Redwall: War of the Four Banners

by PepperDeadSworn

"Young as autumn, old as summer, from sea to forest the cries of war shall come Four armies, one outcome, in ruin you shall find the truth Look to the place of my rest, for friend shall be foe, and foe shall be friend." A epic tale of Redwall in which four great factions battle for the fate of Mossflower itself.

38. He who Protests is an Enemy

Chapter 37: He who Protests is an Enemy

Eskert was happily humming to himself on the southern hills which stretched before him, looking out over the whole of southern Mossflower's fields and plains. Loy was humming in unison next to him, as the mouse felt a lot more alive since he started this journey. Pelo and Lufan remained behind them, a little bit more somber in their mood. Eskert was speaking up about the old tales to pass the time, going ever southward to find his supposed allies. "Then, when all hope seemed lost, Mathias of Redwall had bursted from the brush and charged with his force of shrews against the enemy Cluny the Scourge. Me mother told me that tale many times you see. I'm surprised you had not heard of it, Loy."

Loy frowned a little "I wish it was told to me. Me Pa used to mention Redwall a lot, even travelled there with a squirrel named Jue th-"

"Jue the Warrior. The Champion of Redwall." Eskert said rather proudly "I do wish I got to meet him. Last I heard, he disappeared. No doubt, if Martin is asking me to find this sword, no doubt something dreadful has happened."

Loy shouldered what few provisions they had, speaking in a friendly and open tone. He had once held nothing but depression and fury at one point, but now he relaxed knowing all those terrible years of servitude was behind him. However, when he shouldered his pack a bit too much, he felt the familiar sting on his back and stopped, to grit his teeth. "Bloody hell!" The group stopped to help Loy.

Eskert examined the otter a bit more and sighed when he lifted up his shirt to reveal the pink marks of a lash. There were plenty of them, and Eskert shook his head "We really need to get you and Loy some help. Lufan knows more about medicine, but he doesn't know as much as the Long Patrol do. Hopefully our southern friends will aid us."

Lufan spoke up "Eskert, these southern 'friends', you know who they even are?"

Eskert gave Lufan a vicious stare and the hedgehog retorted back with a vicious huff. Eskert shook his head "If Martin sends us south, then we go south. No doubt that is where we shall meet a beast who will aid us. The seasons are not tricksters like the vermin are."

Eskert took the pack of provisions for himself, allowing Loy to rest up a bit as he walked. He felt a bit ashamed he was too damaged not to help. As the group walked, Eskert noticed something in the difference. He rushed up a hill to see what he saw was what he imagined, seeing two hares walking along a small path. By the color of their tunics and vests, they were clearly Long Patrol. He waved his friends over, in which Lufan nearly shouted in joy. The Long Patrol took immediate notice as Eskert and his friends met them halfway to meet them.

Looking them over, the Hares looked confused at first "Finally! We've been travelling a lot time, and we needed to meet you!"

"You bolly folk look far worse for ware, wot! Quite a journey I bet!" One of the Hares looked at them more closely, and nodded in agreement when he noticed how miserable they must have looked had they not come across them. Eskert perked up "I must head south, and towards Palewind."

"Sorry chap, but we are heading north." One hare said sadly. The group paused as Loy asked them "What do you mean?"

"Two massive vermin hordes are heading down from the north and from the west. We were heading to Freetree to warn them and start heading north. Numbat had ordered everyone to start heading north." Loy then quickly spoke up "What about Gandal?! Gandal Blackfur?!"

"That is why we are moving everyone north, lad. We are to regroup with the Long Patrol army at Redwall Abbey, and I suggest you folk come with us. Anyone who is left behind will have to fend for themselves against both Gandal and Nurf." The hares felt a bit of shame as they said this, as Eskert seemed unsurprised. Loy was angry however and spoke up "What about all the woodlanders Gandal has now?! We can't just abandon them!"

"I am sorry, but we cannot help them now. Our orders is to round up those we can and head north. We will pass by Palewind, and you can speak with our superior officer, but there is little we can do."

Eskert seemed saddened, he was hoping for help, not to be told they were heading back the way they came. However, four other woodlanders were spotted coming out from the roads. They were in yellow clothes and some carried long spears. They were hurrying out down the path, and only stopped when they caught up with the hares. Everyone looked at them, as one of the woodlanders pushed the others aside, a fellow mouse with some of the brightest and noble clothes either of them had ever seen. "Long Patrol, I am a captain of the Southward expedition, you and your companion are to return to Marshreed at once, by orders of Prince Frankfort!"

Lufan nearly dropped his jaw in disbelief, as the other hares looked happy and smiling. The other woodlanders did not and kept themselves quiet. "Best bloody news we've heard all day! I can't bloody believe it, how big are the reinforcements from Southward?"

The mouse captain could see that the hares had no clue what had happened, or what was happening. He awkwardly smiled "Oh. Yes, three entire armies. However, I must insist you all come with us to the camp. Prince Frankfort has ordered that all members of the Long Patrol are to report to the camp at once."

One the hares raised a suspicious brow to this comment "My good chap, this bloody ol' Frankfort be ordering us about? We had orders to begin marching refugees northward. Perhaps if we stop by Palewind with our comm-" The hare didn't get to finish when one of the woodlanders lowered his pike towards the hare. Eskert pushed past the hares, seeing how aggressive these Southward folk had suddenly become and put his paw to his own sabre. "What is the bloody meaning of this?" One of the hares asked.

The mouse captain sighed and spoke in a more truthful tone "Prince Frankfort has arrested the acting commander of the Long Patrol in the southern region, and we have been told to collect you folks to him. There has been an incident. Please, as fellow goodbeasts, I beg of you to hear our prince out." The hares looked at one another, and meekly nodded. Lufan spoke up next "Long Patrol? Arrested? On what charges?!"

Eskert spoke up next, realizing that these southlanders were no doubt the allies Martin had spoken of. "Be silent Lufan. Southlanders, show us to this Frankfort. I am Eskert, Warrior of Redwall."
_

Eskert and his party were following the southlanders further, as their new Long Patrol captives had not resisted and in fact were speaking quite openly with their wardens. Eskert spoke in length with the captain of the expedition, learning about what had happened in Marshreed. Eskert was not even shocked when the captain described that a panic, likely caused by hostile vermin, had led to a massacre as the village erupted into chaos and the Long Patrol found themselves fighting the southlanders in a confused and upsetting battle. The Long Patrol were shocked such a thing had happened at all, as they prodded for clues as to who started it. Loy and Pelo, who were unsure of what to make of this, felt a bit awkward as they walked alongside the southlanders. Yet, the southlanders pitied them terribly when they swapped stories of their own troubles and of their escape from the frogs. Only Lufan was silent, partly sure that Eskert had certainly a vision he did not have. Yet, something was a bit off to him, and it disturbed him to no end. Who arrests a Long Patrol commander? Tis not right. Something is wrong, I can feel it! Damn it Eskert, you gotta see through this!

By the time the group was laying its eyes on the camp, Loy and Eskert were looking together in amazement and a new found hope. The army was getting into formation and moving out, heading eastward.

"Oh! We must hurry, otherwise we'll miss them. You two, come along. The rest of you, I must ask you to find Commander Kelsum, a hare of the 1st army. He should be nearby in that section of the camp." Eskert and his companions entered the southward camp under guard as they looked around in wonderment. The group of dirtied and damaged woodlanders were like stains on the camp in comparison to the well supplied and armed Southward beasts. They got odd stares, as Loy looked around with wonderment at their food, their colorful tents, and organization.

"Lurgur?" Loy turned himself around upon hearing the voice of a mole. Borbon had his jaw dropped as Eskert and his friends stopped. Borbon recognized the soft brown fur, and features of Loy's face, but had mistaken it for his departed friend. Borbon then called out in realization "Luy? Watertrut?" Loy nearly didn't recognize him as well, as the mole rushed over to him, his warhammer dropping to the side as he looked him over. Loy felt a tickle as Borbon looked over him and was excited and nearly crying with utter joy "Oh by dur merciful seasuns! Oh! I cannut believe it! Luy! Oh seasuns, Luy!"

"Borbon! Good tidings to you as well! I thought i'd never see you again!" Loy knew of Borbon well, as he often visited the Watertrots when he found the time when he wasn't hunting down Gandal. Loy had nearly lifted the mole up and spun him around, even though none but Lufan noticed he was wearing a yellowish garb to him. Borbon was followed closely by another mole with a crossbow, who looked less well, but smiled nonetheless upon seeing Loy and his newfound friends. Loy was nearly broken into crying himself, and sniffled "Oh seasons, Borbon, I. . .Pa, you see. . .He. . ."

"I knuw, I knuw. Der der now." Borbon embraced Loy lovingly and with terrible pity. "Yur mum, is she. . ."

"Dead." Loy angrily yelped. Borbon imagined as much as he turned to the group. Their escort tried to perk up to have them continue on with him, but Borbon took the reigns from him "You four, cume with me. Luy, we huve so much to tulk about! An yuo need some guud ol' rest an' a beer I thunks."

Eskert spoke up to him "I will join you later, good mole. I must excuse myself."

Borbon nodded to the mouse as he went onward into the camp a bit further to meet with the 1st army commander. Loy smiled as Borbon put a heavier coat over his shivering body, happy to see that his father's eldest companion was alive and well. Lufan joined with Siegfried and whispered to him "You look worse for wear friend, does all go well?"

"Nay, spike dug. I huppy yuo brought Luy Watertrut back, but dis camp. . .tis a mad une!"
_

Loy was in this immaculate tent of Borbon's, who was given the tent as a gift from Frankfort for joining the southern beasts. Borbon was silent, listening in on the miserable tale of Loy and gritted his teeth in anger at many parts. It kind of frightened Loy to see his father's friend so angry and spiteful, but he was angry himself. He had just explained the fate of his mother, how she was worked to death by the vermin, how he spent his time working in the brutal conditions underneath the vermin lash. He then mentioned Glain, but there was one part Borbon was angry about the most which made him nearly spit out his beer in disgust. Borbon felt like he should have known better, sharing alcohol with the young Loy, yet he felt that the otter needed it most.

"Blusted, accursed Gandul. Havun ya swear unto dut wretch Kasg! Evun aftur all dus time, dut rat remains de loyul lap dug to his ruttun mastur." Loy was not alone with Borbon, as they were joined by Pelo and Lufan, but Siegfried had not wished to be with them. Yet, another fellow otter was in the tent, listening in and looking like he had some deep regrets. He perked up at the mention of Kasg's oath "Aye, know that vile oath by heart. Damned black clads, I'd have spat in his face."

Loy frowned a bit, now kind of wishing he did as well. Borbon comforted him and motioned for him to drink. Loy did, although he coughed at the taste "Yuo did yurself a wurld of guud pretendun to swear unto him, dur be no shame in dut. Yuo escaped an' live a free beust! Ain't dat right, Tangrun?"

Tangran looked a bit distant, his memory of what happened in Marshreed did not sit well with him. He felt he had gone a bit too far, and shook himself to attention when motioned. "Ya. I'm surprised Gandal an' his wretched blasted fools didn't kill ya, lad. Kasg's ol' battlecry of 'cull an' kill' ain't just for show, ya know."

"Honestly, I think he wanted to break me. Into what, I don't know." Loy sighed. Tangran nodded "Sounds familiar. No doubt he wanted to make a trophy out of you. If I remember right, he sent vermin after your own young'un Borbon."

Borbon only nodded, as the thought of his dear Lusma being a captive like Loy in Gandal's vile camp filled him with dread. Tangran continued "You escaped Nurf and his hordebeasts, now that is the real accomplishment. You even said you found where he hides out in?"

"Oh? Yea, towards the inland lake. In some old ruin, a tower of sorts. Its covered. . .in bones." Loy and Pelo shivered at the terrible thought. Loy still remembered his encounter with the fox, unsure as to why he didn't awake and kill them when he had the chance. Tangran nodded "Then you best talk to Frankfort. The army is going to make its way eastward, to attack Gandal and burn out Nurf for good."

Lufan perked up "An the Long Patrol? What is that all about?"

