Thread:Selound/@comment-4482397-20120122211335/@comment-4482397-20120208002512

okay, this chapter is called Bloody Mary. the only thing i want to have happen afterward, is, Risk taunts them and threatens to tell Badrang that they're running away, Findo attacks him and ties him up and they drag him along and once they get far from marshank to wait for the others Findo decides to kill him but Lonny begs him not too.

the rest is Aqua and Taily being rescued.

Tara sat on the battlements, her eyes closed, letting the breeze rush her hair.

Fire.

Creatures scuttling over Marshank like ants on a hill.

Tara snapped her eyes open and let the moonlight wash over her face. She had just reviewed the visions she’d been having ever since she’d joined the ranks of Badrang’s soldiers. The ruin of Marshank.

She let out a sigh and closed her eyes again. If only she’d envisioned something more important, like the deaths of Skalrag and Blackdash, then things would be different.

“Tara?”

The young blackfooted ferret looked up and smiled as she saw her mate, Stumptooth, standing over her. Her smile fell when she got a better look at his face, which was contorted with worry.

“What is it my love?” she got to her feet in a hurry, tripping on her cape.

“Shhh.” Stumptooth caught her before she fell and pressed a finger on her lips. “Not so loud. Gather your belongings. Ralken’s given the word. We’re leaving.”

“Leaving Marshank?” Tara clutched her mate’s shoulders tightly. “Tonight?”

“Yes.” Stumptooth nodded. “Now, we must hurry. We’re going to meet the others at the gate in an hour.”

Tara brushed past him and almost flew down the ladder, her cape billowing from behind her, trying to keep from laughing aloud, her heart was light, and she felt warm and full of sunlight, they were leaving the hell hole of Marshank! And just in the nick of time.



Elonwyn stood beside Juni, helping her pack a few necessary items in a haversack. Elonwyn had put her thing in a small backpack. She only had her diary, her stuffed animal, a couple of books, and a blanket. Juni had a few more things than Elonwyn did, and they were trying to pack the things but keep the sack light.

If they were caught trying to leave Marshank, they would all be executed, or most all.

Tailwart and Aqua were hurriedly packing food, and Alya was putting herbs in a small bag, listening to the sounds of the soldiers outside.

Tara entered the tent in a whirl, causing the three girls to jump, then relax, but Alya, was poised, her paw, brushing the table top.

“I don’t like it.” Alya whispered. “Something’s wrong.”

Tara tied her sack about her belt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about-

There was a great deal of shouting from outside and Elonwyn stiffened her paw on her sword hilt and Juni let out a moan and clutched her stomach.

The sound of shouting and snarling was louder and they could make out Badrang’s voice above the melee.

“Tie my niece up to the post! Take the ferret and execute him.”

“No!” Aqua’s voice cried out, clear and shrill. “Don’t do that! I’ll do anything you ask! Leave him alone!”

“Oh no.” Alya whispered. She whirled around and clutched Tara’s shoulders. “Tara, get Lonny, and Juni out of here! I’m going to find Ralken, Findo, Sia, and Stumptooth. We need to rescue Tail and Aqua.”

“I want to help!” Lonny grabbed the hem of Alya’s tunic. “I can help! Don’t just push me off! Aqua’s in trouble!”

Alya grabbed Elonwyn without warning and hugged her tightly, almost crushing the tiny stoat. “I know. And you will help. You’ll help Tara protect Juni and her baby. I’ll join you as soon as I find the boys.”

“Come on you two.” Tara pulled Elonwyn away from Alya and hoisted Juni’s pack over her own shoulder. “All of Badrang’s cronies will be distracted, and that will give us time to leave.”

The three of them rushed across the grounds, past the snarling and jeering soldiers surrounding Tailwart, who was being whacked about with spear butts. Elonwyn froze in horror, staring at the brutal scene, but Juni shoved her hard from behind.

“Don’t watch. Run.” The young vixen whispered into Lonny’s ear.

The three girls ran all the way to the gate, and Tara stood in the shadows, pulling her cape around herself. “Stumptooth will be here to open the gate soon.”

“No he won’t.” A paw landed on Lonny’s shoulder, and she started to cry out, but a paw clasped around her mouth too.

“Let go of her!” Tara leaped forward, but staggered back. “Findo!”

The young weasel nodded and Lonny relaxed then shied away when Findo attempted to hug her. Findo’s face fell but he sighed and glanced over his shoulder. “He’s with Sia and Ralken. Ralken asked me to open the gate and keep you girls safe.” He turned sharply. “Quick! Hide! Someone’s coming.”

“It’s only me.” Alya staggered her way over to them. “Hurry up Findo!”

“We aren’t going to go out the gate.” Findo took Elonwyn and Juni’s paws. “It’ll attract too much attention. We’re leaving by climbing off the damaged wall. It’s short enough for us to climb over safely with a rope.”

“Let’s go.” Tara pulled her cape tighter about herself.

“You aren’t going anywhere.”

All of them turned, to see two black eyes glinted from the shadows.

“Who’s there?!” Findo raised his spear.

“Me.” Risk stepped out from the shadows, a smile on his face.