like those woodlanders in der, or in the pens, but ya are all more broken in as der slaves. Gashan may be use to the life of benden low an' proper to his betters, but you, I, an Sagan knew better."

Zarkle chuckled "If ya really believe that, what ya gonna do? Fight em? Ya been tryen to remove em for seasons, mate, an' with little to show fer it. I think what we are doin is pragmatic."

"Pragmatism or is it boot licken?"

"Both, ya should make yer peace with Milo, eh. Get in on the deal."

Carch looked at Zarkle sadly "I wish ya could see what I see, matey. Ya are all goin to yer deaths, ya know it better then I."

Zarkle attempted to reassure the fox "Matey, we be freebooters an' sea scum, we will all die young but on the free an open oceans. Together as always." Carch and Zarkle made one last secret pawshake, watching his friend go off. Carch looked out over at the fleet, newly made green flags were now flying alongside black banners. The fox looked angrily at Gashan's ship, proudly leading his new founded fleet to Sandbeach.


Two rats were sleeping on bunks when they felt a sudden pain on their hanging off arms and a crack of the whip in the air. The two rats comically stood at attention, banging their heads against the low hanging bunk roofs, and nursed their paws. They were Mossflower gangsters, a pair of brothers who had once been common crooks who traveled the realm of Mossflower for their next big gig, one even having joked they should have traveled north to find a warlord to service or scam. Now they both regretted that decision, as they now lived on Sandbeach, their cheeks branded with the eye of their masters and their beaten down faces hurried along with others. One of the rats was gathering their weapons, another was putting on their green painted clothes and armor. They were both miserable, tired, and exhausted, as they stood at attention as one of their officers, a whip wielding weasel looked them over.

"Stand at attention you ill and miserable lot! The cap'n wants to inspect ya, for its a big and glorious day today it is. Good news you two, useless, cretans, you an' this lot are goin home!"

The rats froze for a moment, looking at each other in shock and dumbly were about to cheer, but another crack in the hall made them stand at attention. A feral cat came inside and began inspecting his vermin soldiers, accompanied by a black water rat who stood meekly at his side. The two brothers looked at this servant with worry, a vermin slave who was neither woodlander or one of the many Green Isle otters on the isle. The feral cat came to them, and put his paws between their teeth, seeing if they would react. Neither did, having gotten use to such treatment.

Their lord and captain looked over the vermin soldiers in the barracks "Whip this lot out and make sure they march in line, weasel. There will be no breakfast, we march to the upper quarter." The weasel slickly nodded and once the feral cat was out, a final whiplash at the sky filed out the vermin.

The two vermin wondered what they would eat, both whispering to one another as they marched alongside other unfortunates. "The hells they thinkun about Mossflower for, ya think it be another cruel jest?"

"How am I supposed to know. I just wanna head on home. I'd rather be farmin then marching in this 'army'!"

"Shhh, don't let the cats hear ya, you know what they did to Laius last week!" The rats couldn't forget, the ferret's tortured screams still haunted their nightmares. They marched, and were joined by their division's cook, a sea otter captured in a raid some time ago. The two rats knew him, and would occasionally speak to the woodlander, since he was the only friendly face since they arrived.

"Sea dog, ya know what be happenen?"

The cook shook his head "Nay, I wish I did. That ol' whiskered fiend gathered us all up, an' put these things on us again." The otter shook his foot paw, as the two rats heard a clinking sound. The cook's paws were bound in irons, which kept the otter as a slow pace. "The hells be that for?"

"Don't know, I was hoppin ya both knew yerselves, lads."

The two rats shook their heads as they continued to march. They entered the main road, being watched down from the roofs by the feral cat's families, some foreigners and others having lived on Sandbeach since it was first built. To them, this was odd and foreign, but yet oddly appreciated. One of the rats looked behind him, seeing some odd beasts following. He recognized them and turned back to face his front, his eyes wide with fear. His brother nudged him.

"What is it, mate?"

