Azmeritus walked across the courtyard of the fortress abandoned by the Deev. He had decided to move half his order to the enclosure and leave the rest stationed at the converted mill. The castle grounds made a perfect headquarters in the mongoose's eyes. The entrance to the cave was located within its boundaries and since it overlooked the narrows, the return of the Deev or potential seaborne intruders could be monitored efficiently.

Azmeritus was deep in thought. He walked with his head down and his paws joined behind his back. Walking several steps behind him silently, Bishop Skaar and Prester Jauba awaited their leader's instruction. When he reached the entrance of the central keep, he stopped and turned, facing his acolytes. His voice was level and monotone.

"The Deev are succeeding. I can feel it, Xenophus has told me... he is awakening. The time of the new age is approaching," he looked to the Prester, "Jauba, we will need additional supplicants, the rituals will need to be accelerated. Take out the Gleaners soon...how many supplicants do we have available in the compound?"

Jauba thought for a moment.
"Eighteen, housed at the mill, ready for purification."

"That will do for the time being, but you will still need to go on a harvest soon. In two days time, after the full moon...take out two squads, but make sure they are well armed. I do not want a repeat of that unfortunate failure of last week."

"Yes, holiness...how many brothers per squad?"

"Thirty, I should think would suffice. Now go and do your devotions, I need to speak with Bishop Skaar privately."

"Yes, holiness," Jauba said quietly as he turned to return to the mill.

When Jauba was gone, Azmeritus led Skaar into the keep. He guided him to a small room on the ground floor which he had selected as his private quarters.

After they were seated, the mongoose addressed the human.
"You seem distracted, bishop. Is there a need for me to be concerned?"

"No holiness, I have been troubled by my own weakness."

"What weakness is that?" Azmeritus asked.

"I owe the Brotherhood my life. I have vowed to serve you unto death."

"And you have served me better than any other. You are my right paw. That is hardly what I would call a weakness." Azmeritus said sincerely.

A frustrated look came to the bishop's face.
"I was a soldier, a good one, never a holy man..."

"We are a martial order, Skaar, your skills are invaluable."

"Thank you, holiness, but that is not what I mean. I am weakest in the area of faith. I do not understand what will happen when we complete our divine task, or even why we are doing it. I try to imagine it, but I can't. Do not worry about me though, I will do whatever asked of me without question," he smiled, "perhaps the faith will come."

Azmeritus looked deep into Skaar's eye's. Of all the men and beasts the mongoose had met in his life, the Bishop had been the most devoted, the most loyal, not to the order, but to him. He spoke softly.
"What do you know of Xenophus?"

"What you have told us, holiness. That he is the great purifier, that he will wipe out those of false faith, that he will prepare the world for a new order."

"All true, my trusted Skaar, but do you know what he is?"

"A god?"

"Of course, but what kind?" Azmeritus asked.

"Holiness?" Skaar was confused.

"What kind of god, Bishop Skaar?"

"I have no idea, but it matters not to me."

Azmeritus smiled.
"So you do have faith...I will tell you something only I know. You must remain silent on this matter."

Skaar leaned forward.
"I will say nothing."

"Good, my faithful Bishop. Xenophus is not simply a god, he is an Ürgod. A god from before the time of man or beast. This world was and shall be again, his alone."

Bishop Skaar almost fell off his stool.
"An Ürgod!? I thought they were myth."

The mongooses smile was broad now, like a child who had discovered a secret store of candy.
"He is no myth. I have served and nurtured him as the prophecies directed. He is ready to awake and we shall share in his glory."

Skaar dropped to his knees and lowered his head.
"I am yours and our lord's unto death holiness!"

"I know, Bishop, I know," Azmeritus said placing his cupped paw gently on the crown of Skaar's head, "now let us go to our devotions, we must remain pure."

Willum made good on his promise to recruit castaways from Farewell Ridge. He had left the Crimson Rose before dawn and when the ship's company awoke several hours later, they were greeted by a crowd of creatures milling on the beach. There were ten men and twenty beasts, mostly ferrets, stoats, and rats. One enormous beast stood out, a large ferocious-looking bear who walked on all fours. Even though the bear chose not to walk upright, he was the height of the tallest man.

Egbert wiped the sleep from his eyes and took in the scene. Willum had made his way back to the ship and took the big mole aside.
"Well, matey, there ya go. These blokes'll do whatever ya need ta get back home."

Egbert smiled.
"What have you told them?"

"I said we got us a great military brain leadin' us. That'd be you, the defender of Gleneden."

Eggy was aghast.
"Oi'm a loibrarian. The Khalisian Wars were years ago. You're more experienced at leading beasts in battle. Oi was just a defender."

Willum laughed.
"Listen, matey. These here beasts have all heard of ya, they heard the tales and stories. They needs to believe yer a hardened warrior, that'll be what keeps 'em together. Me? I'm a pirate, matey. I sails the seas, I ain't no land-soldier, they can't be seein' me askin' fer help if'n I'm leadin' 'em. It's got to be you my fine mole."

But most of the stories they tell about me are made up or exaggerations," Egbert protested.

