116. The Last Dance, pt 2 "The bigger the dancer…"
The thing about the cats here is that theyre all certain that theyre about to win. From what I got from the scouts, it wasnt clear that either side had the upper paw, River said.
River was using the voice she used for when something was dirty but necessary.
Freya nodded along, stepping away from a line of valets.
So what youre saying is
There is supposed to be a formal announcement of some sort tonight. Everyone thinks that Alexa is about to win it because of
Nearby them, Jacques was headed their way. Freya''s whiskers twisted at the sight of him. He seemed normal enough, but if he knew who she was
Freya didnt want to think about it.
The normal case in which a suitor approached a member of the aristocracy was not the case when two warriors faced each other. There were enough Marquise soldiers present that Freya considered each attendee an enemy of some sort.
Your druid I presume? Ranger Jacques.
Winter.
Jacques purred and Freya released a breath. Something about River, in any form kept the males close to or nearby, and Freya resolved to learn the secret. It wasnt like magic, but it felt close. She wondered if there was a spell to make creatures like you. Just as quickly she thought about how badly that would go in the wrong hands.
The War Chief is ready for her announcement, he said, turning back, Or shes really drawing out the yowls from the crowd.
The mass of cats all began to chant or meow loudly.
Eyes turned to the grand staircase to see Alexa herself, resplendent in her gown looking down on the mass.
Tonight we celebrate our victory! For tomorrow, we will win! A voice rang out.
She held up a paw, clapping along with the crowd, waiting for it to die down.
It is true, She said once the sound had lessened to a low roar, With the druids help, we will lead them to a rout, and the next step will be the siege of yellowrock!
This is bad, Freya whispered to River.
River narrowed her eyes.
Be prepared.
The crowd died down again.
What do we do? Freya was at a loss.
Her words could be bluster, or they could be the truth. Freya couldnt imagine war coming back. It would be catastrophic for the regiment.
Tonight, we infiltrate their ranks, and while they sleep, our druids and their friends will strike!
The roar was loud.
Little Knife, whatever happens next We need to make it back.
Winter. Yes.
We cannot wait any longer.
Freya nodded. She gestured to an exit that led to an outer balcony. River took her motion and slowly made her way on the outside of the grand hall.
The warm pungent air on the inside gave way to the crisp early winter air outside.
The oath the druids give, it would never permit such an action.
Freya turned to face inside, the crowd still roaring.
It does not permit druids to make such an action, River said flatly.
But if someone never took the oaths
I think you see the problem, initiate.
Their whispered talk stopped as Alexa made another garbled proclamation.
Behind them, Jacques appeared at the door.
Freya made a smile that didnt reach her eyes. River pursed her lips.
You never did tell me when you went to training, he said, trailing off.
She didnt? River said, feigning nonchalance, Tell him.
A lady ranger doesnt reveal all of her secrets.
Freya demurred, though she was fighting all she had to not jump off the balcony.
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Will you be joining us tonight, after the dance? At the warchiefs after party?
Well probably be the pair making the ruckus, River said.
"I shall see you both there then."
Jacques could clearly see that they were talking and even he didn''t want to go against their social graces for too long.
Freya didnt need yet another suitor pining for her.
River waited until he was gone. Freya''s emotions caught up with her, and all of a sudden everything seemed impossible.
"What do we do next?"
"What do you think? They''re sending Ragamuffins to infiltrate the regiment. We need to get back and warn them."
River slumped against the wall. The archway above her glistening white in the night.
"How?"
"We need a big diversion. First, reach out through your bond to your chicken."
Freya pulsed through her bond, finding the chicken in good spirits but far away.
"Alright."
"Next: do you remember the time that we fought a bear?"
The pair found the highest part of the area they could. The manor''s grand ballroom had an opulent three floors of overlooking boxes. Some of the second floor boxes were filled, and it was clear that there were often large events held here before.
"As fast as you can, Freya you''ll change first, then I''ll change since you need to wild shape twice."
Freya nodded. She had gotten a lot better but she was nowhere as fast as River. For the next part of their plan to happen, they needed wings.
"Remember what to do if we get split up."
"I won''t, and thank you."
River quickly ripped open a portal into the burrows feeling out the other side.
"We can do it here. It''s close enough."
Freya quickly shifted from cat into mouse, shedding some fur and claws. Almost a minute passed and then River reverted to her raven form.
They were in the farthest box on the right side of the ballroom, curtains drawn to the floor, and the doorway closed.
River snuck a peek with one eye through the curtains.
They hadnt chosen this box by random chance. They had taken their time looking for one next to a window that they could open.
Rivers'' own wildshaping was done and she ruffled her feathers and adjusted her cloak and other items for flight.
She gave Freya the nod.
Freya began her change into blue jay form. It was the form she was the most familiar with and she felt nearly empty after it. She popped some seeds into her mouth, quietly chewing. She would need all of her energy for what came next.
"Remember," the whispered voice said," you are not the bear."
"I am not the bear," Freya mouthed, saying the words over and over again.
I am the wyvern.
River also ate something and then once more the druid reached out, building the aperture of the gate to the burrows.
"We have company. Through the gate."
Freya and River rushed through to the other side of the burrows, to the top of a hill.
***
Jacques followed the two new cats to the third floor. None of the druids knew a cat named Winter, but that was normal. For as long lived as druids were, many picked odd things to do away from society.
The ranger was an anomaly. She didn''t carry herself like a warrior. If anything she was a princess acting as a ranger.
Either way it was odd that she kept giving non answers to his questions. Plus she was cute, and if he could set up a match between his druid, Leon and her druid? It would be easier to convince them all to travel together.
They did have an odd smell that he wasn''t familiar with, but he had brushed it off as their long travel.
He wasn''t sure why they smelled like Inujag or ragamuffins or mice for that matter. But if they were holding back, he would want all the juicy details.
Which is why he stood outside their box waiting to knock.
He knocked, giving them a decent amount of time to reply before he tried the door. Unsurprisingly it was unlocked, but when he walked in the exact room they had been in, the jumble of smells his enhanced nose found- he wasn''t sure what was going on. Had they arrived and then left via a different way? He checked the curtains that overlooked the dance floor. They weren''t around.
Jacques pursed his lips.
A single feather sat in the ground and he examined it. He examined the black feather, smelling it. It reeked of cat.
"Curious," he said, waving it in the air like a wand.
***
River didn''t run.
She didn''t need to and better yet that wasn''t a part of her plan.
She was the bait.
Freya hid behind a tree as River fired a long flare up.
"Shouldn''t be too long now," she said.
"Oh that''s just fine. Tell the new girl that not only do we have to do the impossible, but we need it delivered overnight."
River beamed.
"If we make it out of this, you''re buying the first round. And the second."
"Deal," River said.
Both of them looked up.
"It''s time."
"I am not the bear. I am one with the bear."
Freya chanted quietly. There was no reason to chant and her magic required nothing but her energy and the knowledge of her weaves, but it helped her focus.
And focus she did, pouring herself into the weave. The first weave that she had learned, was now something that felt second nature to her.
***
The beast had circled around the sky hungrily for hours before settling down. Then a large burst of red miat woke it up and it snapped. It sensed the presence and the flames that flew up into the air beckoned it.
The wyvern flew towards the magical signature.
It was pleased to have a second chance to dance with the creatures. It hadnt gotten its fill and it was time.
The wyvern spotted the dark bird ahead of it, waiting atop a large boulder.
Finally, prey that knew when to give up.
***
"Here it comes!"
Freya didnt need River to tell her. She also could feel the oppressive presence of the beast. It was not only a flying scaly terror, it was a magical flying scaly terror.
Freya waited as the wyvern, rather than firing a spout of flame at them, dove.
This was exactly how they wanted it. Freya could imagine River sweating it out. Seconds before the Wyvern was ready to land, Freya pushed out with the largest weave she had ever consciously made.
***
The dark bird was just standing there squawking at him. The wyvern decided to land and then eat. Why mess up a good meal?
It approached.
Seconds before it landed, a large pulse of magical energy enveloped it and it lost control.
It was a tiny blue bird and a wyvern. The discord made it stop mid flight ahead of the Raven.
***
"Time to go back," River yelled.
Her charge thrashed about, trying to get a handle of the wyvern. All she needed to do was to aim it.
River quickly weaved open the return portal right in the Wyverns path. Freya''s brow creased. River knew that she could do it, probably better than any druid she had ever met.
River was the bow and Freya the arrow. The wyvern collided into the enlarged aperture.
***
Just as quickly as the disorientation began, it stopped. The Wyvern didn''t feel at home anymore. Instead of the silence it was accustomed to, it heard yelling and screaming.
Above it, the night sky showed a far different pattern of stars. Below it, something loud and smelly was full of
The wyvern licked its lips. It would be full tonight.
***
Jacques sighed when he heard the cracking. The windows on the far side of the ballroom shattered as a claw twice his size smashed through it.
His third drink heavy in his stomach, the ranger knew two things at that moment: the first was that he didn''t want to fight anything like that, and the second was that someone had peed his pants.
117. The Last Dance, pt 3 “Uninvited Dinner Guest”
War Chief Alexa was having an excellent dance. All of her senior leaders had complimented her, and about half had danced with her. The dancers had been excellent, so she had no reason to complain. The squad of druids that shed recruited to her cause had all shown their faces, and shed heard the rumor of a new one arriving to help the cause.
All in all, Alexa relished the opportunity. Her victory was assured with the druid''s newest creations, the platoon of Ragamuffins would already be settling in while they danced.
It wasnt until she saw the crack in the ceiling that she began to think of anything except for her success. The flames came down in waves as the screams began.
***
River wove another portal from the burrows. A hungry Freya and River passed back through.
They saw the flames as the heat from the running cats all brought them to bear.
Can you fly? River said.
I I can.
Find the bond. Make your way back. In the dark.
And what are you going to be doing?
Im not supposed to intervene. That doesnt mean that I cant sow discord.
Ahead of them, the fires of a large camp stirred with the shadows of movement.
You want us to split up?
Someone has to tell the regiment. Fly over the Denoue, and talk to someone. Anyone. You have to convince them. Ill buy you as much time as possible with Sela.
The screams from the manor drowned out everything. With a crack, the wyvern shoved a large three story window out from the ballroom. Magical smoke rose up behind them.
Freya clasped wings with River.
Ill see you on the other side.
River clasped back.
Ill be there.
***
Sela felt the heat. He felt Rivers bond depart and then five minutes later return.
Theyd talked about a bait and switch, but never enacted anything like the chaos that he saw presented from his hidey hole across the field.
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Sela smiled. Rivers bond was leading her inexorably back to him. He still needed to pass through their lines somehow but the diversion had begun.
Or perhaps it was the main event.
***
Muk had taken the convoy and stayed for another war council meeting. The headquarters element always moved people from one stated location through an intermediary.
The result being that when he arrived for one meeting, he was often three minutes away from the actual meeting and a sparra had to escort him to the actual meeting.
The claw wasn''t pleased with anyone, except for him. They were beset on all sides by probing scouts and the bulk of the enemy warriors had been encamped west and outside of the furrows.
Only the swift moving river and the peninsula nature of the furrows held them back. The regiment had been on the defensive before their lines had been drawn here. The Denoue river was a lucky break in a bloody campaign.
"Ah, quartermaster, so good of you to join us on this fine evening," the claw said.
"Evening sir. Anything I should keep at the top of my mind?"
"We have to be flexible."
The restaurant on the side of the river had placed them on the second floor. They waited for their spy master and marshall to begin. A conspicuous mole and sparra stood guard next to them.
When the marshall arrived, the first round of foodstuffs arrived. The quietly professional bird kept his voice low as he ordered tea for the table.
"Marshall Yee," the commander said.
"Claw. Quartermaster."
For as many words as the Marshall used to control the movements of the regiment, he used the inverse here. It wasnt that he had little to say, far from it. He saved his words for what was important.
The spy master and historian of the regiment arrived last and together. A rabbit and mole respectively, the two nodded. Both wore campaign fatigues but devoid of any mud or dirt.
"Master Sergeant, ah we have reached a quorum," the Claw said, "Let''s begin."
The tea arrived and the five animals sipped it. The claw, commander of the Yellowrock Regiment nodded to the historian.
"Someday, we''ll get a fox into the council," the mole said, "but with today''s disposition of forces there are few to spare. These are historic times and as such I had completed the naming book. Our companies to the north are a bit anemic but we can address that with rotations. Nothing else to report sir. The work continues.
"Thank you. And you have gotten enough stories so far to appease the queen and the gentry?"
"I have sir."
"Spymaster?"
The rabbit brushed back her cloak. Two ears flopped.
"Sire, we did get one report of a cat patrol that was wiped out. They were about to attack one of our convoys and an element counter attacked. The quartermaster would know more about this particular incident."
All eyes turned to Muk.
"Indeed sir, the most recent convoy to the supply base from home was almost hit, but a small squad of special mercenaries escorting some engineers hit them as soon as we noticed. There were no casualties."
The claw took a long sip from his tea.
"Marshall, did you order mercenaries and some engineers?"
The room fell silent.
"No."
"They said that they were on a secretive mission. I didnt want to pry. They rode in on chickens and they''ve camped next to the scouts now," Muk said, his whiskers fidgeting all over.
"I''ll need to see them," the rabbit said,"however aside from the front line the amount of probing squads have been on the decline recently."
The marshall and the claw both nodded.
Im worried that the cats are about to make a move. They may be pulling their patrols back in for some reason.
The window over the sea lit up as flames shot into the sky from a distance away.
I think that it might be time to muster the troops, the Marshall said, thats a sign if anything.
118. Night Raid, Pt.1
Freya thought about how often shed attended a dance that ended in a flaming mess. It wasnt that she had seen it happen that often, but the one time felt like a lot. So as she flew away from the smoking ruin, she wasnt really paying attention.
That was when the camp below her sprung into action, and an errant arrow flew past her.
Freya jerked out of her thoughts.
Flames erupted as two or three archers took aim at her. Flying above the camp, being the only bird in sight when the alarm was raised, had caused her to be a target.
Freya banked, barrel rolling past three arrows.
Just a few more seconds
The first arrow that hit her left wing made her realize that mistakes had been made. When a second arrow hit near the same spot, she immediately began to glide towards the nearest tree.
River had never mentioned the pain of getting hit in a wing but Freya realized that the best she could do was to hold it in place. Otherwise she would drop like a stone.
She saw her trajectory taking her closer and closer to the ground and she just barely made it over the wall on the outside of the cat camp.
Rolling around she felt pain that surely would have caused her to go unconscious before she''d met River.
All she wanted to do was stop. She ached all over and her wing was bleeding with two arrows below her hand.
Freya picked herself up, reaching for the chicken bond and realizing with horror that she had landed on the wrong side of the camp.
Quickly she scanned the surroundings, finding that she was close to a copse of trees. She wasn''t far from the camp or the trees.
Freya winced as she ran as fast as she could to the trees ahead of her.
Behind her the shouts of cats could be heard. If she could make it to the top of the tree, she would have options.
The time it took her to get to the trees felt interminable and also very short. Before she knew it she was pulling the two arrows out of her arm to use to climb. Her left arm held on weakly.
Freya grabbed her knife from her boot and put it in her beak. She cursed the raven for putting her in this situation, then kicked off her boots. Her talons would be better suited to help her climb.
The sound of a cat search party being assembled got louder. Freya tossed her boots underneath one tree then climbed the next one.
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She hoped the small diversion would buy her time. The boots were rank in smell. She circled the tree to be away from the camp and out of direct view. Then she began to climb,slowly and painfully.
The voices grew louder.
Freya pressed on.
The shouts became audible voice commands.
Freya burned some of her red mist, realizing that she was close to empty.
Then she heard a cat begin to climb the tree where she had left her boot.
She didn''t stop until the first branch she could sit on. By that time the two arrows were broken to pieces and Freya sighed.
She immediately pulled out an arrow shaft and some resin. She prepared the arrow and then reached for her bag of feathers.
That was when it hit her that she''d lost the feathers somewhere along the way. Freya cursed her luck. She was stuck in a tree on the wrong side of enemy lines and the only tool she had was missing a part.
Freya nearly cried, wiping her face with a wing.
Then a thought struck her and the fire ignited in her heart.
She wasn''t missing a part.
Freya recalled the aviary archer that requested custom made arrows with his own feathers.
Freya looked to her lame wing and considered how much pain she really could take.
She could take some more. If she really had to. Breaking the bond with the wyvern was tough but doable only because she had done it before.
Freya had made hundreds if not thousands of arrows. The conditions were not ideal, but they never were.
Freya bit into the boot knife.
With her right hand she pulled three feathers out of her left wing one at a time. She figured that she would be able to hold it up with the left while she pulled the string taut. The arrows had hit a painful place under where her elbows sat but it missed the big muscles and arteries.
Freya''s beak dug into the knife. She didn''t scream but she wanted to.
Freya took a breath and removed the knife. If nothing else it would be a distraction. The only way she way getting out was through the cats.
Freya took the feathers and felt out the tools to make the arrow. The resin was on his right side and she connected the feathers to her first experimental arrow.
The pain of removing some of her feathers was excruciating. It felt worse than hair being ripped out. Freya grimaced as it stung worse after they were out.
Normally she had more time to treat the feathers but tonight she had moments if the sounds from her followers were to be believed.
One arrow turned into three as Freya grabbed more of her feathers. Each removal was an agony that she needed to bear.
Freya wordlessly summoned her chicken giving it instructions to swing wide around the cat, and not attempt it if the way is too much.
The camp was in a full uproar as they responded to the wyvern attack. Freya wanted to just hop into the burrows, but as it would be her first time on her own she would leave that as a possibility. Mice liked backup plans.
***
Jean Bailey, Marshall of War Chief Alexas Army had not been inside the building when the flames started spouting.
It had to be some kind of magical attack. Burnt and smoking cats fled the manor in droves, causing a feeling of panic.
There was no organization.
Belatedly he pulled the horn out of his ceremonial cloak. He needed to muster his troops.
All of them.
If they were going to hit like this, they were going to hit back.
***
Freya heard the horn sounding twice and prayed that it wasn''t meant for her. River was still providing some distraction. The warm sticky liquid around her branch would probably smell to the cats.
Freya knew that she probably had one or two more weaves left in her before she needed to eat. She did a mental tally of her remaining seed. It would be sufficient to do something.
That was when the cat appeared below her and began to climb her tree.
119. Night Raid, Pt 2
The uneasy battle lines between the two warring armies had drawn to a standstill. The cats struck out and then retreated as often as they could. They did not want to commit their forces to an all out war against the entrenched regiment.
Until that night when the final preparations had been put into place. The few peoples who had been a party to the sight of the flames reaching well into the sky were put on heavy alert and the scouts who had been on guard duty quickly assembled a general muster. That was when Muk arrived, with his adjutant on his tail.
Your lordship sire, there are more than enough Soldiers here Sergeant Yates said.
Theres something different out tonight, Muk said, and I really didnt want you following me here. You couldnt take the hint about going home, well enough huh?
The unease sat heavy in his stomach. He remembered the academy maxim about not eating before a fight, but he wasnt expecting this. He normally didnt lash out at his Soldiers, especially such an exemplary one.
They were by the Furrows outer walls, looking away when another mouse approached them. His brown matted fur looked unkempt and Muk was immediately suspicious. The wall had many mice but this one
Are you unwell, Soldier? Muk said looking intently.
Sergeant Yates pushed a hand against the wall and then immediately threw up what seemed like everything he had ever eaten. Muk was taken aback and then he looked up again at the mouse''s red glowing eyes.
Without warning the mouse sprang at him and Muk struggled to get his sword out of its sheath. Instead of making it fully out, the sword stuck at the beginning and he parried the mouse''s teeth with his sword, still fully covered. The mouse''s teeth dug into the metal, and the strength of it gave him pause. He released the clasp and his sword flew out.
The wild mouse chewed into the sheath and stared at him.
Muk didnt even think. He just leant on his training and put the sword between himself and the enemy. It circled him moving along the walk way and he struck.
It was looking at Yates, the one who wasn''t doing so well before it refocused on him.
"Raise the alarm!" Muk yelled.
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Muk stepped forward and shot his sword arm forward, expecting to get resistance. Instead it was like hitting a rack of clothing. His slash disconnected the mouse''s arm and he looked in horror as it just fell off.
Muk pulled back as the mouse kneeled.
Then he watched in horror as the creature, for he knew it to have some intelligence now, grabbed what had been its arm and pushed it back where it was. As he watched, it was re knit together.
"I think we need to change our tactics," said Sergeant Yates.
The light from a nearby torch became even more clear as Yates held it aloft.
"Again?" Muk said, though every whisker told him not to fight this thing.
"Distract it. Sir."
Muk did as he was told. A Sergeant with an idea outranked a Lieutenant who didn''t have a plan. At least that was something his years at the academy had taught him.
The limited space on the top of the wall was really only meant for two animals to walk abreast. Yates lunged at the creatures who finally looked fearful.
Muk struck. A swift overhead blow connected with half of an arm.
Yates brought the torch to bear on it. The arm almost immediately caught on fire. Yates kept the creature in front of him as he extended the torch.
For the first time the creature who had initiated the attack began to move back
The relentless assault of the two made it blink.
Muk fought to save his life, but the beast fought like its life was forfeit.
Around them more shouts of alarm went up as others realized that there was fighting on the walls.
Muk rushed the creature in its confusion, impaling. Again it felt like stabbing a rack of clothes but this time it feel like a pile of clothes.
Instead of a mouse collapsing it looked like mouse parts had fallen in on itself.
"Burn it."
"You don''t have to say that twice."
Yates lit the pile of mouse parts and it caught flam immediately.
"These things have a weakness. We need to tell the commander. This is probably part of a bigger attack"
Screams were heard from down the line. Muk looked over the wall and sure enough he saw a line of attackers on the move towards them. The cats had picked this moment as if knowing
"Whatever that thing was," he said gesturing to the flames, "it was a part of their attack. We need to get everyone on full alert.
Bells rang out over the furrows, clearly transmitting their sounds across the river Denoue. Five chickens sat up, anxiety in their steps as they moved around the elder mice.
A battle is it? WelI Im certain that we can help out in some way, Woda said.
You know were supposed to be the ones telling the kids to stay out of trouble. At my age Im almost too old for adventuring, Stone said.
And I should be dust, but here we are. Bows?
Sounds like a plan. Shall we get on with it? Sela would have loved this.
The poor boy is following a ranger around. Hell be okay.
The two mice picked up large quivers of arrows and mounted two of their chickens.
Arent there supposed to be five of these? Stone asked as they left the barn they had been staying next to.
Woda narrowed his eyes.
There were.
Two of their chickens were still sitting, waiting.
Only the one that was bonded to Freya was gone.
Well find it. Or Freya will, after the battle.
120. Revolutionary
Freya felt like shed made stupid decisions one after another to get her to this point. Shed never had to think about taking a life before, nor had she ever had two arrows shot at her. Several promises were made that she would do terrible things to get out of where she was.
She was alone in the wilderness, low on food, and sighting down a cat.
The best she could offer it was a clean hit.
Druids werent supposed to kill creatures unless threatened.
She felt threatened.
More than that her entire soul felt tired. There had been far too many revelations in far too short of a time and she was having trouble keeping up with everything.
But one thing at a time. It wasnt until the cat was close enough that its fall meant a painful death if not a broken back that she decided to hold onto her arrow a little longer.
Then it looked at her and she changed her mind. Such a creature didnt deserve her attention.
She silently let the arrow pass from her hands, releasing the bowstring to a painful amount of reverberation.
The arrow fell, and Freya winced. She didn''t need to wound the cat seriously, just harm it. She needed to get away.
The cat grabbed its arm as one of the claws held on. It wasnt a deadly wound, but the cat wouldn''t be making it any farther.
Freya wondered if this was the time to leave, but then as the cat yelled, she knew.
