User blog:Bluestripe the Wild/Bluestripe,A Name Remembered

This story is dedicated to User:Hollyfire53, User:Pinedance Coneslinger, and to User:Wild Doogy Plumm for being so nice to me since I'm new.I hope you all enjoy my first fan fiction.Eulaliiiiiiiaaaaaaa!

Prolouge
An old female hare sat in the nearly deserted dining hall in the mountain of Salamandastron, recalling memories from long ago. The old hare sat thinking of those long gone days when a young hare babe ran up and sat beside her. "Can you tell me a story about very fierce warriors, ma'arm?” asked the hare babe.

"I think I can tell a story to please you, you little rouge!” said the old harewife. The old harewife was about to start her story when more hares started to gather around to listen to her tale. Soon, every hare in Salamandastron, and even the Badger Lord was crowded in the dining hall, awaiting the old hare's tale. The old harewife started her story.

"This happened a long time ago, I will start my tale, it begins like this..."

Chapter 1
Long ago, in Mossflower Woods, there lived a family of badgers. The father was a strong, sturdy badger called Oakpaw. The mother was a big, but gentle badger named Renah. The smallest member of the family was special. What made him special was that where most badgers have a white stripe running down the middle of their faces, he had a blue stripe instead. Because of his blue stripe, his parents named the badger babe Bluestripe. One day when Bluestripe was older, (three seasons old) he became bored and started searching for something to keep him entertained when he saw his mother, Renah.

"Mamma, Mamma, I'm bored, can you play with me?" Renah knew she had no other option.” It seems I have no other choice, it seems I will be your playmate."

Bluestripe jumped up and down excitedly. "Yay! Mamma is gonna play games with me!" Renah smiled at the antics of her son.” Come Bluestripe, let's go play outside." Renah and Bluestripe had played together for a long time when Renah had to stop to catch her breath. When Renah got up to play more games with Bluestripe, her son was nowhere to be seen. Renah searched through the forest calling his name.

"Bluestripe! Come out, wherever you are!” No response. Renah was getting worried, it was almost dark outside. After several more minutes of searching, Renah spotted Bluestripe hiding behind a bush.” Come here, you little wretch!” said Renah, making an attempt to grab her son.

"EEK!", squealed Bluestripe as his mother grabbed at him. Bluestripe jumped nimbly out of his mother's reach and ran. Renah began to chase her mischievous son. After chasing Bluestripe for a minute or two, Renah finally caught the naughty badger babe.

"Grr! I’ve got you, you fat little badger!" said Renah as she began tickling Bluestripe. "Hee hee hee! Oh Mamma, stop that tickles!" giggled Bluestripe. Despite the happy atmosphere, trouble was not to far away. As Renah and Bluestripe laughed and played together, a group of vermin circled mother and child.

"Well lookee 'ere, 'tis a pair 'o stripedogs!", snickered a ferret. "You two stripehounds better come with us to the castle of Lord Panthera Longclaws, you two would make good slaves for 'is majesty," said an important looking stoat.

"You're not putting a paw near my child!" growled Renah.

"Then we'll just take your brat an' you can stay 'ere. Get the stripedog babe!" said the stoat. A rat had walked forward towards Bluestripe when THUMP! The rat who had walked forward lay dead, killed by Renah, who stood clutching a tree branch like a mace. "I warned you once now away with you all!" Renah charged at the vermin. CRASH, THWACK, WHACK! Renah battered away at the vermin.

"Stop the stripedog! Kill 'er!” shouted the stoat. A ferret raised his spear to throw when Renah brought the tree branch over his skull, killing him. Renah made a rush for the stoat captain, attacking whoever came too close. “Kill the badger, hurry!” wailed the horrified stoat. A weasel archer named Scring pulled an arrow and prepared to fire at Renah. TWANG! The arrow found its mark in Renah, right in the chest.

"Mamma!” cried out Bluestripe. Renah gave her son one last smile and fell over, dead. Bluestripe began to cry.

"Hurry, get that badger brat!” commanded the stoat captain. Right before the vermin left, the stoat captain kicked Renah's body and said, "See, no worries. Just stay 'ere an' sleep."

As the vermin carried Bluestripe away, he turned to look at the body of his mother. Soon, the vermin were at the castle of Panthera Longclaws. The vermin carried Bluestripe to the top of the castle, the chambers of Panthera Longclaws. When the vermin brought the badger babe in, Bluestripe was surprised. Panthera Longclaws was a wildcat with no stripes and he wore a black cape fastened by a weasel's skull.

"My, my, what do we have here?” The wildcat's voice sent shivers down Bluestripe's back. "We found 'im in the woods with another stripedog, Scring was the one to kill 'er.", said the stoat captain.

"Hmm, you're quite a skilled archer, Scring. I will reward you by appointing you as the Assassin Squad Captain." said Panthera.

"Thank you, sire," said Scring.

"Now, why did you bring me a badger babe?” asked the wildcat.

"When he grows to be big an' strong, he will become a good slave.” answered the stoat captain.

"Give him the markings of a slave; and use the blue paint," ordered the wildcat ruler.

Bluestripe sniffled. Panthera Longclaws turned on the young badger. He gave a wicked smile. Even though Bluestripe was scared, he tried to be brave. “You killed my Mamma, I'll get you someday!” The wildcat's smile grew larger. Then, Panthera Longclaws laughed. "Guards, take him away!" Bluestripe glared at Panthera Longclaws as the guards carried him away.

Chapter 2
Sixteen seasons after the badger babe was brought to Panthera Longclaws, a blue striped badger sat thinking in a cell, his hands and feet manacled to the wall. The badger was trying to recall something from many seasons ago. In dreams, he would often see a big female badger smiling at him. The badger could not recall who she was. In the dream, the female badger would always say this, "Bluestripe, Bluestripe..." The badger did not know what that meant.

He was thinking about the female badger in his dreams when a sound aroused his attention. He turned to see a rat who was on guard duty knocking his spear butt on the cell door. "Oi! You in there! 'Is majesty, Lord Panthera Longclaws, demands that you, 'is slave, bring 'im a bottle o' wine an' somethin' decent to eat!" said the rat guard.

Two more guards, a fox and a stoat, came and unhooked the badger's manacles and chained his hands together so that he could only reach a certain length and led the badger to the wildcat's chamber.

Soon, the badger was holding a platter with a bottle of wine and a roasted dove, ready for Panthera Longclaws. When the two guards and the badger entered the chambers of the wildcat, Panthera gave a smile at seeing the blue striped badger doing as he wanted.

"Give me my meal, stripehound," ordered the wildcat. The sound of the wildcat's voice always sent a chill through the badger's body. The badger walked forward to give the wildcat tyrant his food.

"Your food," said the badger.

Panthera Longclaws dismissed the food, wanting to taunt the badger more. “Well done, stripedog, I thought you might have gotten the dove confused with a fish, seeing as how great a fool you are."

The badger was so used to being called names that he forgot his own real name. The badger felt his temper rising a little. “As a matter of fact, I had no trouble telling the dove and fish apart."

"Is that so? Then what took you so long to get here, thickhead?” mocked the wildcat.

"Seeing as how my feet are bound, it makes walking a slow process. You should know since you have had ordered your guards to do that," the badger coolly replied.

Panthera Longclaws's features became angry. “Well at least I am not foolish enough to have forgotten my own name!” smirked the wildcat triumphantly.

The badger could no longer restrain his anger. “Here wildcat, do you want something to eat?” The badger threw the platter of food in the wildcat's face.

Wine dripped from Panthera's stripeless fur while his roasted dove lay on the ground. “Why you little gutless worm! I’ll make your death nice and slow for you! Grrrr! Guards, take the stripedog out of my sight!"

More guards came in to pull the badger back to his cell. The badger never blinked once as he and Panthera Longclaws locked eyes. Spear butts hit the badger as he was dragged from the wildcat's royal chamber.

Chapter 3
Log-a-log Sorex was the chief of all the Guosim shrews. The Guosim were in their logboats, which they use to get around in, when Log-a-log stopped them. “Halt, Guosim! What's that over yonder?” The shrews looked in the direction their chief pointed to. A long shape was swimming in the water, towards the shrew logboats. The shape stopped in front of the logboat Log-a-log Sorex was in. Suddenly, a huge, scaly head appeared from out of the water.

"Paddle, mates! It’s a water snake!" commanded the shrew chief.

The Guosim paddled as they never had in their life to escape from the water snake. The shrews kept paddling until they were on the shore.

"Phew! That scaly fiend is gone!” said a shrew.

"Are we gonna get back in the logboats now, chief?” asked another shrew.

Log-a-log Sorex was an adventurous shrew, never giving up once there were adventures to be had. “No, we're gonna explore the land to see what the land offers for us."

In the distance there was a large castle, looming over even the tallest trees in Mossflower.

Log-a-log planned to go around the wildcat's fortress, just in case foebeasts occupied it. After the Guosim had gotten closer to the castle, a young shrewmaid named Lilla spoke up. "Oi, Chief, come an' take a look at this."

Log-a-log Sorex ran over to Lilla, who sat peering into a barred window. In the cell sat a badger with a blue stripe.

"Hello, friend, how did you get stuck in there?" asked Log-a-log Sorex.

"I don't know. I’ve been here for as long as I remember," replied the badger.

"No worries, mate. We're gonna break you out of there as soon as we can." said the shrew chieftain.

"Oh, thank you so much! When are you going to get me out of here?" asked the badger. "Tonight." said Log-a-log Sorex.

Chapter 4
Panthera Longclaws was in a terrible rage. "Scring! Go fetch Wroc Caw for me, quickly!" snapped the wildcat.

The Assassin Squad captain looked nervous. “But Lord, Wroc Caw's a mad killer!"

"I know that! Now get out of my sight before I skin you and use your hide as a new rug! Go!” snarled Panthera Longclaws.

