Homecoming

I slid at a brisk walk through other rats as I pushed closer to the red barons part of the camp. It had been a while since I had seen the others. 

It feels like over the last few weeks my connection with the rest of my platoon ,Well to be precise my old platoon, has dwindled considerably.

It took all but a 5-minute walk before I arrived at the familiarly red-tinted cloth tents which marked the red baron's area. 

As I passed the red-stained boundary I passed many a myriad of familiar faces before finally reaching the area where our small group had posted up. 

steeping further into the camp I was greeted by a loud cheer from my fellow siblings. 

It seems Itch had informed them of my whereabouts. 

As I took in the cheers I felt a large arm pass over my shoulder. The smooth black fur was well maintained and far softer than my overgrown bristled mess. 

"Welcomes backs brother, You haves beens missed"

"Thank you Thassius. It feels like a lifetime ago since I saw you all"

In truth, It felt far longer. So much had happened I almost couldn't recall the faces of some amongst the crowd. 

The reunion although pleasant, reminded me of a creeping sadness. I was no longer one of them. The unrestrained raw power had elevated my status massively in both strength and status. 

I felt fear for my siblings that I may someday outgrow the confines of this small platoon. Already have I been sent on missions as an individual and something tells me that won't be the last. 

I spent some time greeting and exchanging stories of the past weeks with my brothers. 

Not much had happened while I'd been gone. In fact, with Skulk's presence, the once weak city had become some sort of fortress. After all skulk himself could deal with whole platoons with relative ease. 

With the goblin king holding our king at bay it's likely few bar me and Lorath would stand a chance. 

As for the other clan leaders, I would not know. I never got a good chance to estimate their strength. However, due to how Lorath and the king reacted to my sudden awakening, I can only assume none of them or at least very few of them have awakened similar powers.

My thoughts were quickly disturbed by a teary sniffer holding me in a tight embrace. 

"Is .... missed ... yous ... masters"

A small smile invaded my expression as I ruffled the rat's head, however, the smile quickly faded being replaced by a frown. 

I have grown attached to these rats. Although weak and cowardly their loyalty could not be questioned. 

It seems like I won't be escaping them any time soon.

Once the welcoming had been finished I pushed through the group towards the largest of the tents sat. 

The small cloth door yielded to me as I passed through. 

"Sos the young warrior has woken."

"It is good to see you well Itch"

"Im ams glads you are alive, It would has been a shames to have had to walk all the ways to come saves you and yous still dies."

"I'm surprised your back didn't give out halfway through the walk you old bastard".

I braced for the impact of his unrequited rage however received a response of silence.

"Yous have grown a lots in so shorts a time. Is shall holds you backs no longer. Yous will figure out some day whys I tried to prevents your awakening, but that is a answers yous will have to finds yourself"

"You seem more solemn than usual"

"Does a father rejoice his sons leaving"

"I wouldn't know I never met him"

"That is the wrongs answer. Now leaves, I still haves jobs to dos."

I slowly came to a stand and walked back towards the cloth door. Before exiting, however, I turned back towards Itch.

"Thank you, general. For saving my life".

"Its is my jobs to saves yous youngins. Now scram"

I walked back out of the tent and back over to the larger group of rats who were battling it out with a rather large boar carcass they were trying to spit roast. It's a wonder these fools managed without me. 

----------------------

The last embers of the fire glowed a dying light as the majority of rats had now moved back into their tents. 

The camp lay silent apart from one singular rat still sat stoking the last few flickering flames. 

An older rat compared to the rest. Well old for a rat at least. 

The silence permeated the air apart from the occasional crackle of the fire desperately trying to survive on a few surviving pieces of wood. 

The slow and methodical sound of footprints disturbed the peaceful silence as a man slowly meandered out from the darkness to sit on a log surrounding the fire. 

"I assume you have talked with the young child"

"Hes is happy to be backs"

"I'm glad. Have you recovered my friend?"

"It still aches, the pains will never fades for that's is my burden."

"You've grown more inspirational in your old age"

"Yous outnumber me in years twos to ones"

"I suppose you are correct, yet you still managed to be twice the wiser compared to myself."

"Whys haves you comes here so lates"

"We need to talk. My scouts record the movements of a new party entering the verdant forest of human origin."

"Elarindor?"

"Sadly, you are correct, We must make preparations. The world will soon expand. This war is no longer black and white. The king is ambivalent to my worries, he will be swallowed by his pride. Let us not be swallowed alongside him"