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.

48. The Palewind Raid

Chapter 47: The Palewind Raid

Night had fallen over Palewind, with torch light giving an unearthly glow to the now busy encampment. Soldiers turned in for the night as patrols kept up pace across the camp. Work crews were huddled back into their barracks, and the overly organized Southswarders made their rituals for the changing of the guard. The captains of the camp were proud of their accomplished night time patrols, confident enough in their ability to go into their beds early. From time to time, soldiers could be seen undressing and relaxing in their tents. Generals wrote letters and edicts, with Gosland ordering a burial for those he had just had hanged with some dignity, while Nosbub pondered over what to do about the 'increasing vermin filth problem'.

Despite all their troubles thus far, the camp was in a state of peacefulness. None of them were all that worried, for tomorrow would be a grand day, the start of a march towards the north. Despite the despondancy in the camp, there was relief that the anger of the newly liberated villages would not bother them no more, and the Long Patrol were routed away from them. Gandal was effectively gone from sight and sound, and any other threat was far off. The soldiers took the time to get comfortable before the real troubles began.

A mistake Daen was quick to notice.

Far off in the darkness, a Long Patrol sniper hid in the shadows, watching one specific section of the camp. Several of the newly made serfs were gripping onto wooden planks, gently setting them down before their woodlander overseer and was instructed to return to their barracks. Shuffled off, the section of the wall which was encircling the entire base was thin but defensible. It served its purpose enough to funnel in any wood be invader towards the gates, flanked on each side by guard towers. A woodlander with a crossbow looked out with a bored expression into the night of southern Mossflower's hills, whose yellow hue of camp fires melded into a bright blue light which covered the grass and trees in the night. The sniper came forward and awaited for most of the soldiers and serfs to leave, standing completely still for hours till the voices died down, and the guards were unaware.

The soldier sighed, his lips had touched a canteen before he heard the twang of a bow. The shot was fatal and sudden, as the guard slumped down on the small camp tower. Another guard nearby in another tower looked in that direction, only to meet the same fate not long afterward. The tents outside the camp were silent, before figures began to make their way upward and towards Palewind.

Daen and his hares had known there were a few unfinished sections of the newly made palisade, having already done away with some sentries as Gaster and a few others in Southsward uniforms approached. The hares separated out into six groups, each led by different woodlanders who marched through the sleepy camp. Not all had uniforms, with those with disguises acting as lookouts. Some of the Long Patrol stepped into a tent and stole clothes from sleeping soldiers, careful as they were to not disturb them. Some of the late night soldiers noticed them, but thought nothing of a couple patrolling soldiers who didn't seem to mind them at all.

The group approached the unfinished section of the wall, with Daen motioning his snipers to advance. They did, appearing from the shadows as they put their bows around their bodies and quickly began to move in. They would go into the camp in groups, making sure to not attract too much attention. The first group was the scouting group, approaching casually as they looked for an entrance through the camp and making notes of patrols. The second group entered, with Daen and Gaster being the third. Gaster and Daen set their foot into the camp with the Long Patrol officer giving a silent sigh of relief.

All was going well. Almost too well.

Their plan would be simple, they would extract groups of captured woodlanders from the stockade right out from under the unprepared noses of these would be tyrants. Daen was aware they likely had very little to worry about, likely thinking a defeat he suffered trying to recruit woodlanders and disrupt their logistics would mean he would take a day or two to regroup and lick wounds. Daen almost smiled at the thought, having never really given up his chase as he looked up at his old base now waving yellow flags. Coming for you ol' bean. Don't you worry, sir. We'll get you the hell out of there.

"Hey! You!" Daen and Gaster's eyes went wide. They were hiding in the shadows of some tents as they saw the fifth group getting past. Daen frowned, as some of his allies stopped and turned. Gaster froze, seeing Captain Murchan marching up to the group with a small guard.

"Explain yourselves, you can't just bolly walk through the construction site, not without proper clearance!" Murchan angrily took one woodlander by his shoulder, grabbing onto him not in a hostile way, but making sure he did not get away. Murchan looked up much to Daen's dismay and was about ready to draw his weapon as Murchan squinted. No blood could be seen, but the still silhouette of a dead Southsward guard looked like he was sleeping. Murchan had not noticed, as he yelled up "Oy! You there! Get down here an explain yourself an-"

"Captain Murchan!" Daen heard a voice yell out, looking on as Gaster quickly came to. Daen was cursing him under his breath, knowing of Murchan and his murderous antics. Gaster looking up at his parent's murderer, as Gaster paused. Murchan looked at this new creature who had just called his name, but had clearly not recognized him with the Southsward armor strapped to him "Hmmm? What do you want, soldier. Speak."

Gaster spoke highly "Sorry sir, but these beasts couldn't find the gate master. We decided to run through the construction site, since it was just easier. The lads on top waved us on through." Gaster lied, his eye lightly twitched with anticipation as his paw was gripping the handle of his sword. Murchan huffed "Oh we will see about that, soldier. No one is allowed to just bolly walk on through a section of our least defended walls, especially at night. Edict 22, a lashing is for you and any beast I see who had done so."

"Oh, then you'll be giving a lashing to Captain Gythan then?" Gaster came up with the name as Murchan looked intrigued. "Gythan?"

"Yes, sir. We had been looking for a way around the camp, but we couldn't find an actual way into it. Our tents are inside after all. We saw Gythan and his lads lead their way through, so we just thought we could do the same you know? If you wish sir, I can talk to General Nosbub on your request, though i doubt he would be happy."

Murchan quickly spoke up "General Nosbub would certainly mind, but this isn't really about Gythan, this is ab-"

"And sir, as you know, any beast caught doing such a thing must also be reported to Prince Frankfort." Gaster sweated a little on this lie, unsure if it was true or not, but considering Murchan's quick worries of being turning his superior's night into a poor work hour did seem to make the hare back off a little. "Oh, right. Of course, you are correct."

Gaster then smiled, confidently chiding the captain "I apologize sir, but we really need to be heading to bed. The lads and I don't want to slow down the army. We'll let those two up there know to not let anyone go on through. If you so wish, I'll tell the gate masters to be more vigilant for beasts like us."

Murchan frowned "Fine, but do hurry it up. This kind of protocol is in place for a reason!" Murchan watched as Gaster walked up to the sweating comrades and motioned them forward, yet used his paws to pause the sixth group from joining. "Thank you, captain. We won't be doing this again."

"Oh you best hope not." Murchan huffed. The hare turned and went away with his guards, yelling at the corpse above him "At ease! Continue on, good sentry!"

The sentry didn't respond and Murchan thought nothing of it. Daen sighed with relief, seeing Gaster's trembling paw was on the handle of his father's sword. Daen came over and patted his shoulder.

"Impressive. Your father would have been proud."

Gaster nodded "Thank you, but he won't be proud yet till Frankfort and his army are kicked back to Southsward." Daen and Gaster returned to their groups and proceeded further into the oblivious Southsward camp, their eyes set upon the stockade.
_

Gandal and his elite guard were as silent as the shadows themselves, with Gandal having forced his vermin to put on a coal like war paint as they crept closer. Abandoning their heavy armor in favor of only their black tunics, the black clads moved ever closer to their target. They hid behind the hills, spotting the southern gate and the walls next to it. Gandal and Olan had both seen this gate as they scouted it out, and were utterly baffled by it. Of the gates leading into Palewind, this one had only one watch tower instead of two, the camp which extended around the base was sparse here, and there was a construction site near it. There were a few beasts keeping watch, although they looked rather sleepy as Gandal awaited for something to happen.

He waited like any predator, like a snake sneaking up on its unsuspecting prey and ready to leap with open fangs once it got close enough. Whenever the guards moved their head or got into a conversation, Gandal let up his paw and moved his elite force forward. His entire horde would not be with him, only those specifically chosen by Olan and himself. Gandal curled his paw into a fist and the group stopped. Gandal could hear one of his vermin attempt to whisper, but he smacked his paw over it's head before he could speak up.

"Silence." Gandal ordered. The vermin became deathly silent, awaiting to approach. The vermin were anxious, as Gandal kept waiting for the right opportunity to get on in.

"Oh for season's sake!" A silent voice was heard behind them as Gandal and Olan nearly jumped in terror. The vermin turned around, suspecting to having been caught by some sentry, but instead Mela was angrily trudging through the bushes and pushing past the vermin ambushers.

"You stupid mouse!" Gandal seethed. Mela had come up to them both as Olan gave her a disappointed look. Mela growled uncharacteristically, chiding the warlord much to his surprise. "Stupid yourself, you slaving long tail! You have been at this for hours! Are you going to go in or not!?"

"I am try-" Gandal growled and took Mela's tunic and brought it closer to him, his eye on a soldier who looked their way upon seeing the bushes move. "I am going to kill you now." Gandal said mundanely, but Mela again spoke up with a fearless tone. "I can help you, erm, sir! Look, those woodlanders are looking for vermin, not beasts like myself. You need to get through that gate? Let me help you through then!"

Gandal growled "I should claw at ya fer just suggesting it. Now eder get back in line where ya belong, or I'll strangle you."

Mela pushed at him and huffed "Try it, and I scream."

Gandal would have been impressed had she been a vermin like himself, as Mela tried to calm the warlord and spoke up. Olan crept closer with a knife, ready to lay her to rest if she tried to do something so rash. "I wanted to help, but I am no longer asking. I am demanding you accept my help. If I fumble it, then so be it, but let me get you folk inside. If this damages the Southswarders. So be it."

Gandal blinked and looked to Olan who could only shrug. Gandal didn't like this kind of risk, but Mela's fury in her eyes was almost amusing to the dark captain. Gandal was about to firmly command this mad creature back to their hidden camp, but Olan spoke up "Ya wanna help, mouse? Get dem lads at der gates out of der."

"Olan, ya idiot, dat ain't gonna-"

Mela nodded happily and already was exiting the bushes. Gandal tried to grab her as she went, as he instead decided to try to strangle Olan next. Olan explained to his dismaying chief "Gandal, we wanna get inside? We got a woodlander to get'em away from der gates. Quicker we get in, der quicker we can get out."

Gandal continued to furiously mope over this rash decision "Ya got der rot in der head if ya dink dat slavebeast won't find a way to screw dis up! Olan, I get yer angry, an ya got every right to be, but dat mouse be as much yer enemy as-as-" Olan was looking at Mela, his eyes wide as he looked amazed. The vermin watched as Mela had not only walked up to the guards, but was already drawing them off.

"Help! I need help!" Mela rushed up to the surprised guards who rushed over to the mouse. "Help, I am from one of the villages! I am here to find the Long Patrol? Are you them? We are being attacked by vermin! I need help right away!" Mela sounded and looked distressed as the guards at the gates drew weapons. "Stay here, we will need to get General Kelsum an-"

"There is no time! Its a-" Mela paused and thought "It's a ferret, with big rabbit ears, and a squirrel's tail! It's horrible! That abomination is running amok on the farm, killing everyone! Please, I need help now!" Mela got on her knees and begged the two guards. They looked awkwardly at each other and after a brief exchange of looks, the guards drew weapons "Lead the way, and quickly now!"

Mela led the guards, eager to help, towards the bushes in another direction, the guard in the tower looking at them as they signaled him. The opportunity presented itself, but Gandal cursed himself "Dat guard is gonna call der entire camp Olan."

"Not if we get to em' first." Olan drew his blade and rushed forward, sneaking along the tents. Gandal and his vermin followed as Mela led the guards off towards the forest, pointing them in the direction of the cliffs. The guards rushed off, not really realizing they had lost Mela as she swiftly returned. The guard in the tower was slowly getting back down as Mela's wide eyes opened as she rushed to try to convince this guard not to wake the entire camp. She saw the vermin head towards the gate as they began to open the door swiftly. With the camp silent and resting, Olan crept up to the sentry who had tried to get aid and swiftly slew him in surprise. Gandal looked over the corpse, ordering his black clads to hide the body.

Mela rejoined them, as Gandal growled at her "Ya blasted fool, stupid is what ya are."

"Are you done insulting me, or are we going to do this?" Mela asked more definitely. Olan nodded his head, wiping blood from his blade "I'll send a lad back to der camp, sir. Get dem two guards wandering der forests to disappear. Otherwise, if we can avoid der patrols and keep dis door closed, we shouldn't draw much suspicion."

"Keep yer guard low, an' we ca-"

Mela huffed and spoke up "Get me a Southsward uniform, any one will do. I can go ahead, and signal you when it is clear." Gandal was absolutely furious at her, but he had a moment of calm to realize she was right. Gandal looked to Olan, hoping he had more sense, but the rat only nodded "Smart. You'll have it. Guide us to der stockade, round ears."

Mela nodded as one of the black clads entered the tent of a sleeping soldier, knocking him out as he stirred. Grabbing the soldiers oversized fatigues, Mela donned a simple but loose disguise. She straightened up and went forward, looking about as best she could. The vermin followed as Gandal ordered his beasts.

"Keep to der shadows, an' be ready fer a fight. If ya get caught, were dead. Don't be spillen blood, leave dat fer der battlefield. Were here to conscript der prisoners, not cause a ruckus." The vermin nodded and crept through the tents and shadows, heading ever closer to their target.
_

"Two little softies, eh? Pretty aren't they, Mr. Butterbisk. Aye, quite a show indeed. Little hare goes through hill an' wood. Rat goes through the damned gates. Look at them, all so snug and resting. Two whole divisions of beasts sneak through their camp, undetected and barely a sound is raised? Oh, so sweet of Gandal and them hares to light the way for us."

Nurf spoke mostly to himself as a sizable chunk of his horde was with him, looking on with bloodthirsty eyes at the delectable meat that was this grand encampment. Nurf found it almost amusing how many woodlanders had pitched their tent outside the camp, a mistake he would make the Southswarders regret. In the darkness, Nurf could make our the outlines of the Long Patrol and Gandal's Horde advancing on Palewind, each one having their own unique way of entering.

"What der plan chief?" Goran asked, edging his way up to Nurf. The group was concealed by bushes as Nurf licked his lips with anticipation, his eyes narrow and hollow as if he were ready to pounce. Nurf tapped his chin "Big camp, many pretties. Too many in fact. Maybe a few dead beasts here, and a sprinkling of impalement. I never heard a southerner scream before. Need time and room to show off the arts I wish to show them." Nurf took out his knife and crawled along the grass, unnaturally moving along the ground as his most elite hordebeasts followed. They were a small crowd, but each were not much more sane than Nurf was.

"Much loot I bet fer the boys to enjoy."

"Do you smell it Goran." Nurf sniffed the air "Sweets! Yes, will need that for our home. The little ones love such things, you know?" Nurf spat on the ground and continued to move up, his eyes shifting all over. Goran always felt he was an expert at what he did, but he was disturbed how Nurf was on a whole different level. The horde moved closer as vermin snuck into lone tents, where a blood gurgling was heard shortly there after. Some going on for far too long as Nurf looked up at the walls. He spied upon the sentries, who had not noticed three of their towers were downed. Yet, Nurf could easily notice.

"Little bowbeasts, them Long Patrol." Nurf made his way towards the construction site of the palisade, his horde following. Tents began to bleed and others fell silent. Nurf snuck in, noticing a patrol. He casually walked in as the surprised patrolling beasts tried to call out for alarm, only for them to be silenced by Nurf and Goran simultaneously throwing their knives expertly into their heads. Nurf took up his knife, huffing as he crouched down and looked about. He was giving a big grin.

"Spread out, my lovelies. Kill them. Eat them. Make them make rivers with their tears. A gift from me, to you." Nurf got closer to Goran, whispering to him "Lesser boys will be nice distraction, we will make off with the good stuff, yes?"

