Law of the Harvest

[Chak Ku'rill]

The squirrel?s eyes were tired and sunken, though he lay curled and still on the stone. Reedox refused to budge, despite Robert and Hylan?s coaxing, even when breakfast arrived. Chak paced with a frown, wishing for even a hint of the old Reedox?s spit and vinegar. Today was the day, after all. He couldn?t give up now.

The cooks serving the gruel were unfamiliar, and Hylan and Robert whispered urgently to each other, casting glares at the scowling rat and whistling stoat. Chak didn?t mind the whistling, as it seemed to lighten the mood like one of Minstrel?s old ditties. He thought of the mouse who had always made things seem better than they were. If Nimbleton were still around, he would know how to inspire Reedox.

Then again, if Nimbleton were around, Reedox would probably still have a tail. Chak suddenly felt very alone, and very inadequate.

The rat cook shouted irritably at the stoat, ?Was yer mother a canary, Surly? Stop twitterin? an? pay attention ta what yer doin?!?

The stoat shrugged, growing silent, and continued pouring gruel at a plodding pace.

Chak remembered then that it was the friendly Vera who was missing. The grizzled slavedriver approached the rat, who was slopping gruel haphazardly across several slave bowls at once, splattering the floor.

?Ain?t thar usually a vixen wi? ye, mate??

The rat shot the otter a glower. ?Aye, that turncoat wench be leavin? us high an? dry ? an? the weasel too!?

?She left?? Chak could hardly believe it was that easy.

?No, but I bet she wishes she had! Blade be havin? a word with her, if ye know what I mean?? His brow rose.

Chak didn?t know, but he could imagine. The rat helped the stoat finish feeding the iron mine slaves and tossed his ladle into the pot with a clang.

?Be seein? ye.? They shoved the empty gruel pot back up the tunnel toward the kitchen.

??ope not,? Chak muttered under his breath as the squeaking wheels faded into the distance.

The bars rattled and Chak turned to find Hylan there, gripping the iron with trembling paws. ?Something?s gone wrong!? he hissed. ?Something?s happened to her! Let me out ? I have to find her!? His voice grew in volume. Chak gave the pine marten a dubious look.

Robert came up beside his fellow prisoner and jerked a nod in his direction, ?Hylan an? Vera go way back. She knew ?im before he was a slave. Vera?s our real connection to Crue. If she?s missin? we?ve got a problem.?

Chak nodded. ?Aye, I know Vera. She were on the Silver Maiden wi? me.? He leaned in toward the pine marten, brow knitting. ?Hylan. What d?ye think yer gonna do ? run all the way ta Blade?s quarters an? demand ?e release ?er? D?ye even think ye?ll make it ?alfway? Look at yerself, mate. Thar?s no way any pirate?ll be lettin? ye waltz by unopposed.?

Robert patted Hylan on the back. ?We don?t know what?s happened, friend. All they may have are suspicions. Certainly if?n they actually knew anythin,? Chak wouldn? still be here. So until we hear one way or another, we should stick to the plan. Wait for Crue. Assume the best. We?ve a lot o? beasts relyin? on us to get them outta here today, and we cain?t let ?em down.?

Hylan nodded absently, gnawing his lip and looking out across the tunnels.

?Vera be a clever fox,? Chak added. ?She?s careful. If she be under scrutiny an? tryin? ta prove ?er loyalty, the last thing she might want is fer a three-brand slave ta come chargin? up ta Blade, shoutin? ?er name, ye fath?m??

Hylan slumped. Chak moved to unlock the cell door and start lining the slaves up. Robert gave Hylan one last pat on the back and headed over to Reedox, who still hadn?t moved. He squatted next to the squirrel and spoke softly to him until they were the only ones left. Finally Robert stood and stepped out of the cell, shaking his head.

?Did ye tell ?im taday be the day?? Chak muttered under his breath, eyes darting guiltily toward the place where the squirrel lay.

?Aye,? Robert sighed. ?He don?t seem to care. He says he wants to die. ?Just tell them to kill me,? he said.?

Chak?s face twitched and he blinked rapidly. ?Bloody ?ell.? He sighed, grinding his fangs together, imagining various dark scenarios. Finally he pursed his lips and closed the barred door, locking it securely. ?We?ll come back fer ?im later. I think ?e?ll be a?right as long as Torin don? find out.?

Robert nodded and they joined the rest of the slaves marching up to the sulfur mine.