Wroc Caw was a huge crow who led an army of crows and ravens. Wroc Caw and his army lived in the roof of the wildcat's castle. Wroc Caw's force numbered to nearly a thousand in all. Wroc Caw and Panthera Longclaws had a great respect for each other, seeing each other as skilled warriors.

The crow leader was preening his neck feathers when Scring appeared with a message.

"His Majesty, Lord Panthera Longclaws, requires your presence in 'is royal chamber," said Scring.

The big crow looked down at Scring."Caaacraaaaawww! It's about time the wildcat needs me. I thought he had forgotten of my existence! Let us go see Panthera Longclaws!"

Panthera Longclaws was awaiting the arrival of his Assassin Squad captain when Scring and Wroc Caw walked in.

"I have brought 'im, sire," reported the weasel.

"Very good, Scring," said the Panthera.

"What do you need from me, Longclaws?" asked the crow leader.

"You see, Caw, it goes like this....."

The badger sat in his prison cell, waiting for his shrew friends to rescue him. The badger gazed out the window. In the sky sat a full moon. The badger recalled no life outside being a slave to Panthera Longclaws but something about that full moon was familiar. A moon as full as this one also hung in the sky sixteen seasons earlier. Suddenly, the image of the female badger appeared in the badger's head. The badger continued to look at the full moon while the female badger appeared in his mind.

The badger grew angry. Angry at not remembering his name. Angry at not remembering any life before being a slave to the wildcat. Angry at not knowing who the the female badger was. And lastly, angry at Panthera Longclaws for keeping him as a slave.

Blood rose to the blue striped badger's eyes. The badger's vision was clouded by red mist. The badger slave let out an angry roar. "Roooooooaaaaaaaarrrrrr!"

The rat on guard duty, named Winey, woke up and complained loudly. "Give your yappin' gob a rest, will ya? Some of us are tryin' to get a bit o' sleep around 'ere!"

Winey looked over at the badger. The badger was walking as far as his manacles would allow him. "Oi! You in there!  Stop pullin' the manacles or they'll break!" Winey then realized what the badger was doing.

The badger kept on pulling the manacles to their limit when CRACK! The manacles snapped off the locks in the wall. The badger dropped them, walking towards the barred window. The blue striped badger began to pull on one of the bars in the window. The incredible strength in the badger allowed him to pull the bar out with little difficulty.

The badger stood there, manacles in one hand, a bar in the other. The badger walked to the door and kicked it down. Winey fled in terror. "Aaaaaaagghhhhh! The stripedog is escapin'!  The stripedog is escapin'!"

Chapter 5
Log-a-log Sorex and his shrews were using grappling hooks to climb up the wall that surrounded the prison cells so they could get inside to were the blue striped badger was. When all the shrews, about four hundred in all, had climbed onto the wall, Log-a-log spoke up.

"Okay Guosim, here's the plan. We're gonna take the stairs that lead us to the main part of the castle an' we'll get the badger. After that, we help the badger escape safely by fightin' the vermin that get in the way. Then we run back to the logboats an' go as far as we can until the vermin come after us."

"That sure is a plan to me, chief!" said a shrew named Boggle.

"Prepare to fight, Guosim. Slingers, check your supply of rocks. Archers, make sure your quivers are full.  Get ready, we're goin' in!" said Log-a-log Sorex.

Every shrew pulled out the brightly colored headbands and tied them around their foreheads. Log-a-log pulled out his rapier as a sign for everybeast to do likewise. Sorex and all the other shrews licked their rapiers as a sign of an upcoming battle.

"I'm ready, chief!" said Lilla, the shrewmaid.

"I am, too. Here we go Guosim!" said Log-a-log Sorex.

Panthera Longclaws was planning with Wroc Caw when Winey, the rat came darting into the wildcat's chamber.

"What do you want, rat?" asked the wildcat tyrant.

"Sire, the stripedog 'as escaped from 'is cell," reported Winey.

"WHAT?!" said Panthera Longclaws incredulously.

"Get Scring and the Assassin Squad and any other soldiers down to the dungeon stairs. Hurry!" commanded the wildcat.

Winey ran off to follow his master's orders.

"Cacraaaaaawwwww! I will bring my crows and ravens to help you and your soldiers catch the stripehound!" said Wroc Caw.

"Thank you, friend. Let us put that blue striped fool in his place," said Panthera Longclaws.

The blue striped badger was making his way past the cells in the dungeon and was getting nearer to the dungeon stairs. So was another creature. Scring and his Assassin Squad were also getting closer to the dungeon stairs. The Assassin Squad numbered about seven score and was mainly weasels and foxes with several ferrets and a few stoats. Scring began to reveal the plan to the vermin assassins.

"Alright, me lucky buckoes, here's the plan. Once the stripedog comes up those stairs, he won't see us.  That's when we use our bows and arrows.  We won't kill 'im, though.  Lord Panthera wants 'im alive."

The badger could see the stairs now. He began to walk up from the dungeon slowly. The badger finally made it up the stairs when, suddenly ,a stoat jumped onto his back from behind! The badger jumped backwards, smashing the stoat against the wall.

Chaos suddenly broke out. Scring knew his cover was blown. The Assassin Squad ran towards the badger pulling out weapons for close combat. Every beast in the Assassin Squad had daggers that they began to draw. Other vermin began to pull out swords and one sided axes hidden under black cloaks. The badger saw the oncoming vermin and began to swing the manacles madly. He hit out with his bar at the vermin assassins. The badger knew he could not fight them forever. He needed help, fast.

Log-a-log Sorex and his shrews heard cries from not too far off and wondered what they were. The Guosim walked a little way until the blue striped badger was in view. Log-a-log Sorex recognized the creature who was fighting the vermin.

"It's our badger friend, mates! Charge, Guosim, charge! Logalogalogaloglooooog!"

The Guosim shrews charged at the Assassin Squad as shrew rapiers slashed at the foebeasts. The shrew archers and slingers were finishing off the vermin that were not killed by the shrews with rapiers.

A fox with an axe slashed at the blue striped badger. The badger ducked and kicked the fox, knocking the air from him. Soon, the blue striped badger was fighting back-to-back with Log-a-log Sorex.

"We have to leave before Panthera Longclaws comes for us!" said the badger.

"Alright, mate. I've got a plan.  When I gives the signal, we all rush past the vermin and leave before the wildcat comes," said the shrew chieftain.

"One, two, three, charge!" yelled Log-a-log.

The Guosim and the blue striped badger began to run where they saw sunlight in the distance. When the shrews and the badger ran by a passage in the corridor, a spine chilling voice rang out.

"It's the badger and some shrews, get them! Don't let them escape!"

It was Panthera Longclaws. Behind him was a horde of vermin and Wroc Caw with his crows and ravens.

Some of the faster vermin were catching up with the Guosim and the badger. The archers and slingers were sending volleys of arrows and stones at the vermin. The archers and slingers were holding the vermin off for a while until Wroc Caw and his crows and ravens came swooping down at the shrews. Around five shrews were slain by the birds' sudden rush.

"I can see daylight ahead, run as fast as ya can!" said Log-a-log Sorex.

The shrews and the badger ran as fast as their legs could carry them towards the daylight. The vermin were getting closer. Panthera Longclaws ran outside after the shrews and came to a sudden stop. The wildcat tyrant looked down from a balcony at the shrews with the escaped badger who were in the water below.

"Grrrrrr! I'll get you one day, stripedog!  You just wait and see!  And when I do catch you, I'll make your death nice and slow!" yelled the wildcat furiously.

The Guosim and their escaped prisoner looked up at the wildcat and his horde and laughed. Panthera Longclaws turned to grab his spear, but when he turned to look back, the shrews and the blue striped badger were gone.

Chapter 6
Log-a-log Sorex and the Guosim shrews were getting in their logboats with the now free badger in tow.

"Hurry, Guosim, hurry! The wildcat will 'ave his vermin out searchin' for us soon!" said the shrew chieftain.

The shrew logboats began to go faster as the shrews paddled faster. The Guosoim shrews kept on paddling until late afternoon when they were sure that Panthera Longclaws and his vermin were far behind.

The shrews sat around campfires as it grew dark, eating and drinking, cracking jokes, arguing ,(something shrews are well known for) and generally relaxing. Log-a-log Sorex and a few of the other shrews were sitting with the blue striped badger, questioning him about his life.

"So what's yer name, matey?" asked Boggle curiously.

"I don't have one," the badger casually replied.

"WHAT?! Yer meanin' to tell me that ya don't got a name?" asked Lilla, the shrewmaid. "I never remember having a name. But sometimes, I have strange dreams with a female badger calling out "Bluestripe, Bluestripe..." said the badger.

"Well I've got an idea why she was callin' out Bluestripe. You probably forgot yer name since the vermin just called you stripedog an' such, Bluestripe is probably yer name!" said Log-a-log Sorex.

"You really think so?" asked the badger curiously.

"Aye, that's what I think yer name is. You will now be known as Bluestripe," said the shrew chieftain.

"It's a nice name for me, don't you think?" asked the newly named badger.

"Aye, what else would you be called with a big ol' blue stripe runnin' down the midle o' yer face?" said Lilla.

Shrews were rolling around on the ground, laughing at the joke told by the shrewmaid. Bluestripe began to do something he had not done in a long time. Laugh.

Panthera Longclaws was in a terrible rage. The wildcat commanded his horde to gather in front of the castle and await orders. When the wildcat strode outside, his horde had done as they were commanded. The wildcat tyrant began to speak to his awaiting horde. "Earlier today, the stripehound escaped with the help of some shrews. You brainless idiots let him escape. Now you will have to be punished.  I will send Scring and most of you out in the woods to do some recruiting to make up for your slain comrades."

Scring looked up at his master dutifully. "Sire, I will carry out your orders as they were commanded."

"Good, Scring. Now take five hundred of our strongest soldiers and go recruit any roaming vermin bands that will join us. Now, go, quickly!" ordered the wildcat tyrant.

