Mythlands: THE HEIST

Part Two: Toad's Army

At the Babbling Brook, Jessica delved into her handbag. 'I'm getting a mental impression from Magic.'

Everyone had gathered round and Jessica held her hand mirror aloft - within was the face of The Magic Mirror, who nodded at SC. 'You asked me to alert you when the presence of old friends was detected. I sense one about a mile up ahead.'

SC considered. 'We must take another direction in order not to lead the airship upon innocents, but Jessica, George, Griffin, Goose ... my purpose bringing us here was to impress the need to change our path and alter the events that led here. It will be instructive if you could see more of the ramifications of this world's events upon ones we care for. Magic Mirror, if we concentrate together I can aid you in showing what is happening ahead and allowing our friends to not only see but hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of those whose presence you have detected.'

The Mirror nodded. 'It shall be so.' and as everyone gathered closer, his screen fogged over and then cleared to reveal ...

*

Ratty hurried along the river bank to where twelve creatures in olive green baggy army fatigues were drilling.

'Look lively chaps. The CO is on his way!'

Badger looked up irritably from where he was sitting reading his book. 'The lads have been at it since breakfast. I just fell them out.'

Ratty gave him a look. 'Well fall them back in Corporal Badger. Officer on deck!'

Badger didn't look pleased. 'If you insist Sergeant!'

'Consider it an order. We need to knock the 1st South Domain Riverbankers into shape and quick smart Corporal. If the enemy decide to attack they'll decimate us. The Cap'n's right ... we need to drill, drill and drill and then drill again!'

Badger looked over to where Mole was attempting to shoulder arms ... the rifle slipped through his fingers and when Mole bent to retrieve it, his glasses fell off. 'Hmpff, if we're the first line of defense, I'd say we were doomed!'

'I say, that's defeatist talk Corporal Badger! I won't have it Sir, I won't have it!'

The Platoon jumped to attention as Toad strode over, his swagger stick firmly clamped under his arm.

'Listen up chaps and listen good.' Captain Toad puffed out his chest. 'We are one of the last bastions of civilization but do not let that make you complacent. To the North the Zodiac holds the capital and surrounding areas under martial law and to the south the dark things have taken over the Magic Forrest and south of that the desert is awash with scavengers and criminal gangs. Sooner or later they're coming north and they'll come through us. When that day comes they won't find the Riverbankers wanting! We'll stand firm and repel the bounders!!'

'With 14 riverbank and woodland creatures Captain?' Badger was skeptical.

'More will follow our example. Even those dastardly weasels know there is strength and unity in combining our forces. I've been in communication with other units and there's talk of a combined effort ... the Wild Wooders look a likely bet and there's some fine fellows over at the 1st Watership Down Company.'

'Hmmf, rabbits,' sniffed Badger. 'I wouldn't trust em anymore than I'd trust a cat. Rabbits and cats started all this.'

Toad glared at him. 'Balderdash. Utter tommyrot. I was there at the Fall of Narnia ... barely got out ahead of the demonic army. If anyone is to blame ... it's the demmed gods of evil. That blackguard Loki was the prime mover. The Glass Cat may have manipulated the situation in the Oz/Elephantland war but it was at the Trickster's behest.

Ratty nodded agreement. 'Listen to the Cap'n, Badger old chap. He's the only one of us with any combat experience.' Ratty looked admiringly at his old friend and commanding officer. 'Captain Toad was there at Celesteville when the trolls came and during the long march to Wonderland.'

Mole spoke up. 'Ratty's right. The Cap'n's a hero ... he fought at the Red Queen's Keep and then with the resistance before the final subjugation.'

'Tell us how you made it back Sir!' called out a fish in a small pond wearing a tin helmet strapped to his head.

Toad's eyes glazed over. 'We lost a lot of good chaps during the retreat. Took us a year but a few of us made it back.' He bowed his head, remembering.

Even Badger, who had known Mr Toad before all this was impressed - the old Toad would have boasted and talked up his prowess but this battle hardened version had seen too much and lost too many friends.

Badger stood up straight. 'Fall in you orrible lot!!'

'Corp, I can't keep hold of me rifle!' called out the fish.

Badger growled at him. 'That's cos you ain't got no arms Private Pike!' he yelled in his best drill voice. 'Silly boy!'

Ratty saluted his CO. 'We'll keep drilling the lads Sir, like their lives depended on it.'

'They do Sergeant,' Toad replied sadly, his eyes moist. He turned away, remembering ... fallen friends. The Owl ... Bruin, who had saved his life when the dark riders had over-run their position in the battle for the Emerald City, once that foolish Ozma had finally realised there was a greater enemy than Babar's ... Babar. My poor old friend. He turned away abruptly, so Ratty couldn't see his emotions flaring up.

'Carry on Sa'rnt.'

Captain Toad walked off, wondering if his friend's son Prince Pom was still alive. It had been nearly two years since he and Ariel had made it back. A shudder went through him as he realised they had been the last. He hoped the little fey was still alive. He hadn't heard from her since she had headed north, determined to find and rescue The Tortoise. Well speculation didn't help anything ... all he could do was prepare his troops and give them their best chance against the coming darkness.

Toad's Army ... he'd die for them if it came to it!