Chapter 29: Siege of Salamandastron

Gambit was on the misty beaches beneath the mountain of Salamandastron, looking out over the horizon with a bit of annoyance. The mists from the sea were very cloudy, and it made his fishing a lot less enjoyable. Gambit's armor and his favorite axe were next to him on the sandy beach, and he had his fishing pole in his paws. Although a sea otter, he preferred his way to fish, as it was usually very relaxing. He may have been well aged, but to him he felt like he was retired, and his days spent fishing and relaxing on the beaches below the mountain. Despite that dreaded mist, he was relatively happy. Then he heard padding next to him. He turned from his sand built chair to see a desperate looking Long Patrol hare gliding on by like a ghost. Hmmm. Must be important. The sea otter returned to his fruitless task, but then heard a couple more. It seemed rather odd to him, but thought nothing of it. The mists were starting to fade at least, and he could enjoy that decent sunshine.

His happiness with the fading mists became a slowly curving frown, for in the distance he could see a couple sizable ships heading towards the shore. He squinted, and realized he was looking at a lot of ships, with green or black sails. The sea otter got up, trying to block out the evening sun from his eyes so he could see better, and a lot of ships became an entire fleet of them. Hares were running behind him of various voices, youngsters from frightened families, and older hares calling out for retreat. Gambit could then see the Mountain of the Sea heading towards its port alongside other ships, some of which broke off as soon as the Mountain of the Sea became docked and sped far down the coast to escape the other ships.

Gambit paused a bit.

Then he panicked.

Gambit threw down his favorite fishing pole, as one large galley was coming closer to shore. He heard shouts of horror around him as he desperately was trying to put on his armor. The sand and water made it uncomfortable and difficult for him, tightening his buckles. He'd turn to the beach, seeing some of the hares from villages nearby, mostly Long Patrol families speeding their way towards the mountain fortress. Some abandoned carts and simply grabbed young or old hares, dashing their way in desperation towards the mountain.

Gambit looked to the sea, seeing those ships getting a lot closer to the shore, and so many were heading his way. The horns they blew he did not recognize, but they were certainly war horns. The sea otter had gotten his armor on at least, and was rushing a bit to the mountain, but then stopped. He turned back around to grab his shield and axe and was about to grab his fishing pole before he realized the first ship was landing near him. Rats in green cloaks and with spears were jumping from the ship, alongside trident wielding cats. It wasn't a great fishing pole anyway.

Gambit raced off, ships crashing into the shores all around him, and kept running beyond the point of exhaustion. He could see the hares keeping the smaller gate to the mountain open just a smidge to allow their own through. Gambit was far behind, and soon realized one Wildcat was coming up behind him, trying to reach out at him. Gambit suddenly turned and slammed his axe into the cat's chest, only to see several terrified looking rats slowly backing away from him. They did not attack, so Gambit ran with his bloody axe to the mountain. He could see some the wildcats catching some victims, killing or bounding them up. The door was closing fast.

"Wait! Wait!" Gambit cried, but it was closing. Giving one last boost of his legs, Gambit nearly jumped and slammed his way into the gates, just in time as they closed behind him. Gambit was on the ground and turned to hear a lot of vermin voices on the other side, and then a loud bashing.

The hares were yelling orders in the dimly lit hall of one of the mountain's entrances. Gambit took up his axe and kept an eye on the door with the hares keeping it shut.

"The hells." Gambit cried "Who be that lot!"

"Don't know, chap! Get to the docks if you can, there is a battle going on there!"
_

From the moment they had seen the massive fleet, the troubles of Adam tripled in the worst ways. The pirates and wildcat galleys almost immediately saw the Mountain of the Sea and engaged it every step of the way. Yet, short bursts of skirmishes and swift action kept the enemy at bay, but the slowness of their ships meant the main warships of the enemy fleet loomed ever closer. Gorgland Wildlough could not stay, and he signaled to the badgerlord of his intentions. The sea otter ships made a straight line once they had seen the ships to safety, and kept moving down the coasts. Speed and desperation kept the sea otters from being captured, and were able to escape unharmed. Yet, as the Mountain of the Sea and its other ships were landing, the enemy began its assault almost immediately. The massive hare ship partly rammed into the docks trying to escape its enemy and the well guarded docks prevented the enemy ships from causing too much damage.

The lookout in the caves above spotted the massive flotilla and by the time Galgor was on the docks, he was being rescued by the hares inside. Wildcats and their minions poured over the deck like a vast tide of darkness, sweeping all in its path. Galgor led the charge, and his two sons followed suit. Biggum and Adam commanded from the decks above, each commanding their respective force.

"Longbows! Fire volley counter left to the big ship of the right docks, wot!"

"Marines, board that ship on the left docks! Sink it and create a barrier so others cannot land!"

"Give them blood an' vinegar!" Shouted Biggum, a war cry shared by many of the hares who joined in the tense fighting. Various cats and their vermin thralls were trying their hand at taking the docks, as the mass of hares quickly dispatched them. Dagor brought his battleaxe down on vermin so harshly, it began to shatter the planks of the docks.

Yet more and more came. Some vermin even climbed onto the Mountain of the Sea just to get over the deck to help other divisions, only to be sniped from the darkness of the brig as Doufy von Evergreen and Cemar Briggs emerged with their crossbows. They would quickly reload and fire, taking cover as the vermin fired arrows back.

Barfoof and his minions were also fighting, in fury they emerged and began to wreak havoc on the vermin. Barfoof was ruthless and without mercy, slaying vermin so fast that not even his fellow hares could keep up. Blood spilled into the waters, and bodies hit the bay, sinking into the soft abyss below. By the time the sea otter Gambit was there, the tide was turning.

But not in the favor of the Long Patrol.

Another massive warship crashed into the port, unleashing yet another wave of vermin. More and more poured in, an endless tide of green. The hares fought back more brutal than before, firing volley and volley into the vermin. It was horrible, the battle went on long and brutally as the vermin tide was eventually slowed. The vermin seemed now far less confident in taking the docks, a wall of crashed ships prevented further attempts to take it. Bloodied and drenched in the sweat of exhaustion, Galgor lifted his weapon as a silence fell over the entire port.

"To my chambers. All of you." Huffed out Galgor.


Kain Ba'fushnik has his paws on his shoulders, disappointed and huffing in fury as he saw the ships retreat from the Long Patrol's port. Ships, now abandoned or purposefully sunk, created a sea wall which Kain could no longer use to get into the mountain. As commander of the army, he looked at the great mountain which shadowed over him and the vast army. Their landing on Mossflower was uncontested, as more ships dropped off reinforcements and slaves. Kain was setting up for a proper siege, but had very little if any clue what exactly he was sieging.

Kain was approached by one of his captains "Our assault on the ships failed, my lord. Shall we try again?"

Kain grunted "And waste even more slaves on trying to take it? Of course not. Just have the slaves start setting up camp and building trenches. Build fortifications around the beach. I want the vermin wretches in front, that way if we get hit in the night we ca-" Kain saw something heading towards him, and ducked from it. An arrow landed where he had been standing and realized he was camping far too close to the mountain. The great dormant volcano had no walls, but it had a lot of terraces and caves. He yelled out orders.

"Get back! Get back!"

Dodging a few more arrows, it became clear to Kain he was way over head. By the time he was sure to be farther away to keep the increasing size of the horde from being rained down by arrows, the vast horde set to work setting up their siege. The hares crowded the terraces, safe for now from any attack of volley as vermin divisions exited ships. A large number were vermin in green capes or armbands, most carrying spears at best. Their masters, the cats, carried tridents, cursed swords, and whips. The next groups of vermin came afterwards, vast amounts of pirates dropped off crews who began to make their own camps. The beaches of the mountain were busy with the enemy, clogging it up to a point of making it a massive problem.

The vast array of ships caused a jam of traffic, and in the chaos vermin were dying or getting injured from the poorly executed landing. One smaller vermin ship ended up being smashed between larger ships. A group of drowning vermin being rescued were subjected to a horrible fate when a careless wildcat ship passed over the flailing vermin, killing them and some of their attempted rescuers. Some captains, trying to get around were accidentally damaging their ships, ramming into other vessels. By the time this fleet got itself together, over a hundred vermin were dead, not including those who had been attempting to assault the hare's port.

The galley slaves of many of the ships were conscripted as menial laborers, something the hares looked down upon with contempt and pity. Many shackled sea otters, shrews, and other sailing woodlanders were whipped into action, building a camp wall and ditches. Their cries of pain could be heard even as far as the heights of the terraces.

Kain spread the army out, and began burning the villages along the coast, his orders went out, an army spreading like veiny green roots across the forests and dragged loot and slaves from burning villages. All the hares could do was watch. The hellish fires arose as smoke into the distance, nulling the sun and bringing an unnatural and evil heat to those above.
_

Kain was in his special pavilion meant for commanders, his regrets from landing in Mossflower soon washed away as he enjoyed the wonderful air of authority he now had. Vermin marched past his immaculate green tent, filled with all manner of luxuries. It soon began to fill with loot as well. He had been so gifted in making Milo had willful puppet, and it now paid off with a sizable force and army. He sat at a war table, he feet plopped onto the expensive maps of Mossflower. To one side was his bed, and to another were a decent chest of small treasures. He never understood why Milo wanted Mossflower, the poor land had barely any gold. The only thing he thought was good was its people. A sea otter maid in leg manacles entered his tent, his temporary personal servant having come to serve his food.

"Put it on the table, slavebeast." He joyfull ordered. He stared up at the pavilion as the slave did as bid. She bowed her head, awaiting her next order which was quickly given "Go and grab my captains, will you? Be quick about it too, sea dog."

The sea otteress paused, her usually sad demeanor turned to confusion and a concern for Kain's mental wellbeing. Yet, she did not want to figure out what would happen if she did not do as bid and left. Moments later, a couple angry looking officers and captains entered the command center, not looking very happy.

Kain noticed "What, did we have more sea laden casualties? What's got all your whispers in a bunch?"

One of the older wildcats angrily retorted "You send a slave to gather us? You may command us, but don't insult us with this drivel."

Kain snorted "By the will of our emperor, I can do as I wish. I could demand you all to dance, and you will do it. Now, give me reports on what's happening. Have we cut off the hares?"

The captains all looked awkwardly at one another, and then angrily looked back "You demanded us to come here. We have nothing to report, because you had not ordered it."

Kain realized he may have made a couple big mistakes, and tried to get a handle on the situation "Oh, well, of course. Since you are all here, I want you all to take a census of our total troops. Our assault on the port failed, and it was costly. Let's not try to do that again, hmm? Send out scavenging parties and extend our siege walls and trenches beyond the beach."