"Craw! This is a good time for me and my followers to become useful.  We will find the earthcrawlers and that stripehound and ambush them. This is good, my followers and I are ready for bloodshed! Caaaaaacraaaaawwwwww!"

Panthera Longclaws turned to see Wroc Caw perching on a big oak tree with many of his crows and ravens with him.

"Do as you may, but do not kill the stripedog. I am the one to carry out the death of him," commanded Panthera. The look in his eyes was deadly. Everybeast present knew how serious the wildcat tyrant was. Death was in store for anyone who tried to stop the wildcat warlord from accomplishing his task.

Wroc Caw and seven hundred crows and ravens took off as soon as Panthera Longclaws had given orders. Scring and five hundred soldiers made their way into Mossflower Woods, searching for new vermin recruits.

Wroc Caw and his crows and ravens were all flying silently, blending in with the night sky.Wroc Caw noticed several small lights and began to fly closer to them.

Log-a-log Sorex and Bluestripe, along with the Guosim shrews, were growing tired and decided to go to sleep.Bluestripe was almost asleep when an uneasy feeling crept over him.Bluestripe rolled over on his side to look around.He saw a something moving closer to where the Guosim shrews were sleeping.Bluestripe picked up his manacles and began to spin them.With a whirring sound, Bluestripe threw the manacles.The manacles hit the figure with a loud thud.Bluestripe ran over to the limp figure.It was a raven.

Suddenly, many crows and ravens flew from the night sky.Bluestripe picked up his manacles and iron bar and shouted,"Wake up, Guosim!We've been ambushed!"

Shrews woke up amidst mass chaos.Slingers and a few archers began to drive the birds back a little.Log-a-log Sorex shouted,"To the logboats, Guosim!Retreat!"

The shrews ran as fast as their legs could carry them to the logboats."Row!Row!Row!",roared the shrew chieftan to his rowers.

Deathfang was the leader of a tribe of barbaric vermin.He was a muscular stoat with red, blue, and yellow markings on his face and arms.Deathfang had about eight score at his command, all savage killers.

Deathfang and his small army always sat up in trees, making an ambush would be no problem.Deathfang was sitting up in a oak tree with Ammz, the fox tracker."Ammz, where's the next place where the pickin's are good?", asked Deathfang.

"I'm not sure, Lord.", answered Ammz.Deathfang looked at his tracker with an exhausted look on his painted face.

"Well, go look fer someplace with nice grub!", said the burly stoat.

Before Ammz could go look for a place with lots of food, Yeltir, a small, brown-furred rat with keen eyes, yelled out,"Chief, I sees an army comin' this way!"

Deathfang looked where Yeltir pointed.A weasel with five hundred vermin were coming near the grove of trees he and his little army were in.

Winey the rat had been promoted from a rank of a normal soldier to a scout.Winey was running slightly ahead of the recruiting party to scan the woods for any vermin who could be recruited into the horde.Winey was poking at bushes with his spear when he heard a rustling noise nearby.

Winey crawled to the bush and jumped where he heard the rustling noise.A powerful creature threw Winey of of its body and stood over the rat with anger in its eyes.The creature Winey had jumped on was a large,fat weasel with red, blue, and yellow markings on his face."Wot do ya think you're doin', eh?",asked the fat weasel.

"I didn't know yew was in those bushes, honest!", babbled the rat scout.

"I don't forgive anybeast fer hurtin' me.", growled the weasel as he pulled out a long dagger.

"Hey, Reic, wot 'ave ya found?", said a nearby voice.

Out of a bush near Winey and the weasel came a ferret with markings similair to the fat weasel's.

"I just got ambushed by dis lil' rat.Jumped on top o' me, so he did!", said the weasel.

"Oi!Reic just found a rat over 'ere!", shouted the ferret.

A whole group of vermin with markings like the weasel and the ferret surronded Winey, grinning wickedly and toying with their weapons.A huge, muscular stoat stood in front of Winey and smiled and asked the rat a question in a mocking tone."Where do you come from, rat?"

"He's with us.", said a stern voice.

All of Deathfang's army looked up to see who the speaker was.It was Scring with five hundred vermin soldiers at his back.

Chapter 7
Panthera Longclaws was on his castle walls when he spotted Scring and his five hundred soldiers.Panthera shouted orders at the guards at the front gate."Guards!Open the gate, Scring and the rest of my horde are back!"

The four guards at the gate opened the gate for their comrades.Scring and the recruiting party marched into the castle grounds with the newly recruited vermin under Deathfang's command.

"We have recruited more soldiers for your army, just as you ordered, Sire.", said Scring as he bowed to the wildcat tyrant.

Panthera Longclaws looked at the army of Deathfang curiously."Hmmmm, who is the leader of this little army that has just recruited?", asked Panthera.

"I am.", said Deathfang as he strode out of the crowd.Deathfang carried a big club in one hand and a long, sharp dagger in the other.

"So this is the big, strong commander that leads the group of soldiers that Scring has just recruited.I am honored to meet you.I must know your name so that I can premote you to a high position in my army.", said Panthera Longclaws.

"My name is Deathfang.I lead an army of eight score, all loyal and armed to the teeth.", said Deathfang, looking around at his small army.

Panthera looked at the primitive weapons and shields that were carrried by Deathfang and his army."Hmmmm, your weapons are a bit primitive, I will give you weapons and shields made of steel instead of wood or rock.", said Panthera Longclaws.

"We are grateful to yer Highness fer doin' such a kind act for me and my army.", said Deathfang.

Panthera turned to Scring and gave out orders."Scring, get some of my soldiers to bring better weapons for Deathfang and his followers, and bring several hard-working soldiers to me."Scring bowed and left to carry out his master's commands.

Wroc Caw and his followers were in pursuit of the shrew logboats.Log-a-log Sorex looked over his shoulder to see Wroc Caw and many crows and ravens flying only a few feet behind the logboats.Two shrew brothers were bravely holding back the birds with a sling and their bow and arrows.

Two crows and a raven came flying at the shrew brothers, giving out the warcry of Wroc Caw and his followers."Wrrrrrrooooccccccaaaawwwwwwwww!"

The brother with the bow and arrows quickly placed a shaft to his bow and fired at the raven.The raven dropped like a stone into the water below.The brother with the sling quickly took a good sized pebble from his pouch and put it in his sling.The shrew fired the slingstone with deadly accuracy.One of the two crows fell into the water, dead.

There was still one crow left for the shrew brothers to kill.The brother with the bow and arrows placed another shaft to his bow and fired at the crow.The crow was fast and it narrowly avoided the deadly shaft and came flying towards the brother with the bow and arrows.The crow grabbed the shrew in his claws and thrust at the shrew's neck with his beak.The shrew felt blood gushing from his neck as his eyes clouded over in death.

Log-a-log Sorex saw that the birds were closing in on the logboats and shouted out commands."Paddle, Guosim!Paddle like ya never did before!"

The logboats began getting farther ahead of the birds until they came to a shady are where trees towered over the river.The followers of Wroc Caw stopped abruptly when they came to the shady area.The trees were so low that it made flying difficult for the birds.

"Cacccrrrawwwww!Those rivermice have escaped from us for now but I have a plan.We will perch nearby where the trees become normal and do not make it where we cannot fly.When they come out of there, we will swoop down on them and we will kill them all!", said Wroc Caw with a wicked twinkle in the crow leader's dark eyes.

Chapter 8
Bluestripe was lying exhausted against the side of the logboat when he heard crying.Bluestripe looked to where he heard the crying and saw a young shrew weeping over the body of a slain shrew.

"What is the matter, friend?", asked Bluestripe, putting a hand on the young shrew's shoulder.

"Ya see this shrew 'ere?Well, that was me older brother, Nurra.He got slain when me an' him was fightin' off those birds back there.He got killed by one of those crows.Someday, if we meet up again, I'm gonna kill the crow that slew my brother, that's a promise!", said the young shrew, sniffling as he tried to stop himself from crying more.

Log-a-log Sorex walked over to Bluestripe and the young shrew to see what was going on."What's the matter, Rune?",asked the shrew chieftain.

Bluestripe answered for Rune."His brother, Nurra got killed by one of those crows that was after us.Rune says that he and Nurra killed two of those birds before they killed his brother."

"I know how you feel, mate.I lost mates in many battles.", said Sorex comfortingly.

A shrew named Aran called out to Sorex in a loud voice."Chief, I see a lil' group of houses over yonder.Should we stop to see if we can rest a while?"

Sorex began issuing orders to his tribe."Paddle the logboats to that shore over there.C'mon, Guosim, let's get the job done!"

The shrew logboats were all on the shore in a short amount of time with shrews standing on the riverbank, awaiting orders from their chieftain.

Log-a-log Sorex looked at the assembly of shrews and then began to speak."I'm familiar with these parts and I know the creatures who live in those houses over there.Since they're kind to all, I think they will show us hospitality and treat us well.So when they offer ya food, don't go shovin' it down your gob, act like you're shrews who have at least a little bit of manners.Understood, Guosim?"

"Aye, aye, Chief!", answered the shrew tribe in a roar.

Log-a-log Sorex walked over to a tree with a door in the middle of it and knocked on the little door.A female hedgehog came out of the house and looked very suprised when she saw Sorex."C'mon out everybeast, quick!Sorex is back to see us!", shouted the female hedgehog as she ran to all the other houses to spread the news.

Several mice, a whole crew of moles, a rag-tag band of squirrels, and a big male otter ran out of the houses to gather around Sorex.The big male otter clapped Sorex on the back."Curl me whiskers an' pull me rudder, is it really ol' Sorex?Where have ya been all these seasons, matey?"

Sorex shoved the otter playfully."What have I been doin' all these seasons?Take a look at yourself, you shrimp scoffin' barrel bellied excuse for an otter!"