Goran nodded, speaking Nurf's sudden and dark plan to his fellow beasts as the more deranged murderers and corrupt hordebeasts began to scatter. A group of them came over the construction site, and if any beast around could see them, it would be concerning. There was no yell for charge, only a simple nodding and pointing. From tent to tent they went, killing and maiming. As they scattered about, Nurf held up his paw to Goran when he spotted something. One of Nurf's hordebeasts turned a bend, only for an arrow to be shot into his head and fall over, as one of Daen's snipers revealed himself and collected his arrow swiftly. The sniper looked terrified, seeing vermin exit tents in sickening displays. Yet, by mutual agreement, none of them yelled out. Nurf snuck through the shadows, getting on the flank of the unaware sniper before sinking his knife into him as he was backed into a corner. Nurf held the hare's mouth closed, looking about with sadistic glee.

"Yes, the good stuff. Goran? You think it be in Palewind itself?" Nurf asked. Goran shrugged and sniffed the air "No doubt, saw some nice pavilions up there."

Nurf turned to the struggling and dying hare he held, asking him instead "Long ears, you think I should make my way up to the little fort?" The hare was already dead by the time he asked the question. Uncaringly, Nurf dropped the corpse as he crept through the shadows of the camp.

Nurf and Goran awaited, as their horde of fellow degenerates began to have their fun. Yet, the more experienced members knew this was just the distraction. Nurf always needed to reduce his numbers a little as his horde butchered soldier and serf alike unlucky enough to be walking by. As the horde spread out, they were methodical as Nurf had taught them, patient until they struck. Yet, they would likely be caught soon, a funny little 'gift' while Nurf did his real work.

Nurf and Goran waited, almost impatiently in the shadows as predictably the other hare sniper came looking for his friend. Nurf and Goran ambushed this beast as well, but instead of killing him, they captured him.

"You are going to tell me a lot of nice things, me pretty." Nurf gave a vile smile as his next victim tried to curse him and call out in vengeance. Goran this time was the one to kill him, as Nurf looked at him disappointed "Naughty! Naught, naughty!"

Nurf and Goran crept far from their murderous horde spreading like a plague across the entire Southsward camp. Nurf spied an infirmary, nearly going for it out of instinct before Goran pointed to some depressed looking serfs having a talk around a campfire with their families. Goran smiled grimly, as he and Nurf both saw three familiar young squirrels horrified and distraught by the loss of their rescuers. Nurf nearly jumped for them had he not noticed something above the group.

He noticed a huge, colorful pavilion, which made the fox's jaw drop. He licked his lips and spoke a command "Get the ropes, time to scale walls, yes." Nurf said excitedly "Leader in big tent, many leaders no doubt. Many sleepy leaders. Its time we had some real fun, maties."

"An no doubt dey got better loot too." Goran said excitedly. Nurf was a little annoyed by the lack of creative enthusiasm, but he ignored it for now. "Let make a good first impression, Goran." Nurf said with a happy grin to his face.

Nurf was happy.

---

Eskert awoke suddenly, looking up at something yellow. Yet, it wasn't the yellow cloth of his tent, but a bleak golden sky. The clouds drabbed with a brownish color for some unnatural hue as Eskert felt all around him. He arose, seeing a great and familiar field, from plants he had once sowed to the ground. Yet, instead the golden waves he was used to seeing, it was gray and lifeless. It was like all the color had left it, with a dark shadow peering down across the landscape from the low hanging clouds above. Eskert could not smell, even as he sniffed the air as his roamed about the field with nostalgic wonder. His beautiful village stared back at him, nestled in this great sea of gray and silence.

Eskert walked towards it, knowing whom awaited him. He looked about the village, no longer burned out, but yet it remained so empty. Things were as they had once been; flowers were blooming from his neighbor's yard, a cart full of foodstuffs was half loaded, and a empty fire pit stood where Eskert would have dropped off a haul of kindling. Eskert continued on as his heart sank at the sheer memory of it all.

He walked the lane to his home, expecting no beast to be inside. He stopped, his jaw dropping slightly as he heard a beautiful sound from within.

"Alright you two little devils! Dumplings are nearly done. Esmolt! No stealing before I get to the table!"

"Sorry mum!"

Eskert's pace grew to desperation, as he barged through the door with a happy grin on his face. Eskert saw his wonderful missus, the light of his life standing there with a tray of gray dumplings in her paw. Her adorable green and purple apron badly matched with her white bonnet. Eskert's children were just getting into place near their table for which they would eat their meals, his small ones looking on from their chairs. Eskert's heart bursted with happiness to see them as they once were, even for a brief moment in this fake land.

Yet, the smile from Eskert's face was souring, as he noticed a peculiar trouble.

Eskert's children looked terrified, his youngest shaking and backing away into his chair. They didn't seem relieved to see their father, far from it, they looked terrified. As if Nurf had come to steal them away again. He turned to his Missus, who slowly brought her dumplings to the table. She looked on as if Eskert were some stranger, and the mouse could only be so confused.

"Glain." Eskert said as he approached her, but she slowly backed away. The warm embrace he suspected was not returned as he got a silent treatment. Glain's face soured, giving Eskert an angry glare.

"Glain-" Eskert tried to come close to touch his Missus's paw, but she brought it away. Glain tearfully asked the ghost "Glain, it's me. It's me. Your husband. Eskert. Do you not recognize me?"

Glain and the children remained as silent as the graves they now sat in. Eskert frowned, coming close to his dear wife, and begging her to say something. "Glain, please. I miss you. Please, speak to me. It's me. Eskert."

"You are not my Eskert." Glain seethed, turning around with a dramatic huff. Eskert didn't know why she had done this, as she backed away from him. Eskert looked to his children, his closest one slowly moving away from him by getting off the chair.

"I'm sorry. I was late. I shou-I should have come sooner." Eskert wondered if these ghosts were angry with him, furious that he had not tried hard enough to save them. Eskert sniffed "Please, I wanted to do everything to help you."

"You did everything you could." His youngest spoke up, but then added "Why pa. Why did you do the terrible things you did?"

Eskert gave his youngest a terrified look himself, unsure what he meant. He tried to think, truly, what he had done which was so wrong. Glain shook her head and spoke up, getting his attention.

"The Eskert I came to love was a brave and wonderful husband, a warrior with a good heart. I do not know what evil beast wears your skin, my love, but you are not him."

"It's me-"

"It isn't." Glain came forward, looking at him softly. The mousess had a tear in her eye, looking at Eskert as if he were a punished child. The mouse did not understand still "I have done nothing wrong, my love. What I do, I do for all of us. So beasts like me can never suffer as we had. I want you back, so much. I would have done anything, paid any price, to have you and my young'uns."

Glain gave him a terrible warning, revealing her colors to the mouse. "My dear Eskert, I know you would have done anything for us, as I know you had. Yet you have paid a terrible price, for nothing worthwhile. You have been tainted, beyond recognition. You lead the beasts you love down a dark and terrible path that we cannot follow. My dear Eskert, what you had done to those beasts you slew by your sword, their blood will damn you. Please, I beg of you my husband, find peace. Find a path of righteousness. Run from this, my love. You must."

Eskert sobbed "I do not want to kill, but I must! I am commanded to do so, it is what I am destined to do." Eskert embraced his wife. "Please, forgive me. I know what I am doing is terrible, but it must be done. So that no beasts suffers the way we did. I must do what is hard for us all. Please, forgive me Glain. I loved you more than any other, and I cannot bear to wake knowing you are gone! Please, forgive me." Eskert's tears ran down his face, as he heard a faint and dark whisper.

"My love, how can I forgive you. The blood, Eskert. Look at your paws."

Eskert was confused as much as he was disturbed, he did not understand what she had meant, but yet he obeyed. Eskert looked down, seeing his paws stained red, as it dripped something foul. He gasped, pushing away as the spector revealed itself. Glain was no longer there, but something else which looked like her. Its eyes were pale and colorless, and from her once beautiful apron was blood and a gash so large that Eskert could see things he really did not wish to remember his wife by. Eskert screamed and screamed, until the vision faded and he was awake, staring back up at his own tent.

The mouse calmed down as quickly as he awoke yelling as his mouth was parched. He arose from his cot, and could remember the livid details of his nightmare. Eskert broke down, giving a soft sob as he pushed his paws into his face as he saw shadows outside his tent move about. It was clearly still night as far as he was concerned as he sat on his cot, thinking to himself.

In a way, there was some beast out there who could tell Eskert he was doing wrong, but only Lufan had seemingly done so. Eskert sighed, no longer as asleep as he once was. He wondered what his dear wife would think of him if she were alive, or what his kids would do. Eskert imagined they would be for all he had done, they too would no doubt have hated the vermin as he had. Yet, the softness of Glain's voice made him reconsider, a thought which he shook from his mind.

He heard something outside which got his attention, noticing a shadow had been standing in the entrance of his tent for some time. Yet, it moved on, as Eskert found it quite curious. He got on his tunic and boots, and suddenly heard a thump from outside the tent. It was loud and clanged, as if a soldier had fallen over. Eskert raised an eyebrow, wondering if they were under attack. Bah, don't be stupid. Attack? Frankfort just turned the Long Patrol into fish bait. Gandal is no doubt, as Nosbub said, is on his way north with what remains of his horde.

Yet, a shadowy thought entered his head. The Southswarders are quite competent, as woodlanders should be. No beast would dare try to enter the camp in the dead of night?

Eskert opened his tent and looked around, seeing torches having been snuffed out. He looked around, hearing a distant vermin yelp. Pathetic serfs, why Frankfort even lets them live still remains beyond my grasp. Eskert looked down, seeing vermin tracks everywhere, which was a little more than curious. He looked over at something, slumped up against the side of a torch near a row of tents. He could hear snoring from the beasts inside their tents, but he heard more thumps as Eskert went to check on this creature.

It was a hedgehog, sitting down with a sword still in his sheathe. Eskert yet crept closer, shaking the beast as he could feel something on his paw. Eskert's eyes widened as the beast slumped down into the ground, revealing a large gash where his neck should have been, and his eyes wide open but having rolled upward.

The mouse snapped into action, immediately drawing his sword and realized the worst had come to pass. He rushed off to find help, following the trail of blood gurgling yelps as he saw patrol beast after patrol beast be downed and disappear into the tents and torch lights snuffed out.
_

In a well lit tent, Pelo and Tera watched a game unfold in the center of the tent, being played on a square short temple. Sitting cross legged, four beasts sat in the middle with a deck of cards partly scattered in the center, and other cards held in their paws. Borbon, Loy, and Lufan were having their fun, but were clearly feeling a bit cheated as they found themselves playing against a master of cards. Dangan smiled widely and proudly, the weasel putting down an ace with a loud groan from the group.

"Seasuns, weasul!" Borbon complained, throwing his cards on the table, in a somewhat angry manner at first. Dangan nearly jumped with personal fright as his pride quickly turned into concern. Yet he was dramatic in being relieved as Borbon's anger turned into genuine respect.

"Yur eder dur most gufted card deuler in der whole of Mussfluwer, or yur made of pure luck! Yuo gutta teuch me how ya do it. Might evun win back a few bud gumes I had wit Siegfried!" Lufan looked around for the crossbow carrying mole, but he had not seen him. Lufan frowned, which he had been doing for a while now.

"Well, sir, learned all dem tricks from me pa. Says der trick is all in der face, ya know? Ya make dem dink yer winning by giving a big ol' happy grin even when ya be losing, makes em' other dink otherwise."

"Bah! Vermin trickery!" Loy said in a playful manner, partly hitting the weasel servant in the shoulders. Dangan collected the cards and passed them out again, restarting the game. The next game was not any less different, as a few misplays by Lufan led him to be outed quickly. Borbon lost a round against Loy, and Loy was now faced as equals with Dangan. Lufan spied yet another ace, actually two, in the weasel's paw and seemed to think Dangan was somehow getting divine help. Perhaps as a nice gift for all the terrible things done to him.

Loy scratched his head, struggling to pick what card he should use next. He scratched his head, thinking of something. "Ha! Maybe this will-No, hmph!" Loy grumbled out in frustration, although from the tone of his voice, he was clearly being playful about it. "I swear, Dangan. Ya ain't cheatin 'are you?"

Dangan's eyes went wide which Lufan saw, as the weasel's breathing became suddenly tense. His paws trembled a bit as Dangan certainly did not see it the way Loy did. He became a mess, and Lufan could not blame him. "N-no, of course not! Erm. Course not, sir!" Loy raised a curious eyebrow, wondering what was making Dangan so anxious as the weasel took the weakest card in his paw and laid it down. Loy's attention to a stressed vermin whose paws were losing his cards, looked down with happy amazement "Ha! Knew your luck would run out eventually! Got ya!"

Loy laid down a king as Dangan calmed himself. Borbon gave a weird look at him, as Dangan seemed to just sit there, frightened. Borbon grunted with a cold display at the weasel's sudden mood, and spoke up "I dink our deur Tura would liuke a turn, Dangun. Yur turn to do some of dur washun, since we be marchun tummorow." Dangan quickly nodded and got up as Loy didn't even seem to notice. Lufan kept watching him, even as the game seemed to continue in front of him, but yet Lufan's interest was purely on Dangan.

Lufan hated what he saw, and it broke his heart to not be able to do much for it.

Dangan looked miserable, a frown on his face when no one looked, with a partial tear in his eye when he should have been having a time of rare comfort. Yet, the weasel felt embarrassed for breaking so easily like that, afraid for his life. Lufan knew his parents were killed by the Southswarders, dragged into the camp and now suffered a life of bondage which Lufan knew Loy should have known all too well. It was a strange sight for a vermin to be in such a position at all, with woodlanders now looming with death or a whip if he ever got out of line. Dangan hurried to do as bidded, cleaning sheets inside as he kept a terrible pace to be pleasing to his masters who didn't seem to know, or care, what he was doing. The idea sickened Lufan to the core, to see a beast work so hard and be likely forever demeaned for it.

"Lufan, your turn." Pelo nudged him lightly. Lufan returned his attention to the game, not knowing what was going on. He sighed, putting down a random card and played along. Lufan quit the next round as Tera joined in his place. Borbon and Loy laughed at simple jokes, with Dangan invited back in once he had calmed down.

Lufan left the tent, but not before grabbing a small snack as he went out into the darkness and headed towards his tent. Yet in the darkness he saw a figure who was walking towards him.

The shadow revealed itself, as a familiar mole stepped out, with a sad expression. Lufan looked him over, seeing he was well armored for the night, and he held his heavy things to his back, with a large sack being one of these things. Siegfried gave Lufan a shamed look, almost tempted to drop his things as Lufan came over.

"You're leaving?" Lufan asked. Siegfried shrugged, looking longingly at the tent where Borbon was. He sniffed, sadly speaking as if a friend has just passed away.

"Whun I cume duwn here, It wus to hulp me friund. Burbon lust his hume, his cumpanion, and nuw his vury soul. He tuld me what he did, an' he suys he wus huppy to do it, all der gut buck at dut bluck rat. I wus wit him whun we pulled dur daughter tu Rudwall, an' luft to kill dut rut. I would have gune wit him to dur ends of dur earth. Nuw-" The mole paused, giving a loud sigh. Lufan nodded in understanding, speaking up next.

"This isn't a camp, its a prison Siegfried. No better than any vermin camp. I used to think less of the vermin, but now?" Lufan shook his head "I pulled Eskert from death, but now I sometimes think I made a horrible mistake. Damn me for saying it."

Siegfried nodded "I'm leavun fer Rudwall, an' stayun dur."