The captains all filed out as Kain gave a loud sigh. Yet he put his feet onto the table once again and relaxed, dozing off in the middle of the day.
_

Gashan was looking out over the mess that was happening from the deck of his ship, The Pike's Revenge. The Galley was slowly going along, and his allies were behind him, awaiting his orders. Gashan grimaced, and then turned his wheel to go to a much less crowded beach only to find them being crowded as well. By the time Gashan and his allies found a proper beach to park their ships on, it took them half a day to march to the wildcat camp only to find it in utter shambles. Gashan and his fellow pirate captains Pent and Scarn who were by his side would look left to see wildcats being unorderly, and then right to see some slaves being uncommanded and waiting orders which would never come. There was less command then even the corsair had known, and the pirate lord shook his head in disbelief.

Gashan made his way towards the command center, the pirate gazing at the ground mountain in front of them. Scarn was hard to impress, but even he paused to look up in amazement. Pent commented to Gashan as he sipped his drink from a blue goblet "I must ask, Gashan. How do these whiskered brutes plan to siege this mountain?"

"I got no clue. Maybe busting on in, matey?"

Scarn grunted as the pirates following them fanned out to set up their own tents "Bah! Pathetic, all that rock and just a couple tiny gates to keep them safe!"

Gashan thought it over, taking the dormant volcano was the prize of the wildcats, not him. Pent and Scarn growled at one another and went with their respective crews elsewhere. His pirates had control over the seas, and even if he was temporarily staying to see the siege to its fullest, he felt like he had wasted his time. The wildcats were incompetently commanding their vermin around, with no real clue what they were doing. If Gashan had been in charge, the main army would be spreading out very wide and far, but instead the entire force was surrounding the mountain instead.

Gashan made his way to the command tent, expecting to find Minto there. If there was one beast he knew was incompetent, it was Minto. Yet instead, he found a sleeping wildcat, snoring and curled up in a chair. When Gashan entered, he saw no guard, no officers, and many of the most important maps and documents strung about below him. Gashan slammed his paw into the desk and Kain awoke in a fright.

"Oh! Who! What!" Kain yelled, only to find the angry weasel looking back at him. Kain snorted in arrogance "I am not interested in you pirates today, just tell me when Gashan arrives."

"I am Gashan. Commander." The weasel waited for Kain to make a realization, and he did. Kain arose and greeted him "Finally! Thought you pirates wouldn't make it. Our landing was uncontested, which is good. There are a lot of hares in there, we'll snuff out their food stores soon."

Gashan lifted an eyebrow "Alrighty den, me and the lads are gonna go out into Mossflower proper an start getting our end of the deal wit yer father-in-law to be. Just don't muck this up, Kain."

"You think I am going to fail, weasel?" Kain chuckled "Have you seen the size of this army! We outnumber them 10 or even 20 to one! Our food and defenses are all secure, our soldiers very fresh. I've led campaigns before, I'll have you know! Once that lot in there starts to starve, it will already be over."

"If they starve. I saw some pretty nice terraces up der. They grow der own food it seems."

Kain didn't really think about that, his cheerful expression running from his face. He angrily hissed at Gashan "Listen here, you sea wretch. I am the loyal commander of Milo, Lord of a-"

"Yes yes, Lord of all Vermin, Master of all Slaves. I get it. Yer facing the Long Patrol, not small detachments of shrews or tribals, or even fellow wildcats. One hare can easily slay a hundred vermin if given enough time an' energy. Me an my lads are gonna raid into inner Mossflower, try an' cut off der supplies and get out loot an' slaves. Just make sure ya don't end up accidently gettin dis entire army killed."

"Oh begone with you, pirate. Just wait and see, we'll be winning before we know it."

Kain ignored Gashan, hoping his would go away on his own. The weasel grunted and exited the command center in a huff, leaving the commander of the Green Eyed Horde to start snoring again.


Panic reigned in the Salamandastron, as Hares rushed down halls and corridors, filling rooms and giving out increasingly contradictory orders. Salgor and Dagor however were pushing through hares as they slammed past them in different directions. Gambit could barely keep up with his friend and his brother, asking an endless stream of questions of the bloodied and damaged princes of the mountain.

"What in the name of every bloody season was that! Were those cats! There were so many! Who are they, Salgor?"

Salgor answered, although with strain in his voice "They call themselves the Green Eyed Horde, and they are invading Mossflower. They are minions of an enemy thought to be dead, the Greeneyes. They have gathered a massive force, consisting of them and their pirate thralls."

Dagor angrily huffed and limped his way past the hares. Salgor had heard nothing but angry ranting from his brother since they arrived, not able to believe he was nearly felled by a rat. It was true he was certain he killed the rat, but Dagor was furious. "Wretched, Ill, worm brained monsters! All of them! I will tear them limb from limb when we get out there! By myself if I must!"

Gambit tried to speak up over the hares who were in a general panic "I thought you folk went to a Green Isle colony? Is Green Is-"

Salgor spoke up to try to ease his friend's concern "Your home is safe. Damaged, but safe. These creatures have been brutalizing the sea, consolidated into one grand army, and now seek our end."

"Not to be-" Gambit attempted to speak when on hare slammed into him, apologized, and then ran off. Gambit could see nothing but panic and terror in the faces of the once stoic Long Patrol. Weapons and quivers of arrows would go one way, and medical supplies the other. "Not to be too concerned, lad. Where we going anyway?"

Dagor answered in his angry mood "We are heading towards the main gate on the other side of the mountain! We need to keep it boarded up. We need all entrances secure!"

The two made their way northward, as Gambit noticed a lot less Long Patrol and noticed more of their families. The Long Patrol had a barracks in the mountain, its where they trained and mustered at. These barracks had been growing for years, growing ever thicker in time. It amazed Gambit there were once only a few Long Patrol in ancient days, according to the stories. Now? There was more than just Salamandastron, there were hare villages and towns scattered nearby. Many of the families of the hares had fled into the mountain, and Gambit passed frightened mothers and their children. Gambit had even passed two barely aged hares who were rushing with weapons to the barracks, eager to fight alongside their adult counterparts. Elders, long since retired, were putting on their old tunics and taking up their weapons with a sadistic glint in their eye. It was like Kasg all over again.

The three made their way to the north gate, shocked to find it wide open. Several hares held it open, allowing some stragglers from the northern villages to come through. Dagor pushed past, yelling at the hares.

"Close that gate! The enemy is at. . .at the beach?"

Dagor and Salgor looked out at the north beach which stretched for miles. Where the southern was utterly clogged with the green trash of the west sea, the north beach was empty. Salgor looked out, dismayed. "W-where? Where are they?"

Dagor then began to chuckle "By the seasons! Those stupid cats! They don't know about this entrance?"

"They must not." Gambit said, hope in his voice. Dagor patted one of the hares "Do you have scouts out there, keeping an eye on them?"

"Yes, sar! Blighters haven't even noticed, we are getting as much supplies and our people into the mountain, wot! We'll close the door if our scout comes back with news!"

Dagor looked out over the beach, a smile across his face. "We may just win yet, brother! We may just win yet!"
_

Galgor Ironpaw bursted into the court of his command room, looking tired and abominably dejected. He strained his head, noticing a cut he had not been treated for yet, and his bloody hares followed. Blood dripped from clothes onto the floor as Galgor made his way to his chair and sat in it, breathing heavily in silence. He was beside himself, and devastated. The enemy was once again at his gates, killing or enslaving his people, and all he could do was wait. Biggum came into the hall, seeing his lord was thinking. Biggum himself never thought he would see the day, twice in two lifetimes, of yet another massive force having come out of the sea to try their hands at destroying Mossflower and his Long Patrol. Yet, that wasn't fully on his mind. Narsa Ironpaw came into the room, rushing past hares to her husband and began to treat him, asking him an endless series of questions he only gave silence to.

"Speak to me Galgor! What is happening! Oh, look at this cut. . .and that one! W-where are our sons! Galgor? Galgor!"

Galgor spoke lowly "They are alive, Narsa. They are alive." Galgor was depressed. He snapped out of his daze and called the silent hares standing uncertain at the far end of the room. "Come, we must discuss our plan of defense." The hares began to take their seats, with Biggum coming to the middle and putting his paws behind him, keeping his dignified mood. He wanted to see his hares think this was normal, as Galgor looked to see far less officers then he wanted. He raised an eyebrow to this and asked "Where is Naus Stag Hare? Our garrison commander?"

Narsa didn't wish to speak up as a silence fell over the hares. Seeing her husband begin to redden with rage at the absence. Narsa motioned Biggum to approach and whispered so that only Galgor and Biggum could hear. Barfoof entered the room next, although uninvited, he made his way to his normal chair and sat down in a huff. He could see the badgers and Biggum, whispering to one another. He was also quick to notice Naus was missing, but the expressions his lord gave did not bode well. Galgor sat back in his chair, eyes widened and Biggum returned to where he once was, a little less dignified.

"My hares, as much as we had hoped for a larger garrison, our army here in Salamandastron had left for Tussock. An army, raised up by Markem Brownnose is laying siege to the fort, as the vermin now surge from the east and the sea. We have nothing else to use then what we have gathered here."

There was an outraged murmur amongst the Hares, voices raised in anger to Naus and concern for him as well. Narsa had told Galgor of Naus's sudden and unsanctioned leave with hundreds of hares, something that Galgor could have used to even the odds against the wildcats. Biggum raised his voice, silencing the other officers.

"This is a grim situation, but no more grim when Kasg invaded our lands. We beat him, and we will beat these Greeneyes as well. Green Isle relies on us to wear down and destroy their armies on our shores, and they will gather their strength to defeat the vermin at sea. Blighters will bash at our gates and try to siege us down, but we are well fortified and our food very secure! Despite their numbers, we still have considerable advantage, and Naus's sudden leave to deal with Markem and his horde will only delay our victory, not snuff it out. Our first order of business is simple, rationing will be in effect immediately and a census of all of our gear. However, the battle at paw is still far from decided, and we will need to deal with them as early as possible."

One of the officers spoke up "We could bunker down in the mountain. That army is massive, the vermin can't scavenge enough to get by."

Galgor sighed, making a sudden realization "No. They can't. They have slaves, sea otters who can fish in the sea to keep them all fed. Likely an entire island and years of preparation behind them as well." There was another murmur amongst the hares, many discussing this trouble.

