Raman and friends have to deal with the machinations of their fellow, less loved captain.
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Alright. I am trying something new. I'll just copy and paste the story into the description.
On a double note, my 'short' story had ballooned. Oops.
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Misadventures
Smile, Or Else
War of the Four Banners
Redwall Short Story?

The figures in the tent stood at attention, fearful and sweating, all except two who chattered silently to one another. It was serf barracks of 3rd army’s sixth division. Six vermin in all, but each one looked more miserable then the last. They knew what would happen if they dared stay in bed long enough, as their hated taskmaster waddled his way into the tent and immediately cracked a whip over their heads. It was a shrew, small in stature but even for the singular fox in the tent, he was terrifying to look upon. The shrew snickered and yelled up with a gleeful and cruel tone.
“Line up and present yourselves to Captain Henden! Just as I taught you!”
The shrew darkly grinned as the vermin did as they were told, their paws retreating behind their back and their faces looking at the ground. They had spent barely a week with the shrew, but they were sorely mistaken to think he would be a pushover. Instead, the lone shrew had started his reign of terror with lashing the backs of all except two small rats whom looked far less intimidated.
Of the miserable vermin in the tent, the fox Daych kept his eyes averted when the shrew passed. Daych had been most tormented by the shrew, who made sure to stop in front of the fox and examine his cot.
“Pathetic excuse of a beast, can’t do much but mess up a perfectly good bed.” The shrew then thought of an appropriate punishment “Make your cot, but you sleep on the ground for the next week Daych. And consider your rations halved. Again.”
It wasn’t even a surprise any longer. Each day, the meals of the serfs grew smaller and smaller as Vaon took his place near the far end of the tent as a richly dressed captain of Southsward entered. Today, the squirrel had decided to wear all blue. He gems encrusted royal collar was wrapped around his shoulders; a cloak held by a shiny golden chain dangled lightly flapped behind him. Henden came in, swaggering on a big dark wood cane, with a golden bulb on its top. As Daych figured out rather quickly, the squirrel had a massive wardrobe of fine things, and the fox had pleasurable dreams of seeing it dirtied and ripped up.
The squirrel stopped and frowned, his paw playing with a long golden chain on his neck which dropped down towards a big blue pendant “Just look at these miserable creatures, most so ungrateful! Vaon, I have a new order for today. Since these creatures are so miserable for us sparing their lives, I command them to be happy and smiling today and every day till they learn to be good beasts.”
Vaon nodded and issued his lord’s command. The vermin were unsure of what to do, not even sure if this was a sarcastic command or not. Yet, one by one, they forced themselves to smile as Henden still did not look pleased.
“Come now, none of that fake foolery now. Bah, pathetic beasts. Vaon, one lash for each of them not smiling right.”
Vaon happily nodded as some of the vermin looked like they wanted to break down, and the squirrel looked down at the two rat pups Masg and Melo. The two were frowning, giving a brief angry look at Vaon and then simply frowned looking up at Henden. The squirrel was bored of their antics, he had spared them before, but even he had limits. Or well. Limits for a beast such as him.
“Smile you two.” Henden commanded in a dark tone. Masg spoke up first, or maybe it was Melo, it was really hard to tell.
“Can’t good sir.”
“We can’t physically smile today.”
“We worked so hard yesterday, that all we can do is this.” One of the young rats pulled at his lips and stuck out his tongue, a mocking notion which Henden wasn’t aware of. Yet, Daych was. Masg and Melo had played a couple tricks like this before, the Southwarders remained oblivious to their tricks. Hesan predictably frowned and turned to Vaon “These young creatures do seem quite overworked if they can even barely hold a smile, Vaon. Give them a morning rest before you set them to work and be sure they are smiling as well. Now, the rest of you. We will be setting up camp in the south, and I would prefer to not be delayed.”
Daych gave a confused look to Henden. For the past few days, he had been complaining about his march northward, towards the coast. When Henden left, swaggering as he did, Vaon again cracked the whip over their heads.
“You best keep on those smiles, serfs. If you don’t I’ll be lashing your bleeding faces. Now move out! You can be cleaned and eat after we are done.”
The other was marched out as Vaon stared spitefully at the smug children whom stared back at him with big eyes. Vaon was on to them, but he didn’t wish to bother with them. He only gave a light grunt to them. Once he was gone, Masg and Melo turned to one another and complained quite openly.
“Big ol’ mean bush tail. Nutten but a big ol’ oaf. I dun’ know Melo. Why let a beast like dat go an’ do whatever he wants?”
“I’m more confused why he said we goin south.”
“Curious. Wanna find out.”
The two deviously smiled, and immediately marched out of the tent, with nothing but a brief plan forming inside their heads.

