The vermin on the shore beneath Salamandastron heard the rumble from above. Some moved quickly, others were not so alert. Over half of them were slain by the huge slabs and boulders that cascaded down the mountainside. A cheer went up from Oxeye and his comrades when they saw the effect of their avalanche. Yells of rage and curses arose from the attackers on the shore as they redoubled their volleys of burning arrows.

*   *   *

In the late afternoon Ferahgo called Raptail to him. The Assassin winked at Klitch.

“Now I’ll show you how I became ruler of all the Southwest Lands, little weasel. Raptail, send Doghead, Crabeyes, Dewnose and Badtooth to me. Oh, and ask Farran the Poisoner to come too.”

Raptail blanched visibly as he bowed to Ferahgo. Nobeast, not even the Assassin himself, liked to do business with Farran the Poisoner. The black fox was not even part of the horde, he merely followed at a short distance, going and coming as he pleased. Raptail trotted off to do his master’s bidding, dodging around rocks and behind sand barriers.

Farran sat alone at the edge of the tideline, watching the waves ebb and flow. Raptail did his level best to keep in full view, not wishing to be seen trying to sneak up on Farran the Poisoner. Wading into the sea, he drew alongside the black fox and delivered the message.

“Sir, my master Ferahgo wishes to speak with you. He is camped in the rocks north of here. Will you attend, sir?”

Raptail’s body shivered nervously as he stood staring into the pale amber eyes of Farran. Nobeast had ever heard the Poisoner speak. The sunlight did not glint off Farran’s fur; it was soot-black with no luster whatsoever. The pale eyes stared hypnotically at Raptail from a face dark as the depths of midnight. All the horrific whispered tales he had heard of Farran loomed large. Was it true that he could kill with a long stare? Raptail fervently believed it was as he stood transfixed by the Poisoner’s eyes.

“W-w-will you attend, sir? F-F-Ferahgo wishes to know.”

Unblinking, Farran stared at him a moment longer then nodded once. That was enough. Raptail bowed so low that his snout went underwater. “Th-th-thank you, sir!”

He took off like a startled fawn, splashing through the waves and dashing across the shore. Farran’s sinister eyes followed his course expressionlessly. Slowly the black fox stood up and buckled on his belt of adderskin. Pouches hung from the belt, small sacks made from the skins of bats. What they contained only he knew. Moving like a silent stormcloud shadow, he padded noiselessly over the sand.

*   *   *

Seated at the outermost edge of his camp, away from the horde, Ferahgo outlined his plan to Klitch and the four creatures he had selected as Captains.