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The morning stretched long as the wagons came and went, came and went. The slaves worked hard, yet their eyes searched the rim continually. Chak wasn?t sure what to look for himself, but hour after hour no messengers came, and the otter began to pace.

Down in the mine another slave fell and didn?t get up, rasping for breath through bloodied nose and mouth. It was a mole. Chak carried her limp form out of the crater and set her down against the wall near the fire pit. He gave her some water and wiped the sulfur from her fur. She squinted up at him through red-rimmed eyes.

?Burr oim zorry zir,? she gasped. ?Oi jus? cain?t do it no more.? She launched into another coughing fit, struggling to catch her breath.

?Be ye ?avin? a name?? Chak tried, recognizing the familiar, wheezing death knell. 

It took several minutes before she was able rasp out an answer.

?Tildy Loamara,? she managed between deep, painful gasps.

Chak nodded. ?A?right, Tildy. Ye rest easy ?ere. We?ll get ye out an? breathin? clean ocean air soon enough.? He patted her pink, shovel-like paw. ?Just ?ang in thar.? He stood and looked over his shoulder, making sure Torin was nowhere in sight, then headed down into the mine. If today was to be the day of their escape, there was no need for any more to have to die.

He walked among the slaves, looking for those who appeared to be struggling the most. A shirtless sea rat labored in one corner, punching his pole at a yellow deposit and Chak could hear him wheezing loudly.

?Ahoy thar, matey.? The rat spun around, looking apprehensive, but Chak held no whip in his paw today. Blood weeped from the rat?s exposed nostrils and a brand marked his forehead like Reedox. ?Whar be yer kerchief?? Chak gestured. ?Ye shouldn? be workin? wi?out one, chum.?

?Someone stole it,? the sea rat replied, leaning against the pole as he spoke. ?A week ago,? he added with an edge of resentment, turning back to jam the pole into the sulfur once more.

Chak frowned. They needed the slaves to be united today. They would all need to work together. After a moment, the slave driver pulled his own scarf off and handed it to the rat. The slave paused, gaping, then accepted the scarf with a hesitant paw.

??Old onta that one.? Chak jutted his chin at the scarf. ?Ye shouldn?t need it fer much longer.? The rat nodded readily then stared at the gift, swallowing hard.

It felt good. He actually felt good as he walked away, despite the air burning his nostrils and throat. Was this how Robert felt all the time? Chak moved methodically through the mine, picking out the worst-looking beasts and bringing them up to join Tildy, where the air was cleaner. Most of them were those leftover from Torin?s plantation batch, but there were a few others too, who had been working without scarves or had suffered sprained ankles or festering wounds. All sighed with relief when they found they were being given rest rather than punishment.

The next time Hylan dumped his baskets into the wagon, he approached the sea otter, glancing at the resting beasts.

?Just so you know, some of the others are grumbling about having to make up for the missing workers, Chak. I?m sorry. I know you?re just trying to help, but it does make a difference, having them there ? even if they aren?t very fast.? Chak looked over the group of panting beasts, some of whom were already asleep with exhaustion. He couldn?t send them back now. Not after he had promised them respite.

?A?right.? Chak nodded, then took the red sash from his waist and tied it over his muzzle. He followed the pine marten back down into the mine, snatching up a pole along the way.

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About an hour before noon a mouse hurried over to Chak who was chopping at a big deposit of sulfur, breaking off chunks for others to collect.

?Torin?s here! He?s here right now and he?s lookin? for you!?

Chak froze, mid-jab and threw down the pole, grabbing at his whip to free it from his belt. He cracked it a few times in the air and shouted at nobeast in particular, ?Get yer lazy tails movin? er ye?ll be next!? He strode out of the mine and spotted Torin up top at the crater edge. The wildcat whistled down at Chak to get his attention and motioned to him urgently. Chak headed up the path, cracking his whip at the sulfur-toting slaves all along the way. The slaves cringed and shrank away as before.

Finally he reached the wildcat who took in the fine dusting of yellow powder coating his sweat-slicked fur and frowned.

?What happened ta ye, mate? Ever?thin? okay??

Chak snorted and lifted the edge of the scarlet sash to spit. ?Doin? a round-up in the mine. Crackin? down on them who ain?t pullin? their weight today.? He nodded at the group of frightened beasts huddled beside the firepit. Torin growled, narrowing his eyes at the slaves.

?What?s up wi? ye?? Chak jutted his chin towards the green apron Torin wore. ?Bakin? a pie?? He grinned and the wildcat yanked the apron off quickly, stuffing it into the wagon and clearing his throat.