"I will join you." Lufan said. Siegfried smiled and nodded. "Ur welcume tu cume." Lufan smiled back, but then frowned looking back at the tent. He wished he could take Dangan with him, free him from this nightmare. Yet, he had no heart to do so. It was entirely possible the weasel would be too afraid. Lufan looked back to Siegfried "When we leave, we should bring those untouched by this place. They won't touch them in Redwall, so Eskert and Borbon don'-" Lufan stopped himself, unable to even say the sickening deed his 'friend' had done. Siegfried nodded "I knuw where to luok. Grub yur dings, we gut a lung walk ahead of us."

The two left in the night, barely aware that just behind them, a shadow watched. It considered encountering the two who disappeared towards their tents, but something else caught its attention.
_

Perla was folding up a sheet in a smaller and far less immaculate tent, a soldier's tent if she ever saw one. Perla shrugged as she pulled the sheet in one direction and placed it on the ground to get a better means of putting it aside. This of course didn't work, as she wasn't really used to it. The giggling hare behind her got her to huff in frustration as she again tried to do a sheet.

"You noble types really do all fit the mold, eh?" Ginny asked. The hare arose and helped Perla. The otter spoke with a clear pride in her voice "We Streambattles don't really need all this foolery, you know. I don't get how your pa doesn't just put you in a captain's spot and be done with it. Living like a common soldier. Even my brother was a better rank at the start."

Ginny chuckled a bit "And that is why General Kelsum is the best general in all of Southsward, bare none! Wot, you think we Bulbstrikes got the way we are through nepotism? Pa started as a soldier, and so am I. I'd thank you for helping me Perla, but you really do find a means of making a mess." Ginny meant nothing by it as Perla gave a short laugh "Well, I suppose I had to learn eventually, though I wished we still had laborers."

Ginny frowned a bit and went silent, as Perla could tell she was not doing well. Frankfort had ordered the laborers of each of the divisions to disband, forming new ranks as soldiers. What should have been a happy occasion for the peasants to be promoted to soldiers and captains, became an equally sad affair as the captains picked out vermin 'serfs' to serve them. Perla's division had chosen a mix of captured woodlanders and a few of the older vermin, since most of the stronger ones and younger lads were quickly gobbled up into the war machine, their new found overseers eager to get their training done and over with.

"I heard Kelsum personally decided to bring Nirb and Mirb with your division, Ginny."

"He did." Ginny slowly nodded "Those two, as simple minded as they are, practically begged to get away from our dear mouse scholar. Oh, when I came to Mossflower, I was kinda hoping we were here to help. Now? Were liberating it."

Perla gave a soft smile "Gos says we are doing good, though. Despite all that horrible business out there, we were able to beat back those traitors." Perla frowned a bit herself "Although, I did kinda wish Frankfort didn't kill so many fellow good beasts."

"Yes." Ginny sighed as she sat on her cot. "Pa says we need to just accept the vermin as serfs, but I can't help but think we are being a bit too forceful. I want to help them, Perla, I do. We got too many young'uns in the camp doing this kind of hard work. Yet, if Frankfort says we are doing good, I must believe him. As the Bellmaker says you know, our superiors are superior for a reason. He is the king's son, and we should trust his edicts, even if we don't understand them." Yet there was a slight concern and doubt in her voice.

Perla shared her own thoughts "I got to know Jurnal too, and so did Gosland. Its a shame what we had to do to him and his brothers, and even a bigger shame he didn't just pass then. That horrible scream. It haunts me. I understand Gosland had to do it, but at the same time, Its-" Perla couldn't finish, as Ginny shook her head "Well, once the Long Patrol are defeated, this land will be a lot like our own. Then there won't be a need for all this horrible violence, right?"

Perla didn't know why Ginny had asked her, as she wanted to make an excuse. Yet, in the back of her mind, she wondered if such an excuse could even exist.

Then all at once, the flap of the tent went open, and Nirb and Mirb tripped each other up getting inside. Ginny and Perla were utterly surprised as a wide eyed Nirb quickly closed the flap of the tent behind him as his brother slowly recovered as he struggled to get up. Ginny huffed "Out you two! This isn't the time nor the-" Ginny stopped as she noticed the two's eyes were wide with fear as the began to back their way to the back of the tent.

"You two okay?" Perla asked.

Mirb tried to speak, but it sounded like utter nonsense "N-no! I saw dem! I saw a bunch of dat degenerate fox's crew! Big ol' rat, sneaken around an' all! Wit a big red mark on his face, i dink some pirate from der wear he had. Evil beast. I dink it saw us Nirb!"

"Shhhhh, you idiot!" Nirb begged his brother, silently trying to keep calm. Perla and Ginny gave a sigh of relief, explaining to the two. "Big rat? Red mark? You mean Hurbon?"

The two ferrets looked at Ginny who gave a comforting smile "You two got no reason to be jumping at ghosts. This camp is immensely safe. Three whole armies are here, and the rat you saw I already know of. I think it is one of Captain Gaslow's new serfs, a big and stronger one. I think a tribal kind of beast?"

"I swears, I saw a big rat wit red on his face!" Nirb silently shouted "He's out der, evil ding he is. Degenerate just wandering about. Me maties say its one of Nurf's crew, all of dem mad! Mad as he is!"

Perla tried to calm down the terrified ferrets "Oh stop it you two, you are just over reac-"

As she spoke, the flap of the tent opened and the crowded tent turned to see a big rat covered in blood. He had a torn pirate coat and a red bandanna, with a wide and dark grin on his face. Perla and Ginny didn't know it, but they were staring at one of the many horror drawn to Nurf's crew, a mass murderer at heart. The rat wielded a large blade as Ginny jumped for her own. The rat rushed up to Perla, but before he could kill her, Nirb and Mirb rushed the rat instead, pushing him out of the tent.

A struggle ensued as Perla was frozen in horror, as Ginny quickly exited the tent. The rat clawed a Nirb's face which forced him away, but the rat was now on top of Mirb who was looking up horrified at him.

"Yer gonna scream, ferret." He hissed, as he arose to see if his new victims had followed. Ginny attempted to stab forward, but to her surprise the rat dodged out of the way and picked up a knife from his belt. Ginny was horrified, looking on as the rat attempted to circle her. His mouth moved into a wider grin, giving off unnatural sounds as he slashed at her. Ginny could hear a giggling of sorts, as if the beast she was fighting was enjoying his little duel. The rat lounged at her, which terrified her, only for Perla to kick the vermin away.

The rat growled, gripping his knife as he recovered. "Yer gonna make some fine memories fer me, woodlanders." The rat huffed before waving his knife at them. Ginny was shocked, not sure at the stupidity or boldness of this beast, but she didn't get much time to think as the rat disarmed Perla before trying to catch Ginny in the face with his knife. Yey, Ginny was able to grab the rat and throw him to the ground and thrusted her sword into him. The rat gasped in surprise as Perla and Ginny looked over the dead vermin.

"I told ya, Mirb!" Nirb said with a horrified glance, getting up and rushing over to his twin.

Perla touched the dead beast with her sword "You know this beast as well?"

Nirb and Mirb slowly nodded "Murderen beast, I dinks. Got chased off by der Long Patrol back east. Part of Nurf's crew we dinks."

Ginny looked over the corpse and noticed the rat wore some kind of grim memento, a few rotted teeth in a necklace around his neck. Whether it was trophies or his own pearly whites, it was hard to tell. Ginny and Perla looked around, noticing lights were going out across the camp in odd ways, and some beasts exiting tents and going into others. Perla realized rather suddenly.

"Oh seasons." Perla turned to Ginny who was already quickly running towards her father's tent, yelling out "Alarm! We are under attack! Alarm! Alarm!"

---

Daen and his hares reached the stockades with only minor issues abound, but ones which Daen knew were superficial in the end. A couple patrols gave his soldiers odd looks, and one of his hares fumbled questions which were answered by a more prepared ally. When Daen reached the camp where the stockade was, walking on in, his hares lept into action. The guards who were not as vigilant as they should have barely had time to bring out their weapons before Long Patrol steel put them down. Daen and Gaster walked up to the stockade cages and doors, whose awake woodlanders arose in surprise to greet them. Many were baffled but yet happy to see them as Daen looked them over. It was like picking out new weapons for his own hares back in the mountain, as he could eye vengeful otters, mice, squirrels, and hedgehogs all eager for escape.

"You."

A silent voice spoke up as Gaster and Daen looked in the direction, expecting some surprised Southsward guard, but only saw Mela instead. A couple thumps on the ground followed as Daen drew his weapon instinctively as Gandal and Olan came bounding from around a corner with a small vermin host who stopped upon seeing the Long Patrol. Gandal immediately pulled out his blade and held it aloft as Mela was simply frozen. The Long Patrol responded in kind, as the rebellious force also drew weapons as those stuck in the stockade could not believe their horrible luck.

"Long Patrol scum." Gandal seethed, although he kept himself silent. Daen was shocked, his own rapier held towards the black rat.

"Gandal Blackfur. In the bleeding hells, what are you doing here, vermin?" Daen demanded. Gaster tried to bring Mela over to them, thinking she was one of their own, but she surprised him by walking back awkwardly towards Olan, who hid her behind him. Gandal growled, wanting to know the same thing.

"You first, long ears."

Daen huffed, speaking quickly as he really did not want to fight the vermin on this night, in fact, he didn't want them even here. A fight could spell doom for them, but clearly Gandal had snuck in successfully, but no doubt would bungle it. "We are here to rescue woodlanders to join our cause against these all too familiar fellows, black clad. Blighters murdered and enslaved a bit too much for my liking. These prisoners are ours to free, not yours to enslave or torture."

"Were here fer dem." Olan responded back, pointing randomly at one of the vermin. Jurnal and Nosrig arose, their lifelessness faded as they saw Gandal and his beasts. Of the vermin inside, there were plenty of violent hordebeasts waiting for the gallows, but yet were not sure to be relieved to see the minion of Kasg all of a sudden coming to their 'rescue'.

"Horde building inside an enemy camp?" Daen asked a bit amused, but Gandal was having none of it "No need to be snide, Mossflower wretch. Were here to replace lost numbers."

"Why will we allow you to do that." Gaster growled "You're as much our enemy as these beasts are. In fact, I think they are here because of you."

"Watch yer tone wit me, we got no patience fer dis." The standoff was growing closer to violence. Daen huffed "Patience indeed, you'll just have to have the scraps we don't want. Don't you already have a bleeding base of misery and taint?"

"I'm a bit homeless at der moment." Gandal grunted. Gaster continued to growl and snarl at him "Leave, you blasted creature. We got no time for this Daen. We have lost loved ones and more to these murderers, I don't want to tolerate another group of them."

Olan darkly spoke up "Yer not der only one who lost loved ones, bush tail." There was a silence as Gaster looked at him. Gandal and Olan remained as they were, but they and their vermin did not look on at the woodlanders with their usual spite. Instead, they looked almost broken, as Daen and Gaster realized what had happened. Gandal softened, seeing as this was going nowhere and having no intention of slaying Daen and the remaining division of his enemies. "Yer here for woodlanders. Take'em. I don't need dem, mostly. Leave der vermin to me an' me lads. I need dem a lot more den ya."

"And leave any beast in your paws?" Gaster was about to speak up. He didn't like vermin that much himself, but the idea of giving them over to a minion of Kasg was evil enough. Yet, Daen calmed by speaking up to both him and Gandal. "Fine, but you and I leave and return to hostility once we are done here, Gandal. A small truce. You keep to your end of the world fighting these buggers, and hope they come after you before our lord does. As much as you are a blighter and evil beast, we got no quarrel with you tonight. Not while we are all sneaking about."

"Agreed."

Daen and Gandal's forces kept to two sides of the stockade as they unlocked doors and opened hatches. Grateful woodlanders flooded to Daen's side who were quickly armed with small weapons one of the hares had brought with them. Most were militia beasts, and each was ready for action. If all went well, getting out of the camp would be a breeze and they would have gotten away from Southsward's sentries without even lifting much of a finger.

Nosrig and Jurnal were the first beasts pulled from the vermin in the stockade and brought before Gandal who looked them over. Gandal growled at them "Yer now black clads, lads. Ya serve me an' Kasg's grand mission, an ya if ya say uderwise, I'll gut ya me-" Gandal was cut off by Nosrig who snarled at him.

"Shut it, do you have a bow or not?"

Gandal was surprised by the fox and snapped at one of his vermin. He came forward as Gandal out stretched his paw and a bow was produced. Nosrig angrily took it and joined the vermin group, speaking mostly to himself "I am going to bleeding kill that otter."

"I order ya not to, not dis night." Gandal snapped back. Nosrig stopped and turned as Gandal made it clear to him "Yer my hordebeast now, now fall in line. We'll get'em in time, but not tonight. We got a campaign to plan. Dat fortress up der is too fortified, were lucky at all to even be in dis camp unnoticed."

Nosrig sighed, knowing he was right. Jurnal was forced into the group and given a sword as vermin after vermin were lined up and incorporated into Gandal's horde. The group of vermin grew as angry and doomed vermin joined in the ranks of them. Only Toila was the last to be brought out, as the despondent beast was hard to grab onto and bring up. Olan looked her over, seeing her a broken mess as she gave a hollowed eye stare that he was coming to be more familiar with. Olan looked to Gandal who shrugged "Leave her behind if she be like dis der entire time, we got enough I dink."

The last cages were opened and the beasts organized into groups. Daen looked behind him, hoping his snipers would be not far behind to help in their evacuation towards the exit, but saw nothing. Then, rather suddenly, there was all kind of movement in the camp. Beasts began to yell and scream as Gandal's eyes lit up as well.

"Alarm! We're under attack!"

Gandal blinked as Daen scolded him "Your doing I take it, you accursed blighter?"

Gandal gave him a sour eye, wanting to say something before they saw one of Daen's soldier limping away. Daen had left a trail of soldiers to help evacuate their way out of the base in the same groups they came with, but the soldier was caught up to by some weasel with a bloodied axe, who brought it down upon him. Olan came forward as the weasel hacked away at the soldier before Daen's own could do anything, taking a throwing hatchet from nearby and hucking it at him. Olan turned, fear in his eyes as the slain vermin toppled on over "Dat is one of Nurf's beasts."

"You brought him here!?" Gaster yelled, the fighting in the base became louder as Gandal growled "Of course not, ya idiot! How is out an' about again!?"

"Must be emboldened." Daen huffed. They didn't have much time to curse the hated degenerate, before soldiers of Southsward poured out all across the camp, chasing away the night time raiders and coming across the combined group in the stockade. In the middle of the Southsward camp, the beasts all took up weapons and quickly realized how bad their situation had just become.

"Quickly! To der gates!" Gandal shouted.
_

The two forces rushed through the camp, as they could see confused and wide eyed soldiers exit their tents only to find a large group rushing casually running through tents and towards the exit. They at first thought they were fellow Southswarders, till they saw a mix of vermin with them, or prisoners who were now well armed. Yet, the attention was not on them, but on Nurf's night raiders who had just realized they had gone overboard with their murders. Without their boss to tell them otherwise, they were going from tent to tent, killing beasts as they slept or toying with those they kept alive. Nurf's beasts didn't really need to regroup, they just needed to get away only to find themselves being gutted by awake and angry woodlanders.

Gandal and his were falling behind as Daen and Gaster fought their way to the nearest gate. They had all hoped to get out in one piece, with Nurf's beasts being perfect bait. Yet, as they continued to run through the camp, the large group was being engaged on all sides by Southsward soldiers, who went from getting out of their tents to figuring out what was going on to now rushing to the armory to put on their armor and grab weapons. A bolt flew across Gandal's head as he yelled out to his vermin "Well?! Kill'em! We ain't sneaken anymore ya layabouts!"