Valtman looked over the carts being loaded with a small mass of overly watched serfs, having brought in his own previous serfs from their drilling to help and be finished today. Valtman smiled, already ready to move out tomorrow and to be on the way far from the grand war camp. He felt bit relieved, with Raman standing next to him and his taskmaster Gasger nearby. Valtman didn’t particularly like Gasger all that much, he had a cruel streak, but he was a great drillmaster. Yet, the hare’s snarky grin on his face somewhat disturbed him, just as much as his sly speech.
“I see. If you so wish me, sir, I’ll have him doubly watched. I knew that beast was merely pretending, feel even a bit embarrassed not catching on it sooner. Hells, sir. I’ll even extend him and his family’s ration restrictions by another week for speaking back to you like that and—”
Raman spoke up, his mood somewhat dark “That won’t be necessary Gasger. Dapan and the Grassweaves are being more agreeable now than they had been since we first met.” Raman was looking at Dapan and the others loading supplies into Valtman’s carts, with Malvan teaching Moran nearby on what goes in what box. Valtman’s serfs were busy, and the two Southsward captains were confident they would be done today. Gasger sighed at the failure to punish the Grassweaves further, as Valtman spoke up.
“I don’t know, Raman. Maybe you should bully him more, he may just carry the whole bleeding army if he was that tireless yesterday.” Valtman was clearly sarcastic but frowned when Raman didn’t give him much of a response. After a pause, Raman sighed and shook his head.
“After our little talk yesterday, I wouldn’t suspect it. It’s good to see that these creatures can at least improve. It’s a shame really. In this state, I hate to admit he is a decent worker. If only they were all like that or started as such.”
Valtman grunted “Ya, or maybe it was a bleeding fluke.” Gasger nodded in agreement with Valtman, as the three stared on at the group.
As for Dapan himself, he was silent. Yesterday he had arrived red in the face and in a poor mood. He did not speak of what happened until the night. Martha and his little ones impressed on the camp’s cooks and soldiers a bit more, although with the news Dapan brought to them, they had returned to their normal antics. Moran for his part remained silent, embarrassed enough to not tell his father of his increasing friendship with Gulan and Malvan. The young weasel looked bored looking into boxes, but he was growing more and more competent in it. He didn’t particularly understand his father’s depressive mood, nor did he want to know, fearing the punishment of a long heart-to-heart which would only sour both.
Dapan was being helped by Lena, the two got into a conversation as they loaded boxes and supplies into Valtman’s wagons. Lena had never seen Dapan so depressed, she usually just saw him angry. That spark had clearly died today as the weasel silently loaded boxes into the carts, no longer really caring much as he did previously.
“You really single pawingly put all those crates into their carts?” Lena asked. Dapan grunted and nodded. Lena would grunt herself, as she kept a hushed tone and openly complained as they both worked “I swear, each one of these crates is an insult to us. The last one you put in was that dormouse’s personal winery! I’m actually surprised you haven’t collapsed yet.”
Dapan growled “Ya, well. I’d be wishing I did if I didn’t got kin to take care of. I ain’t leaven fer der black forest just yet, leaven dem here to deal wit dat devil.” Dapan gave a sour look to Raman, who was staring back. Dapan returned to his work, as Lena perked up a conversation with him.
“I feel bad you got stuck with that hare, Dakker. Why did that otter pick you and your family anyway? I thought he hated you.”
“He does, an’ I don’t know. Hells, dat hare was practically begging to not bring him on in. Dey wanted to pass me off to dat gold squirrel. Or well. Der other one? Seasons, I hope der aren’t more in dis camp. Dat hare was quite quick to tell me dat that beast’s overseer was whip happy. I hate to imagine what cruel beast dat one eyed round ears got watchen ya.”
Lena looked to her overseer who was behind them, helping Gavan and Zardan load things. Bluebell’s soft voice spoke to them calmly “Alright, here a quick trick. The ropes here and here need to be secure, and we need to use a lighter knot. Gavan. Watch very carefully. Oh? Zardan seems to got it. Quite a good job.”
Dapan looked even more heartbroken from what he saw, as Lena explained “That overseer has been truly the softest beast I’ve come to know. I do not miss that hare, or his ‘wake up’ calls. We don’t really disobey him, just feels awkward to do so, and we fear that if we do step out of line, we’ll have ruined a good thing for all of us. How have you held up?”
Dapan gave Lena a dark look and spoke in a spiteful tone “They lashed my boy.”
Lena looked to Moran who was now organizing things in a box with Malvan’s supervision. Moran tried to stretch himself, but he gave a pained look and held back and took some time to catch himself. Lena looked to Dapan, pitying him for perhaps the first time in her life.
The two grew more silent as they continued to hoist boxes into the wagon but were joined by an unwanted beast. Raskar’s low voice spoke up as he put a lighter and smaller piece into the wagon alongside the two. Dapan was annoyed, Raskar had clearly won over beasts like Gasger for little to no reason other than the hare just hated him it seemed like. Yet, the only reason he was around now it seemed was because he had lost a good amount of that favor, but it wouldn’t take long for him to earn it back.
