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In the torch lit corridor of an enormous cavern under the city of Karyd the first blows of a conflict long in the making were about to be struck. With quick thinking Hiroto the fox ninja leaned an unconscious squirrel on his young raccoon friend's back. "Get her out of here!" Then he turned to face the outraged lion that was nearly upon him. The lion roared in anger and charged with his axe raised in both paws.

Thinking dispatch the masked ninja quickly Rostern the lion swung his axe into a downward swing as he ran at the retreating figures of the young raccoon and the ragged squirrel prisoner. Hiroto however was much too fast such a clumsy attempt and dodged to blow while simultaneously throw out his leg to trip the larger creature. Rostern went down in a heap, his face hitting the stone floor. Before he could regain his feet the ninja drew his katana and again put himself between his aggressor and his slowly fleeing friend.

The head slaver stood and realized that he would not easily get past the ninja. He hefted his axe and began his assault on the nimble black fox, bringing small swings to hassle him. Hiroto could not hope to stop the strong swings, small as they were in the cramped corridor, from the large weapon that continuously came at him. He dodged and deflected the blows buying more time. As the lion attacked he roared and growled loudly and the ninja knew while he bought time for his friend's escape the time until other guards discovered the scuffle grew shorter.

In the close corridors Rostern could not bring his entire strength or large axe to bear down on his enemy. But he could keep the ninja occupied until help arrived. That would mean that the little raccoon would get farther away but he was confident that the boy would not get far in the tunnels. The lion swung downward and diagonally at the fox's chest and when the ninja slipped inside and under the reach of the blade to begin his own attack the lion kicked out and caught the ninja in the chest and sent him backward.

Hiroto was surprised that the large lion had correctly predicted his actions but only for a moment. He flipped back and landed crouched down with his chest bruised and katana still in hand. His opponent didn't give him any more time to recover and resumed his charge. He tried using the butt end of the axe to hit the ninja but still the quick movements and slight deflections turned the weapon away.

Again the lion swung and let an opening in his defense be seen and the ninja lunged in again for a hit. Smiling the lion flung his elbow out expecting to again hit the ninja, but this time Hiroto had known what to expect. He had feinted into the trap and when the lions arm flung out to hit him he backed off and slashed at the lion opening a long cut on his opponent's arms. The lion roared in pain and tried to bash to fox away only to find that he had already backed off.

Finally more shouts were heard from behind the lion as guards came to investigate the commotion. Rostern smiled and when he saw the ninja's eyes look past him he launched into a flying tackle to subdue him. Instincts taking over the ninja threw himself into a backward flip to get away from the lion as well as reach up into his black clothes. The lion barely missed the fox and fell short of his goal but Hiroto had slipped out a dagger and sliced his ear off as the ninja flew back and out of range. It was only superficial but it was impressive that it had even connected given the circumstances. Rostern landed hard on the stone as guards came around the corner and ran to his aid. Hiroto however fled the other way after his departed friend, hoping that he had not gotten caught.

Rostern roared and yelled for his guards to follow and kill the ninja as he sat up and held his bleeding stump of an ear. Four guards flew past him to chase the black figure all yelling and with their weapons out and torches flaring. They chased him through the winding tunnels occasionally lit by torches hung on the walls. The ninja could have easily evaded them but he wanted to instead dispatch them and try to rejoin his young companion. He neared another turn in the tunnel with his pursuers close at hand and as he turned to his right he flung out his paw and then disappeared around the bend. The barely discernable shuriken buried itself in the eye of the leading runner who dropped to the stone screaming.

The following guards were slowed but did not stop as they blew past their fellow slaver. They took the turn and the lead slaver was immediately hit squarely in the throat by a dart. His vision swam and his limbs moved sluggishly. He saw the ninja stand from his crouch and began to run again as the poison did its work. Again the other two guards paused but continued a little more cautiously. They ran to where the ninja had disappeared around another turn and paused to check for any more surprises. They saw the ninja retreating down a long and straight tunnel and ran to catch him. Immediately the first slaver stepped on the caltrops Hiroto had left and fell forward onto still more of the spikes. They pierced his body as he fell and even more lodged in his face and neck.

The final guard did not stop and ran atop the guard's body who cried out in agony before slowly succumbing to a slow death. The last slaver, a lynx, ran on and even started to catch up to the ninja. As the dark figure came to and disappeared at an intersection the guard slowed and checked the way he had ran for any traps. Seeing none he ran down the tunnel and saw the ninja reach a wooden door and quickly close it. The lynx burst through the door swinging his sword in case the ninja was waiting for him. He tripped and fell on the stairs leading up. Hiroto, his arms and legs spread to hold the ninja above the door dropped and quickly cut the guard throat with his dagger.