Sorex and the male otter walked over to Bluestripe when Sorex began to introduce the otter."Bluestripe, this here is me ol' matey, Tide Riverdog."

Tide Riverdog shook Bluestripe's paw and greeted him."Nice meetin' ya Bluestripe.Wot are ya doin' in company with this lil' spiky furred, pot-bellied, logboat ridin' shrew?"

Bluestripe liked Tide so he answered the big otter."Well, it's a bit of a long story.Sorex and a few of the Guosim will explain what's happened so far."

"C'mon, everybeast, time fer supper!", yelled Meekrose, the hogwife.

Everybeast from shrews to mice, moles, and squirrels crowded into the biggest of the houses to eat supper.Tables were covered with all kinds of wonderful things to eat.Among the dishes were Turnip'n'Tater'n'Beetroot pie, all kinds of cheese, cheese and celery flans, mushroom pasties, shrimp and hotroot soup, and puddings that were freshly made.There were good things to drink, too.Cups, beakers, and flagons were filled with mint tea, strawberry fizz, october ale, and dandelion fizz.

All creatures sat down and ate and drank happily.Bluestripe sat with Tide and Sorex with Lilla and Boggle, the two young Guosim shrews, sitting across from them.Tide's plate was piled high with many good things too eat and had a flagon full of october ale.

"Oi, Tide, when's the ten season famine?", asked Sorex.

"Very funny," said Tide with a honey covered scone in his paw,"Just look at young master Boggle's plate."

Sorex,Bluestripe,and Lilla looked at Boggle's plate with shock.Boggle's plate was piled even higher than Tide's with nine scones, two mushroom pasties, three pieces of cheese, a small bowl of pudding, and a beaker of strawberry fizz.

"Shame on ya, Boggle!", said Lilla, shaking her finger at the gluttonous shrew.

"Boggle, what did I tell you about how much you eat?You eat like a hungry hare!", Sorex roared at Boggle.

"I was only a lil' hungry..", mumbled Boggle.

"Only a lil' hungry?!", asked Sorex with his mouth wide open.

The hogwife, Meekrose walked over to the group to see what was going on."What's the trouble, Sorex?", asked the hogwife.

"Look at all that food that Boggle's eatin'!", said the shrew chieftain.

Meekrose looked at Boggle's plate and gasped."My, my, you're quite 'ungry aren't you?You knows good cookin' when ya sees it, don't you?You just come with me to the kitchens, I'll bake an apple pie for you!"

Boggle rescued two scones and a piece of cheese as Meekrose led him to the kitchen with Lilla, Sorex, Tide, and Bluestripe laughing heartily.

Chapter 9
Outside the grove of low hanging trees, Wroc Caw and his followers were perched in a big oak tree.Wroc Caw was perching on a long limb, with the crow captain, Vukor, and his raven captain, Corax, in his company.

"Cacraw!Do either of you remember if any of the earthcrawlers were killed when we ambushed them yesterday?", asked Wroc Caw to his two captains.

"Cachaw!I only know of the earthcrawlers that we slew back at their campsite.The slain earthcrawlers numbered about a score, Lord.", said Corax, the raven captain.

"Were only a score slain?", asked Wroc Caw.

"Just before we came upon the low-hanging trees I slew one of the earthcrawlers who was skilled witha bow.He and another like him slew two of our soldiers.", said Vukor, the crow captain.

"Hmm, this is good!Now with fewer numbers we can overtake with ease!Cacraawww!", said Wroc Caw, gazing down at the grove of low hanging trees with his wings spread wide.Wroc Caw's dark eyes glinted wickedly as he gave a loud cry."Wrrrooocccaawwwwwwww!"

Back in the castle of Panthera Longclaws, Deathfang and about a score of his army were in an empty room, discussing the most recent events.Panthera Longclaws had just promoted some of his soldiers to Captains in his army and had even promoted a fox named Vulpin to second in command.

"That fox, Vulpin is a bossy ole thing.I don't care for 'im that much, I sure don't.", said an old, grizzled ferret named Odje.

Shouts of agreement answered to Odje's statement.Deathfang shouted to quiet them down."I agree with ya on that un there, Odje.But 'ere's what I think.I respect an' trust Panthera all right but the one that I don't trust is that Scring.He looks like the type who'll kill if'n ya don't follow an order.He could probably slit yore throat an' make it look like it was an accident."

Murmurs of agreement and nodding of heads greeted Deathfang's words.Deathfang raised his new iron club and his new skinning knife and said,"So I'm the one who's gonna kill our ole matey Scring!"Deathfang exposed his sharp, glittering fangs in a grin."So what do you think about me plan, mates?"

Shouts and cheers rose from the army of Deathfang as they answered their chief.Among all the shouts and cheering, the door swung open to reveal three figures.Vulpin, Scring, and an old stoat captain named Eminear, who had caught a young badger sixteen seasons ago, stood in the doorway."What's all the noise about?", asked Vulpin, looking accusingly at the assembly of vermin.

"Wot's it to you, fox?", asked Odje insolently.

The fox glared at Odje as Scring pushed him aside."What was all the noise about?Were you lot celebratin' something?If ya were, what were ya celebratin' about?", asked Scring looking straight at Deathfang.

"We was just celebratin' our new alliance with your master, Panthera Longclaws.", said Deathfang innocently.

"Well now that you lot are done with the celebration, get out.", commanded Scring.

Deathfang and his fox tracker, Ammz walked out of the rest of the army with Deathfang and Scring glaring at each other the whole time.

Chapter 10
Back in the grove of low hanging trees, in the large house where everybeast ate dinner, some of the creatures who were still awake and a few of the Guosim sat near the fire.Sorex, Bluestripe, Lilla, Tide, a few of the moles, and the rag-tag band of squirrels were present to hear the adventures of Bluestripe and the Guosim.

Meekrose, the hogwife, walked into the room and sat down in a wooden chair to hear the tale of Bluestripe and the Guosim, too.Lilla, the shrewmaid remembered that Boggle had been with Meekrose and asked her where he was."Miss Meekrose, do you know where Boggle went after you made that apple pie fer him?"

Meekrose smiled and answered politely."Oh, poor Boggle was just so tired that he fell asleep while he was eatin' his apple pie."Meekrose pointed to an armchair where Boogle slept.Crumbs were in his whiskers and on the corners of his mouth.Boggle was snoring softly as he slept on, dreaming peaceful dreams.

"So tell us about yore adventure, mates.", said Tide.

Bluestripe and Sorex looked at each other.The task of storytelling ended up going to Bluestripe.

Bluestripe looked at his audience and began to tell the story."Well, before I met with the Guosim, I was a slave to Panthera Longclaws, the wildcat tyrant.One day, Log-a-log Sorex and his tribe saw me sitting in my cell and planned to free me.Before they saved me though, dreadful thoughts raced through my mind and I went into a terrible rage.I broke out of my cell and met up with the Assassin Squad.Log-a-log Sorex and the Guosim rushed to my aid and we fled from the vermin.Panthera Longclaws was persuing us and we all escaped.Panthera Longclaws sent his ally, Wroc Caw and his crows and ravens after us.We were ambushed during the early morning and we fled until we came to the grove of low hanging trees."

The listeners sat awestruck for a minute and finnaly, one creature spoke up."So what can we do to help?"Everybeast turned to the speaker.It was Acer, leader of the rag-tag band of squirrels.

Bluestripe, Sorex, and Lilla looked at each other with surprise."Um, excuse me fer askin' but, what do you think we need help with?", asked Lilla.

"With the vermin, o'course!", said Acer with a drawn dagger and a smile.

"We can 'elp ee withee birdbag villians from followin' ee anymore!", said Foremole Muld, the chieftain of the mole crew.

"But you've already done so much for us already.We don't want you to have to help us.", said Sorex pleadingly.

"I know who can 'elp 'em, mates, Hawthorn Streambattle!", said Tide in a loud voice.

Tide's idea was greeted by roars of approval by the squirrels and moles.Bluestripe, Sorex, and Lilla looked puzzled at each other."Who's Hawthorn Streambattle?", asked Bluestripe.

"We'll tell ya in the mornin', you lot just go an' get some rest, you'll need it by the time we get to where Hawthorn Streambattle lives!", said Tide with a twinkle in his eye.

Later that night when everybeast was asleep, Log-a-log Sorex was having a strange dream.A mouse warrior in bright armor and a marvelous sword like no other appeared to the shrew chieftain and left him with important instructions.

Chapter 11
The next morning, Bluestripe walked into the room where he told his story the previous night and sat down in a wooden chair next to the table.Bluestripe sat thinking of the creature that Tide had talked about last night, Hawthorn Streambattle.He wondered if Hawthorn was capable enough of helping defeat Wroc Caw and his followers.Tide certainly thought so.

While Bluestripe was thinking, a tired voice addressed him."Ah, good mornin' to ya, Bluestripe.Did ya get a good night's rest?"It was Boggle.Boggle was still in the armchair he was in last night and was picking crumbs out of his whiskers.

There was a knock on the small wooden door.Boggle ceased picking crumbs out of his whiskers and went to answer the door.When Boggle opened the door, he saw a vole who wore an old traveling cloak.The vole asked Boggle a question in a slow, deep voice."Is an otter named Tide Riverdog here by any chance?"

Boggle nodded."Yeah, Tide's in 'ere, want me to get 'im?"

The vole answered."That would be nice."

Soon, Boggle was back with a Tide.The vole smiled and said,"I'm here, Tide, you lazy lump of an otter!"

Tide glared comically at the vole."Arvic, you ol' wretched vole, git inside so we can talk about the plans!"

Arvic turned ariund and addressed somebeast nearby."It's alright, Mirtha, me dear.You an' young Caythen can come inside!"

From some nearby bushes came Arvic's wife, Mirtha and their shy daughter, Caythen, who was about Lilla's age(sixteen seasons) came with Arvic, Boggle, and Tide to go inside.