“Oh. There ya are.” Dapan sarcastically said with spite to Raskar “Ya done ‘goin to der lew’ to finally help out?”
“Ya sound spiteful, weasel.” Raskar grunted, and then gave a sly smile. “Hows der back? Ya spent so much of yer time doin all dat yesterday, an’ not a single bleeding ding to show for it.”
“Hows the reduced rations.” Dapan responded in kind. Raskar grunted and mostly pretended to work, getting his grubby paws on what crates Lena and Dapan were carrying as he continued to prod at Dapan in particular “If ya want, weasel. I know where dey keep dem iron shackles. I can get one fer yer neck, so ya can show it off more proper how tame ya are. Although, that wouldn’t help much, eh?”
The group was joined by Neuls, who was carrying a box over to the cart. Dapan could only respond in kind to Raskar “Oh don’t go sayen I’m der tame on. You give all manner of smiles and bowed heads to dat big ol’ hellspawn.” He referred to Gasger, the hare getting a bit suspicious of the number of beasts slowing their work at one of the wagons. Raskar retorted “Ya, an’? Der big difference between yer pretenden an’ me is skill an’ experience. Ya acted like a clown yesterday, but I know what makes de’s woodlanders tick. Yer just better off actually bein tame for dat lot, you an’ family both. Hells, dey nearly believed me yesterday taken credit from ya, if it weren’t for that bleeden creature holden on to yer dear thieven boy.”
Neuls looked annoyed, and spoke up to the rat. “Oy. Are you going to get to work or not, rat?”
Raskar looked down in annoyance at the tired vole, and smirked “I ain’t no slavebeast unlike ya. I’m der smartest beast in dis place, bar none, an none of ya got der talent to be worthy of freeing yerselves.”
Neuls squinted and dropped his heavy box onto Raskar’s foot. Raskar’s eyes lit up with pain as he retracted himself from the crate and nursed his foot. Neuls grinned and simply said “Oops.” He picked up the crate, and Lena helped him get it into the wagon. The loud bang got Bluebell and Gasger’s attention all on them, with Gasger yelling at them all “Be careful you bleeding fools. Most of that stuff your carrying is more expensive than your lives. Get back to work!”
Raskar growled at them all before marching off, partly limping as his foot was now much sorer. Dapan shook his head and could only comment “Now if only some sensible beast would cut off his tongue. Give me one bleeden blessing at least.”

Frankfort Squirrelking was in the central command tent on top of the fortified camp of Palewind, sitting at a desk and looking over the contradictory maps of Mossflower. He squinted at a river which were in three different places on three different maps. He sighed, thinking over all the various and difficult things he would need to do today, but the flap of his tent opened and his one eyed mouse bodyguard spoke up.
“Sir, you have a visitor.”
“Whom’st?” Frankfort asked in a bored tone, his face not lifting itself to meet his bodyguard’s. He didn’t really care much for visitors right now; he was making plans. He and his general discussed what felt like ages each aspect of their campaign, and each one had met what felt like a million times to discuss every small issue. Everyone agreed, so why bother him now? Frankfort’s bodyguard gave a rather sour tone “Your cousin, my lord.”
Oh.
Frankfort shaped himself up, but not too much. He called out for Henden to let himself in, and the pompous squirrel swaggered on in. Frankfort was in his gilded armor, plated in all manner of finery, but Henden looked like an actor pretending to be a pompous noble. Then again, Henden was a pompous noble, it wasn’t hard to debate that.
“Cousin!” Henden smiled cheerfully and came to the edge of the table. Frankfort looked him in the eye with professionalism, but this softened to a casualness between the two. “Henden, does General Gosland need something?”
Henden huffed “Can’t the family of Squirrelkings meet with one another without the need of lesser nobles?”
Frankfort frowned. He couldn’t really blame Henden, he knew his uncle all too well. They weren’t Squirrelkings in name, that was his aunt, but it never stopped Heden’s father from displaying the name so proudly in his halls and keeps. It gave him an aura of prestige, but he was never really impressed by it. Henden was decent to be around, when he wasn’t tipping his nose up from the peasantry. Henden warmly came up to his cousin, giving his a friendly bow and relating reasoning.
“I would never bother my cousin because he wants to plays war hero. Yet, I must insist we catch up. Our last meeting wasn’t much of a show, barely even an evening feast. Ball was dreadfully boring, and Oh my goodness did I have stories of my father cursing and raving about some fool vassal refusing an invitation!”
Frankfort felt a bit awkward, cause technically he wasn’t even supposed to be here, but they were kin. “I would love to, Henden. Its just. I have a war to fight, and so do you. This isn’t exactly a walk through a country lane.”
