“So am I going to have to fight the second? And possibly the first? Wait, how does this work anyway? Is the first smasher just your leader, or are there two squirrels between you and him? Has anyone ever told you your ranks are confusing? Because they really are.” Cal rapidly fired the questions at their captured guide, not expecting any real answers. He had been reticent from the moment they set out. Cal guessed Third Smasher assumed they’d fall easy victims to the other squirrels and just wanted to get it over with quickly.
“I think their ranks make perfect sense; you are just overthinking it. Though honestly, I’m not sure if that’s better than when you underthink it. Someday, I’ll figure out how to get you to consider the things you say and do properly,” Ethel responded.
“Will you, though? It’s been a lot of loops.” Cal wasn’t entirely serious, but he was bored and trying to poke a response out of the older woman.
“Yes. If I can teach Bug and Gus, I can certainly teach you, and considering Bug is currently off leading a team of dogs on a quest while Gus takes care of the void house, I believe I’ve done a pretty good job there.” Ethel wasn’t taking the bait and just smiled back at him as she praised her students and family.
“Bug really has come a long way, hasn’t she?” Thinking about his sister made Cal realize how much he missed her. She had usually spent the loops with him, a constant presence he had grown used to.
“She has, and I am very proud to have taught her. That dog will one day outshine us all. I hope she’s doing alright at protecting the others. It wouldn’t do her good to fail in her first real solo mission.” Ethel said.
“I’m sure she’s doing her best. Hey, Third Smasher, how much longer?” Cal called to the squirrel, mostly because he wanted to remind them they were there, as the squirrel had gotten further ahead than he liked.
Just as he said that, several armed squirrels popped out of a crack in the ceiling. Cal was sure it hadn’t been wide enough for this ambush moments before, but he had more important things to occupy his thoughts now.
“Attack!” Third Smasher yelled as he turned to join his comrades.
“This is a stupid idea. I’ve already beaten you once. If every squirrel drops their weapons and surrenders now, everyone gets to live!” Cal snarled, his anger overtaking him. While he had expected Third Smasher to betray them eventually, he at least had assumed the squirrel would wait until they reached their home.
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The squirrels ignored Cal and surged forward. He counted ten of them from Third Smasher. He started to channel a blast of lightning just as Ethel screamed behind him, breaking his train of thought.
“Enough!” Plants shot up out of every crack in the passageway. Their vines entangled each of the squirrels where they stood. “I’m tired of this pointless fighting. Do any of you understand he was just going to kill you? Third Smasher was beaten without Cal even breaking a sweat, and yet you are willing to try again and just throw your lives away? Pathetic. Drop your weapons, or I have the vines squeeze harder.” Ethel’s voice dripped with vitriol on each word.
None of the squirrels immediately listened. Most of them continued to struggle against their bonds.
“I said now!” Ethel screamed at them as the vines tightened around all of them.
This time, all of their weapons clattered to the ground. Several of the squirrels looked to be having trouble breathing.
“Good. Now, do you perhaps understand there’s a staggering power imbalance between us? Is that something you are able to register?” Ethel said this calmly as she walked up to where Third Smasher was pinned to the cave wall. She stared him directly in the eyes as she continued. “I will be removing the vines holding you, and only you and you will resume guiding us to where we were going in the first place. If we aren’t back here in twelve hours, my plant friends will be forced to execute your soldiers and then alert my son of what has happened to us. I assume, despite your deficiencies, you can imagine what he looks like in a rage. Nod if you understand me.”
Third Smasher nodded.
“Good. You see, unlike us he’s killed a dragon. So It’s a good idea to fear him. Also, remember this for any future betrayal considerations. Cal may be more powerful than I am, but I am much older and far more likely to kill anyone or thing that threatens my friends or family.” She waved her hand, causing the vines to withdraw and Third Smasher to drop to the cavern floor, gasping for air. The other vines in the room loosened just enough for the squirrels to breathe comfortably again.
Third Smasher stood up. “Please follow me. If we hurry, we can be there in under an hour,” he said much more meekly than he had spoken before as he climbed up through the crack the squirrels had come through.
“After you,” Ethel said to Cal.
“Thanks, that was probably the better way to handle it,” Cal said as he raised up the stone they were standing on to allow the three of them to follow after the squirrel into the new passage easily.
“This explains how they are moving so easily around. It looks like they have their own set of corridors adjacent to the main ones, and at least one of them is skilled enough in mana manipulation to widen the cracks,” Ethel said as she looked around the tunnel.
“Think your vines will be able to hold them if they can channel?” Cal asked. He wasn’t overly concerned. The squirrels were likely terrified of Ethel enough that they wouldn’t give chase anyway.
“Yes,” Was all she said in answer.