| "State yer name and yer business 'ere wolf." I made an elegant leg. "Name's Blood Fang sir, and I've come 'ere to make ye an off. Whom do I have the pleasure of adressing?" "Silvabrush the Poisoner, chief of this 'ere horde." The fox with the broken sword piped up, "Ee know how to get into the Abbey Chief!" The black eyes stared hard into mine. "Does he now? Alright, Blood Fang, what's this offer you came to make?" "Well, it's about the Abbey actually. If we joined forces, we could have that place by noon tomorrow. I can supply the way in, if you can supply the beast power to conquer it." Silvabrush chuckled. "Harr harr harr..... I like that. Direct and straight to the point. And suppose I did decide to join you, how do I know you wouldn't double cross me once we got inside?" "What would I gain by double crossing you?" I asked as innocently as possible. "Separately, I can only steal meagre little things, and you can live of fruit 'till yer seasons run out. Together, we could live in the lap of luxury! All I ask for in return is my fair share of the plunder." "Yer a bold creature to be askin' me about plunder fer yerself," Silvabrush said, as he drew his sword and placed the point next to my throat. "Now, what about those Abbey creatures? You said they had a room of weapons." I pushed the sword blade away from my neck. "That's right, a whole chamber of the best looking weapons that I've ever clapped eyes on. But, no beast there knows how to use 'em! All the Abbey dwellers are soft, but if it made you feel better, I could takein a scouting party to check it out first." He thought a moment, then laughed whole heartedly as he threw a paw about my shoulders. "Harrharrharrharr! Yer a clever beast Blood Fang! I'll go along with this little outing, but if I finds yer playing me false.." I found the sword at my throat again, "yer going to find yerself playing a different game very quickly. Scragear! Get Vermouth, Duclaw, Benttooth, and Darkmind. I want them ready in three minutes and lightly armed. We don't want to cause too much noise. Let's go!" I still had the apple stick in my paw, so while everybeast was getting ready to go, I threw it, along with one of the small herb packets, into the fire. Shortly thereafter, we all crept silently towards the dark silhouette of the Abbey. As we walked, a whispered conference was being held behind me between Silvabrush and Darkmind. "As soon as he shows us the way in, and how to get to the armoury, I want you to kill him, Darkmind. I don't trust wolves. They're liable to bit you while you're not lookin." "Not a problem Chief. By tomorrow, you'll have a wonderful new wolf hide blanket when you go to sleep in yer Abbey." "Good fox, Darkmind. I knows I can count on ya." I silently thanked whoever though of giving me large, cup shaped ears. I heard every word that was said. NEXT PAGE |
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| DOGSTAR'S MISSION: SILVABRUSH THE POISONER I couldn't believe my ears. Cinnabarr Swiftpaw had called a Warrior's Council meeting and was telling us of a band of foxes that had invaded our Abbey orchard. "Right, now there is no need for panicking. Good, now, does any beast here know the nature of these blinkin' foxes?" "Scuse oi marm," said Foremole, "but shouldn't uz'n be a-thinkin' oop a planner t'catch 'ee gurt foxez?" There were a few murmered agreements from the other beasts of the council, so I decided to back up Cinnabarr. "You're right Foremole. We are here to think of a way to get rid of the foxes, but first we must fin dout some information about our enemy. That way we can best use our resources to anticipate their next move and defeat them. For instance, does anybeast know how many foxes we're up against? Are they simple horde-beasts, or trained warriors?" Hazel Tallwood of the squirrels had an idea. "I know how we could find out. I'll send one of my best squirrels through the trees to see, then report back here." "Good," I replied. "Tell him that this is strictly a reconnaissance mission, so he shouldn't be seen. Get their numbers, camp layout and a rough idea of what they're like, then straight back." "Not a problem. I'll go find Forum Bigtail and tell him to go straight away." With that said, she left the gatehouse. "Right, with that going, let's get any and all ideas on how to catch a fox out on the table," I added. After a great deal of head scratching and paw shuffling, Rock, Skipper of Otters, was the first to come forward with an idea. "What if we surrounded them? Between my otters, Log-a-log's shrews, and Hazel's Squirrels, we'd have enough weapon beasts. We could surround the vermin while they sleep, then they'd have to surrender." Log-a-log thought for a moment, then