The Bellmaker

34

Urgan Nagru stood on the wooded hillside, sword and dagger drawn. His chest heaved with exertion as he gazed around at the silent trees. “Ill find them; theyve got to be here somewhere!

A rat Captain named Blade tail slashed the undergrowth with his spear. “The way they were running, Sire, Id bet theyre right out of Southsward heading north now.

“They can run to the gates of dark ice, Ill still find them and put an end to it all. Nagru began walking uphill resolutely. “I never left an enemy alone in my life until victory was mine. Deadbeasts never come back to fight again, remember that, Bladetail!

The rat Captain recalled Muta and Rab but held his silence. Nagru was in a killing mood. All along the hillsides horderats began moving upward with their leader. Nagru pointed his dagger at one rat. “Viglim, scout ahead; get up on top and see if you can pick up their trail. Look sharp!

Viglim saluted and dashed off ahead. Two horderats toiling side by side climbed upward; they watched Viglim reach the top, and then he was lost to sight.

One of the rats slowed to regain his breath. “I think were chasin* shadows; theyre long gone.

His companion pushed on, replying as he went, “Thatll suit me; anythin fer an easy life, mate. Though weve got to wait until Nagru gets tired of the chase.

Nagru was nearly at the top, when a scream caused him to look upward. This was followed by a noise like a thousand dull drums. Viglim came toppling back downhill, a small circular object rolling behind him. Letting the body of Viglim roll past him, the Foxwolf trapped the circular object with his footpaw. He picked it up, inspected it, and passed it to Bladetail, saying, “What do you make of this?

“Sire, it looks like an old stale oatcake, though its too hard for that. Maybe its some kind of rock. Whats that noise up above?

Nagru quickened his pace. “Well soon find out. Lets take a look.

The Foxwolf was first to breast the hilltop. The drumming noise was the ground thrumming to legions of paws. Bearing down on him like a tornado came Bowly Pintips at the head of an army of otters, mice, moles, hedgehogs, and squirrels. As they ran, a mighty cry arose from the battle host.

“Freeeee Southswaaaaaard!

Nagru was a seasoned warrior, and he did not panic as most creatures would have. Waving his sword, he shouted urgently to his horderats, “Rally to me!

Every rat hastened to obey. Nagru was not given to idle commandsthey sensed the urgency in his voice.

Scarcely had they grouped when the Southsward army came pounding over the hilltop and the two forces clashed. The battle broke over Nagru with a vengeance.

Squirrels immediately raced up treetrunks and began hailing arrows downward into the horderats. The front ranks were mainly the tribe of Gawjun and Deekeye; wielding their warclubs, the hedgehogs waded in, only to be met by Nagru sending spears and pikes straight at them.

Bowly and his leverets cut to one side. Picking up a lance from a fallen otter, the young hedgehog and his troop fought their way into the hordes flank, only to find themselves surrounded. They gathered around Runtwold, who had taken a sword thrust in his footpaw, and tried fighting their way out. Luckily a party of moles saw their predicament and came to their aid with maces swinging.

Nagru sought out Bladetail. “Retreat, sound a retreat! he shouted. “Well take them on the valley floor.

Bladetail blew on a bone whistle; the response was immediate. Like a tide of gray, the horderats flooded down through the trees of the wooded slope to the open valley. Nagru had arrived before them. He positioned a line of archers to fire at the first wave of Southswarders emerging from the trees. Those carrying spears and lances were sent back to lie in a slight dip in the ground, while the rest grouped behind them. It was hastily done, but the Foxwolf was satisfied that his more disciplined horde would triumph against the wild rabble.

With a rousing yell, the Southswarders broke out of the tree cover and charged out onto the valley floor. Gael Squirrelking was at their head, holding high the broom banner. Gawjun saved them both by throwing himself on the King and bringing him down. The arrows zipped over their heads, felling the first rank of Southswarders. Bowly called from behind the old spread oak, where he was supporting the wounded Runtwold. “Back to the trees! Dont charge into the open!

Keeping their heads down, Gawjun and Gael made it back to the trees. Now Nagru ordered his archers to drop back. They lay in the land dip with the spear and lance rats. Arrows and slingstones, like clouds of vicious hornets, rattled back and forth between the two armies.

Gawjun thumped his warclub against a tree and slumped down moodily. “I thought twould be a straight battle against yonder vermin; now we be caught in a standoff!

Bowly nodded knowledgeably. “I been in one o them standoffs. We bide “ere until help arrives; thats what we do!

“Whered thy sense come from? said Deekeye, curling her Up. “Were supposed to be the help thats arri-vinwholl help us?