With no other threat following him the fox again tracked the droplets of blood that he had followed through the halls, presumably fallen from the battered squirrel that Lassun carried, up the stairs. At the top of the stairs he found another door which he carefully opened a crack and looked through. He saw Lassun with his little arms above his head and the squirrel on the floor sill unconscious. Past his little friend the ninja spied two more guards, pirates by the look of them, with swords drawn and pointed at the raccoon. Quietly Hiroto drew forth his blowgun and fitted a dart into it.

Poor Lassun was scared to death of the ragged guards confronting him. He had found an exit out of the caverns tunnels only to accidentally bump into the two pirates standing at the exit. They had likewise been surprised but they quickly recovered and approached the boy chuckling.

"Well nah what is dis 'ere, Buggon? A poor defenseless critter tryin' ta escape is it?" sneered the first pirate, a dog.

The second pirate, an otter menaced the raccoon with his notched sword. "Ho, I dunno Mag, it looks as if'n e' jus' needs some beast ter teach him how ter handle a blade, then 'e'll be fit fer a scrap," he joked.

"Oh aye, meebee we kin teach 'im ter handle a sword soes 'e knows how ter fight when 'e comes 'cross some nasty creatures," replied the dog.

They laughed at the frightened boy. Suddenly the otter stopped laughing, held his throat and choked. The dog chuckled, "Oi, Buggon, wat's yer problem? Buggon?" The otter sank to his knees clutching at something. Only too late did the dog see the tiny dart that protruded from his pal's throat. An identical dart hit him in the throat and he too grasped at it and pulled it out but the poison was already hard at work.

Both of the guards hit the floor and the raccoon wondered what could have happened. When he felt a hand on his shoulder he yelped, and turned to find his fox mentor. He let out a breath in relief and hugged the ninja.

"I was so scared, Hiroto," the boy shuddered.

The ninja patted his back warmly and smiled beneath his mask. "Come on boy, let's get out of here. You still have work to do, we have to convince the citizens that under that ugly mug of yours is a lovable child." In response the raccoon backed up and stuck his tongue out at the fox. "This will never work," moaned the ninja good-naturedly.

Back at Gurda's cellar with the injured squirrel, Hiroto and Lassun departed to carry out the rest of the plan. That left Skein and Kyra to argue over what to do with the badly tortured barbarian.

"Just send for him again, he has to help her!" exclaimed the wolf captain heatedly. She wanted the healer to come back to take care of the squirrel as he had done with Hiroto but the otter would have none of it.

The otter pirate simply shook his head sadly. "He will be well away from here by now. 'Sides he wouldn't return here with the city in such a state as tis."

Kyra huffed and placed her paws on her hips. "Well why not? Is he that much of a coward?"

Trying to calm her down Skein again calmly shook his head. "Ya don't know him if'n ya say things like that. This isn't his fight, he has other business to attend to. We need to find someone else."

"Oh, and who pray tell would heal an escaped slave so near death and not give us away?"

Gurda having heard enough shouting bustled down the stairs to chastise the duo. "Keep your confounded voices down! It is bad enough that the city is in an uproar I don't need my home in one as well. It just so happens I know of such a creature as you describe Kyra. Now if you two don't sit there quietly whilst I go and fetch him I will take a switch to the both of you!" Thoroughly scolded the two adults could only stare slack jawed at the departing bunnywife.

In another part of the city a gorgeous vixen sat in a well decorated room, grooming herself in front of a mirror. The room smelled of expensive perfume and the color scheme was a light pink, from the walls down to the throw pillow settled on the ornately carved couch. She had a smile on her face and hummed snatches of lovely tunes as she brushed her fluffy tail slowly. Despite her cheery demeanor she was deeply troubled. Her deep blue eyes held a slight sadness to them as she stared at the mirror. She had always meticulously cleaned and groomed her fur as her profession often led it to be dirty, and customers did not look well on dirty fur, but now it was overly brushed with worry which irritated her skin.

Business had been down, lower than the vixen had ever seen before. The riots were causing some customers to rage in the streets while other secreted themselves away hoping that the storm would pass soon. She had not had a visitor in two nights now and all because the people were so worked up about the injustices they perceived. The vixen did not care either way; she stayed as far away from politics as she could. There would always, or almost always it seemed, be business for her and that meant she could do as she pleased with the substantial money she made.