Galgor spoke up "Our only option is clear, we need to deal a critical blow against them. These vermin are demoralized, but if we can remove them from the frontal beaches, we can at least give some precious time for the villages to evacuate. I will lead the main assault, but General Biggum will come up from the rear and burn their ships. If we push hard enough, the horde will shatter like most, especially once we eliminate their commanding officers. Finding them shouldn't be too difficult, and if-" Galgor was cut off, but a sudden blood curdling yelp.

"No!"

Barfoof arose in absolute fury and rage, as many eyes came upon him. The hare began to rant and rave, his vitriol at the badger lord was obvious "Charge into fortifications?! A charge against superior numbers?! What insanity is this, have any you the sense to see this madness or will you brainless sheep continue to pretend this is a bloody strategy! We lost hares to such tactics, and for what? A distraction! A distraction, which cost me my own!" Barfoof slammed his fist onto the table so hard it was thunderous. Biggum was angry, but he understood Barfoof's fury. He referred to only one hare who was relevant to such an outburst. Cato Vosh Veegnuff, the martyr. Barfoof nearly lept over the table, his fury now directed at Biggum.

"You are the general of this bloody mountain, Biggum! You must stop this madness at once! You must! For all our sakes!"

"Barfoof, you were not invited, you are dismis-"

"Don't you dare dismiss me, Biggum! You bloody wretch, how can you do this to your own hares! To mine!" Barfoof got uncomfortably close to Biggum as hares came to grab Barfoof and began to pull him away. Many looked on as Barfoof yelled and screamed "You are leading them to their deaths! You bloody wretches! No!"

Biggum feared the worse when he returned his attention to Galgor, but only saw the badger lord far too tired and exhausted to be angry. The badger lord looked around the room, the hope of keeping the Long Patrol in their high spirits was shattered when three officers arose. In solidarity, they walked out in solidarity with Barfoof. Then two more. The other hares looked dejected, confused, and terrified. Narsa could see her husband was becoming more and more hopeless, then not even her reassuring pat on his shoulder awoke him from his stupor.

"We attack tomorrow. Prepare the Long Patrol. We charge at midmorning."
_

Salgor and Dagor limped in high spirits into the infirmary, the normally feuding brothers were in a rare state of bliss. Their confidence surged with the discovery of the vermin horde's incompetence. Various hares from the previous battles were all in the infirmary, either getting treated or complaining about their reduced rations. Dagor, who had worked his way through battle and pain, was finally resting and getting the wound in his leg checked by a medic, as Salgor was checked over by another. Salgor was shaking a little, and Dagor was quick to notice.

"Oh cheer up you cold stone, first tastes of battle, eh?"

Salgor's good mood dropped. He had killed his first true vermin in battle, and did surprisingly well and yet he didn't feel natural. Or well, more accurately, he didn't really feel anything. He heard of hares having nightmares of their first kills, or having some terrible regrets. Yet, Salgor felt alive, even reinvigorated. He told his brother honestly "I'm not sure how I feel about it, Dagor. I expected something, anything really. Now? I have no clue what to feel. Is that normal?"

Dagor understood "It is. At least for the likes of us! Ha, I remember my ki-" Dagor winced in pain as the medic began stitching up his wound. Dagor continued after a short pause "Kill. I think it was a rat? Not sure why, but it never really felt like much when I killed it. Not even a lick of remorse. No regret, or really anything as others do. Mum says it's the magic of the mountain, but I always thought it was that I was born a warrior. Up until my learn father had his concerns."

Gambit raised an eyebrow to this "You think its magic you don't feel much when ya kill a beast?"

Dagor laughed and gave a villainous smile "Who says vermin are beasts? Nothing but a bunch of worthless runts and curs. How do you regret killing murderers and slavers?"

Salgor was quick to remind him "Mossflower law, Dagor. Even vermin live in peace here. I just thought I'd. . .feel something. Anything really."

The three's conversation was interrupted by two other badgers entering. Narsa and their little sister Nazla came rushing into the infirmary. When Narsa saw Dagor lying on a bed, she nearly tripped herself coming over and checking him over. Dagor winced as his mother would accidently move her paw over wounds as she chided him "Oh, Dagor! I missed you so much! I was hoping to find you in better shape!"

Her eyes turned to Salgor and was happy, but Salgor could tell his mother wanted something, concern in her eyes. Salgor was quick to ask "Mum, is there something wrong?"

"It's your brother, Malgor. He is still out in Mossflower! He went to go to Redwall, but I don't want him out and about with this massive horde on the loose. What if they capture him, or kill him?! I can't get any hares to spare to go out and find him, everyone is preparing for some kind of assault to rid the vermin from the beach. There was a big fight in the war room. Your father thinks we can get this over with quickly, but I am so worried."

Gambit looked shocked "A charge? Against that force?!"

Dagor shrugged "You'd be surprised, sea dog. The Long Patrol can bash through an enemy division at full charge, and strike into an enemy line. Even if they got fortifications, as soon as the Long Patrol corner those vermin in their own camp, we will have already won the battle. It's something I would do. Our hares can quickly smash their way through a vermin line, the cretans always are easily demoralized by us. It's the rout where we need to do the most damage."

Salgor was not so sure "Maybe, but this is hasty. Even for father. We need to tell him or Biggum about the major flaw with that horde outside?"

"What flaw?" Narsa spoke up. Dagor and Salgor explained, having found the northern entrance utterly abandoned and even the doors being wide open to allow others into the mountain. "I figure they think we only have one entrance into the mountain. There are tunnels even beneath us, and the burrows in the crypts. If they don't know about that, it means our enemy is completely blind to us." Dagor theorized.

Salgor however latched onto something his mother said "A fight? In the war room? By who?"

"Barfoof, dat big ol' hare. I saw him being dragged away." Nazla said with a spat "Caused a whole bunch of hares to leave in the middle of Pa's big speech I hear."

Salgor grunted "Tell me more, their names if you can."

"Oh leave it be, brother." Dagor sarcastically begged "The hares are all on edge, no reason to bully them."

"They disobeyed the order of our mountain, that is a serious punishment. Beyond demotion."

Dagor could see murder in his brother's eyes and quickly began to yell at him, getting up from his bed. "Don't be hasty yourself then, Salgor. Father will deal with it when it comes to it. I'd prefer you not try to cause worse damage than before."

"They disrespect the badger lord, our father, and flaunt the laws we hold dear! If there is no order in this mountain, what do we have then!"

"Don't you go lobbing heads off, you worthless statue of a badger! What do you think you are going to solve by killing our own hares, huh!"

"Boys!" Narsa screamed. The two arguing badgers looked at her, who was in dismay. They silenced themselves. She looked at them both and said "Please. Malgor is still out there. Salgor, I need you to use that secret entrance you found and find your brother and bring him back to the mountain. Please."

Salgor was thinking it over, but then gave his answer "I need to deal with these hares first, that is more pressing. Malgor made his choice when he left the mountain, and I will not spend time searching for him, mum. He can take care of himself, and if not, then it was his own fault from the start. If we do not abide by our rules here, then we have already lost and there will be no mountain for him to return to."

Dagor angrily tried to grab him, but Salgor pushed him away lightly and he fell onto his bed. Dagor seethed "You would rather punish our own then find our brother, huh? What was all that then about losing a few of my own hares? Do you hate us or something, Salgor the stone?"

"I do not hate you Dagor, nor despise you. I just think you're an idiot and a glory monger. That is what I despise. If dad won't enforce our laws, its up to me to do it for him. As it has always been."

"Salgor, please." Narsa tried to stand in his way, and he stopped. For a moment Salgor regretted his speech about rules and laws, seeing his mother's pitiful eyes. She was still a strong badger who could have forcefully stopped him, but he was still her beloved son. Yet, Nazla's spoke up in spite which caused Salgor to snap from such a tense moment.

"Very brave, Salgor. Going to demoralize the hares before the enemy outside does. Maybe if they capture you, they might promote you."

Salgor did not like the comment and pushed them all aside, he was followed closely by Gambit who didn't want to stay in such an awkward position without his friend. As they moved away, Dagor laid down and rested as he noticed his mother was deep in worry. He tried to comfort her.

"I am certain Malgor is fine. If anything, my brother's years traveling with that friendly lot of his makes me think he will be perfectly fine."


Minto stood at the front of his ship, looking at Mossflower country and the vast fleet and army amassed there. Where the fleet had taken a sizable amount of time to reach the shores, this was Minto's first time looking over the great forests of Mossflower. The cat stoicly looked on, oblivious to the exhaustion behind him. Minto would not be late to take up his command, he had his rowers keep rowing till they collapsed and died. When there weren't enough, he had the vermin soldiers replace them. When they started to drop, it was the cats turn to row. Even Minto's whipmaster paused and pitied those in the gallery, who soon rowed for their lives to get to Mossflower to prevent even more from dropping dead. Minto cared not, even as bodies would occasionally hit the water around him with a miserable splash. His green eyes were affixed on Mossflower, the prize of his father. He always wondered why his mother hated his forest so, wondering even further if she had even seen it. The moment Minto stared out at the green trees and beautiful forestry beyond the vast dormant mountain and camp, he desired it.

As the ship came forward and stopped near the shore of the beach, Minto was unfazed. Without effort, he leaped from the side of the ship and came onto the beach, his shadow leeching its way like a blight to the sandy shores of Mossflower. Minto paused, taking in the brief air he felt, rubbing his feet into the wet sand as waves splashed beneath him. He paused, and shut his eyes. I can see it now. Burning, the mountain! Burning! The whole blasted forest alight with my coming. I will quicken this siege, and make short work of these fools. Then I will be off to Green Isle to make short work of those otters, and me and mother will rule them all.

Minto's pause was interrupted by a cautious cough. He looked before him, his angry eyes set upon a single slave, a sea otter maid who fearfully kept her distance. Her rags and shackles upon her feet meant she was one of the common laborers, and Minto seethed.

"You best have a good reason to approach me, slave. Speak or perish."

The maid gritted her teeth and tried to speak as cautiously as possible. "S-sir. I w-was told to meet with any new c-captains who came ashore by the commander of the camp, and to send him to his tent."

"You aren't supposed to be greeting me, workbeast. You are supposed to be working." Minto came over and lifted the slave by her rags off the ground. "I do not take lies from the likes of you, especially."

Yet, despite the fear in her eyes, she quickly resumed to speak "H-he demands any. . .any captain from the ships report to him! Please, don't hurt me."

Oh that idiot.
_

Kain was still in the same position in his tent as he was when he arrived, lazily trying to sleep despite the noise outside. He barely heard the flaps to his tent open, when he heard two figures come inside, one sounded of jingling chain. He figured his temporary courier had brought him another captain as Kain spoke with a bored expression. "Just put your vermin on the farther end of the wall we are building, and start building scout towers as well. Last thing I need is an enemy army ambushing us. Welcome to Mossflower as well, I suppose."