Olan did as bidded, separating with a small group to engage the Southswarders who had regrouped. Olan butchered them with ease, surprising them before quickly returning to the group. They disengaged from larger pockets as they reached the gates. Gandal kept rushing, noticing Daen had stopped when they saw a line of beasts, with General Kelsum and his daughter Ginny looking out with dismay over the entire chaotic attack.

Kelsum pointed to the rebels quickly "Fire!"

A rain of bolts hit the group from above, only a small volley as sentries loaded their weapons. Daen knew that his snipers must have been killed or were already far gone in some way, as they would have been otherwise informing him on these things. A few beasts died as Gandal yelled "Back! Back to der stockade!"

Daen couldn't agree more as another volley was fired at them but most were able to take cover. The two groups briefly separated as they returned to the stockade with greater concern than before. Not only were the soldiers getting to their respective captains, those same captains were rushing around. Nurf's beasts tried to bait their pursuers into the woodlanders and vermin alike, with only mixed results. As Nurf's beasts began to be felled, many began to realize a bit too late they had just been sacrificed as fodder. Many dropped their loot they would have brought back to Nurf's keep and tried to surrender, only to be cut down by angry Southswarders. Now, all of them fended for their lives and found no reprieve from either Gandal nor Daen.

One of Nurf's soldiers tried to go and join with Gandal, but Gandal was quick to notice. He kicked the unfortunate vermin into a group of Southswarders coming to grab him anyway, and a fight quickly broke out. As the vermin screamed bloody murder, Gandal and Daen made it back to the stockade and had to reclaim it from another group of Southsward beasts who had come to investigate it.

Gandal had to think quickly, commanding his vermin with increasing dismay "Olan! Get carts, an' jam em around us! We need a wall! Smash up dem boxes and throw em away at der perimeter! I need bowbeasts on der walls!"

Both vermin and woodlander responded as the group rushed to Southsward carts laden with supplies and pushed them towards the stockade, parking them around their forces. It was a difficult fight for them, but after a bit of fighting, Gandal and Daen were able to regroup as Olan went about smashing the wheels. Long Patrol archers scurried up, firing down at the Southsward beasts who tried to assault them and drive the prisoners back into their cells.

Gandal marched up to Daen, speaking out angrily at the hare "Blasted Long Patrol! Why'd ya gotta even be here! We got too many beasts now, an' were surrounded!"

"Don't act as if this is our fault, rat!" Gaster shot back. Gandal spat "We need a new exit, an' fast. I can fend off der main force, but I need a place to be getten to!"

Daen grunted, but ultimately decided to agree with the angry rat. "Enough. Gaster, with me. We will find a way out. Gandal, can you def-" Daen couldn't even get a word in as Gandal spotted a Southsward otter try to burst into the barricade before the rat rushed over and slew him swiftly. Gandal kept screaming at the beasts around him "I said defend dis place, ya scum! Fire a volley over der! Yes! Over der!"

Daen and Gaster blinked and gathered whom they could. They set out, passing the barricade and sneaking amongst the chaos of the tents. With their allies in tow, the group fought their way towards what Daen had hoped was an easy exit. The construction site they had originally came in from had to be nearby, but as they got closer, they noticed more dead beasts of both Southsward and Nurf's horde. They could see the outline of the small mound which the construction site was located, and eventually getting into a clearing. The two stopped suddenly stopped as Kelsum had relocated himself a few of his beasts, blocking their way. Kelsum saw the group first as the Long Patrol quickly sought control of their favored entrance.

Gaster and Daen's woodlanders clashed with the Southsward forces who were taken by some suprrise, not having expected the group to come back so soon. Kelsum had Ginny and his captains begin locking down the camp and blocking any and all exits, but he had no idea how effective it would have been. Kelsum raised his rapier as Daen approached.

"Murderous curs." Daen seethed in anger and lunged at Kelsum, as the hare expertly went to the side. Gaster was amazed as a dance of blades clanged in the air as Daen and Kelsum dueled. Kelsum was surprised by the speed and majesty of his opponent, clearly of a lower rank than himself. He considered himself top class, but somehow Daen was able to keep up quite well, and his hares fared well.

Daen attempted to lunge his rapier forward into Kelsum only to be harshly kicked in the face as a huge, bounding beast of a hare in black and gold armor came out from the darkness. Lars raised his sword and yelled out to the beasts who appeared behind him "For Southsward and the Bellmaker!"

The Golden Regiment charged forward, and turned a once fair duel into a one sided mess. Gaster saved Daen from the sword of Lars as the two soon found themselves fighting the dueling hares who fought side by side. Expert and professional as they were, Daen could keep up even when Gaster struggled to even land a blow or parry. Seeing the writing on the wall, Daen pulled Gaster away in time and motioned his hares to quickly retreat. One was cut down in the attempt to disengage as Lars and Kelsum did not initially try to pursue.

Kelsum put away his rapier and looked around. He walked up to Lars who gave deep breaths. "Vermin and Long Patrol both, I suppose we now know Shackleford was right at least." Kelsum tried to remain in a cheery mood, but Lars looked around as his beasts secured the entrance.

"Something doesn't feel right, Kelsum. Let us not dally. We got an enemy to slay."

Kelsum nodded and agreement as he and other beasts went off to finish this dreaded night.
_

No one was sure how much time had passed, but it felt like in a few moments as Gandal prepared for the first wave of prepared Southsward forces which came upon them. With pikes extended out and crossbows ready, Gandal could see from an advantage position on top of one of the wagons that the Southsward forces were utterly chaotic. They had no clue what was going on, and had only realized the stockade was taken when they saw wagons encircling it. Arrows and bolts were exchanged between the two forces, with the Southsward beasts trying to form rank while Long Patrol and vermin archers reigned down on them.

The Southswarders engaged the stockade, at first successfully knocking a few beasts from the wagons. They believed it would be easy to simply move the wagons out of the way, and in their haste made their first big mistake. With the wheels damaged, the barricade wasn't going anywhere as the two groups inside climbed back up and fought downward. Yet, this was a mistake on their own part as Gandal would soon realize, as the long pikes could stick through the openings to slay beasts or simply be extended upward to impale others.

"Olan, I need ya to flank em!"

Gandal came back onto the wagons and gathered his black clads, coming down and engaging the pike beasts. Desperate acts required desperate tactics as Gandal closed the distance and motivated his vermin to do the same. Although one unfortunate rat was killed as he fell upon one pike, Gandal was able to slay his way through the unprepared woodlanders. Olan came around eventually with some of the new recruits and routed the crossbow wielders. With the first wave done, Gandal could see a captain coming in the second, order a retreat behind the barricade once again.

Gandal thought swiftly, he needed a new tactic as he commanded the armed woodlanders around them.

"Get yer behinds to der barricade, an get me some lamp oil! Find anyding dat can burn!"

No lamp oil was found as beasts searched, but Mela appeared with what she could find. Taking a torch, he waited for the Southsward forces to arrive as the group threw wooden and cloth debris at them, before hucking torches. Naturally, this didn't set any beast on fire, but it did give them a scare just long enough for Gandal to organize a short volley which drove them back into cover. Jurnal dragged ammunition from one of the claimed carts, which wasn't as helpful as he wanted, as the vermin and hares picked up bolts.

"Tie em' to spears or anyding ya can huck dem at." Gandal commanded. He snapped at the woodlanders, who rather reluctantly dropped weapons to help tie or slam bolts into pieces of wood or anything that could be considered long. One hare got the idea to tie a bolt to a piece of rope, huck it at a beast and pull it back after getting a nice kill or maining another. This worked until the bolt snapped, driving away the second wave. The third division to make it to the barricade, seeing many dead beasts, simply spread out and crushed some of the tents to make room as they hid behind shields to take their time sniping at the beasts on the other side.

To Gandal, this was a problem, but it was a victory as the battle died down, just in time for Daen and Gaster to return. Gandal felt almost relieved to see the hare at first, but the sour look on the hare's face and sustaining a couple scratches on his clothes revealed to Gandal how poorly the breakout was.

"They took our entrance, and are locking down the others. Were bleeding trapped." Daen noted. Gandal growled "Dem beasts are waken up, an' were goin to start loosen much more den we gained, hare."

"Do you have anything helpful to say at least, you insufferable beast?" Gaster grunted. Gandal gave a dark look to the squirrel, but held back his rage. He shook his head and tried to think. "We might be able to use der chaos in der camp, maybe Nurf is-"

Olan came back and sheathed his blade "Nurf isn't here."

"Der hell ya mean by dat, it's his beasts in der camp!"

The group of leaders listened as Olan explained, looking out at the chaos of the camp. "Nurf's horde is mostly made up of mad beasts an' idiots, murderers who are expendable. No doubt, Nurf mighta saw or even waited fer us to go on in. Emboldened him. If Nurf were truly commanden dis lot, dey'd be more subtle. He ain't a stupid beast, he's likely headen out to do seasons knows what to some uder part of der camp. What yer seeing is a big distraction." Olan spat in disgust "Leaven his own to perish, an us, to likely grab something he wants."

"You know Nurf a bit too well then." Daen huffed. Olan only nodded in grim agreement "We were neighbors, but not exactly friendly ones. He bothered us as well, hare. Gandal, sir, we need to get out befer the last of Nurf's expendable beasts get slaughtered. Dey'll come fer us next."

"Dat is what I am tryen to do!" Gandal was stressed as he gripped his forehead and rubbed it, and quickly thought "We got der rest of der horde outside, enough beasts to cover our retreat. We can make fer der gate we came in at."

Daen nodded "Right. We'll need to fight our way there. I'll lead the charge if yo-"

Gandal was already drawing his sword and going off "Alright ya miserable lot, wit me! Cull an' kill!" Gandal reformed his rank and had them bash apart one of the barricades. Daen and Gaster shrugged at each other, but heard a whistling sound. Daen felt a bolt rush past his ear, landing on the ground and seeing a few beast in front of him downed by a volley. "Lads, get the debris and take cover!"

The loud and booming voice of Kelsum was heard over the fighting "They are in the bleeding stockade! Stop them!"

"Are those are carts?!" Lars's voice was a little more subtle, as Daen commanded the rat behind him "Lead the way, we don't got much time before they try to surround us!" Battle was joined, as Southsward forces climbed over the wagons only to face one last volley of Long Patrol arrows before a desperate charge sought to reclaim their temporary wall. Gandal and his vermin worked even faster as he and Olan noticed Kelsum's captains trying to hurry around to surround them.
_

Eskert drew his blade from a ferret, a familiar one who had been a part of Nurf's crew. One beast was slain who had participated in Nurf's terrible attack on his village as Eskert made sure the beast was dead by slashing at the corpse. Eskert counted the beasts he had killed, maybe five or six. He didn't have much time to think as Southsward beasts rushed past him, but he nearly drew their sword upon them when he saw a vermin behind them carrying a bucket. Eskert only stopped when he saw it was a serf by the yellow vest he wore, carrying water to burning tents as fires bloomed across the camp. Tipped over torches and bursted lamps created contained infernos across the entire camp as Southsward forces tried to put out fires from consuming a part of the palisade.

He came across the sorry sight of Kelsum and Lars leading their forces against their own stockade as Eskert swiftly joined them, but quickly regretted it when they were forced to retreat. The Long Patrol played their mind games well, pretending to charge forward only to retreat, and pretended to rout before turning around and slaying a few.

Gandal bashed his way through the main barricade, as he and Olan made their escape. Daen would have been feeling betrayed when the two did not even warn them, but considering them as the vermin they were, it mostly just annoyed him.

Of the beasts who were still in the stockade, there was now only one. A few of the baffled Long Patrol hares were trying to unlock the gate, but a badger held it closed and begged them.

"Just go, I am not worth it. Truly."

Balon was not staring at them, but rather at the mercenaries turned hordebeasts Jurnal, Toila, and Nosrig. Jurnal drew his blade, parrying a beast before slaying him with ease and Nosrig covered the retreat with his bow. Only Toila was staring at him, with a knife in paw, but the flood of yellow clad beasts coming over the barricade the drive them off forced her to abandon the badger to his fate. Balon softened once the hares were gone, not really even wanting to imagine what Toila and the others would do to him if he decided to come with them.

Kelsum commanded his beasts to pursue as Lars came forward and Eskert right behind him, with the mouse trying to figure out what was going on. Yet, Lars was silent as he came up to Balon who sat in his cell, noticing one beast was missing. "Numbat, where is he?"

"Not here." Balon shrugged. Eskert gave Lars a curious look "Your worried about that hare, he's probably with those escaping beasts."

"Not with them either." Balon corrected. Eskert blinked at Balon as Lars was confused "Then where the bleeding hells is he?"

"I saw the one called 'Nosbub' take him up towards the fort, for what reason I do not know. I thought you knew? Daen asked where he was well while he was here, but he didn't stay long."

Daen had noticed Balon, but had probably just assumed he would free himself now that they were there. Balon did not even want to tell Daen what he had just done while in the camp, nor did he want that conversation with the hare. Balon arose, as Lars and Kelsum was about to head off, as he spoke up "W-wait. Free me, you are going the wrong way."

"Our enemy is that way, badger." Eskert responded. Lars didn't want to entertain him, but Balon again spoke up "Please, you must listen. It's about Nurf. He isn't in the camp."

The group turned to the badger as Eskert didn't exactly believe him "Those are his beasts out there."

"Yes, but the ra-" Balon stopped himself, knowing they wouldn't believe a rat had guessed Nurf's plan. "D-daen says that Nurf is using his beasts as a distraction, he is somewhere else in the camp."

The group paused as Balon pointed in the direction of the main fort, having guessed what Nurf was doing. In truth, Balon was confident he could kill the fox, and he wanted him dead. Perhaps slaying him will earn their respect. Lars and Kelsum looked at each other as Eskert spoke quickly "We need n't wait then, if Nurf heads towards Frankfort, he will kill him. Lars, we need to head out. Now."

"Free me, I can help you." Balon begged. Eskert looked at him, pitying him in one sense. Lars felt the same, cracking open the gate as Balon stepped out. "I'll need my sword, we can get there quicker if we run."

"Kelsum, pursue these foul beasts. We'll go deal with this 'Nurf'." Lars commanded. Although of a higher rank, Kelsum nodded as he the group went their separate ways. Balon looked up at the keep, seeing the shadowy silhouettes of vermin climbing up ropes into the main fort. The badger's face went red with anger. This is all your fault, fox. I'll break you in half for all of this.

---

Frankfort's eyes opened to darkness as he stirred in his bed. He was never a beast who liked camping, preferring the comforts of home. Even on the march, he couldn't stand how beasts could get comfortable and sleep in any position. He shifted on his bed, looking at the blackness of the night. He wondered what drew him awake, he wasn't dreaming or anything, but he did feel weird. He half expected to see some shadowy ghost, but he shrugged and returned to sleep.

He then heard something rustle. His eyes snapped awake again as he felt a small chill. He covered himself up again and closed his eyes, not really thinking much. Samkon was outside his tent afterall, no doubt bored. Yet, odd sounds continued as Frankfort went still, he could hear something. Frankfort's eyes went wide again, he heard a light tap on the ground.

The squirrel was annoyed, he sat up in his bed as the noises continued, wondering if there was something wrong with his tent or if it was just the wind. He reached out all around for a lamp and grabbed onto it. He was thankful for the glass case, as he carelessly took a small flint and steel tool and squinted at the case, carefully lighting it. Light flickered on a waxen candle. He began to hear even weirder things around him, like a few small yelps in the distance.

