Autumn, 1430

The embattled cyno troops shivered as they crouched behind the frost-covered fortifications. The weather was cold and wet and all leaves had fallen from the forest, leaving bare tree trunks standing exposed like skeletons, yet still the fighting continued. The wooden and earthen walls of the fort upon Pigeon Point were pelted day and night with projectiles, and periodically both sides sallied out to disrupt the preparations of the opposing side, triggering vicious and violent bouts of combat. A steady stream of casualties flowed out of the cursed redoubt.

It was now day 47 of the siege and conditions had become almost unbearable.

Oevcn himself was exhausted. Eyes closed, the dark cyno sat quietly in a shallow trench behind a wooden barricade listening to the thump of projectiles hit the barrier behind him. Elation at beating the coalition of Imperial remnants and Overmountain Men at Tar Hollow months ago had been tempered by defeat at Tree Burst Ridge and by now had long since disappeared in the excruciating stalemate. Now there was only cold, starvation, and death. Morale within the Long Range Task Force was rock bottom.

Oevcn silently cradled his precious gonne, kept more as a symbol of his authority than any practical use, the powder having long since become wet and shot pouch empty. A pine fir blanket covered over the cyno commander's threadbare and worn armor and protected him from the elements, but most of his army was not so privileged, finding whatever could shield them from the cold, some even going as far as to dig burrows into the ground. Food was increasingly scarce; the game and forage of the area had long since been picked clean by both sides and thus only the stockpiled stores and the trickle of supplies brought by the few reinforcements that were now making it through the deteriorating trail sustained the army.

The fur-less humans, barely visible in the distance behind their own sets of fortifications and barricades, may have been faring worse; Oevcn remembered his own allies dropping like flies along the death march through the Royal Pass during the Arcadian Revolution, and it seemed like the Revenants could not be doing much better. Spine-chilling rumors pervaded the ranks that the enemy were skinning cyno dead and even captives to use their pelts for warmth.

Still the facts remained the same; the cynos just needed to hold out until the snows forced the human forces to abandon the siege.

Oevcn Burntfeet just didn’t know if he and the Long Range Task Force was able to hold out until then.

As expected, rebellion came before him as a group of the dark cyno’s commanders approached.

&Commander, we need to talk.&

Oevcn’s eyes flew open.

He did not expect the opening opposition to come from Myrewecs.

In front of him, the gray and brown cyno stood with several other commanders, Ryzescn, Pelamgrw, Comikaw and Nagelw. They all looked sullen and insubordinate, but nevertheless uncomfortable with this meeting.

&You all think we should abandon Pigeon Point.& Oevcn replied, getting to his feet.

Myrewecs sighed. &How much longer of this?&

&Until the humans retreat down the mountain.&

&Even if the humans take this fort, it doesn’t seem like they can consolidate before then.& Pelamgrw interjected. &Every day we are losing more of our people. Let the humans gloat over this cursed place and let us regroup and retake this position next spring.& The brown and tan cyno shook his head. &The mountains are harsh. We still have plenty of opportunity to ambush the humans if they renew their assault towards Tar Hollow.&

&They’ll be better prepared. They’ll build up this fortress, improve the road, With an improved trail, the Imperial and Overmountain Coalition can bring up reinforcements faster than we can, and control the Southern Ranges.&

&Do we stay here until we all freeze or starve to death, Oevcn?& Comikaw exclaimed in exasperation.

Oevcn kept firm. &We stay until the humans retreat. We offered to die defending Tar Hollow. This pass prevents the Overmountainers from bringing up their siege equipment to use upon our people. This prevents them from establishing a protected supply depot to direct their attacks upon us.&

&I don’t know if this is the right decision, commander.& Ryzescn mumbled, touching the hilt of his spearhead.