Nagru had assessed the situation now that the field of combat had been established. The cunning that had made him Lord of the cold lands came to the fore as he laid plans.

“Bladetail, Coldclaw, take two squads and drop back. Retreat until you are out of range, then split up and go to opposite sides of the valley. Make your way through the trees and attack them from both sides. When you go at them, create lots of noisethat should provide enough distraction for my main force to mount a surprise charge from the front.

Gael had all the squirrels up in the treesit was a good position to fire arrows from. He was joined by Bowly and as many others with slings who could climb up into the high branches. They pelted the horderats hard, harassing them constantly every time a head or paw showed from the dip in the valley. Bowly saw the two squads retreating and chuckled. “Were drivin em back, see!

Gael shook his head doubtfully. “Foxwolf is no fool; hes up to something.

Inside Castle Floret, Mariel and her friends found their fortunes reversed abruptly. They had pursued the remnants of their foes up a flight of stairs, only to be met by Silvamords counterattack. Masses of horderats poured down the stairs from the battlements, and the friends were forced to turn and retreat. Back down in the corridor a tide of gray swept in from every available entrance. Whooping and screeching, they chased the small depleted army of Southswarders. Dandin, Rab, and Muta fought a way through, protecting the rearguard as Mariel ushered her fighters along the corridor. It was no easy task. Meld-rum had taken a spear thrust in his shoulder and he hob-bled along, supported by Troutlad and Greenbeck, complaining loudly.

“The old tunics ruined now, good V proper. Foul villains, chuckin their spears about with no regard at all to a chaps good togs, wot? This place must be a flippin rat paradise; never seen so many of the vermin in all me born daystheres no end tthe blighters!

Iris saw two of her otters fall to arrows; she appealed to Muta as they passed a side chamber. “What about that place, is the door locked?

Locked doors did not stop the big badger. She hurled herself at the door. Hinges and lock gave way together and the door fell flat. Iris shook her head. “Its just a room, wd be trapped in there! she said.

Mariel saw that the horderats had slowed now, distancing themselves but still advancing under Silvamords shouted commands. “Stay your distance, dont clash with em! Archers, keep firing and following until theyre all cut down!

Two more Southswarders fell to the horderat arrows. Iris flung back a fallen spear at the rats, shouting, “Muta, the doorcan we use it for a shield?

The badger grunted and strained, maneuvering the fallen door until she was carrying it lengthwise across her back. Meldrum dismissed Troutlad and Greenbeck. “Go and help her; two big, stout lads like yselves shouldnt be totin me about. Ill shift for meself, wot?

They took the ends of the door, lightening Mutas load. The shield proved quite effective; the small group made its way down the corridor until Rab stopped them. “Not that way; its the banqueting chamberits too wide, theyd be able to surround us.

Dandin ran ahead and took a look at the chamber. He came hurrying back with bad news. “Theres more rats coming through from that side!

Mariel cut off down a passage. “Come on, this is the only way left! she called.

Rab Streambattle hesitated. “But it doesnt go anywhere; theres only a small room down there. Well be blocked in!

“Better than bein in the middle of a rat sandwich, said Meldrum, prodding him forward. “Hurry up, old lad, any port in a storm!

Silvamord relaxed at the entrance to the passage and congratulated Sicant and Hooktail. “Good work, well done! Theyre bottled up tight!

She eyed the rats around her, settling on one who looked bolder than the rest. “You there, whats your name?

“They call me Ugrath, Lady.

The vixen clapped Ugraths back, her tailed skirt tinkling musically as she paced around him. “I watched you, Ugrath; you fought well. Theres a little job you can do for me. Do you think youre up to it?

Ugrath pulled in his chin and stuck out his chest proudly. “I am yours to command, Lady!

“Good. I want you to take a message to those fools. Tell them if they throw down their arms, bind the badger and the otter tight, and come out here, I will spare their lives. But it must be done immediately, or I will strike at them and leave none alive. Go now!

Ugraths throat bobbed as he swallowed, then, grasping his pike tight, he set off down the passage. Sicant exchanged glances with the vixen. “Youll let them live, Majesty? she asked.

Silvamord drew her curved sword, testing its edge on her paw. She raised one eyebrow at Sicant. “Well, what do you think?

There was silence from down the passage, followed by a sound of voices and an anguished yelp. Ugrath came staggering back, minus his pike and nursing his nose with both paws. He squinted at the vixen through a swollen eye. “Mousemaid with a rope, she ...

Silvamord silenced him with a glare, then turned to the massed rats crowding everywhere. “Pikes and long spears, archers behind, follow up with swords. Charge!