The vixen did not worry for the money she had made or the money she was losing by not receiving any customers for she had much wealth. Instead she worried of her role in the future of Karyd. She was wise enough to know change was coming and change did not always sit well with her. Sure her profession would always be around in some way but would she be there to attend it? If the riots grew out of control who knew what could happen to her or the district she lived and worked in.

This change would affect the entirety of the city from the lowliest girls in her profession to wealthy merchants and all the way up to the Council members that seemed to be the creators of the change rather than reactors to it.

The vixen reflected back to the times before. When it was easy to gain indentured servants she had prospered as there were always those who did not have the time or money to invest in something as long term as that. There were also a few times she has entered servitude for a favor or two. Then when the laws grew tighter for masters and servants were scarce she had still prospered. If anything more customers flocked to her as they no longer had servants to service their needs. In recent days though violence had lain just below the surface and all too often girls' nights ended a little too roughly for their tastes and some customers had to be wrested out into the streets by brute force.

The vixen sighed. She no longer enjoyed the city or its citizens in their foul moods. With the brush still stroking her tail she contemplated leaving the city for another more peaceful one. After all she was the best and most beautiful in this city, she could easily find a position elsewhere.

A swift breeze of air interrupted her thoughts. She knew she had closed and locked the window earlier and she was on the third story of her building so that left only one option. She smiled happily and she turned her mirror slightly revealing a black clothed figure leaning against far wall next to the open window. "Hiroto, my darling! It has been far too long!"

"Jazelle, my loveliest and most favorite of vixens, it is always a pleasure to behold your caring face," remarked the ninja sweetly with a bow.

The vixen put her brush on the desk she sat at and turned to face the black fox. She pouted her lips, "Not from my perspective I think, you have never once made use of my services."

"Ah, my lady, I am not worthy of your services. I am happy enough to stand under the same roof as you, my beauty." The ninja still leaned against the wall his green eyes twinkling above his mask. Jazelle wouldn't let him stay at a distance for long. She stood and walked seductively toward the mysterious ninja. She pressed herself to his chest and placed a hand on his masked cheek while the other snaked its way around his back.

"Can you not see how I long for you, ninja? Can you not see the pain in my eyes as you resist me even now?" Jazelle's muzzle closed in on his but she did not try to kiss him. She loved to play this game with the odd black fox. She would have very much liked to find out what the ninja was like beneath the covers but that was as far as it would get. The vixen regarded the fox as a curiosity in that he had never once made a move to bed her. Even after all her propositions he still refused in a kind manner. "I am empty without you, my very soul is pulled to yours, we are meant to be," she told him.

"You flatter me my lady, for I am just a common rogue, one hardly worth your attention, much as it is appreciated." The ninja smiled and kept up his own flattery hoping to wear her defense down. "This poor soul is battered and dirtied and unfit for one so sparkling with beauty and charm as your own."

The vixen leaned in and whispered in his ear, "I take pity on your soul, but there has never been a soul that has left my bed unhappy. Let me fix you so we may both get what we want."

"A tempting offer," the fox chuckled, "but one you know I cannot take for fear of tainting the most dazzling creature in all the land."

Jazelle pulled back slowly and smiled, then she turned and slowly walked to her bed, swaying her hips and letting her tail swing behind her. "Oh Hiroto, why deny what we both crave? Let your instincts out so we may forget about the world and lie in each other's arms." She sat on the bed and crossed her legs politely and watched the ninja.

"If only we could my exquisite hostess, but alas matters will not allow it. The city is in an hour of grave need," said the ninja. "I came with a purpose, Jazelle, and I need your help."

The vixen flung herself backwards onto the bed and sighed in defeat. "As you have always done. Very well, what do you require of me this time, Hiroto?"

The fox then moved forward and sat on the bed. "I have need of an attention grabber, one that will leave the people breathless and silent in mere moments, someone to gain their eyes and ears, someone to stand beside another as they rally the citizens for the best and rightful cause. I need someone to quell the citizens complaints with a look and give others courage to stand up for justice. Someone who will be remembered as graceful and just, radiant and resolute, stunning and courageous. I want you to be a figure of unshakable bravery in the face of injustice."

The way the ninja spun his tale would have left most creatures rushing to be first in line to stand with him. Jazelle just yawned, "You want me to parade the streets and rouse and direct spirits towards a central and rightful goal?"

"Yes!"

"No."

