Doomwyte

It waddled hesitantly out of the darkness, a tawny owl, holding a great emerald in its beak. Dropping the jewel, it placed one of its fierce four-taloned claws on the precious object before addressing Bosie. “Clip my wings, would you, sir? Alas, that has already been done. I am condemned to a life of walking, a sweep of your blade to my throat would come as a mercy to me. My name is Aluco, welcome to my world, such as it is. Pray tell, what are you doing down here?”

Samolus, whilst feeling pity for the owl, could not restrain his curiosity. “We could ask you the same question, Aluco.”

The tawny owl heaved a hooting sigh; he appeared ready to explain. However, his head swivelled, almost full circle, and his dark eyes shone alertly. “I could tell you, friend, but I haven’t the time. Quick, they’re coming!” He began shuffling away along the ledge.

Bosie called after him, “Who’s coming, what are ye talkin’ aboot?”

Aluco came back to retrieve his stone. “The Painted Ones from above the other tunnel. I don’t know why they’ve chosen now to attack me, but their numbers are many, we must hide. I have a den over the far side of this ledge. They never venture there, follow me!”

The yells and screeches of the foebeasts could be heard, echoing down the tunnel as Dwink spoke. “From the other tunnel, you say? We’ve got three friends who went searching up there, and a mole, waiting at the junction of both passages!”

Bosie began climbing back up the slope. “So ye see, we’ve got tae go an’ help ’em. Ah dinnae care how many o’ they Painted Ones are abroad, Ah’m bound tae aid mah friends!”

Aluco scrambled up to the hare’s side. “Then count me in, better a quick death than dragging my life out in this place. Besides, if we can make them retreat back to the left tunnel, I’ve got a trap laid that’ll keep the fiends off our backs. Follow me, I know my way round down here.”

Unfortunately the tawny owl, not being able to fly, slowed things down considerably. Aluco trundled along the rocky corridor with his newfound friends stumbling impatiently in his wake. The high-pitched screams of the Painted Ones grew louder up ahead.

Anxious to find out what was going on, Bosie pushed past the owl. “Ah best make haste afore ’tis too late!” He hurtled onward, up the tunnel, toward the sound.

A lantern glimmer showed ahead. It was Foremole Gullub and Umfry, between them they were supporting Skipper. The Otter Chieftain was limping badly.

The cries of the foebeast were almost drowning out every other sound as Bosie reached Skipper’s side. “Och, whit ails ye, laddie?”

The brawny otter winced grimly. “No time for chatter, mate, git us out o’ here, there’s a mob o’ savages on our tails!”

Aluco hove into view, with Samolus and Dwink illuminating the way with lanterns. The tawny owl beckoned urgently. “Back, back, to the ledge. My den’s on the far side of it. I’ll see if I can face them off whilst you escape!”

Bosie saw the mass of dark shapes pouring at them out of the gloom, yelling, screeching and shouting. Drawing the sword of Martin, the mountain hare stood alongside the tawny owl. “Ah’m with ye, bucko, nae beast’ll say that the Laird McScutta left others tae fight his battles!”

As the rest of the party rushed Skipper off to safety, Aluco picked up a lantern, muttering to Bosie, “They fear me, let me show you.” Holding the big emerald in front of the lantern light, the owl gave vent to a blood-chilling cry, which resounded around the passage. “Whoooh! Baliss the Eye of Death sees all! Whoooeeeeh!”

The Painted Ones suddenly fell silent, milling about, as if unsure of what to do. Aluco whispered to Bosie, “Let’s start retreating slowly whilst they’re still.” The vermin mob stayed motionless for a moment, then they were forced to come forward, as the front ranks were shoved by those behind them. Bosie whirled the sword, his blade weaving an eerie green arc in the emerald light. Then he roared out his warcry. “EulaliaaaaBowlayneeeee! Ah’m the slayer frae the mountains! EulaliaaaaBowlaynee! Ah’ll send ye all tae Hellgates! Yaaaahaaarrrrr!” Aluco bellowed out his Eye of Death challenge as Bosie carried on with his battle rant. It seemed to have the desired effect. They backed hastily off, still delivering dire threats.

But it did not last. The pair were almost safely on their way, when the Chieftain of the Painted Ones shouted out angrily, “Gerrem! Killem afore they ’scape! Chaaarge!”

Then the owl and the hare were running for their lives, as the vermin mob stampeded forward after them.

Aluco’s den was a cul-de-sac at the far side of the deep pit. Going in single file along the narrow ledge, which circled the abyss, the friends helped Skipper along, whichever way they could. Gasping and panting, they took shelter behind a palisade of stubby stalagmites, which fronted the den.