Tangran was silent, looking down a bit shamefully. He blamed himself for what had happened, and only came to realize far after the fact that his sudden actions resulted in the deaths of so many. He had told Borbon, and the mole convinced him it was the vermin aggression which caused the travesty in the village. Tangran tried to rationalize it, but he honestly found that difficult to do. Borbon shook his head "Shume it didun't huppun sooner, hedgehug. Numbut abanduned dur south, an wuold have flud frum here, un abanduned all of yuo."

Loy looked up at Borbon, who sat close to him as the mole patted his head to comfort the otter. He looked sad as he seemed to have returning memories of better days "Yur pa an I would have gune frum one end of der wurld to der uther, Luy. Fur yuo, I would huve marched into dut camp an brought yuo out of it. Dur Lung Patrul decided dut wasn't in dur priority. Dun duy flee when dur fux burned duwn Banzluw. It wasun't right, an duy knuw it!"

At this Loy felt saddened. He was now getting as angry as Borbon was. "Pa used to say nothing but good things about the hares?! They. . .they would abandon me to Gandal?"

Borbon nodded, much to Lufan's personal dismay "Aye. Duy would. I didun't, but duy tried to rush me out of Mussfluwer in tryun to kill Gandul an his wretuched horde. Only sume helped me, but Numbut didn't. He wuold have left yuo in chains an' gludly marched off!" Borbon angrily pounded the table. Lufan tried to speak in reason "I don't know about being glad, are you sure?"

Borbon didn't answer and simply drank his beer in peace. Loy looked distraught. His father sacrificed much of his time and effort to defeat Kasg, and the best thing the hares of Mossflower could do was flee when he needed help the most. He looked almost defeated, not even wishing to imagine the worst that could have happened had he not escaped successfully.

"Yur nuw amongst friends an' allies, Luy." Borbon smiled to try to cheer him up "Yur safe here."

"I know, but I left behind too many friends at that terrible camp, Borbon. For Gaisen, I need to go back. To end that terrible rat. I hate him, that slaver!" Loy grew angry now, slamming his beer on the table and having the sudden energy to stand. Borbon smiled as he spoke up with a huff "Dats dur spirut! We be marchun east we are!"
_

"And that is why I wish to join you."

Kelsum and Frankfort stood at an arm's length from Eskert, who had just got done explaining his adventure, and his dream. They were in the tent of Frankfort which was occasionally entered by soldiers who began to pack up the squirrel's things to put into a personal cart to be rolled away with the army. Frankfort was quite shocked by the journey the four beasts had taken, and was disgusted by the violence enacted upon him and fellow woodlanders by both the vermin and the amphibians. Frankfort was skeptical of the mouse's claims, but the mouse held such conviction that his belief was almost contagious for the squirrel who seemed to smile at the thought that Martin the Warrior himself had sent his champion to promote his cause. Now, Eskert was in his tent, swearing fealty to him.

"Your story is most tragic, good sar. However, I must ask, how do you know that you are this 'warrior'? Excuse our ignorance, but we are incredibly new to these lands."

Eskert nodded as he explained his reasoning "Me and my family had made many trips to Redwall in the past, for festivals mostly. I had come to know the stories of many Redwall champions, and such a vivid dream could not have been anything else but the spirit in Redwall giving unto me this gift. He has asked me to find his sword, and told us that you folk were down here and would aid me in my troubles. If you go and fight the vermin, I shall go with you. It is about time they are removed utterly from Mossflower."

Frankfort nodded "That we can most agree on, but as good beasts of Mossflower we must always be vigilant of ourselves as much as vigilant towards the enemy. Your spirit tells you to slay every enemy, but you must know we are not here to slay those who act in good will to us."

Eskert had to pause for that, because he thought he knew what Frankfort spoke of. He saw several vermin in the camp, most of them miserable looking or exhausted, doing menial labor and looked after by their overseers. He had no clue what purpose they had in the camp, but he was yet still disgusted by them. "My lord, do you mean those vermin in the camp?"

Kelsum spoke up next "Yes. Our philosopher Shackleford believes these beasts can be tamed."

"Then he is mistaken." Eskert attempted to say calmly, but it came out as spiteful. He continued and explained "The vermin have been doing terrible things to us and each other for seasons beyond counting. No matter if they live next to a village or far into the forests in tribes, no vermin has ever overcome their evil nature. Those beasts in the camp will stab you in the back if they could."

Kelsum held his mouth shut, wanting to chide the mouse, but when Frankfort spoke up in agreement he had kept himself in silence. "Something you and Shackleford can agree on. Yet, we must try in good faith to make them see the better way of things, through hard work and service to better beasts. I know you are angry, good mouse, but we must be reasonable. Perhaps your spirit means to slay all of a horde, for we would be nothing but barbarians like these vermin if we were to slay those who ask for mercy. . .and those too young to ask for it." Frankfort remembered his little stunt at the field not too long ago, and was haunted by it. He wondered if perhaps Lars would have been better to handle such things. He shook the thought away as Eskert spoke up again.

"I see. I wish your philosopher luck in such a task, but I doubt they will ever change for the better."

"Yet we must hope, for their sake and ours." Frankfort smiled reassuringly. Eskert had to think on it more, and he seemed unsure of what to think of it. He thought Frankfort was ignorant and naive to think any vermin beast could live in harmony with woodlanders. Yet, the southlanders had made it immensely clear they would not tolerate any form of trouble from them, and it made him content. He sighed and nodded "Perhaps you are right, but I would like to speak to your 'moral guide' in my own time."

"Oh course, and I will gladly accept you into our retinue, good Eskert." Eskert made a humble bow to him, and smiled. He was more than eager to serve Frankfort, as the squirrel prince seemed perhaps naive, but yet valued him. The three were joined by others when Borbon came into the tent, alongside Loy. The young otter had spent some time grooming himself, getting out all of the knots of dirt caked into his fur and looking far more formal looking. His bright face was practically smiling, especially as he was now draped in a clean yellow tunic and trousers which he borrowed from the camp's armory. He was only slightly embarrassed that while he had been grooming, the scars from his enslavement showed much brighter, even ones he had entirely forgotten about. One nasty looking and older whip mark clung down from his neck and into his shoulder, something Frankfort was very quick to notice.

"Oh. Borbon Rocklore, it is good to see you once again. I take it something troubles you."

"Nauy, Prince Frunkfurt. I wished to huve yuo greet dur sun of me good friuend, Luy Wutartrut. I've also cume to see dur mouse who savued him frum Gandul's black clads." Borbon grinned and shook the paw of Eskert who graciously shook it back. He smiled as the Loy relaxed in a less then formal way. While Eskert and others tried to stand up straight, Loy did not.

"I see. It is good to meet you, Loy Watertrot, son of Lorgar. Your friend Borbon here tells me much about your father and the days he fought against this 'Kasg'. I am Prince Frankfort Squirrelprince. It is good to meet you."

"The honor is mine." Loy smiled as Frankfort drew close, looking at the unmistakable scars of the lash. He frowned "I see you have had a troubled life from what I hear, good otter. This tragedy that has happened to you and your family breaks my heart as much as the heart of my army as it hears many similar stories from the people of Mossflower. Fret not, for what others will not do, I shall end in due time."

Loy perked up to ask "The Long Patrol I hear, you arrested them? Was it true they would have marched north without. . .without dealing with Gandal?"

Frankfort sighed and nodded "Yes, although their reasoning was sound even if not in any beast's best interest. Two other vermin hosts have arisen from the west and north, but rather than dealing with this southern threat, commander Numbat wished to flee north with refugees. Abandoning the entire south for us to clean up, which is not what we are here to do. We are here to help Mossflower, good Loy, not clean up messes of other beasts. It is why we will be dealing with this 'Nurf Bloodkeep' and Gandal immediately."

The news was devastating for Loy, the fact the entire whole of Mossflower was now being invaded filled him with dread. He yet wished to do something, as Borbon spoke up "He knuws were Nurf is, he stumbled acruss his curpse riddun keep. Luy, I dink yuo should swear unto Frunkfurt, an join us."

Loy felt a little embarrassed, but he spoke up to them "I cannot, Frankfort. As silly as it may sound, but I can never bring myself to call another creature 'sir' or 'master' or 'lord'. It reminds me too much of my days I spent in Gandal's servitude, and I came to despise those words most profusely. I will show you to Nurf, but I cannot in good conscience swear onto any beast. I need to free my friends who still live in misery in Gandal's camp most of all."

Frankfort seemed confused at first, but came to understand Loy's troubles. He admired the otter in some ways, and smiled reassuringly. "Then I will take you as equal and ally, Loy Watertrot. I cannot have any beast join me who does not swear me, but if you promise to aid us in ridding Mossflower of this vermin threat and keep good to my army, I shall make an exception."

Loy smiled, happily nodding to the squirrel prince as he felt a great deal of weight get off his chest. Kelsum spoke at long last to the group "Good beasts of Mossflower, I would gladly have you in the 1st Army unless you object. Your provisions and weapons will be granted onto you. Any weapon you prefer, Loy Watertrot?"

"A javelin. I am good with a javelin."
_

Loy was practically twirling his new weapon in his paws, being alongside his other friends. His yellow tunic now had a new covering of padded armor and piece of armor for his tail. He, Pelo, and Lufan were side by side, walking through the camp which was packing up. Pelo was in his own armor, covered by a yellow taberd which he now wore proudly. Although not well honed in any form of combat, Pelo now had a shiny new sword which hanged from his belt. He commented to Loy "Eskert says he is going to help train me, but I don't know, fighting just isn't my thing. Especially with this." Pelo would occasionally look down at his stomach which still felt twisted in pain from Nurf's vicious torture. Loy gave a reassuring chuckle "I think you'll be fine, Pelo. Things are looking up! Although I still shiver at the thought of heading back out towards Nurf's ruinous camp, tis not a sight I wish to see again. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll make a mistake, and we can stick him with this!" Loy held up his new iron tipped javelin with pride, it was one of several which now were clustered to his back.

Lufan was not so sure. He may have now been clean as the others were, wearing the yellow clothes, but he certainly did not take any weapon or armor for himself. "Be careful, Loy. That thing is sharp and should be handled properly like any weapon."

"Oh. Sorry, Lufan. I am just so excited to be heading at the head of an army! I cannot wait to see Gandal's face when he sees me and an entire, and proper, woodlander army crush his vermin host! It's a long time coming."

"I imagine it is." Pelo spoke up "A shame the Long Patrol couldn't get to them sooner."

Lufan wondered that as well, as it was a question no one in camp seemed to ask. Every commander and officer he spoke to said something about the supposed incompetence of the Long Patrol. Even Kelsum, who had been the most friendly with him, had something to say. Yet, Lufan knew the Long Patrol as smart, courageous, and pompous. If there was a reason to head north, it must have been quite dire.

"A shame indeed. I cannot believe the hares would just abandon the south like that, especially with the those vile, nasty, accursed ver-" Loy didn't get to finish his sentence when he bumped into another beast and nearly fell backward. He was only caught by Lufan in time to not get mud onto his new garments. The other beast turned and took Loy by a bit of surprise to see a weasel, who didn't look all that much older if not younger then he was. He recoiled in fear of the three, having let down a box onto the ground which he dropped and smashed open. "Oh! Sorry! Sorry!" He yelped.

Loy was a bit confused by the vermin. He looked obnoxiously clean and groomed, as if forced to be trimmed by some other beast. He wore a yellowish set of clothes, although they had been muddied. Another beast came over, another hedgehog who yelled at him "Hey! What's the meaning of this!"

The weasel looked terrified as Gaslow came over, the large and imposing hedgehog in his bright armor and wielding his pike looked a lot more warrior like then Lufan was. Even Pelo stepped away in a bit of fright at the captain "Oh hells. Look what you done now! This was some of our better stuff too!" The hedgehog kicked some now ruined pastries and spices on the ground which had been smashed open. The weasel had gotten down on his knees, quickly trying to recover from his mistake "Oh, don' mind me! Please, I can fix it! I can fix it!"

He couldn't.

Gaslow grunted in annoyance as Loy looked down in some far flung pity at the vermin, who seemed almost ready to weep in utter fear and terror. Loy looked to Gaslow, almost a bit horrified "Good hedgehog, I apologize, but I am the one who bumped into this beast."

"Oh?" Gaslow almost sounded relieved, but turned to the weasel who was flipping over the box, trying desperately to shuffle out the broken sacks of spices and sweets from those ruined. Gaslow looked to Loy and grunted "No need to lie, otter. Tis beast should know better. Useless things, barely worth the trouble in keeping them."

