Now We Are Free (Ulrick Hammerpaw)

[Substitute Author]

Here upon these stones we will build our barricade!



Ulrick grunted as he heaved a large rock into place at the makeshift barricade. Without much to bind it together, it probably wouldn?t stand up to a sustained assault, but it seemed to cause some peace of mind to the other escaped slaves.
The badger glanced around at the rest of the group. Without the element of surprise they had enjoyed in the hall, the band?s hopes of beating the slavers again looked slim at best. Many of the beasts were carrying wounds, and even Ulrick had begun to feel his muscles ache after so long without action.
He had managed to avoid any major wounds; most of the vermin had concentrated on avoiding him rather than fighting. Still, from the fight, followed by a flight down the tunnels before being put to work lifting heavy rocks, his body was crying out for a rest.

And why shouldn?t I take one? I did all the work; I deserve to rest for a while!
The hulking badger stomped away from the almost finished barricade and sat down heavily, leaning back against the cave wall. The others still went about the tasks Tassel had given them, some eagerly, some slowly and carefully. That shrew seemed to have taken on the role of leader quite well, even showing some common sense. Ulrick yawned widely. Maybe there was hope for her yet.

Gazing across the torch lit chamber, Ulrick caught sight of that blasted vermin child, still keeping close to Brooga. How the mole could stand up for that vermin was totally beyond him. Ulrick had seen the beatings she?d given out. He had been so close to teaching her a lesson once and for all, until Brooga had stepped in.

?Give it time,? he growled softly. ?They?ll soon realise how much of a mistake they?ve made keeping her. If I had my way she?d at least be in chains??
?Spoken like a true Lord of Salamandastron!? came an ironic voice from the shadow next to him. Ulrick looked round, his eyes just making out the form of a stoat hidden where a small rock ledge jutted out under one of the torches the slaves had wedged into a crack in the wall.

?I don?t recall asking your opinion.? He growled again. ?And, for your information, I have never visited Sala? that place.?

The stoat shuffled out from under the ledge and sat herself next to Ulrick as Tassel hurried past. ?I see she talked you into her scheme then?? she said, without much enthusiasm.

?She didn?t talk me into anything. I went along with her plan because it benefited me to do so.?
The stoat nodded. ?Of course, of course. In a way I?m glad you did, at least we?re not chained up any more. I had hoped there was more to the plan than trapping ourselves down here though.?

?No one asked you to come, stoat.? Ulrick closed his eyes.

The stoat snorted. ?Well it seemed rude not to, after you had all gone to so much trouble.? Ulrick grunted non-committally. ?And my name is Shelby, not stoat. I?ll thank you to use it.?

Ulrick grudgingly accepted the conversation wasn?t over and opened his eyes again. ?Ulrick, if you must know.?

?I had guessed that much from the shouting upstairs.? Shelby raised an eyebrow. ?Not very good at keeping a low profile are you??

?I can do it when I have to!? muttered the badger, sounding defensive.

Shelby glanced up and down at the badger?s muscular frame. ?I?m sure you can,? she said flatly, clasping her paws behind her head and leaning back against the rock wall. ?So, tell me. How does a badger such as yourself end up as an oarslave? I assume the decision wasn?t really up to you??
Ulrick clenched a fist. ?And why do you think I would tell you? My business is my own, Miss Shelby, and not some camp fire story to tell curious vermin!?
Shelby nodded slowly again. ?That bad then, hmm??

Ulrick ground his teeth and said nothing.

~

The badger roared in fury as a mighty swing from his mallet swept a rat from his feet and sent the vermin crashing into one of the massive poles that held up the roof of the tent. It hadn?t taken the audience long to realise what was happening, scarcely had his first hammer blow fallen than the vermin were falling over themselves to get out of their seats. Wooden benches were overturned and the straw covering the floor of the tent was already slick with blood.

