Sunflash looked at the talisman with new respect. “A tale of great courage. What happened to Firjak?
“Oh, Firjak recovered, but is footpaw was so lamed they say e rarely climbed a tree after that. Learned to swim, e did, somebeasts say e was more otter than squirrel in the finish.
Sunflash was curious about the capture of Firjak and Bank-rose. “You say they were taken by searats. I never knew that searats came this far inland.
Ruddle pointed westward, saying, “What dyou mean? We aint that far inland, the great waters are only a few days over yonder.
“Then thats the way well go, said Sunflash, changing his course. “Once I reach the sea Im sure Ill only have to keep traveling south. Come on, you beauties!
Folrig seemed rather hesitant. “Er, it wouldnt be advisable to set a course that way, mate, searats an Corsairs ang about the coast like ants in oney.
Sunflash kept walking, calling back to Folrig, “If a squir-relbabe could defeat the searats they shouldnt be too tough for us. Besides, you two could panic them with your faces. Hahaha!
The following two days passed uneventfully; the going was not too difficult, the weather fine, and food plentiful. Toward evening of the second day, the travelers found themselves scaling some very steep wooded hills, each one seemingly higher than the last. Amid the stunted trees and shrubs of the final rocky tor, Sunflash called a halt. In the last rays of daylight he noticed a faint westerly gleam on the horizon.
“Aha, its the sea at last, my pretty ones! he cried.
Ruddle was still panting as he lit a small sheltered fire. “Well aint that nice, clamberin up all them ills so ole stri-peyooter can see the water!
“Huh, ills ysay, matey? If they was ills Im an owls uncle, said Folrig, unpacking supper from the haversacks. “Its mountains weve been climbin, bucko, an none big-gern the one were atop of right now!
Sunflash chuckled at his two companions. “Well at least we dont have to climb any higher, itll be all downhill tomorrow, or should I say downmountain. Come on, you two frogfaces, dig out those turnipnmushroom pasties.
Supper was laid on green twigs to warm over the fire. Ruddle dribbled honey onto three thick fruitcake slices, while Sun-flash poured out beakers of cold cider.
They lay round the fire eating supper, enjoying the faint breeze. Folrig winked coaxingly at Ruddle. “I votes you take first watch, matey, yore the ugliest.
Ruddle made as if to rise, then slumped back, saying, “First one cant solve a riddle takes first watch. What goes up an up an up an never leaves the ground?
Folrig answered without batting an eyelid, “This pesky mountain were on, thats an old un. Er, er, whats under the water an over the water an never gets wet?
Sunflash licked honey from his paws as he answered, “An egg inside a ducks tummy, even I know that one! Righto, what falls every day and breaks every night?
Ruddle sniffed. “Huh, dusk an dawn, what else? What goes buhurr owch! Buhurr owch! See if yknow thatn.
“Two moles fightin over a damson pudden.
Ruddle glared at Folrig. “How did you know?
“Well I should know, matey,twas me that made it up!
They fell to wrestling and insulting each other until Sunflash pulled them apart. “Stop this fighting, you two, Ill go first watch.
Suddenly Folrig and Ruddle wanted to take first watch.
“No, no, matey, Ill go watch.
“Oh no ywont, I will.
Sunflash tossed his mace from paw to paw menacingly. “I said Ill go first watch. Anybeast care to argue?
The two otters threw themselves flat, eyes closed tight.
“Cant ear yer, mate, Im fast asleep.
“Me too, needs me beauty sleep, I do.
Chuckling quietly at the irrepressible creatures, Sunflash strode softly off around the edges of their camp. He settled on a boulder from where he had a good view all round.
The early part of the night was uneventful. Sunflash stayed alert, enjoying the silence of the balmy darkness. He sat thinking of his friend Skarlath and the happy seasons they had spent with the Bruff Dubbo and Tirry Lingl families at the cave. Intermingled with these thoughts were the dreams of his family: father, mother, and grandsires, and of course, the mountain, always the mountain, waiting for him somewhere in the southwest. The campfire had gradually reduced to embers and gone dead; there was no moon, only the wide star-strewn darkness above. Gradually, little by little, the badger fell under the soft spell of nights mantle. His eyes began to droop, and small sounds receded into the background, merging into a faint, comforting whisper.
Then a weighted net was flung over Sunflash, pulling him backward off the boulder. Before he had a chance to break loose or lift his mace, the badger felt cold steel at his throat, at least a dozen sword or knife points. A gruff voice grated in his ear. “One move an youre a deadbeast!
The net tightened as stakes were driven through it into the ground.
“Munga, are those two others taken care of? the gruff voice called out.
A reply came back out of the darkness: “Out cold, the pair of em, Chief!
Sunflash began to struggle against the confining net. A sword point pricked him under the chin and a higher-pitched voice grated angrily: “Let me finish him off, Chief!
14?
Shang Damsontongue was even easier to deal with than Bow-fleg had been. Swartt Sixclaw promised her joint leadership of the horde, plus many fine metal weapons, and she was eager and greedy. They sealed the bargain with fine wine from the south, Swartt drinking from the bottle and allowing his new partner the honor of drinking from the poisoned silver chalice. The sixclawed Warlord could scarce suppress an evil snigger. Would they never learn, these so-called leaders, that none was more deadly and pitiless than he?
Once again he was Warlord of all the great horde. Shangs former band of foxes was only too happy to follow Swartt; issued with good metal weapons to take the place of their former crude arms, regaled with promises of lavish booty to come, they joined gladly. But Swartt had not reckoned with Balefur!
The big dogfox had been only loosely attached to Shang Damsontongues band. He was more of a lonertough, independent, and fearless, Balefur answered to nobeast. Swartt had noticed him as the march southwest had continued, standing out, bigger than the rest, striding confidently, neither asking nor giving help to anybeast. Moreover, Balefur had armed himself with a large double-headed battleaxe, and he carried it with the easy grace of one who knew how to use it.
On the second nights camp, Swartt decided to meet with the big fox. Being one of the few left with a tent, the Warlord had it set up, guards posted around it, and a fire burning outside. Cushions were scattered around inside, and Swartts wife, Bluefen, set out a good array of food and drink. The Warlord was out to impress any potential friend or enemy with a show of splendor and power.
Four armed vermin were sent to bring the fox into Swartts presence, but from the start the interview went badly. Balefur sauntered in, battleaxe slung nonchalantly across his shoulder, completely ignoring the four guards around him. He winked casually at Swartt and leaned up against the tent post.
Swartt studied his guest before speaking, then he crooked a claw at Aggal the stoat Captain. “Aggal, relieve our friend of that great heavy weapon.
Balefur toted the axe, shaking his head at the Captain. “Nay, laddie, thiss mah weapon, nobeast takes et from me, dye ken? He laughed openly at the hesitant Aggaf. “Besides, ets no heavy, ah kin wield et wi nay fuss!