Loy frowned and grew a bit angry, as these words sounded all too familiar to another beast he knew, and despised. "Hedgehog, I must insist, twas my fault. However I must ask, who is he?" Loy had asked, but also acted as he came over and tried to help the weasel. He was struck with utter fear of him, and shifted over uncomfortably on his knees to practically hug the box. Gaslow answered "A camp laborer we got out of Marshreed. Prince's orders is put them to work for the good of the army, to make up for what they did."

Lufan asked, a bit of anger to his voice "What on earth did this youngster do?"

Gaslow pulled the terrified weasel but the back of the neck upward, who immediately tried to put his head down as if he was about to receive some terrible punishment. His paws immediately retreated behind his back, and grew deathly silent "The vermin caused violence which led to what happened in Marshreed, no doubt spies or minions of this 'Gandal'. Well, tell him Dangan."

He didn't at first respond, but Gaslow roughly shook him. "Oh. Dat be me name now. Sorry, sir."

"Seasons, whatever stupid beast named you 'Toeclaw' deserved a nice beating. Lots of stupid vermin names I thinks. We got a couple of rats who named all their bloody kin after numbers!"

"You renamed him?" Lufan asked. Gaslow grunted "Aye, tis a proper name, not that barbarian foolery. Now, why don't you tell them Dangan what you are doing here."

The weasel looked down and had to calm down before speaking, but he was rushed by another harsh shake from Gaslow which made him speak up in a mix of fumbling fear "Me pa an' ma had gone to Marshreed to cause trouble, yes dey did! Dey were bandits fer der entire lives, dey were. Did terrible dings to woodlanders, an stole from dem. Me cousins too, I dink one even joined in Kasg's horde. Now I am happy an' content serven dis good beast army, helpen em make up. . .make up fer what happened in Marshreed. Frankfort, dat bush t-" He was stopped and corrected himself when he saw Gaslow gave him a harsh look "Dat squirrel be merciful ya sees! I apologize on der behalf of me people, an' ask to be nutten but help." The weasel gave a pained smile, something which Loy was all too familiar with.

The otter looked to Gaslow, as if a bit frightened "This beast, he ain't a slave is he?!"

Gaslow nearly spat out in surprise and shook his head "No no no, tis just a camp serf! Slavery, tis a bad thing for any beast, something practiced by evil beasts and barbarians alike! No, dis beast be just too dumb and foolish to be even considered that, at least according to our mouse scholar. Ain't that right."

The weasel only nodded his head in agreement, but felt nothing but shame for doing so. Lufan was shocked and horrified and spoke up against this blatant show of tyranny "Have you no shame? Look at him! Seasons, he looks like he is about to break down!"

Gaslow sneered at Lufan, which made the smaller hedgehog not take a step further "You think less of us? In Southward, any bandit and prisoner has a right to live their lives in peace if they work for it. After twenty years in the camp, his debt along with the others will be paid off so long as they are tame and become good beasts on their own terms. I simply dole out punishments like any professional captain does to his own soldiers. Besides, tis a mercy Frankfort even spared this lot." Dangan looked to cringe at the statement as Pelo then spoke up next. "I don't know, he looks pretty young to have started whatever happened in the village over."

"Aye, but they were all complicit. This one's pa swiped an axe at one of my hedgehogs and caught one in the neck! When he got felled, it's missus we learned assaulted another beast and left them for dead for 'vittles'. A cruel and evil lot that is likely flowing through this one's veins. This one in particular keeps getting caught stealing from our camp stores, even though we feed this lot a lot better then any of me own soldiers."

"Oh. Is that even true?" Lufan asked the weasel. He looked like he wanted to speak up, but a harsh glare from his overseer got him to speak differently "Yes, sir. Its all true."

"If he were a proper soldier in this army, he'd be flogged. We are a professional army and spent many seasons drilling my soldiers as much as my own sergeant drilled me! We are civilized beasts, not these barbarous louts who seem to take a mile for each inch of mercy we give them. Shackleford says if we let them go too early without having at least the proper amount of goodness in their black hearts, they'll immediately return to bullying and doing nasty things to woodlanders. Frankly how this lot acts, I believe him."

Loy was at a bit of a crossroads, a bit in agreement with the hedgehog. Yet, his heart still ached to see the frightened beast before him "Well, if that is true, then it is a mercy. Although as good beasts, there is no reason to be blaming them for something I am at fault with."

Gaslow softened himself and let got of Dangan and ordered him about "Get this to the east side of the camp, and swiftly, and see what can be scavenged from it. For the both of you, be more careful. This stuff isn't exactly cheap, you know."

Gaslow went off as Loy helped Dangan grab his things, the weasel looking mortified still and ever silent. He walked with him, and was followed by Loy and Lufan. Once farther towards the end of the camp, the group passed off the broken box to an annoyed looking engineer who began to break down the box into more basic components such as nails and wood for kindling. Loy was still amazed how professional and quick the Southward army was, and even watched as one logistics officer was able to save stuff that both Loy and the weasel felt was unsavable. Dangan was about to slink off, but was stopped by Loy.

"Dangan is it?" Loy felt awkward talking down the vermin, who spoke up meekly to him in turn "Kind of, sir. Me Pa named me Toeclaw, cause one of me claws on me toes scratched him when I was a pup. Now dey call me 'Dangan'."

"Is it true? Did your Pa cause that trouble in Marshreed?" Loy was trying to prod the weasel for an excuse for him to not feel terrible for his situation. Lufan and Pelo had caught up with the two as Dangan was explaining "I don't know, I was elsewhere. Me Pa rushed somewhere, next I know he was brandishing his favorite axe. Swiped at a spike do-, I mean hedgehog. Got. . .got spears he did. Me Ma explained after dat he stole it from der pile of weapons dem Hares were collecting."

Pelo raised an eyebrow "Collecting weapons? From vermin?"

"Aye, every beast in der south was told to head north. Pa said he'd break from der group an head to dat rat Gandal, I think they called him."

Loy grew angry at that statement, which caused the weasel to step back in him from fear, unsure of what he said that made the otter frown harshly at him. Loy softened when he could see the weasel's fearful eyes as he spoke to him with some authority "My pa and ma was murdered by Gandal, weasel. I spent too much time toiling in his camp. Is it true your ma harmed good beasts?"

Dangan didn't know what to say, but a firmness from Pelo made him spill out his secrets. "Me Ma was a brigand, aye. She stole from yonder road far out dat a ways." He pointed behind him. He gulped in fear as Loy's otherwise softness seemed to fade into a scowl, yet Lufan spoke up in his defense "What your kind did was not your fault, youngster. It is a shame what they are doing to you. Do they hurt you?"

"S-s-sometimes. I see others who aren't getting along wit these southward folk get beaten on."

Loy shook his head "I don't understand it, how do you folk live like that? Harming and doing evil to good beasts?! Maybe that hedgehog was right, a few years doing good work might snap you folk out of that bandit daze."

Dangan got defensive, a little angry himself "Ya, well, maybe if you folk spent more time toiling you'd have some decency!" Dangan then went wide eyed and put his paw to his mouth. Loy was at first angry, and then embarrassed as Dangan fell to his knees and begged him "No no no, I am sorry! I didn't mean it! Don't tell em, please!"

Loy helped the weasel up, and reassuringly patted him "I accept your apology for cruel words, but it's the first I've heard them from your kind. I don't know, maybe you folk are learning to be better beasts here. Besides, it won't last forever."

Dangan frowned, and sniffed. Loy directed him "Why don't you come with us, Dangan. Probably best to stay clear of that overseeing beast for a good while I bets." He nodded, and the group trailed off. Lufan looked heartbroken at Loy's naivety, and wondered if the otter even could see the truth of the matter. Yet, it warmed his aching heart to know the young otter still had a heart to him still. Yet, when he looked at the weasel, his heart was torn. Good seasons, what the hells have I gotten into?

---

Balon was a bit annoyed as he and the hares were packing up Palewind to move out. Nothing was to be left behind for Gandal or his vermin, which was why the hares tolerated as more 'tolerable' vermin were smashing up the camp quite gleefully. The mercenary Toila and her host of fellow compatriots were looking over the things the hares would not send with him. Balon grunted in annoyance, and was joined by Terrance who looked disgusted at them. "Just look at them, the rotters. Not even marching out yet and they are tearing this place up! Bloody Numbat, I cannot believe we are abandoning the south like this. To beasts like these."

"I'm not sure why ya folk are bothered." A voice was heard from behind. Balon had turned to see a fox with a bow come out of the main office of Palewind, who was joined by three squirrel children who seemed a bit more comfortable with him. The fox was a little annoyed with them at first, but he tolerated them even as the youngest of them played near him. Balon and Terrance grunte at his presence, knowing full well who he was.

"If you are looking for an apology, Bowthief, then you are sadly mistaken."

"I came here to get you folk to drop off des youngsters, you folk could have had the decency to take em off me paws so I could get back to the camp."

Terrance pointed accusingly at him "If you folk did anything decent in your lives, you should have killed that degenerate fox while your rotter of a father had a chance, wot!"

Nosrig rolled his eyes at this, much to Terrance's spite "If yer talken about Nurf, hare, der weren't nuthen me Pa could do. By the time that degenerate went crazy, that old buffoon was already pitching his tent to settle. Besides, Nurf will get himself killed in his own time, if ya spite him so much."

"Yet your father certainly had an influence on him."

"Not as much as ya think." Nosrig shook his head "From how he tells it, he practically beat that fox constantly for bein the way he is. I guess he never got the picture."

"He had to know where he is. . ." Terrance mumbled. Nosrig caught on and growled at him harshly. Even the young squirrels who had been minding their own business stopped when they heard the fox's displeasurable groan "No one knows where any beast be, hare. Of der gang, only two we know survives to dis day, an one of dem is Nurf. Some other blasted fool ran off north I thinks. Some big ol' black rat, a bowbest as well. Not dat ya wanted him. Pa gave ya der rest of der worst ones, which yer chief hanged."

Balon looked a bit confused at Terrance and felt out of the loop, but the hare huffed "Only to save his own blasted fur! Had I been in charge, you lot wouldn't even be in Mossflower."

Nosrig smiled and then chuckled "Oh, with der way ya folk handled yerselves fighting Gandal, den I and me siblings got nutten to worry about."

Balon commented to the fox, unsure of something the fox said "I'm still not sure why you folk aren't bothered. If Gandal figures out we left up north, he'll descend on every community here he can get his filthy paws on. That dark chief and his horde will be trouble to deal with later."

"Aye, but ya forget, he ain't exactly in a good position eder. Think about it badger, what exactly is he gonna do? Kill and conquer every southern town down here? Before long, those villages are going to come together and drive him out, like they did with the frogs awhile back. Dey didn't need help wit you folk before. Dur only worry is Nurf really, an even he knows to keep quiet when he needs to. No doubt, Nurf an Gandal will be at each other's throats in no time."

Balon seemed surprised by Nosrig's political thoughts, and added to them "What if they work together? Two respective warlords fighting a common foe like us?"

Terrance sighed "No, this bloody wretch is right. Gandal is a zealot of Kasg's ideals, and would never tolerate Nurf. Although, not sure how you even bloody know."

Nosrig shrugged "Tis just how me Pa explains it. Common sense really, an even if Gandal goes out to conquer, he won't hold onto it well."

Balon thought on it, which made Numbat's plans make a lot more sense. Gandal couldn't do much with southern Mossflower except maybe try to recruit from already small vermin gangs and factions, and he held onto little even in his fort. If supply troubles didn't plague him, then dealing with an inevitable resistance would. Terrance scoffed however "Bloody of course you'd say that, son of a bandit. You'd sooner abandon beasts to a fate worse than death then fight them. If Biggum was here, he'd have smacked that rat out of existence! Instead, we are now leaving north to screw up there."

As the three conversed, a distant horn sounded in the air. Nosrig looked fearful at first and said out loud "Is that Gandal?". Balon shook his head, and tried to listen closer. Some of the hares were coming down off the walls, and some curious vermin mercenaries were climbing them. The group climbed the walls and looked out to the northwest, and their eyes widened in amazement. In the farther off hills, several columns of woodlanders were marching out with drums and horn blaring. To Balon and Terrance, the yellow colors were an immediate happy sight, but to the vermin mercenaries and Nosrig, they were mostly confused.