He could excuse it as his captain punishing the newly made serfs, but these were woodlander yelps to be sure, like an otter or hare. So he thought it was likely captains punishing some lazy sentry. He didn't really worry, his enemies were far from here, and would never be so bold or stupid enough to assault his newly made base while he slept. The light of the lantern became brighter as Frankfort whirled around to see what was making all the ruckus. He paused, looking down at the edge of his tent in the far corner, seeing some horrible thing crawling from the tent's underbelly.

Nurf stared back at Frankfort, the wild and untamed creature had his knife in his mouth as he slowly and methodically had been lifting the tent to sneak inside. He was half way in, his wide and vile grin was from ear to ear, his eyes blazed with mad adrenaline. Frankfort's eyes widened, dropping his lantern which clattered on the ground and rushed with tired limbs towards his golden hued sword which sat next to him. His heart pounded as he heard the fox rushing with unholy speed to catch him.

Nurf rammed into Frankfort who yelled out "Samkon! Samkon! Help!" Frankfort clattered to the ground as Nurf jumped on him with his knife pointing down, and with his free paw struggled to get a hold of the squirrel's own free paw. Frankfort looked on with terror as he tried to keep Nurf from using his knife and began to push down.

"Frankfort!" Samkon screamed. Frankfort turned to see the mouse's shadow battling another group of shadows outside. Swords clanged as one beast was felled, but a bigger rat kicked and scratched at him. Frankfort soon realized the entire fort was compromised, and tried to get a handle on the fox. Despite his size, Nurf was surprisingly strong as he held the squirrel down with ease.

"Little pretty." He spoke with an almost dark glee "Your eyes, your beautiful eyes, little bush tail. Make good playmates for me pretties. They want it." Nurf began to bring his dagger towards Frankfort's eye to claim it first as Nurf gleefully told him his upcoming fate "You make nice example, never will your silly beasts find me. They won't even find you. Take you in nice little pieces. Chief would have been so proud if he could see You will great masterpiece, me art. Like clay, I will make you so much more than you once were."

Frankfort held onto Nurf's paw for dear life, his eyes wide in fear.

Then, rather suddenly and without much warning, the tent collapsed around him much to even Nurf's confusion. Balon stepped in through the destroyed tent, as battle rang out across the fort. Nurf was knocked back a bit, who took up his knife and looked on rather fearfully at Balon. The badger growled at him, trying to swipe at him with his reclaimed longsword for his size which Nurf simply jumped back from. Nurf growled out "Stupid stripe dog. No fun. Much like chief."

"Your chief is dead, you will join him soon enough!" Balon said darkly, joined by Eskert running to his side. Nurf raised an eyebrow as Balon rushed forward to continue his assault. Nurf dodged and quickly began to retreat. Goran nearly had overrun Samkon, but was surprised to see the mouse zealously disarm him. Goran rushed away with Nurf as he realized they had been foiled, heading towards their ropes they had used to get into the fort, and now we're swinging down. Eskert and Balon did not follow, with Lars rushing to a terrified Frankfort and getting him up.

"Samkon! Get him to safety!" Samkon was about to grab Frankfort, but the squirrel angrily shoved him off "Samkon, grab my armor. He's in our bloody camp, let's make sure he doesn't leave it!"

Samkon did as bidded as Frankfort climbed the walls, looking on with dismay as his camp burned. He raged as Lars informed him what was happening. Eskert and Balon rushed out of the fort to give chase to Nurf as Samkon began to swiftly put Frankfort's armor on. Once his sword was in paw, Frankfort commanded the beasts "Rescue the camp and purge this filth from it! I command you!" Angry, the squirrel left the safety of the fort as Lars gave him a proud look. Ah, much better, much like his father.
_

Loy and Borbon had a rather nasty run in when a blood thirsty member of Nurf's crew came into a well lit tent, seeing four warrior beasts and a vermin serf enjoying their night of cards. He did not live very long, in part thank to Dangan throwing a heavy sack at him and Borbon and Pelo cracking the beast's neck. They heard screams, rushing out to see the chaos unfolding.

"Oh seasons. Eskert!" Loy realized. They rushed over to the empty tent of Eskert, but did not need to look around long as Loy and Borbon led their haphazard group through the bloodied camp. The Southsward beasts were now fully up, as most were rushing in masses towards their armories. Although chaotic, as beasts discovered dead friends and officers in the tents, the Southsward forces could regroup with ease as Nurf's horde realized their own chief had just effectively sacrificed them. Most tried to surrender now rather then fight, but anger overcame the woodlanders who cut them down swiftly. Yet, what was perhaps almost as surprising is their serfs joined them, woodlander and vermin alike.

Loy and Borbon stopped, witnessing one terrified rat clawing at the ground being carried away to a grim fate by a group of foxes. Borbon was amused as they beat Nurf's beast to death as Dangan only sighed when he caught up. Loy turned to Borbon, wondering if they should do something, but the mole got his excuse when the foxes noticed them.

"Dis one we knew, cut up or ma's an' brudder's face." The excuse only got a nod from the group as the foxes returned to beat the rat over the face with a stone. Loy wondered loudly "You think Eskert is okay? I mean, I know vermin are violent, but should we-"

"I'd huve dun der sume ding, varments killen varments be nune of yer curcern. Just dun' tell dut mouse, an' furget it." Loy nodded, understanding them somewhat. He knew vermin could evil and violent beasts, yet it still felt weird for them to target one another. He didn't need to wonder for long as one of the vermin serfs, carrying a youngster in paw, came running out from the tents and being chased by some cackling weasel. Tera threw her sword at him, and quickly reclaimed it from his corpse. Borbon gave the vermin parent a look as he rejoined the division he was assigned to, fleeing to safety behind the woodlanders who'd have normally been cursing for their terrible predicament.

The group was able to exit the chaos and met up with a larger group, with Borbon surprised to see Frankfort and Kelsum side by side as they looked about the disaster before them. Frankfort was yelling up orders of gathered beasts, speaking quickly "Go and lock down the gates and construction sites of the pallisade! We can't let them escape, not now!"

Borbon and Loy marched up to them as Frankfort gave them a sad look. Samkon was with him, as he spoke up to the group first "I am glad you are all alright."

"Are you alright yourselves?" Loy asked. Frankfort sighed "No, the one called Nurf nearly had me. Snuck into my tent. We were able to fend him off, but now we got three blasted enemy armies wandering about my camp, butchering my beasts. We outnumber them, but all my forces are scattered."

Kelsum motioned Gaslow and Banoff who was with him "Grab who you can and find any and all entrances. I want barricades erected, and the serfs locked back in their barracks. Put them in chains if you have to. We can't have them joining the Long Patrol or Vermin."

Borbon looked to Frankfort confused, who informed him of his worst fear "We think the Long Patrol had baited a vermin horde into our camp, possibly Nurf himself. Cretans."

"Do you know where Eskert is?" Loy quickly asked. Frankfort pointed "He and the badger Balon chase that murderer Nurf, and hopefully they will catch them."

"Thun we'll hulp dum."

Balon raised his warhammer and gathered the group, marching out and then going into a decent pace. Borbon looked around for Siegfried, but he didn't bother, as he did not want to look too long while Nurf was getting away. Pelo shook as he ran alongside the group. Dangan was left behind, no longer needing to be taken along since he was 'safe' with the remaining troops. Frankfort and Kelsum looked over the ruined camp as Kelsum tried to cheer up his dismaying prince.

"We'll beat them back, tisn't the end of the world, my lord."

Frankfort was only silent, his paw angrily gripping his sword. He calmed himself when a dark thought entered his mind, and spoke up to the gathered beasts "Go further into the camp! Repel them!"
_

Nurf and Goran stayed together as they snuck amongst the tents once they believed they were safe enough, which they weren't for long. Balon could spot them easily, and the two went into a sprint and gained considerable distance. The two fled over tents and through them, which grew increasingly empty. Yet, Balon just slammed his way on through and kept pushing, creating a path for Eskert and Lars to follow. Goran looked behind, frightened, wondering how their escapade could have all gone so wrong. Yet, survival was his main concern as he kept up pace with his chief. Nurf was tireless, looking all around at the shadows as Goran spoke up.

"Dey'r catching up wit us! Nurf, we gotta find a way out. Ya dink we can climb der walls?"

Nurf nodded "Yes, Goran! Yes, indeed! Takes much time, and time we have little of."

Nurf looked at the walls, scanning them for a shorter area to climb onto. He was confident he could get onto the wood and simply crawl his way up and cover it, even if it bit into his nails. Nurf looked behind him as Balon and Eskert closed the distance, as Nurf got a rather sudden idea.

The two leapt through another group of tents, heading towards the wall, but doubled back when Balon gave chase. The fox and rat stopped to catch their breath only briefly as Nurf grabbed his captain's shoulder. Goran nodded "Once we get back, probably gotta move out. Dis place just cost us our horde an' more so. Ma-" Goran didn't get much to say as Nurf took out his new knife and stabbed deeply into the rat's leg. Goran fell over in surprise as Nurf waved him goodbye.

"Nurf!" Goran cried in bloody murder as the fox said one last 'goodbye' to his favored captain "Bye, Goran. Dem pretties thank yee for yer bravery!" Nurf quickly rushed away as Goran yelled and screamed at him.

"I help ya, you stupid creature! Nurf! Nurf, don't leave me! Damn you, and your damned 'pretties'! I hope you rot in hell wit me, ya stupid bush tailed cretan! N-"

Goran got up and began to limp, but then noticed the last beast wanting to see coming at him. Loy and Pelo were seen first, rushing at him with weapons extended, as Goran turned to see Balon and Eskert even closer. Goran tried one last time to limp away before the badger crashed into him. Goran's death was far from peaceful or quick, as the rat's last thoughts and sight was Nurf swiftly climbing over the palisade walls in a silent manner.

Eskert pulled his sword from Goran and spat at the corpse. The group was silent as Eskert looked around "Nurf, is he-"

"Over the walls!" Tera yelled. She followed a little ways as the group rushed to the gates. In the farther off distance, amongst the shadows, Nurf and his remaining beasts regrouped and were sneaking away. Loy hucked a javelin at him from a farther distance, and the group was surprised to see how far it went. Yet, hope was lost was Nurf noticed in time and grabbed one of his other beasts and chucked him at the javelin in time. Taking up the javelin in his own paw, the mad degenerate smiled gleefully and ran.

Pelo wished to follow, but Eskert held up his paw "Not yet, we'll deal with him later. We got other enemies to fight."

"The Long Patrol?" Tera asked.

"Gandal Blackfur." Balon said. The group began to look at him as Borbon and Loy exchanged looks. Without saying much, the two immediately rushed back to Frankfort, not wishing to miss the opportunity to put down that dreaded beast.
_

Lars came up to the fort with sword in paw and made his way to one tent in particular he had not checked on yet. He half expected it to be empty, the beast inside gone. Yet, instead, he found the hare still there, as Numbat was wide awake and trying to listen. Lars wiped blood from his sword as he looked about. Numbat begged the question "Evening Lars, trouble outside I take it."

"Did you know?" Lars gritted his teeth. Numbat huffed "No answer I bleeding give will be believed, you blasted fool of a beast. Bad enough that 'thing' you call The Black Twitch dragged me up here. I heard Balon earlier, is he here?"

Lars nodded "Yes. Nurf is here, or well, was. Your lieutenant is cleaning up the camp as we speak of that evil vermin's beasts. Yet, this all far from over. Did your hares trick them into this camp? Was this some plan to get you to escape?"

Numbat scoffed "Escape? You think I can command my own hares from inside this bleeding slave camp you and your master have built!" Lars came over and slapped him harshly across the face. The strong and bulky beast bent down and angrily spoke up. "Your lucky I don't have you hanged. Your hares came causing a ruckus and brought a vermin warlord with them. We haven't caught them yet, but we will. There are pockets of Nurf's beasts still running about, trying to either escape. Nosbub was smart to bring you here."

"Smart?" Numbat nearly laughed "Actually, he brought me here to try to convince me of something."

Lars frowned as Numbat angrily explained "Bugger would have had me killed for denying him if it didn't look suspicious. Wanted me to speak against you, try to say during my trial that I had convinced you of some stupid conspiracy, maybe even corrupted you. He does have quite an imagination. Lars, listen to me, you stupid beast! You're the one one not insane in this camp of lunatics! He's trying to have you taken out of the picture! Free me, and we can confront him together. Here. No-"

"Not now." Lars didn't even seem shocked, nor did it look like he believed Numbat. Yet, it did all make a bit too much sense. Numbat gave Lars a disappointed look, but Lars sheathed his blade "Where is he."

"In his tent I believe."

Lars nodded and left the hare to his fate. Lars exited the tent and looked out over at the open doors to the fort and into the tent city below. He could spot Balon putting down Nurf's beasts with others, and he was tempted to join him. Yet, his eyes drew over to Nosbub's tent. He marched over, as his mind began to swirl with dark thoughts. The tent was not dark, with a light well lit within it, but nothing stirred. Lars looked behind him again, seeing Gosland rush out with his sister, gathering up troops as he was informed of the situation. Lars continued to march into Nosbub's tent.

He saw Nosbub, turned over on his side, seemingly sleepy. He looked down, seeing one of Nurf's evil beasts slain, and he could see bloody footprints leading to Nosbub's bed. Lars scoffed as he came over, nudging the silent body to see if it moved. It did not as Lars sighed. He softened. "Well, I guess it didn't mat-"

Nosbub leapt from his bed and surprised Lars, but what surprised him more as a sharp sting went into his throat. Lars fell back, trying to get the Black Twitch away from him. Nosbub was looking not at him, but those who were going away from the tent as he forced the struggling hare down. Lars gurgled as he gripped his bloodied throat, trying to call for help, only for Nosbub to bend down and put his paw over his mouth. Nosbub finally turned his attention to Lars, giving a soft grin.

"Tsk tsk tsk, very brave to assume I wasn't awake, Lars." The large hare tried to bring his weakening arms up to grab Nosbub's throat, but Nosbub knew he was in a better position as he brought his rapier out from Lars and set it aside. Lars grew weaker and weaker as he struggled, unable to even call out as Nosbub pushed down on his mouth. He twitched violently in a sudden jerking motion, looking down with a smirk at him.

"Oh, don't you fret good Lars, it was such a shame what one of Nurf's beasts done to you, trying to save little ol' me from the Dark Forest's steps." Nosbub built his cover story as Lars listened, dreading what his dark plans were. He tried to kick at Nosbub, but missed, as the hare continued "Poor Frankfort will be so heartbroken that his little leash holder is no longer with him. Do not fret, Lars. He is in safe paws. Your were such a brave and dutiful hare, a truer hero to us all."

Nosbub became a bit more serious, seeing as Lars began to go limp. He was struggling less and less as he fought onto dear life. Nosbub looked at his twitching arm, amused as he tried to reach for his own blade, no longer having the strength to pull it up. Nosbub smiled deeply. "Sadly, Lars. Your services are no longer required, but do not worry my rot brained friend, your murderers will be brought to justice."

Nosbub's smile filled Lars with one last look of dread, as darkness at long last overtook him, as Nosbub kept up a vicious grin as the last thing he could see.

---

The flight from the barricade was not an easy one, as for as soon as Daen had fled, a volley of bolts whirled past him. He was thankful it had miraculously missed as Kelsum and his beasts finally took back the stockade. Daen looked ahead, seeing Gandal eagerly rush to the gates as the woodlanders gave chase. Kelsum and his beasts were not far behind, but could not find the proper position to engage the Long Patrol or their woodlander allies. The Long Patrol defended their slower and less skilled members, as they had come all this way to make sure they could get them out. The mass bursted through tents and kept fighting all the way to the gate where Gandal was quickly ordering his beasts about.

