16?

It was fine and sunny next morning, a perfect spring day. Da-mug allowed Gribble to dress him in his splendid armor; choosing a cloak that did not have dagger slits in it, draped it loosely across one shoulder, and strolled out to the woodlands edge. The entire Rapscallion army was marshaled there, awaiting him, each beast fully armed and ready to march, their faces painted bright red. The face paint served a double purpose: it instilled fear into those they chose to attack, and marked them so they would not strike one another down in the heat of battle. Damug took up position on a knoll where he could be seen and heard. Whipping out the sword that was his symbol of office, he shouted, “Rapscallions! Are you well rested and well fed?

A roar of assent greeted him. “Aye, Lord, aye! He smiled approvingly. Now his horde looked like true Rapscallions. They bore little resemblance to the cringing vermin who had wintered on the cold shores after their defeat at Sal-amandastron.

Damug yelled another question at them. “And are you ready to conquer and slay with me as your Firstblade?

Again the wild roars of agreement echoed in his ears. He waited until they died down before saying, “Bring out the prisoners!

Over a single drumbeat the rattle of chains could be heard. Covered in wounds from the beatings they had received, three pitiful figures, chained together at neck and paw, were led forward. It was Borumm, Vendace, and Lugworm, stumbling painfully against one another as they staggered to stay upright. Spearbutts knocked them down on all fours in front of Damug, and the vast crowd of Rapscallions pressed forward to hear Damugs pronouncement.

“Let these three wretches serve as a lesson to anybeast who thinks Damug Warfang is a fool. They are cowards and traitors, but I am not going to order them slain. No! I will give them a chance to show us all that they are warriors. At the first opportunity of battle, these three will lead the charge, their only weapons being the chains they wear. Those chains will stay on them, binding them together until death releases them. They will march, eat, and sleep all their lives in chains. Let nobeast feed them or comfort them in any way. I am Firstblade of all Rapscallions. I have spoken!

The three prisoners were made to kneel facing Damug and thank him for sparing their lives. When they had finished he swept contemptuously by them. Waving his sword at two random vermin, he rapped out, “You there, and you, come here!

Sneeze wort nudged his companion Lousewort. “Git up there, thickead, Lord Damug pointed at you, not me!

Lousewort approached the knoll where Damug stood. Sneezewort breathed a sigh of relief: whatever it was, Louse-wort would be on the receiving end. The other beast Damug had indicated strode up before him. It was the big nasty weasel.

The unpredictable Warlord circled them both. “Give me your names!

“Hogspit, they calls me Hogspit, Sire.

“Er, er, Im Lousewort, yore Lordness!

Damug leaned on his sword and stared at them closely. “Lousewort and Hogspit, eh! And are you both Rapscallions, true and loyal to your Firstblade?

Both heads bobbed dutifully. “Aye, Sire!

Damug laughed aloud and clapped their shoulders with his mailed paw. “Good! Then I promote you both to the rank of Rapscour. You two will take the places of Borumm and Vendace, with twoscore each to command. Take your scouts and go now, travel due north, and report back to me every two days on what lies ahead.

Sneezewort was livid. He followed his companion, arguing and shouting at him, “Lord Damug never pointed at you, e pointed at me, Id swear e did. Wot would die Firstblade want wid a fleabrain like you as a Rapscour officer?

Lousewort drew himself up importantly. “Er, er, less o that, mate, I aint no fleabrain, Im a Rapscour now. So dont go tellin me no more of yer fibs. Lord Damug pointed tme, you said so yerself, huh, you even shoved me forward!

Sneezewort was hopping with rage. He ran at Lousewort, shrieking, “Ill shove yer forward an sideways an backards as well, ygreat lump o lard-bottomed crabmeat!

But Lousewort was a bit too large and solid to shove. He stood firm, shaking a cautionary paw at his friend. “Er, er, stop that, you, ycant shove me, Im an officer now!

Sneezewort advanced on him, sneering ominously. “So I cant shove yer, eh? Whos gonna stop me, Scrawfonk?

Lousewort grabbed hold of Sneezewort and held him firmly. “Ooh, you shouldnt a called me that, thats a bad name to call anybeast! Er, er, I know wholl stop yer, my brother officer. Hoi, Hogspit, theres a low common pawrat ere, callin an officer naughty names an shovinim too.

