The Lengthening Shadow

“Yes. I am. Honestly, Vi’lle couldn’t see through my disguise? Sorry, it’s a Disguise Cloak, makes me look like what I’m not. Powerful, very powerful magic in it. Stand back. Now, which of you was the one who told him?”

Rivenhand saluted. “I did, milord.”

“Good, good. Rivenhand, is it?”

“Yes, milord.”

Spera paced the platform. He performed a small spell and looked at it. “Oh, silly me, it’s three minutes to midnight. Get the cat from 10QL9. Sacrifice time.” Unfortunately for Spera’s plans, Jake was at that moment being helped from his cell by Thayder. The otter ran out with the Maow into the main cave, not noticing who was watching him. Alrack gave a nod to his new first mate Brownfleck, who sighted and fired.

“Come on!” Thayder called to the king, who was lagging behind. “Come on! We’re nearly… Arrrrgh!” There was an audible crack of a rifle and Thayder collapsed, clutching his chest, where a red stain was spreading over his shirt. Jake removed it and pulled out the bullet with his claw, but it was too late. The shot had pierced Thayder’s stomach and lung; a mortal wound. The Maow looked over the bullet and threw it down. “Pirate.” he spat. Then he spotted Brownfleck. Jake yelled to Samuel. “Alrack has double-crossed us! Watch out for the pirates!” Spera turned. “Ah. I knew those pirates were never going to aid you. I made sure of it.”

“Well, mink, it turns out that your army isn’t so strong as it was advertised to be. Honestly, with commanders like those?” He waved a paw at Rivenhand, Vurgal, and Iolargh. “It’s a wonder that you managed to hold this old hill for so long. See ya.” He jumped away before the four could make a move. The mouse sprinted to where Thayder was lying. The otter turned up his clouding eyes to Samuel. “Well, Sam, I guess I’ll never… take you to Arvand. Tell… Torstram and Selana I send… my regards.”

“You can’t die!”

“Ask your king. Sure I can. I’ve lived… a long, full life. If you survive the Bluff… take this to… the snow leopards.” He pulled a bloodstained letter from his jacket. “Please… don’t refuse me. I’ve… lived too long. Kill Brownfleck for me… okay?”

Samuel nodded, sobbing. “Yes.”

“Good, then. Please! Take it to Arvand. I hope we win. Goodbye, Samuel Lenolin…” With that, Thayder Hakkton died in the deeps of Deadbeast Bluff.

Samuel could indeed not refuse a last request. Grabbing Thayder’s rifle, he whipped around and fired. Brownfleck died on the spot, gasping as the bullet punctured his brain. Spera stood behind him. “Hello again, Samuel. My my, you are the vicious one. Killing in revenge, honestly, I expected more of you as a Knight.”

The words stung Samuel like thorns. “I don’t need to get a lecture on morality from you. Tell me, Spera, how morally pure are you, Destromancer?”

“Ummm…”

“I thought so. Now, can you buzz off?”

Spera spread his arms wide and sent a flash of light at Samuel, missing by inches. The mink shouted “Ai’ly!” and flew up blasting energy bolts at the mouse left and right. The Sorcerer was furious at missing. “By the teeth of Hell! Die, mouse, die!” Suddenly, Tarsch broke into the main cave from the fighting at the Gate. When he saw Spera he gasped and put a paw to his forehead. “Who was he?” the ferret called to Samuel. At that moment, Spera locked eyes with the Verdancer. “Hello, Tarsch. Long time, no see, eh? I trust you’re feeling well. In case you’re wondering, that idiot hedgehog Bernie Potbelly was not actually a hedgehog.” Tarsch caught sight of the Disguise Cloak. “So that was you, Spera? Really, the guises they use nowadays!”

“Shut up, Tarsch. Of course it was me! I’m not surprised you couldn’t see through the Disguise Cloak. It is, after all, more powerful magic than Verdancer Sight. Now, can you please desist from killing me? I need to tell you how this came to be. Because, evidently, you haven’t figured it out yet. Oh, Tarsch, put the wand away. I can’t have you waving a magical weapon around while I’m telling you a story of how this Bluff is mine and nobeast other. Not Alrack; that fool would have died if he attempted. Sit back and listen.”