"Oh seasons! It's the bloody Southlanders! How?! Why, wot!?" Terrance exclaimed. Balon smiled as he could see an otter leading the army through the hills, their pikes far into the air and their well armored divisions were a sight for his sore eyes. Balon didn't even want to question it, as he nearly fell just getting down the stairs as the vermin dropped their loot and were all looking over the walls at the advancing army. Balon rushed out, waving his paws at the southlanders.

It did not take very long for Gosland Streambattle to march towards the badger as he looked rather disappointingly at Palewind. It looks little more than a wooden camp, not the castle he had hoped to find. As the massive force began to encamp and surround Palewind, Gosland and his captains made their way upward to the entrance of the Long Patrol camp who had dropped their things in amazement to see the slow moving and professional force of fellow woodlanders making their way towards them. Balon met Gosland half way, the massive badger was a surprise to Gosland as he looked up to Balon as he gave a friendly nod of his head to the otter commander.

"Balon Blackpatch, officer of Salamandastron under Colonel Numbat. By the seasons, you cannot even imagine how good it is to see your colors here in Mossflower today!"

Gosland smiled back and spoke up with confidence "Balon, it is good to meet you. Name's Gosland. . ." Gosland paused and frowned a bit, half realizing something before trying to get into a more formal stance "I apologize, the name of Gosland Streambattle, commander of the 3rd Army of Southward. I am here at the behest of Frankfurt Squirrelking, Prince of Southward. We have come to reinforce the good beasts. . .of Mossflower?" Gosland looked behind the badger a bit dismayed to see several minks taking out a chest full of things the hares did not want. When Balon could see the confusion on the otter's face, he gave an awkward smile.

"Oh. Gosland, huh? We have much to discuss, come inside Palewind. There are things we all need to discuss."
_

Gosland felt a twinge of discomfort as he sat in the wooden office of Palewind, the command center which felt more like a poor beast's cabin than a military post. He swore the outhouse at the war academy in Southward was better looking. Balon was clearly far too big for most structures as he greeted Gosland formally, although they had unkempt company. Gosland sat studiously with his guard next to a half asleep ferret who was sharpening her speer in a rude manner. She looked to Gosland, giving a cruel smile as she spoke up in a surprised tone "Hells, ya folk come at der worst o' times I bets! Ha! Dees gentlebeasts are all packen up, lettun us get der good stuff before dey leave, an den ya show up! I gotta admit otter, ya saved me employment!"

Gosland tried to ignore her as Balon gave her a vicious look which shut her up. She mumbled as the badger shook his head. He had just gotten done explaining to Gosland all the terrible troubles that had happened, and the otter looked uncertain of what to do. "As you can see, our situation is dire. My commanding officer has ordered the abandonment of all outposts and garrisons. If we can gather a sizable force in time, we can both drop off the common beasts in the safer parts of the woods, and regroup with Naus's army at Redwall. Provided it isn't under siege."

Gosland would keep an eye on Toila, although she was not the only vermin in the room. Jurnal and some of his brothers were listening on in, looking a lot more experienced than the ferret. He spoke up "Aye, an this army, ya folk are heading towards Gandal's encampment by chance?"

Gosland looked to Balon for guidance who meekly explained his troubled situation "These mercenaries have offered their services into helping us rid ourselves of Gandal, although some clearly are a bit too expensive for my taste." His eye was specifically on Toila who grunted in annoyance.

"Ya folk told me he was just some ol' rat who'd flee the moment he saw a real battle, an den he turns around an nearly kills me! Don't be blamen me fer him escapen again from dat skirmish of yers."

"Oh. So he is quick to flee from battles then?" Gosland asked. Balon sighed and nodded "He is more clever then the average warlord, that is for certain, like many of the captains of Kasg the Craven. We tried to draw him out with a mole named Borbon, and he took that bait. However, again and again he has slipped from ambushes."

Gosland was a bit suspicious of this, as Toila chuckled "Aye stripe dog! Ya should use an actual damned fishing pole wit dat mole tied to it, get a better result!"

The otter grew angry and turned to the ferret, raising his voice "Is this some game to you, vermin? You may be tolerated by the badger here, but not me!"

Toila grunted and seemed to be uncaring, her mind more affixed to her spear then to the mad otter. She couldn't have cared less for his opinion, knowing that she didn't act the aggressor "Nay, not a game, but an opportunity for some neat loot. Kasg was no doubt rich, consideren he ruled der entire north, an no doubt Gandal will have plenty of ol' loot as well. Me an me beasts got weapons, an we'll slay dem black clads an conscripts like it be no one's business, so long as we of course get paid, eh. Ya shouldn't take jests so seriously, water dog."

Jurnal huffed in agreement "Agreed. If ya folk were smart, ya would strike out immediately. From what I hear, der ain't many beasts in Gandal's camp. Dis army alone could easily overwhelm dat lot."

"I will await the prince's orders." Gosland firmly said "Until the main army arrives, we will stay put and fortify this region. Balon, I would appreciate the aid of the Long Patrol in getting us a general sense of the area. . .and as for you." Gosland turned his attention to the mercenaries and huffed "You will remain here till I decide what to do with you."

Jurnal shook his head "Whatever, water dog. Just be quick in yer decision, me an me brothers don't like waiting."

Toila began to hum, and finished sharpening her spear "Fine, so long as ya hire us! We of course will be keepen our loot, eh." The vermin left in due course as Balon felt a sigh of relief. "Then we wait. I swear, if I have to continue to deal with them, I'll go mad!"

Gosland couldn't have agreed more and spoke up "These 'mercenaries'. They were allowed to loot your camp? Are they bandits?"

Balon shrugged "Honestly couldn't tell you. Toila used to be a bandit, but a bad one at that. She and her gang found more success protecting villages against toads and just kind of fell in line over time. Jurnal? He and his kin are new, but made a name for themselves by bringing us the head of a couple bandits. I think they come across the sea, easterners. If you see that fox wandering about, he is a Bowthief, son of a more 'tame' bandit of sorts. That tale I could only tell with a heavy dose of ale. He isn't a mercenary, but I am keeping him here until Numbat returns."

Gosland was a bit surprised as he felt a bit out of the loop "So they are violent thugs, but you. . .tolerate them?"

"We have to. They are beasts of Mossflower, even if they are all cowardly, barely functional, sons of brigands. Those that aren't too harmful are left alone, so we can focus on beasts like Nurf and Gandal."

"Wouldn't it just be easier to get rid of them? All of them?" Gosland asked, finding it absurd that these beasts who valued barbarism above being a part of an established civilization. He found it revolting. The vermin he saw were rude, dirty, and each one told a similiar story of being dumb, barely sentient bandits who would just as much kill him then even look at him.

Balon spoke up, grunting in amusement at the suggestion "If only. They'll come out of the north, east, and west. One way or another. Now that two enemy armies are coming down to Mossflower, we now have a huge spot of trouble we need to deal with. With a larger army, it definitely makes our position down here more comfy."

"I see. Thank you, Balon. Now, if you excuse me, I need to make preparations for the prince's coming." Gosland stood and humbly bowed, but then whispered to Balon "If you wish, good badger, I can have those mercenaries kicked out right now."

Balon shook his head "No, let them rot here for some time, it'll bother them a lot more. If anything, that lot of easily bored wretches need to be kept within eyesight. Last thing we need is giving them the temptation to head north and join with one of the other hordes." Gosland frowned and sighed "I see. I shall keep them under close watch."

---

Numbat was silent, more so than most in his situation should be.

He felt defeated in many terrible ways.

He and a large group of Long Patrol hares were not given the indignity of being bound in either chain or rope, allowed to walk with dignity shoulder to shoulder with more armored hare guards of Southward. Some of the other Long Patrol spoke with their southern counterparts, unsure of the future. Some were confused, unable to figure out why they were even in the situation they were in. Yet, Numbat's critical eye fell on one hare in particular who was in front of him who led the procession. The Black Twitch, looking arrogant and turning his nose up as he marched with the Southward army, looked quite proud of himself. Numbat grew to despise the black hare's arrogance and general lack of empathy, his nihilism felt infectious when he was interrogated by him and his hedgehog captain. To Numbat, the twitching beast reminded him of a rat.

"Now, do bloody keep up, Long Patrol. We shouldn't be far from this garrison of yours. Palewind was it? The prince wishes to make it his primary base of operations for our campaign against Gandal."

Numbat remained silent as the army continued onward. Of the hares under his command, not a lot were actually prisoners of Frankfort. The squirrel prince had sent out his minions to all the villages, gathering his Long Patrol and dragging them back either by deception or force. Officially, they were being detained for temporary reasons, unofficially Numbat knew this was the beginning to something else. Bloody hell, what if Frankfort becomes an occupation force!

"Now, do tell me commander har-"

"Colonel, sar." Numbat was quick to correct Nosbub in annoyance "My commander is Biggum Bigtail III.

"Do tell me, colonel, how many Long Patrol did you even have under your command?"

"Fewer then what we needed." Numbat spoke up. Nosbub seemed annoyed and asked more firmly "Numbers, you bloody idiot. Numbers. Do I need to have Esmert do to you what he does to those barely sentient beasts you folk call 'vermin'."

It was at this that Numbat spoke up in anger "What you and your prince did to those beasts was barbarism no better then what the vermin like Kasg did. Not something a decent or normal hare would be proud of. Enslaving them to add salt to that wound has only made such things worse, you foolish rotten thing."

Nosbub smiled in gleeful remembrance of the past few days and what Numbat referred to. Esmert had dealt out a harsh flogging of several of the new camp laborers who tried to make their escape back into the forests. One had died, and another would pass in his sleep from wounds. It made Numbat angry, and he showed his displeasure with a vicious curse "I do hope you keep that smile, ol bean. Cause when my lord Galgor sets your prince straight, there will be a bloody reckoning."

What disturbed Numbat was that the Black Twitch didn't seem to mind this, even commenting to him "Oh, I am sure there will be a reckoning when your lord meets mine. After all, there is plenty of wisdom that little mouse certainly has."

Numbat didn't even wish to think about Shackleford, the mouse often came to the prisoner tent to spew his drivel and ask leading questions which annoyed him to no end. It terrified Numbat how much the others in the camp respected his wisdom. Shackleford has asked him all manner of things such as 'Where was the badger lord when Kasg invaded' or 'Why does the badger lord live in a mountain instead of a castle'. He thought these questions were obvious to answer, but no matter what he told the mouse, he took it as fact the things he wished to hear. The stuff he didn't, he was quick to correct Numbat on.

When the army began to march through more harsher tree lines and some hills, the army slowed down a bit but kept up its divisions as best it could. Numbat would occasionally look to the forests of Mossflower, wondering what he could have done to have stopped all of this. Harumph. Maybe I should have just taken Borbon's advice and suicidally charged into Gandal's camp, ending my misery then and there. Bolly fool he is. Probably should have just focused on Nurf if I knew he would have done that terrible thing in Banzlow.

Numbat spotted some movement in the bushes that he and his fellow prisoners were passing. None of the sentries at the further parts of the army spotted it, nor did the guards. Numbat squinted his eyes closer and was amazed by what he saw. One of the Long Patrol snipers was moving slowly and methodically in the bushes, his fur caked in mud and leaves as the hare winked at Numbat. Numbat had wondered if his officers would get to know what happened sooner or later, and now he could see a lot of movement in the bushes beyond the trees. He turned his attention back to the front of the Southward column, a smile creeping across his face.
_

Frankfort was moving at the head of his army, with Lars and his elite cadre of hares behind him and Samkon to his side. Frankfort spoke in confidence to his long time bodyguard, and the mouse listened the best he could. Although in truth, the mouse didn't seem to care much for what Frankfort had to complain about "I just don't understand these social communities at all, Samkon. It's barbarism! No lords, no castles, nothing to really interact with. When there are no lords, there is no taxes. When there is no taxes, there is no army. It amazes me these people even have swords, let alone these vermin. To think that the vermin must steal blades and bows from our woodlander kin just to forge their own hordes. I wonder if Shackleford is correct about his theory of the Long Patrol funneling those weapons into their paws. . ."