"Welcome to Mossflower indeed." Minto replied coldly. Kain recognized him and his eyes lit up and nearly fell from his chair. He didn't catch himself in time and fell completely over. Kain looked up to see his future brother-in-law standing next to the temporary courier who looked afraid and horrified. Minto did not look happy, but didn't look angry either except for his increasingly tightening grip on his trident.

"Oh! Minto Greeneyes, lovely to see you have arrived, good lord!" Kain got up and brushed himself off as Minto slowly came forward, looking over the maps on the table. He grunted in annoyance "Kain, humor me for a moment. When you have your wildcats greeted, what evil spirit possessed you to send this filthy creature in rags to greet us in such a manner? I do hope you didn't call our captains with this. . .thing." Minto motioned the otter. Kain tried to deny it, much to her dismay "Oh? That thing! She called them herself of course, and disobeyed me. I'll have it executed at once!"

"You will not."

Kain gave a painted smile "Yes, I will not."

Minto was seething more and more, blood vessels, if they could be seen, would have made his skin red and hit. The otter was not sure to be dismayed, but if she had known Minto well, the wildcat prince's personal spite towards Kain outweighed his spite towards the sea otter. "Kain." Minto began, keeping his hawkish eyes on him "Our captains are born to be superior, treated the best by my father and come from the far west as you know. Do you think they like being called to your tent by some laborer who speaks to them as if they were some bumbling prisoner? I also noticed you lacked guards for your tent as well Kain, I must commend your bravery in that regard at least." Minto was critical, but he was partly lying. The wildcat did not find Kain's lack of order in his camp charming or brave. He found it dangerously stupid.

Kain spoke up "Well, as you should know, as commander of the army, I have surrounded the entire mountain's main entrance, and built camp fortifications! We are well prepared to starve them out."

"Oh. You have the northern entrance also under siege then, and found the other tunnels?"

"The what-now?" Minto's calm rage became a fiery one with that comment, slamming his paws into the desk, yelling at Kain "You blasted oaf of a creature! Is this how you command my father's armies, like a blasted kitten plays with their toys! Of course the hares have a back entrance, I've studied it under pain of beatings! Your defenses only surround the entrance to the mountain, but not the rest of the camp! Why are our ships damaged, and our slaves and soldiers meandering around without work!"

Kain crumbled into his chair as Minto tried to calm himself and sniffed the air in a grim manner. He arose and spoke, hissing in a low tone. "Gashan. Where is he."

"T-the pirate lord? He went off, with his crews you see, into the forest. He is looting the villages, it sounded like, but a majority of his f-forces are here of course, Minto."

Minto could not believe Kain's incompetence. He could imagine his father being friends with a slave like the dormouse more then he could imagine Kain being in his father's inner circle. "You let that sea scum burn my future villages, and take their own slaves? Likely any food and loot they may have as well. It is expected, but again. . .I suppose I should have expected this."

"I'll fix this right away, I'll go gather some cats and be off." Kain began.

"No, sit back down."

"And sitting." Kain delayed his order. He had a lot more fear of Minto than his father. At least Milo was agreeable. He had faced down armies before, sheiks and enemy sultans alike, he participated in sieges and won countless glories at both sea and land. Half of it was fake of course to impress Milo, and the other half very much over embellished. Kain always suspected that Minto was the only one to see through his ruse, and now it was showing plainly. Minto cricked his neck in a satisfying manner and spoke plainly to him.

"Father had orders to make me the supreme commander of this army. Your actions here would have thrown you into the sea with rocks on your ankles, but you are my sister's soon to be husband. So I cannot harm nor demote you. You will lead a large detachment of our vermin around the side and set up a siege camp. You are also to construct a siege ram on your side, and prepare for an assault. I noticed that wall of ships at the foot of the enemy harbor. . .your brilliant plan I take it?"

Kain nodded, and then raised an eyebrow to the rest of it "Of course Minto, but why assault an entire mountain? Starving them out seems a lot more pragmatic."

"You saw those terraces on top?"

"Yes b-"

"Those are farms, Kain. Farms. They aren't going to suffer much there. We will be out here. Our food situation, how-" Minto paused, realizing it was just as likely Kain did not even bother with such things. "Nevermind, just get out. We'll speak later."

Kain didn't say goodbye, rushing out of the tent to not even realize he was leaving his personal pavilion behind. Minto looked it over and growled to himself, despising what he saw. His attention finally was brought back to the mortified sea otter maid, wondering if she would simply be killed.

Minto instead took out a knife from his belt and took the otter's paw in his own. A wince of pain came over her as Minto carved something into her paw. When let go, it was revealed to be a very crude symbol she didn't fully recognize. He cleaned the knife with his cloak and ordered her about "Report that mark to the whipmaster. Since that incompetent made you our informal courier, now I am making it official. Now go." Minto hissed. The sea otter was out of the tent to go and obey. Once alone, Minto lightly jammed his trident face down into the ground, angrily cursing to himself.
_

Minto was busy. He was very busy.

Even though he was a cruel, sadistic, and evil beast from toes to the scalp, the wildcat could not have been called lazy. The moment he arrived, he was reorganizing the camp, setting a night guard, creating a proper command center, and organizing the siege and the ports. He ordered the slaves to start constructing piers for large transports and smaller pirate vessels, and sent out teams of slaves to go fish for his army. The food situation concerned him, but he was confident once his scavengers and raiders returned, that the crisis would solve itself. Minto was abrasive and abusive to his subordinates, but he had his plans. For Salamandastron to fall, they would have to breach it from all sides, and kill the hares within.

Minto was not fooled by the legends of the Long Patrol, having fought them twice. He was not convinced of their legend, and suspected they would try to hunker down. He would create a siege with his full force at the mountain, and once that was done, the war was effectively over. All he would have to do is sweep across Mossflower and put its people in chains, nailed down to where they were captured so he would be off to Green Isle to do the same. Minto was prepared for such a siege, but he wanted it done and over with.

Every hour, a report came to him on casualties, and when slowed the angry wildcat would yell "Why the slowness? Do you not have whips! Use them!" The camp soon became a cacophony of painful cries and snapping whips. Vermin soldiers, no better than slaves themselves, were being rounded up and forced to march in patrol or ordered around. Minto was already drafting his first report back to father, being sure to leave out Kain's incompetence to the best of his ability. The last thing he needed was Milo sending him angry letters in response and damaging his authority.

Minto did not look up from his command tent as two figures entered. He assumed it was a captain and his bodyguard. "What is it? If I didn't send for you, you better be done with your tasks." Yet when he looked up, he nearly jumped back in surprise when he saw Gashan and a large scarred looking badger with a bored expression, bound in ill fitting rope bonds since no manacle would fit.

"Uh. Minto? Ya look. . .well?" Gashan was a little surprised to see the wildcat there, expecting the early incompetence of Kain was just an arrogant fluke.

"Gashan, the hells to you! What is that thing doing here!" Minto took up his trident and aimed it at the badger. It didn't move, although he did look a bit concerned.

"Wells, weird story, matey. Found dis badger as we's were comin back from raiding. Found him watchen over the camp an' surrendered to us. Tried to put some proper chain on him, but didn't work an' looked the fool for doin it, so we just got a lot of rope an put it on his arms. Been good an' docile all the way here, practically begging to see the commander. Kain wasn't in that pavilion, but I imagine wit this new little tent, someone was in here to take him off me paws."

"A spy badger?" Minto didn't believe it, but the prisoner spoke up "No. In fact, I needed to talk with you specifically."

"You will be silent in my presence, wretch. You speak when spoken to. Now tell me, who are you, and why the easy surrender?"

The badger revealed himself "I am Malgor Ironpaw, son of Galgor Ironpaw, whose mountain you laid under siege. Poorly I might even add considering you and your army didn't build a siege camp in the northern beach. I surrendered solely to talk to you."

Minto could hardly believe it, a grin reaching across his face like a vile serpent "A son of the badger lord himself. Gashan, I might even forgive you for your impromptu raids for this prize. When your father sees your head outside the gates, badger, I will make damn well sure its bloodied all nice."

"I wouldn't do that, cat. In fact, I can do you one better."

Minto paused "Really? I think your more useful to me dead then alive, you wretched beast."

Malgor sighed and lifted up one of his arms, using his teeth to pull down his sleeve. Minto was unsure what he was doing, but then noticed a peculiar mark that was hidden just near the armpit. Minto recognized it almost immediately, the green eye symbol of all flags and branded to the cheeks of many slaves. Branded with the symbol of Milo's father, Minto realized this was one of the 'allies' he was told about, but then sneered when he realized he could now no longer kill him. Minto may have been willing to end many beasts' lives, especially his own soldiers, to fulfill his plans. Yet, his father would likely just strangle him if he didn't keep the emperor's word.

"Huh. Don't remember ya at Sandbeach." Gashan lifted an eyebrow. Minto turned to the pirate lord. "Gashan. Cut his bonds and go. I'll call for you later." Gashan did as bid, not happy in the slightest. Malgor grunted as he nursed his paws "That weasel can be killed right? His lads roughed me up quite a bit."

Minto was not interested in his complaints "Badger, tell me, what kind of continent my father promised to get your aid?"

"Not much actually, just recognition."

"Recognition?"

"Yes. Once you win here, your father is to make me the new badger lord, and lord over whatever remains of the Long Patrol and other hares. Provided there are any left, and under what rule or laws your father provides."

Minto was extremely suspicious and gave Malgor a very critical eye. "Your head is still a lot more useful than anything you promise, badger. I know this mountain almost as well as you do."

"True, but I have something you don't, cat."

Minto seethed "And that is?"

"Trust."
_

Three rats sat uncomfortably close to a boulder, their presence only hidden by its size and their purposeful sneaking. The Long Patrol above them were out and about, looking out for vermin scouts or attempts to climb the rocks. The three rats were from northern Mossflower originally, but from different lengths of time they spent their miserable lives in Sandbeach. One of the younger rats rocked back and forth, his spear resting on the boulder on the southern they were hiding.

"I can'ts believe it. Still don'ts. A badger, an on our side?" Said one rat, peeking around a corner. The one resting himself on the rock spoke up "Aye, cap'n says we gotta escort em' to the main gate. Though I don't know abouts that. Ya think it gonna be weird a couple o' rats like ourselves gonna just march a badger up to a door?"

"It sound weird to me. Long Patrol got a good amount of marksbeasts up der."