“Oh, I am sure.” Henden pulled up a chair and sat in it, looking more and more comfy. Frankfort sat down next and called out to his bodyguard “Have the se—” Frankfort remembered his orders. Vermin. Right. He redid his order “Samkon, have some of the nearby soldiers grab us a few drinks.”
Henden picked up on this quickly, quipping to him “Still have ill trust towards these pathetic beasts, Frankfort?”
“Beasts?” The squirrel prince rolled his eyes “Beasts are voles and otters, these are creatures. Evil and unrepentant. I can only hope they learn to be less so, but they have certainly proved a species difficult to show pity to. Only so few have earned the respect to be decently called serfs. I heard you got your own now. What do you think of the vermin?”
Henden dramatically waved his paws about “Think of them? Oh, I think of many things cousin. Wines, swooning squirrelesses, beautiful art. These vermin are barely worth much thought, lazy and indecent. Though, my overseer had turned their worst of their lot into more decent beasts, fearful and obedient. They’ll come around in due time.”
Frankfort grunted as a soldier awkwardly entered the tent and set down some drinks for the two nobles. Frankfort shooed him away as Henden continued “I heard you are sending two captains down south to secure the country lanes of southern Mossflower, near all those villages and so forth. Yet, I am going towards the coast.”
Frankfort gave his cousin an odd look, but he nodded along. Henden continued, sipping his drink. “I was thinking cousin, our northern front line needs better protection, and to admit, I am not the best captain in this army. I am just the smartest. These captains, Raman and Valtman, are so much more experienced. Perhaps, you would consider sending them towards the coast. I am a beast of the rural lanes of course.”
This was false, but Frankfort sighed. “Does something bother of you, Henden, to obey Gosland’s commands? I am sending a joint taskforce south to secure those villages, and I am told Raman and Henden are quite capable together.”
“Perhaps, but they have the charisma of snails. Not to be rude to our heroes of Southward, but I am much more capable of convincing these barbarians. Sending them north in my stead to secure the forests and hills towards Salamandastron would be better for them. I can build structures down here, and secure our lines. I just need enough beasts and serfs to do so.”
Frankfort thought it over. Henden was right about one thing, he wasn’t very skilled as a warrior, but he was a noble of Southward. He could perhaps secure the southern villages without enough support. He was kin after all, and who better to secure the country than family. Frankfort slowly nodded “I will discuss this with your superior, Henden, but we’ll take it into considerable consideration.”
Henden gave a wide grin and nodded “Glad you could see it my way, cousin. Now, have you tried some of the local food? Most dreadful I say—” The two squirrels talked and talked, unaware of two small figures outside their tent, listening on in.

Henden returned to his own tent after a decent amount of time, passing by his wagons being packed. He looked and frowned; they were not done as much as he hoped. Vaon had his paws to his hips, and one holding his favorite whip. The serfs were all giving a very miserable and faked smile, trying to keep it on for their dear lives. One of the beasts was doubled over in pain, crying, and weeping slowly as he had failed. Vaon his lashed his back thrice, and the poor beast couldn’t keep it up. Now he laid there, with a soldier pushing him upward and forcing him back to work. Henden ignored this for now, as he turned back towards his own tent and quickly sat down in his luxurious abode.
The beast waiting inside was a mouse who smiled warmly at first to Henden when he bothered to notice him, but once his gaze was away, the mouse’s true mood shone through “How was your talk with the prince, sir? You got the transfer down south?”
“Oh, of course Danol. How could I not with this legendary charm!” Henden sat at his expensive table, enjoying his high life. All manner of beautiful things were strewn about his tent, from fine art to an entire closet full of his clothes and jewelry. Henden cheerfully chided the mouse “You know Danol, when you suggested this to me, I thought you mad. Now? I can’t but help to think this was our best plan yet!”
Danol couldn’t help but frown, but quickly returned to a ‘cheery’ mood “Oh, of course sir. When we get down south, we’ll be in the middle of all manner of woodlander hamlets and cottages, and we can take supplies from them and fend off small raiders if there are even any. It will be quite comfy. Though of course, once down south, you’ll probably not need me of course.”
Henden huffed “Oh, of course I need you Danol!”
“Sir, I insist.” Danol tried to keep a straight and happy face, but truthfully, he was being quite desperate. Serving Henden was like having his teeth pulled, and he wanted to strangle his younger self for befriending the squirrel as he did. Henden was an easy way to earn promotion, and he was easily flattered. Had he known how rotten Henden was truthfully, he would have at least had second thoughts, and now he felt stuck to his division.
“No, I insist. Danol, I am going to need you down south when we start building a more proper structure worthy of Southward, not to mention rounding up all these bleeding barbarians and getting Vaon to work them. I’d rather not be staying in a tent for this entire campaign, I’d rather be building a nice, plump castle to rule over and establish a fiefdom. We’ll have these stupid vermin serfs farming in no time! Not to mention, we’ll need your wonderful expertise in extorting those filthy creatures into working for us.”