The unintelligible language hit her like a ton of bricks. He was mad at her! He probably had good reason to be so mad.
"Well if you''re going to be like that, I''ll take my leave of you."
Freya paused, tracing the weave in her mind before she used her uninjured wing to trace glowing runes in front of herself.
The portal opened up in front of her. Through it, Freya felt rejuvenated.
Though it was completely dark, Freya felt its presence and stepped through.
Her pain lessened on the opposite side. The unnatural darkness in the burrows was a stark contrast to the fires that had been spreading from the manor to the camp.
She caught her breath
Freya found a large rock, judged it suitable, and limped over. There would be plenty of time for her to get well. She might even make it back before the next dance. She hoped that she hadnt lost a lot of blood.
The rock held a small space where she was able to sit and be surrounded on three sides. True, it meant that she couldnt run, but either way that would have been an issue. This just gave her a bit more security.
I think it''s time for a rest now," she said to no one in particular before collapsing against the wall.
Chicken Freya sensed her through the bond and then just as quickly as it had before, the bond snapped. Freya was beyond its reach.
The bird knew the direction of travel it needed to move in so it continued onwards. Over the bridge and along the sandy shore, it followed the old trail.
It wasn''t until it came upon a large wall and a lot of shouting that it took a second to examine the situation. Weeks of being around mice and other creatures made it understand a bit of what they did.
Ahead of her, several mice were paddling through the water and she drew up. All the mice she had met were prim and proper and would never deign to get wet.
Then she saw their eyes and froze.
None of the mice had eyes like that, those that briefly flicker red. And the smell, if she lived for a thousand summers she wouldn''t forget that smell ever. It stank like death.
That was about the time that the three creatures charged her. About the time that she had made up her mind.
Chicken Freya flew up and over two of the mice, narrowly missing snagging the third. The red-eyed mouse rolled to avoid her.
She clucked.
They all turned as one to fight back, but before the last could turn, it was being whipped up into the air, flung like a ragdoll into the stone wall.
The stone wall that ran to the river, that they had swum around, had extended for quite some time and it was only in the far-off distance where the fires were lit that the real wall began.
It teemed with noise as the two Ragamuffins renewed their charge.
The chicken extended both wings flapping hard at them.
They flinched, giving her enough time to snap another one up in its confusion.
Chicken Freya, favored of the Uki ranch, stared down the last of the three determined magical beasts and clucked.
It charged, and the chicken brought its talons to bear, ripping it to pieces.
Woda was fast and Crenshaw was having trouble keeping up with him.
"We have to save as many as we can."
"My granddaughter is out there, she comes first."
"If we don''t stop whatever this advance is, then no one ever gets to come first again."
They steered their chickens through crowded streets of onlookers.
A steady stream of creatures had formed a line out of the furrows, taking the main bridge back.
The pair of old mice had wisely not taken the easiest, widest bridge.
"Do you still have some of that explosive stuff?" Woda said, "I have got a feeling that we''ll need it, you old mouse."
"Aye, I have more than enough. Do you mean to take down the bridges?"
"If it comes to that."
Crenshaw let his statement hang there in the air, hoping beyond hope that he would be on the right side of the whitewater River if he did destroy the bridges.
"We''ll cross that bridge when we decide it''s time to blow it up. Plus most of the regiment is on the side we are heading to now."
"Most of the regiment that was guarding the wall, you mean"
Crenshaw had to surrender the point.
"We don''t even know what''s going on. For all, we know it''s nothing."
"It''s something. I just know it, Crenshaw."
The mention of his name gave the mouse pause. Woda stuck to nicknames a lot and he always picked the nickname for you, like an overbearing older brother who just knew that he knew best.
They reached the other side of the bridges and immediately the foot traffic increased.
The chickens held on as the two observed the scene in the dark.
"Theyre evacuating. Something has to be going on or perhaps they have rung the alarm for some reason."
"This amount of creatures evacuating at this hour is sure to cause a panic," Woda said, "We find our wayward chicken and we find her."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Crenshaw gritted his teeth and gulped.
"Over there."
Crenshaw gestured to where a chicken was flinging a mouse up into the air, then savagely tore into another with its talons. The feathers looked familiar and the chicken fought with a ferocity that would put even the swordmaster to shame.
"I think that it stopped here for a reason. It might have lost its meaning"
Crenshaw didn''t want to voice a possibility that would destroy his old friend. He needed the mouse in top fighting shape.
More than that, the chickens needed his protection. Though perhaps not chicken Freya. She was doing very well on her own. The fact that she either hadn''t or couldn''t find Freya could go either way.
They approached her, a gleam still in her eye. Nothing kills three creatures like that without skill.
The two chickens they rode stopped short. When it turned towards the wall, they followed.
"Sweet Miru," Crenshaw said, "are we really following a chicken into battle?"
Muk slashed another one of the beasts in the face. He didn''t know where they came from and at this point, he was certain that he didn''t care but they were providing a hellish distraction.
With Sergeant Yates at his back, he fought to reclaim parts of the wall. Off to his side, he could see siege weapons being raised by the cats, through their flickering lights. More than once, the cats had fired a ruinous volley of flaming arrows.
The regiment had suffered light losses. The horns still barked a full muster, but the trickle of soldiers had stopped. Many of them had taken up higher positions.
It wasn''t until a fox kicked his foe over the top of the wall that Muk realized that something big was coming as well.
The wall, much to the dismay of the people of the furrows, was five mice high. The gate had been locked into the low position and the chain cut so it couldn''t be raised. This cut them off from the land to the west as the wall went from one side of the peninsula to the next, wrapping around the water. A cat would have to swim far past roving patrols to make it to the furrows.
For a moment, everything was silent. Muk gave an approving nod to the fox, both quickly cleaning their blades.
Then Muks whiskers raised as he felt the unmistakable feeling of being watched by a large predator.
Muk and the Fox soldier watched in horror as a large beast carried twenty or more cats toward them. The large furry monster looked like someone had given a piece of paper to a mouse pup and told them to draw a cat from memory. Mouse pups of course never really interacted with cats, so their imagination would go wild, possibly producing the thing in front of them right now.
In between the siege engines, a large beast easily towered over the wall. It slowly walked towards them.
Muk knew a fear that he''d never grasped before as he stared in otherworldly horror.
Then off to his right, three chickens flew over the wall carrying both his cursing cousin and Woda Uki.
Chicken Freya, favored of the druid initiate, launched itself over the wall. It was no small occasion for celebration when it landed, spurs digging into the dirt. Behind it, its brothers landed with all the grace and elegance of a mouse pup''s drawing of a chicken.
Which is to say that both Woda and Crenshaw barely held on with their lives.
"Bring those arrows out. We''re hunting whatever that thing is," Woda said, his one hand outstretched with his sword.
"You want the explosive-tipped ones?"
"Of course! A mouse loves a good explosion. Just keep it away from me. We''re covering this one here while she does the raven''s work."
Crenshaw had to think for a minute about which Raven he meant.
The three chickens and two riding mice rushed to the wall and following their lead chicken, took flight for a brief moment.
Muk looked up to see three large white beasts launching themselves in formation over his walls.
He saw the glint in his cousin''s eye as they passed to his right. Foxes and rabbits ducked under them.
"Theyre our side! Don''t shoot!" He yelled at the panicked line of archers. Theyd expected an attack from the front, never one from behind.
The smiles across the defenders briefly infected the whole line.
"To the wall! The cats are advancing!"
Suddenly the sky was full of sparra.
That was when Muk felt the first explosion.
Crenshaw had aimed well and true, aiming for the beast''s large front knee. If he could take it down like that, well he had no hope of that.
His shot stuck into the leg and exploded almost instantly.
He muttered a prayer of thanks to Nithe and took a second explosive-tipped arrow.
He raised the bow overhead.
In their charge, they had overshot the beast and its passengers.
Arrows flew behind them as the chickens instinctively dodged.
Crenshaw slowed his breathing.
This might be his only shot. Or that one might have been it.
He sought inner peace, his red mist, or whatever gobbledygook it was that Woda preached.
He loosed a second arrow, exhaling, and then grabbed the reins with both paws. The strength of his bow wasn''t enough to hurt him badly, but the tension stung.
He didn''t even watch, too caught up in the chickens'' movements. He squeezed his legs together trying to adhere himself to the chicken.
"Woda! You crazy old mouse! We''re doing it!" He yelled.
It wasnt until all three of the chickens banked right away from the line of approaching cats, that Crenshaw realized that he was alone.
Where did that crazy mouse go?
An unnaturally deep hiss sounded from behind him, and he looked to draw another arrow as the chickens made a second pass at the beast.
This time the riders were ready for him.
But equally, they were not prepared for a mouse swordmaster who had climbed up of his own volition.
Crenshaw gasped, seeing the familiar blade sing in the fires that the riders carried. Two torches had already fallen, getting stuck in the giant cat beast''s fur. The swordmaster and his blade were dancers at the funerals of the cats he cleft one at a time.
"This lunatic is going," he shot another arrow, this time at the center of the approaching line," to get himself killed," he nocked his final explosive arrow aiming beyond the explosion," and I''m going to have to explain to his granddaughter how he died. And I hate that."
He shot an arrow into the mass of cats that had been displaced to stop behind the first explosion. The large beast kept moving even with two cats flying off it towards the dirt.
Muk watched in horror as the fourth explosion rocked the front line. There were several hundred regimental soldiers manning the walls now, enough for a good defense. The cat''s numbers appeared to dwarf them, and with the addition of a few helpers, it appeared that whatever unholy magic had summoned a giant abomination of a beast cat would be hurt.
They would bleed, and it was the defenders'' job to capitalize on their efforts. Time would only tell if they needed to begin an organized retreat. This wasn''t the first time that the good creatures of the Furrows had practiced their evacuation.
Muk was pleased that so many of the badgers had taken it seriously. He thought that the drills had been excessive at the beginning, but now they were worth every second. The claw, he knew agreed with his assessment.
Sparra light lances flew high over the cat''s front line, dropping rocks. Many of the cats deflected the rocks with large wooden shields. The Sparra retreated, heading in for another volley.
Then the Marshall was beside himself and Muk was swept up in his command presence.
"We''re going to pull back and make them hurt. Tell everyone to follow the eighth street back, our bluejays are mining the rest."
"Understood sir," he said.
Private Kay was probably setting up some of the traps. Muk remembered the ease with which she sat and took in Yates'' situation. Unfortunately, the cheese-headed Sergeant had followed him here.
Land was land and it didn''t mean much if you couldn''t use it for what you wanted. They had plans to fall back to Marwei and destroy the bridges if needed. Muk was still on full alert when he tapped Yates'' shoulder.
Like his approach to tea, the Sergeant did a rush job on a lot of things, but packing to go to the front was not one of them.
He lit two torches and handed one to his superior officer.
"May the bridges we burn light our way," Sergeant Yates said.
"Praise Nithe if it is true," Muk replied.
The goddess of chance and war was not fickle, as far as Muk knew. She favored the bold, the prepared, and those that didn''t rely on their luck to get ahead.
Tonight, he hoped to be all of those.
Muk took one more look over the chaos that three large chickens had wrought.
A staggering amount of cats still pressed forward and it would be less than a minute before they reached the walls.
It was as good a time as any to bravely turn tail and run. Or, in the terms of the regimental doctrine, conduct a sapper aided retreat.
The unleashed wyvern smashed itself against the wall, oblivious to the damage from the overhead rubble.
It is particularly emphasized in ranger training to deal with wyverns in a specific way.
Theyre usually treated like a large boulder falling down a hill. Rangers tended to stay out of the way after that particular lesson.
In the newest training paradigm, their position was not one of the ones that liked to catch boulders. They would leave that business to a professional. In this case, a horde of cats would suffice.
So Sela decided to do just that. He mused about how nice those professional cats were to take on that role on his behalf as he followed Rivers'' flight. The druid had decided to give the cats exactly what every little kitten wanted- a laser light show.
They had practiced this often. The warm brown scales of the wyvern gleamed in the light she produced.
River flew, spouting flames that were nearly identical to the wyverns.
It was a cheap trick that would only work once. Both druid and ranger knew that the one time it worked it would be well worth it. The panic from an apparent wyvern making strafing runs with its own flames would cause any creature to instinctively run.
This is why they trained on the fake wyvern, to cause a general panic. The fact that they could do fake wyvern and real wyvern at the same time just upped the ante.
Riverport weaved flame after flame at the throngs of cats who had camped out nearby the manor. The counterattack from the Defenders pulls him out of his stupor.
Sela watched as three chickens spearheaded a large offensive against some beast that the cats had dragged into this mess. Another large boulder and he an otter liked to stick to the streams and the rivers he was used to. He wasnt a waterfall otter.
The key to fighting a boulder then was to stay out of its way. All wyverns did was fly, sleep, and nap. Sela knew all this as he planned his route out through the distracted mass.
It looked like Woda took more of a mining approach and Sela was content to stay out of that particular battle.
Sela had long since kicked off his boots, finding that in a battle he preferred to walk around without them. When heavy running on even terrain he would need to outrun the giant flaming threat ball, was making its exit from a giant dancehall
"Well we all knew that Freya would make a splash this season," he said, No one throught it would be this big.
The mass of cats inside the manor slowed to a trickle as no more stepped out. This led Sela to believe the wyvern was ready to make another move. When the snacks ran out, Wyverns tended to look for more or sleep. He really hoped that it would sleep, but it was at the very least on the right side of the lines.
It was hard to believe that such destruction could happen in such a short time. He was glad that wyverns were usually not on this side of the Burrows. Through the bond, he felt River tug at him. She was pulling him towards her and further trying to nudge him to go around the battlefields. It seems like she found a passageway where he could run safely through in his mind he felt her. The path lit up in his mind, and he aimed to travel out of harms way. Sela set off at a jog.
121. Maiden
The mouse pondered her escape when she awoke. Freya was truly alone in this cold world. Her tribe, her clan wasnt even reachable from here without magic. Magic that she possessed, though she knew that it was a precious small amount left. To them, she was a pup out in the wilderness.
River had led her here.
No, she had led herself here.
She wanted to help in the war efforts, and Rivers need to bring her into the fold of the druid circle. There was a twinge of the remainder of the fear of losing her family, and it was overshadowed by the amount of good she felt that she could do. She could have it all with the druids, she mused as she stretched her aching limbs. Her mouse form felt foreign after a few days as a bluejay and then a brief stint as a cat.
She imagined her life in the circle. Sela had talked about the valley of red mist with awe, and shed listened during their quiet times. River of course was trying to sell her a cart full of cheese. Sela just told her about the stinky camembert in the back of the cart.
A mouse could deal with a fair bit of stinky cheese if it meant that at least a part of the cheese was tasty.
Freya liked camembert, though she was far from the majority with this opinion.
Perhaps she would be able to trod her own path as a druid, as some did. If the circle would agree to that, she could agree to a few of their rules. At least in this way, she would be able to grow her clan.
Freya jostled her pack around to see if any food was left. She now felt the extent of her untapped magic well. It felt like a happy friend, ready to be pulled into any weave she could make. The precious few weaves that she had felt ready to go, and Freya sighed before stepping out from the rocks, looking for a landmark.
The light of day in the burrows, a sharp contrast to the night shed seen before showed the terrain in stark blacks and browns. It wasnt far different from what she expected, but she was glad to see a certain area of the hill where she knew shed be able to make her move.
Rivers'' admonishment to only use the burrows when necessary rang in her head. She felt nothing around her, and the quiet was far from calming. It wasnt the worst feeling shed ever experienced by far, but it was a special kind of feeling.
One that she finally felt capable of addressing.
Freya adjusted everything for her new, warmer mouse body and set off for her next move. Boots wouldnt just fix their size on their own, after all, and traveling cloaks worked best when they allowed the exploitation of the economy of movement, to say nothing of pockets.
It wasnt long until she found the spot she was searching for.
Freya breathed a sigh of relief. Then she looked around. The familiar place where she''d turned into a cat was here. A few tufts of fur indicated where they had wild shaped. Whether mouse or cat, she wasnt certain, but she used it to judge the direction of their travel.
At once the path they had taken in the dark looked obvious. Freya looked down the hill towards the way she had come from. The slight change in the grade as well as the light played tricks on her eyes.
She looked backward.
Burrows, according to several accounts, didn''t map directly one-to-one with the world. Rather, Sela had told her that in most places, a burrow was a shortened path. But if one wanted to return to a specific spot, one could try to map it out.
A few druids had an interest in cartography over the years, and some half-complete maps were available in the circle proper, but Freya had never seen any. Shed take the time to make her own if she had half a chance.
Freya looked back and judged the distance to where they''d crossed over. Then she turned and judged the distance to Marwei. There wasn''t a stream, river, or even a dry river bed. Freya found a point and fixed it in her mind.
Then, once again she set off determined to make it back to somewhere with rations. Even a dive bar, one of those disreputable beaver places would be fine so long as they had food. Tavern fare would be a welcome sight to the hungry mouse.
Before long, Freya found herself looking back up the hill. This was where she would judge Marwei to be.
Freya sighed.
"A food cart would be nice right about now."
She began the weave to leave the burrows.
Chicken Freya, the waterlogged hero of the ages, was lost. The bond was giving her conflicting information. When she reached the front lines, it immediately pulsed behind her.
So, as one does, she banked and turned back.
The mouse on her companion was yelling something incomprehensible.
She didn''t care.
Freya was alive, and she could feel her. What did it matter that the mouse was far behind them? It made no sense, but chickens didn''t have much to do with sense.
The fast spicy creature was still calmly cutting through the cats with lethal precision. She wanted to get away, but he had been good to her so far. She initially hadn''t trusted him, but she reluctantly turned back in his direction.
The mouse rider behind her whooped and hollered. Arrows flew behind her, missing her by a mere talon length. She would have to talk to Freya about these working conditions.
Chicken Freya flew up to the triumphant mouse.
He reeked, his aura ablaze in front of her.
He stopped, sheathing his blade just in time to grab onto an offered wing and climb up.
She appreciated his speed and his professionalism was to be commended.
She would oblige him, crowing as she flew back towards the wall.
Her companions followed, crowing the chicken song of victory. Behind them, the large beast swiped ineffectively before the rider mouse fired something.
Stolen novel; please report.
The small explosion behind her, no longer startled the chicken, and soon they were standing tall on the wall.
The creatures made a fuss about her and gestured for her to drop down and she began jumping from house to house, following the path. Then the battle was met and cats with ladders rushed the walls.
Muk fired another arrow over the wall. It didnt matter what he hit, as anything would be an inconvenience to the cats. Far behind the cats, fire dotted the wintry landscape, and the quartermaster began to think that instead of charging the regiment, perhaps the cats were running away from something.
Just as soon as the chickens returned, they beat their talons along the ground, racing away from the fire. Muk felt like he should have been scared of the chickens, but his time with Freya had shown him that he didnt need to fear all beasts. Just the giant ones that it took several explosions to take down.
The large beasts expression changed from one of a hunter on a trail to that of surprise when its front leg broke apart. The arrows covered the beast as it collapsed.
The fear that had gripped his heart died. Hed hoped to be able to win this fight. It would be a struggle if nothing else, but seeing such a spectacle left him breathless.
Around him, Soldiers rallied, fighting back the line of cats and their ladders, letting them think that they were mounting a counter-offensive.
They knew that the wall wasnt meant for this kind of siege, and the cats had apparently thought that their demons would be able to lower the gates. The regiment, in raising the alarm, had stopped that.
Now they needed the cats to believe that they really wanted to hold their position.
The token resistance folded as the regiment melded back into well-trodden paths. Muk quickly backed up to the top of the hill before the mass of cats started moving over the wall.
Then the second round of arrows punished cats going in any direction but the narrow road they had set up expressly to bottleneck the cats. So they moved up the hill, block by block as trap after trap sprang.
Crenshaw breathed a sigh of relief when his party arrived at the bridges. A familiar mouse greeted them.
"I don''t suppose that you have any food on you?"
The chickens piled onto Freya as they all hugged.
Freya? Crenshaw gaped.
Woda and Crenshaw dismounted and waited for the chickens. One didnt rush large feathered beasts, even when a battle raged.
Uh, we might want to move on. The regiment is fighting.
The central bridge was a sight that left his heart happy. The poor mice had been pushing for so hard and so long that he nearly collapsed.
Woda slapped his back.
Ready for another go?
I think Im ready for retirement.
Lets get back over the bridges first, eh? We can have a tearful reunion on the opposite side.
It was at that time that the regiment began retreating to the bridges in earnest.
Perhaps it was the ground, or perhaps it was the still dark night, but once more, all three of them felt fear. Freya stared out beyond the bridges to the other shore. The large river never sounded quieter than it was at that moment.
Several dozen Soldiers marched with a purpose over the hill. It quickly became an errand of a beaver to count them, so Freya didnt even attempt.
Were going to need some more of those explosives, Crenshaw said.
All eyes, both chicken and mouse turned to them.
All of these Soldiers, we need to cut off the cat''s advances, Crenshaw yelled.
But how? Freya yelled back to him over the mass of Soldiers, each of whom was giving her strange looks.
Crenshaw tossed her a pack hed left secured to his saddle.
With this. You prime it, Ill plant it.
Freya looked in amazement at the satchel. Her spine tingled when she opened the pack with the remainder of their explosives.
It should be enough, were going to have to clear the bridges, Crenshaw said, With me, druid.
And Ill buy you both enough time, Woda said, once again drawing his weapon.
Freya gasped.
Let him go.
Freya reluctantly let grandpaw leave, even as a few of the rabbits lead a familiar mouse officer down the path.
Someone that Freya realized she knew all too well. She tried to slip under her cloak, but a swift wind pushed it back. The torches that the Soldiers carried clearly illuminated her face and she hoped that he wouldnt look at the cloaked mouse on the chicken in the middle of a war zone, who was currently doing her best to pull together nodes of red mist and explosives.
Get across the bridge, Muk said to the last pair of rabbits on the shore, We cant hold them off indefinitely. Spears raised the two rearguard rabbits backed up, trying to stop the advancing line through sheer force of will. Behind them, the Denoue river rushed past, as waves crashed on both sides.
The line of woodland Soldiers stood firm against the onslaught of the war band as they walked with their backs to the bridges, backing in and pausing here and there to let a maiden of the bow loose a volley at the approaching horde of cats.
Then the bridges started collapsing. One at a time, the two outermost bridges lost two supports, leaving a chunk of engineering to collapse into the depths of the river.
Muk looked up to see the welcome sight of his cousin and another familiar chicken-riding figure.
This figure had all of the grace of Private Kay, and if conditions were different, what with the Marquis breathing down on him, hed probably go talk to her and thank her.
The front line of the cats arrived, many of them frothing at the mouth as two more of the bridges blew. Muk stepped up to the shore, unsheathing his sword, and joining the rearguard rabbits.
It was then that he noticed the lone figure who knelt before the horde.
That had to be -no- his swordmaster.
Muk cried out, but his voice didnt carry over the roar of the river and the cats. Only when the last of the rabbits got to the bridge and stepped on did he allow himself to yell back to Woda.
Youre making a mistake!
Muk hadnt expected a response but the sound that came back was the only thing he could head.
I chose this mistake, Woda said, his voice loud enough just to make it to Muk.
No! Muk cried.
Nooooo! The female voice behind him yelled, loud enough to make him regret waiting. Who would that
Muk turned to see none other than a brown-furred, blue-eyed angel reaching out a hand to him.
In his shock, he didnt even notice when she pulled him up to the chicken saddle and pushed him to hold onto her. He didnt notice her initiates headband or for that matter, feel her rucksack, but by the Raven, he noticed her smell, and it was something that he never wanted to forget. All he saw was that she was taking him away, and then rabbits were closing the ranks behind them. Above them, sparra tried again to launch a volley of rocks ineffectively at the cats.