"Jazelle, you would turn from this city in its hour of need? The city that has loved you and provided you with shelter, warmth, and luxury?" asked the ninja.

"Hm, if it meant going out and confronting those ruffians that prowl the streets with little to no gain for myself? Yes," she stated.

Hiroto had been prepared for this though he had not wanted to go this far. "Well what if I sweetened the deal?"

"How sweet?" came the reply.

"A crate of the most expensive perfumes and aphrodisiacs guaranteed never to disappoint," the ninja said quickly.

The vixen sat up and pondered the offer. "Well I could always just buy them myself. But then that would have to come from my own purse. Although I may already have the exact same goods already. You have piqued my interest as to how you would acquire said goods but I think you may have to do a little better than that, Hiroto."

The ninja smiled and his eyed sparkled. "I could... acquire some exotic silks and cloth for you to wear or decorate your room, but I do not know if your talents would be worth the effort or the products."

Jazelle gasped dramatically and brought her paw up before her muzzle for good measure. "That insult will cost you much more than that we have bargained with so far, Hiroto. I will rouse your crowd only for the perfumes as well as the silk, now." A smile spread on the ninja's face but before he could respond the vixen continued. "And a night with you." Hiroto was taken aback. Never before in all their bargains and trades had she requested that.

"That is a very steep price, even for you."

The vixen only shrugged. "Nevertheless that is my price, take it or leave."

Hiroto pondered the fox's offer before finally nodding. "Very well, but a night of my choosing. And," he added quickly, "only after this business is finished."

With a knowing smile of her face the vixen agreed. She had known that the ninja was taking this city matter very seriously and would not take any chances. That is the only reason she knew he would allow this request. Finally after all the time she had known the black fox she would get a chance to really know him.

A short time later Jazelle was through the alleys by the ninja until they came to a small safe house that was little more than a hidden shed near to the square where Lassun was nearly hung days earlier. Inside the little raccoon was hiding and waiting for their return. After a brief introduction and the fuss Jazelle made about how cute the raccoon was, they exited the hideout.

The ninja disappeared almost immediately and the other two made for the square. There were some creatures in the streets but they were in groups and kept to themselves. Others darted across streets and into alley, and still more walked with various weapons unslung and ready. A few gave the duo strange looks as if uncertain what to make of them. Of the Guard there was no sign.

As they passed close by any creature Jazelle would plead and innocently head them to follow. Everyone they passed was immediately taken with the beautiful vixen and obediently trail behind her. Surely they would not want to miss what such a pretty fox would have to say. She told them that her business was urgent, everybeast had suffered to some degree in the dark times the city was under so it was not hard to believe. Some of the followers called out to others they saw or knew and bade them to lend the vixen an ear and so the group following the pair grew into an anxious crowd.

They entered the square and Jazelle and the boy climbed the platform at the center while the rest closed around to get a better view. Still more people walked into the square, from all different directions now, some warily and constantly looking over their shoulders. Jazelle suspected that many of the crowd had been forewarned of the meeting. She smiled inwardly thinking about all that the crafty ninja had to have done to garner such attention. He was out there somewhere she knew, doing something useful she hoped. Had she known what he was up to she would have been more afraid than excited at the prospect of her public introduction.

With a serious and slightly worn face Jazelle started the speech she had silently rehearsed. "Good people of Karyd! Hear me out please!" The crowd stopped their anxious and slightly confused whisperings in an instant. "Our fair city has been wronged! There are those who would do harm to us!" The raccoon next to her cringed at the uproar that the erupted from the mass of creatures. They shouted the crimes that they felt had been done and accused those they thought were the culprits, mostly the Guard. It took the vixen several tries to quiet the mob. "We are living in dark times, and it has already gone on too long. Something must be done to put an end to this!" There was more shouting but this time it was laced with cheering.

"We cannot let these crimes continue lest we are lost forgotten under the filth that corrupts Karyd!" She paused once again for the cheers before continuing. "There are those that think we have already lost or given up. They think we are worthless burdens, I say we are strong and proud! I say we can change this city for the better! I say we take decisive action now!"

"What can we do?" came a call from nearby.

"What can we do? We can first realize who would stand against us. We can root out those that are the cause of this problem," Jazelle replied dramatically.

"The Guard!" several cried and even more took up the cry.

"No!" yelled vixen before the horde could cause any trouble. Her voice carried and the shouts quelled and were replaced by confused mutterings. "No, the Guard is not the problem."

A yell came from the back, "But those ruffians go about arresting and punishing as they please!" Others nodded and agreed vocally.