Everybeast sat down somewhere.Boggle went back to the armchair he had come to like so much, Tide and Arvic sat down at the table with Bluestripe, and Mirtha and Caythen went to the kitchen to talk with Meekrose, who was a long-time friend of Mirtha's.

Tide introduced Bluestripe to Arvic and they shook paws.Arvic had a strong grip.Bluestripe speculated that Arvic was an able-bodied creature by the muscles that were shown from Arvic's rolled back sleeves.

Tide left Bluestripe and Arvic to go and bring Log-a-log Sorex.Bluestripe saw Arvic looking at the tatoos that Panthera Longclaws gave to him and turned to Arvic.Arvic looked slightly embarrassed at being caught staring.Bluestripe told his tale to the vole.Arvic felt sympathetic for the blue striped badger.

Soon, Tide was back with the shrew chieftain and they all sat down to talk."The reason I've gathered y'all here is so I can tell you lot the plans.Arvic is a wise creature and I think he should come with us when we leave today.Acer, the squirrel chief will also come with three score of his squirrels.When we meet up with Hawthorn, I'll explain the rest of the plans.For now, we should just go an' eat a good breakfast.", said Tide to his three friends.

Tide and Arvic went ahead but Bluestripe saw Caythen, Arvic's shy daughter wandering around.Bluestripe started to walk towards Caythen when the shy volemaid saw the huge badger and began back off.While Caythen was backing up, she bumped into Lilla, who was heading to breakfast.Lilla looked Caythen up and down."I haven't seen you around here before.Me name's Lilla, pleasure to meet ya."

Caythen was already begining to like the shrewmaid.Caythen greeted Lilla in a whisper of a voice."Um, hi, my name is Caythen, daughter of Arvic and Mirtha.There's a big badger with a blue stripe right behind me and he looks terrifying!"

Lilla looked over Caythen's shoulde."Oh, him, that's just me matey, Bluestripe.Oi, Bluestripe over here!"

Caythen's eyes grew wide in fright as the huge male badger, covered in tatoos and, the one thing Caythen noticed the most, a blue stripe, walked over to the two maids."What do you need, Lilla?"

Lilla introduced the unlikely pair to each other."Bluestripe, this is me new friend, Caythen.Caythen, this me matey, Bluestripe."

Bluestripe gently shook the trembling volemaid's paw."How do you do, Caythen?"

Caythen was surprised at the badger's manners and stuttered a reply."Um, uh, I'm d-d-doing well, th-th-thank you."

Bluestripe felt bad for scaring the shy vole and made a suggestion."How about the three of us sit together at breakfast?"

Lilla thought it was a great idea.Caythen nodded her head slowly.That made the descision.The trio walked to breakfast chatting happily.Sorex, however, still sat at the table where Tide told them the plans, remembering the instructions the mouse spoke to him in his dream.

After breakfast, the trio came out of the dining hall laughing and joking.Caythen had become less frightened of Bluestripe as they talked during breakfast and now the trio were talking like lifelong friends.

Bluestripe and Lilla ran to their rooms when Caythen's voice stopped them."Wait, where are you going?"

Bluestripe had forgotten to tell Caythen the mission he and Lilla had to go on.Bluestripe and Lilla stopped and told her the story behind their mission.Caythen looked crestfallen at the news."But, how am I going to talk to you guys while you're both gone?"

Lilla thought of a solution."We will send a messenger to tell everyone who's taying here what's going on.You can send a message with the messenger and we will tell us your news!"

Caythen perked up at the idea.She walked back down to the kitchen and Bluestripe and Lilla went to their rooms to pack their belongings.

When they were done, they met the rest of the group who were going on the mission in front of the houses.Shrews were putting supplies in logboats, friends were bidding each other farewell, and Acer, the squirrel chief was calling role for his three score squirrels.

Acer looked at unrolled a scroll and read out the names."Oachie?",asked the squirrel chief."Here!", said a tough looking squirrel."Blunder?", asked Acer.None of the squirrels answered.Acer yelled in anger."Blunder!Where are you?I can't believe that you're always the last one to report when I call role!"

A young squirrel who was carrying a heavy haversack tripped out of the doorway and answered."Right here, chief!"Acer finished calling role and the squirrels began climbing in the logboats.

Everybeast was finishing farewells and climbing into the logboats except for four creatures.Bluestripe, Lilla, and Arvic were saying goodbye to Caythen.The volemaid hugged her two new friends and gave a big hug and a kiss to her father.Log-a-log Sorex looked towards the departing trio and they all climbed into the first logboat with the shrew chieftain.

"Goodbye, everyone!", said Meekrose, waving to the departing logboats.Foremole Muld and his crew, who had stayed to watch over the remaining creatures, waved goodbye and sniffed loudly.

The remaining creatures waved to their friends as the logboats disapeared in the distance.

Wroc Caw sat on a branch, sleeping peacefully until the noise of many paddles hitting the water woke him up.The crow tyrant looked in the distance and saw several logboats moving swiftly down the river.Wroc Caw screeched to awake his followers."Yeeeerawwww!There go the earthcrawlers, after them!"The chase was on!

Chapter 12
Panthera Longclaws sat in his chamber all alone.Not even Scring, who was his faithful counseler was not with him.Panthera stood up and closed the door as he left the chamber.The wildcat ruler walked through the coridors until he saw one of his soldiers.It was a stoat named Ner.

Ner was a loyal stoat who would carry out all orders given to him but, he was slow and in that regard, not as good at carrying out orders as Scring.Panthera walked towards Ner without making a sound.The wildcat gave out a swift command to the soldier."Ner, gather all of my captains!Also, bring Vulpin and Scring to me as well!"

The stoat jumped at the command saluted quickly as he ran to carry out his commands."Yes, yore majesty!Right away, my Lord!", cried the stoat as he ran down the corridors.

Panthera Longclaws smirked and walked back to his room.Half an hour later, Ner was in Panthera's chamber with Scring, Vulpin, and the captains."Very good, Ner.Now get a little bit of rest and get back to work.", said the wildcat tyrant.

Ner was the very picture of happiness."Thank you, Lord!A bit o' shuteye would be nice!Thank you, Lord!Thank you!"

Panthera waved a paw towards the door, a sign to leave.Ner left and the council got underway."Now, Scring, remember when I gave tou orders to catch the stripedog by ambushing him?How did the ambush fail?", asked the wildcat.

"Sire, right when we were gonna jump on him, a stoat named Eero blew our cover.", explained Scring.

Panthera stroked his chin thoughtfully."Where is Eero now?"

Scring pulled out a bone whistle and blew it.Not long after Scring blew the whistle, the stoat, Eero, came running into the wildcat's chamber.Eero stood at attention."Yes, Sire?"

Panthera walked towards Eero and began circling him as he spoke."Now, do you remember when that stripedog was escaping and Scring and the rest off the Assassin Squad were to ambush him?How did the stripedog get past all of you?"

Eero gulped visibly."Er, um, some creature jumped on 'im before we was given the signal, Sire"

Panthera smiled a wicked smile.The fur on Eero's body stood up and chills went down the frightened stoat's back."Now can you recall who that creature was, Eero?", asked the wildcat ruler mockingly.

Eero sobbed a little and gulped again as he answered."Me?"Unfortunately for Eero, the stoat's life was cut short.

Panthera stopped circling Eero and lunged at the terrified stoat and grabbed his victim's head with both paws, with the long claws he was named for sunken into Eero's head.Panthera spun around and hurled Eero at the wall.There was an audible*CRACK!* as the stoat hit the wall.Eero's lifeless carcass slid down the wall and layed limp on the stone floor.

Scring, Vulpin, and the captains looked at the dead stoat with wide eyes.Panthera turned to his officers."Now, let me tell you why I gathered you all here.I gathered you all here because I still have my doubts about the stripedog."

The weasel captain, Altac, scratched his stomach lazily."Your Highness, why do ya worry about the stripehound?"

Panthera turned to Altac and answered him."The badger escaped all by himself.He tore a bar out of his cell window.No normal creature can do that.I think that this badger is a very powerful creature.I saw him killing my soldiers like they were nothing.His eyes were blood red and he killed all enemies that stood in the way.I fear that he is one of those Berserkers.I have heard tales from travelers about them.They are usually badgers who rule at some mountain on the Western Shores called Salamandastron."

The ferret captain, Furo, leaned on his spear and shook his head."A berserker, eh?We need to take special precautions when time comes to fight 'im."

Panthera paced the floor and addressed his officers."That's the other thing I wanted to talk to all of you about.War.Did you see all of those shrews with that badger?I believe that the badger intends to gather an army and wage a war with us.I have plans when we do battle with their army.I think that stoat, Deathfang could be useful for my plans."

The rat captain, Yuta, nodded at the idea."Your a wise ol' ruler if ever there was one, Lord."

The old stoat captain, Eminear, spoke up."Lord Panthera would come up with a crafty plan to finish off the stripedog good and proper!"

Vulpin liked the sound of the plan."All I know is that whatever the plan is, it'll make those woodlanders cringe in terror at Lord Panthera's might!"

Scring smirked."They won't cringe in terror because they'll all be dead or enslaved!"

Panthera dismissed his captains but kept Scring and Vulpin with him.Panthera smiled evilly as his wicked mind devised a cunning plan against the woodlanders.

Chapter 13
The Guosim logboats were speeding through the water, with Wroc Caw and his seven hundred followers pursuing them.Sorex sat in the first logboat, paddling harder than anybeast.Bluestripe was in the fifth logboat, making sure that the last logboat did not fall behind.

Wroc Caw's dark eyes glittered maliciously as he and his followers came closer to the six logboats.Corax and Vukor, his two captains, flew on either side of their ruler, screeching raucously with their comrades.

Wroc Caw raised his voice above the screeching of his army and said, "Caaacrrawwww!We are getting closer to the earthcrawlers!They cannot escape!After them!"