The younger rat sniffed, which caught the attention of the sitting rat "Nows you don't be doin dat. We's not be done yet, ya hear? Once we gets back to camp, nuttin but vittles fer days. Siege gonna be long, an' dem slaves are out on the ocean bringen fish." The older rat spat in disgust at the mention of it. The rat turned and affixed his green cloak. "Bloody wildcats, first dey conscript us like dis, now dey asken us to escort some stupid stripe dog? Whats if he turns on us?"

"Look." The middling rat tried to keep calm "Ifs all goes wrong, we just try to bolt fer it. Mossflower be a big country, ya know."

"Says ya. They caught me as far as dat abbey, dey did! Dragged me right out of me hole."

"They killed me pa an' ma, and dragged me an' me siblings here." The younger rat said sadly. Nearly all of them had a similar story one way or another. Yet the middling rat tried to keep their calm "Looks, things be better. Were back now, in dis Mossflower! When dem cats finally conquer dis place, fer good dis time, we can eat an' sleep to our hearts content! We's got more workbeasts to keep our bellies full, an's dat order. It'll all be worth it, ya see. Besides, if they catch any of ya out der, you'll likely end up like dos poor sea dogs."

The older rat rolled his eyes "As if we aren't already. They whip me back, an' fer what! Looken at em' wrong? Back still hurts."

"Keep it down ya geazer." The middling rat said. "Look, something be comin out of the bushes."

Malgor came slowly out of the bushes with his favorite short sword and his fanciful looking armor. He looked like a fresh adventurer, but in reality he just preferred to keep himself clean. The three rats stood at attention as he came up to them, looking them down with malcontent. He sneered angrily at them, making them back away in a shivering fear. "If the Long Patrol even got one good look at any of you, you'll be dead beasts. Now, listen up. I am going to make a run for the gates, and start banging on it. You three will come up behind. You got it?"

"Tis we pretenden we yer guard or some-" Malgor cut him off "Be silent, the plan is simple, now keep to it. On my mark." Malgor sat near the edge of the boulder, looking up occasionally to make sure there weren't curious Long Patrol nearby. The rats stared at him, fearful of what he would do. Malgor held up his paw and motioned them as the badger began to run. The rats soon followed, unsure of what they were suppose to be doing, but kept a brisk pace. Malgor ran and stopped at the door, banging on it and yelling loudly.

"Let me in! Let me in! Hurry!"

The door swiftly opened and two hares came out. The rats caught up, but that is when Malgor quickly turned and slammed his sword down on the first rat he saw. The other rat realized the treachery. In desperation he tried to jam the spear into Malgor, only for the badger angrily grab the spear and impale him. The younger rat froze in horror and backed away. He was perhaps far more lucky, as the white noise of disaster filled his mind and ears, a Long Patrol above him fired a fatal arrow into him, and blackness overtook him.


It was night at Salamandastron and the torch fires of the vast vermin siege could be seen a long way down the beach and forests. The Long Patrol kept up a night guard, but there was little time to relax. Galgor was sleeping, trying to sleep in his own bed and rest for the next day to come. Thoughts filled his mind, of Kasg's evil war, of the Greeneyed horde, and that of his people. He despised that he had a great and mighty army, a people who respected him, and the loyalty of many legendary warriors. Yet now it felt it had all fallen apart, and with no fault of his own. The mountain was under siege from an army far larger than his own, his people were likely being killed or dragged away in chains to languish at the feet of his enemies, and the loyalty of his warriors now came into question. When times like these were upon him, he would close his eyes, and visions would come to him. Just like when Kasg the Craven arrived, it was dreams who told him his secrets.

Now his visions became nightmares.

Galgor closed his eyes, and before him were the beaches of Salamandastron, littered in the bodies of Hares and woodlanders. He was horrified by what he saw, and to his left and right were lines upon lines of dejected faces, all bound in chains, being pushed inside his beloved mountain. He was mortified, what kind of vision is this! Where is the wisdom, the hope! He looked to see that his mountain had become a throne, a being cloaked in red sat upon it and the doors open. Fire spewed from the volcano as vermin arose from the sand like a plague of undeath and bowed to this being. All manner of beasts, all of them, were bound to the being who infected Galgor's dream. It chuckled to itself deeply, amused by the badger who stammered back in fear of it. Galgor had not known fear in a long time, but yet this presence horrified him. It was something beyond evil, an abomination who stretched out a paw of molten iron and wire. Chains erupted from the ground all around Galgor, latching onto him. It pulled him down, down into the abyss of the sands below.

Galgor awoke in terror, flailing around and knocking over his things. These were not normal dreams, but visions of something. Vermin spoke of demons, devils, and other fiery gods but they were just superstitions of easily frightened people. He knew the wisdom of his own visions, and would come to just know things before they happened, so why could he not see them now? How could he not see the threat before it arrived, like so many before? He once had dreams of a rat with the horns of a stag, his sword reached across mossflower like a shadow. He saw the things he had done, things he was doing, and things he would do. Until recently. Galgor wondered if he was doing something wrong, but could not figure out what.

There was a knock on his door, a happy voice shone through "Galgor!" came his wife's voice. She opened the door without warning, as Malgor entered, with a little spear cut above his eye and bruises. Galgor got up and came over, looking his son over. He did not smile however, and only noted "Good, at least you are here, Malgor. I am surprised you were not farther away?"

"I forgot some things here and to say my goodbyes originally, father. When I returned, I was pursued by rats and I-"

"Just rats?" Malgor frowned. Despite his supposed survival, his father was still critical of him, but Galgor turned to Narsa and gave her a wide smile and embraced her lovingly "We are all here now. Now stop worrying and go rest. I'll be down shortly." Narsa smiled and kissed her husband on the cheek. Once she left however, Galgor's smile turned into a disappointed frown.

"Glad to see you too, father."

"To be honest, Malgor, I wondered if you would even return? Has all that journeying with that rogue hare and mouse bard really tore you down?"

Malgor pretended to look down in shame. Yet Galgor made sure to raise his head and look him in the eyes "Malgor, I am going to make a charge against the vermin camp tomorrow. Now that you are here, I am hoping you will join me." Galgor tried to smile, but Malgor looked him straight in his eyes and began to lower them to try to look away.

"Father. You know I didn't want that life, it's why I left in the first place."

"Your people are in danger, Malgor. Do not tell me you came back simply to live out these days in a siege, and do nothing. Have you not been on wild adventurers with that Redwall warrior?"

"I have, fighting crows and common bandits. Not whole armies."

"I am asking you to help me, not fight a blasted entire army!" Galgor began to seeth. Malgor had never any doubts why his brother Salgor was a stick in the mud, or that Dagor was a bloodthirsty glory monger. Galgor only received silence as he tried to convince his son in a less subtle manner.

"I want you on the field of battle. Four badgers such as us can easily drive the enemy away, and we can crush their main camp. You are strong my son, I know full well you are not a coward nor weak."

Malgor snapped "You don't even know your own sons as well! Let alone me! All this talk about fighting, and if you ever had a single original thought in your life, you w-" Malgor was interrupted by his ranting with a vicious slap from Galgor in anger. It felt more like a punch as Galgor firmly retorted in kind "Go down to the mess hall and eat with the other hares, you'll be helping out one way or another. If you can't tow the line like your brothers, then you can at least help others in some capacity. Now get out." Malgor obeyed as Galgor was left in his room, thinking ever poorly of himself and his family.
_

Salgor was looking down at one hare in particular who was looking up to him with spite. It was an officer who had his paws clasped behind his back in a salute, but that respect was not shared between either of them. The two were not the only ones in the room, a small training studio full of small dummies and a center ring for mock duelling. Gambit and a small group of hares were watching, unsure of what was exactly going to happen as the two were having a very tense conversation with one another.

"Sar, I walked out of that meeting because of how Barfoof has been treated, wot. Not because I am disloyal."

"You sided with a hare who was out of line and humiliated you lord in turn. If that isn't disloyalty, then I have no clue why you keep your rank."

The hare was insulted "I keep my rank because I am the only one who fought and bled for it, Salgor Ironpaw. I fought my battles against Kasg and his evil doers. I do not bloody well se-"

"And disrespecting your superiors is also a grave offense." Although Salgor often complained about his nickname, Gambit kept his mouth shut knowing why his friend had such troubles keeping friends. Salgor was stubborn, brutally so, especially when it came to even the tiniest rules. It was a personal insult to him to know anyone who broke one single command of badger law, which Gambit found silly but yet understandable. Having been taught by his father to learn every rule, code, and conduct there was would have turned him into such a statue himself, especially at the threat of Galgor not sparing the rod to spoil Salgor. Yet, the sea otter probably wondered if perhaps things would have been a lot better if his family spared that rod.

"I do not disrespect you sar, I am simply giving my grievances in the best way I know how, wot."

Salgor had been acting the inquisitor all day, his movement between officer to officer and his personal and unsanctioned investigation had not earned him better standing. It made many hares very thankful that even a muscle minded warrior like Dagor would be their new lord. Salgor made his ill content known as he extended his paw, expecting the hare to hand over something.

"Your badges and your sword. From as far as I see it, you are demoted to the rank of soldier, the lowest I can give you without making you a non-combatant."

The hare stood stoically, but seeing he had no choice, he began to take off his most precious badges, all honors won in the war with Kasg the Craven. The hare painfully placed them in Salgor's paw, his iron stare looking down on him. Gambit sighed, as Salgor claimed his first victim. Before the hare could give up his sword, a loud voice was heard. "Stand at attention!" All the hares did, as Biggum came in and looked around. His eye gleamed in annoyance at Salgor as he came over to the now demoted officer.

"Good sir, your demotion is revoked and you are to return to your duties as top officer of the 2nd company of longspears immediately." Biggum personally placed the metals back onto his vest, and commented "Now that is far much better, good friend. You will don't want any hare seeing these missing for a moment." Biggum saluted the officer who saluted back. Biggum then raised his voice to the remaining hares "Dismissed!"

Salgor looked down angrily but silently at Biggum who waited for them all to leave. Gambit figured this would just be another massive shouting match, as Biggum raised his voice in a strict tone "Salgor Ironpaw, as much as I appreciate order as you do, last I checked you are neither the badger lord nor general of the Long Patrol. For all your talk of rules, why break this one?"

"Biggum, he sided with that rogue hare then his own lord. I thought it was a given." Salgor folded his arms angrily, as Biggum spoke up.

"Salgor, I am the one to handle Barfoof and his gaggle of misfits, but it is a mistake I do intend to repeat. Doufy is already making the rounds, talking down some officers, but that is it. I'd prefer you not demoralize our hares before our charge into the vermin camp."

