-Arrival-

-Skipper's POV-

With that bit of drama concluded, the Elder Guardian signaled a younger warrior to bring forward a flat box. The moderate supply of medals contained within bore an identical design stamped onto the gold surface; a sword, an ax, and a spear crossed three ways, and surrounded by a circle of fire.

"These mark you as recognized Battlemasters," she said, handing one to each of the three of us. "Present them to the guards at Castle Cretrades, and you will be admitted with no trouble."

Having said her piece, she sent us on our way.

For two days we trekked through the Southsward forest, flanked by a small company of escorts. Because they knew the land better than we did, they did most of the foraging for us, giving us a few options as to what to eat when we needed to, and taking the leftovers for themselves once we had made our selections.

Nightshade was suspicious of their generosity at first, believing that we were "dining at the enemy's table", but even a born fighter cannot fight his own hunger for long. Eventually, he accepted a meal built of various kinds of fruit.

In the early morning of the third day, we stepped out of the forestland, and got our first look at Castle Cretrades.

From the outside, the ruins of Castle Floret looked to have been masterfully restored; every fallen stone from the outer wall had been restacked and stuck back into place. You would never know from looking at it that the fortress at the top of the plateau had ever been abandoned for even one season, much less dozens.

The leader of the foraging party gave us a moment to stare before calling our attention. "Our task here is done, Battlemasters, and we must return to our post." He threw a salute at us. "Whatever the cause you fight for, may you fight well."

Without waiting for a reply, he and the others shot up the nearest trees, quickly disappearing from sight.

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-Nightshade's POV-

Even though we were only a morning's walk to the plateau itself, it was still a good distance to the front gate at the southern side of the castle, and it took us the better part of the day to cover that distance.

Around the middle of the afternoon, as we were closing in on the path leading to the front gate, I heard a shout from the top of the wall. "Warriors approaching!"

The gate opened immediately, and fifteen soldiers marched down the walkway in single file, stopping just outside as the gate closed behind them. When we stepped within throwing range, the soldiers readied their fifteen identical lances for melee combat, in perfect unison.

"Well," Arcturus said, pulling his medal from his tunic, "here's hoping these bally things work, wot."

Skipper followed suit. "Agreed."

"Who approaches?" the largest of the soldiers asked.

Raising my own medal high, I let it glint in the sunlight momentarily. "I am Nightshade, of Mt. Primus. I come to answer the Battlemaster's Challange, as set by Philaemos."

The voice of the front guard broke his stance. "And who are these with you?"

"I am Major Arcturus of Salamandantron..."

"And I am the Skipper of the Mossflower Otters. We stand by Nightshade's side against ambush."

The two of them held their medals out in plain sight.

"Enter with him then, Battlemasters," the lead guard said. "But you will find no ambush here; we are creatures of discipline, not deception."

The soldiers raised their lances and stepped aside, allowing us passage to the opening gate. At the same time, three heavy thumps resounded from inside the wall, followed by a sentry's voice announcing and then repeating our names as we'd presented them.

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-Arcturus's POV-

My first look inside the castle walls left me momentarily dumbfounded; that guard had not lied about these beasts being disciplined.

Hundreds of creatures of every shape and size; squirrels, foxes, rats, mice, ferrets, hares, and everything in between, all working together on their various tasks, showing none of the animosity that was often expected between these creatures. Indeed, the workers nearest to us showed little emotion at all, going about their tasks mechanically, as though this was all they ever did.

The thought made me cringe inwardly. A lifetime of service, never knowing anything other than the job you've been doing since you were strong enough to begin; the very idea frightened me. I could not help but wonder what became of these creatures when they were no longer strong enough to continue.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a large rat.

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-Nightshade's POV-

He was more well-fed by this time, and the tunic he wore looked much better than the ragged shirt he'd had, but I recognized his face instantly; it was the same rat who had attacked the Skipper and I on our first day of travel. "You."

"Yes. Me," he replied, with a hint of modesty. "Surprised?"

"A little." I wasn't; it made perfect sense that Philaemos would construct a disguise more suitable for this world before confronting me. But for the sake of appearences, I couldn't reveal the knowledge to my allies. "What are you doing here?"

"My current purpose is to lead you to the throne room; Lord Philaemos is quite anxious to see you."

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-End Chapter Eighteen-