by Mac Flynn
I stuck out my tongue. "That long?"
Greg gave a nod. "Yes, and Methuselah has reminded me that he will not be able to assist us after sunrise."
"If we can't defeat our enemies with Captain Black's crew then I'm not sure his assistance would turn the tides," Erik commented.
"No, but what it would've taken some more of them with us," I pointed out.
Erik smiled and clasped my chin between his fingers. We will win, remember?"
I sighed and took his hand in mine. "Yeah, but I'd like better odds."
"Captain Black has assured me that his crew is very prepared for revenge," Greg informed us.
I dropped Erik's hand and looked out over the deck. Black's crew sat on boxes and the deck, and many of them were sharpening the blades of daggers, axes, and long swords. I grinned. "So I see."
"They are preparing and we had better get some rest to prepare ourselves," Erik pointed out.
I stretched and yawned. "I guess some sleep wouldn't hurt. I can't remember the last time I got a little shut eye," I agreed.
Erik and I settled ourselves near the railing for a short sleep. I didn't expect to fall asleep so quickly, but the next I knew I was being rocked back and forth.
"Sophie? Sophie, we're here," Erik's voice told me.
I batted away his hand and rollover away from him. "Just a couple more days," I pleaded.
"We must launch in the boats immediately," he told me.
I reluctantly opened my eyes and saw that the away boats were being prepared by the crew. All of our companions minus Methuselah stood close by watching the men release the away boat from the ship. Erik helped me to my feet and we joined them at the railing.
Black stood to one side and looked us over. "How do we know if you haven't convinced these rat people to help you?" he asked us.
"If all is well we will have Marge return to you," Erik replied.
"And I'll tell you to get your rear moving to help them once they're inside," Marge spoke up.
"And how long will that be taking?" the captain persisted. He stretched his arm out towards the fog. "We're hidden for now, but I'm not betting on that for long."
"We can't be sure ourselves, but we will find a way," Erik assured him.
The captain hitched up his pants and pursed his lips. "All, right, but don't take too long or we'll have to assume the worst."
"And then you'll do what?" I asked him.
"Then we try to take the Den without you," the captain replied.
Marge grabbed his arm and frowned at him. "That's suicide!"
The captain patted her hand and grinned. "Aye, but it's better than turning tail and running, and I won't let that monster Blackwood get away without a fight. Not after what he did to my crew."
Erik stepped up to the captain and set a hand on our friend's shoulder. "We will make sure to get the front doors open before you make that decision."
"You'd better," the captain retorted. "I don't want to be trying to climb those tall stone walls with those cannibal werewolves coming down at me for I've no doubt but Blackwood's got more of them waiting for us."
"Possibly most of the guards are now wild werewolves," Erik agreed.
"If there's going to be some at the front lines then I may as well stay here on the ships," Hazel spoke up.
Erik turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "That sounds almost gallant of you," he teased.
She frowned and waved away his words with her hand. "Perhaps, but I want to ensure that I see Sandra again, and your plan to speak to the rat people sounds more dangerous than his plan." She jerked her head towards the captain.
"We shall see," Erik replied. "I only hope we each have an easier time than we expect."
The captain scoffed. "I doubt it, but good luck." He held out his hand and Erik gave it a hearty handshake.
"Good luck to you, too," Erik agreed.
We climbed into the away boat and were dropped into the water. There were four oarsmen and we four for passengers.
I looked around at the others. "Anybody have any idea where the bloodsucker went?" I asked them.
"I noticed him near the railing of the bow just prior to the sunrise," Greg spoke up.
Marge scoffed. "Just like a vampire not to be around when you most need him. He's probably found himself a good hole to hide in."
"We have greater worries then our nocturnal friend," Erik pointed out.
"Well, the Diggers are either going to help us or throw us out," I commented.
"We shall see," Erik replied.
The oarsmen cut through the waters to the shores of Wolf Island. We landed at the old decrepit dock where I first saw the mysterious boat. Our small group disembarked, and the boat remained for Marge's return. If she returned.
Erik led the way up the path and to the cave entrance that led to the Diggers' underground world. Unfortunately, there was an unpleasant surprise waiting for us at the entrance. Erik rounded the last large boulder along the path and stopped so fast that I ran into him.
"What's the-" He scuttled back and slapped his hand over my mouth.
Erik pulled us both behind the boulder, and Greg and Marge sidled up beside us.
Marge lifted her nose to the year and growled. "Cannibals," she commented.
Erik nodded. "Yes. A dozen of them and two normal Guards."
"It seems our enemies to not wish us to ally ourselves with each other," Greg commented.
I pulled Erik's strangling hand from my mouth and glared at him. "Why don't you use that trick that Hazel did with the nuts?" I reminded him.
He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I have nothing like that on me."
"I don't see how those small round things did the trick. . ." Marge murmured.
My eyes widened and I frantically dug into my pockets. In a moment I found what I wanted and pulled forth the bag Lady Cassandra had given me. I held out the bag to Erik. "Why not try these? Methuselah said they'd come in handy."