rejected the idea. "It's too dangerous. A horde of foxes who suddenly find themselves surrounded are going to defend themselves. My shrews and their rapiers are a formidable force, but even I have to admit that they would be no match up against a horde of foxes." Rock looked to Cinnabarr for assistance. The hare, seeing the logic in Log-a-log's words, shook her head. "Sorry. Have to agree with old Log-a-thingy, wot. No sense in rushing in and getting ourselves jolly well slaughtered. Besides, I don't think I could ever look upon another apple without thinkin' of battle. What do you think, Dogstar?" I pawed the hilt of my sword strapped across my back. "I don't like killing, and I don't want the blood of any Redwaller or vermin on my conscience. I agree that we should use any means necessary, but can we please do it peacefully?" Axback Maximillious Detrover the hare offered a little insight. "It's been my experience that those jolly fox chaps think bally highly of themselves and are incredibly greedy. They'd murder thier own mum for an extra bit of gold." This seemed to get the ball rolling. Formole was the next one to come up with an idea. |
| "Hurr, hurr. What if'n uz'n caught 'ee vurmitty foxez in 'ee gurt holer, burr aye." "Or what if we added some sleeping draught to their fruit?" suggested the Abbess. "Or we could use them both." I said, an idea beginning to form in my mind. Axback caught on to what I was saying."Jolly good tactics, that. Divide and conquer, wot!" "Split and confuse," I finished for him. "I don't beleive I'm familiar with that one," Axback mused. "Not many creatures are," I explained. "But think about it. The divided can regroup, and the conquered can retaliate. So if you split them further, they have no beast to regroup with, and if you confuse them, they're not sure what to retaliate against." Before I could say anything further, our squirrel spy came into the gatehouse. "Forum Bigtail reporting on the reconnaissance mission, sir!" "Very good, let's hear it," said Cinnabarr. "Well," he began, "there are about 47 foxes, 48 if you include their leader. They all sleep in small groups of eight, around six fires. On the majority, they aren't too bright, but the leader has a knowledge of poisons." "They didn't see you did they?" Asked the Abbess. "No marm. I kept well hidden." "Good. Thank you Forum. If you go to the kitchens, I'm sure Fenner will fix you an early lunch. You've earned it." "Thank you marm, I will!" and with that he skipped off. |
| Cinnabarr turned a critical eye towards me. I was beginning to grin like a maniac as an idea took hold in my mind. "Well, Dogstar old chap, you seem to have an inkling as of what to do, so I'm turning the jolly project over to you. Good luck sah!" "Thank you Cinnabarr, I'm honoured. Now, here's what I need everybeast to do. Foremole, can you and your crew dig a pit about 20 paw lengths deep, with inward swinging trap doors?" "Hrmmmm......" Foremole thought a moment before answering. "Ee pit bain't be n problem, no zurr, Dog m'sturr, 'scept 'ee gurt trappem durrs, 'ee be a bid differcult. But, boi 'eckey, us'n molers 'll give it urr best shot, burr aye!" "Thank you, Foremole. That's all I ask. Abbess, would your herbalist be able to gather up a rather large quantity of dried bullrush stem, dried sage, and dried mother wort along with fresh queen Anne's Lace, Nightshade leaves, Green Willow and Maple bark, Lilac flowers and lots of green Dockleaves please?" "I'll see what she can do," Abbess Senna said. "Thank you. Now, Rock, Hazel, and Log-a-log. You're in charge of the removal crew. I'm going to need a score and 12 of your best beasts from each of you. 96 in total. Alright, that seems to be it." "Aye," said Braun, second in command of the otters. "But how do 'ee get the vermin into yer trap?" "Leave that to me," I said, the grin creeping across my face again. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. I'm going to need an old tattered tunic, and some soot from the kitchen ovens." "I think there's an old tunic in the attic," said Lady Senna. "I'll go over and get it when I'm done with the herbs." "Thank you again Abbess. Righto! Let's everybeast get to it! There's a lot of work to be done before tonight." With that, we all went about our task, myself going with Foremole to help design the trap doors. It was around three hours after sunset by the time everything was in place. The trap door had been tested and reset with a covering of grass to make it look as if it was a part of the Abbey lawn. The soil from the pit had been set aside so that it could be filled in after this was done. The creatures of the removal crew stood in the shadows along the east wall, ready for any signs