The rat looked at his brother, with fear in his face "I don't think we are gonna wanna go back home, especially if that lot behind us is coming wit us."
_

Milo sat on his throne, and began to organize his court. His plans were coming together as a meeting of his allies was taking place in his court. Gashan was out and about, gathering the pirates' hosts and recruiting their remainder to his cause, to offer them a bribe that no pirate could ever refuse. His vast armies had been gathered, his feral cats well fed and armored. Chuggas was beside him, only albeit temporarily as he ran over figures and numbers with him. The economics of war was a boring and pointless task in Milo's mind, as no matter how much one could spin it, they would be losing outright.

"Of our stone export, I say we have reduced our price considerably and made. . .uhhh, negative profit once again, my lord."

"Yes, yes I know this."

"The Sultan still wants access to our wood, he made an offer for a larger shipment. However, with how much we use already, I'd say that is. . .another major blow to our supply. Gashan's little tribute will keep us afloat for about another year before we should be extremely concerned." The fat wild cat would continue to write things down, his assistant, and a young fellow feral cat was beside him. Milo found it odd, he offered his brother-in-law slaves, luxury, and even a decent set of armor which the fat cat refused. Chuggas preferred to do his own thing, and for being the last of the Felis line, he was oddly tolerant if not soft towards the sea otters like his son Tarlo was. However, softness towards individual slaves did not mean Chuggas had not tried to push Milo into selling off 'useless stock' to the western cities.

"Our food and metal situation is still good, but our 'trade deal' with the Sultan is of course on a time limit. The Sultan had sent you letters if you wish to read them."

"I prefer not. He doesn't respect my title, authority, or my power."

Chuggas nodded "Understood my lord. The Sultan won't be sending his envoys, thankfully, at least not yet."

"The fact we must rely on him at all is abominable. When Mossflower is under our rule, I won't even need him, and an entire fleet of pirates to keep that wretch at bay."

Chuggas meekly agreed "Perhaps, but pirates do not do well against the western naval expertise. My only main concern is our. . .labor situation."

"What of it?"

"My lord." Chuggas tried to be reasonable, but came off as ignorant "If I may, once the army leaves, we will have more sea otters here then vermin, all of them angry slaves. Perhaps we should. . .sell them off, at least several hundred to the Sultan. He seemed genuinely interested in our conquest of Green Isle in the near future, and the creatures are strong and exotic enough to perk his interest. Perhaps we should focus our efforts on the island."

"Did my wife send you to torment me, Chuggas?"

Chuggas frowned "No, my lord, this of my own volition. I simply look at the numbers, and all of them are. . .poor. We have loyal serfs, or slaves, or whatever you wish to call them amongst the vermin. To a point we don't even need the sea otters or shrews or woodlanders at all! We have entire divisions dedicated to keeping those beasts in line as it is."

Milo sighed "You seem to think these creatures will revolt, Chuggas, an understandable notion if you read our long histories, which I fixed. Those beasts work and toil to exhaustion, enough so that they will not collapse, but become too tired to resist me. They can stew in anger all they wish, but anger alone does not break chains and does not spare them the rod. A small force will stay behind on Sandbeach to look over them, mostly because your sister was quite specific about her demands, even as petty as they are." Milo heard footsteps down the hall as Maria Greeneyes came into the court. Milo scoffed as she sat down in her own throne next to her husband's, sitting comfortably. Both wild cats went silent as Chuggas excused himself. Maria didn't bother to look or react to her brother leaving, and simply looked to her husband "Tell me Milo, how is Minto supposed to lead your armies this day when he isn't even here? You gather everyone for one grand party?"

"You seem to think I am ill prepared, Maria. When Minto and my nephew return, they will sail on their ship to meet up with the army. Years of preparations have come down to this. Minto will lead my army, my single spear thrust into the belly of Mossflower. Until he returns from his raid, the army will be led by Kain. Kain Ba'fushnik."

Maria sighed at the suggestion, the name of her daughter's betrothed did fill her much confidence. If Kain had more sense, she would have pushed for him to lead the armies instead of Minto.

"My dear, are you sure Kain is your best?"

"He is a capable warrior and commander, Maria. My best? Absolutely not. Our sons and family are more to our liking."

"Perhaps you should join your armies, command them from the front lines."

Milo chuckled "My command from this throne alone should drive my vermin to battle, no, I shall be staying here with my brother on this isle. My days of fighting are over, our sons must claim what my family has long fought for. I may be emperor of an island, my dear, but soon this crown of mine will have a grander meaning."