The big nasty weasel strode aggressively up and punched Sneezewort hard in the stomach. “Lissen, popguts, dont let me ever catch you givin cheek to a Rapscour. An you, blam-, erbonce, dont let im shove yer, see! I Grabbing them both by the ears, Hogspit banged their heads Itogether resoundingly. He strode off, leaving them both rue-T fully rubbing their skulls.

Lousewort looked at Sneezewort dazedly. “Er, er, let that be a lesson to yer, matey! he muttered.

A short while after the Rapscours had left with their scouts, the great army got under way. Drums beating to the pace of their march battered out at a ground-eating rate as the day advanced into warm sunny afternoon. Northward the Rapscallion host tramped, dust rising in a cloud behind their banners and drumsonly three days away from the southernmost borders of Mossflower Country.

A young female hare named Deodar stood on a hilltop close to the west shore. She nibbled at a fresh-plucked dandelion flower, watching a Runner approaching from the northeast. Deodar knew it was Algador Swiftback, even though he was still a mere dot in the distance. His peculiar long leaping stride marked him out from all the others at Salamandastron.

Now he would appear on a hilltop, then be lost to sight as he descended into the valley, but pop up shortly atop another dune, traveling well, with his graceful extended lope serving to eat up the miles easily. The sun was behind Deodar now, hovering over the immeasurable expanses of sea that lapped the coast right up to the shore in front of the mountain. She waved and was rewarded by the sight of Algador waving back. Deodar sat on the sandy tor, enjoying the heat of the sun on her back.

Algador took the last lap at the same pace he had been running all day. He could run almost as fast as his brother, Riffle, the Galloper of Major Perigords patrol. Breathing lightly, he sat down next to Deodar.

“Hah! So youre my relief. Whatll this be now, miss, your third run o the season?

Deodar stood, flexing her limbs. “Fifth, actually. Where did you cover, Algy?

Algador made a sweep with his paw. “Northeast from there to there. No sign of Perigord returning yet, and no signs of Rapscallions or other vermin.

Deodar closed one eye, squinting along the pawtracks her friend had just made. “Righto, Algy, Ill follow you out along your trail then cut west and come back, coverin the jolly old shoreline.

Algador rose and turned to face Salamandastron farther down the coastline. Between patches of green vegetation growing on its rocky slopes, the mountain took on a light buff tinge. An extinct volcano crater jutted in a flat-topped pinnacle over the landscape. He nodded in its direction. “Hows Rose Eyes, showed herself lately?

His companion shook her head. “Fraid not, youll have to shout your report through the forge door. Lady Cregga sees nobeast while shes forgin her new weapon. Dyou recall the day she broke her old spear, wot!

Algador could not resist a chuckle. “Hahaha! Will I ever forget it, missie! Standin neck high in the sea an sinkin two Rapscallion ships, was that ever a flippin sight. I thought shed have burst with rage when the spearhaft snapped an she lost her blade in the water!

Deodar took off into a loping run, calling back, “Cant stop jawin with the likes o you all day, must get goin!

Algador waved to her. “Run easy, gel, watch out for those shore toads on the way back, dont take any nonsense off the blighters. Take care!

The suns last rays were turning the sea into a sheet of fiery copper as Algador entered the mountain. Without breaking stride he took hallway, stairs, and corridors as though they were hill and flatland, traveling upward from one level to another. Sometimes he swerved around other hares and called out a greeting, other times he caught a glimpse of the setting sun through narrow slitted-rock windows. Arriving at a great oak double door, he halted, waiting until his breathing was normal and mentally going over his report speech. Standing stiffly to attention, he reached out a paw and rapped smartly upon the door. There was no answer, though he could hear noises from inside the forge room. Algador waited a moment, knocked once more, and gave a loud cough to emphasize his presence.

A massively gruff voice boomed out, echoing round the forge room and the antechamber outside where the hare stood, “Im not to be disturbed. What dyou want?

Algador swallowed nervously before shouting back, “Ninth Spring Runner reportin, marm, relieved norwest o here this afternoon!

There was silence followed by a grunt. “Come in!