?Thar be an emergency, mate.? He kept his voice low. ?Ye won?t believe it, but we?re under attack. Mongoose tribe?s gone berserk. Blade?s ordered a lock-down so we need ta round up the slaves straightaway an? get ?em back ta their quarters soon as possible.?

Chak nodded soberly, though inwardly his heart leapt with triumph.

??Ow?re we gonna explain this ta the slaves? If they suspect?? Chak let the thought hang.

?We?ll tell ?em they?re shuttin? down the sulfur mine, an? they?re ta be sorted an? reassigned ta new positions elsewhar. They?ll be so happy ta be outta this hole there?ll be no room fer mutinous thoughts.?

Chak grunted and gave an approving nod. ?Let?s gather ?em at the stone platform then.?

?Aye. Good thinkin? mate. I?ll ring the bell an? direct ?em an? ye can do a final sweep. Don? want no stragglers holdin? us up??

?Yarrrr.? Chak agreed and headed back down to the mine, pulse racing. The break bell rang loudly behind him, and he broke into a jog. He had to find Robert and Hylan quickly. Once in the crater, it didn?t take long for the otter to locate the two beasts, who were already on the alert.

?What?s goin? on?? Robert glanced up at the crater edge where the other slaves were beginning to gather.

Chak whipped off his scarf, revealing a big, yellow-toothed grin. ?She did it, mates. Crue came through! Thar be a regular mongoose riot out thar from the sound o? things. Torin be ?ere ta ?elp get everyone back down ta the slave quarters an? locked up afore they get any mutinous ideas.?

?Oh now, we wouldn?t want that.? Hylan smiled slyly.

Robert gripped Chak and Hylan both by a shoulder and gave them a congratulatory shake. ?This is it, mates. As of this moment, we are our own beasts. Slaves no more.?

Chak nodded. ?Aye. Though I?d like ta wait til everyone be gathered up top. Torin be plannin? some lie ta tell ?em all, but we can make our announcement then when everyone be in one place. If ye both can join me on the stone platform, we can get the jump on Torin an? take ?is weapons away afore ?e knows what?s what.?

Hylan let out a whoop at the prospect and Robert nodded grimly.

?Now ?elp me check an? make sure no one be left be?ind down ?ere.? The three beasts split up, clearing the mine quickly of stragglers, then met up top again, heading for the stone platform where Torin had amputated Reedox?s tail the day before. Torin was already making his announcement about the mine being closed as Chak stalked up the stone steps and stood beside him, arms crossed.

An excited murmur stirred the crowd, though whether they believed the wildcat or not, Chak was unsure. Most were aware that a revolt was planned, but there was an eagerness among such suffering beasts to believe good news such as Torin was offering.

?So what we?re gonna do is take ye back ta yer quarters whar ye?ll be sorted an? reassigned accordin? ta yer strengths an? experience,? Torin reassured, then turned as Hylan and Robert climbed up onto the stage from opposite corners. They halted as Torin reached for his bludgeon. Chak pulled his as well.

?Well if it ain?t Grovelhog an? Dandy. Lookin? ta lose an eye now, air ye, Dander?? Torin?s gaze shifted from marten to hedgehog, squaring off carefully. ?If ye think yer gonna inspire some sorta action outta this crowd, I think ye?ll be sorely disappointed. They be movin? on now. Movin? up. They got no need fer desperate measures like you cause it?s over. The mine?s shuttin? down. Why should they risk their lives when thar be a way out what don? involve dyin??? He spoke loudly for all to hear.

Chak took a step back, positioning himself more behind than beside the wildcat.

?Grovelhog, I be disappointed in ye,? Torin continued. ?Thought ye were smart. ?Ow far d?ye think ye?ll get, even if yer able ta escape? Think about it. Yer in a mountain, surrounded by pirates, on an island in the middle o? nowhar. Whar ye gonna go? Ta the blood-thirsty natives what?ll skin ye alive an? feast on yer carcass? Er do ye plan on rowin? out onta the ocean in a rowboat an? slowly dyin? o? thirst er gettin? drowned in a storm? Thar ain?t a way out an? yer fools ta think ye could take two slavemasters at once wi? yer bare paws.? Torin leaned back toward Chak, muttering under his breath, ?On the count o? three, mate. We?ll brain the wretches.?

Chak grunted. ?I got yer back.?

?One, two, threeoowwwwww!?