Maria shrugged in her chair, awaiting for the court's events.
_

Shaer and Burba joined into the court and took their position at the back of the throne near Milo, as guards filed into the room alongside courtiers. Various diplomats from across the western sea occasionally traded glances as the rich and noble of Sandbeach discussed the coming events. There was a great deal of murmuring in the court itself, as the day had come for the great invasion. The entire district of barracks had been filed out, the transports were being prepared, and cats of Sandbeach were intermingling with their western cousins. Milo shifted his eyes to the front, a bit anxious of who was to arrive first. To his relief, his daughter Cana shifted out of a hallway, with his betrothed Kain following suit. Kain was large, tall, and handsome for a wild cat, who covered himself in a black and green cloak and who wore a turban crowned with a golden band. He wore armor to the court, already knowing he was to lead the army until Minto's return, a fact also noted by Maria Greeneyes who scolded behind her teeth. Milo and Kain had talked in length the day before, as he was to gather the whole host, telling him where he was to lead them and how to conduct the early campaign.

Kain took a humble bow to Milo who motioned him to rise. "Kain Ba'fushnik, the handle of my spear for which will pierce into Mossflower's open heart. I am glad you were able to come. Have the armies been prepared as I instructed?"

"Yes, my lord, they await your orders! Your family will soon return to rule all of Mossflower country, as our god decrees." Maria couldn't help but roll her eyes at such a statement. The religiosity of their western kin permeated all over the place, which Milo had reluctantly embraced. Maria found such things silly, but kept her mouth quiet on it. Milo commended his captain "You do well then, I await the day to call you my son-in-law. Now, get my armies into line. I shall meet to greet them soon enough."

Kain did as ordered, but left Cana stranded in the court who glided over to her mother who had nothing comforting to say. Cana bowed her head like a servant. She whispered to her mother "Today is the big day, isn't? Kain and Fasha tell me nothing."

Maria whispered back spitefully "Of course not, my dear, and why should they? You are at least a little moe observant then the lesser servants at least, for today is your father's long awaited pounce upon the eastern shores."

"Ma, Kain will be away, I fear for him." Cana had uncertainty in her voice, which her mother cruelly latched onto.

"That bootlicker? You fear for him? He is barely worth the effort, with no clear advantage to play at. If your father was smart, he'd have sent you westward like I wanted."

Cana sighed "But Ma, I heard of terrible things that happened westward."

"Yes, but at least you would be useful to this family for once." Maria's cruel words cut into Cana. Maria did not care much, spiteful of her daughter's meekness which she solely blamed her husband's blood for. Of her children and family, at least Minto had a temper, and a warrior's fury.

More and more courtiers joined the room as Cana was soon joined by a surprise visitor. Another female wild cat walked gracefully to the side of Cana and nudged her. Cana turned to see her sister-in-law Gana Stripes. Cana and Gana smiled at one another, considering each other the only friendly faces in the palace outside of their own servants who were absent for such court business, except for the dormouse Morma Puff who was at her master's side. Milo sat gracefully in his throne, as a worried looking wild cat came through the entrance doors and announced the arrival of Milo's allies.

"My lord, Lord of all Vermin, Master of all Slaves, I gracefully announce the coming of King Mulkan of the lands of Ice and Snow, and an envoy of Chieftain Nattar Backbone of the Juska tribes of Mossflower."

The cat was pushed aside by a figure who entered the room with his retinue, a large and fearsome white fox from the white city, covered in the gray furs of his enemies. He was Mulkan, the most recently crowned king of Ice and Snow, a land of northern cannibals and barbarians of the worst order, a tyranny of blood and violence which born out the darkest nature of the vermin. He brought law and order to such a land, ruling a people feared by all lands, hated by all creatures, and he gave a humble bow to Milo who returned it. Mulkan was not wearing his armor, as he found the warm air of the isle to be miserable for him. Mulkan was accompanied by a collection of northern and well armed barbarians, including a fierce looking wolverine who painted himself in a hue of red warpaint, wearing an iron collar in fealty of Mulkan and proudly shown to the room of whispering courtiers. Mulkan spoke with a vicious and vile accent.

