The five stood together for a moment, still trying to take in the extravagant feat that had just taken place. Each touched the sword.
"Its almost as if its living," said Gideon
Despite all the attention, Gabriel reminded them of their intended purpose. As they crept in further, the rock formation depicted a gapping mouth full of teeth. The five also took precaution of any other traps that may be set for them; however, there were no physical traps, but one that could not be seen: fear. Ragel and Peppi had become the slave over such an emotion, lagging behind the three. Both were beginning to question if going inside was the smartest thing to do. Ragel remembered that Ananias said nothing about going to face Dranus and as far as he was concerned, aiding the three to this point was good enough for him..
"You three look like you can take it from here," replied the chow chow reluctantly, "Peppi and I will wait out here, right Peppi? We bid you a safe return.”
"You may have a point, friend." said Peppi overlooking the cavern wall.
"Hold on," said Samson, You both gave an oath to see us through to the end."
"Those are Shavronite children, not ours." said Ragel.
"They’re children in danger," remonstrated Gideon, "that should be enough for you to finish this journey."
"Don’t bother with them, Gideon,” said Gabriel. “let the cowards run home. We don’t need them."
"We’re no cowards," said Peppi accosting the hare, " watch your words!"
"Sure you are. You two are giving up just when you’re needed the most— that’s cowardly."
Regal pulled his axe, but it did little to change Gabriel's mind.
Ragel's capricious act was ample proof that Gabriel was doing the very thing the dogs needed. They were cowering, no doubt about that, and the black hare was telling the truth to their faces. The chow chow marched up to the black hare, with the intent of assailing him for the remark, but Peppi jumped in front of Ragel with arms outstretch.
"Don’t touch him, Ragel, he right."
"Right about what?” Ragel said yelling, “ No one calls us cowards, especially after what we’ve gone through.”
"Maybe we weren’t acting cowardly before, but now we are. It doesn’t matter if those kids are ours or not. Ananias gave us names of honor; for he knew we would represent the colony to the end."
“There just names, Peppi!” said Ragel.
"Then let us live up to them."
Ragel let out a deep and discomforting sigh. He looked deeper into the lair, then at the two hares and Samson.
"You and your mouth, Peppi," said Ragel making a fist, " you and your mouth.”
The papillon gave a big smile, knowing that Ragel's fist was a way of expressing his defeat in the argument.”
“My mouth has once again saved the day.” said the little dog happily.
In a triumphant march, the five continued to press on. Gideon was first and descried a figure up ahead. The strange figure cracked a smile and disappeared behind one of the towering stalagmites.
“Everyone keep you guard up, we’ve got a visitor.”
No one dared to mover further. There was dead silence; nothing stirred for minutes until a voice, ringing from above, addressed them.
“So you are the party that has called all the ruckus.”
The cougar stood proud and tall on top of a stalagmite. His wicked grin and embrace of his reaper gave the impression that he was ready to carry out his master wishes to destroy all of them.
“And who might you be?” asked Gideon.
“There’s no point telling you; you won’t be alive long enough to care.”
Everyone took up arms quickly. Slavebourne jumped down coming after Gideon first.
Reaper and sword went to battle, with Gideon holding his own, as both used the rocky terrain to their advantage. The white hare went in to deal a fatal blow, but the cougar jumped out of sight, hiding among the rocks.
“Where is he?” said Samson.”
“I don’t know,” said Gideon, “ I almost had—”
“Gideon, look out!”
♦
Suddenly from his left came the cougar’s reaper aimed squarely at his neck. Dodging the blow, Gideon fell back. The cougar raised his instrument for the deathblow, but in turn received a blow himself from Samson. The jab sent the cougar stumbling, but it wasn‘t a complete knockout, and again the cougar took refuge behind the rocks to change his plan of action.
“We need to change our battle plan,” said Samson, “ You and Gabriel head forward. I, Ragel, and Peppi will handle this cougar.”
Peppi emerged as a decoy.
“Hey, sissy!” shouted the little dog, “That reaper looks a little heavy for you, come out
and let Peppi show you how to use it.”
It wasn’t a moment after Peppi’s taunt, that Slavebourne emerged. Samson and Ragel came to aid the little dog, as all four creatures battled: blows were given and received. In a final effort to render the cougar senseless, Peppi bit Slavebourne’s hand sending the reaper to the ground, Ragel came with a right hook, sending the animal staggering. The final blow belong to Samson. His left hook sent Slavebourne into one of the stalagmites with such force that it broke.
“Think I hit him too hard?” said Samson
“I don’t care,” said Peppi, “as long as he is out cold.”
The cougar laid inert on the ground as the three waited silently in the cavern.