"Our lads are in a clearen on der other side! Open it up, an' lets get outta here!" Gandal was mostly talking to Olan as he whirled around and joined his soldiers in driving back smallers groups of Southsward soldiers trying to gang up on them. Gandal was growing more and more concerned as the camp stirred awake. As Nurf's beasts were being finished off, much of the attention was drawn to them now, evident by larger groups exiting their tents and rushing to their respective captains.

Olan and Mela began to open the gates, aided by Jurnal and Nosrig. Yet, as the heavy gates were halfway to being open, Daen began to shout "Oh seasons! Close them! Close them you blighters!"

Gandal was annoyed, turning around to see what Daen was screaming at as his own eyes widened. On the other side of the gate was a mass of woodlanders with torches, Gythand, Esmert, Murchan, and other 2nd Army Captains had formed rank and watched the gates open for them. Gythan raised his sword and yelled out "Charge! Pikes up!" There was a war cry as Olan went from pulling desperately on the door to pushing it closed.

Daen looked around, hoping that Balon had joined them. Cursing himself for thinking he was dead, the hare swiftly joined with Gaster as they rushed to the gates to close it. It was half way closed when they felt a hefty thud of pikes jammed into the gate as a deadly tug of war was engaged between the two forces. Luckily, Gandal and Daen's numbers were superior in this instance, as Olan made a final push to close the gates in time before they could be breached.

The gates were not so easily locked as Gandal once again found himself having to fight with some nearby Southswarders for control of one of their wagon, getting it quickly into place as a temporary blockade. Battle continued to ring around them, as the full weight of this situation dawned on Gandal.

"Were in a bad spot." He admitted to Daen, as he and the hare both watched the gate get pounded on by the beasts outside. Daen cursed himself and looked around, relaying what Gandal likely already knew "They are blocking off our exits, but the camp is still in chaos. Once they find some order, were dead beasts for sure." He looked behind with Kelsum's beasts having caught up and engaging the two forces. They were in equal number now, but Kelsum's group grew larger and larger, and now Frankfort himself was coming with his Golden Regiment behind him.

"We can't fight em, an we can't surrender to dem." Gandal huffed, almost impressed. Yet, Gaster quickly spoke up. "Sir, we still can get out."

"How." Gandal asked. Gaster ignored the rat as he could and pointed to the wooden wall, running his along it towards a more distant mound. It was another unfinished part, with two watchtowers with their sentries now on high alert, and a large number of beasts digging themselves in. "We got numbers, we can go along the wall and avoid fighting on both sides of us, and burst through! We'll take casualties, yes, but its better than all of us dying!"

Nosrig chimed in "I'll take care of those beasts in those towers, we just need enough cover." Gandal shook his head angrily "To hell wit yer plan, bush tail. We can't just burst on through, der casualties will be too great. Furder mo-"

"That is the only plan we got. The alternative is fighting Frankfort here and now, rat." Daen warned. Gandal looked to him, and then at the approaching Frankfort and his beasts who got closer menacingly. Frankfort had to stop and take cover when a cheeky hare attempted to snipe him in an ambush, but was unlucky enough to miss. Olan growled "I don' like it eder, sir. We gotta move."

Gandal snapped back "Fine! Olan, ya lead der flank, i'll lead der charge. Ya best be wit me, hare, ya stupid beast." Daen nodded and raised his rapier. "Everyone, to us! Fight for your very bleeding lives, wot! Lets show these blighters what for!"
_

Kelsum and Frankfort found themselves in the most annoying and frustrating chase of their lives, as the large force which was rummaging through their camp knocked over the camp as it went along the walls. Frankfort was baffled why they would do this, believing it made them easier targets for his crossbowbeasts, which was true as they rained down with ease at the poorly covered creatures. Several rebels fell almost right away, as Kelsum and Frankfort closed the distance. When they had made it to the gate they tried to leave from, Kelsum had ordered some beasts to stay behind to open them.

Gythan stepped in first, with Gythand and Murchan lagging behind as they looked around awkwardly to make sure beasts wouldn't ambush or kill them. Gythan and Kelsum joined forces, chasing the group across the camp as Gythan could only guess their intent.

"They plan to head to the hole in the blasted wall!"

Gythan and Kelsum hurried their pace, seeing as Gandal and Daen reached the northwest construction site. The palisade was near finished, as beasts stood ready. Sentries from above fired down, immediately killing two beasts. Nosrig shot up at them, killing one and injuring the other as he hid amongst the group. Gandal led a furious charge through the pikes and halberds, his black clads take terrible losses as they joined their leader in killing the guards. Kelsum was horrified at what he saw, but Gythan felt relief. The otter knew that even if they killed all the guards in time, they would have slowed down enough for them to catch up. Instead, the guards became to scream. Kelsum was disappointed as the beasts began to take losses, and abandoned their position once enough were killed as Gandal drove them off personally himself.

The only saving grace was when more of the Southsward army came up towards them and charged out from the tents at them. Gandal growled out his orders. "Tear down der walls an' climb on over!"

Gandal retreated back to the walls as Daen charged at the flank of the charging beasts. He and the Long Patrol stopped in their tracks, pushing the enemy out of a kill zone as Daen commanded Gaster who tried to remain beside him. "Gaster! Grab our new allies, get them out into Mossflower!"

"Not leaving you yet, hare!" Gaster said bravely, his sword hitting down at one of the charging Southswarders. Daen turned and slew the beast swiftly, but not before parrying another. Daen growled out "I order you to save our allies! Go!"

Gaster looked on as Gandal dove past the mound, as beasts fled further and further towards the forests in small groups. Nosrig and Jurnal fled together, with Toila lagging behind and fleeing in a completely different direction. Toila looked behind, gripping a nasty wound on her arm when she fled with the group, angrily marching out into the forests beyond where Gandal and Daen's groups were fleeing to. Gandal was already gone it seemed, as Olan remained with what remained of the forces helping the beasts retreat. Gaster retrieved some injured beast and fled up the mound, and tumbled down it as he gathered up his chaotic band and fled into the woods next.

The retreat grew more and more chaotic as more beasts were pulled to defend who remained. Pockets of beasts formed on the walls, unable to make it as fighting spilled sporadically into the camp. Daen and his hares continued to fight on, by a majority were soon finding themselves surrounded and killed. Numbers ultimately began to widdle down, as Daen ordered his beasts to disengage and retreat. They were cut off as Olan led the main defense on the mound. Although successful, he couldn't help Daen as a majority of the hares were killed as they separated further from the group.

Daen disengaged with his hares, and quickly lost the soldiers as he ducked into the tents and disappeared. Daen hid, regrouping with the hares he could find as the soldiers lost interest and returned their attention to Olan. As the fighting raged on, Daen looked up at the fort and commanded his remaining Long Patrol.

"Bleeding hell. Balon said that Numbat is up there. We'll just have to find a different exit." Daen wasn't pleased to meet his boss, considering how many hares he had just lost. He still had a decent number, but now a good amount were slain. He and his hares disengaged from the battle, sneaking away further into the camp.

Daen kept looking up at the fort, having a plan to breach it. He could take ropes and climb the walls, stealing away Numbat at least and regrouping with Gaster later. Daen and his hares continued, but then stopped when Terrance and his own traitor Long Patrol came into view.

With bows in paw.

Following behind him was Gosland and a group of crossbowbeasts who had quickly got into position. Daen only had his rapier, as he realized their intention. He gave Terrance a scornful eye, who silently begged him to surrender. Daen tried to back away before Gosland gave the order.

"Fire!"

The volley of bolts and arrows rained down at a close range at Daen and his hares, as Daen was struck with seven bolts as he was felled. He landed on top of another group of hares, the last of his division as he struggled to remain alive. He pulled out one bolt as Terrance came over to him. Daen looked up, simply blurting out.

"Oh bugger-"

Daen watched as Terrance delivered him to the dark forest, as the Southsward troops looked on triumphantly.
_

Olan looked on, horrified, as he saw the hare leader get cut down in the distance. Olan kept fighting on, his black clads holding the hill the best they could. Vermin and woodlander alike were fleeing beyond it, as the fighting grew more and more one sided as Gosland's beasts entered the fray. Olan swung his sword, getting dragged back into the fields as his vermin held their ground. Olan and his vermin took cover when Gosland launched a volley at them, but Kelsum ordered a desperate charge up hill which would cost the Southswarders dearly. Olan kept his beasts in cover till the woodlanders were a little bit up the hill before Olan engaged them again, slaughtering the unprepared beasts who fumbled back down the hill, unable to use their longer weapons in such close quarters.

Olan called out "Get to der trees! Quickly now!"

Olan saw his vermin retreat backward towards the trees, as he began to sprint to them as well. Yet, he stopped when he heard a whistling sound and thud in front of him, looking at a javelin staring back at him. Olan turned, seeing the Southsward forces overwhelm the last of his defenders, but Loy and Borbon held their weapons and were rushing at him. Borbon let out a vicious war cry as Olan drew his sword upon them with wide and fearful eyes.

A short jump saved Olan from death as he dove into the ground to get out of the way, but Loy was quick to come over and bring out his javelin from the ground and use it as a spear. Borbon was careful to not put Loy into any further danger he already was in, and Olan was quick to note. He focused his attacks on the otter, as Borbon drove the rat off.

"Thus is fur Lugar!" Borbon screamed as he brought his hammer down on the ground. Olan barely dodged out of the way again, backing away as Loy came over. "Where is he, that scummy warlord." Loy demanded. Olan growled at him in defiance "Safe, ya wretched slavebeast."

Loy's eyes became like fire as he raged, slamming his javelin down as Olan again rolled to the side. Borbon came over to put him down for good, only for an angrier beast to slam into him and knock him to his side. Borbon got up, expecting one of Gandal's goons, only to find a mouse, lifting a sword in their direction. Loy's softened expression became one of horror as he recognized Mela who stood over Olan with the sword in her paw and taking a defensive stance.

"M-mela." Loy was confused. Mela scolded Loy, much to the otter's confusion.

"Your beasts an' friends murdered my kin, Loy. Stand aside and let us go, I won't hesitate to use this." Yet, from her shaking paw, she surely was hesitating. Loy was hesitating as well, but a boiling fury came up in his voice as Borbon returned himself to his feet.

"Y-you would join with them!? Why!?"

"My ki-" Mela could barely get a word out before Borbon rushed at her in anger, swinging at her with his warhammer. Mela could barely dodge in time, and had to back away as she attempted to parry, only for the mole's strength to nearly send her flying to the side. Olan regained his footing and took up his sword, and quickly rushed at Loy who was frozen in fury and sorrow. Loy dodged a blow of Olan's sword, as Borbon turned to see he had gone a little too far.

Mela joined up with Olan, as they dueled Borbon and Loy together with the retreat of the rebels going on around them. Southsward beasts attempted to fire into the woods, but were quick to let down their arms and chase them once they saw Borbon and Loy fighting their foes. Mela could barely keep up, and Olan struggled to even defend himself from the angry mole.

Olan parried wrong only once, and caught Borbon's warhammer to his side. A few cracks, and Olan doubled over in pain, clutching his side as he cried aloud. Mela again rushed to him, but Loy this time stood in her way. He didn't want to harm her, trying to figure out what she was babbling about. "Mela! We aren't your enemy! Yo-I-" Loy was confused, nearly crying with how much he did not understand. Mela looked on with anger as she held up her sword at him, knowing Loy could pounce on her at any instant.

"They killed them. They killed me pa, me ma, me brothe-" Mela could barely say it "I heard them, saw them even! These beasts murdered them, Loy!"

"Dun listun to dut mud beust." Borbon growled at her, coming over to Olan threateningly. Olan only looked on, although no longer in fear as he backed away slowly, trying to get in one last word.

"Ya are goin to tell him about what ya did, degenerate?" Olan asked in a dark tone. Borbon only grunted and lifted his warhammer at Olan, only for an arrow to fly by his paw and scratch it. Borbon put down his warhammer as he looked in the direction of this new attacker. Nosrig and Jurnal came rushing out, weapons drawn as the fox again notched another arrow and fired, this time at Loy. Borbon thought quickly, grabbing Loy and pushing him down as the arrow missed him only barely.

Taking the opportunity, Mela rushed to Olan, gripping his horrible wound and was slowly brought up. Olan felt nauseous and sick, looking on with some amazement as Jurnal rushed over before Borbon and Loy could try to finish the job. Nosrig continued to fire arrows at incoming beasts, driving potential Southsward reinforcements away. Borbon lifted his warhammer at Jurnal, as the furious Mink gave a wide slash before engaging the mole. Borbon found himself fighting a skilled warrior who kept up pace with him and Loy. Jurnal kept attacking, aggressive and with vengeance as he kicked and slashed at the two. Loy this time rescued Borbon from certain death by diving into the mole and out of the way of a vicious slash. Jurnal didn't get the chance to finish the job, as a bolt rang across his ears. He put away his sword and fled into the wilderness, with Nosrig at his back.

Borbon hit the ground in anger and called out to the Southsward beasts "Folluw'em!"

This didn't get the results Borbon wanted, as a few Southsward soldiers went forward to get some kills with their crossbows only to find themselves engaging a heavily armored black clad who came out of the bushes. With shields extended, they covered Jurnal and Nosrig's escape the Southsward forces retreated. Loy looked on, trying to see if he could find Mela, and fell into dismay.

Borbon clasped the otter, bringing him back to the camp which at long last began to calm down as the fighting was soon over. The Southsward beasts he hoped would regroup soon, and they could find and engage what remained of Gandal's forces.
_

Gaster kept running through the forest, passing off one injured beast only to end up carrying another. The retreat was hasty, as he looked around and stopped. He spotted beasts just running, exhausting themselves looking around lost. Climbing up a few trees, Gaster spotted others and ran to them. Like a collector, he gathered up those he could and herded them with him. He could hear Gandal in the distance, yelling and ranting as loud as he could. He figured he could gather up any potential beasts from him before heading out to find Daen again. He had paused only when reaching the outskirts of Gandal's camp, which Gandal and his vermin meandered with a large chunk of the woodlander rebels.

Gandal was screaming at them specifically.

"Ya half wit, stupid, workbeasts ruined everyding as ya always do! I should have ya all flayed fer dat stupid display! Now we gotta get outta here, an' we got nutten but a bunch of cosncripts instead of decent beasts! We'd be well on our way to recruiten more if ya fools hadn't messed everyding up as ya did! I tell ya what, yer now all me slavebeasts to carry our dings as we march on outta here!"

"Try it, rat, and you'll be a dead beast for sure." Gaster called out. He was still sitting in a tree, as Gandal looked around fearfully, but it slowly melded into anger when he spotted Gaster. He scoffed "I was hopen ya were dead, but now dat yer herre, maybe we can arrange it a bit more publicly."

Gaster growled "Calling us idiots while killing us as soon as we all escape. We would have been far out of the camp in good health if it wasn't for you mucking about! No doubt, your the one who attracted that fox." Gaster was in a more diplomatic mindset, as he couldn't blame Gandal as much as Gandal blamed Daen. Gandal was just an unfortunate run in, it was Nurf's beasts who sounded the alarms. Gaster got down, but held up his sword at Gandal who drew his in turn.

"I ain't got no time fer dis." Gandal huffed. Gaster agreed "Aye, we don't. Just go off an-"

Gandal's looked behind Gaster with surprise, as Mela dragged Olan who limped through the group. Jurnal helped her as Nosrig came back and spoke up to the rat "That's all of them, chief."