Danol silently screamed in his head because he knew he wasn’t talking about vermin. Danol sighed, surrendering once again to his fate as Henden’s side kick to his nefarious deeds to be.
“Of course, sir and most wonderful, merciful prince. You are truly the smartest beast in this camp.” Danol wanted to cringe badly, but he didn’t wish to drop the act. Henden sipped his drink, and as he did, Vaon entered the tent in a clearly bad mood. Vaon pursed his lips and got Henden’s attention as he spoke to his captain as more an equal then a superior officer “Well, good news Henden, we won’t be delayed. Bad news is our original time we set to leave is twice as long as we intend to stay.”
“Then just work the serfs faster.” Henden said in a bored tone. Vaon tried to explain “I could, but even beasts like that lot need rest or they’ll just start dying on us. Can’t have that now, especially in this camp. Raises too many eyebrows. Though, we could hurry it up if we act in a less ‘formal’ way.” Henden listened, but Danol angrily chided the shrew.
“We don’t need any more trouble, Vaon. We already risk too much with this as it is!”
Henden snapped at Danol “Danol, don’t raise your voice to your superior. It is unbecoming of a beast of your stature.”
Danol paused, giving Henden a sad look and tried to explain to the squirrel “S-sir, I outrank him?”
Henden shook his head in disgust “Absolutely not, Danol. You outrank him in the army, not in Southward. Vaon is the son of nobility after all, and we cannot have any beast questioning the Bellmaker’s designs. Now apologize.”
Danol did so, much to Vaon’s arrogant grin. Vaon continued and explained “We’ll get serfs, sure, but not experienced ones. I say we ‘borrow’ them from those two halfwits Raman and Valtman. I heard from some of Raman’s beasts that there was these vermin who tripled their work in a day, and were ready to all move out. I say we take em’ with us, give them all a couple lashings to retain their obedience, and set them to work on our own projects once we settle in down south.”
Henden liked that idea, and added onto it “I like it, Vaon. Danol, help our good overseer with his duties, hmm?”
Danol sighed as Vaon explained his plan as they exited the tent. Henden could already see it, his own personal fiefdom in this barbarous land. He just needed enough bumpkins to make it so.

Raman and Valtman were inspecting the carts alongside Gasger, the hare trying to find anything tiny to punish the Grassweaves with. “I mean, when Dapan fixed up the tarps on our wagons, they weren’t this baggy. An utter disgrace of work, I say. I’ll have it redone, to the proper quality. Hells, if you wish me to sirs, I’ll even bring him over to do it now, and—”
Raman quickly shot it down “Gasger, the bagginess of tarps aren’t a concern and never have been. The weasel and ferrets we had did a mediocre but acceptable job, and that is all I can ask for. However, these are your wagons, Valtman.”
The dormouse nodded “Looks fine to me, honestly. Although, if that beast is slacking Gasger, I wou—”
“Captain Valtman. Captain Raman.” The voice was loud and authoritative as all three paused and turned, shaping up and retreating their paws behind their backs. An otter in finery and a warrior’s breastplate marched his way softly to them, surrounded by other beasts. Raman knew him immediately, and quickly shouted.
“Sir. General Gosland.”
Gasger parted his way and quickly went to his serfs, and Bluebell who was nearby collected his own. Dapan found himself being dragged by Gasger away from his lunch to bend his knee to the passing lord. Dapan complied, and so did the others, as Gosland took note of them. Gosland paused and gave a hushed tone to the two captains as he spoke in a calm manner.
“You two, I am informing you of new orders. You will not be going to secure to southern villages. You are heading north, towards the coast, to establish or presence near Salamandastron. I see you are all well packed as it is, that is good.”
Raman raised an eyebrow to this, but Valtman seemed relieved “Oh, Kelsum sighned off on it as well then I assume. Oh thank goodness, I won’t be bored to kingdom come in this terrible campaign, eh?”
Gosland slowly nodded, but Raman could tell something was wrong. His eyes darted to Gosland’s side, and his mood soured to spot Vaon and Danol looking about. Henden’s officers, of seasons, what circus am I going to be subjected to. Raman looked back to Gosland and asked “I know Henden would be up there as well?”
“No, this is in fact a transfer. Frankfort and I had a discussion on it, and it seemed more prudent we send you up there instead.”
Raman was immediately suspicious but was then asked in a darker tone by Gosland his eyes widened with surprise. “How attached are you two with your serfs?”
Valtman’s mood soured, and he was the first to ask “Not very, but why does it matter? I mean, what is this all about, sir?”
“One of your serfs was spotted stealing one of my captain’s gold chains from a lockbox, dormouse.” Danol informed them “We are here to collect it and punish the serfs for it. Line them up, we need to inspect them.”