Erik took the bag and pulled handful of the beans out of the container. But I do not know if they will work," he pointed out.
"If My Lady gave them to you then they will work," Greg encouraged him.
"But the witch spoke words to make the nuts work," Marge reminded us. "What will he say to rid us of these monsters?"
Erik clasped a single bean in his hand and handed the bag back to me. "I will see what comes to mind as I throw the bean," he suggested.
I grabbed his arm and arrested his move around the side of the boulder. "I've seen you do some crazy things, but isn't this just a little suicidal?" I commented.
He grinned. "Yes, but there is no success without a little risk."
"And there's no 'you' without a pulse," I quipped.
He pulled my hand off him. "I will be fine. Trust me."
I pursed my lips. "All right, but if you die I'm going to ask your mom to bring you back so I can kill you myself."
"Then I will see you in a moment," he promised.
Erik stepped out from behind the boulder and disappeared from our view. We heard the werewolves snarl and gnash their teeth.
"Get him!" one of the normal ones yelled.
"Bean in my hand do as I command! Attack!" I heard Erik yell.
I rolled my eyes. "You've got to be-" My comment was interrupted by a large blast.
Several werewolves flew past the boulder and landed among the rock-strewn coastline in front of us. They weren't dead, but they weren't getting up. Greg shot past me and around the rock. Marge and I were a split second behind him. We stopped and stared at the mess in front of us.
Erik stood a few feet in front of us. In front of him was the cave entrance. The werewolves who hadn't attacked him lay face-down on the rocky ground around the opening. They still breathed, but like their friends they'd be taking a long nap. Smoke lingered around the cave entrance, and one whiff of the hazy air made my nose curl into my face.
I waved my hand in front of my face and wrinkled my nose. "What the hell was tha
t?"
"I believe we may call the attack a bean bomb," Greg mused.
Erik turned to us and jerked his head towards the open entrance. "Let's go."
CHAPTER 6
We rushed past our fallen enemies and into the cave. A thick smell of dampness hit my powerful nostrils and I slapped my hand over my nose.
"Why can't any of these places be five-star hotels?" I spoke up.
"Because the islands are a little short on such luxuries," Erik replied.
"Silence is our greatest ally at this moment," Greg scolded us.
We heeded his wise words and rushed silently down the dark passage into the underworld. I kept my eyes and ears open for the Diggers, but I suspected they would find us long before we would find them. I wasn't too far off when a mile or so into the cave Erik stopped and held up his hand. We piled up behind him, and I looked around. We stood in a small, circular chamber within curved dome-like ceiling. My wolf eyes allowed me to see that there were four passages through which we could travel.
Marge lifted her nose and smelled the air. "What is that smell?" she whispered.
"Diggers," Erik replied.
"And we Diggers demand to know what brings you into our domain," a voice spoke up from the shadows.
A figure stepped from the shadows and revealed himself as Muridae, son to the king, and leader of the Digger guards. The rat prince was flanked by a dozen of his soldiers. His red eyes glanced over us and his long snout curled back into a snarl.
"What do you want here?" he questioned us.
Erik stepped forward and dropped to one knee as he bowed his head to the over sized rodent. "We beg a great favor from you."
Muridae glanced down at Erik and frowned. "What sort of favor?"
Erik grace to sit and looked into the princes face "My father's lordship has been stolen by my cousin, and we need the assistance of your people to get into the castle and take hold of the gate."
Muridae sneered at my mate. "Why should we help one who has murdered hours on people?
Erik shook his head. "It is not our doing, but that of my cousin. He is one who ordered the murder of your guards and created those earthquakes."
"For what purpose did he do this to us?" Muridae questioned him.
"To separate those of us who would go against him," Erik revealed as he climbed to his feet. "He did not want his enemies to be a united front against him."
Muridae eyes flickered from Erik's face to ours. After a moment he jerked his head behind him. "Follow me. We will discuss this with my father."
I breathed a sigh of relief. It was my first breath since the rat guards made their appearance. Muridae led us down one of the many tunnels, and after a few minutes of walking we arrived at the throne room of the Diggers. It was crowded with citizens, and on the throne sat the king himself. He raised himself as we entered and frowned.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked us. "You are not welcomed here."
Muridae stopped us before the large throne and gestured to our little group. "They bring news from above, my king, that I believe needs your attention."
The king turned his attention to us. "Speak, and we will see about this."
Erik prostrated himself before the king. "King Murinae, both of our kingdoms are in grave danger."
King Murinae frowned. "How so?"
Erik looked into the royal's red eyes. "We have every reason to believe my cousin has stolen the lordship from my father, and seeks to control all of the islands."
The king scoffed and gestured to our surroundings. "What is that to us who live down here?"
"My cousin is a danger to all who do not wish to follow him," Erik insisted. "IF he cannot enslave you then he will destroy you."
Muridae stepped forward and nodded at Erik. "He has proclaimed that the earthquakes were caused by this cousin of his blood."
The king stood and a murmur arose from the crowds gathered around us. Murinae's eyes fell quickly on Erik. "This is true?"