"What do you mean 'all'?" Gaster angrily demanded Nosrig to change his report, as the fox only gave him a sad expression. "Where is Daen? Where are the Long Patrol?" Gaster sounded less frustrated and held onto greater concern. The gathered woodlanders listened in, as Olan spoke up after a long and terrible pause.

"Saw em' get downed by Southsward beasts, bush tail. Yer boss is dead, an so are his soldiers."

"Oh dats just great!" Gandal roared. Gaster simply stared at Olan, who had nothing else to say. Olan sat down as Mela quickly tended to him, calling over one of the militia beasts to help her. Gandal barely even noticed, angrily ranting as Gaster could not believe what he heard. "Dem blasted hares! Course dey get themselves killed, an' not in der good way eder!" Gandal waved around his sword as Olan and Mela rejoined his side of the field. Gaster snapped at the rat, his rage mixed in with his sorrow.

"You accursed vermin scum!" Gaster marched up to Gandal as the rat stood his ground. Much to Gandal's own surprise, Gaster put his paws on the collar of his tunic, shaking him "You dare call us idiots!? Your the stupid beast who went to conscript and force beasts in your wretched horde in the middle of their camp! We were trying to rescue them, you stupid rat! Last I checked, these evil creatures are here because of you and your blasted horde! They aren't here for Nurf, or me, or any other beast other than you!" Gandal grabbed onto Gaster and pushed him back, shaking him as well.

"Of course I know dat, ya stupid workbeast! I shoulda have ya killed fer even touching me. If ya stupid beasts had just surrendered to Kasg smartly der first time, den none of dis stupidity would be happening!" Gandal and Gaster continued to yell at each other, but soon stopped when Gandal heard his beasts crying out over him at the woodlanders. Gaster also grew silent as the two forces exchanged threats against one another.

"Vile vermin, of course they will threaten us with slavery and death just for even helping them out of there! I say kill them!"

"Grab yer swords lads, we got beasts to kill soon enough!"

"To hells with you!"

"Cull an' Kill!"

Gandal's mind was ringing alarms, as he turned to Olan who was too weak and injured to do much. Olan was giving a dark look to Gandal, silently begging him to do something. Gandal growled and yelled up, silencing his horde "Shut yer traps! I haven't ordered anyding yet!"

The horde went silent, but the anxious woodlanders who had just been rescued, were now half wondering if they should return to their captors to just be away from this vile warlord. Gandal angrily let Gaster go, and Gaster did the same. Gandal returned to his horde, with Gaster looking down the lanes of the forest back at Palewind. In one way, he didn't wish to believe it his boss was dead, as he distressed rebels spoke up.

"You think there are any of the Long Patrol left to help us?"

"Oh seasons, I saw me missus in there. We need-we-"

"Bleeding hares had to just get themselves killed rescuing us. Now what?"

Gaster frowned, not really wishing to do what he had to as he spoke up with an anxious voice. "We continue on, we were beaten but not killed." Gaster turned to the group of woodlanders they had rescued. In one way, his forces had drastically increased, but the loss of the hares was far beyond the cost for the militia beasts. Gaster spoke calmly. "First thing is first, while the hares may be dead, we need a beast to lead. I will take any volunteers."

There was silence from them, and frowns all around he could see. They looked at each other and simply spoke "Please, squirrel. You're the closest thing to the hares we got. We follow you." Gaster wasn't surprised, but he only nodded. "I am Gaster Greatvine, some of you may have known my pa as the warrior he was. He was killed alongside his missus by the Southsward foe. Many of you have similar stories I am certain. I will-I will try." Gaster tried to speak as if Daen was here, as he felt almost embarrassed to speak. The woodlanders however, comforting and helpful as ever, nodded at him. Gaster had some idea what to do, but he'd figure he would have to do a lot of things on the run.

Yet his first matter of business was Gandal who had just regrouped with his army and went to see if Olan was still available to be his captain. Bandaged and given some roots to dull his pain, Gandal ordered some of his vermin to make a stretcher for him, so he wasn't on his feet. "Ya bad cracked ribs. Ya'll get on yer feet in due time, Olan, or yer really goin to be a sorry rat. Slavebeast, help dem." Gandal commanded Mela, a bit insulted at first but meekly obeyed. Gaster gave Gandal a dark look, as the two walked up to each other and came in the middle.

Gandal spoke first, much to Gaster's surprise.

"I had a very temporary truce wit yer boss, as ya know. I'd like to extend it indefinitely till de's yella clads are kicked out. I need beasts to carry our dings so we aren't slowed. They'll catch us if dey organize in time, so I am haven me lads throw any of our old armor into a pit an' heavier weapons."

"A truce I get, but you won't be treating us as you would treat slaves, rat." Gaster folded his paws. Gandal could only roll his eyes. "Fine, ya win on dat, but frankly ya need us a lot more den we need ya. Olan got good eyes, so if ya be hopen dat long ears-"

"Daen." Gaster angrily corrected. Gandal grew annoyed, dropping his diplomatic act "I don't care what der bleeding hell ya called him, he's bleeding dead. His entire force was liquidated. Ya eder fall in line wit us, an carry our dings so we can all get outta here quickly, or ya can serve as a nice distraction when dem Southsward beasts happen upon our tracks. Hiding dem won't be ea-"

"Actually." Gaster corrected "It's fairly easy. We will need to separate into smaller groups and go in a wide arc, meeting up at specific locations such as a clearing to rest. I can have my beasts cover our tracks with brooms with a small team behind us."

Gandal blinked and huffed "Okay, fine. Dat works. Sounds needless, but you do you. We need to head east, where der is less beasts. Although I am goin to be senden some lads towards der inland lake to draw dem off. Given one of me scouts me armor, make some noise."

"What? Why?" Gaster asked. Gandal pointed back to Palewind "Nurf. He lives der, somewhere, I don't know where nor really cared till now. Dem beasts are goin to be wanting Nurf's head on a platter an I am goin to give it to dem. We can regroup out east, it'll be safer to put our head underneath a rock while we recover. Der are vermin out east we can recruit, if I can find dem. Not as many as i'd find out here." Gandal frowned at the prospect of leaving. He had come all this way to conscript from the vermin the Southswarders captured, an in some ways, he had done just that. Yet, the losses he suffered did not make this adventure worthwhile.

Gaster nodded "Fine, we came here for the captured folk who were taken by Frankfort, and we now have them. Just remember, you aren't going to treat us like slaves, rat." Gaster huffed and returned to his own, telling them what they would need to do. Gandal grunted and spoke up to his vermin "Move out!"

---

The morning in Palewind was full of sorrow as beasts wandered across the camp. Their losses may have been superficial, but the number of bodies and the way in which some of their own died did not sit right with anyone. Many felt humiliated, seeing as how not one but three entire armies marched into Palewind while they had all slept. Soldiers pulled bodies of dead comrades from tents, while small funerals were held. There was a rare and brief comradery between those the Southswarders captured and the soldiers themselves. Several vermin had gathered to bury a dead serf who was murdered by one of Nurf's insane beasts, a funeral oversaw by Banoff. The enemy dead were put haphazardly into a mass grave outside, as the Southsward forces cleaned up their camp.

Yet of all the beasts dismaying and grieving, the most pitied was Frankfort.

The squirrel prince had his paw held tightly by Samkon as he was crested up the hill and into the fort. He had spent much of the morning fruitlessly leading a chase into the woods, and his army lost track of the rebels who fled swiftly eastward, with other tracks leading northeast. Kelsum and Gosland told him that Gandal was spotted heading towards the inland lake by their scouts, and had likely abandoned a large portion of his army to go towards it. Yet, its was Nosbub's news which brought the squirrel nearly to his knees when he came rushing to him.

"It's okay, sir." Samkon helped the despondent squirrel get into the fort, nearly stopping. He didn't even realize he was surrounded by his silent generals and advisors, all of who kept their heads low or their eyes upon Frankfort to see what he would do. Frankfort tried to keep up some manner of authority, but his heart was not in it as he and his beasts marched into the fort.

Nosbub stood over with a frown, looking at the ground of a creature covered in the sheet. Frankfort stopped just before it, and slowly nodded to Kelsum to unveil him. Kelsum lifted the sheet only for Frankfort to retract in horror, crying softly as he looked upon Lars who was still.

"O-oh seasons, please, shut his eyes." Frankfort begged. Kelsum did so quickly and covered the sheet back up. Frankfort put his paw to his mouth, sick at what he saw. He was almost limping himself as he looked around for Lars, hoping the beast cou-. Oh. Right. Frankfort calmed himself being held onto by Samkon as the beasts around him waited for his orders. Kelsum looked to Nosbub, who spoke first with some reverence.

"He was a brave hare my lord and I owed him my life. A vermin murderer snuck into my tent and tried to kill me as a slept, but Lars had noticed and mutually killed that beast. He was a braver hare than most, and far more grander than any of these vile, evil Long Patrol who dare to use such creatures against us! My lord, I swear, I will not rest till every blasted vermin in this camp is dead, for Lars sake of course!" There was a strange zeal in Nosbub's voice, but none seemed to disagree with him. Yet, Frankfort spoke with concern.

"T-that won't be necessary, Nosbub. These vermin we have in our camp are blameless in this, I think. I-I need to find-No-" Frankfort had no clue what to even say. Usually, Lars would advise him in such matters, but now he was just gone. As a warrior, Frankfort thought he probably should have been ready for this kind of scenario, and he slowly calmed himself again. "Gosland. Kelsum. I want you to investigate if any of our serfs were involved in this disaster. Double the workspeed, and have those walls up today."

"Yes my lord." Gosland said and quickly went about his task. Nosbub came over to Frankfort who kept looking down at the covered body, giving a soft weeping. Kelsum didn't move, giving a strange look to Nosbub. Frankfort noticed, speaking up to him again "P-please, General Kelsum. We cannot have this disaster ha-happen again. Guil. Vergber. Do-erm, do something."

Frankfort just blurted out random orders now, but Kelsum went to go do his tasks. Frankfort continued to blurt out random orders, trying to see if anything could stick as he dismayed "Oh seasons, we need to have funeral. We need a proper one, Samkon. I-I don't know where to even begin. He must be buried, before he rots. We don't even hav-have a priest. We need speakers, a date, someth-"

"Calm yourself, my lord." Samkon tried to comfort him, but it wasn't working. Frankfort felt a calm paw against his back, looking up at Nosbub who gave a pained twitch. "My lord, Lars was a brave beast and I am certain he would be disappointed to see you in such dismay. Even when we had our disagreements, he was a deeply loved hare. He served his kingdom well, he served your father well, and we must march on without him sadly. Yet, we will march on." Nosbub looked down at Lars' corpse, nearly giving a smile which he held back from. He patted the dismaying squirrel on the back.

"As your general, I can handle the affair of his burial, along with the others. I shall have Esmert make the rounds, make sure the beasts in this camp haven't caused too much of a mess. As advice, I suggest we find his murderers quickly, before they strike once again."

Samkon and Frankfort nodded silently. "Nosbub, bring me Loy. Its time we talked about Nurf Bloodkeep a bit more."

Nosbub nodded and put his paws behind his back. Both looked down at the corpse of Lars' as Nosbub felt a twinge of dark joy. He wondered if beasts truly did roll over in their graves in such times like this, but thankfully such fairy tales were just that.
_

Balon found himself sitting a bit more freely in the grand pavilion of Southsward. He got himself comfortable, looking at the two sad members of the Golden Regiment who stood next to him, guarding him with stone faced expressions. Facing him, Frankfort sat looking at him, with Nosbub to his side. Yet, of the beasts he feared the most in this place, it was the small and frightened elderly mouse who was fixing his spectacles and speaking with reverence of his lord.

"I am so sorry for your loss, Prince Frankfort. Lars was a decent and upstanding hare, to think the Long Patrol had done this, it is despicable!"

Nosbub gave the mouse a bored and dark look, as if annoyed he was even alive. Nosbub held his tongue as Shackleford continued to speak "Oh, when I heard beasts outside my tent, I feared for my life! I swear, I saw some of our own serfs being such great disappointments by joining in such violence! Why, instead of talking down to these vile attackers, they attacks them instead! They ran over my tent, the bounding buffoons!" Shackleford was 'angry', even if he sounded mostly just upset. Balon was aware that Shackleford and his assistant survived, with one of the vermin serfs wrestling for his dear life against one of Nurf's beasts seeking to take his ears as a trophy. The serf got the upper hand, only to find himself receiving lashes in part thanks to Shackleford's insistence. "How are we suppose to teach these vermin pacifism when we got those nasty beasts skulking about!"

Yet, Balon's view of the mouse darkened, knowing perhaps the real reason for such unnecessary cruelty. In that fight, the two vermin had crashed into his tent and knocked over ink onto some of Shackleford's favorite books and tomes. The mouse would have called for a worse punishment had not Terrance spoken up. Terrance was somewhere else, likely talking to Numbat. Balon had not seen him all night let alone all day, and it worried him.

"Balon Blackpatch." Frankfort arose and spoke up. Balon went stiff, as Frankfort gave a low nod of his head to him.

"I thank you, most deeply, for saving my life. Had you had not done as you did, I would not be here now."

"Impressive." Nosbub said boringly. Balon nodded in turn "Thank you, Prince Frankfort. Any other beast in my position no doubt would have done the same, considering Nurf. I know Terrance spoke on my behalf, and now I wish to speak on the behalf of my commanding officer Numbat."

"I see." Frankfort sat back down "Perhaps then is a good time to talk than ever, I would gladly wish to free you, but we had made some considerations since then."

"Considerations?" Balon asked. Shackleford spoke up, gleeful to introduce his newest theory. "Why, simple my good Balon. Your rescue only proves one of my most hidden theories I was afraid to even show! You see, I have come to believe that badgers, your race, was not always considered 'woodlander'. In fact, I theorize and know full well that your people's aggressive nature means that you are in fact a part of the vermin." Balon's eyes widened, at first in fear as much as hate. He couldn't believe it, as Shackleford continued. "It makes sense, considering all the stories of badger aggression. Although you are brave, you are living proof that our efforts to change the vermin to ways of peace and humility can work, although clearly it is a slow and fragile process. Clearly, as seen by these 'badger lords', they are not as free of the taint of evil as we first thought. Yet, this show of bravery is most assuredly a sign of progress!"

This regression got Balon to remain silent, as he dared not challenge the mouse. Frankfort nodded his head. It made sense to him, and it needed to if he wished to justify his new found campaign. After all, he was here to liberate the woodlanders of Mossflower, not conquer them.

"So is he vermin or not? If so, lets just be done with this, please." Nosbub said with a light groan. Shackleford spoke down the hare, much to his limited interest "Oh, hush now General Nosbub. Let us not treat this beast as if he is any different from any woodlander. My lord, if anything, we want to reward such behavior. Badgers don't need violence to learn, and they can represent the rewards of peaceful integration into our lifestyles. For all vermin kind. Though such a thing should be tactfully implemented as I fear not all beasts are very close to our way of thinking."

Nosbub grunted, but then began to grin. He raised his head as he asked a rather simple question "The Long Patrol invaded the stockade, badger. Yet, you didn't join them. Why?"

"For my officer's sake." Balon answered. Nosbub nodded and looked to Frankfort "My lord, although this beast may have rescued you, don't you find it odd he would stay behind? No doubt, this 'Nurf' is working for them, this was all a well coordinated ploy to break Numbat out from his prison, but thankfully my cunning outwitted them. He so happens to rescue you, instead of convincing his friends to join in the fighting against this 'Nurf'. Hmmmm, suspicious I must say." Nosbub twitch his head and shook himself to get back to some manner of comfort.