Gambit scratched his head "I don't get it, is that wise?"

"Good sea otter, we are the Long Patrol. We will be in full divisions before the enemy has time to even grab their weapons. Camp fighting is easy, and with that horde so close, we will be able to hit them in ease. I can't do that when half of my officers think their reward for victory is demotion to camp cook, wot. Our cheery attitudes aren't for show, there is a method to the madness. It intimidates the vermin, and once we are loose in their camp, the battle is already over. It's just a matter of getting there, something we excel at. It worked with Kasg's little fortress, it'll work here."

"Oh! Like crashing a wave into'em? I think I get it. . .but like, what if they are already in divisions before you arrive?"

Salgor interrupted "As much as I love talking about strategies, I don't see why you don't punish them, Biggum. Or Barfoof for that matter."

"I know Barfoof, and I know him all too well. He spent seasons in utter loss of his son. You remember Cato? That bright lad? It's all damage done by Kasg, and his evil black clad horde. No beast came from that more sane then they went in, even with all the warnings we got. Noonvale was close to being overrun, and we. . .delayed. Something Barfoof never forgave me for."

"Delayed?"

Salgor sighed "Yes. I remember, father talked about going north with an army, but he didn't go in time. That delay gave Kasg the foot into our lands, didn't it?"

"Yes, and despite his nickname, that devil certainly knew how to drive his dagger straight into us. He threw wave after wave of vermin at us, and knew we could barely hold on. He was 'empire building' in the north, as they call it, and apparently very successful too. Disturbingly so. I even heard they were building roads, towns, even a city along the icy coast. Not sure what became of it, but Kasg moved down to bother us instead. Many hares died in that war, or worse. Cato was amongst the dead, leading a valiant assault to distract the enemy army while we destroyed their camp and killed Kasg. He nearly had me too, until Jue distracted him with that sword of his."

"I don't see the point in this, Biggum. Is there a point at all?"

"Salgor, you just asked a hare who earned those metals for not only bravery, but also out of memorium. The little purple one? A honor of martyrdom for a lost sister, her brave sacrifice. That officer survived a terrible amount of casualties in the first battle, watching comrades die and survived. He and Barfoof were in the north together, trying to hunt down the last parts of Kasg's horde. Now creatures like Markem, wherever he comes from, are now sitting in some vermin fort, and are besieging Tussock as we speak."

Salgor sighed "I see your point, but that does not forgive crimes against our laws, Biggum. Hero or not."

"Then it's a good thing you will never be a badger lord, Salgor." Biggum retorted and marched out of the room.
_

Outside of Salamandastron, on its northern side, Kain was looking beyond the bushes with his captains at closed gates of the tunnel leading into Salamandastron. Nearby, a couple barely visible hares would pass by, keeping an eye on the woods and to the sea. When one looked their way, Kain and his captains would duck, and start speaking softly to themselves. Behind them were several large divisions of horde beasts and even some slaves, silently sleeping or sitting without torchlight. Only the stars illuminated their presence.

"If those hares are outside, my liege, then that means the door isn't open. Me and the vermin could quickly get in, maybe eve-"

Kain cut him off "No. This is an opportunity we cannot miss. If Milo hears I fail him, and it comes from Minto's curse laden writing, I am a dead beast. You will be too if you do not shut up." Kain gripped his spear, looking out over at the hares. He was fascinated how such creatures who didn't really look as strong as a normal cat could give an aura of such fear. The vermin were weary of engaging them, and viewed them as much as his own people would view demons. These ones at least were real to Kain.

An idea formed in Kain's mind, he looked to see that if they could rush the tunnel, they could easily breach Salamandastron's interior. Fighting would be brutal, but that is what he had horde beasts for. He smiled, but then frowned when he heard a length of chain lightly be slapped by one of the slaves. He turned his critical eye to his horde, as snores and awkward movements could be heard. If they had been closer, he would have been noticed.

"I have a plan, now listen up. When morning comes tomorrow, we will sneak up to the tunnel and take it." Kain plotted, simply and with little flair. The other captain spoke up. "Sir, those sentries nearest to us? They will spot us the moment we even try to use the rocks for cover."

He wanted to slap his captain for daring to insult him, but he was right and held his paw. He thought it over and looked to the sea. Several hares were watching, hidden from view as they kept an eye on pirate ships and transports which passed them. In the night, a wagon of supplies would roll into Salamandastron in secret, barring a few more soldiers to the cause. Kain felt like a fool when he saw it, but then had an idea.

"Quickly, send someone to Gashan, that pirate lord. Have him land a naval force behind their lines and distract the hare patrols, and while they are distracted with them, we'll make our way into the mountain! Hurry now!" One of the captains rushed off, making too much noise.

A hare looked in that direction, already ducking behind a rock to where Kain could not see him. The hare would poke out his head, scanning the forest for intruders, trying to listen. The coughs and snores of vermin were muffled from a distance, but he could swear he heard something. Kain knew this was it, his plan foiled. Yet, as the hare drew a bit closer, another hare came to relieve him of his duty. More excited with an evening meal and a decent nap, the Long Patrol scout hopped off back inside the mountain and Kain sighed with relief.


Dagor and his father never talked much, but today was a special day. For all of them. Dagor had his own armor on, he, his brother Salgor, and their father were in the forge. Daybreak was nearly upon them. Dagor placed an old and masterwork breastplate onto Galgor's chest, strapping it in. They all wore chainmail of some sort, with Salgor still getting more used to his slightly lighter iron plate. Salgor stood, trying to put on his own cuirass. Dagor was finished as Galgor took up his mighty sword and slid it into his sheathe. He looked to Dagor, a glint of pride in his eyes "I am proud of you, Dagor. I truly am, I just wish we didn't have to go through with this. Are you ready?"

Dagor chuckled "This isn't my first time running down a vermin horde. Me and the hares went over the plan." Dagor wanted to say something along the lines of 'How about you Salgor' or 'Maybe the stone should stay in place' in mockery of his ever combative brother. Yet, the mood in the room was icy and Dagor did want trouble in the last hours before battle. Galgor came over to Salgor, who was still putting on his armor with some difficulty. Galgor calmly helped him, tightening his armor and trying to speak comfortably to him.

"If you fight as bravely as you did on board the Mountain of the Sea today, you will be fine, Salgor."

"I just hope this thing isn't too tight, to be honest. It feels uncomfortable."

Dagor grunted "It cause you gained weight, my dear brother. This is Pa's younger armor if I am not mistaken."

Salgor would have been pleased if he was younger, even prideful. Yet his brother always found a way to make even charming moments into passive aggression. Salgor frowned as his father also commented, trying to cheer up the mood. "You gained weight, but not too much. Salgor, I am proud of you as well. You may not have been the warrior I was when I was younger, but you are still my son. This is not what I meant for you to do, not to fight like I did for most of my life. When I was called to this mountain, I would never expect such a thing, not like this."

Salgor could see and hear his father's regrets, but he honestly was rather excited. At long last, he could prove himself on the field of battle. Maybe even earn his respect. Galgor patted him "My boy, I always wanted you to be less like me, to be tame. When we return from battle. I am going to send you to eastern Mossflower instead. To help and grow, to help Mossflower and your brother."

Salgor perked up in excitement, his smile brought a smile to his father's face. "You have earned that at least. Now, are you ready?"

Salgor patted his trusty claymore 'Slayer' which sat comfortably to his belt. He lightly beat his chest, pumping himself up for the coming battle. Dagor rolled his eyes at this, thinking it was foolish to give his brother more responsibility. Salgor readied himself and sighed out "I am ready."

The three badgers walked down, their armor clinking with each step. As they walked, they were joined by general Biggum and some of his elite guards. Salgor and Dagor told their father of the entrance outside, and that Biggum would be leading a special flanking manuever. He and a small hare detachment would move out from the northern beach and hit the enemy camp from the rear. The majority of the hares, with Dagor and Galgor leading, would charge the vermin barricades before they even awoke, and would attempt to burst into the camp. If all went to plan, the hares would be routing the majority of the army, and the real campaign against the Greeneyes could begin. Salgor was put into Dagor's divisions, the brothers would work beside one another. The Long Patrol would burst from all the doors in a sudden fashion and swarm the field, and the battle would begin in earnest.

Galgor held his breath at the door, awaiting a single report from the scouts above. A single light trumpet, and the initiative would be theres. Galgor braced himself, once again heading into battle. He had made his goodbye to his wife and daughter, but did not tell them of his nightmares. He kept himself close to the door, ready to strike. The stone doors were unlocked, ready to be pushed open. A sound, a most terrible sound came from far into the caverns, the signal was heard. Galgor pushed open the doors to Salamandastron, and the hares went out to greet the Green Eyed Horde.
_

Minto was just waking up, getting out of his bed and putting on his cloak. On time, making sure of it this time at least, a shrew slave hurried his way into his tent with his rations. Minto harshly took his plate and drink and ate of the delicacies only afforded to superior beasts like him. Minto was aware that if he was going to break into Salamandastron, he would need maybe a month at best. A single assault would be decent enough. In a sudden motion, a huffing feral cat entered into his tent, exhausted and trying to catch his breath. Minto arose in anger, ready to give the insolant recruit a beating of a lifetime. Then he heard the shouts, and then the horns.

He grabbed his trident and pushed the recruit to the side before he could even speak, pushing past cats and vermin already rushing to the front as well. Minto pushed to the main open path to his camp, seeing his captains get into a terrible and quick formation. Most of the vermin were not even armored, told to abandon everything but their weapons. A huge host of Hares in one moment would charge out of the entire mountain, and he could see an armored badger in the front. They would form up into a triangle formation, rushing at full speed towards his open gates. Minto shouted "We are under attack! Rally the vermin! Forward! For your emperor!"

Minto's cry only mattered to the wild cats themselves as they did as bid, perhaps a bit stupidly. The wild cats and their vermin soldiers held out spears as they crashed into a Long Patrol formation. The hares would swiped with spears and swords, cutting down vermin before in perfect step retreating to the back of the formation so another could take their place in the front. As these formations hit the main gates, getting caught in the choke points, not even a quarter of the hares had arrived and they were already laying vermin left and right. One hare had even charged through the line, directly trying to put his rapier into Minto. The wild cat spun his trident around and pushed it into the brave creature.