Tide looked back behind him and saw the huge crow and his multitude of crows and ravens flying over the river only a couple of hundred feet away.Tide shouted an alarm out to Log-a-log Sorex."Sorex, that big crow an' his gang are less than a thousand feet behind us!"

The shrew chieftain looked solemn."Alright, everybeast, time to use all of yer strength to get the logboats far from that crow an' his lt.Paddle away, everybeast!"

Every creature on each logboat grunted with excersion as they began to paddle as hard as their muscles would allow them.Some of the stronger creatures, such as Sorex, Tide, Acer, Arvic, and Bluestripe, had to use all of their sinew to increase the logboats' speed.

The six logboats continued speeding through the water for quite a while until Wroc Caw and his followers were black specks in the distance.The group still ventured towards their destination until Tide raised his paw for silence.

"What's that noise I hear?It ain't too far away.It sounds like somebeast is singin'.", said Tide.

Everybeast stopped to listen to the singing beast.The tune it was singing sounded like a sea shanty.The song went like this:

"Back in the days when I was young, me messmate was a shrew.He liked me an' I liked him, we got along with the crew.

The crew was a misbegotten bunch, it's been quite a while since the cook has made us any lunch.

I offered me mate a sip o' wine an' he said,"Fill me up, that would be just fine!"

Oh, I shook the cook an' the lookout will shout.Oh, I'm 'appy as a lark an' mean as a shark.

On this ship there's me, an' me mate, with the rest of the crew now all we need is yoooooooouuu!"

The creatures in the logboats paddled into an area with a few overhanging trees and on the shore was a big, cave-like den.When the logboats came into this area, they saw the creature who was singing the song.Bluestripe looked surprised when he saw the singer.It was the biggest otter he had ever clapped eyes on.She was almost bigger than Bluestripe, who was quite large for a badger.

The logboats pulled up to shore where the big otter was and everybeast started climbing out of the logboats.Tide ran up to the otter and embraced it.Tide grinned as he spoke to the otter."Hawthorn Streambattle, you ole waterdog!How have ya been all these seasons?"

Hawthorn Streambattle, who wore a necklace of shells and an old skirt, pushed Tide away playfully."Tide Riverdog, ya look as small as ye did when I last saw ya.Wot have ya been doin' all these seasons, fillin' yer hungry gob with shrimp 'n' hotroot soup?"

"Hawthorn, we need yer 'elp.Let's all get inside an' then I will explain things.", said Tide, looking over his shoulder at the ever-nearing crows and ravens.

Hawthorn nodded her head."That sounds reasonable.Alright, you lot, let's go inside so you can meet the family."

All the creatures followed Hawthorn into the cave.The cave was packed with otters.There were about four hundred of them in all, but they were comfortable in the cave they lived in.

Hawthorn approached an older male otter and tapped him on the shoulder."Wizem, these are some of my friends an' they got a bit of a problem on their hands.Ya see, this big crow an' his gang are after this badger right 'ere.I offered to help 'em.Do you think I made the right choice to say I would help 'em?"

The old otter, Wizem turned to Hawthorn and addressed her."Hmmm, that's awful kind of ye, Hawthorn, but how many o' these birds are there exactly?"

Hawthorn gritted her teeth."There's about seven hundred of 'em in all. All of 'em are crows an' ravens, all led by a big crow."

Wizem shook his head."That's an awful lot of birds. But, since you've already told these goodbeasts you would help, I guess we've got to keep our promise an' help."

Hawthorn put a paw on Wizem's shoulder."Thank ye, Wizem. Can ye gather the clan together so I can explain everything to 'em?"

Wizem nodded."I will do as you wish."

A few minutes passed by and the whole Streambattle clan stood waiting for their chieftain to make the announcement.There was a hushed silence as Hawthorn stood on top of a rock that was placed in the center of the cave.Hawthorn spoke loudly so that everybeast could hear her."Alright, Streambattles, a couple of me friends are havin' trouble.There's a big group of about seven hundred crows and ravens outside this cave who want to kill us all.Our friends can't fight 'em alone, there are too many birds to fight.We can't leave our mates to fight that many birds by themselves, right?Streambattle clan, are ya with me?"

Roars of approval from the Streambattle clan arose from Hawthorn's question.Some of the otters held javelins over their heads and others gripped slings.Hawthorn waited for the noise to die down and then continued with her news."Alright then, Streambattles.We fight tomorrow."

Later that day, Hawthorn, with several of the elders of the Streambattle clan, met with the Guosim and their allies.The council that met that night consisted of Log-a-log Sorex, Bluestripe, Tide Riverdog, Arvic, Hawthorn, and otter elders, such as Wizem.

The first creature to speak up was Hawthorn."One of our first priorities is to know exactly where that big crow an' his gang are.If we know at least that much, we might have an advantage when we battle 'em."

There were nods of agreement at this statement.Then, Tide spoke up."We need to find out their whereabouts tonight while they're all restin'."

Wizem looked uncertain."But who would we send?"

Log-a-log Sorex solved the problem."The beast for the job is Acer."

More heads nodded at Sorex's answer.Everybeast turned to Acer for what to do next.Acer stood up and conveyed his plan."I'll gather up about a score of my squirrels an' we'll head out.We'll be back faster than two shakes of an otter's rudder."

Acer then left the room and gathered a score of his squirrels.After he told them the plan, he and his followers snuck out of the cave to venture into Mossflower Woods.

The squirrels leapt from tree to tree expertly, with the exception of Blunder, who lagged behind the rest of the group.After twenty minutes, Acer halted and raised a paw as a gesture to stop.All the squirrels sat silently as Acer pointed to a leafless tree where several crows and ravens roosted.Acer chose two of the fastest squirrels he had with him and pointed in two different directions.

The meaning of Acer's orders were clear to the two squirrels.The two squirrels, named Oachie and Lumb, leapt to their indicated directions.The setup of where the squirrels were was that the birds who were roosting in the tree were surrounded.Acer cupped his paws around his mouth and hooted exactly like an owl.

One of the ravens woke and looked around him.Acer indicated for Oachie to do as he did.Oachie cupped his paws around his mouth and hooted like an owl.The raven's eyes popped back open and looked for the source of the noise once more.Oachie gave the signal for Lumb to go.Lumb likewise cupped his paws around his mouth and hooted like an owl.

The raven unfolded his wings and cawed.This is what Acer hoped he would do.Not too far away,a few other figures of crows and ravens were seen flying above the trees.Acer motioned for Oachie and Lumb to come back.The two squirrels jumped back to the tree they had formally occupied.The squirrels began jumping through the trees again back towards Hawthorn's Holt.Acer and Blunder were in the rear of the group.Acer had to help Blunder up one or two times until they were able to continue.Acer pulled out an arrow from his quiver and strung it to his bow.*Zip!*The arrow it a tree right in the middle of where the crows and ravens were staying.

Acer sped up to catch up with the rest of his squirrels so he could tell the council what he had discovered.

Chapter 14
Back at the castle of Panthera Longclaws, Deathfang stood in the chamber of Panthera Longclaws. Deathfang had been ordered to see Panthera Longclaws in his chamber at once. Deathfang got on one knee and addressed the wildcat ruler. "You called me, Lord?"

Panthera looked down at the burly stoat chieftain."Ah, yes, Deathfang, I have a special mission for you and your followers alone. Go to the main gate, Scring and Vulpin are awaiting you there. They will explain the object of your mission. That is all."

Deathfang bowed to Panthera and left saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."Deathfang gathered all of his followers and told them what Panthera had told him. They all made their way through the castle until they reached the main gate. Scring and Vulpin stood there with many bows and full quivers of arrows.

Scring's eyes were mere slits as he spoke to Deathfang. "Hmm, Deathfang. As Lord Panthera said, you will be going on a special mission. You will be using these bows and arrows. Your mission: burn down as many trees as you can. Vulpin will accompany you until you find the fire that he has set up. You will stick one arrow per beast into the fire and you will all shoot fire arrows at the trees. Eventually when the blue-striped badger and his woodlander allies will try to attack Lord Panthera's castle. With no trees, they won't have the supplies to make arrows. They also can't hide behind the trees for protection or any surprise attacks.Do you understand?"

Deathfang and his eight score followers nodded. Vulpin signaled for Deathfang to follow him. On their way out, each vermin received a bow and a quiver of arrows.

When the vermin reached a clearing, they saw four of Panthera's soldiers adding dry wood to a fire."Out of the way, you four!", commanded Vulpin. The four soldiers ran away hastily.

"Alright, everybeast circle around the fire!", ordered Vulpin. Deathfang and his army obeyed their orders. Vulpin pointed to the trees and said, "You see those trees? Well, stick your arrows into the fire and you may begin."

Deathfang was the first one to shoot his arrow. After putting it into the fire, Deathfang placed his arrow on his bow. Deathfang pulled his bowstring back to its limit.*ZIP*The arrow hit a birch. The flames began to spread up the tree until the birch started to burn.

Once everybeast had seen their chief do it, they all began to do likewise. The sound of fire arrows flying through the air sounded like the buzzing of hornets. Soon, trees all around the barbaric army of Deathfang began blazing scorching. Occasionally, squirrels would desert the burning tree they had been in only to be brought down by arrows.

Deathfang was enjoying himself immensely. Deathfang grinned wickedly, exposing his white fangs, as he saw the bodies of squirrels and burning trees. Deathfang saw a squirrel trying to run away unnoticed. Deathfang drew an arrow to his bow and took aim."I'll just think this squirrel is that windbag, Scring.", Deathfang thought to himself.


 * ZIP*The squirrel fell with an arrow protruding from his neck. After a while, the trees were all burned. Vulpin looked at the surrounding trees and the dead squirrels."You lot did a fine job. Lord Panthera will be pleased. Now, let's get back to the castle!"