Algador entered the forge room and shut the door carefully behind him. It was only the second time he had been in there. A long unshuttered window, with its sill made into a seat, filtered the last rosy shafts of daylight onto the floor. Massive, rough-hewn rock walls were arrayed with weapons hung everywhere: great bows, quivers of arrows, lances, spears, javelins, daggers, cutlasses, and swords. A blackened stone forge stood in the rooms center, its bellows lying idle, the white and yellowy red charcoal fire embers smoking up through a wide copper flue.

The hares eyes were riveted on a heroic figure standing hammer in paw over a chunk of metal glowing on the anvil. Lady Cregga Rose Eyes, legendary Badger Ruler of Salamandastron.

Her size was impressive: even the big forge hammer in her paw seemed tiny, like a toy. Over a rough homespun tunic she wore a heavy, scarred, metal-studded apron. The glow from the red-hot metal caught her rose-colored eyes, tingeing them scarlet as she glared down at Algador. His long back legs quivered visibly, and he felt like an acorn at the foot of a giant oak tree.

The Badger Lady nodded wordlessly, and Algador found himself babbling out his report in a rush.

“Patrolled north by east beyond the dunes for two days, marm, spent one night by the river, saw no signs of anybeast. No track or word of Major Perigord so far, no sign of Rapscallions or vermin. Sighted a few traces of shrews yesterday morn, marm.

Lady Cregga rested the hammerhead on the anvil horn. “You didnt contact the Guosim shrews or speak to them?

“No, marm, fraid I didnt. Traces were at least three days old, campfire ashes an vegetable peelins, that was all, marm.

Cregga took tongs and replaced the lump of metal she was working back in the forge. Then she gave the bellows a gentle push, flaring the charcoal and seacoal into flame.

“Hmm, pity you missed the shrews. Their leader, the Log-a-Log, might have had some information for us. Never mind, well done. Ask Colonel Eyebright to come up here, will you?

“Yes, marm! The young hare stood motionless to attention.

Lady Cregga watched him for a moment, then unusually she gave a fleeting smile. “If you stand there any longer youll take root. Go nowyoure dismissed.

Algador saluted and wheeled off so quickly he almost tripped over his own footpaws. Lady Cregga heard the door shut as she turned back to her work at the forge.

Cutting straight through the main dining hall, Algador made for the Officers Mess. He accosted another young hare coming out, carrying tray and beakers. “Evenin, Furgale! I say, is Colonel Eyebright in there? Got a rather important message for him.

Furgale was a jolly type, obliging too. Placing the tray on a window ledge, he waggled an ear at the Runner. “Say no more, old pip, Ill let him know youre here.

Flinging the door open wide, Furgale danced comically to attention. Closing both eyes tightly, he bellowed into the small room, “Ninth Spring Runnah tsee you, Colonel Eyebright. Sah!

Eyebright was every inch the military hare, of average size, silver gray with long seasons, a smart, spare figure in plain regulation green tunic. Looking up from the scrolls he was studying, Eyebright twitched his bristling mustache at the messenger. “Im not deaf yknow, young feller. Send the chap in!

Algador marched smartly into the Officers Mess. “Lady Cregga sends her compliments an wishes you to attend her in the forge room, Colonel, sah!

The Colonels eyebrows rose momentarily, then, fastening his top tunic button, he rose and put aside the scrolls. “Very good, Im on mway!

He eyed me Runner up and down, a kindly smile creasing his weathered features. “Ninth Spring Runner, eh? Obviously enjoyin the job, young Algy!

Algador stood at ease, returning his Commanding Officers smile. “Very much, thank ye, sah.

Eyebrights silver-tipped pace stick tapped Algadors shoulder approvingly. “Good show, keep it up, wont be long before we have yout gallopin for a Long Patrol like that brother o yours.

Algador swelled with pride as the dapper Colonel marched spryly off.

Cregga nodded her huge striped muzzle to the window seat as she poured pennycloud and dandelion cordial for herself and the Colonel. They sat together, he sipping his drink as he watched the parched badger take a long draught of hers. “Thirsty work at the ol forge, eh, marm? he said.