Behind them, the large beast that Freya had turned to their cause was still tearing through their ranks. Those in the front, however, were ready to kill.
She reached out, trying to steer it towards the war band line assembling at the docks, but in the battle of wills, it was a kitten, and she the yarn. It wasnt the bear her stark realization that it was steerable caused her to sweat. She had hoped that her brief bond with the wyvern would have stuck around a bit longer, but shed take what she could get.
Above her, a flash of fire showed her Rivers location as the druid landed.
Freya willed her mount to follow, holding the reins with one paw and Muk with the other. He felt warm and familiar at that moment, something she hadnt even known that she needed. She felt strong with him around, and he was not going to live down her reducing him from himself. Grandpaw could and would take care of himself as he carved a path, but the bridge, well that needed work.
River was going to help her get to work.
I dont know if it is going to hold with so many, she said to the druid, I just dont
Freya, youve got to trust in the power within you, River said, because we just need to get these last few rabbits over enough for me to shape the effect we need. The other bridges were small enough that you were able to take care of them, but this one? This one is on me.
The druid was pouring magic into the water, shaping it as little rock pellets slammed into the war band''s front line. The sparra had figured out a way to if not stop, distract them and Freya needed every single second.
She watched, eyes agape as River weaved something that caused half the largest bridge to melt, starting from the Furrows'' side towards them
Freya heard Muks voice over her pained body as she reached for the last drop of sustenance she had.
Biscuit? She heard herself asking him.
What? And no tea? He replied, I thought you were a lady?
Im no lady. I am a druid.
He gripped her harder as Freya pulled a bit of weave out of the air, spontaneously creating a bow of fire and then a flaming arrow.
She launched the arrow from her position in the water, seeing it illuminate an otters head and smiled. Sela would be there to back them up if one of the cats started swimming.
There. Whatever she had, she had spent it, and the last bridge was down as Freya collapsed into Muk.
Is that it? Freya could hear Muks'' voice directed at the druid.
No, she could hear the raven''s voice falter.
Then she heard the splashing.
122. Little Knife
Theyre swimming!
A voice, someone from the regiment yelled over the cacophony of splashing.
No one in the regiment expected the cats from the Marquis to swim, but a sufficiently motivated cat can be shown to do about anything in this day and age.
Freya leaned back into Muk. Such a move would have been the height of scandal at any point up until the last few days.
Freya had no quarrel with societal norms, so when a maiden won the heart of the dashing heartthrob and saved him from a horde of enemies, she was entitled to a bit of a cuddle. A break from the action while all the rest of her ladies in waiting and attendants all swooned and clapped would have been a nice touch as well. Without that, well she didnt feel robbed, but the books had made it sound like a given.
Weve got a lot to talk about, you and I, Muk said, gripping her as the chicken steered down the remaining portion of the bridge.
I suppose thats about right, she replied, But perhaps we should move away from the dangerous roving war band?
Thats about the best thing Ive heard all day. What say we go ahead and do that?
I have a vested interest in my grandpaw over there.
Muk gasped.
The pair of mice turned back to watch, but the mouse was nowhere to be found.
Freya looked frantically, searching at the spot where she swore that shed just seen him, but to no avail. She nearly jumped off the chicken to run back, but Muk held her as if he needed her in that moment and she melted.
Sela would save him. She knew that he was in the water, and if nothing else the ranger would save him. Or that was a fantasy, but if it was one, it was one that she would cling to.
Miru. Why did the elder mouse have to rush into danger? He clearly acted like he wanted to meet the god of death and life sooner rather than later. Freya didnt appreciate it, because for all that good he did for the family, he was still part of her clan.
She was going to have some choice words for the Uki Patriarch. Several swear words would be used, she would have to be a stern granddaughter. It was hard to raise grandparents in this day and age, what with them all trying to go on adventures and court the displeasure of the gods themselves.
Chicken Freya took the two mice down through the ranks, with a black raven in tow. There would be questions, and probably an official investigation into whatever the heck had actually happened, and who knew what the circle would do about the wyvern. Or perhaps, she might be the one called up to deal with their pesky fire-breathing problem.
It didnt really matter to her either way. She was content to be held by Muk as the dawn broke in front of them, melting like a bit of butter on a warm summer''s day.
Crenshaw slumped down on the Marwei side, kissing the sand.
"We made it."
"Like a thousand boots have been through that sand today alone, are you sure that you want to do that?" Sergeant Yates nodded to him.
He hadnt even noticed the scout. It made sense, what with the scouts being a part of the regiment, but there were hundreds of coalition Soldiers and the odds of the one that knew him showing up were probably very good.
"Oh bother. Listen young blood, you get a chance to retire? You take it. I came out of retirement for this fool''s errand and I am going to go right back."
Yates looked down on him. It wasnt a look of contempt but the look was familiar. It was probably the one he had given countless older retired mice hundreds of times.
The one that said: Yes, I understand you old timer - but things are different now.
He didn''t begrudge the scout such an ideal. To care about one''s job while also appearing to not care? That was what a good Sergeant did.
Grandpaw would turn up again, he had to. From what Muk was blabbing in her ear, hed been particularly hard to kill, and probably taken down a large beast on his own. He might be some ascendant hero, from what Muk was saying.
I swear Freya, the beast itself, it was like a siege engine brought to life, he said, as she tuned him in.
A siege engine?
Giant pieces of engineering made to destroy fortifications. You pretended to be a blue jay for a while, right?
Wild shaped, so I was one of them.
Well, its what they do when theyre not digging tunnels or making explosives. Sapping, Im sure youve heard of it. No?
Freya shook her head, which felt weird without a beak. She also missed the keen sense of smell that the cats had.
Behind them, archers continually loosed a volley into the war band as it broke. Freya collapsed into Muk, as the weight of everything overcame her all at once.
Muk held her tighter.
I think that I might need some time off, she said.
This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
That seems prudent.
River walked up next to the two mice. Freya had made it back to their side, and their mission had been a sort of success. Sela pulsed something intriguing over the bond and she knew hed meet her in Marwei.
The long bridge stretched out in front of them, and the line of rabbits, mice, and foxes rushed back and forth. Archers resumed their volleys, almost as an afterthought.
With a deep breath, she grabbed her last biscuit and chomped it down. The cats raged on the shore and in the river.
It wasnt enough to stop them. Cats wouldnt take prisoners from the regiment, except possibly from some of the foxes. Therefore the regiment would brook no compromise.
River had heard once that when someone was taken hostage that the regiment immediately held a funeral. Something about not letting their life or death factor into the discussion. If they returned, the regiment would be overjoyed but if they didnt, well if there were talks, they wouldnt include anyone for whom the regiment had declared dead.
Knowing that she realized why now the remainder of the mass of cats was choosing to attempt to float down the denoue river to safety. Behind them, she heard someone ordering the scouts to immediately go downriver via chicken. She perked up, seeing that there was something she could do.
Muk, I
Its not for us Freya. The scouts have to do their own thing, and few of those cats will be able to drag themselves across the whitewater rapids.
Freya looked over and realized that River the druid was weaving something over the water. The flow looked fluid and moving, like a wave and then Freya saw the power behind the magic leave the raven and go directly into the water.
Waves splashed higher downriver as the effects of her weave became apparent. Muk nudged Freya and their mount towards the druid.
Hail, fair druid, perhaps the regiment would be able to give you some breakfast? He said to the blackbird.
That would be most agreeable, she said.
Behind her, the waves continued to rise and fall from the origin point, set where the druid had tied off the weave. Freya was amazed to see it still pulsing with power, rather than immediately dissipating as shed expected.
With nothing left to do, the druid saw to the important business of refueling.
"You wouldn''t happen to have something in your pockets, Lieutenant?"
Muk fished about and pulled out a wrapped square.
Freya recognized it for the calorie-dense trail ration it was.
"It''s not ladylike but-"
"Ms. Uki-Freya just eat the thing."
Freya smiled and did exactly that.
Ahead of them, the group saw Crenshaw arguing with a rabbit and decided to continue onwards. Freya saw how tired her companions were, and didnt begrudge them their time as they arrived at the docks. The mass of refugees hadnt moved far from the docks and Muk gulped.
Im going to have to disperse this crowd somehow.
Why does it have to be you? Freya asked.
Im the ranking officer out here, most likely.
Muk scanned the crowd looking for a sign of epaulets.
Wearily, he realized that he was it.
"I''m going to have to do something I don''t normally do, but I understand that this is a special situation. I don''t see the marshall or the claw, or any of the commanders here, so I need to take charge."
Freya looked confused.
"Give me five minutes to get these creatures all in check."
"You still owe me breakfast."
"I owe you my life, I think, so trust that I''ll come through with something delicious. It just so happens that I know where all of the provisions are."
With that, he jumped down off the chicken gracefully and began shouting orders.
Freya zoned out. She watched him take control of the mass of Soldiers, organizing them into lines and clearing out a pathway in the center;
The mouse was in some sort of fugue state, giving order after order and she didn''t even notice when he returned.
"Oh hey, I almost forgot something," he said, "can you ask your chicken to lower you down?"
Freya smiled and patted her mount.
"Down, girl," she said to the chicken.
Muk walked over to her reaching up with both arms.
"What did you forget ooooh!"
Freya fell into his embrace and the jeers and whistles from the bustling Soldiers around her couldn''t even draw her attention as Muk drew her into a long kiss.
Freya melted into his arms and shut the world out. For a moment the world was just the two of them and she hadnt a care of anything else. Sparks flew and Freya realized that she had to come up for air at some time. She begrudgingly let him release her and sighed.
"There. Now if you wouldn''t mind, we can look for your Grandpaw? I have sent for food. It''s what he would have wanted us to do, I think?"
Freya squeezed his paw and mounted her chicken with his help. It wasnt that she needed the hand, but a lady druid wasn''t going to say no to a handsome Lieutenant''s aid.
Sela found River and Crenshaw shortly thereafter.
Youre all very easy to find with the chickens. Crenshaw, it seems, is having some sort of crisis down by the river? I think hell be alright. I dearly hope so at least.
"I''m fine," the old mouse said, "what about Woda?"
River and Sela looked at each other.
"He did something very stupid."
"He tried to buy us time," Crenshaw replied.
"That doesn''t make it smart," River said, "I''ll fly over the area."
Crenshaw and Sela both tried to stop the druid, but she launched herself up before either could get a word in.
As she flew up among the sparra, Freya and Muk arrived.
We should have stopped her, Crenshaw said.
Mate, I think that would not have worked at all. Have you seen what she does to creatures that try to stop her?
Sela waved to the mass of cats that were now making a last stand against the wyvern that had trampled through most of the Furrows.
River knew that something was wrong. It wasnt the wyvern who was tiring itself out, and it wasnt Selas pulsing to her that set her on edge.
Woda was just gone. She had so many questions for him that shed been saving for the end of their little sightseeing trip.
He was nowhere to be found.
Theyd said that he jumped into the fray, possibly in some attempt to slow the cat''s advance.
River was distraught. Not only had he been a swordmaster who was invaluable to the coalition, but he was also Freyas grandparent. She wouldwhat would she do? Throw a tantrum and try to walk into an active battle?
When Spring had brought her into the fold, shed spoken about how the model one had of someone else was just that. You might think they would act one way, and then they would surprise you when they didnt. There was no rhyme or reason to their decisions. She knew what she would do, of course, but that in itself was only her projection of herself after all.
Grief did strange things to creatures and she needed to know. Freya would need to know, but in the mess of cats, she couldnt make him out.
River banked, turning around.
He was an old mouse. He should be able to take care of himself.
River had heard horror stories of older warriors going out to fight beasts in what they thought were their last days. Perhaps this was one of those moments, but she really didnt think so.
They were going to have to wait.
And when the wyvern stopped to nap, she would send it back through the burrows. She had enough to worry about when errant sword masters decided to just jump into an unwinnable battle.
She dreaded telling Freya about the mouse. River briefly considered having Sela talk to her, but dismissed that possibility quickly. It was her burden to carry, not his.
River touched down on the Marwei side.
Freya sobbed.
She didn''t need to say anything.
Rivers face said all that she needed to know.
For now, they could let the battle sort itself out. For now mouse held onto mouse and the two stood atop one of the bridges that formerly connected the two cities.
Across the way the scorched buildings of the furrows lit up the day. The wyvern had ran out of steam and began to nest in the uppermost layer of the Furrows.
"Hey, where is Stone?" Crenshaw asked.
123. Red Mist
Following Crenshaw and Woda into the fray, Stone reflected on his life as it had existed before. He had a great family and for all his bluster he hadnt really needed much of anything. The company provided and everything else, from his sons playing at being a ranger and forming his own raft was just icing on the fish cake.
It was right before they reached the clearing for the bridges that he realized that he needed to pay attention to everything that was going on in front of him as well.
Stone smacked into a large apothecary sign, knocking himself off his mount.
In the haste and chaos of the day, his mount didn''t realize what had happened until it was face to face with a ragamuffin.
Stone himself was knocked out cold for long enough to realize that he was missing out.
"Well thats a problem, innit."
The elder otter shook off his headache and took stock of his situation. He didn''t have the swimming speed to catch up, and he wasn''t going to go on his own, but he needed to do something. He wanted to do something.
Then he remembered the trip they had made to the docks to discuss strategy. The restaurant had been next to a ship foundry. He should be able to get in there and secure some boats for the coalition''s use in case they needed them.
Had he thought about the problem a bit more he might think that such a place would be an excellent target. Stone in fact had guarded several similar locations.
So it was with complete surprise that he found himself surrounded by five ragamuffins who were attempting to make off with everything they could find. Stone drew his swords.
Stabitha, Slashley, time to go to work.
The otter pushed off the ground, launching himself into the fray, meeting the constructs with one, slashing with the other.
Stone made q uick work of the first two, both of which collapsed to stabithas long reach, then the three others tried to circle the experienced elder mercenary.
Stone took one look at their coordinated movement.
Oh sweet Miru.
Then he bravely turned his tiny otter tail and fled, right before they were able to encircle him.
The confused ragamuffins looked at each other quizzically for a second before following.
This proved to be all the time he needed.
Stone juked left out of the door, and then one by one the mouse sized creatures fell to slashley. The last one saw him approach and for the first time, the otter could saee fear in its otherworldly eyes.
Stone stabbing it directly through the throat was the last thing he saw.
When he secured the foundry, he began getting volunteers to help with the next part of his mad plan.
The otter grabbed every able bodied badger he convince to get into a boat to stave off the invasion that he felt was coming.
It wasnt until the wyvern popped up over the top of the furrows that he realized how off his assumptions had been.
That and the explosions had him and about twenty badgers in small river rafts, fighting the currents around the boats using long rowing oars as well as the bridge supports.
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That Stone? Freya said, nodding to the clutch of badgers and exactly one otter in rafts underneath the remnants of the five bridges.
Yep. Thats the one. I swear that his timing is completely off or he is shirking his duties, or maybe Im just jealous that he didnt joint my suicide squad. Either way Im happy to see him. Sela seems ecstatic.
The ranger had tromped over immediately and leaned over the edge of the bridge to see his father in law.
How are things going down there?
Swimmingly.
Freya retired to the little breakfast nook at The Otter and his DOtter. After eating everything she could find, and sharing the meal with River they all joined Sergeant Yates back by the now empty supply trains.
The tired fox looked convinced that he would never sleep again, and that by necessity, he would need to immediately make haste back to Yellowrock proper.
He also looked dead tired.
When weve all rested, well be taking the wounded back home, he told the party.
That had to be acceptable because as soon as they were all able to unload their cloaks, they all quickly fell asleep in between the wagons, cockroaches and chickens.
Only River stayed awake long enough to sneak back to the frontlines.
No one noticed the giant portal opening to the burrows, but everyone noticed the conspicuous absence of a wyvern atop the Furrows. It was this strange occurrence that caused the regiment to send a flight of sparra out scouting only to find Alexas band routed, and only a smoldering campfire left.
Whomever had survived the meeting with the beast had either not lived to tell the tale or had escaped along a well trodden path back to land controlled by the marquisate.
Marwei stayed on edge for hours, and it wasnt until the land became dark again that the supply trains began to move back towards Yellowrock.
Freya and her companions ended up walking alongside the caravan.
Due to the large amount of wounded that River was working to heal, Freya spent the evening learning how to use her own red mist to rejuvenate the skin and fur of a burnt mouse. It was in the sheer amount of patients that she saw until the night fell that caused her to look forward to walking more.
After each creature was healed, Freya told them to eat up as the healing would make them hungry for days. It wasnt only them that were hungry, and as the night turned back into day, a rejuvenated Sergeant Yates thanked her and made her sleep.
Freya reluctantly listened, only waking up for breakfast and lunch.
Freya checked in on the baby with Layla at the midpoint sometime that evening. For a brief time she gave respite to mom and dad, and then made sure to glare sideways at dad to make him act right. They returned the blue jay cloaks as well, giving the babe a momento that Layla said would warm her heart. Layla accepted Rivers cloak readily but told Freya to keep hers. One never knew when a cloak would become handy, of course.
Before she knew it, they were on the road again, and the even pacing of the caravan left her drowsy. Either it was that or her overall excitement from seeing something nice happening in the world with the little one. She was coming down from a large high.
Before long she was asleep again, dreaming happy dreams of reuniting with her mother and grandmother. She would be chasing a small Kayli as soon as she returned, then she would get to the business of settling her affairs.
A druid couldnt have things hanging over her head while in training.
But for now? She would rest.
Freya, the initiate, liked cozy shops. Fortunately, the town inside the wall had many of them. She was happy to remember the simpler times when she hadnt been taken under the wing of so many mentors in a row. Before shed awakened her powers.
The stretching between two different worlds, her homeworld and then those burrows. The new clan leading her away from and bringing her back to the old.
It was all such a strange new world that shed arrived in. This new world had shown her giant beasts, things that would crush her in their grip without a second thought. She had fought against and even brought to bear one of those.
She didnt see the world the way that she had anymore either. Now, she had her feelings wrapped against her red mist, pushing it down so it was visible. Sensing the world through her bond as well was not only a welcome feeling, it felt like second nature. Her bones had changed many times, wild shaping her over and over again, distorting herself as she changed reality.
Now she saw things the way that River did. The way that Lady Raina had taught her. She still needed to talk to her friends, but the arguments that shed held with Holly seemed naked and without form. It just didnt seem to matter anymore, like someone trying to whistle across a crowded bazaar.
Freya had weathered the storm, coming through in full view of what it meant to be a debutante, and now a druid.
But what she got out of her experience? She was a bit hesitant to say. She was looking forward to the rest of the season, and especially after all of the time shed spent away- ages it felt like- just being with her friends for the rest of her season.
Muk could wait.
Freya would not.
The shops on the inside of the wall? If their signs were any indication? They couldnt wait either.
And Freya would oblige them.
THE END of Volume One of Red Mist
2-1. Cipher
"She won''t become a druid if she just lays about all day."
"On the contrary, Miss Uki I believe that is most certainly in the cards."
The two voices shook Freya out of her stupor. She had been resting all day and was beginning to be restless.
The mouse lay upon her childhood bed. Her bedroom was nested in the Uki burrow, a place that was no longer as restful as it had been.
Two days at home after shed gone to the front and messed up a lot of the best-laid plans of mice and birds.
Freya could vividly recall the wyvern in her mind, trying to overpower her. But by that time she had a lot more control over her magic.
Shed pulled the scaled beast through her burrow-a pocket dimension- and thrust it upon the debutant scene. Of course, it had made waves. The rampage that went on afterward had nothing to do with her, and she was glad that the cats of the Marquisate were her enemies.
The two voices began again.
"You should know better than anyone that she needs rest after the time..."
The rabbits'' voice trailed off and Freya strained to hear it. River had told her about how she was laid up for a few days after bonding with all three of her rangers, and she felt much the same. Whatever magic she had was spent. With that was all of the saved-up energy she had held onto.
She knew that she had tapped into just about every reserve, every snack she had ever eaten.
"I''ll bring more rolls."
Her mother''s defeated tone let her know that whoever had been seated outside her door had at least a modicum of the Uki Matriarchs'' respect. She was probably a bit familiar with the male behind the voice.
Freya hadnt the faintest idea who it was, but it sounded like someone with a thick rabbit brogue. Or someone trying to emulate the old country way of speaking.
She hadnt encountered anyone in recent memory that had spoken using it for anything but parody or jest.
Frey stretched her tail and looked at the window. It was mid-afternoon in the later part of winter. The harvest had been done long enough for society to hold several dances. Idly she wondered if her mother would ask her to attend any more balls before she left. She smiled at the thought, then got up. She strolled to her traveling cloak and held it out. Then realizing that she would probably need a dress underneath it, she wriggled into a fair brown dress. Her old standard felt a bit large but otherwise normal.
Freya strode confidently to the door. A little crack in the door showed her that the rabbit was wearing a well-to-do suit.
She was puzzled by his face.
The rabbit looked like no one she had ever met. Freya updated her decision to just rush in and pepper him with questions. She had her mother on a need-to-know basis, except as pertained to her Old Grandpaw.
The rabbit outside accepted a plate of rolls from her mother. The older mouse sighed but didn''t say anything. Immediately evident to Freya was that he was immaculately dressed and looked unremarkably average so far as rabbits go. His bold blue three-piece suit would have drawn eyes if it weren''t the season for such finery.
"You are bound by nothing that we say in this conversation. I want you to know that from the start."
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Freya cursed the bloody rabbit hearing that gave her away. The rabbit stared her down.
"Are you a relative of Captain Bell? Or the Bun family? Or perhaps the Cobblers?"
Freya opened the door a bit to speak with him. He sat across the well-lit hall sitting on a long bench with a small plate of rolls.
He hefted the plate towards her. She accepted it, taking it with one paw while using the other to extract her prize.
"In a manner of speaking, no. I work for the crown."
Freya''s eyebrows raised up precipitously.
"And no, lass before you ask *she* didn''t put me up to this."
He didn''t specify the female in question but Freya had a good idea.
"What do you want with me?"
"It''s not about me. It''s what the *crown* wants with you."
"Ah."
She chewed on the most delicious roll she had ever tasted. Cinnamon notes meshed with the chocolate which was her mother''s signature recipe for a bad or very good occasion.
"Rest assured that she only wants to extend to you the courtesies afforded to your future position, as well as offer you a gift of sorts."
Freya''s ears perked up. The rabbit looked deadly serious at her. She had, of course, extensive experience in receiving gifts that were meant to convey a message. For instance, rolls intended to make her feel secure, or a Kapi date meant to make her decide upon a suitor.
"A gift? I imagine that there is some sort of golden string attached to it?"
The rabbit smirked, then adjusted the tie on his suit.
"I would hope that she didnt attach strings to me," he said, chuckling.
Freya raised a single eyebrow at the exact allowable limit to push for a response.
"I work in espionage. As you are familiar with Lady Raina and Captain Bell, they are the face of the kingdom''s intelligence collection apparatus. I am a field agent."
The rabbit drew himself to his full height, nearly half again as tall as she was with his ears fully extended.
"Agent Capybara, at your service miss."
He bowed deeply, his tophat a part of his flourish. She, in turn, curtseyed.
Freya eyed the newcomer cautiously. Then she took another roll.
"I suppose you''re here to collect intelligence upon me?"
"Ah, Lass you wound me. I am merely here to offer you some training as well as tell you that we can be an asset to the circle just as much as the circle can be an asset to the crown."
Freya offered the plate back to the rabbit. He accepted it and placed it back, snatching up a roll.
"I suppose that youre about to tell me about asset management and how the Mole stock market works?"
"These would be the other kind of assets. The flesh and blood kind."
"It''s so good to be looked at like something of value," Freya said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"River said you were exceptional."
Freya paused, finally done with the cinnamon roll.
"You know the druid?"
"Know her? I helped train her!"
He smiled. Freya smiled back.