“How do you know one of our serfs stole, what is it, a piece of jewelry?” Raman said in a rare sarcastic tone. However, when Gosland frowned to this, Raman quickly apologized “Apologies, sir. It’s just, we already had trouble with thievery. Gasger and Bluebell are capable overseers, I don’t think this is fully necessary, is it? I just wish to know why Henden suspects us of this?”
“He does not suspect you, Raman. He suspects these serfs, they are vermin after all.” Gosland sighed “Danol claims he saw a rat or weasel, but not sure whom, who stole it recently. If we catch them, I will be forced to deal with this harshly.”
“Fine.” Raman said reluctantly. He snapped at Gasger who yelled at them to line up at the carts, and serfs obeyed. Dapan took his place between Martha and Moran, but some of the others were taking their time. Bluebell was slow, very calming in waiting for one Gavan and Murna to finish their meals. Vaon angrily strode forward, impatient as he cracked a whip harshly into the air with a loud and terrible crack.
The serfs who lagged such as Raskar and his companion took the hint and hurried up, but Moran nearly dove for cover in terror. Dapan brought his son up, who looked terrified. Zardan growled to himself, and the others looked terribly fearful. Bluebell gave a dark eye to Vaon, but the most annoyed beast of all was surprisingly Gasger. The hare strode forward and angrily took his whip from Vaon. Vaon shouted “Hey, give it back, Gasger!”
“You’ll get it back later, or when you bleeding know when to use it.” Gasger spat. Vaon relented as he seethed. Gosland and Raman didn’t seem to mind very much, as it hurried it all along as Danol began to pat down each serf one by one. Danol fiddled with that missing gold chain in a pocket, to use a sly of paw to plant it on one very unlucky serf. The plan was so simple, ten lashes for the unfortunate serf, and threats of more. Yet, instead of tearing them to the stockade to await a terrible end, Danol would be ‘merciful’ and bring this lot into Henden’s division instead.
Danol had his pick, looking at the frightened Moran who was trying to shape himself up. He had passed over Dapan, and quickly proclaimed much to Dapan and Martha’s surprise and horror “This one looks all too familiar, let’s see now.” Moran stood still as Danol ‘searched’ the young weasel and put the gold chain sneakily into a pocket. Yet, as he was retracting his paw, he felt a sudden painful nip. “Ow!”
Danol retrated his paw as Dapan looked like he was about to angrily lambast the mouse officer, but had held his tongue when he could see Raman’s superior looking at him with clear disdain. Raman didn’t seem surprised, but what did surprise him was when a rat pup burst through the wagons and ran up to Gosland. In an innocent voice he asked “Yer a tall one, water dog, ya seen me sis Melo be chance, eh?”
There was an awkward silence as Danol and Vaon looked around in surprise, with Vaon quickly taking the young rat into his paw “Masg, ya cretan! Why ya here?!”
The rat didn’t at all seem frightened as he simply shrugged “Playen hide an’ seek o’ course. Ya told us we got der day off, ya know. So we’s decided to play some games till ya came back!”
Gasger was holding in a devious smile. His few experiences with these small imps was not enjoyable, but it was far too awkward to punish them. Gosland nor Raman looked amused, giving Vaon a equally unsure look as the shrew growled and held the small rat “Apologies, sir, but let us continue. I’ll deal wit dis beast an it’s sibling later.”
Raman returned his attention to Danol who quickly returned to Moran and began patting him down. It was odd, he didn’t remember the gold chain being so solid. Yet he felt it and didn’t care. “Ha! Thief!”
“He ain’t stolen anyding, ya daft beast.” Dapan growled angrily, pushing his son behind him. Danol smirked, hoping for this reaction. More reason to go into his plan B. “Raman, control your serfs.”
The Grassweave looked horrified and surprised. Moran had hoped Gulan could help, or Malvan, but the hedgehog could only watch in horror and complain to the nearby soldiers. Gulan was drilling Raman’s troops elsewhere. Yet, Raman approached the group as a terrified Dapan begged Raman “Please. No. Not again.”
Raman casually pushed the weasel father aside and looked at the confused Moran, shaking as he was and held by his mother. He then looked Danol and back and forth between them. He had a thought as his full attention came upon Moran and he commanded him “Turn out your pockets, Moran. Do so quickly.”
Moran did so, he had afterall nothing to hide but paused when he got to one pocket. He opened it up desperately, as he pulled out something big, shiny, and grey.
It was a big ol’ rock.
Raman grunted, not at all surprised. He took the rock from Moran and inspected it. It was just a rock as the otter turned his full attention to Danol and showed him. Danol was utterly surprised as he gave a weak grin and quickly spoke up “I—I haven’t finished, Captain Raman, I am certain he has it, he or this one has it. Or this one.” He pointed to the Grassweaves as Raman looked to Dapan and Martha next. He spoke up to them “Alright. Turn out your pockets then.” He said in a calm and bored manner. Both did so, again not to the otter’s surprise.