"Milo Grenkeye, lung time, na see. Yourk requekest was noyted, an I havk come. Afker all des yearks, are we ready for wur?"

Milo nodded and arose, greeting Mulkan as an equal. Milo had to be more diplomatic with Mulkan, even if he viewed the white fox as little more than a barbarian, only worthy of serving his betters underneath the lash of a cat. Mulkan had spent his entire life expanding his realm, a near legendary king in himself who terrorized and colonized the northern highlands piece by piece, fighting vermin warlords and woodlander kingdoms. Yet, the Mossflower campaign intrigued him, having struck a deal with Milo for a mutual alliance. When Mossflower was Milo's, Mulkan would get aid in attacking the north, trade deals and preferable treatment from the newly found state. Yet both viewed each other as little more than a vassal, a point of contention which came off quite often.

"Your armies are prepared then, your expedition is ready?"

"Myk warriors are always reaky, cat. It is bukk a matter of moviking dem. As I promiksed all dos yearks ago, I will aid ya in yerk conquests, an ya will aik mine. I saw yerk army out der, so clearkly ya will need me help." Mulkan said in a grim but sarcastic attitude, Milo ignored it, turning to another savage looking vermin next to him. He was a rat, covered head to toe in tribal tattoos and spoke with some arrogant authority. "I come at the behest of Nattar Backbone, Chieftain of all Juska."

Milo was not surprised, of his allies and thralls, Nattar was the most disagreeable. His own spymaster spent seasons away from Sandbeach, creating a web for which would leash the entire tribe to his whims, and one for which he grew impatient as his champion amongst those vermin tribals rallied to his cause. Milo spoke to him thusly "Nattar refused to come himself, does your lord wish to insult me?"

"The Juska do not march to your tune, cat. They align with you, that is all. I am to give you this." The rat held up a scroll for which Milo took and read to himself, smirking as he read it in full. He turned to the two vermin and spoke loudly for all to hear "Then our war begins. As I informed both Nattar and you, Mulkan, I summon you early for a great opportunity has arisen. The badger lord is away from his mountain, on Green Isle. I shall make my move and take his home right out from under him, and obliterate his power base. Mulkan, you shall coordinate your host to support Nattar, and join up in the war camp at the base of the mountain itself. When the Badger lord's head is before me, and Salamanderstron's fire fades out, then we shall tear down the wretched monument to my family's grave. The red walled abbey will burn, its people put to the sword, and its name stricken from all living beings!"

Mulkan grunted, watching as Milo was aroused by the cheers of his courtiers and captains around him. In jubilee, the wild cat motioned for his family to follow and went out the entrance. They did as bid, as Mulkan joined Milo outside along with the Juska envoy. The room grew silent, as if the world had held in its breath, and was ready to blow out a storm onto Mossflower.
_

Mulkan had traveled to the Isle at Milo's request, although he did not understand why. Mulkan had been ready, gathering his host the last few summers as Milo had requested. For a season or two from now, while Mossflower still recovered from Kasg the Craven's dark assault on their home, Mulkan was building and training his forces. He had over 800 well armed, terrifying vermin in his army, including a division of armored wolverines under his captain Gorand who acted as both bodyguard and slavemaster. Mulkan was impatient, and was glad this campaign was to start earlier than he suspected, but there were issues he had to contend with. The most primary of which was back home, in the white city of snow and bones. There was always trouble back home, trouble for which could be solved by an excess of loot and victories here. Mulkan may not have been wearing his iron crown, but he looked all manner of savage and fine as he walked in an equal step to Milo.

Milo for his part had called Mulkan to the isle for one particular reason, to yank on the white fox king's leash. Milo knew of Mulkan's impatience, and with him on the island, he was less likely to head off and cause trouble in Mossflower. Milo had the cannibal lord's attention, at least for now, but it would not be long before Mulkan would return home. With Mulkan a bit closer to him, he could at least be controlled within his own walls as Milo showed off his wealth and splendor to the uninterested barbarian. Milo had hoped Natter would come instead of sending an envoy, which concerned Milo slightly since it was the sign of growing intelligence he thought impossible for his kind. Milo had planned for there to a grand beast, of splendor and luxury that Natter had never known, and to enthrall the dangerous and murderous chieftain in his web. He had hoped to even see his spymaster, Kamala, would have rejoined him in Sandbeach.