"River saved my life a few times. True I wouldn''t have been in the situations without her, but thats life."
"When she worked alongside us, she-her mission- was a fair bit more mundane. And certainly less dangerous."
"Less danger sounds wonderful right now."
The two sat back in their chairs. A shared view of a strong druid put them in a small group. Most creatures never met a druid or anyone touched by magic in their entire lives. To have an opinion on one? That was near as rare.
" So the crown wants me to ...what, be open to sharing things that the circle would be okay with me sharing?"
"You''re right on the nose there, Miss. Mostly it''s the formality of our meeting so in case we ever need to interact professionally, you don''t have to wonder?"
Freya paused.
"And I supposed Captain Bell would say the same thing as well? And Tulip?"
"Naturally."
Freya had been looking for him to pass a few of her tests. He had. She would need to speak with Captain Bell anyway to clear up some socialite business anyway.
"Then you should consider me a valuable ally. Assuming nothing you told me is suspect. Now onto the other matter?"
The rabbit smiled.
"As you may be aware, there are many more languages than ours. There''s whatever the cats speak, the lizards'' speech, and I heard druids even have their own high speech."
Freya nodded, leaning in.
"Yes, what of it?"
"As we know some of your ability is to speak to languages of others, I would like to help you learn how to do some analysis of handwriting, as well as..."
He brought out a sheaf of paper. Putting it on the tea table, Freya wondered where he had just pulled it from.
"Teaching you how to use a Cypher. Your mother will be able to help you with reading and writing other languages, as she shares your gift, but this cipher is special to the coalition. I might even say that this in itself is the soul of the coalition. To be able to speak without fear of a message being intercepted..."
He trailed off.
"I am guessing that there''s a bit in there about using words to represent other things?"
"You would be correct. The preponderance of things that our current cipher refers to are ... baked goods."
Freya immediately felt at home
2-2. An Apology
The bear that Freya had fought had been scary. Not as frightening as her first dance though, and if she had to draw the comparison?
This dance -this event- was much less scary in retrospect. Today''s dance was a gala celebrating among other things, alumni of Lady Raina''s finishing school. The many foxes, rabbits, and mice shared a dance with so many suitors that it made Freya''s head spin. This late in the twelve-week season, with only a month to go, she had suspected that the demand and the supply would have been far more sorted. Apparently, the holdouts were all looking for a better deal.
A dashing rabbit convinced her otherwise.
As Freya waited on the wall to be called up, she saw many familiar faces, including contemporaries of Captain Bell she barely recalled. Tulip was the first to find her there.
"Miss Uki, I heard that you gave the regiment quite a fright with some antics that I''ll admit, I only understand a part of."
Freya smiled.
"It''s so good to be back in the company of civilized creatures, but it was memorable."
Freya accepted a mug of tea. Tulip had made it to a more than acceptable standard, the hints of cinnamon in her green tea bringing out the flavor.
"I supposed you''ll be asking for more than one cup of tea for the whole story, then?"
"Perhaps it isn''t you, but the rest of the prying ears around here. You rabbits are decadent with the amount of space you leave to your ears."
Tulip sipped her own tea. The two looked out. Freya saw that Tulip was dressed in green, indicating that she would be open to advances from potential suitors.
"Have you talked to Captain Bell recently?"
"Personally or professionally? Your friend Holly has been twisting his arm. She sees me as a rival even though I''m so done with the rabbit it''s no longer funny."
"I was going to try to mend the bridge with Miss Bun. I don''t want to leave for the circle and..."
Freya let the words hang in the air. The comfortable level of conversation continued outside of their small bubble.
"I know you don''t want me to tell you what to do, but perhaps we should take a turn on the dance floor...?"
Tulip''s gaze drew Freya''s attention. From across the grand hall, she saw Holly and Captain Bell getting ready to dance the waltz. She heard the call to the reception line uttered, a familiar sound. The bell was warm and inviting.
Captain Bell on the other paw, looked like he was a bit stressed if the well-placed coverup underneath his eyes were to be believed. He saw her, and as she cursed under her breath, pointed her out to his companion.
Holly''s gaze lingered on her like a predator.
Freya shrugged it off. She didn''t want a gentle rabbit to get between herself and an old friend. She would have to beg, grovel or steal to fix this.
"Miss Uki."
"Miss Bun."
Captain Bells'' eyes gave him away. The larger rabbit made to leave expeditiously.
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"Oh stay please, Captain," Freya said.
"Yes, indeed. I am told that the regiment owes you a debt of honor, one that we all owe you. I believe congratulations are in order?"
Holly turned to her companion.
"You would be correct. She was the little knife in the paw of the Marquisate."
"Well, I thank you for that," Holly curtseyed, "For my family and for the rest of us who couldn''t contribute in person.
An awkward silence dropped over the group.
"Look I need to say something-" Freya said.
"No please let me-"
They spoke over each other and stopped.
"You first, Holly."
"No you, Miss Bun."
"If you''ve agreed, I''ll get a round of drinks."
The two old friends nodded in unison.
They waited for the older rabbit to move with a purpose towards the open bar in the corner.
"I was unfair to you. Freya, I know... I have talked to him and he tells me that you were nothing but cordial with him and..."
Freya sighed, letting a breath escape that she hadnt known she was holding.
"That''s accurate. I was just trying to learn from him. Gather more intelligence as it were. I had no designs on that rabbit. However, trying to get that across..."
"I should have been more able to listen. And now you''re...? I heard something about Lieutenant Chin-Hwa?"
"The cards are on his side right now. Let''s just say he has his hands full."
The rabbit, her immaculate makeup and dress working in tandem stared back at her. Together, it made her breathtaking, or so Freya would think.
"I''m sorry about-"
"No that''s...the misunderstanding we had and the talks I had with Tulip during your convalescence. Raven knows I learned a lot."
Freya idly wondered if Tulip had told Holly about her past interest in Captain Bell. That was a path that she didnt want to go down.
"Raven knows we both learned a lot this season."
Holly looked up, accepting a drink from her defeated-looking suitor. Captain Bell passed Freya a lovely warm cider. She hadnt expected the mug but she immediately took a large lusty sip of it.
"Captain Bell, you have excellent taste."
"I thank you Miss Uki, but I was told in no uncertain terms by Tulip that this would be the best one available and that the two of you would agree on this if nothing else."
Normally, Freya would revolt at this blatant attempt to manipulate a situation, but seeing that Captain Bell looked like he was on his last legs, she decided to hold it in. They had asked for drinks, hadnt they?
She would have had a word with Tulip, but she had consulted her beforehand.
She immediately burned the cider, concentrating on turning it into Red Mist. She felt alive as if her senses had been enhanced. The cider smelled more powerful, her ears perked up, and she could see sharply as if she was still a bluejay.
Holly''s pulse was fast. She heard it without trying to listen in. She knew that there were small differences between the woodland creatures in the coalition, and this was one that shed learned to note from her grandmother.
The problem she had now was that she already knew how her friend felt.
"Holly- I''m sorry. If things go the way that they''re supposed to, I''ll be heading out at the end of the season."
"The druids?"
Freya nodded.
Holly put a paw out.
Freya grasped it with hers.
"I need to settle my affairs before I leave."
"You''re just going to up and leave us?"
The quiver in Holly''s eyes caused Freya to lose it.
Captain Bell moved to cover the blubbering friends.
"It''s ... you''re going so far away!"
Tears came streaming down from both the rabbit and the mouse.
Captain Bell ushered the pair into a more discrete corner and then into a powder room. Tulip shared a look with Freya as they passed. That momentarily made her feel giddy on top of how raw everything had become.
"You''re really going to do this to us? Leave? I thought you would be... even if you married, within a short ride!"
"It''s ... I may return here after my training. It''s different out in the wilderness. Druids are needed. "
Holly pulled out a kerchief with the Bell house sigil on it, then offered it to Freya.
Freya demurred, pulling out a Chin-Hwa house scarf of her own.
"I just wish that both of our intended could be here for this."
"He is coming home soon," Holly said, "they''re winding something down or so my suitor believes.''
"That''s a bit confidential ladies," Captain Bell said, "the crown would appreciate it if you said less about the matter, but you will see him soon if I have anything to do about it."
The tension from Freya''s shoulders dropped. She had imagined a teary goodbye, or Muk coming to swear the oath of a ranger, but her current state of now knowing-while being reassured by everyone around her- led her to believe he did a fair bit more work than he had let on.
"To be fair, he is part of the council, so he would be where the majority of the force was," the tall rabbit said, fair to say he wont be far from us at any rate.
2-3. Withdrawal
The council had been called. It had been a week of upheaval. The factions within the regiment were all happy to see the cats retreating farther and farther away from the furrows.
What little forces remained to war chief Alexa had streamed north out of the furrows, stopping only to pick up their tents and supplies before walking west in the direction of the Marquisate. A small reserve platoon had been detailed to watch their forces, and the reports had so far been positive.
The claw had called the meeting that evening. Muk expected that it would be time for the full-on withdrawal. With a month of winter remaining, they would still have time for a social calendar, and the planned officers'' mess he so dreaded.
Mounting his chicken, for Freya had left one with explicit instructions to protect him, Muk took the short path from his supply depot in the city, where more and more was being diverted backward, to the councils meeting place atop the largest building left standing in Marwei.
His route took him past the river, and the five bridges all side by side and now, neatly cut in half. A clutch of the Riverfolk company had arrived that afternoon and began setting up bridging materials. Rafts for residents to cross back into the furrows. A line of badgers and moles waited.
Muk nodded to a Riverfolk Sergeant who was directing the line. The contracted help would be taking over parts of the recovery.
Ahead of him, the crowd parted and a regimental soldier waved him past. He approached the command building, then dismounted.
The claw, colonel in chief of the regiment, flitted down from his flight ahead of Muk. The sparra looked younger than the twenty-nine Muk knew the bird to be.
"Sir," he said, "well met."
"Lieutenant."
The claw shook himself, his feathers fighting against a cruel gravity.
"Your... intended, was the one we have to thank, is that correct?"
"Once the druid River found out they were using some forbidden magic, yes they were able to intervene. "
Feathers furrowed over the claws'' brow. He sighed, his years finally showed as he slumped down.
"Things we are not supposed to be able to harness, much less discuss. It''s good that a druid and a powerful magician were able to help us and the people of Marwei, but I dont think that this will be a thing that we can count on for the future."
Muk nodded.
"Well then, let''s discuss this in the council."
The two officers strode upstairs passing by many Sparras in field dress. Their rumbled browns fit the fields and woodlands outside of Marwei but stood out against the white walls. At the top of the building, open windows showed the river in each direction.
Before long the three remaining officers of the high council arrived.
First, the Marshall, officially the senior officer in chief of the regiment ran the day-to-day operations of the regiment. His imposing bulk made Muk wonder how he had been keeping up his eating. Especially since as a sparra, he would need to stay at a weight where he could fly and fight. The claw might be expected to direct grand strategy from a tent, but the marshall carried out the tactics on the ground. It was no wonder then that the claw was often chosen from someone who performed the duties of the marshall well.
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Next, the historian arrived, on the marshalls'' heels. The mole, the only officer among them of that species, always carried a book. It was he who wrote the annals of the regiment. He also carried a pack full of paper. His primary duties were medical care of the regiment, he also carried a small white medical bag with the sign of the raven across it.
Finally, the spymaster of the regiment arrived. This rabbit, whose look could cut carrots from across the room, assumed a position across from Muk. She was the only female of the five and Muk believed the best fit for the role. She was the only one that he feared. Were they not on a war footing Captain Bell would have been there in her stead, but he was tending to the crown and the homefront.
Thus assembled, the five primaries of the regiment all turned to the marshall. In the center of their power sat a table with a map of the western holds of Yellowrock out to the free cities of Marwei and Furrows.
"The council has assembled, Sir, shall we begin?"
The claw stood, brushing a pile of correspondence he had been reading to one side.
"We''re not done yet, but I think that the regiment can now return home to Yellowrock. If no one has any objection I''m going to order the second, fifth, and seventh companies to begin preparations to return."
It will help the supply trains, as well we would appreciate the company, Muk replied.
The historian scribbled something.
I believe that it would be good for us to acquire some local talent, the lady rabbit said dryly, If we could leave the scout platoon with whichever force remains until the end, it would benefit the crown in the long run.
A few heads nodded.
The claw turned to the marshall.
Such will not be a problem. Your agents can bed down with the eighth company.
The rabbit nodded.
Now onto the other problem. I have in on good authority that war chief Alexa was working with cat druids to create those monstrosities. I have been told that druids are not able to do that, as it would break their bonds to the circle. So something else much be afoot.
Wyrd magic, perhaps? The historian said, There is precedence.
Perhaps, the claw said, "and in such cases, we should ask the druids for their help. Their lives are dedicated to fighting such abominations."
The mood around the table grew somber. Most of them had seen the Ragamuffins that had tried to infiltrate their lines. Though strong, their best defense lay in blending into the pack, and their attack had come at an unfortunate time.
"We will have to find a way to make members of the regiment distinct," the Marshall intoned,"Perhaps a special password or piece of cloth on the arm or wing?"
The claw nodded, absentmindedly. He turned to the spymaster.
"We will have some ideas to present to you at our next meeting, lord claw," the rabbit said.
"Very well," he replied, curtly, "In two weeks'' time I will be calling for an officer''s mess. I understand that one was planned already so this shouldn''t interrupt your social calendars much. It will be a way to show the gentry that we uphold their obligations to the coalition. Of course, a general mess will be the day before the season ends, meaning I want my troops back home by then if possible. That gives the quartermaster time to prepare before he takes the robes of a ranger and leaves us "
Muks ears shot up.
"Milord, I didnt"
He blanched, trying to find the words.
"Stuff it son, your lady friend is a powerful druid initiate. You would be wise to follow her into the circle. We will survive without you if you do so."
Muk tugged on his collar.
"Those that swear their lives to the circle, they leave on the first day of spring," the historian said,"mayhaps you could tell me about the valley of red mist upon your return? For the annals of course."
The room had grown uncomfortably expecting. Muk nodded trying to accept that the pregnant pause he was taking wasn''t an omission of anything whatsoever.
"The council has decided to weigh in on this matter and II will respect their decision. I shall consider this with a heavy heart."
"That is all we can ask, quartermaster. Now, I have heard it said that we found something of significance."
The rabbit''s ears perked up and she brought out a long wrapped package, laying it on the table. Muk looked on as she pulled it open, revealing a small star.
He gasped.
"We will require someone to return this to whom it belongs. Perhaps, quartermaster, this task could be among your retrograde actions?"
Muk choked back tears at the claw''s words.
"It would be my honor, sir."
2-4. Waterfront
Her heart wanted to sing. Abigail had accepted their offer readily as if there were any other options, and then suggested the Farum. Freya had been overjoyed, not even thinking about how mundane the entire activity was.
She had sent the chicken Outrider to pick up Holly- her friends would travel in style- and was waiting outside of the Bun estate. True, the rabbit would have to decipher the message around the chicken''s neck, trust the chicken to take her to the right place, and oh she needed to be ready to go, but it was Holly. Freya expected her to have been ready hours in advance.
Freya sat atop another chicken, this one called itself Gear. He fretted about Outrider heading onto an unfamiliar estate, but the description had been thorough. With love and chickens, one should never leave anything to chance.
The Bun estate itself looked clean and barren, its large fields laying empty of vegetation. Spider webs of frost crisscrossed the dirt. Mouse and chicken alike shivered under a chill wind.
Freya was glad she had made scarves for the chickens during her time convalescing. It had kept her mind occupied and now they look so cute that she could squeal.
While she waited, she pulled out another cipher. She''d spent time diligently going through the book on coded messages. Each day she would begin her day by reading through a passage and then putting it into the regimental cipher. Then the following day she would translate that passage with the key. A stack of seven papers had adorned her desk when she left.
Today she had taken a passage from the newest novel on the scene. It wasnt exactly a love affair, as the main character was a writer who was supported in her writing by a lord who didn''t understand her themes. They were, Freya was happy to learn, about how the gentry forgot the little people, especially artists. She had just gotten to the point in the book where the lord had bought up all of the main characters'' new novels, smiling at their fumbling interactions.
"Miss Uki!"
"Ah, Miss Bun! So good to see you!"
"Likewise, it looks like you''re writing a love note on a chicken, pray tell that it''s not for me."
Freya blushed. It was one of those full-body affairs. She could say what she had been doing, but somehow that seemed both worse and better.
"Have you read this new novel, The Reluctant Fox? It''s actually quite nice. I think I''ll be getting a copy for "
Freya paused, seeing the rabbit beaming.
"Something has changed about you. You''re not going to make me guess?"
Holly shook her head. She looked afraid, then happy, then resolved.
"I wanted to wait until we saw Abigail together to reveal it"
Freya''s shock at the conclusion she readily drew met her realization that Abigail was wearing the simple necklace that denoted that she had become engaged to marry. On the necklace sat one pearl and one pearl-sized yellow bauble. One represented the purity of their intentions, the other represented the strength of their bond as rabbits.
"YOU''RE ENGAGED!"
Freya leaped down from her chicken, expertly navigating the mouse and a half height. Just as inexpertly she tackled her oldest friend, squeezing the life out of her.
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"I am, yes, just a bit engaged. I think someone lit a fire under my Captains'' haunches. He was so passionate and" Holly began to get choked up, "You ever get so happy that you cry, Freya? Because I''m so there now."
Arms releasing, the two looked at each other.
"Good thing we agreed on no maquillage."
"A very good thing. Now back to the topic of our girl''s trip?"
Both laughed for a long time before they departed to their next destination.
Abigail was at the door of her manor awaiting them when they arrived.
Holly and Freya unceremoniously jumped down from their chickens, their skirts floofing around as if they were dress ninjas.
"You made up?"
"Wait till Holly tells you the good news," Freya said.
The auburn fox in the petticoats gasped as she saw the necklace, a twin to her own. Where Holly''s necklace held a yellow bauble, Abigails held a red one.
"I''m so glad we said no maquillage," the fox said, "but truly I don''t know what an espresso is. Miss Uki, would you care to clarify where we are heading to?"
"Certainly. We are heading to the ruttiest of dank dens, that place where beavers run the world."
Abigail and Holly exchanged a confused glance.
"Freya, I thought we were going to the farum?"
"Yes, but they''ve opened a beaver bar now on the waterfront to announce their new drink line. Honestly, I''m surprised that anyone could live without the perk it gives. You''re both staring at me, why?
Beavers? A waterfront bar? I cannot wait.
The fox and rabbit both mounted a chicken as Freya held back a laugh.
So what youre saying is that you dont recommend meeting any bears in our near future?
Moths would be better, in my opinion, my lady.
They do seem a lot smaller, and a lot less forceful?
Yes! And they flit about so elegantly, a lady could just love it.
The three sat overlooking the cold river. Their two chickens were greedily devouring the portions that the Farum had put into barrels for them.
"They look happy," Abigail said, "in all my life I have never seen a beast happy. Not even a roach or a moth."
"I would be happy too if I was taken here regularly to get kapi. Why just the espresso here has me all jittery."
"Oddly enough," Freya said, "we usually they usually fight about who goes. When I let the chickens know only two of them were going, they for the first time instead of fighting agreed to give these two a turn."
Abigail nearly spat out her espresso.
"Chickens? Taking turns? What has this country come to?" Abigail choked out.
"To the roaches, that''s what," Holly said.
Freya nodded. She raised a mug.
"To roaches and chickens."
"To roaches and chickens!" Her friends replied, probably too enthusiastically. They broke into fits of giggles.
When the ladies stopped giggling, they watched as a small badge with a complement of beavers made its way upstream. It was on their side of the river and the beavers were taking turns moving it up the shallow areas with long poles.
"You think that they''re bringing anything good in? I hope that they''re bringing more espresso myself," Holly said, her paws padding on the table to a tune only she could hear.
"Freya, you have three weeks left here, correct? Is there something we can bring you to make your journey easier? Perhaps a warm coat?"
Freya paused as the barge turned a corner, getting within sight of the massive Riverfolk ship. It had been docked in the River for most of Freya''s life, the otter and beaver shantytown springing up around it. She had it on good authority that this was an excellent posting from Sela. Even more, because of the security, it had also been known as a good place to retire.
"I don''t know that I can take much. As it is, I''ll be bringing my chickens. Without Grandpaw around to tend them"
"Oh Freya I''m so sorry," Abigail said.
"Yes, our deepest condolences. He was a good mouse."
Freya sniffed and for a moment everything felt normal again. She was the little mouse that had started down this path two months ago, and her family hadn''t been visited by a druid at all. She hadnt met all of the suitors and done the dances yet.
But she wasn''t that mouse anymore. She had gone through so much with River, becoming a druid initiate and going to help the cause
She shuddered to think about the different paths she had in front of her before sighing and accepting the smothering group hug she needed.
"He was a good mouse," she whispered.
And more importantly so was she.
They sat in silence for a minute, their companion the tap-tapping of their paws.
Freya wiped back a tear. This would be such a joyous time if she could just let it be that way. She steeled herself
"So tell me about the engagement, my dear."
Holly brightened visibly, Abigail sipped her espresso and Freya? She did the thing that heroes are supposed to do. Freya listened.
2-5. Heirloom
The pack wasn''t heavy on his back. It wasnt uncomfortable, nor was it bulky.
It was loud.
With every step, Muk could feel the pressure of the expectation from the old swordmaster. He had been younger than Freya when he had learned the blade, training in the off hours while at the Academy. Then he assumed the commission, immediately taking over his ailing fathers'' military company as well as his civilian one. For two years he worked at both, learning the best practices on the job.
Then his father passed, unceremoniously. It had been expected, after all. Jin Chin-Hwa had been sick for a year before he passed, determined to pass along something of value. He passed along his title to his only son, then made every effort to pass along everything he knew.
Woda Uki dying was another blow. The mouse had been like a second father to him. His training might have been harsh and he had more often than not left the training bruised from the practice swords, but it had been fair. They had been if not family, close allies.
For a warrior to die was one thing. For a legendary sword instructor to sacrifice himself to stem a tide of the enemy? It would have been unthinkable.
The weapon had been dredged up from the river, but he knew it.
The star on the pommel? That gave away that it was a swordmaster''s blade.
He didn''t feel worthy to wield it. True he had been trained, but he hadnt risen to the level needed to earn it. Three current sword masters had to agree for a candidate to be awarded the title.
There had been six in the regiment, a rare title to earn, but he hadnt been there. He hadnt been enough. Sure he had learned how to defend himself, but he felt critically weak in full-strength combat.
It wasnt just that he was a mouse. Up until recently, he hadnt had anything to fight for, besides getting his supplies delivered in a timely manner. It wasnt just that, as those fights tended to be one-sided with him as the commander, and more verbal in nature. To imagine fighting with his master sergeant? That wouldnt work. He needed the company to work together, not at cross purposes.
Really the only way he would get better at fighting, a skill he didnt even think he needed that badly, was to do more of it.
No path would allow him to do that more than sticking to Freya. But then he would need to give up so much. His title, his lands, everything had to be sworn off. To become a ranger, he would need to dedicate himself to someone else.
He pictured himself picking up the sword and following her, becoming her protector. Is that what Woda would have wanted? He honestly didnt know. There was no textbook at the academy that talked about decisions like this.
So many times he had been in situations designed to test his aptitude, his command ability. To think about throwing it all away? Muk needed to make a decision.
After four hours, the supply train stopped, giving everyone a chance to eat and rest. Many in the regiment swapped out from riding to walking. He found a spot off to the right and brought out his own sword, laying the package down next to him.
Steadying his breath he began to work through the basic forms that Woda had taught him years ago.
He knew that he only had a short time and he probably should have used it to rest. He also knew that trying to rest would be useless. So, he trained. Around him, his troops watched. Some smiled; most just nodded.