Galgor on the other hand was rushing not towards an open gate, but to the very walls themselves. The small logs, acting as barriers, would need to be pulled down so that his full force could make it through. The hares were held up by an increasing mass of desperate vermin at the choke points made by the vermin fortifications. Arrows from both sides began to rain down, killing and weakening the means to defend or attack. Galgor slammed into the wall, and barged through and into the very camp itself. Several foreign cat archers looked on in both amazement and horror as Galgor swung his blade and turned trained soldiers into corpses. The hares had broken through.

Minto could see the danger of the situation, and raised his horn. He called for reinforcements, not to retreat. The wildcat prince shouted orders to his captains "Put more vermin in the line! Drown them in spears! Get me my archers!" Minto screamed and shouted, drawing Galgor's attention. Like a hunter, Minto savored the moment to both killed the badger lord and humiliate his brother's failure, and gripped his trident menacingly. Armor, strength, and skill mattered not him, as he recklessly charged Galgor.

Galgor would slam his sword into the ground, creating tiny storms of sand and dust, his sword clanging against Minto's trident. The duel was interrupted when a horde of vermin came crashing out of the tents and running over others, as Galgor disengaged. Minto relentlessly began to try to goad the badger into further dueling, seeing how the badger would evade him and swing his sword to turn several soldiers at once into dead beasts. Minto then realized what he was doing, as the vermin horde began to break at the southernmost gate they were fighting at.

Galgor and his hares were winning, up until the full might of the host came bearing down. The choke points proved too much for the hares, and even as the hares were overwhelming the gates, the vast host just kept coming. Pirates, cats, and vermin came with swords and crashed down on them with increasing numbers and skill. Minto formulated his own plan and retreated to a safe distance. He gathered his captains together, knocking heads and getting some of the vermin into formal division. He dragged archers from others into their own lines, using them to hamper one weakened gate to another. The battle kept dragging on and on, with no clear side to who was winning.

The Long Patrol broke through the defensive line, but then Galgor realized far too late why his enemy retreated. Minto came crashing down on him again, with vermin spears in front and did a counter charge through their own line. Long Patrol and Green Eyed horde beasts were skewered alike, as Minto cared not. Volleys began to rain down, as Galgor desperately tried to fend off Minto who came at him again and again. Minto scratched his armor, prodded and tormented him, but could never land a blow. Galgor in desperation would return in kind to smash at him, and it did little to nothing as the cat dodged and weaved. Minto's charge was not without casualties, and he cursed himself. He pulled in captains, seeing a lack of pirates from Gashan. "Where is Gashan! Get him and his sea scum to the front! Now!" The captain pointed to the sea, and all Minto could see was a swarm of ships heading north. He hissed angrily. "Traitors! Traitors!"

Galgor when was finally hit, but not by Minto. An arrow was shot into him by a vermin on the other side of the field. Another blow was hit, by a feral cat who landed a vicious blow. Galgor kept slicing his way through vermin, but they kept coming. More and more piled on, until Gaglor could take no more and retreated back to his safer lines. Minto relentlessly pursued, battling the hares in zealous hate. Galgor was dizzy, his mind fluttering as he watched the battle drag on. Where is Biggum, he should have been here by now. Galgor looked around. Where are Salgor and Dagor? Where are they?
_

It was moments before the battle, Dagor and Salgor were at the bottom right tunnel which led into one of the main storerooms, They would soon burst through the door and be on the battlefield. Gambit was by their side, ready for battle himself. Dagor commented on the sea otter.

"Brave, but are you sure you want to be here, sea dog?"

"Of course I do! Those are fellow clansbeasts in chains in those camps, and I will lay down some good ol' Green Isle justice on those whiskered devils!"

Salgor chuckled "Hear hear! We'll free them, good friend. We'll free them."

"Don't celebrate yet, battle isn't won ye-" They paused as they heard the light trumpet. In forceful silence, the two brothers tensed up and pushed the door to the outside. They saw in the distance the gateless vermin encampment, and light barricades in the sand. They charged out without a battlecry and began to make their way forward. The vast amount of hares brought bravery to their side as they charged. When vermin began to move to the front of the entrances to the camp, they cowardly shook spears. They were only kept there by the wills of their masters who stood behind, their own weapons at the ready. Yet, as Dagor and Salgor began to charge, the vermin for whatever reason counter charged and were swiftly replaced by increasing reinforcements.

Dagor, Salgor, and Gambit fought the lines at first, but as they tried to reach through the gates, a runner was pushing past soldiers to Dagor. Dagor was about to charge his hares through when the Runner stepped in front of them, getting his attention.

"Sir! Biggum is being attacked by a massive force from the south! He requests reinforcements!"

The three looked horrified at one another. They couldn't exactly just leave the battle. Nor could they reach their battle raging father in time to tell him. Dagor made a fateful decision "Salgor, Gambit. And some of your hares, we will reinforce Biggum! The rest of you, charge forward! Eulalia!" Salgor couldn't debate his brother and turned to the larger battle. It looked like it was going well as the vermin were being crushed at their own defensive lines. The two brothers, their friend, and a group of hares retreated back. They met Doufy at the gates, reading his crossbow. He looked a lot less cheery then usual, and yelled out to them.

"Follow me! Malgor is getting some logs from the storage! We need to hold that gate, they are swarming us!" Running down empty halls, the two brothers charged their way towards the gate. Blood streaked some of the walls, as some dying or injured hares were resting, their paws on wounds. They heard the battle outside. Dagor rushed forward as Salgor did not, looking around for something to challenge and kill.

It was rather confusing to him, but it looked like a massive host of vermin had streamed from the side of the mountain and got spotted, and were now engaged in battle. Its commander, a cat with a spear looking from a foreign land, could land a single blow on one of the hares. The hares fought tooth and claw, but were not winning. Biggum could be seen, ramming his rapier into a vermin as he delved behind rocks, dodging out of the way of arrows. Salgor came up to him, unsure of what to do at first. Dagor looked like he was having a sadistic form of fun, a group of vermin ended up headless in a single sweep of his axe.

Biggum yelled over the loudness of battle, but Salgor could not hear him. Biggum shook Salgor, getting his attention "The archers! They are in the bushes! Can you kill them?! I and Doufy will cover you!" Salgor nodded and rushed out from cover. Biggum took a crossbow from a fallen hare and fired a shot into the bushes and a blood curdling scream confirmed his mark. Doufy stood behind, firing his own and reloading in such speed that it terrified the trained archers.

Biggum could not believe that he had been ambushed, nor could he believe that the cats had gotten so close to the door that they had broken one of the locks. The scouts had spotted them, but not in time, as Kain had come out of the bushes in desperation at them. His division was not a small one either, enough vermin to fill an entire siege camp on its own. The battle did not go well for the Long Patrol, some falling in the main volley from archers hidden in the treeline.

Salgor was accompanied by Gambit as they burst through the bushes and into an entire division of vermin archers. Salgor swung his claymore, and in one blow without much effort, he had snuffed out several lives. The rhythm of battle was overtaking him, as he grew angrier and angrier. He sliced through vermin, the archers retreating as best they could from the two, but Salgor could see only red. He picked up a fallen vermin and threw it so hard, it slammed and killed another retreating vermin. Salgor could see they were routing, but as he looked over at the coast, his mind became blank. The black flagged ships, some with hues of red and blues, were starting to come around, trying to land on the shore.

Gashan did not join the battle, nor any his captains, but his transports full of cats and vermin did. A huge host of pirates came onto the shore, making their way up to vulnerable Long Patrol and ending them. The Long Patrol fought back with increasing veracity, but their numbers began to dwindle bit by bit. Kain could see the battle was finally turning in his favor, and from a safe distance called out to his minions "Charge the tunnel! Charge the tunnel, do it for Mil Gr-" Kain had lifted his paw, only to have a bolt lodged through it and he fell to the ground in pain. His speech cut off, only to realize he was lucky to be alive, as Doufy had aimed for his head. Thinking he felled the vermin, Biggum called out "Retreat! Back to Salamandastron! Retreat!"

The Long Patrol were disengaging and rushing inside, and greeting them was Malgor with the small holding logs. Once all the acceptable long Patrol were in, Dagor and Salgor entered with Gambit close behind. They closed the door to the tunnel, just as the vermin began to try to bash and chip their way through it. Arrows rained down on them from above, killing more of them then needed. Gashan was practically rolling his eyes as he commanded his crew to unload a rowing boat and to tip it on its side, ramming it into the gate. On the other side, Malgor struggled to put the logs into place to keep the door closed as Dagor shouted out.

"Retreat further into the volcano! Go!"

"Now is not a time for Martyrdom, Dagor." Salgor said in exhaustion. Dagor pushed his brother out of the way, the vermin slowly bashing their way through the tunnel door. Dagor decided to make a drastic decision, and began to hack away at the tunnel's roof. It was small enough for him to reach, as the room shook and cracked. Biggum ordered "Get out! Get out of the tunnels!"

Gambit and Malgor were already retreating as Salgor joined in what his brother was doing. As the first vermin slowly emerged from the opening doors, they soon heard the cracking as well. Dirt and rocks began to pour down, filling the tunnel and Salgor and Dagor ran for their lives as the tunnel collapsed further. They could not see much in front of them, except a single better secure hall. Salgor would look behind as light was snuffed out by falling debris, and was coming much closer. Slowed by their armor, the two badgers made on last attempt to jump into the secure hall as dirt and rocks began to fall in front of them.
_

The battle outside was not decided just yet, but Galgor was having difficulties. He had greatly underestimated the vermin. When he fought Kasg's horde, the black clads were well skilled and professional much like his hares, but they would break and run if they took considerable losses. This was given with any army, but most important with vermin. Yet, instead, the vermin fought for their bitter lives as their masters whipped their backs to charge forward, crashing into the hares more preferably then being dealt out justice by their new overlords. If vermin cruelty was a flaw in their hordes, then it was boon here.

Galgor's hares had pushed far past the gates, but now were surrounded, their lines stretching ever further as the hares piled more corpses onto the beach. Yet, hares were falling left and right, and Minto proved a reckless and insane foe. When one division of vermin formed at his back, he sent them to go reinforce a line which was failing. The wildcat commander cared not if his archers fired on his own troops, and it was proving to be stupidly effective. Divisions of cheaper infantry who distract the superior Long Patrol forces, only for both to be pelted by archers. The Long Patrol kept the battle even with snipers taking pot shots at captains and taskmasters, and Long Patrol archers kept up a brutal barrage where they through their lines could break through. The Long Patrol were pushing the enemy further back, but it was getting more and more costly.