The large host which surrounded Milo exited the palace, as Milo spoke of the coming war and tactics. Milo made many promises to both the Juska and the vermin of Ice and Snow. To Mulkan, he promised aid in his northern campaigns to expand his realm, and large hosts of new stock for his warriors to feast. To the Juska, he promised a grand realm, loot, slaves to serve them, and vast new lands to rule. Milo had even promised them that their chieftain would live in stone houses, their tribe would live behind wooden walls, and each to them would be given a golden band to wear proudly for their service. Maria found this laughable, as she imagined her husband would rather put their chieftains in stone dungeons, their tribes in slave pens surrounded by wooden palisades, and to each warrior a golden band put upon them as a reminder of their eternal servitude to them.

The group came up to a large square, before them laid the vast host of Milo's army. From across the north and Mossflower, conscripted vermin taken over the years laid dormantly awaiting their master's calls, wild and feral cats of various ranks and skill stood in military squares, and hosts of slaves awaited in baited breath for what was to come next. The host filled the corridors of the upper section of the forum, as the families of the feral cats looked down on the vast host arrayed before Milo. Their emperor spoke to them, speaking as loud as he could.

"My subjects, my servants, my slaves! I, Milo Greeneyes, have brought you here today for one final meeting face to face, heart to heart. Long have we awaited to restore the natural order of the world, with my family who has gracefully ruled you with mercy and love. I now ask of you to make true to your oaths, and to restore my rightful name to the lands of Mossflower. You, who have come under my care, fed off my food, and live under my laws know I will take nothing less than total victory! My son, Minto Greeneyes, shall lead you all into the coming fray, to restore the graceful dynasty stolen from Mossflower long ago! I know you vermin, lesser beasts as you are, will gladly give your lives to my cause. For when I restore the natural rule of my people over Mossflower, you shall get your gold, your food, and your homes as I see fit! To my fellow cats, my allies and friends from across the western sea, I shall give unto you a new land, one ripe for your taking, and many slaves to tend to you and lands to call home! To my slaves, serve your soldiers faithfully as you serve me, for soon you shall enjoy the benefits of my civilization, in the service of your betters! Go forth, avenge the name of Greeneyes, destroy the wretched mountain of the badger lord, and bring forth a new era onto Mossflower!"

There was a thunderous roar in the crowds, and a silence amongst some who knew better. The slaves looked on fearfully as they realized their purpose, to bring the weapons of war onto their friends in Mossflower itself. The cats cheered onto with a thunderous roar of 'Hail to Milo!', 'For the Greeneyed Horde!' and 'Glory onto Death'. The green clad host of vermin, many cheering at the prospects they heard and dumbly followed their orders despite their treatment, knowing that soon their torment on Sandbeach was at a end, and their purpose fulfilled before their dark and cruel masters. Others in the audience, including two rat brothers, looked at each other in mortified horror. They would be going home, but as fodder to die in a war as slaves, not as conquering warriors.

Milo and Mulkan watched that evening, as a vast host of set off from Sandbeach, a flotilla of ships to soon be joined by an equally massive fleet of pirate vessels and war galleys to head to Salamanderstron. The vermin and their supplies were loaded onto wild cat vessels, slaves found themselves conscripted and unable to even say goodbye to their families in the slums, and the vermin meekly went aboard. Milo watched the vast fleet sail off, under the watchful eye of its temporary general Kain. Milo awaited the return of his sons, to hear their tales of victory, and then to send them off once again. Nothing could have made Milo prouder then this moment, and in a rare act of love towards his wife, held her paw.

Maria accepted the show of affection and whispered to her husband who was in awe of his accomplishments "Once you are done with Mossflower. Green Isle better be next."

"It will, Maria. I promise. Green Isle will be ours."

Maria was taken out of the moment and frowned a bit, releasing her husband's paw and returning inside the keep. Ours. It is mine, and one day, all that you see will be mine, Milo Greeneyes.