The even rhythm of moving through the first sword form felt familiar to his body and before long, hed forgotten about his issues. Then the march was called again, from the bloody slave drivers hed always loved. Well, hed loved when he wasnt the one being driven.
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Today, the damn thing was that he realized he was going to miss being driven by them. That is, if he up and left. He knew that it wouldnt be long before he was directed to take up staff duties if he stayed, despite the fact that it was his company.
He fell into line and then saw a familiar face plodding up next to him.
Sergeant Yates! He said, putting his sword back into its sheath.
The foxs red coat shone in the afternoon light. He beamed at Muk.
Sir!
I heard your family does well in the trades, is that right?
Of course Sir, my father doesnt make the swords, he makes all the parts and services the industry. Someone has to.
Hes got hired help, doesnt he? Muk replied.
That he does, and then some, Sir.
Excellent. Have you ever thought about pursuing a commission?
The fox raised both eyebrows at the same time.
Why no, sir, Ive never given it a thought before, the fox said.
Perhaps you should give it a thought. You do remarkably well running the operation when Im not around if anything your peers are saying is to be believed.
I thank you kindly sir, but Im just doing me job, is all.
The fox was slightly more than a head taller than the mouse. Muk did his best to try to appear taller at that moment. Not just more than his station, but taller indeed than the fox. It didnt work out quite well for him, as the fox barely contained a smirk at his expense.
All I am saying, Sergeant, is that perhaps if you were to be able to take over a certain commission, you might-and I say with a heavy heart-might do a great job because youve already been doing one. Plus you could lean into your flair for the dramatic, Ive seen you acting out some of those fox monologues in front of the company, and youre excellent at keeping a crowd together.
Sir, but how would I pay for the company''s rolls? There are about ninety mouths to feed all in all and and oh youve already gotten a solution as well?
Muk smiled the knowing smile of a mouse who had captured willing prey.
***
He wasnt he wouldnt have wanted you to be sad, Freya.
Old Gran, Freyas one and only, wore black. Shed had some tea and theyd sat together for a while in front of the pens.
Its not up to him, is it?
No, it isnt. Im fully aware that what he does and how you react are two different things. But you should know, that he was very old.
Freya looked up. Off to the west, a column of Soldiers all kicked up dirt as they drew closer. Their road wasnt close to the main passage, so she could see their approach to the regimental headquarters on the north side of the Yellowrock mesa.
So what, he was old! Freya said, holding back tears.
He he was traditional.
Freya couldnt hold her tears back.
In the olden times, the best a mouse could do would be to sacrifice his life for the creatures to his left and right. A mouse far past his prime? He would dream of walking out into the wilderness and
And killing beasts until he couldnt lift his sword.
Freya closed her eyes and let out a wail.
Old Gran held her close.
Oh, thats interesting.
Freya sobbed for a minute there, home with her clan.
Then the sound was a bit louder. The chickens stirred.
Freya wiped back her tears.
On the side closest to the road, the dust had stirred.
Theyre going the wrong way.
Old Gran stood up. The side of their estate closest to the road was occupied by a large wooden siding, part of the chicken coop.
Freya watched as the line of warriors walked towards their estate, and then the first of their number marched up to the wall.
She heard a large thunk.
Muk had arrived and he had driven a pin into the wood with a mallet. He stepped away, handing the mallet to the fox behind him.
He walked to where Freya and her Old Gran sat and bowed.
Muk tilted Freya''s chin up to get a better look at her face, observing evidence of her sadness. He delicately thumbed away tears, saying nothing as his eyes set on her. After a brief pause, her heart skipped a nervous beat as Muk looked her dead in her eyes. His voice was quiet and solemn, his sadness barely contained.
I cannot make this right, but I can honor his memory. We all can.
They held eyes as to their sides a line of warriors took turns putting pins into the wooden wall.
I I Freya tried today something, but her mouth felt dry.
Muk loosened something from his back, placing it gently into her arms. Freyas ears twitched at the weight of it. The wrapped package held a note that she put away for later, and then Muk was standing next to them, watching the line.
To their side, warriors pinned their little branch pins on the wall. The pins, representing tiny keys, wheels, swords, and bows, all represented their part of the whole picture. Just as they arrived, the weary warriors saluted the druid initiate and her grandmother, and then did a quick about-face and returned to walking toward their headquarters.
And through the dozens of pins, Freya held onto Old Gran. And Old Gran held onto her. Freya barely noticed that she was holding Muks paw until he meant to leave. She gave it back unceremoniously, her eyes finally dry.
He left, squeezing her paw as he did.
2-6. Mess
The horns blared as the coach arrived, taking Freya to the old veterans'' home. Retired Lieutenants and Captains milled about sipping on opened casks of what could only be described as ''The queen''s own.''
Muk had been suspiciously absent for the past week, and though his note did invite her to the mess, she found that Captain Bell was there waiting for her.
"Miss Uki, the regiment is quite pleased to see that you''ve accepted your position as the guests of honor at tonight''s festivities."
She curtseyed as he bowed.
His full military regalia was on display, reds, and gold accented by a small rack of ribbons on his upper chest. On either shoulder, his epaulets showed silver. His collar as well was accented in silver, showing his rank. A small pin on one side of his collar was of the bars of a captain, the other side was a torch that represented his duty in the regiment. She knew that because Hem made sure that she knew.
An officer''s mess, he had told her, is where the brass celebrate themselves and deals are struck. Sure they''ll be celebrating the end of the war, but make no mistake that every mouse, fox, rabbit, bird, and mole in that place all are upper-crust gentry who are able to field their own companies. He then jumped into a description of how the aristocracy wasn''t really merit-based at the top, and that was when she had tuned him out.
She knew that Captain Bell had enough money to pay for rations and salaries for the scouts. She knew that Lieutenant Chin-Hwa did the same with the quartermaster company. She just didn''t care that much about the specifics. Even the queen had to pay her retainers personally though she relied on taxes and her office to do that. It just added another layer of society that she hoped wouldn''t translate much to her life as a druid.
"You know that next week is the blessing, right Captain?" She said.
The dull roar of the crowd had slowly built up to what she was used to at a dance.
"Ah! The little ones! I had not realized that it was this late in the season."
"It is usually held later, but the augurs among the druids have told us that those with the skills should begin early this year."
Captain Bell frowned.
"That is odd. I''ve never heard of such a thing. Perhaps the prediction is of snow? But so late in the season it could cause a stir."
Freya nodded, accepting a mug of hot apple cider from a passing officer. She sniffed it and found it to be exactly what she wanted.
She had worn a warm dress, something that Marcel and her mother had put together from an older model. Freya would be bringing this dress when she left. Unfortunately, she couldn''t bring a trunk of clothes with her, just what she could reasonably carry. It sounded like she wouldn''t have any issues.
"The cider is good, I will need to grab another for myself when he comes back around. Miss Uki, I have a letter for you. No, you don''t need to read it now, but I can summarize."
Freya sipped her cider, warming herself.
"Is this about a wedding?"
"I hate that part."
"What part?"
"The part about calling it a commitment and making it forever I.. you know my father and mother have both passed, Miss Uki."
Freya tucked the letter into her convenient pocket- the one on the front- and resumed her surveillance of the crowd.
"I''m sorry for your loss- really Captain, I don''t know where you''re going with this."
"They both died while I was courting Tulip and it tore me up inside. I didn''t know how to handle myself and I made a mess of things. I don''t want to do that again, especially to Holly."
Freya nodded. She had heard the sordid details from Tulip''s side and could relate to the idea of not hurting the one she was with.
"If you don''t want to hurt Miss Bun, then don''t. You have to make the choice for yourself. Plus I shall be quite cross at you if you do so."
"I am aware. I should deign not to draw your ire, especially once you are fully trained."
"Indeed," she said.
"Regardless, I would like you to be in attendance at our wedding. It will be a small affair at the-"
"Yes."
"-Bun estate Thank you. It''s the least I could expect. Our two families should be close, not just by distance."
"You''re thinking of moving to their estate once you''ve done all of this?"
"It is nicer than the Bell mansion."
A bell sounded.
"The official party has arrived," the tall rabbit said.
Horns blared in tune to some regimental standard that Freya had only heard for the first time today as five creatures walked in.
Two birds, clearly high-ranking, marched into the area. Behind them marched a rabbit, a mole, and finally Muk himself.
The Yellowrock regimental officers all stood at attention and Freya found that she was also trying to put her hind paws together in a faux approximation of what they were doing. She was immediately both uncomfortable and silly.
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"MISTER VICE!" The sparra booked out to the silent crowd.
"YES MR PRESIDENT!" Captain Bell, to her horror, said.
"I declare this mess to be open! Let all airings of grievances between gentle creatures and ladies be spoken and adjudicated tonight and never spoken of before!"
"THE PRESIDENT OF THE MESS HAS OPENED THE MESS!" Captain Bell said, stepping forward.
"MISTER VICE, PREPARE THE GROG!"
"YES MISTER PRESIDENT. QUARTERMASTER?"
Muk stood at attention.
"MISTER VICE, THE REGIMENTAL CASKS HAVE BEEN OPENED AND NOW WE OPEN THE QUARTERMASTERS OWN."
As he spoke two barrels we wheeled out, one by a fox that looked suspiciously familiar, the other by a bluejay she didn''t know.
"WE HAVE ONE CASK OF THE FINEST, THE RUTTIEST MEAD EVER PRODUCED IN HER MAJESTY''S LIFETIME."
The crowd cheered.
"WE ALSO HAVE A CASK OF kapi."
The cheers were even louder.
"FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT OR WILL NOT HOLD THEIR LIQUOR. THE TIME TO SETTLE ALL DEBTS IS NOW. MR PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU CARE TO TEST THE GROG?"
The Sparra himself got up and walked to the center and accepted a cup of the grog. Freya giggled inwardly at the spectacle of it all. They had made such a production out of all the details.
All of a sudden, waiters appeared making sure that every paw and claw held a drink. Freya looked amazed at the second mud of cider just moved into her hands.
"MISTER VICE, TODAY WE TOAST TO OUR FALLEN BROTHERS AND SISTER," The claw said, raising his glass.
"TO THOSE THAT PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE," Captain Bell said, the whole room repeating.
"TO THE YELLOW ROCK REGIMENT!" A cardinal on the side said, raising his glass.
"TO THE REGIMENT!" The room shook.
"TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN!" A mole said.
"TO THE QUEEN!"
"TO THE COALITION!" Freya saw Spring saying from the corner.
"LONG MAY IT LIVE!"
Freya stood stock still as around her, glasses were drained. She waited for another toast, but there was none to be had.
The morale of the room had risen significantly if the sounds were to be believed.
The board of the mess and Captain Bell, acting as the ''Mister Vice'' then went and began some banter while she tuned them out for a bit. A lot of the officers milled about, but Freya took a seat at the table that shed been directed to.
Spring, the druid that had months ago came to speak with her about raising chickens, sat there waiting for her.
"Druid Spring," she said, taking up a spot standing close by.
"Ah! Freya! I know you would be at the very important creatures'' table. I just didn''t know that you would be showing up with Captain Bell."
"I didn''t expect that either, but we do what we must for those that request our presence at fine dining events such as these," Freya replied, "It would be nice if the mouse I wanted to speak to was not stuck as a member of the board of the mess."
Freya gestured obliquely to the table where the council sat.
Spring smiled. Though she too was a mouse and if the rumors were to be believed, far older than Freya she had an ageless beauty that was otherworldly.
"I am sorry to hear about your grandfather, Freya he truly was great. If anyone here is to be believed they''ll probably compose a poem just based on what he did out there and add it to the regimental book."
Freya nodded. A passing waiter offered them both steaming mugs of apple cider, which they greedily accepted. They sipped, the wisps of steam passing above them.
"They added just the right amount of cinnamon here. I can''t fault their choices."
"True. As this is your first mess, I should let you know that very shortly we''ll be entertained by the story of the siege, the very battle thatmade this regiment and coalition what it was," the druid said, smiling.
"Oh? And how do I get that to happen? It seems like there''s a lot of grievances going on. That has to be the fifth time that that particular blue jay has been called out and told to drink grog."
"Lieutenant Moritimer addresses Mister Vice!" A sparra said, standing up and looking straight at Captain Bell.
"Mister Vice is listening, Lieutenant, state your grievance."
"Mister Vice, some of us had a problem with Lieutenant Azul blowing up all of the fifth bridge leading from Marwei to the Furrows."
"Lieutenant Azul!" Captain Bell said, "Do you have a defense to this accusation?"
The blue jay stood at attention in front of the grog bowl, ladle in his extended wing.
"No sir, as with the first four bridges, I do not. I was handed explosives and I executed the mission."
He slurped down enough grog to make Freya gag.
Spring giggled.
"He is just trying to not pay for his alcohol tonight I think, or maybe he did blow up five bridges."
"He did blow them up, my friends helped him."
Spring looked at the wobbly blue jay, then back to Freya and laughed even harder.
"What! It''s true! All of it!"
"Mister Vice!" It was Lieutenant Azuls'' turn.
"Yes, Lieutenant Azul!"
"I have a grievance!"
"You may render your grievance."
"We have not honored the hero of the battle yet."
The entire crowd oohed and ahhed.
The hair on Freya''s ears stood straight up and she began to sweat.
"Name the creature that is a so-called hero then that we can honor them!" This time Captain Bells'' normal voice boomed over the crowd.
Too late, Freya realized that the board was looking at her. All of them.
She gulped.
"I call upon Miss Freya Uki to bear the responsibility for what she has done for the coalition as well as what her grandfather has done."
Boots stomped and mugs were raised as the cacophony of noise grew louder.
"Miss Freya Uki, please approach the grog."
Freya found herself pushing the part that was quietly freaking out down. She smothered it, trying to keep her cool.
As she made to stand in front of the grog and take a sip, the claw stood. As president of the mess, he addressed everyone present. An aide ran from nowhere with a package the size of an arm. The room went silent again, and the Claws gravely voice held an air of reverence.
"Miss Uki, the entire regiment has you to thank for bringing in the heavy artillery that not only destroyed the morale of the marquis war band but ended the war, short weeks after it had begun. We will always been in your debt. We honor you by naming you a Custodian of the regiment. Though we understand your commitment is to the druids, in your paws we were safe."
The aide passed a small pin to him which he held for a long moment before passing it to her paw. He closed the paw upon it and then whispered to her.
"Thank you for everything you have done."
She didn''t know what to say so she just stood there.
"THERE WAS ONE MORE HERO THAT WE WANT TO HONOR!" The sudden shift in his tone caused her to jump. She noticed that the aide was still there.
"HIS HEART WAS PURE AND HIS BLADE WAS TRUE. HE TRAINED AS A RANGER, AND WHEN HIS WIFE COULDN''T MAKE IT THROUGH HIS COMMITMENT TO THE DRUIDS, HE WAS RETURNED TO US A BETTER MOUSE. HE TRAINED EVERY SINGLE CREATURE IN THIS ROOM HOW TO FIGHT."
Once again a clattering of boots hitting the floor washed over her. She hadnt been given explicit directions to leave, but she hadnt the claw put a wing on her shoulder.
"NINE HUNDRED AND NINETY YEARS AGO WE BEGAN A REGIMENT! MOUSE, FOX, AND RABBIT JOINED WITH SPARRA, CARDINAL, BLUEJAY, AND MOLE. IT WASNT STARTED AS A FUN CLUB OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS EITHER."
The mole, the one Freya had been told was the historian of the regiment stood up. Though his voice was high pitched it was clear. It was definitely something that they had been practicing as well.
"NO! IT WAS SURVIVAL! ON THAT DAY, WE CAMPED IN THE YELLOWROCK MESA FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER FLEEING FROM BEASTS. IT WAS THEN THAT WAS WERE FINALLY ABLE TO HOLD BACK THE TIDES."
Muk joined in.
"EVERYDAY MICE PICKED UP SPEARS AND FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL TO PROTECT THE MESA FOR TWENTY-EIGHT DAYS STRAIGHT."
The claw pulled out an ornate sheath depicting members of the coalition fighting in a tunnel. It was brack with golden embossed lines for each creature.
"THROUGH MANY LOSSES, OUR COALITION FORMED," The mole continued, "MUCH AS IT STANDS TODAY, A BEACON OF INSPIRATION AGAINST THE DARK THINGS OUTSIDE OF OUR WALLS. NO BEAST CAN NOW THREATEN OUR PEACE. TO THE REGIMENT!"
"TO THE REGIMENT!" Once again the cheer was deafening.
The claw presented the sheath to Freya.
"Now I believe you already have a sword for this?"
She smiled.
Its about to happen now isnt it.
Yes, Miss Uki. Enjoy the siege.
2-7. Blessing of Sentience
"I won''t be able to do this one on my own, then if what you''re saying is true?"
"Correct. Only druids of the purple are born with this ability. Thankfully every species has druids in that house."
The two creatures stood on the north lawn of Yellowrock Mesa north. Hundreds of parents and children milled about, as three druids Freya had never met went down the line, pausing every so often to eat or drink.
They would stop, mutter an incantation, wave through a runic pattern, and then the child in front of them would brighten up.
"And only children with the spark can survive past?"
"Only children with our spark gain sentience by their third birthday or so," River said,"this is why I asked your mother to bring Bard and Kayli. I know she is close and he has some time, but we can bless them early in a pinch."
Freya''s mother and father stood in the life a few paces ahead of them. The larger held a sleeping Bard, the tiny mouse snuggled deep into his father''s armpit. The other held hands and played games alternating between her mother and Freya.
"It''s the first point at which we can tell if a child may have the ability, but it''s not always accurate."
As the line dispersed, a clerk was taking the names of the parents and children who had gone through the blessing. Every sixteenth child or so, Spring would show up and with a nod talk to the parents.
"How do we know if one has the ability?"
Freya tossed a ball to Kayli who caught it midair. She threw it back to Freya who deftly caught it with one paw.
"The purple are letting Spring know. When they bless a child with the spark, they''re able to feel a potential briefly."
Kayli was suddenly next to a druid in purple robes. This one, a badger towered over the pup. She grinned and tossed the ball to the grizzled-looking druid. He smiled back at her.
Faolan, Freya''s father held up his tint sleeping son for the druid. The badger sniffed him carefully and then began.
Up close the runic script looked like he was starting to write an entire passage in a book and here and there Freya thought that she might be able to recreate the particulars but then she saw the trickle of magic the badger poured into the runic structure and was aghast.
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"He has such fine control over his magic! I wouldn''t even dream of being able to focus on a line that little."
"You''re strong, little knife, but you need to learn a bit of finesse there, for certain. You''ll get the chance at the Valley."
"It looks so"
"He does this frequently. I imagine weaving the same spell over and over again would cause someone to get quite good at it. Why you have improved your bonding ability so much already!"
Freya nodded. She had been able to bond creatures for a while and she was confident that she could perform a ranger bond if she needed. She was just waiting for Muk to present himself for such a purpose.
There on the North side, she saw three rangers speaking with the mouse in question. She gave him a nod, as he spoke with the three of them at length.
Before she knew it, her father and mother had joined them.
"We''re all done here, Freya. It''s about the same as it was when you and your older brother got yours, except now the druid told me that he thinks Bard may have the spark," her father said.
Freya smiled.
"Poor Kayli though, she''s just a regular mouse. I supposed she could always follow in her mother''s footsteps," Freya''s mother said.
Freya saw the look that had thrown her for a loop. Her mother wanted, nay expected, one of her daughters to become an aristocrat; or some sort of noble at the least. Freya had been her hope after Hem had joined the regiment. Now she looked like she was ready to put Kayli into finishing school. The child hadn''t even turned three.
"I see a lot of dresses in your future, little one," Faolan said.
River giggled. Kayli tossed a ball to the raven, who blocked it with a wing.
"Now, I believe that we have someone special coming to speak to us?" Minhee Uki said, watching as Muk approached.
Freya''s chest tightened. Why did he have to wait until they were all together? The mouse needed to learn poetic timing. On the other paw, they would probably be spending a lot of time together if he became her ranger. Perhaps he had timed this well after all.
She smiled at the thought.
He went to her father and the two embraced as Kayli ran circles around them excitedly.
"Carrots! SQUASH! Green! Leaves!" Her sister said.
The two said a few words, turned to see her, and then paused.
"Watch out, that looks like trouble," her mother said.
Aren''t all gentle mice trouble, mother?
In his hands, he held one long necklace.
She gasped, seeing the pearl in his other hand. The simple orange bauble next to it bore the mark of the mouse, a tiny etching.
Freya, Ive committed my life to the coalition, to the regiment, and to my house. Before I take the next step, I want to do it for the right reasons.
He knelt.
Freya held back a tear.
If Im to go with you, Im going with an open heart. And also, I would like to go not only as your ranger, he placed the baubles in her hands, but as your husband.
The blubbering commenced.
In such cases as these, I believe that sometimes, families are able to meld together. As such
He stopped when she held him.
Of course.
And then for the first time, he placed the necklace on her, with her family in attendance.
The only question is, when?
She smiled at him.
I think you know when.
She hadnt even admitted to herself how much she wanted this, but it came as a relief. All of a sudden her family was around her laughing and crying with her.
2-8. Weddings
Im going to ask Hem and Coronet Yates to take over various parts of my family business.
Oh? You have great faith in my brother, then?
He has proven himself to me, yes. Almost as much as the new officer has. With Hem helping him out, and a little advice from your father, he will be fine.
Oh, look at that wonderful dress. I wonder how they fit so many swords into the design.
Those foxes really love their dresses. Its a shame, really, how few fox weddings there are.
There arent that many foxes, my dear.
My dear. That sounds so sweet when you say it.
You know what would sound better?
My druid? My ranger?
The two mice smirked in the second row of the fox wedding. Abigail had finally arrived, setting off the spectacle of the event into motion. It wasnt that she hadnt been there, but by fox custom, the father of the bride had to fight the suitor in a mock sword battle.
It had been a hilarious near-slap fight between the two, making it completely apparent that they had practiced for hours in advance. It was an old custom, the father of the bride made sure that the groom would be able to provide for her defense. Freya thought it was a bit quaint, but the Raven priest overseeing the event loved every second of it.
The priest cleared his throat as the pair joined paws.
Let us look at the creation that the Raven has made
Into the walls that creatures have grown
And know that we are stronger together.
Take your time as a pair,
To grow into your dreams.
Because tis gentler by word than by sword
To live a life of grace.
May the Raven carry your hopes and dreams,
Nithe always carry you as favored,
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and Miru be the thought that you can stay
together from this beginning
Until the end.
May you never find yourself against a wall
Without the other next to you,
pulling you around to safety.
The raven briefly let the words sit and then nodded to Lord Richards and Abigail.
Now, I would like to introduce for the first time, the Lord and Lady Richards to all of you.
The foxes turned to the packed chamber. There wasnt a dry eye in sight, or at least in the front two rows as one they turned and walked down the aisle to happy applause.
Freya couldnt stop smiling as the pair walked out to the waiting reception area.
"You know that youre going to be Lady Chin-Hwa soon, right? Unless you don''t decide to take my name."
"That''s very interesting. I hadnt thought about it, but if we marry before you pledge your service to me, then I could see myself as Lady for a short while."
Their paws together felt just right and as they waited for the procession to depart from the pews? She couldn''t help but wish that they had more time holding hands, waiting. She would have settled for a day at the Farum.
It was finally their turn and the pair walked briskly to catch up. Foxes weren''t much larger than mice, but they all moved with a purpose.
"I think we need to talk about our wedding, Miss Uki. What did you have in mind?"
Shed run the thought of his query several times and come up with a blank.
"Not that I feel like we need to rush things but"
"The queen''s address."
"I''m sorry..? You want to get married then?"
Muk looked off into the distance before they stepped into the reception area.
"That should work."
"If we''re going to do it, I want to do it with the people. I don''t need this kind of ceremony. I doubt you do either."