"Oh. A world without taxes, Mossflower is sounding a lot better by the day." Samkon tried to joke, but it wasn't appreciated by Frankfort. "Mock the need for taxes again Samkon, and you can enjoy the fruits of a world without it. No roads, no storage of grains, nothing! Its abominable that any beast can live without a proper and civilized nation guiding them. Its it the responsibility of monarchs to-" Samkon pretended to listen, but Frankfort could certainly drone on and on about his royal heritage, his responsibilities, and so on. Despite his many luxuries, he actually kind of pitied the squirrel in many ways, born to a singular task of being looked up to without much say in the matter. However, something drew Samkon's attention from the treeline as the army marched forward. It was like almost a flash before Frankfort stop and his army began to stop with him. A Long Patrol hare came out of the brush, shaking off some leaves and standing at attention to him, not looking pleased at all.

He was far enough away, but Frankfort was surprised none of his sentries had spotted him "Good hare!" He called out, moving forward a bit. For his efforts, there was a twang of a bow and an arrow landed in the ground in front of him.

"That is bolly well far enough, sar."

Frankfort looked at the arrow as Samkon drew the prince back and drew his sword; as he did, the other members of the Golden Regiment drew their own weapons, although many were now looking around. Frankfort called out in anger "Is there a reason for this hostility towards fellow good beasts?"

"There be plenty!" Another voice called out, a mouse coming out of the brush as well alongside several others and drew up a spear towards the prince as he surrounded the hare alongside other woodlanders in a patchwork of armor and weapons. Frankfort was confused by this as the mouse called out "Whatever manner of stupidity had gotten into you lot, it ends now! Release your prisoners at once, or the next arrow isn't in warning."

"You would dare threaten a prince of southward!" Lars boomed out "Shame on you for such treachery!"

"Shame indeed." The Long Patrol hare boomed back "Release our colonel and any fellow hares, and then we can talk about this in peace. As decent folk."

Frankfort angrily spoke up "Your commander is under arrest for gross negligence and allowing a clear enemy into Marshreed that caused a brutal trampling of woodlanders. Such acts are unforgivable for a beast in such a position! Put your arms down, and we shall discuss in peaceful terms!"

"Not bolly happening." The Long Patrol soldier firmly said. From out of the trees a large group of militias from the villages the southlanders did not get to were appearing, and were joined by others. Frankfort was shocked to see a couple menacing looking foxes tumbling out of the brush, clearly brigands who awkwardly took their positions next to the woodlanders. One of them even whispered to the Long Patrol hare who nodded.

Frankfort was suspicious, but he didn't wish to cause another incident like what happened in Marshreed. He paused and looked to Lars "Captain, grab Numbat and the others, we shall do deal with this event diplomatically. Grab Nosbub and Kelsum if you can as well." Lars nodded and went off. There was an awkward silence between the two forces as the soldier stood like a statue, especially in comparison to his professional guards. The other woodlanders, and even some vermin, were a lot more cautious. Frankfort figured they wished to also act diplomatically if they were stopping them so dramatically like this.

When Nosbub had brought the prisoners and was joined by Kelsum who made his way to the front of the column, he was relieved that Frankfort had not acted rashly. Nosbub however was purposefully a bit rough with Numbat, although not too much. Numbat came forward and smiled "Officer Daen. I had hoped you were not delayed in my absence."

"Sir, as soon as we heard what happened, me and the rest gathered up our muster and came down here. Picked up plenty of folk along the way as well." He motioned to the woodlanders and the foxes who were squatting nearby. Although Numbat didn't recognize them at first, he had figured the word had gotten out about what happened to the vermin under Southward's march, and some were all too eager to get vengeance. Frankfort spoke up to them "We shall deal with this diplomatically. We sh-"

"I'd prefer to speak to Colonel Numbat Biggerplume, sar." Daen cut off the squirrel prince and looked to his commanding officer. In a ritualistic manner, Numbat came forward and spoke in a yell "Daen, no need for that. We shall meet in the middle." Numbat turned to Frankfort and in a hushed tone advised him "With your permission, prince Frankfort, I would like to speak to my officer alone. No reason for trouble on a fine day such as this, wot."

Frankfort was suspicious, but he nodded "Fine, but you are not off the hook hare. Lars will accompany you."

Lars took his place next to Numbat and approached Daen who did meet him halfway. When it became clear that a force had seemingly ambushed the front of the column, the scouts and sentires were baffled as to how the hare and his meager militia were able to do so. When Numbat approached, he and Daen immediately gave each other humble nods. Lars remained close to them, speaking in low tones with one another.

"Bolly hell, sar. The hells happened?"

"Not sure, there was a panic and we lost control in a town called Marshreed. Ended in a catastrophic disaster, several woodlanders trampled and my hares and these southerners found themselves fighting one another in the confusion."

"Something we didn't start." Lars was quick to point out, although he did keep his low tone of voice in respect for the hares' privacy. Daen was giving Lars a vicious look, but Numbat shook his head in weird agreement "That I can agree on, but I doubt it was a vermin who started it either. Now there are a lot of terrible feelings towards one another. They arrested me for 'gross incompetence' which I will properly defend in a court of law back in Palewind and get this straightened out. I appreciate this rescue, but I'd rather not do anything rash."

Lars looked to Numbat with a certain amount of pity and spoke up to them both "Are you absolutely sure the vermin had not started it? Nosbub's report w-"

"That thing you call a hare is about as trustworthy as a fox shaman. He was quite quick to arrest me. Those vermin were certainly not bloody spies of Gandal, if anything most were trying to escape him. They may be dumb brutes in many senses, but we spent seasons keeping them in line down here. What you folk are doing to them in that camp is barbarism I haven't seen since Kasg the Craven's days."

Lars squinted his eyes to Numbat and harshly chided him "Then they are quite deserving of it, considering what we found at that accursed village. Still not sure why you didn't even bother to bury the bodies."

Daen defended his commanding officer "We have few hares down here as it is, playing a game of chicken with a warlord who has slipped past us before. He tried to raid us and goad us into a bad spot. Nearly worked too, although Borbon led a bunch of our best hares to their doom by suiciding charging Gandal's retreating forces. Nurf only adds complications, and if we spent our time burying the dead, no doubt Nurf and his murderous hordebeasts would be bloody attacking another village."

Lars had to think it through, and now it was making a bit more sense. At least, it made a lot more sense then how Shackleford had been describing it to Frankfort. Numbat spoke up to Daen "I need you to stand down and have these folks return home for now. Especially those foxes you brought with you, in fact, have them out of here as quickly as you can."

Lars asked before Daen could "Why?"

"Those are the Orange siblings, a small clan. Your prince hanged their patriarch and matriarch not too long ago. I don't doubt they agreed to come along to find out what happened to their kin, correct Daen?"

The hare was silent and was practically whispering "The rumor is that this army has taken prisoners. Mr. Orange is dead? His Missus too? What about the youngster they were off to find?"

Both Lars and Numbat were deafeningly silent, as both knew whom Daen spoke of. That youngster was now one of many new camp laborers, and both drew their own conclusions about how badly the vermin would react if they found out what had happened. "He is alive, but that is also why I need you to get them away. Quickly."

"I understand sar."

Numbat and Daen saluted one another as Daen turned to his fellows and called out "Stand down, good chaps! We'll go to Palewind to figure this out." Daen shifted himself towards the foxes that had joined the woodlanders, and was already quick to command them about, trying to reassure them. In truth, he was lying to them. "I'm sure Mr. Orange is fine, Angan. Come, we'll do this the good ol' fashioned way." The foxes gave the hare an odd look, but reluctantly agreed to come with him as the small group began to reveal themselves a bit more. Lars and Numbat began to return, with Lars scanning the trees for where the marksbeasts were, and could still not find them.

When they returned to Frankfort, Lars explained the situation to the squirrel prince who seemed almost relieved. Yet, when Lars mentioned the situation with the foxes, Frankfort had widened his eyes. "Oh. Then they certainly must know that their kin caused that trouble in Marshreed. I'll have my soldiers arrest them at once an-"

Lars interjected "My lord, if I may give advice, that would only cause further trouble. The Long Patrol chap is handling them already, and they distrust us already. They want to do their own investigation into Marshreed. My lord, we are here to conduct a war after all, not conduct a lengthy trial. There are now three enemy armies in Mossflower, and we do not need to start with chastising our own allies. Let the Long Patrol handle those vermin in their own way."

Frankfort took Lars' wisdom into consideration and sighed "Lars, find the camp laborer and put as far from sight as possible. We'll take a temporary rest, I wish to speak to this hare. Numbat, you will remain in custody, but your remaining hares will be freed here. In a sign of restored trust."

Lars nodded and went to do his duties, although Nosbub was paying attention. He couldn't hear them well, but he caught up with Lars as he was gathering some soldiers "Captain, if I may ask, what was this all about? Seems peculiar you are not striking down these would be ambushers, is it not?"

"Ambushers? Ha! Nosbub, these folk only wish to talk, and we haven't exactly acted well ourselves. Now excuse me, I have things I must do."

"And that is?"

Lars was unsure now if he could trust Nosbub, who looked almost concerned despite his overwhelming features of grim arrogance, turning up his nose to him despite his stature compared to him. Lars found it funny actually, he was agreeing with Numbat. Barely a hare at all, I might bloody say. "None of your concern, Nosbub."

"No Lars, it will be his concern." Frankfort turned back and approached them and turned to Nosbub with a commanding glare "Commander Nosbub, you will help Lars find a specific fox from the camp, and hide him away for now. Last thing we need is another incident. It's kin are here, aligned with these woodlanders. Why they have come is obvious, and knowing how violent they can be doesn't leave room for much mystery." Frankfort turned his attention to Kelsum, who had been mostly speechless himself, looking about the trees in concern. He was utterly shocked to see one Long Patrol who was practically invisible in their camouflage, high up in the trees with their bow and arrows. He was terrified to think how many more there could be now that he was looking for them. Frankfort was speaking to him at length, having his army settle and rest temporarily. Lars and Nosbub were off together alongside some guards, although Nosbub was quick to say to him "I shall meet up with you at the far end of the camp, I need to tell my own captains to rest for the time being. It will only be but a moment."

"You will have only a moment." Lars warned him "Those hares certainly don't trust you, Nosbub."

"Commander Nosbub, Lars." The Black Twitch seethed. He made his way towards his own army, his pace quickened.
_

The Mossflower woodlanders were not camping, but it certainly felt like it. Daen and Frankfort, alongside their respective guards, were arguing in the distance. They were discussing professionalism, but they were joined by another beast who seemed to annoy the Long Patrol deeply. Of the woodlanders who were sitting around the trees, occasionally joined by Long Patrol hares, one mouse was looking a bit baffled at a small field mouse who was standing beside the golden squirrel like a happy toddler. Yet, when he spoke, his venom made him cringe a bit. Nearly everyone could hear the argument between Frankfort and Shackleford and Daen and Numbat.

"Now good sir, I am but a humble scholar asking simple questions, there is no reason to be harsh to me." Shackleford said with a friendly smile, but Daen looked insulted "Good sar, I will be harsh with you as much as I wish! You dare imply that we give weapons to the bloody vermin? What rubbish."

"He has a point, you Long Patrol were spotted taking weapons away from the vermin in Marshreed, and from the intelligence of such beasts, I doubt they make their own weapons. Certainly you would be more organized. . ." Frankfort defended the scholar.

"They are intelligent beasts like any other blasted beast, squirrel prince. Bloody hell. The vermin may be a lazy, vicious, and blood thirsty lot but your view of them is certainly more fantastical than real! They steal weapons, only because it is easy for them, but lacking that they have plenty of smiths and armorers like any other be-"

"Yes, but I think only in mockery of us of course! What vermin I must ask, my good hare, builds something of their own originality? Perhaps it is curious that so many steal weapons of hare make, since your organization has such a monopoly on such industries here in Mossflower. We have seen no smiths who make weapons here except those forged in Salamandastron itself, and yet the vermin have so many weapons?"

"Mono-what-now? The Hells do you imply, you miserable cretan!" Daen looked furious, and was yelling at a terrified mouse who retreated behind the squirrel prince and his guards. Yet, the woodlanders who followed Daen were just baffled, although some were in a weird agreement with the strange southern scholar. One squirrel spoke up in amusement to the mouse who watched the meeting intently. "Have to say, that smaller one got a point. Tis a bit weird ain't it?"

