I gasped for breath, leaning against a tree. We had run, nonstop, from Cloud Mountain to get here. The camp had to have slaves.

My comrades leaned against oak and birch trees like I did. The landscape was so different from the familiar terrain of Cloud Mountain!

“It’s getting dark. We make camp here.” I said, taking charge of the group of ten archers.

“What if they see us?” The nearest, a young buck, asked,

“Then we attack and bring as many back.” I said.

………………………………….an hour later…………………………………………

“Fleck?” I looked up. Andrew stood in front of me.

“Yeah?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.

“This must be the craziest assignment of our lives.” he said. We laughed, then Peter walked off to chop firewood. But he was right. This mission was crazy and dangerous. And the responsibility for my friends rested on my shoulders.

…………………..The next day………………..

“Remember, we’re only scouting. We report back to Captain Frye at any signs.” I said. Mixed with my unit of guards from Cloud Mountain and my specialty team were several rabbits from Harbone.

“Aye.” My team replied.

We glanced from behind a tree.

“What’s wrong?” Andrew asked, stepping next to me.

“The camp is not deserted.” I said as arrows flew over our heads.

“But they know we’re here!” I yelled.

“Orderly panic!” Pacer cried, but no one heard him.

“We have no time! Run for your lives!” I yelled.

the first chapter is the actual raid several weeks later...

this is the prologue...

-Fleck