Oevcn stopped, looking at the quintet of his subordinates in front of him, feeling very exposed. All of them were armed with an assortment of weapons. While the gonne would be useless, under his cloak the dark cyno’s paw touched the hilt of his battle knife on his waist. Oevcn knew Ryzescn, Pelamgrw, Comikaw, Nagelw, and of course his best friend Myrewecs from childhood, he had appointed them himself, knew their minds and guessed that they wouldn’t be happy at the current situation. Yet he trusted them.

They were his friends and comrades and they had all gone through the same experiences, pursuing the Calaveras Legion and fighting with the Revenants.

They wouldn’t outright rebel.

Would they?

&Tar Hollow was created by Favcn the Reborn, and she has brought our people to great heights.& Beimcu suddenly announced as she stepped out from a bastion with falcata in hand. &Favcn appointed Oevcn Burntfeet as our commander, and he has proven himself again and again.& The tan, brown and gray agouti eyed all of the other officers. &If we are to survive, we need to have faith in each other.&
Beimcu looked weary and worn, but defiant. The others stared at her in confusion and unease. Then Rewrkerw stepped over beside Oevcn, cradling her warclub.

&We're all friends. Let's not say or do anything anyone could regret. & The golden tan cyno added simply.

Pelamgrw took a deep breath and nodded to the dark cyno.

&You are still the commander, and we will obey. But I don’t know how long we can take this before everyone breaks, and the choice is forced.&

&Tell everyone that they must be patient and hold strong. & Oevcn ordered.

&The snows are late! What if it never comes?& Nagelw started again.

&Then we stay all winter.&

&We will all die here!& The tan and grey cyno retorted.

The dark cyno snapped. &I will gladly die in these forests and mountains and keep the humans away from Tar Hollow! Let my bones consecrate this land far from our-&

A single snowflake descended upon the tip of Oevcn’s snout, interrupting the dark cyno’s speech. For a minute everyone stared in shock. Then more flakes began to descend.

&The storms are coming!&

Myrewecs, Ryzescn, Pelamgrw, Comikaw, Nagelw and Rewrkerw immediately scattered to return to their commands. Beimcu gave a relieved smile at Oevcn, then ran off to join the scouts. Within the hour reporting howls came pouring back.

&The humans are breaking camp!&

&The enemy trenches are being abandoned!&

&They are pulling out!&

Oevcn turned around, placing his back to the walls of the parapet, before sliding down upon his butt.

The dark cyno closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

It was over. They had held on.

At least for another year.

***

That evening the entire army assembled before the central bailey, some of the officers appearing a bit sheepish over the earlier confrontation. The human encampment and lines had been searched, and anything salvageable had been brought back to the fort. There was no proposal or question in pursuing the retreating humans; everyone was satisfied in seeing them go, and allowed the Revenants to withdraw unmolested. Now the entire Long Range Patrol awaited further orders. The assembly before Oevcn was but a skeleton of the force that had set out months before, and the soldiers themselves also seemed spectral, gaunt and infirm, many nursing wounds. The dark cyno was saddened to see his people in this state.

Oevcn simply raised his gonne into the air. &Soldiers of Tar Hollow! You have done well! We have won a hard fight, and I am proud of you all!&

There were some weak cheers.

&What now commander?& Myrewecs asked after the commotion died down. The gray and brown furred cyno seemed to be in a greatly improved spirit since the morning.

&We begin packaging up, complete the last supply stockpiles, and make sure the Imperial-Overmountain coalition doesn't double back to surprise us. Then we begin our own descent.&

The battered little army cheered again. Louder. Howls and yips and whoops sounded through the continuing snowfall. Oevcn waited for the joy to subside before continuing.

&Unfortunately there is one more task that needs to be done here.& The dark cyno scanned over his force, worn and exhausted, now presenting a mix of eagerness and worry. Oevcn gave a sad little smile.
&We need 300 volunteers to hold out until relieved in the Spring. Hunters favored. Anyone?&

---

Maury Laws and Jules Bass - The Towers of the Teeth

From  TheDinosaurMann!