"Having never given a thought to it, I believe that is a prudent course of action. Have you given a thought as to what you want to wear?"
"I have and as for you my blushing groom, I have some requests."
Freya gently fluffed his bow tie.
"They start with this piece right here, fair gentle-mouse."
Muks eyes crinkled as he too could do nothing but smile.
"I''ll wear it."
"You had better."
"There won''t be a lot of time ahead for us to do something like this so it would be. I hope that we will be doing something special."
"It''s not the ceremony that matters. It''s the bond."
"That in itself will be special. Are we all set up for tomorrow?"
"The rehearsal will be something special."
The two walked into the reception hall without a care in the world, arm in arm as Freya had only imagined would happen in books.
The whole military regalia, it was wonderful at the officer''s mess, but now? Ive taken a shine to it.
Freya admired his red suit with gold embroidery and buttons. The fact that he wasnt the only creature in the ball wearing such a suit didnt matter to her. She only had eyes for him. She could only-at that moment- have eyes for him.
The music started and she got caught up in it, moving to dance with ease. The only thing keeping her in check was Muks needing to play catch up with her. Tulip and Raina had taught her grace, but only River was able to impart the smallest bit of patience to her. So when he stumbled a bit, she caught him. When she stumbled a bit, watching Abigail, he caught her.
They smiled at each other both times.
Abigail for her part beamed every time she passed them. Freya couldnt blame her. She had found exactly what she wanted. Freya hadnt even known what she wanted, and up until recently, she hadnt dared to admit that even becoming a druid was a plan she was willing to follow.
But for today, she would just go with the flow. Things worked out better at a fox wedding when you did that.
2-9. Preparation
"This first drill," the ranger said, "is the break contact drill."
A female otter was overseeing the dozens of druid and ranger candidates. Less than two weeks before they were to leave, the rangers had them assemble.
Muk, Freya, and the rest of the motley crew of potentials all stood in an open field where the northern companies of the regiment regularly formed up.
The set of Muks teeth made Freya nervous.
"A physical caravan or a long marching line is how we travel through the burrows. This is why we need to be able to communicate effectively throughout the line."
Sam the ranger was marshaling creatures down a line and stopped when she saw Muk.
"You know how to use a sword, do you?"
"Yes, ranger."
"Rear guard or front guard."
Muk nodded to Freya, who kept a neutral face.
"Rear guard if needed, as I don''t know the way."
"Are you already committed to a druid?" The otter asked, pursing her lips.
"I am, ranger," he said.
The otter lingered between the two of them a bit longer than seemed necessary, before continuing down the line.
"I should accompany you to the end, then?" Freya asked.
"You can provide overwatch."
What they did for the next couple of hours was to simulate a walk through unfamiliar terrain, as druids and rangers would pop out and make the line defend itself. Before long, the druids knew where they had to stand, and the rangers were willing to give them a rest.
It was about four dozen by Freya''s count that had shown up that day. The only coalition races not represented were the otters and beavers. This felt odd since she had only met two otter rangers so far. Both Sam and Sela were otters, though of the five druids that would be traveling with them, each had another.
Sam, as it turned out, was one of River''s rangers. When River and Sela showed up during the break, they embraced Sam before coming to talk to Freya.
"Our wife is leading the expedition," Sela said.
"Our?" Muk replied.
"Yes, our?"
"My husband is in charge of the food. He just got set up."
Sela gestured south to where a dashing otter with a food cart had set up shop.
"I heard that he was good," Freya said.
"He''s not good- he is the best."
"Well, what are we waiting for, then?" Muk nearly bolted to the cart, but Freya held his hand.
"Ranger Sela, Druid River, it''s good to see both of you."
River was in her otter form, and she didn''t look that different from how Sam looked. The two were nearly sisters, if not for the different garb. Sam, Sela, and Chip wore color-changing green and brown cloaks over gambesons, a look common among the rangers. River wore what Freya would consider farming garb, but given their recent history, she couldnt blame her.
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Lieutenant she said, without skipping a beat, We dont need to rush around all the time. Nothing is on fire.
The cart does have a small furnace, lady Freya, Sela replied, and Chip does make a mean vegetarian stick, so I wouldnt wait too long.
The look of panic between Freya and Muk lasted less than a moment, and they were both sprinting to the cart, ahead of the mass of hungry druid candidates.
Their boots squished through the mushy dirt and they barely made it before a line had formed.
I heard vegetarian stick, Freya said, taking several big breaths,
Two please, Muk said.
The grinning otter looked at the two of them, holding out two fish-shaped pastries. The eyes of the mice went wide as their nostrils both flared.
This is incredible!
Indeed, I dont think Ive ever been so hungry, and so satisfied at the same time.
Thank you both, Chip said, beaming, before handing another pair of sticks to two others, Ill be making a bunch for your journey, so make sure you bring empty packs to carry food.
The smiling otter handed another pair to two blue jays.
I think that you might want to invest in carrying cases for your chickens, Muk said, Youre bringing some, right?
Ive got five chickens.
Oh! Youre the ones that River was talking about, Chip said, his eyes going between the two of them, The one youre a prodigy?
Freya was taken aback.
She said that I was a prodigy?
Dont get all choked up, she thinks youll be a great druid, oh I cant really do emotions right now, my tears could get into the food, hey Mister, can you take over my stand for a second?
Gladly, Muk said, stepping into the role as if hed been born to it, Quartermaster training involved rations.
The smiling otter and the mouse help paws.
Please tell me youre coming with us, Mister Chip, she said, the tears already trying desperately to do the thing where they kept up their assault on his whiskers.
Its in the cards. Weve been apart from Sela and River for so long because they selected Sam to be the expedition leader this year.
You all left last year to begin your training, and this year youre leading the expedition?
That is mostly because River finished her training, which gave the circle more options. Im not saying that theyre hurting for rangers, but they could really use more druids, or people like me.
Chip flashed a deck of cards in the air.
Youre youve got one of those decks? River said that she dropped her voice, checking on Muk, Hes doing well. Anyway, she said that some of us get particular druid powers without being druids, and would you do a drawing for me?
I might be able to do that. Im going to be doing one for the group in general, but
Im getting married soon.
Consider it a wedding gift, then. He really does know his way around a food card, doesnt he?
Its part of the reason I accepted his proposal.
Part? The otter paused, his chin jutting towards the line. It had slowed down considerably. There had been whoops of joy when the candidates recognized the mouse with a bit of experience was giving the food out. It had helped that a lot of the candidates knew he was an officer. It gave that small bit of credibility, and Sam leaned on him.
The bell announcing that the drills would begin again in five minutes sounded, barely rising above the tenor of the group.
Last year, we didnt meet a lot of the candidates before we left, Chip intoned, so it meant that there was no time to make friends or identify who was who. We did this two-week out meeting deliberately, even knowing that some of the Riverfolk Company wont have been selected to become rangers yet. All of the otters and beavers you see here right now are druid candidates. The rangers, we should get a smattering, and Sam and I have taken a special interest in those in particular. Theyll join us on the last day, but well meet them and brief them first.
Youre telling me a lot, for someone I just met.
Lady Freya, if River trusts you, I trust you. River, she
Chip looked askance and Freya wanted him to keep going more than anything, but then the bell sounded.
Back in line! The otters'' yell reverberated on the parade grounds, Were going to be marching on the inner highway for a bit just to sort things out.
Freya fell into line, Muk handing her another delicious breaded vegetable-filled pastry in the shape of a fish.
Odd fellow.
Hes a good one.
I heard that! Ill see you both in a bit! Chip said, closing up shop.
The large mesa of Yellowrock was surrounded directly by shops and houses, but a twenty-minute walk outside of the rock in any direction lead to the inner highway. It wasnt more than a cleared pathway to make travel and transportation easier, but walking from the parade grounds directly north of the inner highway around the first quarter felt official.
Nothing happened the entire walk except for three drills to break contact from both sides, then one from the rear, but Freya got a sense of how the circle operated. Each potential druid in the line was worth their weight in Kapi, and she wasnt going to be the one to deny the circle a chance to train her. Heck, if they had made her pay for the training, she might have considered it.
2-10. Group Wedding
Five days before the end of the season, the queen addressed a crowd of dozens of her subjects. Freya was in attendance, wearing her favorite silver dress, standing next to Muk. He wore the most elegant suit that he had.
Now, remember your promise, he said.
I will.
The queen was making a speech from a central platform on the south side of the mesa. The area was densely populated, but this square-Sparra square- was known to hold these mass weddings. Throngs of their families waited outside, as well as dozens of bureaucrats, all moles, waiting to take their signatures once the speech was done.
It was a bit more efficient to marry what amounted to a generation of the gentry and working class at once before the planting season started. It was a lot more efficient for the queen to just throw one party before the end of the cold season, commemorating it with the broaching of a cask of ale that had been prepared exactly for the occasion.
Freya hadnt heard a sparra ever speak at such length, and despite stopping often to say that she had one more thing to add on the subject of marriage, no one groaned.
Freya for her part was ready.
River had taught her the final trick to bonding a warder. The key lay in the intent she held to her recipient. She would really need to pour out her intent and invest in him the trust that the magic held in her. It was an odd thing to think of the red mist as trusting her, and she hoped to never betray it, but she knew that it would take her a day of convalescence to recover.
Finally, a bell rang out and a sigh came across the crowd.
And now, this generation, please do the queen on final honor, and swear an oath to each other She paused waiting for the individuals to give each other their practiced oaths.
Where you lead, I will follow, he said.
Where I go, you will be safe, she replied.
Till the end of my days.
Till the end of my days.
It was simple, and when the crowd was clapping, she formed the weave in her palms. Muk opened his arms to her, and she pushed her intent loudly into her bond, her weave, and then, into his chest.
For a second, the bond spread and she could feel another weak signature, the back of her mind feeling him. It was more than the chickens, who she continually bonded on a weak basis. She had a brief flashback to being a bear and looking down on herself but steadied in his grip.
He held her close.
I feel you, and
She blinked back a tear. He saw her, and she could feel his emotions all around her. He saw the mouse that she wanted to be. Shed grown in the past three months, but now fully an adult and fully in charge of her destiny, he saw her potential.
I see you, she replied, kissing him.
I feel like I could run a thousand leagues, Freya, this is incredible, he said, Oh apologies
He caught her.
No need to apologize.
No, I should have called you, Lady Chin-Hwa, he said.
That should do well. Now, as we discussed, as a newly married mouse Im going to ask a lot of you, but nothing more than I wil now as I ask you to feed me everything you can get your paws on.
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Yes, Milady, he said, and they did.
"It occurs to me that perhaps at first glance if someone had asked me, two months ago, if I would have accepted things the way they are now that I would probably have first asked how they knew the future and secondly, how they might have predicted this if not," Muk said, trying to lighten the mood.
Freya''s mother raised a glass.
"Here is to not knowing the future."
"Hear! Hear!" Muks mother, Grace held up a glass of her own.
Grace Chin-Hwa was a fair bit older than Minhee Uki, closer in age to Freya''s grandmother. She had a quiet dignity to her and a diagnosis of a problematic spine later in life kept her in a wheelchair or bed bound.
Muk was of course more than happy to cart her around, but on the occasion of his wedding, his cousin had taken up the reins.
"Had I known what I was accepting when my mother introduced me to Lady Raina, I too would have scoffed at the idea."
Freya put a paw on her new mother-in-law. It pained her to see an elder mouse with such a spark reduced so low and when she had obliquely inquired about the extent of druid healing magic.
River had explained that for some things they needed to address it immediately or they could only provide pain relief. The sad part of the whole process was that there would have been something that they could have done if it hadnt been so long before a druid had seen Grace.
My only wish on this day is for you to know that your father would have loved to have been here, Grace began, And that he would have loved to meet you, Freya. My family is yours now.
Both mice got a bit choked up and Freya paused to embrace her new mother-in-law.
So is mine, she whispered into Graces ear.
Ah, of course, theres a lot of pollen in the air today, wouldnt you know it.
It really is quite dreadful, Lady Chin-Hwa.
Please, dear call me Grace. Were family now.
Of course.
Youre going to marry my son right after he comes back victorious from a campaign, and then take him away for a few years for training? I had better get a lot of letters from you.
Indeed you will. I will make sure that your son sends some as well.
Thats all I can ask of you.
Freya released her.
When your Grandpaw passed, I was so sorry for you and Muk, but I hope that having a new member of the family, we can get through this together.
Muk came to her side, embracing his new wife.
Together. New clan, old clan, well stay, he said.
To the clans, Grace said, raising a glass.
To the clans, everyone around their table responded.
The lunch arrived with a fair amount of ceremony, and the mice dug in.
Hem sat down next to Freya, edging out her father. Faolan moved reluctantly. The mice had been playing seat swapper ever since the food arrived, but hed been defending his position.
So youre really leaving like that, huh? Just heading out on an adventure without your brother?
Brother, youre welcome to join, I know that the regiment would look kindly on you leaving.
Unless I have other plans, he said, his eyes darting to Muk.
What other plans?
Freya gave both her brother and husband a side-eye.
Just something that weve been talking about, it all, Muk replied, Someone needs to become the next quartermaster, and who better than an experienced Soldier.
Freyas whiskers twitched.
I heard that its expensive to be the quartermaster, she said, What with having to pay for the company under your command and all?
Weve come to an arrangement, Hem said, nodding to her husband.
Sergeant Yates will be taking the helm of my company for the time being, and he will serve as the quartermaster until Hem is ready. Its my understanding that there will be an open position in the war council for him at that time, with several retirements looming, Muk said.
Dear, its not your company once you leave.
I know but I know.
You can come back and visit it.
Yes, dear.
Through this, Hem sat in rapt attention.
Have you told her then? Im guessing not, Hem said, his whiskers going a mile a minute.
Told me what? Freya said, her glare intensifying as she crushed a biscuit in her paws.
Hes going to be following me around, getting lessons until we leave, Muk said.
Husband, were going to have a long talk about what we do and dont keep from each other, Freya replied.
Of course, of course.
Husband.
What?
Im serious!
As you wish, he replied, putting an arm around her.
2-11. Pillow Talk
"You''reyou feel different than the chickens."
"I should hope so."
"Are you you feel sad."
"That''s not exactly how I feel."
"Then tell me how you feel."
"It''s complicated," he said rolling over
"It''s not too complicated, plus now that I feel everything that you feel, I kinda want to know," she said, scooting after him.
"Well, do you remember how you and River swooped in to save the day?"
Whiskered flared between them.
"I wouldn''t call it that at all."
"Well before that, it kinda seemed a bit hopeless there for a minute. We had lostI lost a few friends back there."
A silence passed over them.
"No one should have to go through that."
"This is supposed to be a happy time. We''re leaving in less than a week and"
She held up a paw to his mouth.
"And I intend to spend a lot of that resting."
"So when you told me you were into resting, you weren''t kidding."
Both of them smiled.
"I like it when you''re happy. Just feeling how you feel about me in the back of my head, that I could get used to. River said that it would be very strong at first, but she also bonded three otters, so I am inclined to take what she says with a bit of sugar."
The silence grew comfortable between them.
"When I feel you in the back of my head, great Raven, this bond is amazing. I feel stronger and faster, and if every mouse in the coalition felt this strong, we wouldn''t need"
"What?"
"We wouldn''t need the rest of the coalitionI can see why druids hold back their magic. If one was inclined to hurt others, they could do so with their ranger alone. And yes I understand that only a select few druids are able to make the bond, but I imagine your services will be requested often."
"One of the beavers already wants to call upon me after she gets settled."
"Oh? She already has a ranger picked out?"
"They tend to stick together, the beavers and otters. Or at least that''s been my experience. Maybe having a friend who was a rabbit and a fox was a bit different growing up. But I didn''t know a different way."
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"We''ll need to make a different way. Our own way. Who knows where we''ll be sent?"
"I don''t know, in fact, I couldn''t even dare to hope right now. It will be a long time before we will be able to just be idle like this."
"Oh, you tease me so. Offer me your paw in marriage, but with so many strings attached as to make a Raven blush or a mouse sweat."
She paused to look at him. With his paw around her, and his face up towards the ceiling, he looked a bit older. Or perhaps he looked more resigned to his fate.
"Ah, but the strings add to your delight. You get to start over your career, except this time with your wife."
"You''re incorrigible, wife."
"Husband, I could only be so with you."
They giggled.
"Husband, you know that we could always run away together. I haven''t said my oaths yet, I just promised River that I would"
It was his turn to become serious.
"We can run away when we''re fully trained; though I doubt you would want to do that. What with having been indoctrination for two years or more."
"They told me two years was the minimum that it took a druid to be ready for her final oath, but I think that we can do it faster. With you at my side, I have the motivation we need to succeed faster."
"I, huh?"
"I''m sorry?"
"You said ''I have the motivation we need to succeed faster''. We will have the motivation."
"Drat. A slip of the tongue. I hope that my husband can help us become we."
That shouldnt be a problem. So long as you dont go back to comparing the difference between how I feel, and how those chickens feel.
That was one time..
And Ive forgiven you, but you know they have feathers, right?
Im aware. Its half the reason that I made the little seat- the saddle- that they wear. Did I tell you that some scouts have taken to fashioning their saddles? My dear, I think that Ive started a trend.
I should hope so. If nothing else- hey dont hit me with that pillow- youll be known forever as the chicken saddler - hey quit it! Im stronger now with a pillow than you.
Just because you have ranger powers is all!
Because you gave them to me!
I wonder how normal couples do it, you know not being able to sense each other at all times.
Sounds like they might have a rough go of it.
Thats exactly what Im talking about. Its only been a day since we made this bond, but already it feels like weve grown together.
We did get married, and also you ate a lot of food, and it was an emotional time
Youre right. I havent eaten enough food, that is exactly what I need to do. Husband, has anyone every told you that youre right?
Not so in those words.
Well, thats unfortunate.
Youre not going to do it, are you?
And give you the satisfaction? Never. Now, I heard that there was a lot of prepared food.
You know that to be the case.
And I would not want to miss a wedding feast.
Despite the fact that we did attend a large one, I catch your point.
Therefore, please go and retrieve more food. Make haste, dear Lord Chin-Hwa, because I feel famished.
I would if, youd deign to release me at any time, Lady Chin-Hwa.
But youre just so warm and, oh, off with you.
As you wish, My lady. I shall go off on a quest to return with snacks.
For my honor.
For your honor, now please let me have at least one robe for this trip.
I should think not.
2-12. Shop Talk
You understand that these words might break the circle if uttered aloud.
I do not say these words obliquely or for the purpose of humor. Those ragamuffins, they were something else, something magical.
Youre to only bring this up to the Red. He will know what to do. It has been so long since weve seen magic used in such unnatural ways.
River straightened. Spring had never been so aghast at anything shed ever told her. Not even when shed admitted how she felt, and River had expected her to balk.
This magic It belongs to the White circle. Ive never no, I was told that they had special powers, a special weave brought down through the ages, but nearly every cat Ive met without fail has been of the White. It must be a part of their bloodline.
Their bloodline?
You sensed it, didnt you? Druids making more druids?
It would make sense, River said, thrumming on the table they were seated at.
It would make sense.
How else are druids made?
Ive got an inkling that there is another way, but I cant prove anything. I thought I would be able to, but
I understand, druid.
You must gather some brothers and sisters, and investigate the scene. The magic that built those ragamuffins would still be strong for months afterward, and those of the White wouldnt have reason to travel through your burrow.
Ill take my rangers.
This mission youll need a trusted Grey or Purple. Chip will serve another purpose.
River smiled. Hed been growing in his small ability. Now, it would be tested.
And one more thing, River. Ill be going back to the circle myself. If I send someone to you before I return through the burrows, take them along to the ride. It has been a long time since I took an apprentice and Yellowrock will be guarded by another in my absence.
Have they picked your successor here then? River said, a catch in her throat.
For so long, Spring had been not only her teacher but her line back to the circle. Both the red grove, her smaller organization, and the larger druid circle connected for her through Spring. The fact that she might not return to Yellowrock meant that River might be moving from the place shed been calling home for three years. Druids needed to move around for the benefit of all of society.The disparate races had chosen all different areas of woodland to take hold.
They have not. Two druids will remain in my stead to advise the queen and coalition.
River nodded along. Spring, a mouse herself, had stuck around for so long due to a combination of her abilities and her upbringing. Shed been born in Yellowrock, and the circle liked to reward those that have completed a more difficult term of service with a follow-on mission of choice. Druids lived long lives, compared to the creatures they spent their time shepherding, so staying too long in one place could be a recipe for stagnation or worse, familiarity. River knew that she would be shuttled around according to the needs of the circle though they would take into account her preferences from time to time.
Two to replace you? What an honor.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
It is. Not one that I would ever have wished for. But my time with the Red will be fruitful, I imagine. Freya has been working on her ciphers, I hope.
With as much enthusiasm as a newly married mouse could have. Which is so say, a slight amount. She does keep her book with her so she can use it when she is not otherwise occupied.
River had seen the book and Freyas notes on it frequently in her paws. River had her own book which she had been updating so the two could use one of three ciphers between them. Muk had also been copying the same three ciphers so that they could all switch based on the day, season, or any number of unusual things they decided on that week.
Dont forget to bring some of those delicious rolls, otherwise, youre fired.
You cant fire me! River faked outrage.
Sure I can.
Well, good luck replacing me with a Raven of the same or similar talents.
Fine, youre rehired then.
I accept.
You shouldnt, but I accept your acceptance.
They embraced and River said her goodbyes before heading up to the top of the inn and taking flight. She flapped up to a height and caught a thermal, taking a slow flight around Yellowrock. The days were growing longer
"So you''re here on the map," Muk said, illustrating his point on the embossed map his family maintained in its parlor. "And you need to move a mix of rabbits, foxes, and supplies here."
Muk showed a point on the opposite side of the country''s territory.
"Is this for the military? Or for the business?"
"You know what? Make it a case for either and explain the differences."
"Alright," Hem said.
Quartermaster Master Sergeant Yates sat behind his charge. He had been drilling Hem day and night. Hem would be sent to the summer course at the academy, and if he did well, would be taking officer courses to make up for lost time when needed.
"If we''re moving let''s say a payload from the far eastern reaches of Yellowrock all the way to the west, we have several options, based on the size. If the payload is small, we can call up the bluejays and pay a hefty fee to get it there ahead of anything else. If we can get carts set up to arrive by the Riverfolk docking area and ship the payload upriver and then across the northern lake, we can count on it getting there without being seen by that many creatures."
Hem paused to take a breath, looking at Muk to see if his face would betray any hint that he was on the right course. With Muks newly heightened senses and resolve, it was not even close.
"That would be the clandestine option. Of course, there is the rock standard sending it overground. The best option if you''re not trying to hide or hiding something in plain sight. This could be done overnight alternatively or in a covered wagon. I would send it via covered wagon overnight as the primary way if I had no cause to use the other routes and was trying to get it there if the arrival time didn''t matter."
Hem took a swig from his flask. Muk was reasonably certain that it was water, but the mouse had a nervous tic when under pressure.
"That''s the strategic view of it, yes. Now go into depth on the tactical plan. What are you telling your Sergeants or dispatchers?"
"Well if we go in the same order, I would start by sending a message to the bluejays quartermaster to see if they would accept the task, then find a suitable payment for the move..."
Hem continued his explanation of the different things he would have to take into consideration for each faction involved which wasn''t in his employ, then make sure that those in his employ knew what they needed to know. A lot of the dealings had already been settled long ago and were worn grooves in their particulars.
As such Hem would need to learn how to create the new grooves, lest he fall into a rut. Muk had him for a few days for just that purpose. Quartermaster Yates would continue Hems internship. There wasn''t much that Muk knew that Yates didn''t. Hem would need to learn and bridge the gap.
Muk took his time explaining how he would have to ensure a wall between his own business and the crown''s business. It was true that he was being given the money on behalf of the Chin-Hwa family, money being managed by Crenshaw on the civilian side.