"Don't matter, it ain't what ya did, it's what they believed that ya did. Don't deny nuthin', take credit fer it all. If'n one of them beasts says 'is it true ya fought off twenty beasts single- pawed', tells 'em 't'weren't nuthin', they was small beasts'. If'n one of 'em asks 'is it true ya kilt a dragon with a daisy', ya tells 'em it was a really big daisy. Ya needs 'em ta feel you're an unbeatable beast. Do that and they'll foller ya ta hell and back."

Egbert nodded, but looked uncomfortable.
"Oi'll do it, but Oi don't loike it."

"That's the spirit! Come ta the beach and I'll warm 'em up fer ya."

The two beasts made their way to the shore. Orange Willum mounted a small boulder with Max firmly on his shoulder and called the small army together. He addressed them.
"Well cullies, ya all knows me and ya knows I ain't afeared of nuthin', 'specially these red-robed worms what runs this place. I fought Khalis and some of you too, I reckon. I came here of me own accord ta help me pals and send these devils back ta hell...," a low cheer rose among the castaways, "me mates and I believe there's a way off'n this rock, a way ta get yahs home to yer families, but it ain't gonna be fair sailin' and calm seas. We're gonna hafta do what we're told and trust the beasts what leads us..."

"Ain't you the leader, Cap'n Willum?" a stoat questioned. Other voices rose with similar sentiments.

Willum raised his paw.
"Bless yer hearts, no. I ain't a land beast in no way. I'm only first mate on this voyage, me hearties. Our leader's a far smarter beast than I, and a braver one to boot!"

"Who!?" the crowd demanded.

"I knows yahs have heard of 'im. He's a beast that ain't afeared of death hisself. A warrior what beat a great army into the ground. Here he his, in the flesh, Lord Egbert, hero o' Gleneden, defeater of Khalis and he needs ta speak to yah."

A low rumble became a loud ovation. Egbert approached the boulder as chants of his name became tumultuous. He was deeply embarrassed and felt dishonest, but he knew the pirate was right, these beasts needed to believe in him, to trust that he could save them. He swallowed hard and mounted the boulder to address the volunteers.

"Citizens!" he began. The mob went silent, staring up at him in awe. They had heard the tales of his defense of Gleneden, tales, which though amazing in themselves, had been exaggerated and fabricated from telling to telling.

They listened intently, "Oi am Egbert of Gleneden and Oi want to get us all off this accursed oiland. Oi know that it is possible, Oi have proof that creatures, the Deev, have departed. If they can leave, we can too!", another hopeful cheer rose, "we cannot foight the Red Robers outroight, they number in the hundreds, so we must use stealth. We will ambush a patrol, the ones called 'Gleaners' and take their place to get into their compound. We will kidnap one of their leaders and exchange him for the secret of leaving this place.

"What we have to do first is set up lookouts to watch the monastery. They will signal when the Gleaners go out on their mission. We will set up an ambush when we foind out where they are going we will implement our plan. Captain Orange Willum is moi second in command and you will follow his orders. If anyone wants to leave, they can, without consequence, it will be very dangerous and Oi can't make any promises that we will succeed, but Oi can promise that Oi will do everything in moi power to see that you are with your families again."

Enthusiastic cheers filled the air as Egbert stepped down from the rock. The mob milled around him shaking his paw and slapping his back. Willum fought his way to his side and directed the crowd away from the mole and to a open area where jobs could be assigned. Soon Egbert was alone on the beach. As he turned to return to the Rose a deep rumbling voice addressed him.

"I wish to speak to you, Lord Egbert."
Egbert turned. There, standing on his hind legs for the first time, was the bear. A chill ran through the mole. It stood several heads taller than any beast or man Egbert had ever seen. He was as wide as a massive oak with a muddied coarse white coat. His razor sharp claws looked like small swords and his teeth were the size of daggers.

"What can Oi do for you?" the mole asked nervously.

The bear plopped down on his hindquarters and hung his head.
"I want to help, I want to go home, but I don't know how I can be of use."

Egbert smiled.
"Oi wouldn't worry, you look to be worth a dozen warriors."

"You do not understand," the bear said softly, "I have taken a vow of peace. In my past, I have done harm to those I care for and since that time I have dedicated my life to peaceful purpose. I will not injure another beast, I cannot, it would betray my most solemn vow."

Egbert looked deeply at the beast. There was a great peace, yet noticeable sadness in his demeanor.
"There is much a creature of your strength can help us with, moi friend. Oi promise Oi won't ask you to foight. Oi hate foighting, Oi too am a creature of peace, but fate seems to enjoy playing jokes on me," He broke into a broad grin, "Oi am very pleased to meet you....." The mole put out his paw.

"My name is Ursamus, I am of the northern tribe of snow-bears who dwell on the ice drifts of the Bay of Sorrows." He took Eggy's paw.

"It is an honor to meet you Ursamus and we will do all we can to get you back to your clan, this world needs all the creatures of peace it can get."

"The honor is mine, the tales I have heard of you do not only involve combat, but mercy and understanding. I believe you are a kindred spirit and I trust you."

"Come on board our ship, Ursamus, moi nephew will enjoy meeting you and moi friends will be terrifoid," he sniggered, "it will be a good laugh."

Ursamus let out a loud guffaw.
"I hate to admit it, but I do enjoy startling my fellow beasts, I am often little more than a cub at heart."

"You'll fit in foine, loife is too wondrous to spend all of it worrying about tomorrow. A good laugh and a happy noight make the hardships seem less daunting and remoind us why we do what we must."