Summer, 1428

The victory celebration was the largest Tar Hollow had seen in a long time. Despite all the pain and suffering inflicted by the Calaveras Legion, despite the unclear fate of the remaining prisoners that had been marched off the previous summer-at least those few not confirmed to have died horribly-and despite the destruction of Brackwater Swamp, there was cause to celebrate.

The Calaveras Legion had been defeated, indeed routed and crippled, its legendary commander, long feared and loathed in equal measure, now dead with his head rotting outside the gates of Tar Hollow. More importantly, their threat, if not entirely removed, had receded enough that Tar Hollow would be safe from them for the near future. Despite the losses, despite the failure to recover Tar Hollow captives, Oevcn’s Raiders had recovered and rescued a thousand survivors from Brackwater Swamp, including most of the pups from the settlement.

Brackwater Swamp had been destroyed, its inhabitants slaughtered. But Brackwater Swamp would rebuild and recover.

This was cause for joy.

A large bonfire was lit, and the roasting pits prepared with the fattest deer hunted and the fattest cattle and mutton bought or captured from enemy forces.

Soon musicians were playing their drums, bones, horns and rainsticks, while singers were howling a cacophony.

Everyone feasted, eating and drinking, enjoying the spoils obtained by the Long Range Patrol.

Gradually meat and tea and small beer were replaced by conversation, and as the fire was fed larger individuals began to move onto the dancing ground in front of the flames. Others joined, then more.

Eventually everyone was dancing.

Even the musicians joined, hopping and twirling as they beat, shook or blew their instruments.

Oevcn danced too. The great hero of the campaign moved along the crowd, bouncing and shaking as he drifted among supporters, allies, and friends. The dark cyno danced with Holtasn, Jesgocw, Xewns, and other senior leaders. Then he cavorted with Pelamgrw, then with Ryzescn, then with Lucaswc. Slightly winded, Oevcn continued, dancing with Rewrkerw and then with Myrewecs.

Finally he danced with Beimcu.

The dark cyno was sweaty and tired and more than a little thirsty, beads of perspiration matting his fur, but he was eager to rollick with his familiar companion. Beimcu was a joy to be around.

And pretty good looking too.

Finding her, Oevcn bowed and nuzzled the tan, brown and gray agouti cyno on the snout.

&Hope you are having fun.&

&It's a good break after everything we have gone through. Good food, good drink, good friends. What more can a gal want?& Beimcu laughed. &How are you? Tired of rubbing snouts and sniffing butts of the beadfurs?&

Oevcn wiped sweat from his forehead. &Only a bit. Now the real fun is with you all.&

&I'm glad to hear.&

The dark cyno lowered his head in ritual submission and extended a paw. &Shall we dance?&

The tan, brown and gray agouti cyno took it immediately. & Does the sun rise in the morning?&

Holding paws, digits interlocked, the two cynos danced a light jig. It was quickly clear that while Oevcn could be nimble on his feet, his sense of rhythm left much to be desired, gyrating and swinging asynchronously. Beimcu on the other hand seemed to float upon the ground, her grace apparent even in such a simple performance.

It didn't matter. The two companions twirled and hopped joyously, consumed in the music and energy of the party, wordlessly enjoying each other's company.

Around and around the cynos danced, picking up speed, first closer, then apart again, never breaking eye contact, a shelter from the general cacophony like an eye in the middle of a maelstrom.

Finally, exhausted, the pair slowed down again, eyes still fixated upon each other.

Catching his breath, Oevcn smiled, a massive grin plastered upon his face.

Beimcu smiled back. Then she smooched him on the snout, and rumbled contentedly.

The dark cyno gave a look of surprise and blushed, before laughing and then smooching back.

***

From atop the hill Favcn the Reborn smiled at her son happily cavorting with Beimcu the Shaman’s apprentice. The cyno chieftain gazed knowingly at the dark cyno’s companion, predicting that she would never actually complete her apprenticeship.

Favcn herself had briefly participated in the festivities, dancing with many of the leaders of the tribe but spending most of her time with her husbands. Numen of course had eagerly plunged into the celebrations, and was now happily twirling a half dozen individuals in his arms like tree trunks, while tall and lithe Yhewcw jigged and swung, almost alone, eventually pulling out his pan pipes to blow out jaunty tunes. After a few rounds however, Favcn quietly excused herself to meet with the Council of Elders atop the hill. As much as she enjoyed the party, the Chieftain of Tar Hollow had important things to do.

Hunting season had ended, and it was time to plan for the next one.

&What do we do now?& Elder Meawkec started the meeting. &Burntfeet has done well, but our original goals remain unaccomplished. Many of our folks are still missing, and there is a chance that they could still be alive.&

&They have probably all been massacred horribly.& Elder Awecu muttered.

&Still, as long as there is a chance that they are alive, I will take it.& Favcn pushed back.

&The Calaveras Legion has been hit hard. Perhaps they're done. Perhaps they learned their lesson after their string of defeats.& Elder Meawkec continued.

&We should destroy them. Tar Hollow almost fell during this attack, and Brackwater Swamp remains under their control. We can’t risk them regrouping.& Elder Turieep added.

&Humans are sensitive to humiliation. They will want to hurt us harder. They may raise more troops. & Elder Dwewfec pointed out.

Finally Favcn spoke up. &I will send a second expedition. We will cancel all mercenary activities and call upon our cyno allies. We will secure the East and build a chain of outposts on the border with Pometia to prevent what happened to Brackwater Swamp from happening again.& She turned to Elder Dwewfec.

&How many troops can be raised? Professionals only, no levies.&

The brown and black Elder counted her beads. &With the wounded recovering and our mercenaries returning we can raise perhaps 2500 warriors. Our allies can likely double that.&

&We will send 4000 troops to the East.&

Elder Awecu paused. &That's most of our armies. Tar Hollow and our confederation will be left exposed.&

The Chieftain nodded. &The Calaveras Legion is too big of a threat to not make certain of things. We will rely upon our levies and allies for a while. Who is their new leader?&

Elder Meawkec scratched his neck. &We don’t know for certain. Condottiero Sutter was Borja's second, but he was not known as a feared warrior. Still I have some reports that he can play a dangerous game.&

&So we will remove them as soon as possible.&

&Who commands this expedition?& Elder Turieep suddenly brought up.

&I assume my son has handled matters well and should retain command.&

&He has, and is a great hero and has covered himself in glory. Perhaps though it is time for others to share in that.& Elder Awecu interjected. &I know he was the best commander during the emergency, but folks are whispering. The threat has receded. This should be a mopping up expedition, and perhaps another in command can help repair potential fissures arising within our community.&

&Perhaps. This is a large expedition, though, and thus risky.& Favcn looked at the red and tan Elder. &Who are you thinking of?&

Elder Awecu shrugged. &Perhaps Pelamgrw?&

&Our allies will likely also be more inclined to fight under Burntfeet than a new commander.& Elder Dwewfec added.

&Well, let me know where the Council stands. Oevcn?&

Elders Meawkec and Dwewfec nodded.

&Pelamgrw?&

Elders Awecu and Turieep nodded.

Favcn frowned. She was the tiebreaker

&My son is clearly the most experienced member of Tar Hollow with the outside world.& The Chieftain concluded. &He is skilled with new technologies. He has human allies. The last time we played politics with the Legionnaires, we courted disaster and good folks died. No, I think Oevcn should stay in command. He can retire after the Calaveras Legion has been destroyed.&

The others nodded. &We accept your decision, Chieftain.&

Favcn the Reborn nodded back. &May this be the right decision.&

---

Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus And Lucy

From  TheRoguez!