Summer, 1428

The quintet of friends mustered at the Field of Warriors, the training ground for Tar Hollow’s scouts. Today it was filled with thousands of cynocephali.

Dressed in his Raiders uniform, Ovecn ran over to join his friends with his spear and falcata. Myrewecs had come similarly equipped with an old military skirt and gladius from the Tassurian auxiliaries of the Great War along with his large hunting bow.

&Just like another great stag hunt right, Oevcn?& The gray and brown furred cyno started with his dry cynical humor.

Nearby, Beimcu was putting on the plate armor she had scavenged from her experiences in Ardea. &Didn’t think I’d wear this again so soon.& The tan, brown and gray agouti cyno muttered. The equipment was a bit too large, even after she had hammered it to better fit her form.

Rewrkerw had arrived with the least amount of equipment-only a few leather guards protecting her arms and chest-but she also had an impressively large cudgel with a ball and spike at the end.

&We all ready for what's coming?& She asked, a sardonic grin on her face.

Finally Agrrec ran over, with his sling and javelins and kettle helm and mirror chest piece, all scrounged from a battlefield in Corioli. He looked nervous.

&I guess that it was good we got some training. & The white and grey cyno stated, before adding. “Your mother is wise, Burntfeet.”

Beimcu looked over at the massive crowd of levied troops all around them. The shaman’s apprentice had been relatively sequestered by her ritualistic duties until the call up. &Do you know what happened? Why has everyone been brought over?&

&Damn humans jumped us.& Rewrkerw growled. &Brackwater Swamp has fallen. They are a only few days away from Tar Hollow.&

&Who?&

&The Calaveras Legion.&

&Sweet Mother Earth.& The tan, brown and gray agouti cyno uttered.

Formed from a lethal combination of third-generation Ragged Legionnaires, remnant Miscabbards, renegade Walkerites, Tulusculumians, Duregaren, and common cutthroats, the Calaveras Legion was a powerful bandit horde feared throughout Nalbin. While its predecessors had been caught and destroyed, over the last twenty years this organization had stubbornly continued to survive and spread misery under the cruel Condottiero Borja, laying a swath of death and destruction from Brekshire to Tulusculum. Of far greater concern to Tar Hollow, they specifically singled out non-humans for their depredations, for greater profit, less backlash and for their own beliefs colored by the Miscabbards within their ranks.

&Who are the Calaveras Legion? Why is everyone panicking?& Agrrec asked. Despite his mercenary experience, the quiet white and grey cyno was the least knowledgeable about the world among the group.

&They are slavers.& Myrewecs replied. &To be taken by them is supposedly a fate worse than death. They take your honor. They take your pride. They take everything from you until you are but a broken drone for their horde, sent to kill or die for their glory.&

The white and grey cyno’s ears drooped. &Let's hope we win.&

The conversation was interrupted by a howl, and the crowd looked towards Neutral Ground Hill where Chieftain Favcn stood with the Council of Elders.

&My people!& She called out. &Listen, for this message is of great importance. Our fears and rumors have been realized. We are facing an attack on Tar Hollow! Borja’s Legion has attacked Brackwater Swamp, and we fear it is destroyed. Now Borja’s Legion is approaching us!&

A collective gasp arose over the settlement. Commotion broke out as many individuals panicked and tried to flee immediately. Some of Tar Hollow’s guards struggled to maintain order on the crowd.

&I will not sugarcoat things, this is the greatest threat Tar Hollow has ever faced.& The Chieftain continued. &But we will stand and fight. There is nowhere to run; they ride horses and will be upon those who are unable to hide immediately. Our survival depends on our ability to face them, on our strength, skills, numbers, unity, and courage.&

The cyno leader raised her staff into the air. &Make no mistake!& She roared. &This will be painful! This will be rough! But we will win! I have faced worse odds, I have stared down demons and fought beside dragons! Some humans think they can scare me? I piss upon them! We stick together, like the tar of Tar Hollow, and we win overcome them!&

A lukewarm cheer erupted from the crowd. Many, if not most, folks were still scared, but there was a hint of reassurance as well. The cynos of Tar Hollow had faith in their leader, Chieftain Favcn the Reborn, and if she remained confident, they would attempt to follow suit.

The cyno leader nodded. &May Pewcenw the Warrior grant us strength!& She yelled, and the crowd cheered. &May the Good Mother Earth give us fortitude!& More cheers.

&May Baetiawe the Trickster grant us fortune.& Favcn finally added, far more quietly.

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Mireille Mathieu - La Marseillaise

From  Chickenzaur!