"I mean, its weird, but we don't really see the vermin communities much."

"Oh, what bloody communities!" One hedgehog huffed "Those dirt sniffers live in camps, looking for good beasts to bully. Every damn ferret I've come across has been nothing but a bandit or a wannabe bandit. Only village dey got are those blasted hordes."

The mouse looked over to the foxes who had been awaiting Daen's command; the woodlanders knew them as the Oranges. Bullies more than bandits who prowled near the marshes. The small clan used to be a menace up until recently, especially when Kasg came down south. They had figured that causing trouble while the Long Patrol were marching about would have been a terrible idea. The woodlanders avoided them mostly, but at least they weren't Bowthieves. Of the two fox clans, the Oranges at least were stupid and wannabe bandits.

The mouse could only see three of them, who were young adults at best. They were brutes, certainly, and were old enough to go out on their own. However, the clan kept close together, as foxes of all the vermin were the most paranoid and distrustful, being quite a treacherous lot. Families like their own weren't particularly close, the mouse knew, but it varied. Some would quickly sell out their own mothers for vittles, while others would butcher any beast who harmed their kin. The group of militia were interrupted by movement when a figure appeared rather suddenly near them. A vole in yellowish armor and taberd, having little more than a knife to his belt came up to the group and introduced himself.

"Oh, hello good beasts, mind if I join you?" He asked. The Mossflower woodlander gave him an odd look, although the hedgehog amongst them spoke up "You can, but do keep it brief. We aren't here to socialize."

"Of course, good beasts." The vole took his place by their side, although his attention seemed to be upon the foxes far more. He took a drink from a flask, and gave a relieved gasp when he was done. "Water be that good, eh?" One of the squirrels asked.

"Oh. Yes. Water, of course. Fresh and cool." The vole was lying, not wishing to tell them he was tasting something more related to a high quality wine. He turned again to look at the foxes and spoke up to the woodlanders "That lot, be looking quite familiar, hmmm."

"Familiar how? Considering what that lot discuss, you folk act like you never seen a vermin in your entire lives."

"Cause we ain't. Only a few travelers, a long time ago, but they were peaceful folk supposedly. Then of course there was the whole ordeal in our earliest tales, of Marial and the Bellmaker. Strange folk those vermin, armed well too."

"Bah, well armed indeed!" the mouse complained "That lot's pa bought some weapons from a gang run by the Bowthiefs awhile back, and been a thorn in everyone's side north of the bridge. Harmless unless they get greedy."

"Harmless in what way?"

The hedgehog huffed "Harmless as in the entire stinking lot are cowards, all those decent weapons and no reason to use em'. Skilled though from what I hear, usually just intimidate for a living." The vole smiled and looked around, seeing that Frankfort and the hares were busy. The vole got up and excused himself "You know, that lot certainly seems quite familiar. Mind if I ask them a few questions, by chance?"

"Good luck, that lot is about as friendly as a drunken rat looking for more grog." The squirrel chimed in, although the vole didn't get it. The vole went over to the foxes who looked in his general direction at first. The bigger fox spoke up angrily to him "Whacha want, flat nose."

"Oh nothing, you folk just look quite familiar. You wouldn't happen to be related to a 'Valan' are ya?"

"The hells a 'Valan'?" One of the foxes spat. The vole spoke up, hiding a grim smile as he spoke up in a hushed tone. Some of the woodlanders were likely trying to listen in but couldn't hear them. When the vole looked back to see Daen looking in his direction, the Southward soldier positioned himself beneath a few nearby roots to hide himself without it being too noticeable. Daen didn't notice, his attention returning to Frankfort.

"Oh, one of the prisoners we had in the camp. A fox I think you folk call yourselves? I ain't one to say much, but you folk just do seem quite familiar."

"Not all foxes are der same, woodlander." The elder of the Oranges spoke in annoyance "Get outta here, were only here fer our kin. Not to speak to der likes of ya."

"Are you absolutely sure you don't know 'Valan'? Smaller beast he is, you see, nice and bright orange coat of fur like yourselves. A little less white around the tail, kind of like yours." The vole smiled, and the foxes paused. Their clan had specific colors to themselves, but some arose once they heard. "Ya sure, vole. Only a little bit of white around der tail?"

"Aye, that's the one. So you must know him then?"

"We don't know any beast by der name of 'Valan'. Our pa and ma went down south to collect a little bruder of ours, Vatch he be named. He was stayen wit a family friend, but once we heard der hares were retreaten up north, we were waiten fer dem to return from Marshreed. Pa didn't want us getten conscripted into no damn rat army led by former black clads."

"Oh? Really? Strange name that, maybe he was renamed then?" The vole pretended to be concerned, and the foxes took it hook, line, and sinker. They looked at one another with a mix of concern and confusion. The oldest of them spoke up, nearly growling "We were informed dat der be prisoners ya folk took from Marshreed, dat was where ma and pa had gone to. What exactly ya southward cretans be doin to yer prisoners?"

The vole became silent, trying to hide something that he really wished to tell them. When the fox drew dangerously closer, his axe gripped harshly in paw, he backed up a bit in fright and began to fumble his words "Oh, there were some terrible things done, a shame really. I shouldn't have s-said anything. Most of them are camp laborers you see, for punishment for causing the trouble in Marshreed. The prince's orders."

The eldest turned to his kin and angrily snarled "Come ya layabouts. Lets get our kin back, der ol' fashioned way." The anger in their eyes turned to the prince who was nearby. Samkon had been watching them only partly, but when they took up their weapons and began to approach, did the groups of woodlanders turn their eyes to them. Daen looked nervous, as Samkon drew his sword as the foxes approached. The vole for his part disappeared, practically rushing back into the Southward army.

Daen called out to them "Angan Orange, please. We'll discuss your kin later." Frankfort turned to the foxes, taller and more menacing then most of the other vermin he was coming to know. Their murderous orange eyes looked down at Frankfort and to the hares as he made it demands quite clear "Ya have me kin as prisoners, squirrel, we know dis now. We demand em' back. Now."

Frankfort huffed "You creatures will be dealt with later, this is woodlander business first and f-"

The eldest fox lifted his axe to Frankfort, barking at him "Me Pa, Gauivan! Me ma, an me bruder, Vatch! Where are dey!"

"Angan, calm down!" Daen demanded. The fox turned his attention to the Long Patrol and angrily began yelling at him "Did ya know, ya long earned cretan?! Dat des folk were maken laborers of der prisoners?! Ya told me dey just taken dem prisoner!"

Daen, now knowing the fate of the vermin from Marshreed grew awkwardly voiceless, as now a lot of hope rested on Frankfort to act the diplomat. Yet, much to his horror of himself and Numbat, Frankfort seemed to yell back at the foxes in his own anger "Yes, I did. It was justice for what your 'kin' had caused in Marshreed, and likely in Banzlow as well."

"Ya blame us fer what Nurf an' his blasted horde of degenerates did! I should cut off yer tail and stuff it in yer lyen mouth, wretch!" The eldest of the foxes looked on angrily, his fury boiling over. Samkon warned them without words, pushing them back with the tip of his sword. The foxes did not keep their distance, and some of the Southward guard drew blades of their own. Despite this, the foxes seemed quite confident.

"Begone, vermin scum. We will deal with you later. Your lucky I didn't have you arrested to begin with."

"Arrested fer what?"

"Stealing and banditry." Frankfort huffed. Numbat could see how downhill this was all going, despite how close he had been in trying to shift the tide of the prince's arrogance. Now, like many things he came to suspect from his terrible luck, things were going downhill very fast. He attempted to speak up "Angan Orange, I must beg of you to disengage from this at once, for your kin's sake and for us all."

Angan seemed to suddenly realize how much danger he was in despite his anger, looking to Daen for some guidance, a fact not lost on Shackleford who fanned the flames ever brighter "Ah! There it is my prince, you see how the Long Patrol in this moment can command such beasts!"

A number of eyes came upon the gitty Shackleford who seemed to be taking notes. The Oranges ignored him and were about to argue with Frankfort further, but then they heard a cry of anguish. The group turned and saw some of the soldiers of Southward from the column of the 2nd Army part their way for the hedgehog captain Esmert and his guards. With his lash in paw, he was harshly grabbing onto the shirt collar of another fox in which the other foxes almost immediately recognized. Although he was now washed and trimmed, the unmistakable scars of lash marks on his paws and parts of his face shocked his kin. The youngest looked horrified to see his elder siblings and meekly said in surprise "Angan?"

"Vatch?"

Esmert pretended to ignore them, and Frankfort who was calling out to the hedgehog captain as he threw the fox onto the ground "Stealing is an offense of three lashes, vermin!"

Vatch, or Valan as he was called now, had done no such thing. He remembered talking briefly to a vole who offered him something to drink and was caught almost immediately by Esmert who harshly dragged him. Followed shortly behind by Lars and Nosbub, Esmert pretended to be surprised when the two caught up with them, having failed to hide the creature away from the sight of the now enraged and blood hungry vermin whose murderous eyes turned upon Frankfort who looked less concerned, even a little annoyed.

Numbat slowly backed away to Daen and watched as the eldest fox spat out in anger "Ya let him go, bush tail, or I'll rip ya limb from limb." It was a calm threat, which Frankfort responded back. "Touch me, and you'll share the fate as others had."

Angan turned his attention to Vatch, and noticed there was a concerned silence amongst the crowd. Esmert was being chided by Nosbub, although this had been the Black Twitch's plan from the get go. The Mossflower militia arose and drew weapons, much to the dismay of the Long Patrol who now realized something would happen soon. The Mossflower woodlanders looked on angrily at Esmert, and any bad feelings most had towards the Oranges changed to pity seeing Vatch looking shaken and terrified. It did not take long for the elder of the foxes to ask.

"Angan, you must trust me." Daen broke the silence "You need to get out, and swiftly. Let me handle this, wot."

The Oranges were not listening, as Angan turned to Frankfort and seethed, his voice cracking with rage and spite "Ya will let me kin go at once. I'm just here to collect him, and me ol' pops, and me ma. Ya don't, den der will be blood, here an' now." Angan was truthfully trying to hold back on reacting further, but it was hard. He was quick to anger, and not so easily to forgive, and Daen was actually quite impressed he was holding on for as long as he did. His siblings listened to him at least. Yet, Frankfort seemed to not care "No, you beasts seem to think I will let your banditry and your blatant aggression go unanswered. If anything, your kin do better in the care of my army than your barbaric culture, if one can even call it that. If you had any sentience, or a general amount of self preservation, you would be surrendering. No, in my mercy I will let you go and pout elsewhere."

Daen angrily spoke up to Frankfort "Just let the youngster over there go with them, this isn't worth it."

Frankfort angrily turned to him and was angry himself, yelling out "I am trying to save them, and you creatures! Can you not see that! I am turning creatures who can do no less than harm good beasts and molding them into proper and civilized creatures, in the best way we can! Letting them return to banditry to enact their petty vengeance on fellow woodlanders will doom them, and the poor beasts they harm. No, if anything I am no longer asking. . ." Frankfort turned back to the Oranges and spoke "Drop your weapons and surrender."

Angan only gripped his axe harder. Although Shackleford had remained silent, awaiting Angan's response to such a demand, he was joined by Nosbub who spoke up slyly to the prince, pretending to have a hushed voice "My prince, perhaps we should let them go, considering what we had done in Marshreed to the others."

"What?" Angan asked. He was making a sudden realization as Frankfort gave Nosbub a vicious look. Having unintentionally spilled the beans, Numbat could see right before his very eyes what the Black Twitch was now doing. Oh seasons. We were doomed from that start. Numbat backed away to Daen and whispered to him. All the two Long Patrol hares could do now was watch.

"Oh? You didn't know? How curious. You see, some of your kin were quite hostile, too hostile to be left in the living world you see. Under my supervision, we spared those we could that might yet be saved from barbarism." Shackleford blurted out, although in truth he was goading the vermin. Lars looked dumbfounded and came over, seeing the trouble as Angan's eyes widened. He harshly shooed the scholar away for his outburst, although Frankfort no longer seemed to mind.

"Me ma. Pa. Where are dey." Angan asked, saying a shattered voice.