Deathfang's army headed back to the castle with their chief thinking to himself." I just can't stand that oaf, Scring. He thinks he's better than us just cause he's Panthera's second-in-command. I'll kill him one day! But that means me an' the army would hafta leave before Panthera finds out. I know the perfect time to kill Scring! He won't be so high an' mighty when he's dead, will he?" Deathfang smiled wickedly with an evil gleam in his eye. Oh yes, Scring would be dead before much longer!

Chapter 15
Back at the Holt of Hawthorn Streambattle, Acer had just finished telling the council the whereabouts of Wroc Caw and his army. Hawthorn Streambattle nodded her head. "This is good. Now the battlegrounds are decided.We need to hasten before Wroc Caw an' his lot reach here. If they did that, they'd 'ave pinned in here an' we'd be under siege."

Log-a-log Sorex understood. He backed up Hawthorn's statement. "Hawthorn's right. If we wait 'ere too much longer, that crow an' his followers will use that to their advantage an' we'll be under siege.We need to start movin'. Quickly."

Hawthorn began to relate her plan to the council."Alright, we need to start gathering able-bodied beasts together fer battle.Sorex, I know that most of our force will come from yore Guosim tribe. I know that I will have roughly about the same amount of otters as Sorex does shrews. Do we have anymore beasts who are able to battle?"

Acer spoke up."Aye. There are three score squirrels at my command."

Tide and Arvic were next to speak."We're fightin', too."

Last, was Bluestripe."I'm the reason all this has happened, don't think for a second that I'm not going to fight alongside all of you."

Hawthorn nodded."All we have left to do now is to make sure that everybeast is fitted out in armor and has a weapon. Wizem, you are in charge of the clan who stays behind while I'm gone."

Sorex put in one last word."Time for battle, everybeast."

Bluestripe was nervous. He had never been in a real battle before. The only time he fought was with the Guosim back at the castle of Panthera Longclaws. The only reason he had felt confident then was because they outnumbered their enemies by many. Now, it was the enemy who outnumbered them.

Bluestripe was so large that the only armor that fit him was one of Hawthorn's breastplates.Bluestripe made his way to the main room where everybeast was finishing putting on their armor.

A few minutes passed by, everybeast had finished preparing for battle. Hawthorn stood up to say the last word."So this is it, mates. We go to battle with that rotten crow an' his bird scum. If they win the battle, will take as many of 'em to Hellgates with us!"

A roar came up from the forces of the woodlanders. Hawthorn raised her javelin and pointed it to the sky."Mates, today, we battle!" Creatures raised their weapons and shields and roared.

Log-a-log Sorex and the Guosim did the rituals they do before a battle. The brave Guosim shrews put on their colorful headbands and unsheathed their rapiers and licked the blade. The Guosim sheathed their rapiers once again, looking brave and ready for battle.

The otters of the Streambattle clan, covered in tattoos, carried javelins and slings with a few of the bigger otters carrying large swords. Hawthorn led the woodland army to the battlefield. The land was like an open field with trees surronding it. Northeast of where the woodlanders stood, was a ridge. The ridge was about sixty feet above the woodland floor below it.

In the trees on the opposite side, was Wroc Caw with seven hundred crows and ravens that were ready for bloodshed. When Wroc Caw spotted his foes, he flew up into the air and said, "Cakkraw! I see that ye would like to end all of this with a battle. Ye are few and we are many. Harrrrakkaw! I accept your challenge. But be warned, we will not lose! Wrrrroooooocaaaaaaaawwwwww!"

Hundreds of crows and ravens flew into the sky with their leader, screeching out their battlecry with Wroc Caw.Bluestripe looked towards Lilla and Boggle. They were trying to look brave, but fear was shown on their faces. Log-a-log Sorex stood bravely with his friend, Aran at his side. A pretty squirrelmaid named Blossom began to have tears show up in her eyes. Acer patted her paw and turned to see Blunder shaking uncontrollably. Acer spoke to him in a harsh tone."If we all go to the gates of Dark Forest today, be brave for once in your life and fight!"

Seven hundred crows and ravens flew towards the woodlander army, cawing and shrieking. The woodlanders began to shout out their battlecries.

The Guosim raised their rapiers and yelled."Logalogalogalogaloooooooooooog!"

The clan of Streambattle otters pointed their javelins at their foes."Streambaaaaaaaaaaaattle!"

Bluestripe, Arvic, and Acer and his squirrels shouted out."Mossfloooooooooooower!"

Tide unsheathed his otter sword and pointed to the heavens."Riverdooooooooooooog!"

The woodlanders stormed onto the battle with weapons drawn and shields raised. Otters began to load slings and squirrels began to notch arrows to their bowstrings. Now the woodland army was divided. Creatures that were using projectiles were on the hill while the other creatures who used weapons for fighting hand-to-hand were at the bottom of the hill and on the field.

The birds swept down on the woodlanders at the bottom of the hill. Lilla the shrewmaid was fighting a crow. The crow would fly out of blade range every time she tried to slash at it. The crow flew at Lilla, ready to stab with its beak. Before the crow could do anything, a pair of manacles hit the side of his head forcefully, killing him instantly. Lilla looked up and saw Bluestripe standing over the dead crow's body. Red mist clouded the badger's eyes. Bluestripe and Lilla charged at the enemy do to do battle once more.

Boggle was having a harder time while tying to fend off a raven. The raven raked Boggle's cheek with his curved claws. Blood trickled from the wound on Boggle's cheek. Boggle winced in pain. The raven suddenly seemed to have a rapier growing out of his chest. The blade was swiftly pulled out and the raven went limp and fell to the ground. Log-a-log Sorex wiped his blade on the grass. Aran was with him. Sorex stood in a fighting position once more and called to Boggle."C'mere, youn un', we'll fight with you!" Boggle ran to Sorex and Aran and began fighting back to back with the older shrews.

Hawthorn was a breathtaking sight. With loaded sling in one paw, javelin in the other, she was a force to be reckoned with. Whenever a bird flew near her, she would hit it with her loaded sling. Then she would aim at another bird and fire her stone. She would stab at the blackbirds with her javelin and would throw it at distant bird. Then she would reload her sling and grab another javelin. Tide was at his old companion's side, slashing at any birds who got too near.

Acer and his squirrels were doing well until a score-and-a-half of the blackbirds saw them. They flew at the squirrels swiftly. Acer shouted out an order."Now is our chance, fire at 'em before they reach us! Hurry!"The squirrels quickly notched arrows to bowstrings and fired at the birds. In the little time they had, some of the squirrels dropped their arrow while trying to notch it. Only about a third of the arrows were shot succesfully. About fifteen of the birds fell. The other fifteen dove at the squirrels. About five squirrels were killed by the diving bird. Acer drew his long dagger and began slashing and stabbing at the birds. Other squirrels began pulling out weapons for close combat. In short time, the squirrels had killed all but two of the birds, who flew away.

Wroc Caw was not like most evil creatures who commanded a horde. Wroc Caw was actually fighting with his army. Wroc Caw stopped at a small yew tree when he spotted one of his ravens not fighting."Rekaw! Why are ye not fighting, brother?"

The raven looked up at his master."Kraw! Who have killed many of them, but they are killing many of us!"Wroc Caw's dark eyes flashed angrily.He stabbed the raven in between neck and chest with his beak. The raven's limp body fell from the tree onto the battlefield.

"Harrraaakk!That will teach ye to fight during a battle!"

Vukor the crow captain knew that the blackbirds were now losing the battle. He looked around to see if anybody was watching him. He was about to fly away when a cold voice stopped him."Where are you going, crow?"

Vukor turned to see a young shrew carrying a loaded sling and a rapier.It was Rune, brother of Nurra, the shrew that Vukor has slain."Remember me, crow? I'm the brother of that shrew you killed back at the River Moss. I promised to avenge my brother. A Guosim shrew never backs down on a promise. Prepare to die."

Vukor was scared witless! He tried to fly away, but the shrew was with him! Vukor stopped once he saw the shrew in front of him. Rune stabbed at the crow's feathery chest with his rapier. The rapier did not kill him, though. Rune had missed the middle of Vukor's chest and had stabbed the lower left side of his chest instead. Rune pulled the blade from the crow captain. Vukor flew to escape death by the shrew's paw. Rune whirled his sling until it was barely visible. He fired the stone at the retreating Vukor. *CRACK!* The stone hit Vukor in between the neck and the back of the head, slaying him. Rune looked up towards the sky smiling and said, "You may rest easy now, brother."

Wroc Caw was shocked out how many crows and ravens were being slain by Hawthorn. He had to stop the otter! Maybe then, the tide of battle would be in his favor once more! Wroc Caw flew towards Hawthorn, who was at the ridge saw Wroc Caw and spoke to him."So, crow, ya want to try to kill me, eh? Well, let's see ya try, crow! Me an' you, one-on-one! C'mon!"

Wroc Caw launched himself at Hawthorn, claws spread wide. Hawthorn tried to block the crow's claws with her javelin, but the huge crow grabbed the javelin and pushed Hawthorn to the ground. Wroc Caw tried to stab Hawthorn with his beak, but Hawthorn hit the side of his face with her loaded sling. While Hawthorn was busy holding back Wroc Caw's beak, Wroc Caw sank his claws into Hawthorn's shoulder and chest. Hawthorn grunted in pain and swiped at the crow with her loaded sling. Wroc Caw jumped back. Hawthorn's plan worked, she stabbed at Wroc Caw as he jumped back, stabbing him right below the wing. Wroc Caw tried to grab Hawthorn with his claws again but Hawthorn blocked the claws with her javelin. Wroc Caw grabbed the javelin with his claws and tried to force Hawthorn back. Hawthorn rolled over, sending the crow onto the ground. Hawthorn tried to roll over again so she could stab Wroc Caw in the back with her javelin, but Wroc Caw flew to one side and stabbed Hawthorn in the lower part of her neck close to her shoulder with his beak.Wroc Caw screeched triumphantly, "Wroooooooocaaaaaaaw! I have you now, waterdog!" Hawthorn saw her chance. While Wroc Caw had her pinned to the ground, she made a wild stab with her javelin. The javelin sank into the middle of Wroc Caw's chest. Wroc Caw let out one final shriek, and fell limp. Hawthorn pulled her javelin from the dead crow tyrant and closed her eyes.

