Mission:
Sire, the ship was truly invulnerable. However, it was plated with a fine gold, so I knew I must get it for you, my emperor.

I found another fox, Rosco Furblade. Together we climbed a tree that towered over the River Moss. I slipped a blade out of from my belt and handed it to Rosco. I however drew my own Marlfox axe.

Slowly a magnificent ship rounded the bend in the river, I knew it was your ship. I silently watched as Rosco's eyes danced eith greed. "You know that this ship will belong to my emperor, Ublaz. It would be a shame if you were to dissapoint him....and me!" I whispered sinisterly.

Rosco nodded his head. "The ship is here, shall we make our move?" He questioned quietly. I nodded silently. We positioned ourselves right over the sleek craft. The side of the ship engraved as Maidenhair. I leaped from the branch, and landed on the crow's nest. I could see the sleeping shrew on the bottem of the nest.

"He-!" Rosco cuffed the unfortunate shrew on the muzzle. "Sleeping on duty, I see." Rosco said. The shrew whimpered and pleaded for mercy, but Rosco gave him none, His stell blade cut through the air and ran the beast through. The red fox laughedwith sheer pleasure. Before Rosco could turn around my axe was at his throat. "You idiot! I do not need blood shed! We are here to steal a ship, not start a war! You did well though. Tonight we infiltrate the ship. Remember, do not harm the captain or the scientist, or my friend, I will be forced to kill you!"

"Very well." Rosco was very agreeing once I had informed who was in charge. "We will sleep while we wait. No one shall expect the guard to be dead. Twill be a while to nightfall." I said. The setting sun glinted along the river as we nestled down. and so we snoozed unil nightfall without the fools below even noticing.

I waited as Rosco awoke. After kicking the fool awake, I slowly stood up, and looked over the edge of the crow's nest. We had slept a little later than I would have preferred, but it was still dark enough that most of the crew was asleep.

"Let's go." I whispered. Together we crept down from the crow's nest and climbed down the rigging. Rosco slipped and fell, landing on an otter on the deck.

"Are you the captain? Or the inventor of this ship?" Rosco asked. The otter stared at him with surprise. "What??...uh...scientist?? wait a minute.......Attaa---!!" The otter never finished sounding the alarm. I had leaped off the rigging and struck the young along his head. He crumpled in a heap on the deck. "Ebony, we should have killed him!" I gave Rosco a dirty look. "Patience, you fool." I searched around until I found a heavy ball. "Perfect!" I whispered.

Rosco looked at me, confused. "Just get a rope, you idiot!!" I snarled at him. He obeyed. I tied the rope around the young otter's neck.Oh! I see! This is perfect!" Rosco's eyes glinted evily." "Now we will see how well otters can swim, eh Rosco?! Throw him in the river. Now we must hurry. The young one could have awakened some of the crew." As Rosco carried out my orders, I inched along the cabin wall.

Suddenly a cabin door swung open. I melded against the wall. A large brawny otter stepped out. " Hey Kes, where do you think Sova went?" The otter walked past, not even noticing me. As soon as he was gone I began to to move again. But before I could hide another otter stepped out of the room. "What the....A FOX! ATTACK! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! THERE IS A FOX ONBOARD!" I knew our cover was blown.

The otter charged, dagger drawn, but I neatly side stepped and sped down the deck. I halted suddenly as a lone howl rent the early dawn morning. When the single note was had ended, I replied with a similar howl. Farlarth was here!

A luminous figure appeared in the woods along the river bank. It leaped onto the ship, scaling the side. As it climbed over the side, I watched the water rats slinking throught the woods. "Hello Farlarth." A tall, slender vixen was standing in front of me. she had bright silver fur with yellow-green eyes. Farlarth was a wanderer, who led a band of water rats. Farlarth was also my sister. We clasped paws and chanted together,

"Fox and fox together act,
Here's my paw and here's my pact
Shake paws, count your claws,
You steal mine, I'll borrow yours
Watch your whiskers, check both ears
Marlfoxes have no fears"

Rosco groaned impatiently. " Am I missing something? Are you guys going to chant all day, or is something going to happen? Don't take me for a fool, Ebony Darkmist!"

"Ebony, why is he here?" Farlarth asked, pointing at Rosco. "I required his services." I replied simply. "we should dispose of him."she whispered, in her silky voice. Rosco's voice rang out. "Ebony, I see I am no longer needed." he stared directly at Farlarth. Rosco shrugged. " I am leaving with my hide, Marlfox. You may be special but who wants to hang around with angry otters? Certainly not me!" With that said, Rosco threw down a bottle, from which a cloud of blue smoke appeared. When the smoke had cleared, Rosco was gone. "Gypsy foxes! they think they are everything!" Farlarth said scornfully.

Farlarth raised her head and once again howled . the sound was some what mournful, but beautiful yet. " My water rats are here, they will take care of the crew." she sounded sure so we began to slink along the cabins again. "come my sister, we must find the captain and the inventor." Then we melded into the shadowds, disappearing as only Marlfoxes can.

Whe we came to a large ornately carved door, we halted. I could hear voices through the wood. "Hey Skipper,you have to say so yourself, this boat sails like a dream!" "Ye' old streamdog, you made a good one this time!" I nodded to Farlarth, and we poistioned ourselves in front of the door. As she loosened the hinges, I quietly scratched the door. "Hey Skipper, do you hear that?" Our plan was working. Farlarth and I stood on either side of the door frame, waiting. IO watched as the door handle slowly moved down. With the hinges gone, the door no longer had any support. The slightest pressure applied would push it over. That is exactly what happened. When the otter captain opened the door, it collapsed outward. "What the....Uhhh--!" The otter had no idea what hit him. Farlarth easily took car of the inventor.

A water rat strode up. "Marm, we have rounded up the crew in the hold. A few of them resisted so we...." The rat smiled grimly. "Excellant." Farlarth turned to me. "Where are you going, now that you have a ship under your control?" "I will be sailing back to Sampetra." I grinned. Farlart stepped back with surprise. " Mad Eyes! That lazy marten is still around?!" "Now Farlarth, you shouldn't speak of Emperor Ublaz that way. Yes, I am working as his minion, for now. A Marlfox ios like smoke on the wind, we never stay in one place for long." "Yes, that is true, brother." Farlarth nodded. She turned to the waiting water rat. "Plot a course to Sampetra, we will travel with Ebony to help him deliver Mad Eyes' new boat and slaves. I haven't been ti the island in many years. It will be good to see our dear friend again." As I stood at the helm of the ship, I muttered under my breath, "Never, never trust a vixen!"