“Well?” Gosland asked.
“I’m sorry to say Henden’s jewelry isn’t here, all this beast stole was a rock from the earth.” Raman concluded, but his eye of spite rested on Danol. Gosland grumbled and spoke up “Vaon. Danol, let us move this along if we can, and find these thieves and be done with this. I have things to do today.”
Danol nearly reached down into his own pockets but had to physically stop himself. He looked to Gosland and bowed “Apologies sir, but I we will, erm, find it later. No doubt destroyed by vermin hands by now. I thought it here, but clearly not. I have no clue, eerrr, where it is.”
Gosland grunted “tell Henden then he can live without one of his priceless necklaces then. Valtman. Raman. We will discuss your new orders later.” Gosland left, leaving Vaon and Danol surrounded by angry beasts. Vaon held onto Masg, who was giving a wink to Melo, who rested just below a cart, burying that golden chain forever into the earth. Danol sighed as it clearly now he would need to go with plan C.
Danol returned to Vaon and both Valtman and Raman joined them. The Grassweaves were shaken, and Malvan quickly rushed over to see if they were alright, or more specifically, Moran. Raman gave the mouse a harsh stare, as if disappointed in him. Danol hushed his voice and spoke “Apologies good Raman, apologies. I truly did think that one was a thief, felt something in his coat pocket. Heh. Just a rock. Funny, eh?”
Raman and Valtman were silent.
Vaon gulped and spoke up, enacting part three of their master plan if all else failed “How about this, Raman. Valtman. How about we take these vermin off your paws and call it a day? I mean, look at em. Probably give you more trouble than their worth. I can pay you both for them all, even pull some strings. Lets put all this business behind us, and make a reasonable decision. Raman, you know Henden, and we can—”
Raman growled “Enough.” The otter pinched his nose in frustration as Valtman gave the two a stern warning.
“Consider the both of you lucky that your ‘captain’s’ foolery gets us where we really wanted to go. Otherwise, I would be marching you both to Kelsum’s tent so you can explain yourselves as to why you are bleeding trying to bribe us.”
Danol frowned and sweated, as he tried to salvage the situation “Good Raman, perhaps we can still be reasonable. I mean, our troubles aside, our offer still stands. We can be better friends than enemies, for Southsward’s sake.”
Raman gave the two a dark look and bent his head forward to them, both Danol and Vaon slowly retreating into the ground. “I’m going to make this perfectly clear to you, so you can relay this to that pathetic excuse of a ‘captain’ Henden. Even if you did pull out a golden chain from that idiot beast you tried to plant it on, I would have raised a ruckus. Do you honestly think I am going to believe a lashed beast, after stealing food from me, would be fool enough to cross an entire camp in broad daylight to steal some piece of jewelry from another? A gold chain. Out of all the wears Henden has.”
Danol gulped as Raman shook his head in disgust “I am willing to overlook this, for Southsward’s sake. I won’t bring it up, since I can’t exactly prove much. Yet, you can tell Henden if he tries this with me or Valtman again, the consequences will be dire.”
Vaon again tried to bargain “Raman, please. Give us a good peace offering. How about that one?”
Vaon pointed to Dapan, who was holding his boy. Dapan looked confused, whispering to his family, and asking questions. They were all confused. Raman looked to him, and then back to Vaon and made his point ever clearer.
“Even if we were on good terms, absolutely not. Vermin or no, they are serfs under our laws, and I will not separate their kin simply because Henden or you want some plaything. You got your own, I see.” Raman looked down at the small rat Vaon held onto, who was staring up at him. The ratling smiled briefly, which Raman was unsure of how to respond to. Gasger came over and threw Vaon whip at him.
Valtman then growled at them both “Scram, before I start causing you trouble.”
They left, quickly and without a word. Raman gave a sigh of relief as Gasger commented to him “I overheard, sir. You had the chance to be rid of those vermin for good.”
“It isn’t out of spite for Henden if that is what you are wondering.” Raman responded “Its because I do mean what I say. Gasger, these beasts are to be future serfs of Southsward in some vain, optimistic hope. What message do we send to them and ourselves if we just allow Henden to ‘buy’ them from us? And give them into that shrew’s paws?”
Gasger nodded in rare agreement, the three watching and Danol and Vaon disappeared back into the city of tents, defeated and humiliated.

Raman sat in his tent, looking down at one of Shackleford’s book, his least sizable tome. Cycle of Atrocity. To most scholars, it was a masterpiece in the studies of verminkind, of which only Shackleford was master of. He read through its first few chapters but began to skim through it more and more. Raman took many notes, looking for wisdom in the pages to explain recent events, and it didn’t take him very long to find passages which shouted to him.
