Talno drifted asleep again from the cool calming breezes that swept across the water and whispered in his ear. As hours past, the weather took a turn and the clouds slowly turned gray. The sun set casting a gold streak on the sea that trembled as Dark clouds invaded from the south sending their volley of rain. As seas became stormier, and the wind stronger, Talno jolted awake as a crash of lightning thundered through the night air. The winds whisper had turned to a howl of anger. He yawned and wiped his eyes of the grit. At first sight of the weather he was in a grumpy mood. "Dratted weather" he muttered under his breath as he wiped at his annoying brown fur that seemed to soak up the water rather than repel it. Talno was soaked to the marrow as he trudged down the sandy beach adding moist sand to his already repulsive fur. As he was climbing through a barricade of driftwood, he heard a long chorus of deep horns from far across the sea, echoing in mysterious tones. When he had finally made his way out of the thicket of driftwood he stared out into the ever-darkening sea. A storm was coming, and coming quickly. As a rumble shook the land, a flash that lit up the dark sea and revealed a dark red masted ship for a half a second that leered with danger. He stared out in utter amazement drawing his breath quicker by the moment. The horns sounded again and Talno was struck by the horrible thought. "Pirates". Such a small word, but how it inflicted the minds of people with terror.
Talno stumbled his way through the damp beach running towards the otter camp. As he did, he breathed harder and harder clutching his chest from a side ache. Once he climbed up the pile of rocks to the otter camp at the edge of the forest he ran in the middle and yelled with all his might "Pirate Attack!" Murmurs coursed through the camp as they hastily recovered their weapons and armor clumsily stepping toward the cliff to see the pirates, blinded by the now pounding rain that beat upon their heads. Off in the black distance a bright light drew nearer, along with the pounding drums that racked their ears. The otters staring out in disbelief made many gasps and whimpers. Suddenly they were turned around by the loud booming voice of Droon captain of the otters. He was illuminated by two torch holders nearby him." Listen one and all, we are under attack as you know. We are unprepared for battle at this hour, but we will still wreak terror in battle!" many yells of agreement rang out after this pause. "These shores have never been attacked by vermin, or invaded, and neither shall we let them tonight!" Droon said inspiringly growling at his last words in the sentence. Yells of agreement and warcries pierced through even the screaming wind." Arrowbeasts and slingers, stay on the hills and fire at the vermin! Every other beast stays on shores, �till the vermin come. They shall meet their death tonight!" The otters wordlessly hurried into place readying their weapons as the pirate ship drew so close that they could hear the wild screams of the searats onboard. They seemed mad with bloodlust as some even jumped overboard swimming to shore in their eager fury to fight. Rowboats full of nasty looking war painted rats and weasels with mottled fur and raggedy clothes bobbed through the inky water to the shore. "Fire!" As they climbed on the shore unsteadily they were ripped and pelted with a volley of arrows and slingstones. Droon paced back and forth behind the arrowbeasts and slingers yelling in their ears "reload!" "Fire!" Talno watched miserably behind a tent searching for a weapon that wasn�t already taken. He heard the arrows zipping away and the shrill screams of beast�s horrible deaths. He finally found a rapier and gripped the handle sprinting out into the thick battle shores yelling with rage "MOONWHISP!" He nearly dived into a thick of vermin landing on an unlucky rat. Talno�s rapier flashed in the light as it slashed away at the vermin whose weapons stabbed back. As Talno stabbed a rat through it�s chest, he heard a strong cry." Brooktree!" Talno�s mind flashed. His friend Vixar screamed and ripped away covered in blood not far from Talno. Vixar Brooktree was Talno�s friend. Talno tore through the vermin making his way to the desperate cries of anger and fear. Ignoring the stabs of swords, Talno dove to Vixar screaming in fury at the surrounding stoats and foxes. The two made a fearsome sight. Covered in blood, they hacked away at the vermin. Vixar viciously thrust a knife that was left on the ground into a tattooed rat�s neck being. As the retreated back to the wall of the cliff tripped over the bodies of the dead beasts, as the vermin numbers became overwhelming. A fresh volley pulverized the vermin knocking back a large amount of soldiers.
After hours of bloody battle, filled with screams of mercy and prayers of the vermin of otters, it finally died down. A searat was maimed and clutching onto a rock muttering prayers tears streaming down his face. The vermin ship suddenly started moving leaving half of the vermin on the shore. Vermin tried to wade into the water to the ship screaming "Wait!" But some, which hadn�t noticed kept fighting. As most of the vermin had left in the rowboats, there were some, whom they left to die. As one rowboat left sending with two beasts in it, Vixar rushed up into the shallows almost ready to throw his sword at the rower. An arrow whistled through the air and struck Anad�s heart. Talno screamed as tears streaming down his face as he ran two his dying friend sprawled upon a rock with blood on his face, being cleaned by his tears coursing down the sides of his face. A trickle of blood went down his lip as he smiled up at Talno. Talno sobbed and buried his face in his hands praying and crying. A paw reached out and touched Talno�s face." Arrow, finally, struck, mah� down, mate " He smiled gasping for words. His voice was choked with tears as he muttered his last words." Talno, you are my best friend" Talno swallowed and slowly nodded." I let you down, I let you die. I could�ve stopped the arrow �" but before he could continue Vixar cut in " No you couldn�t have. Don�t blame yourself for that" He reached out his hand for his sword and put it to his chest. "I�ll die with my blade in my hand, and happiness in my heart" His hand closed around the hilt slowly." Continue our journeys and adventures without me, but always keep me in your mind. For on all those travels, I will be there along with you, with my paws striding on the beaten path beside you". And with that, a last tear trickled down his cheek, and a last sigh issued from his mouth. His smiled kept fresh on his face, smiling up at Talno, one that he wore on their adventurous travels, which would be no more�
You helped me
acheive
my wildest dream.
You helped when
All
I wanted
To do
Was
Scream.
When I needed
A helping hand,
You complied
Without
Making a payback
Demand.
Now
It is my
turn to help,
As you go
Through
Hard times, too.
I'll stick by.
Won't leave
As
Trouble
Comes by.
You were my
Solid wall.
Without
You
I would fall.
So.
Here's to you, my
Friend,
Here's to
You.