Balon defended himself, feeling like he just lost control of this entire situation. "Prince Frankfort, I swear, I am no spy-"

"Oh. We never mentioned a 'spy'" Shackleford pondered. Balon gulped as he tried to pick his words more carefully. "My lord, me and Numbat are enemies of Gandal and Nurf. Please, you must believe us."

"If that was true, badger, then why did they all attack us together? So quickly mind you. My lord, now is not a time for trusting, I think we should be a bit cautious on the dubiousness of these beasts."

Balon's sad eyes looked to Frankfort, who wasn't sure. Yet, he seemed to look to Nosbub more and more for guidance. Balon frowned, realizing that at the squirrel's order, he could be put away for execution at a further date. The idea of ending up like Jurnal terrified him, as one moment he could be marching with them, and then just one day without much thought be put into the ground because Nosbub or Shackleford gave this brat whatever he wanted to hear. Balon spoke up suddenly.

"Prince Frankfort, I am not your foe. Yes, the three work together, and I-"

"You just said you came at Numbat's request?" Frankfort asked. Balon frowned and went silent, as Shackleford chimed in with a disappointed tone "As I feared, the vermin taint remains strong, still quick to lie and deceive for their own sake. Perhaps Nosbub is right an-"

"Let me prove to you I am your friend, Prince Frankfort." Balon blurted out. Frankfort listened as Balon gave a long stare at them. What he told them, the group could only gasp at. Balon felt a sickness as the three discussed his fate. Balon felt numb, as he stared at the ground, but ultimately in the end the three would give into his request. For Frankfort, it was to honor his rescue. To Shackleford, it was to prove his point. Only Nosbub's reasoning confused Balon, but his swift agreement no longer mattered to him. With his terrible threshold crossed, he prepared himself for the terrible deed he would have to perform to earn their trust.
_

Esket joined up with Loy and Borbon in the morning, the frustrated mouse putting his sword back into his sheathe as he complained about losing Nurf's trail. Yet, the faces of a despondent Loy and a furious Borbon made him be silent of his own troubles as the group walked about the camp. Loy met up with Dangan, who was happy at first to see him, but Loy tugged at his clothes and sat on a box. Dangan didn't even wish to ask, mostly because he feared what response Borbon or Eskert would give. Pelo and Tera were the last to join us, informed of what had happened much to Tera's own dismay.

"M-mela, but why though." Tera was as distraught as Loy was, who remained silent. Borbon and Eskert looked around, seeing two beasts missing from their cadre. Eskert spoke up to the group "We shall meet back at the tents, I need to find Lufan."

"Un Siegfriud." Borbon noted. Loy finally spoke after snapping back from his depressive state "O-of course, we can join you. More of us looking for them the better. You think they are all right?"

Eskert nodded confidently "Lufan is not as harmless as he looks, and Siegfried is a skilled warrior like Borbon. We'll find them."

They didn't find them.

The day dragged on as Eskert and Borbon's moods darkened as they wandered the entire camp looking for them. The sights and sounds they heard and saw made even Eskert nauseous. The ever familiar and cruel ways Nurf and his evil creatures had tortured or killed their prey only made the mouse angrier. Borbon looked about as they visited the camp where the freed slaves who joined their cause had set up, with two having been killed in the fighting. Loy and Mela looked them over, grieving for them as Eskert and Borbon continued on. Their search for Lufan and Siegfried grew more desperate, as they started to wander towards graves looking for them.

Eskert and Borbon counted bodies, interrogating beasts, and by the time they exhausted all their resources they found out they were not here. Loy rejoined the two as they all met up at the tent. Dangan, Pelo, and Tera all wandered about, looking around at the mess caused by the raiders. Loy's frown was heavy, as Eskert and Borbon's fearful moods turned into dark realizations.

"I couldn't find them, Eskert. The graves were checked, and I just can't find them. Were they captured?"

"No, they left." Eskert said quite coldly. Loy closed his eyes as he gripped his head. Eskert's mind wandered as he couldn't make much sense of it all, but he began to curse his once good friend "He wouldn't have left as he did if it wasn't to help those beasts enter into this camp as they did, no doubt having joined Gandal's cause."

"Seasuns. Siegfriud." Borbon shook his head with disbelief. He stopped himself from cursing his mole companion as Loy began to pace, angrily pushing into his head with his paw as the younger otter began to shout at himself. "Oh seasons! Why!? Why him too! Its bad enough that Mela betrayed us, to Gandal of all beasts, but now Lufan too!? Has this whole forest gone mad! W-why!?" Borbon came over to him, holding his paw and bringing the weak otter down to the ground as he sniffed sadly. Eskert gave him a pitied look as Borbon comforted him.

"Dur dur, Luy. Nut all beusts we cull guud beusts be as guud as we dink dey ure." Borbon in truth had no idea what to think, it was unusual for Siegfried to leave, but he knew he was a skilled and proud warrior who would not have gone down easily without some fight. Loy shook his head with disbelief.

"She saw what Jano did to me mum, she knew what Gandal did to me pa! Why would she join them! She kept saying something, about her kin, that they are dead. I don't understand, how can she do this!?" Borbon and Eskert exchanged looks as Eskert kept his mouth shut. Borbon frowned and returned his full attention to Loy as he spoke in a softness to him. "Yur friund be stull yur friund, she be deciuved. She is angury dut wooodlunder beasts be killun woodlandur beasts, an' we knuw dur complexity in dut. Frankfurt be tryun to save dis lund, an nu doubt Gandul uses dut to his advantuge like dum hares be duin. No doubt in me miund dut Gandul murdered her fumily an' blumed it on us. I am su surrey Luy." Loy's sadness turned to anger, bursting up as he took his javelin in paw.

"Then damn that rat! Excuse me, Borbon. I need to find Dangan and get this tent packed up, I want to be the first to deal with Gandal! I'll-I'll rescue her-I have to." Loy stormed off as Borbon watched him go. He was proud of the lad's zeal, reminding of his first encounter with Lorgar. Eskert folded his paws, waiting for Loy to leave as he spoke in a more silent manner.

"Likely, her kin were rebels. Nosbub's beasts were thorough."

"I knuw." Borbon grunted. "Dut hure's zeal will be punushed in tiume, but Gandul comes fiurst. He stule everydung frum dut buy, an' I'm gunna give it buck to him. Evun if I have to smush dat poor mouse's bruin into limbu so she doesn't say much. Whun Gandul is dead, dun I cun rest frum all dis."

Eskert nodded and then looked longingly out beyond the camp. "Lufan no doubt helped them, and your friend as well. I told him that leaving this camp would only confirm what I have come to suspect. He would help the vermin, those murderers, above his own people. I ask you, mole, to not stop me when we see them again. I am going to put an end to him, but-"

"I wull juin yuo." Borbon grunted. "Siegfriud wus me friund, but he stupped bein so if he juined dur vermin. He flud, leavun us to dem." Borbon felt a trembling in his voice, gripping his warhammer harshly. Eskert patted his soldier comfortably, as the two walked off to get Loy his help.
_

The day was coming to a close as Balon stood on a high point in the fort. All around him were the flying flags of Southsward as he freely gripped his sword. Terrance stood next to him in grim silence, nodding to him as he went to join with the others. All around him were the familiar faces of his captors. Frankfort stood not far off to his side, his generals waiting for the event to commence. Balon had hoped at least for a little rain, but the warm light of the sun shone down on the group. He could spot Eskert, Borbon, and Loy standing in the background of a large group of soldiers witnessing this event unfold. Balon stood by, looking down on a small stump in front of him.

He leaned on his greatsword, closing his eyes as he heard the slow walk of the beast he could execute that day.

Numbat held his paws to his back, no longer resisting or looking around him. None of the beasts there he recognized as friends anymore, just a faceless mass having come to overlook his demise. They had not even given him a trial, as Nosbub and Shackleford made sure of that. Frankfort's speaker spoke loudly, unfurling a scroll as Numbat's many evil deeds were spoken above the heads of the woodlanders.

"Numbat Vigor von Biggerplume the Third, you are hereby condemned to death by beheading for the crimes of; severe incompetence in face of an enemy, treason against Mossflower, allying and abetting a foreign enemy, oppression under an unjust ruler, tyranny under an unjust ruler, murde-"

The list continued as Numbat continued to walk with his guards. The groups of Southswarders parted ways, a mix of shame and pride amongst them. Loy frowned as Numbat, the beast he had hoped would have been his own savior, was now revealed to him as never being capable of helping him at all, or intended it. He could not bring himself to curse him, as Numbat continued on.

Balon did not speak, but he was forced to look at his boss as words continued to ring out. Once the reveal of his crimes had ceased, Frankfort came forward and spoke up to the crowd of gathered beasts. "I know some of you are baffled as to why we will not hold trial to this beast, a member of this foreign country. I am advised by just and fair council that such a trial is an insult to civilized law! We will not legitimize them, and hold any beast who aids beasts such as Gandal or Nurf in the highest contempt!"

Nosbub came forward, looking to see if Numbat would scoff. He observed the broken hare, unable to move as he ignored the Black Twitch as he inched closer. He touched his cheek, and getting no response, was satisfied with his result. Nosbub returned to his fellow generals. Numbat felt all manner of emotions, but he decided he would go out as the Bowthief patriarch had, he wouldn't give that accursed beast any satisfaction of a miserable death. Yet, the looked to his other side, giving a sad and heartbroken look to Balon who tried to avery his eyes from him.

"Balon Blackpatch, kin of Galgor Ironpaw." Frankfort asked "You have saved my life, and now wish to join our cause! As your first act of fealty, I order you to kill this creature." Frankfort pointed to Numbat. The guards stepped back as Numbat bent down and laid his head upon the stump himself, as Balon could see his hopeless commander not even speak to him. He drew up his blade and approached. Balon's paws trembled, trying to blurt out in silence to his commander.

"I-I'm so sorry, sir." He begged for the forgiveness of the hare without breaking his concentration, but it was clear to most he wasn't eager. Numbat only looked on, past the fields and hills of his own fort, barely visible above the wooden walls.

"I'm so sorry, I tried sir. Please, forgive me. I-I-"

"You have a job to do Balon, do it. I order you." Numbat demanded. He didn't look at Balon, giving a sigh. "Let at least one of my orders go rightly."

In a way, Balon felt like he was putting him out of his misery as he came forward and raised his blade over his head. Numbat closed his eyes, as Balon struck down. Balon slowly stepped back from his dark deed, as Nosbub slowly began to clap with appreciation. He spoke up first, before his peers and the crowd "Balon Blackpatch, you have proven your worth to us, now you may fall in line. We will look forward to your further heroic deeds these coming days."

Balon said nothing, only moving when Terrance had nudged him. He spoke in comfort to the badger as the groups of beasts began to disperse. "Blighter deserved it Balon, glad you're with us."

Balon only slowly nodded as Terrance awarded him with a big yellow cloth which he placed around his belt. As Frankfort and Nosbub made their speeches, Balon left them to join the rank and file of Frankfort's army. He said a short prayer, hoping Numbat's ghost would listen.

"I am so sorry, sir. I am-I am so sorry."

---

Lufan and Siegfried were looking south, glazing over the hills and highlands they would be leaving. Lufan shouldered his pack as he frowned at the sight. It had seemingly been so peaceful, but in those hills and cliffs he so loved and lived all his life, laid a terrible and dark place, full of wildness and a greater danger. He was sad to leave it, but yet glad to be away. Siegfried was checking his bolts, as he took off the last of the tacky yellow clothes and threw them away. The two were wearing some hand me downs, rags they had collected on the way. Lufan felt more comfortable in these rags than he did wearing Southsward's colors.

"Siegfried. Where do you think we all went wrong?" Lufan couldn't help but ask. The mole shrugged and put his bolts back into his quiver. He spoke with a sadness.

"I dunk it be dur angur, justified in muny ways, an' nut so in uders. Burbon wur a frustrated beust, alwuys so cluse an yut so faur. Muybe he thought it wur justice. Muybe he justified whut he did cause he wunted to even dur field. Gandul killed hus coluny. I hauted dut varmunt as much as uny beust. Nuw? I dun' knuw."

Lufan sighed "Maybe I should have seen it, I had so hoped I could have saved him. Eskert's missus an' kids felt like my own at times. I'd hate to know what they would think of him now. Perhaps there is a weird mercy in death in that sense, to not know. I feel sick leaving Loy behind, let alone that poor weasel. To think that poor otter will become as cruel and corrupt as that fool mouse sickens me. To leave them, Siegfried, to leave all those poor beasts to a life of servitude. Doesn't sit right, you know."

"Aye." The mole nodded "Muybe tryun to hulp em' was just as bud as nut. Yuo rescued em, but we alluwed it to fester as we dud. Nuw dur Lung Patrol be in a bud wuy. I dun' dink I cun furgive meself. I ju-"

"Hey! Ya two done yet?"

The two turned, seeing a large frustrated rat march up to him, garbed in a simple and decrepit dress of a former pirate. Lufan sighed and spoke up "Yes, nearly. You got all the beasts near the marshes, right?"

The rat scratched his head "Aye, aye. I did, but I had to drag'em out kicken an' screamen. Most of dem beasts be waiting, ya know. We wanna get outta here."

Lufan nodded and gave one last look at the hills behind them before turning towards the forest. They came across a large clearing where a number of vermin were heading into and setting down some bags and sacks. Some past out vittles, while others talked about what was happening. Lufan looked on around him, happy to see naive pups playing with one another as their parents bickered. A small fox clan, related in some way to the Oranges, sat near the edge of the camp as their patriarch approached. He gave a weak smile to Lufan.

"Thank ya, spike back, fer senden a beast to tell us what be happenen. Ya said were all goin north, eh?"

"Aye." The mole happily nodded "Lust we heurd, der be hordes up dur. Were headun to Rudwall. Where it'll hopefully be sufe."

"It true, doh? Dat dem woodlander folk be enslaving us?" The fox frowned a bit. Lufan nodded as he informed him the fate they just avoided "Aye, lashings and mutilations all around. Swear I was in the middle of a blasted vermin horde myself. In redwall, we'll all at least be safe. You folk can hopefully make it north, where I hear there were beasts building some realm. It's likely you'll get conscripted, but its certainly better than being killed or worse down here."

The rat and fox nodded and went back to their respective friends and families. Lufan and Siegfried walked amongst the refugees as a smile came across his face. He was helping beasts once again, instead of sitting on some sideline watching them suffer. He had spent the last few days collecting whom he could, sending out vermin to give warnings to what would happen if they stayed. Some did, not believing him, but those who came had felt rescued.

Lufan wondered what happened the night he left, as he and Siegfried heard of alarms being sounded as they crested over the first hill. Yet, it didn't bother him nor his mole friend that much. The hedgehog spoke up to the gathered group of vermin as the last of the refugees arrived. He told them where they would go, and how they would do so. Although a few groans were shot up, not wishing to be commanded by a hedgehog, Siegfried kept order. Lufan and his host left, as he worked up a marching song for himself, and himself alone.

In days gone by, where darkness seeps

When shadows begin to reach

In the night, time feels still

For in the end, we mourn and break

Yet, I beg to you to light the way

For every winter, comes a spring

For each beast slain, a tree will sway

For all beasts bound in shackles of iron

Time will rot and destroy those bonds

Not today, but further on

Tyrants fall, kings arise

To face the new troubles of their times

Even in times of fear and doubt

There is hope beyond this drought

For when darkness find a place to rest its weary head

Light will shatter it from its bed