of the slave compound, within the walls of the fortress on the west coast
known to all as "Verbanth". Esel's parents had been captured by the ruler
of the fortress many years ago, when Esel was a tiny infant. Now they
were dead and Esel was still a captive. He knew that someday he would
escape and that he would free the other slaves as well.
flat oakcake. She peeked around the rock, surveying the gray stone
fortress in the distance. The ottermaid's name was Lavender. She finished
the oatcake, brushing crumbs from her whiskers with one paw. With the
other, she reached for her bow and arrows. Selecting an arrow, she peered
down the shaft, checking it's straightness. Then, she picked up her bow.
Fitting the arrow to the string, Lavender knelt and fired the arrow to
the right of her rock, watching it disappear down the coast. Satisfied,
she sat back and waited.
close friend, a somber mouse called Fith. Fith had been captured two
years back and Esel had immediately liked the mouse. He was not given to
fanciful whims, he was more slow and methodical and also liked to think
things over before he would do anything. He sat down by Esel. The young
squirrel knew his friend would have information. He scooted closer to
him.
"Well, is it on?"
Fith never looked at him.
"Yes, Esel, Lavender and a few others are here."
Esel wriggled with excitement.
"Great! Lav'll help us, I know it!"
Fith looked around nervously.
"Not so loud, Esel. The guards are still around."
Esel smiled at his worried friend.
"Ah, they won't have to guard us anymore after tonight."
Fith only gave Esel a look and slid away.
cheese and a flask of elderberry cordial. Hmm, not enough to last for a
long time, but she wasn't going to be there for a long time. Lavender
looked down the coast to her right, smiling when she saw a movement.
Soon, darkness would be coming. Lavender snuggled deeper into her black
cloak as the rain continued to patter down.
any others in his murderous group. They had been mere coast pirates until
they had stumbled upon the half-ruined and forgotten fortress. The stoat,
Verbanth, had immediately claimed it as his own, got a line of slaves and
set them to work rebuiling the fortress. When it was complete, he had set
himself up as it's tyrant. Now, Verbanth sent out guard patrols, to
capture anything they could find. He never left the fortress.
past four years since he had found the fortress. He had plenty of
plunder, food and slaves to command. All in all, he had a good life.
Verbanth was satisfied to stay on the west coast and not move. Verbanth
pointed his scimitar at a dormouse.
"You! Get me some supper, on the double! And be sure you don't drop it
like the last one did."
The dormouse bowed and hurried off, chilled to the bone. He knew what had
happened to the other slave. Dead!
crouched beside her, glancing now and again at the fortress.
"Well, are we set?" she asked.
The otter nodded.
"Yeah. Wish this rain would stop, or it'll ruin that one part."
Lavender smiled.
"It'll stop soon, don't worry. Come on, let's get going."
The otter grabbed her pack, Lavender grabbed her weapons and they
wriggled off through the sand, headed down the coast to the right.
rain gently thrumming on the earth outside the compound; then it stopped.
Esel sat up, sensing something was about to happen.
within view of the gates. There, several mice, squirrels and otters were
crouched. One of the squirrels turned as Lavender and her companion came
crawling up.
"You guys are just in time, we were about to send 'em off."
Lavender's companion grinned happily.
"Right, let's do it."
The squirrel smiled at the otter's eagerness.
"Okay, Tarel, you and a couple others get the fire going. Me, Lavender
and Siker will get the javelins ready."
Siker, the otter leader, nodded.
"Aye, let's jump to it, mateys!"
Soon, Tarel and some other squirrel, mice and otters had a fire blazing.
Tarel and Lavender both grabbed a javelin. Siker gave the nod and 6
javelin tips plunged into the fire.
Continue reading...