Ulrick was lost in the moment, all thoughts of escape pushed aside as he unleashed years of pent up anger at his tormentors. ?Roll up, roll up!? he bellowed, swinging the mallet again. ?Come see the amazing Ulrick Hammerpaw, the incredible dancing badger!? Another loud crack and a scream as his weapon connected with another unfortunate. ?All are welcome, just pay with your lives!?
The lucky ones furthest away had already managed to flee the tent. Ulrick looked about him, seeking something else to take out his wrath on. Suddenly, he spotted the ideal beast. Standing on the opposite side of the ring, still carrying his whip, was Ralat, the caravan?s leader. Ignoring the last few terrified vermin from the audience who fled whimpering through the entrance flap, Ulrick raised his hammer and roared a challenge.

?RALAT!?
The ferret tried to keep his composure, but couldn?t stop himself from taking a step back.
?You?ve caused a lot of trouble for me badger.? he growled, cracking his whip. ?I always said your guards were being too soft on you.?

?When I catch you Ralat, I?ll show you just how much trouble I can be!? Ulrick vaulted over the bales of straw that divided the central ring from the audience benches.
The vermin leader jumped onto one of the bales on the opposite side and cracked his whip again. ?You should have run while you had the chance.? he sneered, flicking his gaze around the tent.

Ulrick followed his glances. Other vermin from the caravan had entered, armed this time. He was surrounded. ?As long as I get to finish you, I?ll consider it a job well done!?
Gripping his mallet tightly, Ulrick charged across the arena. Ralat dodged nimbly aside as the badger?s weapon slammed down, missing by inches. His whip cracked loudly and Ulrick roared in pain as it lashed across his shoulders. The other vermin were swarming into the arena now, armed with a variety of clubs, ropes and weighted nets. Ulrick swung the hammer again, but again the ferret danced out of reach, his whip leaving another deep red line across Ulrick?s back.

The badger bellowed, and laid into the vermin closing in around him with ferocity. A weasel collapsed as the mallet caught him on the back of the head. Others were throwing loops of rope, trying to trap him. He felt one around his arm and tried to shake it free, but it was too late. The loop was pulled tight. Ulrick shook violently, trying to jerk the rope from the vermin?s grasp, but even as he did he felt another catch him. Another of the vermin hurled one of the weighted nets. Ulrick sank to one knee as the weights pulled the net down. Trapped.

The vermin were piling on top of him now, beating him with their clubs and trying to force him down even further. All the time he could hear the snap-crack of Ralat?s whip as he cheered on his followers.

It was soon over. Ulrick lay silent, bleeding and bound on the sawdust floor of the arena, surrounded by the vermin he had managed to take with him. Ralat checked the badger?s wounds.

?He?ll recover.? growled the ferret. ?But I want him chained and back in his cage before he wakes up.?

With some difficulty, a group of the vermin hauled Ulrick?s unconscious form up and dragged him out of the tent. Ralat watched them go, a paw stroking his chin in thought. ?There?s no way we?ll get an audience to come for him now.? he mused as his second, a scrawny weasel, appeared at his side. ?We?d best make for the coast. No doubt there?s some gullible corsair or slave ship we can con into taking him off our hands.?
The weasel chuckled. ?Good plan, boss! Better ?n keepin? ?im around ?ere!?
Ralat rolled his eyes. ?Just get those bodies out of here.? he muttered. ?Or they?ll be starting to stink worse than you.?

~

If I had taken the mouse?s advice I would have been free?

Ulrick had gone over the events of that night so many times while he was chained at his oar. Going to slay his chief tormentor? That was such a? a hero?s decision! Once again he had allowed his old warrior instincts to get the better of him, and where that had got him? A cave on some dustbowl of an island, trapped underground!

A torrent of curses reached his ears, and Ulrick looked up from his thoughts to see Cricket protesting noisily about being made to help finish making the barricade stronger. Brooga was trying to convince her that she needed to do her part if she was going to be part of the group.

?Do you need any help Miss Brooga?? he called across the cave. ?If our young friend is reluctant to pitch in then I?m sure I can find ways of motivating her!?
The badger grinned, just enough to give Cricket a glimpse of his sharp teeth. The rat child whimpered something to Brooga, grumpily took the rock and stomped towards the barricade in a sulk. Ulrick chuckled and turned his head in Shelby?s direction. ?You know Shelby, I might even enjoy having her with us after all.?