On the nature of the vermin ‘family’, there are few instances where such units can be called ‘normal’. A husband, a wife, and close-knit children. Most vermin families are closer to that of spinning webs, where a wheel of uncles, friends, and strong-willed acquaintances all raise the children of the vermin. No doubt that these children are purposefully raised in large family groups, and thus are automatically encouraged to dissociate with traditional families. I fear that all vermin children raised in such environments are already set to be tainted by their culture, unable to form true loving bonds. This would explain by so many vermin tend to have both a strong kinship with their inner groups, yet also can excuse their immediate slaying of fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, and other close family.
Raman set his pen to work, writing down his thoughts into his journal.
Vermin families are communal rather than nuclear, very tribal in nature. If we are to ever raise them above themselves, we may need to consider some to be far too tainted for their own good. There are children of the Grassweaves that are far too young. I wonder if seperat—
Raman paused and had to think to himself on that one. Yet, his thoughts were interrupted when the flap of his tent opened, and Martha Grassweave stepped in. She held a platter of food for Raman and looked around. Raman raised an eyebrow, as usually one of his soldiers would be doing this.
“Apologies, Gov’ner. Apologies. One of yer lads said he’d felt bad an’ sent me to do dis. Erm. Ummm.” Martha was looking for a place to quickly set it down and leave. Raman pointed to his side. She awkwardly set it down and was prepared to leave as Raman returned to his writing.
“Erm. Sir. Er. Otter.” Martha spoke up weakly. Raman lifted his head and gave her a bored look, as she frowned. Raman didn’t like this kind of waiting as he spoke. “Speak up and quickly, Martha Grassweave. I am not in the mood today.”
“Erm, sir. If ya don’t mind me asken, me boy. He ain’t in trouble, is he?” Martha sounded terribly worried. Raman lifted and eyebrow as she tried to explain.
“I mean, he just got accused of bein a thief. I mean, he kinda is, takes after me own mum an’—”
“You’re wondering what would have happened if I did find something stolen on him?”
Martha shut herself up as Raman briefly explained, his attention going back to his journal. “If I had, he would have been punished rightly if I suspected him of stealing it. I did not really believe that your boy would be that stupid to go off and steal again, since he has seemingly improved since his lashing. Now, you are dismissed. I am a very busy otter, mam.”
Martha frowned and sighed, leaving the tent. When she left, Raman sighed and returned to his studies.

The serfs of Henden’s division returned to their tent for the night but were not allowed to rest just yet. They all lined up at the foot of their beds, miserable and shaking as they always were. Daych couldn’t help but hate himself as his very face felt numb smiling all day. The others were already defeated as it was, so when Vaon came in dragged Masg and Melo by their shirts and roughly dropped them at the foot of their bed, Daych knew only worse things were to come.
“You bleeding two, I don’t know what you were doing or how you did it, but I’ll—” Vaon looked down at the curious and unresponsive young rats. He was fuming, but he couldn’t tell if they were nefarious or simply ignorant. Masg and Melo weren’t smiling anymore, especially once Henden once again entered the tent. Immediately, the others forced their smiles once more as Henden huffed at them.
“I can’t believe we are reduced to this, Danol!”
Danol entered the tent next, who tried to calm down his boss “Well, sir. As you know, our troops are more than willing to go out and collect more vermin if need be if we come across their holdouts. Perhaps we can—”
“Enough Danol. You failed me, but I am a forgiving beast.” Henden dramatically said. Henden looked over his serfs, inspecting each one and their smiles. Daych tried to keep up his smile to prevent another wave of evil demands and regulations upon him. Yet, when Henden looked him over, he huffed in disgust.
“This one, what is it’s name, Vaon?”
“Daych, sir.”
“Daych. His smile isn’t good enough.” Daych began to frown, stumbling his words “I’m sorry. Erm. Please, I—”
“Now he isn’t smiling at all. Cut his rations in half if you haven’t already.” Henden grunted. Daych continue to frown, his rations once again reduced in size. Henden returned to the foot of the tent and addressed his serfs “You will be tripling your work tomorrow so I can head out quicker than some of my peers. You’ll work hard and long, without break even if need be. Get rest, for you will need it. Now. Say ‘Thank you, Lord Henden’.
The serfs in unison spoke those accursed words as Henden gave a big grin and left. Once they left, each one quickly went into bed while others partly wept. Daych grew in a much worse mood, but then he overheard the two small rats below him.
“What a mean ol’ fool dat one is, eh.”
“Aye, an’ a big bush tail, flea brain. I think he deserve more tricks, Masg.”
“Tricks? Beast needs more troubles.”
The two suddenly looked to Daych who stood next to them. Daych looked down at them, confused as he was. The two smiled and asked the fox a simple question.
“Yaw anna play a couple ol’ games, Daych?”