Erik stood and noted "It is. My own cousin is responsible for the earthquakes. He stole explosives and planted them in your tunnels. No doubt some of your men discovered his cohorts and that is why they were killed."
"And this monster intends to rule everyone?" the king asked him.
Erik gave a nod. "He does, and he does not tolerate those not under his control. When he has consolidated his power above ground he will move on to your people."
The king turned his attention to his son. "Move the people into the deepest caverns and ready your men." Muridae bowed his head and hurried to obey. The king turned his attention to Erik. "We will assist you in defeating your cousin, but if this proves successful we have much to speak about regarding our two species."
Erik bowed his head. "If we successfully defeat my cousin, then we will grant you at least that much."
"Then I will personally lead you to the foundations of the Old Den," the king offered.
"I know an entrance into its lower depths," Erik revealed.
A wide grin slipped onto the king's lips. "And my people know of many passages that will lead us higher than that,"
Erik blinked at him. "Higher passages?
Yes, and many rooms through which to enter," the king revealed. "But we haven't time to stand here and discuss secrets. If the Den is already taken then we will have much work clearing out these insults to vermin who follow your cousin."
Muridae returned with several dozen guards behind him. He walked up to the king and bowed his head. "The evacuation is taking place, and these men-" he gestured to the guards behind them, "-are prepared to follow your orders, my king."
"They will follow, and I will personally lead them," the king insisted. "Bring me my armor."
Muridae's eyes widened, and he took a step forward and held out his hand. "But Father-"
"There will be no arguments," the king insisted as some of his guards brought him up chest plate and us soared and discovered. "This is a battle against those who tried to crush us beneath the very rocks of our home. I will not stand by and allow anyone else to take on the responsibility of the dealing with them."
"Then I will go with you," Muridae insisted.
The king, availed of his armor, walked up to his son and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. He looked Muridae in the eye and smiled. "We don't need to have two kings to sacrifice themselves. If this doesn't succeed it will be important that the line continue. That is why you must stay here and oversee the evacuation of our people to the lowest depths."
"But-" The king shook his head.
"There'll be no arguments, my son. As your King and father I order you to do this for me." The king raised his hands and grasped the crown that sat on his head. He lifted the crown and offered it to his son. "Take this. It will only be a burden to me in the field of battle."
Muridae pursed lips, but bowed his head and grasped the crown between his hands. "I expect to return this before the day is out," he insisted.
The king smiled and gave a nod. "And I will expect it to be returned by you," he returned. With the crown passed the king turned to half the guards and our little group. "We will need stealth and speed for this mission. We may very well not be returning, but if our gods will it then we will be successful."
Erik stepped up to him and held out his hand to the king. "I swear by my honor as a Greenwood and a werewolf that this will be successful."
The king grinned and took his hand. "Good words, but you can hardly keep that promise when it is our enemies who will cause the most problems."
"And I'm not getting any older to face them," Marge spoke up. She looked around at the diggers and us. "Are we going to keep making fancy speeches or are we going to get going?"
The digger king laughed. "She speaks like an impatient werewolf, but follow me."
The king let us down one of the many passages and into the dark depths of his kingdom. Some of the bigger soldiers carried torches, and I had my werewolf eyes to help me, but even then the shadows we
re so deep I could barely see a few feet in front of me. My foot caught on uneven ground and I stumbled forward. A pair of strong hands caught me, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks, Erik," I told the dark shadow in front of me.
"I did not catch you." Erik's voice spoke up from just in front of the shadow that help me.
My eyes widened and I let out a small yelp as I jumped backwards. "Then who the hell is this?"
The soldiers around us hit the walls and pointed their swords and claws at the shadow. The person stood among them without so much as a flinch.
"I am who I am," the shadow replied.
I narrowed my eyes and placed my hands on my hips. "Methuselah?" One of the lanterns held by the Diggers streamed over the shadow and revealed him as our wayward vampire companion. "What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in some dark hole or something taking a day nap?"
"I do not believe there is a darker hole than these caves, say for the Braille," Methuselah pointed out.
"You said you couldn't help us during the day," Marge reminded him.
"I cannot be of assistance in the sun. The day may drain my powers, but I am not completely without use," Methuselah corrected her.
"So where the hell have you been hiding that you ended up here with us?" I questioned him.
His red eyes fell on me. "I have been with you."
I started back. "Me? How?"
Erik stepped up to my side and glared at Methuselah. "You hid on her person?" he guessed.
Methuselah gave a nod. "I did."
I felt the color drain from my face. "Where exactly did you hide?"
"Your left pocket."
I cringed and pulled my pocket inside out so I could wipe it clean of bat germs. "I really wish you'd ask before you do that."
"Why?"
"Because it's creepy."
King Murinae pushed through his men and into our little reunion circle. "What is wrong?" he asked us. His eyes fell on Methuselah and he frowned. "I do not recall your face."
"Nor should you, King Murinae, but he is with us," Erik assured him.
"Then he will not mind our quick pace to make up for this unnecessary stop," the king commented.