Chak?s club landed heavily across the wildcat?s back and he dropped to his knees. Chak?s second swing cracked the paw that held the cudgel and the third rammed hard into Torin?s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He curled on the ground gaping for air, wide-eyed and disbelieving as Hylan and Robert rushed in, seizing the short whip and bludgeon. Chak pulled a pair of manacles from his belt that he?d snatched from one of Torin?s stockpiles and pulled the cat?s paws roughly behind his back, locking them together. The three searched Torin more closely then, removing a dagger, his keys, and a small satchel which turned out to contain an assortment of tiny manicuring instruments. They handed the items out like candy to the crowd, then Robert stepped forward, raising his paws for everyone?s attention.

"Everybeast! Now?s our time! We have friend?s on the outside, riskin ?their lives for our freedom! Now?s when we join ?em! Reach inside for that fightin? spirit I know you have! You all have it, I?ve seen it! We can fight these villains, an? we can win!? The crowd of slaves shouted agreement. ?We got the one thing they don?t, an? that?s nothin?! We got nothin? to lose, friends, an? there ain?t nothin? stronger an? scarier in this world than a beast with nothin? to lose! Now let?s show ?em!"

Torin lurched to his feet, snarling, fur raised. He spat at Chak. ?Ye back-stabbin? traitor! I trusted you!? His roar broke and tears actually fell from his slit-pupiled eyes. He shook and panted openly, eyes darting as the slaves below passed his weapons around with glee. Chak felt only a mild twitch of guilt, which dispelled quickly when he looked down at the spatters of Reedox?s sticky blood.

?Yer a twisted, sick bastard, Torin. Ye?ve made a lot o? enemies with yer mutilations an? treatin? beasts? lives like rubbish. Far be it from me ta deny them the justice they be seekin?.? He lifted his footpaw and kicked the wildcat backwards, sending him tumbling into the crowd below.

At first there were gasps and a space opened up around the notorious slave master as he struggled to his feet, paws still bound. Then a yellow-striped rock struck him across the face with a hollow thock. Torin blinked, surprised at the pain.

One by one, beasts began grabbing up chunks of discolored sulfur, hurling them with all their might, their faces twisted with rage. Torin shrank at the onslaught, ducking his head. Chak watched grimly, wincing every now and then. Torin roared and raved, then pled and howled. Hylan joined the throng, but Robert remained at Chak?s side.

?Farmers back at Fern Valley have a sayin?,? the hedgehog murmured. ??Whatever you plant is what you?ll harvest.?? He paused, swallowing, then continued, ?Torin?s had this comin? a long time, plantin? lots o? bad seeds? but that don?t make it any easier ta watch.? Robert flinched as another crack rent the air and Torin screamed. ?The hate in these beasts? eyes?? He looked at Chak. ?It scares me.?

The sea otter glanced at his friend, then shook his head. ?It be grief as much as it be hate. Be glad ye don? unnerstand it, mate.?

Soon enough the wildcat was silent, though the slaves kept pummeling his bloody body.

?We need ta move. Thar ain?t a lot o? time.?

?Right.? Robert leapt down and grabbed hold of Hylan who still had a crazed look in his eye. The hedgehog?s words seemed to calm the marten and he whistled, organizing the slaves once again. They pulled the sulfur wagon over and dumped its contents over Torin?s body to keep any alarms from being raised before they had time to escape.

Now that the threat of Torin had passed, Chak surveyed the slaves milling around him, spotting several that limped and a couple bent over, hacking and wheezing. He was surprised to find Tildy the mole still alive, laying off to one side, and he walked over, lifting her into his arms again. Another slave collapsed a few feet away and Chak felt a surge of frustration. Getting everyone out of the mountain was going to be a challenge. He eyed the empty wagon.

Robert approached as Chak was helping one of the weaker slaves with a bandaged foot into the wagon to join a half dozen others.

?Good thinkin?, matey.?

?Ye mentioned thar?s a secret escape tunnel, Rob?? Chak retied the red sash around his waist and gripped the handles of the wagon experimentally.

?Aye ? in the slave quarters.?

?Grand. That?s right whar they expect us ta be ?eaded. An? we won? ?ave ta make an extra trip fer Reedox then either.? He rocked the wagon back and forth, then started forward, bumping and stalling amidst all the rocks and sulfur scattered around, but soon his path cleared and he marched purposefully toward the tunnel leading down into the mountain.

?I?m headed out. Tell the others they can stay er they can join us, but we?re gettin? off this damn island. One way er another.?

Robert and Hylan rallied the rest of the sulfur miners and directed them at the departing slave driver.

?Follow the wagon, mates!?