Once again, Galgor charged into the lines, his sword crashing against his enemies. A badger was a terrible weapon, his presence alone brought hope to his soldiers and fear to his enemies. Vermin would pause and simply accept death as Galgor cleaved them in two. It was a horrifying sight for the cats who had never seen such brute strength. Worse yet, Galgor was built like a tank. He would take a wound or two, but it didn't slow him down. It only made him angrier. As his rage grew, so did his kill count. Only Minto kept the badger from utterly devastating his lines, but even he tired against the onslaught of the lord of Salamandastron.

Minto kept up a duel, and he dueled the badger often in the battle. The two would fight, but both limped away with nothing to show. As brave and reckless as he was, Minto was cautious enough to not get baited further into the Long Patrol lines, and Galgor was not stupid enough to do the same. The dark prince of Sandbeach continued to push his vermin forward, and much to the horror of the Long Patrol commanders and officers, the vermin were pushing back. True, they had slain a lot of vermin, but the Green Eyed horde was bigger.

Galgor could see what was happening. Preparing himself one final time, he charged into the lines once again. This time however, Minto was waiting for him. As Galgor aided one line of Long Patrol, Minto emerged from his divisions and attacked. Galgor again would make desperate sweeps to kill Minto, but the cat evaded and parried with his trident. The exhausted cat this time took a different approach, mocking the badger lord.

"How does it feel, Badger! To see my father's mighty army at your doorstep!" Galgor answered by pounding the ground and tried a wide cleave. Minto barely dodged in time, a slight cut on his chest was all Galgor got for his efforts. Minto began to back up, calling out "When I am done, Badger, I think I might spare some of your kind. To serve and bend knee to me!" Galgor was enraged, striking further. He felt slight prods and pokes, but Minto could be seen further back, still goading him.

"Or perhaps not! Perhaps I will mount your heads on the walls of Sandbeach so all those petty slavebeasts can look to see what happens to those who defy us!"

The comment hurt him as Galgor charged. Minto had prepared to dodge against, but this time wasn't so lucky. Galgor punted the cat in the chest far into his own camp, and swung pointlessly. He was in rage, and looked all around and saw nothing but enemies. He would sweep left and kill vermin. Right, more vermin. Front. Back.

Galgor realized too late where he was, as vermin crawled all over him like a swarm, going for his legs and face. When Galgor could no longer use his weapon, he used his paws, tearing vermin asunder with increasing fury. Galgor would continue to battle, not noticing his Long Patrol had desperately surged forward to even the odds. Galgor was already falling over from wound and injuries, and limped back to safety. He did not have strength to continue now, looking over the battle lines. Then he saw it, and the hope he had for victory was snuffed out.

From the forests, a huge cry emerged as pirates and another wildcat army came out, coming to join the battle. Gashan and Kain, no longer able to do anything about the collapsed tunnel, came to Minto's aid, although he was not grateful. Galgor muttered lowly "Retreat." He tried to cry again, but no one could hear him except a few concerned hares "Retreat!"

A horn blew from Salamandastron, the hares looked to see only a small force and a bloodied up Biggum, blowing a horn. It was the call of retreat as the Hares broke their disengagement with the vermin and retreated backwards. Minto cried out to rout the enemy, but the hares were too fast, only slowly to give their lord time to return. Arrows rained down on vermin from above as those who got too close were killed. The wild cats cheered in victory, having beaten back their enemy.

Minto returned to the front, some ribs broken from Galgor punting him into a tent. He raised his trident weakly, but with what strength he had boomed out his mockery "Go back to your hole, badger lord! Enjoy it while it lasts!"

As Minto was drunk on victory, his captains looked to one another in dismay. None of them had the heart to tell them the losses, the massive losses so severe they may as well have not won the battle at all.


The night was passing as the badger lord was passed to the infirmary, reported to by Biggum with what had happened. Their assault against the siege camp failed, but Biggum tried to cheer his lord up by saying it could have been far worse. Yet, the badger lord sat in his bunk, dejected and thinking. When Biggum went through the halls, he passed by injured hares, some gave him threatening looks. The hares had gone through a lot, and did not have much to show for it. Their north tunnel was not permanently destroyed, their forces now far worse for wear. Yet Biggum was confident, he had faced odds like these before. If Kasg had taught him anything, numbers did not matter so long as results could be achieved. All they had done was fumble, and they would surely rise again.

Biggum walked into a larger corridor, which was becoming quite dusty. Biggum was in total relief to see two badgers half buried in the dirt and rubble. They were stuck, but alive and drunk on their adventure.

"I'd say that was close, Dagor, but frankly I just wish you told me ahead of time."

"So long as you aren't barking rules about destruction of property here, Salgor, I will be happy!"

"I actually don't think we even have rules on that, except for some more ob-"

"No! None of that!" Dagor tried to pull a paw free from the dirt, but could not to slap his brother over the head. Biggum looked around, noticing there was no sign of Malgor. There were a lot of hares trying to dig the two out without causing further damage as Biggum spoke.

"You are lucky you two have divine providence, wot. Otherwise, I'd be making your father and mother much more upset."

"I heard." Salgor grunted "How bad did it go, Biggum?"

"We had to retreat, but we took a lot more vermin into the gray forest then they did to us, that is for certain. Had we known about that entire horde beyond the treeline, we would have routed them instead. Bloody blighters are a lot more competent than you two thought."

Dagor agreed. Biggum spoke up "Where is Malgor anyhow? Wasn't he supposed to be helping you dig yourselves out?"

"He said he was called by father to his room about something important, but didn't say what. Is father okay?"

"He is. . .alive." Biggum said reluctantly. The Hares were nearly done digging out the two badgers, but it was clear it was going to take a lot of pulling and pushing. Biggum looked down, proud of his hares. Yet, one hare in particular tried to avoid his line of sight. Biggum kept staring until the hare slightly turned to see if he was still staring. Biggum looked furious as he stared back into the face of his son Sarl.

"Sarl. I do not recall you being in the cleaning details."

Sarl stood and fiddled his paws and he tried to speak up "Pops, If I may, we had so few hares back at the mountain. I thought it pru-"

"There was a battle outside, Sarl. I needed every hare at my disposal, and you were on that list." Biggum quickly retorted. "You disobeyed a direct order."

Sarl wanted to speak up, but didn't. Biggum angrily spat "Since you are so intent on cowardice, you can at least do some help by scrubbing the bloody whole of Salamandastron! Hop to it!" Sarl went to do as bidded, as Biggum looked less than pleased. Even when given the opportunity, his son shirked such glory. At times like these, he wished the martyr Cato was his son, and Barfoof had his. He turned to the badgers and sighed.

"Once you are out of this predicament, your mother has made it perfectly clear to me you will be, and I quote 'be washed and well rested till the war is over'. Dagor, that apparently goes double for you."

The two badgers gave each other a cringe expression, but nodded in agreement. Biggum smiled and went to his more grim business.
_

Malgor made a lonesome journey up to his father's room, the darkness of the corridors were less used then most. He came to the large door of the badger lord and knocked, and there was no answer. Malgor grunted in annoyance, knocking again to the same silence. Eventually Malgor figured his father was asleep, but the door slowly opened. Galgor's depressed face looked out, battered and bruised from his fight outside. He had not fully healed not rested, but had the strength to call his son into his quarters. Malgor stepped in as Galgor sat at his desk.

The badger lord was looking down at a sealed letter, with his stamp upon it. Malgor asked a prudent question "Is something wrong, pa?"

"A lot of things, my son." Galgor noted "I have no clue why these things happen to me. My family, my hares, and even my country are in ruins it feels like. You and your brothers fight among themselves, our enemy openly mocks us at our front gates. This conflict, this war, feels far different then what it should be. Kasg at least could be beaten when I was in my prime, but now I feel too old and weary to continue. Even my dreams darken." Galgor grasped his head, pain from headaches welled within.

Malgor went over to the ancient fireplace in the room, and began to light a warm fire. Galgor continued "Malgor, I am sorry. I should not have said those things. I do not know why, but it feels like everything I am leave me. This mountain, its power, and all its mysteries now feel so lost."

Malgor continued to listen, stirring the fire with an iron prod. He stirred the fire, making sure it was warm in the room.

"Thank you, but I did not call you here alone to stir a fire or listen to an old fool ramble."

"Of course." Malgor said in a bored tone. Galgor did not appreciate it and came over, forcing his son to his level. "Listen, and listen closely."

Malgor listened as Galgor handed him a letter "You are to use the secret tunnels, the ones Salgor knows. You and Salgor are to escape, and go south. Our hare garrison in the south isn't enough, but we have allies in other places beside Green Isle and Noonvale. You are to deliver this to the king of Southward, and into the paws of Hubert II Squirrelking. He has an army, a large one, and if we are to defeat our foes we will need their aid. It will be dangerous Malgor, which is why Salgor and your companions must go with you." Maglor listened, and his eyes partly widened. Malgor took the letter in his paw and set it into his pockets. Galgor did not smile as he lamented.

"Malgor, my son. I never wished this on you or your brothers. These are the most terrible times that even I cannot help my people. I cannot even face my hares, not like this. Can you do it. Can you deliver what I ask to Southward and bring an army?"

Malgor smiled "Of course, father. Of course!"

Galgor patted his son. He turned, getting readied to go down and make his reports to his hares, but as he turned towards the door, he saw something. The smile dropped from Galgor's face. In the corner, blocking the door was a figure that was not there before. It was another badger, tall and old. Its eyes were as white as stars and he leaned upon a great sword lightly. The figure looked ghastly, and he stared. The figure reminded a lot of the old depictions of Lord Brocktree. The figure was pointing, it was pointing behind him. Galgor had many visions before, but never like this, and he decided to do what the spirit bidded. As Galgor turned, his last vision was Malgor bashing the hot iron poker into his face.

Galgor's body tumbled to the ground, but Malgor was not done. He specifically began whacking the face and head of his father's body. The elder badger did not react, as he limped and twitched. Malgor stood over the badger lord, admiring his work to some grisly degree. Despite his blunt attempts at assassination, the badger lord still twitched, even as blood began to pool onto the floor. Malgor was partly impressed, even in his dying breath his father would try to fight. He had no clue why he began to turn, nor why he stopped for so long. Probably another vision, little good it did him in the end.

Malgor took the burning hot poker and pushed it into Galgor's head. The badger lord finally stopped moving and Malgor only gave a slight grunt to his work. A cold breeze was in the room, as if the ghosts of Salamandastron all watched his evil act. Malgor did not pity him, and coldly took the letter from his pocket.

"No one is coming to save this country. That's for certain." Malgor threw the letter into the fire, one of many final betrayals he would commit that day. Now all he had to do was wait till morning, and all of Salamandastron would belong to the Greeneyes.