The merger of the families could be everything that Hems'' mother always wanted. Muk just had to make sure it went as good as possible.
After Hem gave a sufficient enough explanation, Muk nodded.
That is a start. Next, we will have to set up some war games for you. The academy is great for those kinds of things. Thankfully I set up something for you to work on with Crenshaw and Yates while I am gone.''''
Hems look of horror and resolve showed briefly before he laughed.
Honestly, I would be concerned if you didnt.
Me too.
2-13. Final Preparations
The morning of the caravan saw Freya and Muk enjoying breakfast with their combined families. They had started out from the Chin-Hwa residence right after first light, taking Muks mother over and for nearly an hour, they ate, drank, and told stories about home.
And then, Freya showed up, swept me off my feet - I felt like a princess- and saved the day, Muk said to the awestruck Kayli.
That wasnt exactly how it happened, Freya said, But Ill accept it. All honor is due to me of course, with a bit to River and Grandpaw.
Thanks to him, we were able to hold off the Marquisate, Muk said, holding a giggling Bard.
They paused for a second.
Freyaleave? Kaylia said.
Yes, Kayli, I have to go.
Freyareturn?
Freya bit back a tear.
I maybe.
Freya return?
Muk put his arm around Freya.
Freya return, he said.
Pwomise? Kayli said.
Kayli was new to the idea of promises, but she had already used them to devastating effect among her immediate family.
I promise, Muk said, not knowing the pit of vipers he was dancing into.
Yay! Freya return!
Kayli then, as mouse pups are wont to do, sprinted off around the chickens.
Youre going to leave a chicken here, right? Faolan said.
One, because shes a bit younger and traveling is dangerous. The other four will go with us, Muk said, looking to Freya for confirmation.
The pen, once full, was open as the five remaining chickens milled about.
Ive offered to bond the chicken to one of you. Just say the word and Ill give it the ranger bond, Freya said.
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Faolan looked to his wife, then to his son.
If Hem would accept, he would be the one that could use it the most. It could be a part of his office. Having a trained war beast would be invaluable
Across the way, Hem was speaking with the other Lady Chin-Hwa. He waved.
If hell accept, then yes. When I return, Ill see about others.
When, not if? Her father replied.
Correct.
It would make your mother and I happy to see you, Freya, but youve done so much for this family already that I couldnt ask any more of you. Still, I Ill miss my daughter.
Dad! Not in front of my husband.
Oh hush, A fathers love is boundless. You just try to stop me from hobbling across the city to give you the most embarrassing hug possible when I hear youve come home.
Daaaad! Freya smirked, before hugging him.
Its true, all of it.
They embraced.
Mom, I I dont know if Ive told you this, but I have to go, she said, their paws placed gently on top of each other, I know weve butted heads before, but
Freya, I know youre heading to thelook, I know, oh little mouse.
I left you a letter also, mom, she said, holding back tears.
Of course you did. Now youre going to go make me proud.
They stood there for a long time, neither one wanting to do anything but exist in the moment.
Before you leave, though, I do have one question for you.
What is that, mom?
Freya return? Her mother said in the most childish voice she could muster.
Freyas sad tears joined the happy ones as she left them shortly after the sun rose.
You know, not everyone gets to leave their home with this much, and still asks for more, Muk said.
Two Kapis! The mouse behind the counter said, And four chicken buckets!
Around the way, the farum employees pulled the buckets to feed the beasts. Shed paid in advance, letting them know that today they would be early. The farum staff, not wanting to enrage their best client, obliged.
Were going to miss you, Miss Uki, the serving mouse said.
Its Miss Chin-Hwa now, or so my husband would have me believe, safe to say, I think that Ranger Chin-Hwa will have no issue taking my old name now.
The serving mouse grinned.
Thank you for this, Muk said, his dry sardonic grin spreading to the now hyperactive chickens. Each slurp was music to his ears. They were on the south side of Yellowrock, and before he knew it they were going back north, to the well established parade grounds he knew so well from his past life.
The jolt from the Kapi woke him up. He could have used that a few years back, but now? It was just business as usual, albeit with a deep thrumming of excitement. The ranger bond did far more for him than any cup of liquid.
And now, it was telling him that hed arrived more prepared for this movement than for any other similar travel hed ever done in his life.
It would never be the same, but then again, it never could be.
Freya, lets go make history.
Oh, you melodramatic mouse, were just going on a long trip to school.
2-14. Sand
There was a way to go through the warrens. At least that was what they had told Muk. He hadn''t expected anything special.
Then the sky changed over. The rangers to his left and right all laughed at the idea that they should have told him what to expect.
With his new heightened senses though, he could tell that something was off.
Or everything was.
The coarse sand led for leagues in each direction alongside the shallow ocean to their right side.
The thing he hadn''t expected the most though? The crabs. They were the main hazard on their route. The full druids and rangers kept a tight perimeter around the initiates. With his training they had thrown him right into it.
Above him, Freya played at overwatch. Below him, one of the bonded chickens lead him on the slow route.
There were at least four otter and two beaver rangers who took up positions along the waters edge, every so often baiting a crab away from the group. He knew several of them were bonded together with River, the enigmatic raven who spent more time than was completely reasonable in otter form.
His father has taught him about ravens when he was younger. Either they were clergy or thieves and he wasn''t sure if he''d heard it right because priest thief couldn''t be a viable career path for an entire culture. That was the impression he had held until he met River. She had done a lot to change his mind on this matter.
More than the crabs, the fact that the water was salt water compounded his sense of smell. It overpowered a lot and he was forced to lean on his other senses. The sun beat down on them as well so the only smell he got was of hot salty sand.
Muk hated it. He much preferred the even temperature of Yellow rock, but it wasn''t for him to complain. That much was clear if only because he already had the bond that gave rangers an edge.
They plodded along for hours in the high sun. It had not threatened to drop even with all the silent bribes he had offered it. He knew that moving for more time than was prescribed would lead to the entire group tiring out early.
By the time he thought the druid initiates might give out, a stop was called. The otters lead the group the small shelter of a fjord. It was the only shady area around and Muk realized after they arrive that it had been creature made. The unnatural way that it looked made was a dead giveaway.
"Ranger Muk," a female otter said, "Your beast, she is looking ready for some shade, and perhaps she can shade others?"
Muk nodded. She was one of the new ranger initiates and he realized though he stood out, that he hadn''t remembered her name. Sam, the leader of the expedition was off checking on the other ranger candidates.
"That would be most acceptable. She needs the shade and loves it when we sit with our backs to her."
He nudged the chicken into the shade, before dismounting.
"She''s safe. She likes druids and rangers," he said to a small group near the edge of the shade.
Muk turned to see the female otter.
"I''m sorry, I never got your name-" he held out a paw.
She embraced his paw with hers.
"Lesley. Is it true that you were a Lord?"
"You''re quick with the personal questions, but yes."
She blushed under her brown fur.
"And you? You chose to be a ranger, because?" He asked.
Her eyes went wide and she gasped.
"Apologies. You were fairly direct and I was trying to match your culture. I know a few otters, two saved my life recently and I have the greatest request for your collective strength and bargaining power."
"You know about otters? Lots of coalition folk don''t. They don''t generally deign to talk to us..."
Muk sighed. There were nobles and common folk that looked at Otters and Beavers strange because of their culture. He had heard many rumors, but found it to be more wholesome than the whispers had made it out to be. He was still a one mouse to another mouse creature, but he could see the appeal of many partners, especially regarding children.
"I was the quartermaster. We had a lot of interactions."
"THE quartermaster? Great Mother, but you''re the one that my father was always trying to get in the graces of."
"Oh? What does your father do, Lesley?" He asked.
The paid had taken their cloaks off. Muk was going to offer one of the druids to ride on his mount for the next leg of the journey. The lizard in particular seemed uneasy with all of the walking.
"He was a merchant. One of the few, great otters that connect our two groups," she said.
"Lesley do you see that druid initiate over there?"
He motioned to the female lizard who he had been eyeing.
"I see, ah yes I see the one you mean."
"Here''s your first lesson in leading others. That initiate looks like she won''t make it. I was going to offer her to ride my mount for the next part of the journey," he said, sighing.
"Seems reasonable. She might refuse though."
"That is why you need to approach her diplomatically. Your father had to connect with all kinds of creatures. Surely you observed him doing his work from time to time?"
"I did. You''re telling me that I have to sell a ride on a chicken?"
"A free ride on a chicken. And you have to sell it like it''s the best pastry ever made," Muk said, grinning like mad.
"Too easy," Lesley said, taking a swig from her water.
"Do you want me to help with this? Sometimes lizardfolk are prideful."
"I''ll appeal to her sense of adventure. Everyone wants to ride a mount. Especially one as well trained as yours."
Muk watched as the otter ambled over to the shadiest area. The lizard in white robes lay splayed out on the ground. Around her the sand was wet. Muk had watched her cool down on the water, narrowly avoiding a crab as she floundered about.
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Lesley spoke to the lizard, featuring broadly towards the chicken. Muk loved how expressive riverfolk were. He could always tell when they really believed in what they were trying to sell. The least passionate otter was more expressive than any mouse merchant he bought anything from.
The lizard sat up and shrugged at Lesley. Muk smiled as the yellow lizards resolve cracked and she nodded emphatically. Lesley turned back to him smiling as if she had sold hundreds of clams worth of protection services.
"What did you tell her?" He said once she got into close whisper range.
"I just told her that we would be honored to have a future druid use our mount for the next leg. Also do you know that she is not part of the initiates? She came from the valley of Red Mist. This is her second year. Her name is Elizardbeth."
"She''s already been to the valley? She looks green."
"She''s yellow, though."
"Green as in new. There must be a similar term that the riverfolk call their new people."
"Ah. That must be a coalition thing. We are.... shall we say we train for our jobs from a young age. Fighting, writing and river husbandry. All the important things."
Muk reached into his satchel working around the druids that had taken up shelter and shade next to his mount.
"Lesley, would you care for something grabbed on my way in? It isn''t much but I have several pastries-"
Every druid initiate around him looked at him with a hawks focus.
"-which I am willing to share with everyone-"
A cheer came up from the creatures all strewn about. Paws and claws rose to the air as Mike and Lesley passed out the dozens of treats that he had the foresight to purchase with his family''s expense account. After all what were clams without the sea to spend it in?
"Lord Chin-Hwa-" Lesley said in between bites.
"Ranger Muk if you would."
"-well this is delicious. I would never think to bring something like this on a journey. The rangers said to pack enough for two weeks but this? It feels extravagant."
"An army moves on it''s stomach. Druids and rangers I assumed even more so."
Lesley cocked her head. The shallow sea glimmered behind her. They had taken a few steps away from the chicken, remaining in the shade.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It''s just that...hold on do you understand how druids work their magic?"
More faces looked to them and Muk was accustomed to being eavesdropped upon but the laser focus of tired students was something else.
"This isn''t a big secret, Lesley but-" he pointed to the remnant of his croissant, "-they get their power through eating. As in the same way that we fuel out bodies. At least that''s what I told my Soldiers. The nuts and berries you find on the trail may be food, so don''t disregard them."
The blank look on Lesleys face turned into a wheelbarrow moving it''s wheels ever so slowly, then recognition swam across her face.
"So this," she said, "this morsel turns into magic? It doesn''t have to be a pastry does it?"
Muk smiled.
"No, no it doesn''t."
Up above them he could feel Freya riding the numerous thermals. He nudged the feeling of a delicious warm baked treat to her. She hadn''t landed in quite some time and he was getting concerned.
Lesley followed his gaze.
"Those bluejay druids are something else, aren''t they? I know that beasts are rare here, aside from the ever present crabs, but they do so much, the bluejays I mean, they do. Hey, didn''t you come here with your wife? I haven''t seen her anywhere?"
"Aye, I''m married and you can see her patrolling up above."
Lesley glanced to him and then narrowed her eyes.
"You married a bluejay? How does that even work? They lay eggs and..."
"Ranger Lesley," he said between giggles, "you have to understand that it was a marriage to benefit our families and neither one of us thought that we would have children."
"But-" she looked back and forth for a long time, waiting for him to change his tune.
"She''s a druid initiate of the red Grove. She can change into many creatures, though she most often is the mouse that has saved my life and that I love dearly. Things have gotten quite strange since I met her but not that strange."
Lesley visibility shrank as she sat down.
"Oh, thank Nithe, or I guess the raven? But I was a bit worried there. Is she coming down?"
"She''ll come down when she''s ready. I''m becking her with treats, but I think I''ll have to bring out the big carrot."
Lesleys eyes twinkled.
"If you''ve got a big carrot, I would love for you to share it."
"The carrot, my dear Lesley, is a metaphor for the best drink available on the continent and you would be wise to bring your cup out. This may be cold but I''ll ask a druid to warm it up some if needed but my dear new friend you''re about to have an experience that will change your entire worldview."
Lesley stood up, stretching as she limbered up.
"Bring out your cup," he instructed.
Muk moved to the other side of his saddle bags and brought out the first of three such barrels.
"You all, bring out your travel cups," he said gesturing to the druids as his cloak slipped off his arm,"for today, we drink the drink of the working mouse. Ka-pi."
It took them a short time to pass out the Ka-pi. The tired faces turned quickly to delight under Muks ministrations. It was lovely what a little kick could do. In the back of his mind Freya was still floating high above. She''d eaten before the trip and was still reveling in the minimal energy expenditure that it took for her to hover above the hot sands. Muk saw a raven cross nearby her and the two turned in a paired pattern to do a large circle around their charges.
Before long, they were moving again and this time, Muk was marching alongside his mount. Several of the more ambitious creatures had fallen on top of the other mounts. They had all accepted new riders easily enough with a bit of prodding.
Walking on coarse hot sand began to wear on Muk after several bells. Freya had even come down several times to splash water over her dry feathers. Muk wondered how long they would continue along a coastal route until they reached either the main land or a peninsula, he couldn''t tell. Ahead of them fresh water flowed from a green pasture past a large constructed dam.
Dams meant beavers and fresh water and Muk was ready for either to show up. He wasn''t low on water after eight hours, but he was ready to top up his containers. On the side away from the sea, trees grew in a pattern, a sure sign that paws had been at work in whatever had happened here.
Next to him, Elizardbeth roused from a nap. He found it hard to make conversation as she seemed out of it more than not. Where Freya felt energized, the lizard he walked alongside was sluggish and weary. Perhaps it had something to do with the magic of the place, or perhaps she was out of sorts with her preparedness. Still, it never did well to tell a lady that perhaps she needed to spend more time in the natural environment.
Ahead, Sam the ranger leader called a stop, then lead the group to a building on the far side of the dam. They passed over the first creature made thing in the warren that he had ever seen and as they got closer, he spotted a beaver that had not come with them.
First one, then two beavers showed up in his sights, their bodies covered with formed carapace armor in a loose style. The rings and coloring bore the marks of the crabs that they had passed so many of on their way. They wooped and hollered as they welcomed first Sam, then all of the rangers.
Before long, all of the five flyers had landed to join them. Muk embraced Freya, handing her the last cold bit of Ka-pi. Her warm wings enveloped him and he felt at home. Then she giggled, drinking his cup with the odd hands at the ends of her wings. Muk had always thought that the avians of the coalition were a little odd, what with talons, wings and hands, but he was never jealous. There were far fewer of them and most of them became Soldiers when they came of age.
This caused a vicious cycle of few birds with normal jobs having less offspring as they were constantly on the go. Thus, any bird with a scratch of nurturing was assigned to raise their young and they paid a lot for other creatures to help attend, mice included. It was similar with the foxes he knew, though for several generations now foxes had the highest percentage of landed gentry. They accomplished this through a campaign of unity that Muk was highly jealous of.
"How was the flying?" Muk asked Freya.
"Marvelous, my dear. You simply must try it some time," she replied, downing her cup.
"I''ll keep that under advisement. Seems a waste of a perfectly good ranger."
"Did you mean to say a perfectly good husband?"
"Ah, no. Did you know of any?" Muk said, holding back a grin.
"Not that I''m aware of. You might ask River. Two of her rangers are perfectly good husbands. Perhaps you could take some tips," Freya replied, adjusting her belt and trousers.
"They are good husbands," Elizardbeth croaked from the side of the chicken,"One brought me to the circle last year, but it''s the wife you ought to look out for. She''s on fire."
"Freya, Elizardbeth, and likewise," Muk said, nodding to each in turn.
"It''s a pleasure, to be certain," Freya said," Lovely to meet you, but you look a bit paler than I''d expected from above."
"Lovely to meet you, Miss Freya. I believe it''s the warren that is causing this torpor," she replied, patting the chicken she lay with her back upon, "This mount she is a lifesaver."
"I''ll be certain to let her know that," Freya said, coming up to the chicken and petting it lightly.
The chicken picked its head up off the floor, accepting the pets gracefully. Some unspoken words went between Freya and it, Muk could tell by how they regarded each other, then the chicken began preening itself.
"She is happy to help a friend. Assuming you want to feed her at some point? Muk has several options in his saddle bags. Help yourself to a few, as I believe we''ll be here for a while," Freya said, opening and closing the bags, "This one in particular, and if you wouldn''t mind feeding her friends as well I''ve be proper pleased."
"It is the least I could do after such kindness," the lizard said, standing up.
Freya shared a long glance with Muk. She hadn''t transitioned back to mouse form and she wouldn''t until they arrived because of how much it took to maintain it.
2-15. Training
"There is. But between squeezing all of the magic out of you, and working you to the bone, well this was a break."
"Which grove do you belong to?"
Elizardbeth shrugged.
"Purple. I''m first elevation there and struggling. Honestly seeing you here it''s a bit of a mixed bag. You seem so competent already and it''s only been how long?"
"Just a season but... I had a lot of help. I''m a bit envious of everyone who is about to pitch in and help with the planting this season, but it can''t be helped, I guess."
The lizard surveyed the scene around the beavers lodging. Freya thought that it was a bit dated but well loved. The interior of course was all old worked wood.
"See! Just one season? That''s..." she looked like she was trying on several words before she trailed off into nothing.
"Unusual. Tell me, Elizardbeth, I have many questions and I am certain that you have the time. If you would tell me how things really are, I would much appreciate it."
What was left unsaid was that Freya wanted to know as much of the social aspect of the circle as well as the tangible day to day flow of her time there.
"Oh well. For someone like you? I suppose it will be about the same. Every morning we had lessons at least for the first four months. Conduct of a druid, foundations and all that, and then... it veered into more one on one instruction where you''re expected to do a bit more independent work. Then they''ll put you on an assignment like this to test if you''re willing to do what the circle needs."
Freya really wanted to take notes as her newest ally went over the different options for classes and how their training and the ranger candidates training sometimes ran together. The druid initiates also had a pecking order that Freya wasn''t too fond of, and she would have to address her seniors by their titles and know them by heart shortly after arrival.
---
Sam was addressing the candidates about their order of March. The relatively tall otter stood out in the center of the lodge, on top of a stack of logs
"Tomorrow we''re heading inland. I know that the blasted sun never sets in this warren so it''ll be when the druids all wake after breakfast. We''re going to load up several barrels on each of these two carts. Last time we had Ranger Sela pull the cart most of the way from our destination. This time we''re going to use two as for the first time in a long time we have enough of a marching order to necessitate it."
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One of the candidates raised a paw. Muk nearly groaned audibly when he realized that Sam hadn''t asked for questions yet and this might end in some sort of mass punishment. Instead, Sam just continued on.
"Thank you for volunteering to move the first cart candidate Andrew," she said to the rabbit who had extended their arm. He meekly returned it. "Anyone else want to volunteer for the first two hours? There''s fresh water in two days and then we''re more than halfway to safety."
The group tensed as no one raised a paw to volunteer. Muk sighed, putting his paw up. Leadership started with showing those to the left and right of you that you didn''t mind getting dirty.
"Thank you, ranger Muk," she said.
"Er, candidate Muk," he said sheepishly.
"You''re a ranger now with the bond and your demonstrated potential. That goes for all of you. Senior rangers like myself and Sela will be testing you and teaching you on this journey. The warrens are the most dangerous place that your druid can take you and you need to be prepared. Several of you will make the cut within a month, and several will take nearly two seasons, but we''ll get all of you trained. Our first training objective," she said, smiling, "Is to learn how to work with a practice staff. Every morning before we depart, and every evening after we leave you''ll spar. Sela has the matchups here, and will go over the rules when we''re done. If you do well, perhaps one of the druids make take a shine to you."
Sam held out a staff the same size as her.
"Druids are welcome to spar but that is not their purpose. You are their lifeline, as they are the protectors of all creatures. So make us proud."
Muk realized a bit too late that he was being clapped on the shoulder by Sela. He was handed a staff which he accepted, giving it a few test swings.
"First hit on the torso or head gets the match. We play to best of three, or if both parties agree, the best of five. No More than five," Sam said, "Hold still."
Sam deftly demonstrated what he meant, showing several options for the assembled crowd. Muk took some time to survey the candidates. They looked resolute, hungry and wired. The march had taken something out of them, and now sparring would take more.
"Ranger Muk," Sela said, bringing his focus, "not at full speed."
Muk knew that Sela was already strong before he''d received the ranger bond, and had a year to cultivate his fighting style with the enhancements. He didn''t know whether to feel insulted or not, but he had seen the otter fight and in battle, he was savage.
"Begin," Sam said.
Muk brought his staff up into the classic defense pose, probing Selas weakness. Two thirds of his body was behind the staff and the rest pushed the advance. Several jabs with the staff saw Sela blocking it outwards.
Muk saw an opening and feinted a jab, waiting until the last second to pull it back. Sela initiated a counter block, only to miss and push himself off balance.
Muk, instead of going to the torso, jabbed the otters leg trying for a trip.
The rangers whooped as he did so.
Sela landed on his belly with the all the force of a wet musclebound otter. He smiled, rolled, got up and that was the first time Muk faltered.
"That''s one way to take an enemy down," Sam said, "Let''s see how this works for him."
The crowd laughed as Sela motioned for the bout to continue.
Losing to a superior enemy with a year of training beyond yours was never a sure thing. At least it wasn''t until Sela deftly caught Muk with a quick blow to the neck.
Sela held back, but it was clear that he had the upper hand. Once he started panting, Muk knew he had lost. It took a bit to work him to that level so he was happy to have made it so far.
The gap between their skills made him realize how far he had to go, if he wanted to step up. Freya sending the feeling of warmth put his mind at ease.
"Well fought. Now, if you have never used a staff, please stand up and make your way to the practice line. Before we start on any other methods, we are going to go over the basics tonight. Again," Sam eyed a few curious druid initiates, "initiates are welcome to weave into our work, but not at the expense of their own training. "
The side eye that Sam gave closed the lips and beams of even the most fervent of the initiates.
Two lines of ranger candidates lined up facing each other under Selas firm touch while Sam went over the steps. Muk knew the steps of course, he was just a bit rusty and being slightly smaller than Sela was a disadvantage that he would need to exploit. Taller creatures tended to be slower, but bonded rangers were a different breed altogether.
Muk was put front and center with Delta and Sam as they went through the motions, the lines echoing the commands and not for the first time, Muk felt at home again.
2-16. On the topic of Night watch when there is no darkness
It wasn''t too long before all of the creatures were in for the night and the watch was established. Muk asked for the mid shift. Freya napped early so she might accompany him, as they had barely a moment to themselves over the entire day. Before long both were woken up by the duty ranger, and they moved to a comfortable position over the lodge.
Miles of water and green Savannah surrounded them as the river drained into the sea. The pastoral scene made Muk fearful of an aerial predator, but seeing none he melted into his own aerialist. Freyas arms around him were soft and a fair bit larger than her arms were as a mouse.
"I said that I would follow you to the end of the warrens," he whispered, holding her feathered hand in his, "but I never expected you to take me up on it."