Corax the raven captain and about a hundred other birds saw no sign of their leader. They saw that the woodlanders had won. Corax and the remaining blackbirds flew back in the direction of Panthera Longclaw's castle.

When the woodland army saw the retreating birds, they gave a cheer. Tide, who was bleeding from several different places spoke up."Has anyone seen me matey Hawthorn?"

Everybeast looked around them until a voice shouted out."She's over here!" Tide, Log-a-log Sorex, Aran, Acer, Arvic, Blustripe, and Lilla ran to where an otter named Cain stood. Tide threw the body of Wroc Caw off of Hawthorn and lifted up his matey.

Tears started appearing in Tide's eyes." I think she's dead. That big crow must've killed her. Well at least she sent 'im to 'ellgates before she died."

More creatures started gathering around Hawthorn. When they heard the news, everybeast began crying unashamedly, for Hawthorn Streambattle was a brave otter who had been greatly loved.

Chapter 16
Back in the grove of low-hanging trees, Caythen had been thinking of her two friends, Bluestripe and Lilla. Even though they hadn't been gone long, she missed them. Her mother, Mirtha, was talking to her old companion Meekrose. There was a knock on the door. Mirtha looked up. "Can you get that, dear?"

Caythen walked to the door and opened it. It was Boggle the shrew. Caythen smiled."Come in, Boggle."

Boggle walked inside and sat in his favorite armchair near the fire. Caythen looked at him expectingly."Well? What's the news?"

Boggle opened his eyes and sat up to relay the news. Meekrose and Mirtha gathered around to listen."Well, 'ere's the news: First thing ya need to know:Wroc Caw an' 'is birds are dead except for the ones who retreated. Second thing ya need to know: We thought that Hawthorn Streambattle had been slain by Wroc Caw. Turns out, she's alive! That's all the news for now. I'm gonna be staying here fer a while."

Caythen slapped a paw to her forehead."Oh no, how long will we last with this glutton to feed?"

Boggle crossed his arms."I am gettin' a little hungry. Me cheek hurts so bad!"

Meekrose looked at Boggle's injured cheek."Ooh! That is an awful injury! Come with me, I'll make an apple pie for you to make you feel better."

Boggle let himself be led to the kitchen by Meekrose. Meekrose taught Boggle how to make an apple pie. After the apple pie was done baking, Boggle sat down in his armchair near the fire and began to eat it.

The corners of Boggles mouth were covered in crumbs. Boggle remembered something Log-a-log Sorex told him to do. Foremole Muld walked past and Boggle shouted out to him."Um...wait up, Foremole! I gotta message fer ya!"

THe mole leader turned around at stared at Boggle with his small eyes."Wot iz et, young zurr?"

Boggle relayed the message that Log-a-log Sorex had told him to Foremole."My chief, Log-a-log Sorex said that when time comes to fight the wildcat, we'll need you an' your mole crew to help us. We need lots of rocks and soil to make a trap for the wildcat an' 'is army."

Foremole grinned and said, "Urr, me an' moi moles can git 'ee lots o' soil, zurr! We'll 'elp 'ee gurtly!"

Boggle smiled."Good ol' moles! They're so helpful!"

Caythen came over to where Boggle sat and pulled a chair up next to him."So, how're Bluestripe and Lilla doing?"

Boggle looked up from his pie."Oh, they're fine! They were workin' together perfectly in the battle. Bluestripe, though, I'm worried about 'im. Durin' the battle, Bluestripe's eyes were all clouded over and red. Bluestripe killed many of the enemy!"

Caythen looked concerned."I'm worried about Bluestripe, but I'm happy that neither of them got injured badly. I think I will write about all that Bluestripe's done. He's such an amazing creature! I think I'll write a poem. I'm good ar writing poetry, you know."

Boggle went back to eating his pie."Writing a poem for Bluestripe would be lovely!", thought Caythen as she walked upstairs. Yes, Bluestripe had done some amazing things but, unknown to Caythen, more was yet to come.

Chapter 17
Back at the castle of Panthera Longclaws, the wildcat tyrant sat in his large chair, deep in thought. There was a knock at the door."Come in." It was Vulpin.

Panthera looked at his fox officer questioningly."Well?"

Vulpin saluted and stood straight to attention with his pike at his side."My Lord, the crows and ravens have returned. They are waiting just outside this room to see you."

Panthera Longclaws rose from his chair and strode out the door with Vulpin at his side. Panthera was shocked at how many blackbirds were left. Only five score. Panthera gazed at the flock of blackbirds."Who is in charge here?"

The raven captain, Corax, stepped forward."I am."

Panthera looked him up and down."What has happened to Wroc Caw and the six hundred others who left with you?"

Corax shook his head."Craaaaw! They were slain by the rivermice and riverdogs."

Panthera's eyes widened."This is worse than I thought. The mad slayer Wroc Caw lay dead? Your companions, too? This badger is even more powerful than I imagined. I must do something about this. You may all leave."

Corax and the others flew off. All but one who was about to take off until Panthera halted him.Panthera had devised a cunning plan in his wicked mind.Panthera spoke to the crow in a low voice."I see you are grieved by the death of your leader, Wroc Caw. Is this so?"

The crow nodded."Craw! Wroc Caw was a strong and wise leader. I will miss him much."

Panthera looked around as if another creature was listening.He put an arm around the crow's shoulder and whispered to him."Wroc Caw was not slain by the woodlanders. It was Corax who killed him. I know this because I could tell when I looked into his eyes. Tell all your remaining companions and avenge Wroc Caw!"

The crow looked stern."Hewkrah! I will do as you say. Wroc Caw's memory will not go unavenged!" The crow spread his wings wide and flew off.

Panthera turned to go back to his chamber, smiling wickedly.

Deathfang and half a score of his followers were walking down a corridor when Scring appeared from around a corner.Deathfang and his followers continued to walk down the corridor until Scring was about to pass them. Deathfang remembered wanting to kill Scring. This was the perfect opportunity to kill him! If he was going to kill him, this might be the only chance he would have! He must kill Scring now!

Deathfang drew his skinning knife and club. He launched himself at Scring's unprotected back. If Scring hadn't turned at that very second, he would have been slain. Scring jumped back and drew his daggers. He jumped at Deathfang. Deathfang blocked the daggers with his club. The weapons were locked together, both their owners trying to push the other back.

They were going to continue until a harsh voice yelled out,"Scring, Deathfang, what are you two doing?"It was Vulpin. Vulpin marched over to where the leader of the Assassin Squad and the burly stoat chieftain stood with locked weapons."Scring, you should know better, you're Lord Panthera Longclaws's second-in-command! Deathfang, you're a chieftain, you should set a better example for your followers! I'll have to tell Lord Panthera about this."With that, Scring and Vulpin walked off and around the corridor.

Deathfang was nervous. Vulpin said he would tell Panthera Longclaws what happened. If the wildcat found out, he would surely kill Deathfang!

The grizzled old ferret named Odje leaned on his spear."So what do we do, Chief?"

Deathfang turned on the ten who were with him."Do? I'll tell ya wot we're gonna do! We gotta leave now before the wildcat finds out. But first, we need to get food and some more weapons from the armory. You five, go get some food fast! The rest of yew lot will come with me to the armory to git some more weapons!"

Deathfang and the five who were with him opened the door to the armory and stepped inside. Deathfang saw his old dagger and stuffed it into its old sheath. Others went and grabbed their and other weapons that had belonged to Deathfang and his followers.Ammz filled his quiver with arrows and switched his old bow with a longbow. After everybody was done with weapons, they went back to where they split up with the other five.

The five were standing with full sacks of food.Deathfang looked around at them and gave an order."Alright, mates, let's move out."The eleven vermin made their way through the castle until they saw a door. Deathfang opened it slowly and stepped out. There were two rat guards asleep. Deathfang snuck up on the first one and slit his throat with his dagger. The lifeless rat dropped to the ground. The second guard woke up.

"What's goin' on 'ere?" Deathfang hit him over the head with his club. The rat fell to the ground senseless.

Ammz looked down at him."If we leave him here, when he wakes up, he'll sound the alarm.We must do something."

Deathfang looked down at the rat guard."Yore right. I can't kill 'im while he's knocked out. That ain't me. We have to take 'im with us."

Odje's son, Ojash, slipped a strangling noose around the rat's neck. The noose was not too tight, allowing him to breath.Ojash inspected the senseless rat."Oi, Reic, come an' take a look at this. Remember this little fella? He's the one that you found the day we met up with that weasel Scing, remember?"

The huge weasel, Reic, cracked his knuckles."I remember 'im all right. That whiney lil' rat that kept moanin'. He nearly got me with 'is spear! If it weren't for that Scring, I would've gotten 'im good."

Deathfang shook Ojash and Reic."We need to 'urry before they start lookin' for us! Let's go!"Deathfang and his followers ran off into Mossflower Woods with Winey the rat in tow.

Chapter 18
Not too far away from where the battle between the woodlanders and the blackbirds took place, the woodlanders were treating the wounded. Hawthorn Streambattle was lying on the ground and was being bandaged by an assortment of the woodlanders. The main creature that was tending Hawthorn was Arvic the vole. Arvic was experienced at tending wounds.

Lilla looked over Arvic's shoulder."Is she gonna be alright, Arvic?"

Arvic looked up at Lilla."She'll be fine as long as she stays in bed and rests for a while. That crow certainly gave her some nasty wounds to be sure."

Tide looked over at his friend. She was covered in bandages. She had bandages on here neck, shoulders, and chest from where Wroc Caw had sank his claws in and stabbed her with his beak.