This was where Jazelle had to win the crowd back before they began to discredit her. Nobody noticed but the ninja suddenly became busier with his own work.

"Is that what you see? Do you see the Guard arresting whomever they want on a whim? Or do you see another factor at work? Have none of you thought about the driving force of the Guard and their arrests and punishments? I have seen what has been going on and I have questioned it, I have taken a closer look at the problems today. I have seen behind the curtain of false perceptions and I was appalled at what lies behind it. Something far worse and more detrimental is happening in Karyd and even I was blind to it for a time. This is no mere clash with the local peace keepers. This is a struggle for the very integrity and future of our city." Jazelle's voice grew louder and more passionate with every passing moment and the crowd around the scaffold hung on her every word. They were so captivated by the vixen that they leaned forward wanting to know what horror she would reveal to them.

"I have with me a brave young child that has seen into the very pits of our downtrodden city and returned to reveal to us what we have allowed to happen!" Jazelle cried. With this last proclamation she stepped aside and placed one paw on Lassun's shoulder to hustle him forward. The boy shuffled his footpaws and lowered his eyes and put his tail between his legs. The vixen kept her eyes on the crowd but she addressed the raccoon with a whisper. "Eyes front boy, and project your voice. This is your time."

The small raccoon slowly raised his head and looked out to the crowd and gulped, the mass of creatures around him waited. Some of them were more than anxious and called out to him. "What did you see?" "Who is responsible?" "Is there any hope?" "What is there to do?"

In a nearby alley Hiroto watched the boy and silently encouraged him. The fox had faith in the young pup and he knew that this had to work. The ninja kept his ears open for the boy's speech but his eye roamed the crowd taking in every detail. The two bodies behind him in the alley attested to the fact that his vigil had not wavered so far.

Lassun slowly straightened up and haltingly began his tale. "I... I was just a... a servant once. My, my family passed away of... of a great s-sickness. My master was, um, was their friend, he, he took me in and let me live with his family. I, I was happy, b-but then a rabbit came along and... and he bought me. My master said he was rich and would give me a better home." The raccoon paused for a moment in reflection. He had never told anyone about his past but suddenly having to tell the entire city was nerve-racking and, oddly enough, relieving.

"For a while it was fine, but then something happened. My new master said he couldn't keep me. He said the laws were too much of a hassle. He threw me out. I begged him but he would not take me back. I have lived on the streets since then, trying to survive. Most nights I spent cold and hungry with the trash. One such night just recently I was approached by a band of pirates. They said they were going to take somewhere warm."

As Lassun began to weave lies into his story he made sure not to change his tone or stance in a way that might betray the truth to anyone. "They brought me to a warehouse and then to a secret staircase. They led me down into caves under the city and laughed. They dragged me into a huge cavern where I-I saw..." he shuddered for good effect. "I saw slaves, n-not servants, no master would ever, ever whip and torture any creature as these... these monsters did. I heard screams and cries and, and evil laughter. The pirates laughed and told I would never see the sun again, th-that I was a prisoner and would work to build a fortress underground."

In the mass of creatures surrounding the platform the emotions ranged from disgust to rage and sorrow to pity. All were enraptured by the young raccoon's dreadful tale, or at least almost all. Unnoticed by everyone one or two creatures reached into their clothes for concealed weapons but they were quickly and silently dispatched and discreetly pulled from sight.

"They said their boss would be very pleased with all the slaves they had collected. I was so scared. I couldn't live like this, I knew I had to do something, I had to escape. Wh-when the pirates were distracted I stomped on the paw of the one holding and ran back into the tunnels. They yelled and chased me. I ran and I ran trying to get away and back to the city. I found my way back to the stairs they brought me down and back in to warehouse. I tried to open the door but an alarm went off."

"I-I didn't know what to do, I opened a window and ran into the street but the Guard saw me. They ran after me and caught me. I tried to tell them what happened but they locked me up." Lassun let a tear drip down his furry cheek as he continued. "They said I was a thief and tried to rob a Councilor, they asked me who I thought I was robbing. They told me whose warehouse I was in and I cried, the name they told me was the name the pirates mentioned as their boss."

"I tried to tell them but they didn't listen and then a Councilor came to my cell. He called me a liar and yelled at me. He said I would die and that nobody would care." The boy sniffed and lowered his eyes and ears. "I cried alone in my cell all night. Then a wolf came to see me. She hugged me and told me it was alright. She cried with me and made me feel better. I-I asked her if she would save me. She cried and said no, she said it was going to be okay. She told I would finally be happy this way. She told me that I would finally be with my family again. I-I stopped crying and she held me until morning."