The rose-hued eyes flickered in the forge light. “Thats not what I called you up here to talk about, Colonel. I had the Ninth Runner report to me this evening, and the news is still the sameall bad. No sign of Perigords patrol, no word of Rapscallions, everythings too quiet. My voices tell me that big trouble is brewing somewhere.

Eyebright chose his words carefully. “But weve no proof, marm, mayhap things being quiet is all for the best. No news bein good news, if yknow what I mean.

The Colonel tried not to jump with fright as Lady Cregga suddenly roared and flung her beaker out of the window. “Gormad Tunn and those two spawn of his are out there getting ready to plunge the land into war. Im certain of it!

The old hare kept his voice calm. “Tunn and his army could be anywhere, far north, south coast, wherever. We can only do our best by protecting the west land and the seas in front of us. We cant just go marchin out an fightin all over the place.

Lady Cregga strode to the forge and, seizing a pair of tongs, she rummaged in the fire, pulling out the lump of metal she was working on. Laying it on the anvil she took up her hammer. “Colonel, how many hares would it take to guard Sala-mandastron and the shores roundabout?

The Colonels eyebrows shot up quizzically. “Marm?

Clang!

Sparks flew as Creggas hammer smashed down on the glowing metal. “Dont marm me! Answer the question, sirhow many fighting hares could do the job, and are you able to command them?

Eyebright stood up abruptly. “Half the force would be sufficient to protect this area. As to your second question, marm, of course I am able to command. Are you questioning my ability or merely insulting my competence?

The Badger Lady let the hammer drop. Leaving the anvil, she came to stand in front of the old hare, towering above him. “My friend, forgive me, you are my strong right paw on this mountain. I did not mean to question your skills as a Commander. I spoke in haste, please accept my sincere apology-

The pace stick rose, pointing directly at Cregga. Eyebrights tone was that of a reproving father to an errant daughter. “I have served you well, Cregga Rose Eyes. Anybeast, no matter what their reputation or size, would be down on the shore now to give satisfaction, had they called my honor into question as you did. I forgive you those words, though I will not forget them. Marm, your trouble is that you are eaten up with hatred of Gormad Tunn, his brood, and their followers. You feel bound to destroy them. Am I not right, wot?

Cregga hooded her eyes, gazing out of die window at the night seas. “You speak the truth. When I think of the gallant hares we lost on the beach and in the shallows of the tide on those three days and nightsand what for? Because Gormad thought his Rapscallion forces great enough to conquer Sala-mandastron. Aye, he tried to make cruel sport of us, the same way he has done to other more helpless creatures all his miserable life. It will not go on! Soon I will have made myself a new battlepike. If there is no news by then I intend to take half our warriors and go forth to seek out and destroy the evil that goes by the name Rapscallion. One day they will be nought but a bad memory in the minds of good and honest creatures. You have my oath on it!

Colonel Eyebright left the forge room in resigned silence. Nobeast could swerve the Lady Rose Eyes from her purpose once her mind was made up.

Down in the dining hall, Algador was taking supper with his friends, all young hares the same age as himself. Furgale tore into a large salad, speaking with his mouth full, as there were no officers present.

“I say, chaps, when dyou suppose the listsll be posted for new recruits to the jolly oP Long Patrol?

Cheeva, a young female, flicked an oatcake crumb at him. “First mornin o summer, my pater says. Hope my names on it Ill bet Algys top o the bloomin list, wot?

Algador sliced into a hefty carrot and celery flan. “Do you? Ill pester the life out of Major Perigord until he takes me as Galloper with Riffle. I think Im old enough to beat the ears off him in a flat run now!

Suddenly the room echoed with banging clanging noises, the din reverberating off the walls. Cheeva clapped paws to her ears, crying, “Great seasons o salad, whos makin all the clatter?

Algador had to shout to make himself heard. He called to Colonel Eyebright, who was passing through on his way to the mess, “I say, sah, whos creatin that infernal racket?

The Colonel stopped by their table, gesturing to them to stay seated. “Some badger or other at her forge, why dont ygo up there an tell her to stop? He nodded at the smiling young faces turned toward him. “Ive a feelin that you lot are goin to find yourselves Long Patrollin sooner than you think!

At this announcement the young hares cheered wildly, eyes aglow, fired with hope and desire. Heedless of what lay ahead.