Commissioned from  FortunataFox

Luzgot and his dark schemers make a pact to bring an end to Markem and to steal the Great Vermin Band from his soft paws
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Luzgot had Gazla stay behind as he, Snackfur, Garzlo and several armed vermin made their way down their newly made entrance via a rope. Garzlo was learning to climb down and up the rope, although he still remained tense. The ferret was paranoid, constantly wondering if one of Markem’s hordebeasts will notice, or if they would be ratted out by any one of the horde itself. Luzgot however remained confident, and strode out with the party. It was night time, and Luzgot and his party pushed their way into the brush and circled around. They were getting used to the general lazy attitude of Markem’s vermin, who had only once sent an envoy to greet their new overlord. Luzgot had complained to them about the lack of slaves and weapons, but his demands were unheard and the vermin captains only meekly nodded their heads. It annoyed the rat just how much Markem’s vermin would treat him like a prisoner in his own fortress, and could easily get away with it.

Luzgot and his retinue made they way into a clearing, with Luzgot lighting a torch. Zangan and his foxes came first, appearing from the forest shade and looking fairly bored. Next came Goba and his own retinue, with the hunched mink Danza following along. Luzgot raised his paws and spoke to the rabble of villanous vermin. “I’d welcome ya to Luzland proper, me mates, but it seems we are stuck here in the clearing, no thanks to a particular rat we have all come to hate.”

“Aye’z. Ya must be the warlord of der’z fort, Luzgab.”

“Luzgot.”

“Whatever’z.”

“Me friends an’ hearties, as we gather here under the night sky, I say ya onto this. Let us not dull ourselves an’ fool around, we gather here fer one purpose. To discuss the question of Markem an his ‘great vermin band’. I’d normally had wanted to meet with Parb, but it looks like we’z got a visitor as well.” Luzgot turned to Zangan “I heard of ya fox, an’ must say I be impressed ya survived so long. Good thing ya bother Markem instead of the likes of me.”

Zangan grunted, but before he could speak Gabo rushed out with his voice. “My sister questions not only why you would jump head first into trying to kill Markem, but how you would do it. Great Marsh will not commit to your future suicide, rat.”

“Are ye a blind, ol’ fool ya dumb mink? Look at me horde, ya see der fort? I got no slaves, half me horde be Markem’s now, a soon enough he will do the same to ever vermin who calls em’self leader or chief in eastern Mossflower. He holds contempt fer all of us, viewin us as degenerates an’ wretches, and treats us as em as well! He’d sooner have Great Marshes slaves be runnin der silver mine and have ya all be scrubbin his boots clean! At least this fox had the sense to not get entangled in such a trap, and I got forced. Yer the lone coward out, you and yer sister.”

“You dare!” Gabo insisted, but was stopped by the calm paw of Danza. “Wait my lord, let us hear the rat out.”

“Markem ain’t no weakling, he be a dumb hordebeast, yes, but he is a rabble leader without a cause. He gotta war with Mossflower to get at the likes of us, an he will drag dis horde into the ground. I be sayin, Markem built a vast band of warlords, an I says I. . .We. . .should lead it! I’ll drive dis horde right an’ proper, solidify the east fer ourselves, and build an empire to rival any other. An I gots a plan to do it.”

“How’z so?” Zangan asked

“Markem will go to war wit Salamanderstron, a bring all der armies southward. While he be away, we’s will put ourselves in a position. We’ll cut off der information by cullin their scouts and couriers, an keep back a sizable force of our own to take Gholand. Me captain Garzlo will contact ambitious beasts and gather local gangs still fearin me name and sworn to Luzland, an’ we’ll supply dem free beasts still not under Markem’s lash wit weapons to slow and prod at him while we take his home. The Long Patrol will wipe out his armies, an’ we’ll have several armies of our own. Any counter attack we’ll mop up wit an army of Salamanders I got under me spell. I just be needed enough silver an’ coin to pay fer a nice gaggle of mercenaries, bring in some of the coastal gangs under me own banner.”

Danza was quick to think and point out “My lady will never agree to such a thing, even if you were successful, you would still have to deal with Markem returning when he wins.”

“Who says he’d win, ya dumb beast. The Long Patrol be a lot more skilled then him, and likely more numerous, an’s we be der only true threat. With us sabotagin his efforts, we’ll be able to slow him to a crawl.”

“What about the rebels themselves?”

“We’ll put em back in chains an’ have em tastin a real lash soon enough once we are done wit em. Dey be useful fodder now, but armin them won’t change der fact they be a group of weaklings an’ half starved fools. If we supply em with what dey need, we can get em’ to work wit us to defeat Markem now, and take the rest of em back as work beasts later.”

Danza thought it over. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was well thought out. She added “Perhaps, but what about the rest of the warlords? Kylan? Hazul?”

“Yes, what about our good Kylan and dear Hazul, eh? A warlord with a beefy stomach an a rat led around by a magical leash to whatever promised land lays in yer far distance. Hazul’s tribe be small, weak, even I could crush him wit me creatures I still have. Even if it were a threat, I could cook up a fake prophecy to have that entire horde runnin scared. Kylan ain’t much different, a warlord who willfully shines and spits on Markem’s boots. His captains though? Not so much. Jusbrag always has volatile captains, an it doesn’t take a genius to find out which one will support me, eh.”

Danza looked to Goba and nodded her head “These are risky plans, my lord, yet decent ones i suppose. Markem is a larger threat.” Gabo meekly agreed and turned to Luzgot “Then it is settled, you will have my sister’s aid and the aid of Great Marsh. In secret I do hope.”

“Aye’z, an me tribe will aid ya’z as well, rat. If ya are after Markem, then we’z will be the one to cut off his head! In return, ya will give us Jusbrag, yes?” Luzgot greedily pursed his lips, but did not speak. How dare this wretch demand one of me future forts from the likes of me! Fine, I’ll give you your future prize, but not until I have you dealt with once Markem is no more. Luzgot gave a smile “Aye, an ya will get Jusbrag an’s all its loot fer yourself fox, and I shall get Gholand. Parb can have Veekun’s burrow! Soon enough, this Great Vermin Band be havin a new boss, one who is more deserving then some bottom feedin hordebeast who be thinkin he be above the rest of us!”

The vermin made their dark pact beneath the fire of the trees, each swearing to Luzgot’s plan. Luzgot would gather the vermin of the coast to war, Parb would use her wealth to pay out the bribes, and Zangan would lead the raids and armies to war. “When Markem marches an is far off, tis when we shall strike! While he falls beneath the blade of a stripe dog, we’s will take his horde fer ourselves!”