of trouble. I had taken the oven soot and dusted it all over my body, and smudged some kitchen grease over the white spot between my eyes, so all of my fur was a dull black. Clad in the old tunic from the attic, and my travelling cloak, I strapped my sword go my side and made my way out the side gate and towards the vermin encampment in the dark orchard. No sentries had been posted when I reached the vermin camp. Staying to the shadows as much as possible, I gathered my wits about me and strode boldly towards the first fire. I was met with many startled stares, but no conflict as I walked around the camp. Staying close to each fire as I passed it, I gently tossed a small packet of the herbs the Abbess had collected for me into the centre of the flames. The foxes were too busy staring at my face to notice. Picking a low hanging apple I walked by, I made my way over to the last fire, and, sitting down between two very surprised looking foxes, I speared my apple on a stick close to paw, and began to toast it in the flames. After a few moments of awkward silent, one fox was bold enough to ask a question that was no doubt on the minds of all those present: "Err..... wot are ye doin' mate?" Forum was right. They weren't too bright. I looked up from the flames, and sneered at the fox. "What's it look like muck-fer-brains? I cookin' an apple!" With that said, I pulled my apple from the fire and plucked it off the stick. Giving it a moment to cool, I took a large bit out of it. Although it was savory and sticky-sweet, I pulled a face and spat out the mouthful. "Paww!!! Yuck!! How can ye live off this rubbish? T'anin't fit fer a stoat t' eat." I tossed the apple away. "Ain't ya got any decent vittles?" Many of the foxes looked at their own suppers of fruit from the orchard, some tubers and other gathered berries. They fidgeted and were obviously quite embarrassed. "We can't find no good grub 'round here. All we can get is the stuff we finds in 's orchard." I took a critical look at the speaker. He was a small, rust coloured fox, with one ear missing and a rusty dagger thrust into an old worn belt about his middle. "Why don't ya go to yonder Abbey an' get some o' their grub?" I asked. "They got plenty o' decent things te scoff." The one eared fox laughed. "Now I knows yer a mad beast! Ask yonder Abbey he says. Like a bunch of mice are going to give us food. What do we do, waltz up to their door an' ask all polite like, with a pretty-please?" A dopey looking fox, rather appropriately named Dudd, laughed at the joke. "Huh-a-huh, huh. Do ya really think so Scragear? That would be real nice of 'em..." He was silenced by a smack from Scragear's paw. Dudd, I figured, was not the smartest of creatures. I turned to Scragear. "Who said anythin' about askin'? I meant sneak in and steal it. They got whole larder chock full o' vittles like you wouldn't believe! I was there earlier this evenin' and stuffed myself silly on roast woodpigeon, candied fruits, and October ale. I didn't even get to the fish I saw roastin' in the oven!" I could tell I was getting their attention. One fox looked down at his pitiful weapon of a broken, rusty sword blade. "Have they got any decent weapons there?" He asked hopefully. "A whole room full of 'em!" I drew my own sword. "That's where I got this! There's plenty more like it, along with bows, slings, axes, and knives of all sorts." I could see the expressions of envy and awe on their faces as they watched the firelight dance of my weapon's blade. I sheated my sword, breakin git's hypnotic spell, but I could still see the light of greed in their eyes. I had them hooked. "I'm surprised a crafty band of foxes like yerselves hasn't already thought up some way o' takin' that place over by now." A younger, smaller fox, gave me a puzzled look. "What do ya mean, 'foxes like yerselves'? Ain't you a fox?" I gave the young one a toothy grin. "Ah, if only I was so blessed," I sighed. "No, I'm not a fox. I'm a canis lupis." The small fox was visibly pleased with the compliment I had payed him, but was still confused. "A canker-lupin? Wot's that?" "He's a wolf ya half brained idjit!" Bommend an authoritive voice from behind me. Every fox present immediately jumped up and threw a hasty salute. I stood up calmly and turned to face the voice. I found myself looking into a pair of narrowed, jet black eyes. The eyes belonged to a lanky, well built, grey fox. He had battle scars over his left eye and on his rght leg, and carried a rather mean looking blade with serrated edges, tucked into a sash around his waist. Although he was obviously the tallest fox there, I still stood half a head taller than him. |
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