The silence from Frankfort was the answer, confirming his worst fears. Angan no longer thought, but acted. Vatch tried to call out for them to stop, begging them to, but Angan swung his axe at the mouse bodyguard between him and Frankfort, knocking him to the side. In anger, the fox bandit toppled into Frankfort who was taken by surprise by his speed. His siblings roared out in a battlecry, and while others who knew what was happening did not move and watched as the foxes threw their lives away for vengeance, others did not and only heart the yelps for battle. The speed which the fox nearly brought his axe down at the surprised prince had been terrifying, his life only saved when Lars thrusted his sword into Angan himself.

The ring of battle began to ring out through the forests as the Mossflower woodlanders either began to retreat or make swipes at the equally confused and now hostile Southward folk. Frankfort had gotten up from the ground, seeing the Oranges having fallen over dead onto the ground. He tried to call out "Stop! Cease immediately!" Yet none did as the woodlanders skirmished or retreated, while others stood and got grabbed by the equally confused southerners. Numbat and Daen had entirely disappeared, and he took up his sword as some of the woodlanders charged to the aid of the dead vermin allies. One hedgehog in lighter armor tried to spear him through, only for Frankfort to snap his inferior wooden weapon in half with a swing of his sword. The blow went across the woodlander's face, and he fell over dead much to Frankfort's dismay.

He did not have time to think about what he had done, as he felt himself get pulled back. He thought at first it was an enemy, but he saw Samkon pull him to the ground. He heard thunks in the dirt, and looked to see three arrows where he had been standing. Long Patrol arrows which had come from the hidden snipers above him. Samkon called out to some of the soldiers "We need shields! Quickly!" Several soldiers rushed out from the 2nd army and surrounded the group, in time before one arrow nearly pierced the prince. The soldiers with shields took out crossbows and began to fire wildly into the trees and at the retreating militia beasts. One pained yelp was followed by one camouflaged hare falling to the ground with a sickening thud.

Frankfort was safe, turning to wanting to thank Samkon and only dropped his jaw in terror. Samkon was facing upward, as he felt up his face towards an arrow where one of his eyes used to be and fell over. Frankfort yelled out for a medic, reassuring his companion he could be fine.
_

Eskert and his companions were at the far back of the line, although they should have been more towards the front. Eskert was a little annoyed, and so was his new friend Borbon, but the reasoning was rather sound. Loy seemed to have made a new friend which neither really approved of.

"Come now, marching ain't that hard!" Loy was trying to cheer up Dangan, who was huffing and heaving trying to carry a packed up tent behind his back along with other things. Without a lot of beasts to carry heavy gear, it was up to strong camp laborers to do much of the heavy lifting and cart pulling for most armies. Dangan had never worked this hard in his life, and it showed.

Eskert and Borbon found the whole ordeal with the vermin laborers in the army to be odd, and Eskert still did not know what to think of them. Borbon only tolerated them when they remained to their side of the camp and didn't bother him. Now he had one very easily frightened and complaining weasel who seemed to be a bit chummy with Loy "Oh, I be tryen. Me feet hurt, sir. It hurts a lot."

"Well, that's what walking is for." Loy said cheerfully. The weasel continued to frown as Eskert spoke up dismissively "Loy, we should be moving a bit further up. We don't want to be so behind with these wagon trains."

"I mean, sure, but i'd rather not lose this beast like we did that other one." Eskert knew what he referred to, and did not speak further. Loy only thought the vermin who helped them escape the frogs had disappeared, and had gone his own way. Eskert knew the truth, but had no heart to tell Loy. Lufan and Siegfried were behind them, with Pelo who had been resting in a wagon since he had a hard time walking at the army's pace. Lufan and Siegfried were becoming more disillusioned with what they saw in the Southward soldiers, some who were overseeing the vermin were acting more and more cruel. Lufan could see that the vermin looked quite soulless, demoralized and dejected from their hard work. Lufan was disgusted in many ways, and Siegfried was sorrowful as he watched his once good friend now so invested in Southward.

Borbon had only a brief understanding of Loy's concerns, but his distrust for the weasel was considerable "Luts not full too fur behund fur der sake of dis sun of a bandut."

"I mean, while true, Dangan seems quite friendly" Loy trodded up quickly to Eskert and Borbon. Eskert was quick to remind him "Friendliness which hides evil, Loy. No vermin escapes their nature. Not sure what this Shackleford thinks of these beasts, but if given the chance, they will backstab us."

Loy didn't really know what to say to that, frowning a bit. Borbon added to his thoughts "Aye, Shucklefurd gut a lut of hupe fur turnen dem beasts into guud ones. Dun gut too cluse to'em Luy. Nuthen guud ever came out of trustun varments."

"I mean, what if that mouse is right?"

"Dun he is riught, even doh I doubt it."

Eskert would look back with spite at Dangan who looked at him a bit and began to slow himself purposefully to get some distance. Eskert grunted and returned his attention to the front, as the army began to slow down. The group slowed as well till they stopped entirely, with officers passing on information with one another. Some of the soldiers whispered to one another. Eskert and his companions were curious as to what was happening. The group went to the side of the column of the army and went forward, and only stopped when the saw the Long Patrol hares who were once captive were now being set free. Eskert looked the most surprised, seeing another beast he had never thought to see again. He old companion in the militia. "Reskan?"

Eskert came forward, and before Loy or Borbon could ask who he was, the two were soon in front of another mouse who looked a lot like Eskert, the only difference being he had his own set of militia clothes and a spear. Loy at first thought he was a brother as Reskan turned to him in his own surprise "Eskert? The hells?"

"Reskan. What are you doing here?"

"I'd ask you the same thing, considering that stuff your wearing." Reskan said a bit disgusted, and Eskert seemed to look awkward "Oh. This? Its a lot more c-"

"Eskert, the hells are you doing here."

Borbon spoke up a bit angrily when Reskan spoke up in spite "Huy! Why yuo lettun dees hures go? Yuo answur us dut!"

"The Southward prince's order which I came to fulfill, Borbon Rocklore." Reskan turned in spite towards him and huffed "Now, tell me why my most skilled soldier is now marching with this stupid lot."

Borbon wanted to speak up angrily to him, and Loy was about to join him, but Eskert spoke up first "I swore to them, Reskan. We are going westward to burn out Gandal and Nurf. Nurf. . .he. . ." Eskert paused and Reskan closed his eyes, shaking his head. "No need to explain if that murderous cretan is involved. Elain, is she okay with all this?" Reskan had imagined that Eskert's village was raided, but when Eskert grew silent, it was now Reskan's turn to feel awkward. "Oh."

"We had quite an adventure, Reskan, although what is happening?"

"Your new lords ambushed and arrested a bunch of our dear protectors and allies from Salamandastron. We came to collect them. Daen and a bunch of others are up front, a bunch of the bowbeasts are stalking the trees around us."

Loy looked confused and then spoke up "Did you mean to ambush us?"

"Nay, only to talk. Were not vermin ya know." Reskan rolled his eyes. As the two conversed, something began to happen. As the hares were walking out with some of their fellow woodlanders, an officer came rushing from the front "Stop! Get those hares back in line! Were under attack! Were under attack!" The group stopped and some of the Southward woodlanders looked around. Even the Long Patrol stopped, as an officer huffed. "Stop, Mossflower mouse! In the name of Prince Frankfort and Southward, you must throw down your arms and surrender at once!"

"Bollocks to that!" Reskan drew his sword, and when he did, his fellow militia did as well. Loy looked on terrified as everyone began to draw weapons as Reskan called out "Your Prince just freed these hares in good faith! Attack us, and forever damn yourselves!"

"He rescinds this order, for those hares are now attacking our prince! Guards! Seize them!" The officer yelled out. Only around half of those who heard closed in on the group, but one unfortunate hedgehog who got too close to Reskan was slashed at and was injured. When blood was drawn, the other woodlanders clattered weapons. Despite calls for it to cease, the woodlanders were soon falling in on one another.

Reskan slammed his blade into one hedgehog trying to pull back some of the Long Patrol towards the main army as the group retreated towards the woods, knowing they couldn't possibly fight the main force in their thick columns. Reskan called out to the Long Patrol hares "Run for it! We'll cover your retreat! Go!" Reskan continued to slash and being backed up by the Southward soldiers who were swarming him, only to find his blade soon clashed against Eskert's.

"This isn't worth it Reskan, surrender damn you!"

Reskan didn't listen and violently swung Eskert's blade away and did an upward slash down upon him. Eskert nimbly evaded in time, but toppled himself into other friendly woodlanders. Borbon found himself fighting a Mossflower woodlander as the fighting grew thicker and more confused, as divisions of woodlanders from the army who had no clue what was happening were either watching awkwardly or joining in to help their beleaguered comrades.

Loy was horrified with what he witnessed, as Mossflower militia escaped to help the Long Patrol who rushed into the forests, as the Southward soldiers felled Mossflower swordbeasts. Loy stood still, his javelin quivering in his paw as he looked on helplessly as Borbon struggled to try to calm down a hedgehog who was fighting him. Making a split second decision, out of instinct to save his father's eldest friend, he threw the javelin into the hedgehog with precision. The beast fell to the ground and rolled over dead.

Borbon looked to Loy, seeing the terror in his face at what he had done, and tried to push through the crowds of Southward soldiers to reach him. The Mossflower militia were retreating further into the woods, and the Southward soldiers gave chase, capturing or running them down. Borbon reached Loy who was still a bit shaken, but then looked behind him "Luy! Luuk out!" Borbon had seen Dangan had followed them, and was now behind the otter and was rushing him. Borbon was about to swing down his hammer on the weasel, but was unable to when Dangan tackled Loy to the ground. They heard a thud, and the weasel cried out in pain as Loy looked to see an arrow in the weasel's shoulder. Borbon realized that Dangan had spotted one of the Long Patrol snipers was aiming at beasts with ranged weapons, and once he had missed, the Long Patrol got down from the trees and fled. Borbon was surprised and came over as Loy tried to help the weasel.

Borbon was not the best medic, and neither was Loy as the two dragged Dangan away from the fighting. Loy looked confused and terrified as he fumbled his words "T-they tried to kill me, I killed. . .I killed. . ."

Borbon passed off Dangan to one of the medics and gripped Loy hard. "Yuo hud no uthor choice, Luy. Dur dur, cume cluser." Borbon embraced Loy, seeing he was conflicted. Loy had a lot to think about, curling up as the battle raged beyond them.
_

Numbat and Daen were beyond the Southward army, having escaped and were now in the wilderness, having regrouped with a number of other woodlanders. Reskan had gathered what he could and the group had retreated farther out, although the fighting and skirmishing became a stalemate. Long Patrol snipers were keeping most of the frightened Southward soldiers pinned, and the remaining Long patrol were relieving the injured of their weapons so they could fight their own battles. The Southward soldiers were well trained, but not experienced, and lost the will to fight their fellow woodlanders quite quickly. The Long Patrol seemingly had no such qualms, and exploited this where they could. Hiding beneath some tree roots, Numbat and Daen could at least speak to one another in privacy.

"Seasons, sar. This truly is the worst case scenario! First Salamandastron, then Naus's defeat, and now this! If we bolly get any worse luck, we'll be dead beasts for sure!"

Numbat calmed himself, although it was clear he was terrified himself. He grew angry "That blasted black hare. That was one of his captains. No doubt this was a ploy to goad a reaction like this. Daen, I need you to take the hares we have left and make your way to Balon, get him and the Palewind hares out and make your way up north. We need to get word to Salamandastron of what is happening here."

Daen looked shocked "Sar, you will not join us?"

"No, good lad. I need to surrender to them and try to work them from the inside, in good faith that we can still muster. I clearly am not worth this position one bloody bit, but I will bloody well make sure my bad luck doesn't get put onto you. Daen, you need to get out as quickly as you can, before it's too late!"

"Sar, this is actually a bad decision, and you bloody well know it?"

"Maybe, but I cannot stand on my own two hind legs thinking I couldn't at least salvage what I could. Get whoever you can, good bean."

Daen saluted his officer and stood, grabbing Numbat's paw and helping him stand. Daen sighed terribly, as Reskan came over and the sounds of fighting bellowed through the forest. He was gripping a nasty wound he received from Eskert and spoke up "I don't think we can hold on much longer, those creatures getting bolder. Good seasons, the Oranges. . ."