"Where you go, I go husband. We''re together for this," she replied, her birdlike eyes closing under her cloak.
Just because she was up didn''t mean that she was going to keep her eyes open, as the assembled creatures all seemed to need some form of darkness to rest. It was something that eluded them except in the depths of the beaver lodge where they had all stayed. Muk felt at home in the dark as the constant brightness of the warren wore on him.
"This journey, this warren, I never would have expected this. I thought that my time as the quartermaster would be the peak of what I could achieve, then the war happened and... I''m glad it resolved itself at least for now."
Before they left Yellowrock proper, word had come out that the Marquis had pulled out of the territory that they had annexed. Muk had mixed feelings about leaving, but he had left his Family legacy in capable hands.
"I...think that we may be called upon to return to the Marquisate."
Freyas voice had gone quiet and Muk wondered how much of that was the blue jay and how much of it was her.
"Are you very certain?"
"I cannot be sure. But how many druids here have the ability that I have? It''s rare and I hadn''t understood how much until today."
Muk nodded, but then sighed as he realized she wouldn''t be watching. She could feel him and he passed along puzzlement.
"There''s one other druid that can do what I do here, aside from River and Spring and... He is in need of some tutelage. River was working with him a little today."
Muk squeezed tighter. The specifics of her powers had seemed both vague and particular to him, a callback to the many things that the academy tried to teach him and the other cadets. All those days of studying and drills came back to him as he searched for something to say. As a new husband though, he realized that he did not wish to dominate the discourse, so he said nothing. Perhaps over time, he would learn when to jut in correctly, but for now he let the companionable silence pass over them.
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Far out in the fields, several large beasts roamed, their towering mass captivating his attention for a brief moment before he flitted to the next. They were dozens, if not hundreds of mice tall and Muk was thankful that they seemed to be harmless grass eating nomads. Otherwise, he might have abandoned all of his hopes. Thinking about the wyvern that Freya has summoned from her own warren still gave him chills. He would probably need to talk to Sam about that sooner rather than later. She, along with Sela seemed to be the most experienced of all of the rangers, though he didn''t know what he would see when he arrived in the valley.
"They''re peaceful," Freya said, "Would that our lives could be so free of worry."
"Aye," he replied, "That is the dream that the druids promise to give us. Druids and their rangers keep the beasts at bay for the good of all creatures. That is our pledge."
"Would that we could. Though with the way things are going, I''ll settle for whatever it is with you. Be it peace, war, or warrens."
Before long their relief arrived and they settled in for the rest of the night. The blessed darkness covered them once they got deep enough into the lodge and that was enough for Muk. He was ready for it and sleep came easier.
---
The next morning, rations were given out to the chickens and creatures and more than a few druid initiates complained of sore backs or knees. It took a nearly unforgivable amount of time to get the caravan going and Muk was glad that he wasn''t in charge, because the yelling was not directed at him. Nor was there yelling as he had expected that there would be.
It was a strange thing to miss, yelling. It meant order and it meant a hierarchy, but most of all it meant movement. These civilians had for the most part never been part of a uniformed outfit. They had barely been armed before and it was beginning to show with how green they were.
The morning setup was more akin to a family trip in Muks eyes and he saw it as his duty to keep his mouth closed as he took his leisure relaxing as those around him moved faster and faster.
"Elizardbeth, good day to you," he said to the stretching lizard.
"Ranger Muk, a pleasure."
She wasn''t really a morning person, he decided. Or perhaps he should withhold judgement. He smiled.
"Will you require assistance today? I can ready my mount for you? I was thinking that we could take turns if needed. Otherwise the rangers like the idea of what we''re calling mounted reconnaissance. It''s something that Yellowrock was giving a trial to last season."
"Mounted reconnaissance? What does that entail?"
"Riding ahead and around the pack. Its a new way to get early warning when you don''t have eyes in the sky. It''s a recent change with Yellowrock scouts using it to great effect on the campaign. We found ourselves in need of a ground view of things in the battle for Marwei. The Marquis field army had excellent archers, perhaps too good in fact. Our aviary- the bird soldiers all were unable to take the field after some losses, this destroyed some of our best reconnaissance prospects."
"Oh look, Sam and Spring are standing up to go, it''s probably time."
"You never told me if you would accept the deal. If needed you can ride behind me. I wouldn''t be averse to company."
"Ranger Muk that''s a bit...uh... Thank you. I wouldn''t mind it and perhaps we can rotate with a few of the newer druid candidates that are suffering from traveling all day."
Muk smiled, helping her up to the chicken. He gave his mount some good scratches and checked her saddle bags before helping Elizardbeth up. That she left him too.
Muk quickly checked the other four chickens and their bags before the line formed. Four druid initiates had mounted three of the other chickens, with the final one a bit more weighed down by packs.
Returning to his mount, he saluted the druid before scurrying up into position.
"Does it get any better on the road from here on out?"
"No unfortunately."
2-17. Torpor
Five dozen souls passed from the endless seaside to the long canal. It continued upwards at a slow meandering pace. The river flowed slow enough for enormous logs to move downstream to the lodge. Above it all, Freya flew, catching thermal after thermal. Muk once again ride on Outrider as he ranged ahead of the line and she was keeping pace with him.
On one side of the river, amber stalks twice the height of her chickens covered the ground.
Every so often she would find a large beast sleeping in between the flora, but it was never close enough to warrant an intervention. They all seemed to be herbivores as well to her relief. At least their particular look made her think so.
Ahead of her River and two birds flew with the advance. Far in the rear their last companion advanced only as fast as the creatures on the ground did.
Right in the center, Freya could see Elizardbeth riding Gear. She could imagine the beast just grooving along with only a faint hope of lapis in the near future. Freya mourned the loss of her Kali as only the barest quarter ration had been left after the first day.
She was saving some for a special occasion.
Elizardbeth on the other hand seemed straightforward. The lizard looked at every ranger candidate like a trinket she wanted to add to her collection. River had explained how the draw of a bonded ranger was different for the druids that couldn''t bond on their own. They had to ask a druid of the red house to bond them together and then it was something that took energy from oth druids involved. Freya wondered if that was why most of the other druids only stuck with one ranger.
One was enough for her, at the very least. One with five chickens.
She reached out to Gear with her temporary bond to see how the hen was faring and keep her in line as she was straying slightly off course. Far ahead in the distance, Freya could see what she only imagined was their next stop. As the endless day dragged onwards and she got more and more proficient at flying, she could see how the druids that were able to travel to this warren would want to make shelter just for the darkness. The ever present light made it feel like it was still summer but she knew it wasn''t the same outside of the warrens.
She wondered too at the limits of the warrens and why only a few creatures has chosen to live there. It seemed lovely in her experience, but she hadn''t seen any of the wild sea creatures that came upon land from time to time. It would not do to have to fight a war against beasts from a warren when blood and tears had been shed to build up the walls of Yellowrock and similar nations. True, they had their arguments, but bears tended to stay well clear of the large outer walls.
The walls had been a project of generations if what her elders had said was true.
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Generations of mice, rabbits and foxes built tunnels underground to move soil and claim more land topside. Then their descendents pushed the walls even further out. Working in tandem with druids, the wall workers were kept more and more safe. Their families were far away from the prying eyes of predation and could live an easier life.
There was only the beaver lodge behind them, and the marked circle nearby where they arrived to tell Freya that this trail was marked. The rangers knew the way of course but Freya found their countenance unwilling to give up trade secrets. She would put Muk on the duty of figuring out their system the next day.
It wasn''t until they got close enough to fly within reach of a large pond that Freya began to think that something was wrong. One of the birds flitted down to tell Spring something then back up to the sky. She wondered what he saw and caught a thermal to see what she could see.
There, far off in the distance, a clearing in the savannah broke into a large watering hole. The pond had water leading both into and away from it moving to join a larger stream that they had been following for most of their trip.
From the briefing that they had been given in the morning, that was their goal and there was a series of tunnels nearby that they used. Freya flapped her wings excitedly, then picked up speed as she traded it for height. She directed herself a bit off her course to hit another thermal, so she could complete the addictive process again. Before long she was right behind the vanguard with a clear view of the area.
She didn''t know what she was looking for. Or rather she didn''t have the right frame of mind to understand what she was seeing as some instinct she was unfamiliar with stopped her dead in the air.
"It''s a similar climate to Yellowrock itself. I found the humidity a bit much though. There''s something about just lounging in the dry heat and getting warmed that just isn''t the same here where it rains far more often it seems," Elizardbeth said to Muk as they drove ever onwards.
"And the people? I don''t know how in touch with the politics of the place you were but did you feel politically connected? We only hear what the envoys tell us except for the part of the apparatus that makes contact. I suppose we''ll be making contact on behalf of the circle now."
"Yellowrock did seem different to me, but perhaps it was because I wasn''t so connected. I only ever wanted to work with the sick or infirm as a youth which kept me with apart from Lizard society, but mother did drag me around."
"There''s a king or queen, though?"
"More like hundreds of princes," she replied, looking up, "that bluejay is speeding up."
Muk and Elizardbeth watched as the bird flew with a purpose. Their chickens slowed as well. Muk gently encouraged them to keep moving.
"She''s found something," he remarked.
"It feels like it''s almost time for us to rest, so I hope so."
It was then that their chickens shuddered and whined. Above them Freya flapped uncontrollably and the rangers in the vanguard held for a halt. Their clear muddy path in the center of the stalks of yellow was gripped with uncertainty, as rangers sent commands down the line.
Muk nearly threw up when he felt Freyas distress as she fought to turn back and get a clear picture of what was going on.
He only caught snatches of her jumbled thoughts but that was enough to get him moving. He readied his sword and drew his bow.
He got the sense that this was going to be a long evening. Without thinking he drank the last little bit of water he had been saving and motioned for Elizardbeth to stick to him.
2-18. Cussers
Eels lounged in their torpor. Freya had never seen their large jaws before and shuddered. They were each larger around than most doorways that she would normally pass through, and looked to be as long as a snake if not more.
Freya shuddered thinking about how much each one would have to eat in order to maintain such a mass. Bears are plants as well as other beasts but the teeth she saw made her think that there only ate meat. She didn''t know how long they had been there but it was clearly not long. If the rangers and druids had come this way previously then surely they would have noticed.
She could see River landing back before the column to speak with Sam. The lead otter shook her head and then began signaling the group.
Next to Freya one of the rangers flew within speaking distance. They both flew into a thermal and held themselves steady to speak. He was a Sparra and looked to be only slightly older than she was.
"Ranger Simone," she said.
"Druid Freya, it appears that we need to make some decision."
"Indeed."
"Druid, are you familiar with how we treat with beasts like this?"
"I am not, please enlighten me."
"Certainly," he said flapping, "We can drive it off, which would be what we do if it threatened a nearby populace, but the beavers here will know how to deal with it, we can avoid it which will be my suggestion, though it will take us time to go around."
"Or we could kill it."
Freya understood the problem, but knowing that she could avoid a fight was always preferable.
"I suspect one of the rangers will want to fight it, but Sam will disallow that. We are not here to fight, just to bring all of our charges back. It would be different if this was closer to the valley."
"To be completely honest, every fight that I''ve partaken in has been a bit of a mess. What do you think we''ll do about these?"
The sparra stayed aloft with her as they watched the line of walkers and chickens divert. She preferred to not fight, but River had prepared her for many eventualities.
It wasn''t until five rangers brought out shovels that River began to take off the ground to brief them. The other two birds, one a ranger and the other a druid began to move in a wide circle. The druid, she knew was Simones druid though she hadn''t the faintest of the druids name. To add to her discomfort, she knew that she had been told it at one point of time. That was what husbands were for, though and she was ready to allow him the honor of reminding her of something she really should have remembered.
"We''re going around, but the rangers want t try something first. Since we were going to stay here tonight, they''re going to see if this is something we can salvage or not," River said, her black wings flapping against the wind.
Below them, one giant eel stirred, it''s jaws snapping the air.
"There might be a problem with that," Freya said, her shoulders pointing back down.
"They''re aware of the problems. They want to teach the candidates."
Simone floated around the two of them, their long familiarity placing them close.
"They want us to use this as a teaching moment? There will be plenty of them outside of the warren," he said," And there isn''t much here for the druids to eat, even if they require little."
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"I believe that they''ll be taking a vote. You should join the other rangers. I''ll keep Freya company."
Simone nodded and then made a direct flight straight to Sam and Spring.
---
Ben, the experienced mole ranger had put forth a cunning plan that Muk was almost jealous of. The problem was the amount of work that it required.
"It''s simple," he said to the assembled rangers and candidates, "we change the flow rivers flow. The eels need it."
"Still, you''re asking for a lot of effort. This might extend the length of our journey by what, a day and a half?" Sam said.
"We have several beavers and three otter rangers, that should be enough Riverfolk with experience in water engineering?" Ben asked.
Sam looked at her two husbands and sighed. Muk remembered the classic sweet pastries that Chip had made for them, as well as how good Sela was with a sword. He shuddered, thinking of how he would be able to catch up with the larger creature. Someday, he might; though Sela had quite a lead on him.
"My husbands are great at manual labor and our two beaver rangers?" Sam shot a look at them, "Flynn? Jerry?"
The two beavers nodded, but it was Jerry, the larger who spoke. Besides the fact that Jerry was the male ranger, Muk couldn''t tell much of a difference between the two. He worried that he might offend one by saying so, but since they were always together he never got a chance to take one aside.
"The problem, you see," he said in the Riverfolk brogue, "Is that we lack the infrastructure to build up a dam. The water wants to go the way that it wants to go, and we can''t do much about that."
"You want us to dig something, great, but we need to shore it up," Flynn said, "Trenches and tunnels are inherently dangerous at the best of times. We don''t have anything to shore up a temporary channel. At best we could raise the water table here and turn this clearing into a pond, but then we''ll lose the tunnel system which we''ve built up over years."
"The tunnels are already a loss. We need to ask the druids if they can do something," Sam said, "Druid Spring?"
The mouse behind her stirred, standing up as if she had been deeply in thought. She looked around to the assembled group before taking a swig of her water.
"There is precious little that we can do that won''t leave us without recourse if a larger predator finds itself in our path. I believe that we can find a way to deal with this in the short term, and I think I know the druid who can solve this particular issue."
Spring waved up to the circling overwatch team, then shot a gout of black flame up into the air. Before long a familiar black Raven flapped down to join the group.
---
"You want me to do what?" The raven squealed.
"It''s preventative. We do this and they''ll have trouble catching anything in the river," Spring said, "Even Sam agrees. Thankfully they''re sleeping with their heads above ground. We''ll back you up with the wind. How many are there?"
Muk was beginning to think that Sam and Spring were a little off their rocker the first time that they had explained the plan, but with some help explaining how it would work, he began to prepare some of the volatile payloads that he had kept divided up between two of the chickens.
"You''re going to need to coat it with something," Flynn said, handling the round half of one ball with her paws, "or you would if we wanted to light it. It''s insane to think that River can light them as she drops them. Or that she can light all five as they fall."
As it turned out, both Jerry and Flynn were skilled in underwater demolition, a fact that Spring had unfortunately known. The eels, though lying mostly in the water had their eyes above ground and those were the targets, as well as their sensitive noses. If they could blind the eels, then it would be a matter of time before they were unable to feed themselves and the next group of rangers and druids could finish the job. It just would take a bit of extra work from the flyers.
"We have to make sure that they''re light enough for the flyers," Jerry grumbled, "Though Spring herself understands that we only have precious few of them."
Muk delicately tied the cussers back together before passing them to Jerry for the final touches. Jerry expertly tied them to some of Mike favorite string, giving enough of a loop for the avians to grab with both talons.
"There''s five," Muk said reporting to Sam before they had packed up. Chickens were shuttling groups of ten back and forth to the fallback location a short walk away and they were among the last. Freya had been leading them back and this was the final group to depart. They wanted room away from the event. The initiates had complained about not being able see what was going on, but Sam shut them down easily.
Muk tugged twice on his bond with Freya, their sign that it was time. He smiled when he felt her approach.
"Rangers, let''s move," Sam said as Gear arrived.
Muk mounted Gear, adjusting his saddlebags. Beside him, Flynn, Jerry and Sam did their final check and then they ran.
Programming Note
Hey guys!
I haven''t forgotten about Red Mist. I have just hit a hell of a writers block. I don''t know when I''m going to get back to it, but I will return to at least finish this volume about your favorite shape shifting mouse.
Also I have been working on other projects which has really taken up my time. At some point in time, my writing partner who inspired this book will release her book "Tuyas Choice" .
In the meantime,
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Please enjoy Caravan of Blades. Link ??
Caravan of Blades (A LITRPG Deckbuilder) The entire world has been taken over by hordes of zombies. Of course there''s no profit in that. So why do heroes keep getting summoned to this world to try to save it anyway? Their money is worthless. At least that''s what Finley, the roving tinker sales elf* finds out when the pantheon keeps summoning heroes into his path to save the world, all he wants is the quiet life. When the horde comes calling, you had better have an escape plan. Heroes? In this economy? *May or may not be an elf. Caravan of Blades is inspired by Band of Blades by Evil Hat Productions, as well as just about every deckbuilder I have ever read. Participant in the Royal Road writeathon challenge.
2-19 Musings from the spot next to a chicken
Freyas talons gripped her payload, something that required her to nearly stop dead in the air. There has to be a better way. Freya flapped, climbing to a safe altitude as the Sparra behind her did the same, then River. Ahead of her, the other two fliers were already circling. Below them Sam held the single yellow signal flag that the ranger carried. Freya kept one eye on the otter, the other on the Eels.
Two of them stirred, sending a casual itch through her bones. She looked to see which one would be her quarry. If she had the time she would aim for the furthest one from them.
Sam waved the flag back and forth twice before ducking into concealment.
All five birds converged, each moving to the closest eel. Simone went first, flying right past Freya with a speed that made her briefly envious. Sparras were lighter than Blue Jays and Ravens. As soon as he began his descent, Freya locked her wings into the same dive pattern, willing the cusser to follow her descent.
She counted down, then released her cusser a moment after his.
Both of them flapped, banking left away from the flooded tunnels. Behind her, the rest of the cussers were launched and she could see them falling. She spared the briefest of glances to see them still falling as she climbed ever higher.
*Boom*
Below her, the sound of the concussive wave spread up, jolting her off balance. She recovered, flapping incessantly, for the first time unsure of herself.
The silence played loud, and as she flapped, she wasn''t able to tell if she should be watching. Either way, she was not going to return.
---
They called a halt later that day.
It was one thing to go through such a perilous journey, but without thinking about it, Freya could only be relieved that her mentors had the forethought to teach her. Now that she was going to be going through a more formal education, she couldn''t imagine the same problems that you''d had before facing her.
"All right," she said. "Tell me about the classes. I know that you''ve been holding back. I''ve seen enough of you darting between the rest of the rangers."
Muk look at her, his eyes a tired happy. He was relieved that her concussive mission had gone off so well but she was tired and ravenous when they''d finally stopped.
"I thought you would never ask, he said. Let''s talk about what you''re supposed to do. I got an earful from the other rangers about this. So they''re saying that when your druid takes more than four classes a year that you should probably get into reading."
Freya waved away his concerns.
"There are two courses that all the zeros need to take together. It''s the one about managing health and seeing to the safety of growing babies. The other one is more general druidship. Everything else? That''s up to you. They did say that because of the house you''re in that you might want to take one of the more esoteric classes."
"Esoteric?" Freya asked. A few puffs of smoke went up from the front of the line, showing the lead druids and rangers if anything with a brain had been paying attention.
"Esoteric. That means it''s a bit off the beaten path and it''s at the whims of the professor as to whether they''re going to give the class or not. They mentioned the druid spring when they said this like all of her classes are more esoteric as well as River."
"River''s only been here for a year," Freya said.
This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
She nearly got up out of bed.
"A lot can happen in a year, my dear. Some druids are just particularly strong and some are not. And that''s one of the things that the rangers were talking about a lot. Druids like you that can make a bond between living beings? They''re rare."
"I can''t have powers that are that rare," Freya said. "It''s just a weave."
He leveled the gaze at her that would have melted her into a puddle mere weeks ago.
"Let me just remind you that you are the mouse that almost single-handedly infiltrated and swung the tide of our armies battle and possibly War against the Marquee. I wouldn''t have been confident coming here with you and marrying you and running away to be a ranger if we hadn''t one such a significant victory."
"Oh you say it like I''m any other mouse," she said.
"Well thank you. I mean it."
"There''s less some of the classes but I''ll save you the time."
"Are you going to pick my classes for me?" she asked.
"I might be picking your classes for you if you do something. Decide that you''re going to not pick the obvious choice, and let''s see what will happen."
Muck held out the apprentice''s headband that she wore during the daylight hours. It was a symbol of their time together and everything that had changed in their long travel and courtship.
"You''re going to want to take this one about working with the weave. It''s the course that everyone takes but no one talks about and so it''s always full."
"That is exactly the kind of class that makes me feel like I need to take it," Freya said.
"I wouldn''t be a good husband if I didn''t know my wife''s proclivities."
She nuzzled into him and for a moment everything was perfect in their little the corner of the world.
"We''ve got to figure out what to do with these chickens though."
"They''re coming with us."
Gear was behind them, snoring loudly. It was a thing that the chickens needed a bit more industry behind them. One couldn''t just set them free in a wooded area without suffering potential loss. There had been enough death in the family.
"Understood, my dear but the leadership, especially Sam is making it sound like we will be overwhelmed."
The expectations that were placed upon Rangers were many. So too were the responsibilities.
"When I am a full druid and can make my own way..." she began before cutting herself off. She didn''t know what the future held and she had a power that was in heavy demand. She might be called upon to create bonds with regularity.
Gear clucked. The beast had to be going through some dream sequence. There was no other way to describe it. The soft rising and falling of the chickens feathers was far too calming for her own good.
"We''re going to stick you back on the chicken," Muk said, seeing her gaze. His ears folded back. "You''re not going to fight it."
"Very well."
Many others needed the chicken more. Though the trip had been a long one through the warren, the line still had those that came in with no experience on a long campaign. Muk had done his best to not highlight the rangers that were in that camp, but Freya could tell. They all could.
Above them, Simone the Sparra did a few laps. He was on overwatch and Freya was happy to see him there. It had to be strange to be a avian ranger, with the bond strengthening their flight, she could see him as faster and more capable than the average Sparra. It didn''t help her much that she could fly as well when she hadn''t spent her whole life flying. Like the ones that were struggling to get through the forced march, some of the creatures hadn''t the experience of the dull mundanity of farm life.
"I think that Sparra is enjoying himself," she said. "Just like Gear and the rest of our companions."
The line was not readying a camping sight quite yet. The rangers were heading down the line filling up water skins. It was the major sign that the respite was drawing to a close soon. They wanted everyone to drink their fill, then fill up at the nearby stream, then perhaps drink again. The indignity of having to piss out in a large grasslands was easily forgotten when life stared you in the face with it''s wild creatures.
"Some of them are really hurting. I...did you want to talk about him?"
She stiffened. Was this the right time? What did one do in this situation? Did one just... forget about their duties? How long was appropriate to mourn?
"I''ve never..."
He waited patiently. It was the best part of him. "You''ve never lost someone close to you before."
There was a commotion. Freya checked, but no one around seemed uneasy. Muk could handle whatever it was. "Sela is running around stuffing paws with food. What a great otter."
"I''ll take one of whatever he is putting out."
Muk raised a paw, intercepting something and then handing it to her. It smelled fresh and she was so grateful for whoever brought the cooking supplies along. This had to have been the holdup. A druid would not have told the cook to stop, so long as that didn''t disturb the movements.
"Ah it''s pre-prepared. Devious otters." She unwrapped the bun. There was no way that these had been baked out here. That made it simpler.
"Devious otters, indeed."
The signal went out shortly thereafter and Freya let the chicken carry her. She could get her revenge later.