"I was led here and was to be hung but I was saved. I don't know who but I want to thank them for all they did for me. I promised I would tell the world about what happened to me and help the city." His story finished the raccoon let out a long breath.

"Who was the Councilor?" called one voice. "Who was the wolf?" called another.

The raccoon looked up again and rubbed his eyes. "Th-the wolf said her name was Kyra. And the pirates said the Councilor was Brunin."

This news was greeted first by stunned silence but then madness broke out. The crowd shouted and roared, some in disbelief, others in anger. Some called for the blood of the High Elder but others raged at the thought that the leader of the Guard was a kind and loving person. Still more yelled at aggressors in the crowd, on both arguments. Shouting matches erupted from everywhere. It seemed as if no two creatures held the same views. Poor Lassun was quickly forgotten as the mob boiled and hollered at each other. If something was not done soon a massive brawl was sure to break out.

A long and loud high pitched whistle caught everyone's attention and quickly silenced them all. Jazelle stood straight and addressed the mass of creatures before her sternly. "Look at you, you should be ashamed of yourselves acting like a horde of wild savages! You heard this poor creature's story and instead of being inspired and awed you rage and fume that the truth is not as you had envisioned it! You are not fit to be called upstanding citizens of this city!"

So caught up with the emotion of her speech the crowd collectively hung their heads, dropped their ears, and many tails drooped between their owner's legs. One creature piped his own opinion, "It is not as though we don't believe him, we are just... shocked is all." Several heads nodded. "Finding out the one creature we thought would save us is actually the villain is not an easy thing to swallow." This time more heads nodded and voiced their agreement.

The vixen was very pleased with the result of their speech but she didn't show it. "That it is, but there is no denying that it is the truth. And now are you ready to accept it as such?" A chorus of affirmations echoed through the square. "Good, now then that is clear, we have to decide what we plan to do about it."

The giant of a lion stood rigid before his superior. What was left of his right ear was bandaged tightly and his sour expression reflected only a portion of his inner rage. The fat weasel on the other hand stood behind his desk outwardly enraged. Papers and other contents that had previously occupied the desktop were now thrown across the floor and the large chair was upturned and on the floor behind the High Elders bulk. He was berating his general furiously for his incompetence at letting the ninja escape.

"You worthless buffoon of a house cat! How could you have let this happen now when we are so close? You had explicit orders not to allow a single creature not in my employ to enter or leave! Obviously you have not learned how to properly keep order in your jurisdiction!"

Rostern spoke respectfully, but just barely, as he replied. "I did all that I could and I know my soldiers did the same. This demon uses deadly deceptions and tricks we have never even thought of before. My minions are not the ones you should be worried about... sir."

The weasel was not pleased with the response. "And just what are you insinuating? My army is almost ready and if you and your mercenaries don't shape up I will leave you all strung on the walls with your guts hanging loose in the wind as a warning!" Brunin paused to regain a measure of his composure before continuing in a slightly softer voice. "We can still pull this off. First I want every one of your underlings searching for this black fox. Tear the city apart if you have to just bring me his head on a pike!"

Rostern nodded, he had no doubt that he would find the ninja and the next time they met he would ground the fox into a bloody pulp. "Yes sir."

The double doors to the High Elder's secret sanctuary bust open at that moment and a small rat rushed in panting. "Sir!" The lion turned and reached for his blade but stopped when he saw the messenger.

"What in bloody blazes do you think you are doing charging in here?" yelled Brunin.

"Sir, we have a serious problem!" replied the rat when he stopped in front of the desk. "A vixen and a raccoon are raising a horde to their cause against you!"

"Pft, no rabble of civilians can hold up against us, much less figure out what we are doing. They are no worry. I will have the Council send the Guar-"

"No, sir you don't understand," the rat interrupted. "They know everything! They have named you as the leader and they know about the slaves and the fortress!"

"WHAT?! Impossible! There is no way they could have... the ninja!" Brunin bristled with fury. "I want every possible mercenary and pirate scum possible to hunt him down like the dog he is! Rostern, get my army and begin the assault. My plans will just have to be moved forward! I want that ninja dead! DEAD! Find him and every one of his accomplices and pile their corpses in the square to rot!" Spittle flew from the weasel's maw as he ranted and fumed. He continued to scream and curse but the other two creatures had fled the room to carry out their duties and put as much distance between themselves and the enraged High Elder as they could.