"We cannot do anything for them now, or anything to them." Numbat shook his head "Reskan, gather whoever you can and r-"

"I ain't going anywhere, you folk won't make it if we all retreat at once. They'll run you all down." The two hares looked a bit surprised as Reskan took a more dignified stance, even as it hurt him "Numbat. Daen. You must go, and swiftly."

"I am going nowhere. Daen will lead the Long Patrol back to Palewind." Reskan thought this over and shrugged "Fine. Come then Numbat, if these dirt sniffers are as bad with swords as frogs are, we don't got much to worry about."

"You are doing a brave thing Reskan."

"Just get out of here, Daen. Me wife an' babes. If you meet them, tell them I loved them like no other." Reskan grumbled and went to collect his militia for one final stand. Daen swiftly left to do his duties, gathering his Long Patrol and sounding their retreat. Numbat took up a short spear he had picked up from a fallen woodlander and joined Reskan. If he was going to go down in a blaze of glory, at least he could do the world a favor and kill the Black Twitch. At least the bugger will be easy to point out.

The Southward soldiers eventually came into view, chasing away or capturing other woodlanders. Reskan and his soldiers formed into a line the Southward forces were somewhat familiar with. It was a loose formation with one group of javelin throwers in the front and the melee fighters in the back. The Southward beasts paused and allowed their crossbowbeasts to come up first, with large tower shields which they hid behind. They fired, killing and routing the skirmish line and goaded the woodlanders to charge. Instead, Reskan retreated backward and began to use the trees for cover. Ducking between the trees, the remaining skirmishers would take pot shots at the Southward soldiers. Demands for surrender boomed out, but one voice was less enthusiastic amongst them.

Numbat recognized Nosbub's voice who prowled behind the force of woodlanders from a safe distance. Numbat pointed him out to Reskan and nodded in agreement to get Numbat close enough to strike at him. Bursting from cover, the woodlanders made a mad dash to Nosbub's position and crashed through the line of pikebeasts who didn't seem at all ready. They were hoping their fellow woodlanders would surrender, and much to the surprise of their officers began to rout quickly despite taking very few losses. Nosbub soon found himself being targeted by Numbat who slew his way through his guards and was about to ram his spear into him.

Nosbub was saved only in time when Eskert jammed his sword into Numbat's side, and the hare fell over injured. Nosbub looked relieved, as Eskert expertly dispatched his fellow woodlanders with ease. When Reskan tried to kill the mouse, Nosbub time came to put his rapier through the mouse, who fell over dead. Numbat, injured and defeated only blurted out.

"We surrender."

He answered with silence as Nosbub's soldiers collected the injured Numbat. Eskert looked around, trembling at what he had done. None of this had to happen. None of it. He put his sword away and made his way with the Southward army, their new prisoners in tow.
_

The Southward army camped for the night to bury their dead and the dead of their enemies, but the wild accusations and angry yelling from the command tent made the entire host uncomfortable. Kelsum and Lars were yelling at Nosbub and Shackleford for making a difficult situation worse. Although the mouse scholar was quite frightened by the hares, the Black Twitch explained himself as he always did. By the time the meeting had ended, only one thing could have been agreed upon and none wished to carry it out. Frankfort turned himself in for the night, denying any beast who tried to feed him his dinner and sleeping restlessly. No woodlander knew what was going on until the morning, where the vermin laborers in the camp trembled when they heard the camp's engineers building something familiar.

One mouse who had been taken in by surprise, was alongside his two friends. The squirrel and the hedgehog who felt a bit embarrassed. All three had gotten up, ready to fight some beast, but were ordered to surrender by equally confused Southward soldiers. They surrendered, which saved their lives from the slaughter. They expected to be treated like criminals, kept in a cage or shackled. Instead, they were untied from their bonds and brought to a barber who trimmed them, were forcefully cleaned and given new yellow garments to wear, and some rations.

It only dawned on them when they found themselves next to other vermin did the woodlanders know their fate was much worse.

The vermin found themselves looking up at new makeshift gallows, still being assembled by the engineers. Three nooses hung from on high, and the vermin grimly guessed who would be hanged.

"Bets its gonna be dat younger fox dey took to der front." One mentioned. The group of camp laborers were kept in front, with the woodlanders given a front row seat to the grim spectacle. The mouse was nudged by his hedgehog friend "You think this is to just scare us, right?"

"Nay." A hushed voice came from behind. The mouse looked around to see the faces of two ferrets, Nirb and Mirb who were now in attendance. "Dey did dis in Marshreed, spike dog. Doh not sure who dey plan to hang."

"Oh seasons, not that young fox, right?" The squirrel said a bit terrified. The last thing he wanted to see or hear was a younger beast being executed in front of them. Yet, that fox was nowhere to be found. A number of other beasts surrounded the gallows as well, from soldiers to officers, all awaiting for what was to happen. The mouse shook his head "Hells, this ain't right at all."

"Yer tellen us." Mirb sarcastically said. "Took me paw dey did fer just touchen dat squirrel tryen to get away. I didn't even think ya woodlanders had dat kind of stuffs in ya."

The hedgehog huffed "We don't."

The crowd began to murmur and then grew silent as the commanders and officers made way. Kelsum was the first to arrive, with his daughter Ginny giving him a terrified and tired look, as if she had been trying to come to grips with what was happening. The mouse found this curious, as many of the faces of the woodlanders looked like defeated slaves more than a proper civilized army. They had no means or heart to resist. Nosbub and his soldiers came next, dragging Numbat to the center of the other prisoners, the Black Twitch shaking his head and sporadically moving his body. Numbat was in shackles, and was barely conscious as it was from his injury.

Then at long last the squirrel arrived. The golden armored squirrel was joined by a mouse who wore a bandage on one of his eyes, keeping to his side at all times. Joining them was a young fox whom both the woodlanders and vermin had feared would be his next victim. He looked terrified, frightened as he looked at the gallows. Although the soldiers forced him past them and forced him to kneel to Frankfort's side, as his attention was on the crowd in front of him.

Loy and his friends were amongst the woodlanders in the crowd as well, off to the side. Dangan was the only vermin who wasn't amongst the crowd, and instead took a rather dignified place next to the group, but kept his head down in shame. Lufan and Siegfried were there, their faces twisted in spite at Frankfort.

"I am Prince Frankfort of Southward, and when I came here to Mossflower, I came as an ally and friend of its people. I see now that this isn't the case. This treason against the people of Southward, and alliance with the foul vermin who started this trouble will not be tolerated by this army. We will free the forest from the tyranny of the vermin who trouble you. . .and. . ." Frankfort paused, almost embarrassed to continue. Yet, it was Shackleford's reasoning that kept him from thinking too much into it. "And the tyranny of Salamandastron. You have taken up arms against me, and such punishments in my home country would be death. However, we are good beasts, merciful and brave! Woodlanders from cradle to grave. I offer mercy, but I see now that you all must learn to be proper beasts, and not violent savages who do the whims of these hares and their badger masters."

Shackleford's speech dripped of madness and lunacy to the eyes and ears of the Mossflower beasts who heard it. The woodlanders gave themselves pained glances as Frankfort continued "Consider yourself not as prisoners of war, but as laborers who will be taught to value the hard work and civilized ways of Southward, and within twenty years you will be free to go back to your families or on your own paths. Until then, you will labor for my army, as punishment for taking up arms against your supposed allies."

His attention turned to the fox below him, who was tearful. "As for you vermin lot."

He spoke with a malice and spite the mouse would have expected from a conquering warlord towards his victims, which filled him with dread. "I see now the violence of you beasts are beyond saving in many ways, even though from what I have come to understand you creatures are barely sentient and violent in your nature. I was informed of this far before, but my mercy will stand, but anew. You will be laborers for this army forever, since I and my educated council believe you no longer are capable of learning on your own. Perhaps in time your people will learn, but it is clearly a slow and delicate process. This beast's kin attacked me and caused violence in random abandon! However, I am merciful, as to be expected of a lord of his station. You will labor for the camp no longer in equals with others, but as serfs who will need more specialized overseers to keep you focused from violence and evil." Frankfort looked down at the terrified young fox and extended his paw.

"Kiss the ring on the right paw, and show that you beasts at least have some concept of fealty and tameness." The fox looked to the paw, seeing a royal symbol of Southward. He gulped down his shame and did as bidded, fearful of what they would do to him if he did not. Frankfort wretched back his paw in disgust "At least I do not need to add another unfortunate beast to that gallows today. You there. Esmert is it?" Esmert came forward, although looking a bit whipped. Not physically mind you, as Frankfort had threatened and yelled at him throughout much of the night, and he fiddled his paws in fear of the prince.

"Take this beast into the crowd, when he is done for the day, have his rations halved for the remainder of the summer, and see to it personally." The mouse found this absurdly cruel, even by vermin standards as he was shoved by the hedgehog back into the crowd of camp laborers. The vermin looked more dejected than usual, as the eldest of them knew now they were effectively slaves in all but name.

Frankfort looked to Numbat who longer looked surprised or shocked, he was held in shape by Lars and his hares. Numbat could no longer really tell if Frankfort was corrupted or, he was always this way. He remained silent, even as the three Long Patrol hares brought the crowd and were forced upward onto the gallows platform. Numbat looked at them, wishing to salute them, but could not in his bonds as the engineers threw nooses down onto their necks.

"As for you, Long Patrol. . ." Frankfort seethed "You dare come to us wanting to speak, but try to have me killed! I now see through your guise, your evil. For the crimes against Southward and her peoples, your hares will hang and you will be tried for your actions against us."

"Then wot, are you an invading army then? Like every other blasted vermin who came into Mossflower before?" Numbat shot back. He tried to reason with Frankfort "Look at yourselves! Look! You are woodlanders, yet you deal out punishments no better than Kasg did. Free my hares and go home Frankfort. By the mercy of the seasons and all those here, I beg of you to-"

"Go home? Preposterous!" Shackleford and his rabbit assistant made their way through the crowds, and Frankfort gave a friendly smile to him. In a more authoritative position, Shackleford spoke up to the crowd "My fellow good beasts of Southward, and to even you good woodlanders of Mossflower. Look around you if you must, and tell me what you see? I do not see beautiful trees or rolling hills, these are the royal hunting grounds of a badger lord who could have built you castles, and connected roads! Like in our own homeland, where universities and mills are around all corners of every hill. Instead, these Long Patrol have asked us to come to aid them, but is it really aid or are we are to clean up a mess they started? What this hare would want you to think that we are vermin, come to make slaves of them or to be a conquering people, a propaganda myth I tell you! We are here to free Mossflower from the chains of ignorance and an eternal cycle of war and raids, to civilize them so they can have the better future we enjoy back home. We do not make slaves of these poor vermin, we are teaching them to be better beasts, so they too can live in the future world being beyond the cycle of violence they throw themselves into. I have studied such beasts all my life, and I am again proven right time and time again. My fellow woodlanders, let not go home to Southward. Let us bring Southward to Mossflower!"

It did not matter if Shackleford won over the crowd or not, Numbat knew from Frankfort's agreeing eyes it no longer mattered. Frankfort had made his decision last night, he would no longer be an allied army, he could now come to expand Southward's realm.

By the sword if need be.

None dared challenge their infallible prince, for what being can challenge the wise word of their leaders and their wiser council? Frankfort turned as Numbat shouted out to him, begging him. "Frankfort, do not do this, you will damn yourself and your army! For all time!"

He did not listen and made his command to his executioner "Release the lever."

The Long Patrol made makeshift prayers underneath their breaths and prepared for death. It did not come, as the executioner fumbled his paws. He asked "My lord? I. . ."

Numbat's hope arose only for Frankfort to shatter it as he approached. He was held back by Lars as he begged "Do not do this, think for once you insufferable squirrel! What would your heroes think of you! How would your father react to what you will do!"

Frankfort pushed the engineer harshly aside and was now gripping the lever, his soulless and harsh eyes went to Numbat who looked back at him in tearful desperation. He did think for a moment. He could only imagine the heroes Marial and the Bellmaker agreeing with him, his father giving up his crown to him in wisdom. These were new thoughts, ones which intrigued him. They were comforting, and in that comfort he cruelly released the lever and heard a couple loud snaps. A stillness drew over the crowd and he took in their applause of grim quietness echoed throughout the camp. Frankfort broke it with a command.

"Pack up your things. We continue to Palewind."