"Marwei is the town opposite the furrows its mostly racoons and yellowrock expatriates. Yellowrock has a diplomatic base there as well as there used to be a Riverfolk ship docked outside. The furrows itself is a town in the middle of the Denoue lake. It's a long distance on either side for a crossing, so the five bridges across the river were a marvel. It may have been that the druids themselves built the bridges."

River winked, pausing to take a sip of water.

"Marwei is closely tied to the free state of Furrow, but both are independent. We have a standing agreement to help them in times that they need aid. The furrows are predominantly badgers, with some raccoons as well. We don’t have a military agreement with the Furrows, but often when Marwei calls, it involves them anyway."

Muk nodded.

"You understand the situation very well, are you sure that you're not an intellectual…'

Crenshaw coughed loudly.

"Sorry if I may, Private Bea…?"

River nodded to the mouse.

"Recently The Marquisate has been aggressively trying to annex the Furrow peninsula. It's the fastest way across the river Denoue as well as a deep water port."

"Those are the best. We can do a lot with deep water ports," Stone said.

Freya could see the worry in his face. The furrowed brow, and the whiskers drooping… she made a mental note to ask him about the ship.

"Without the bridge access? Warchief Alexa can't harass our Army, much of which is camped along the river. We have been marching through Marwei and the Furrows to keep the cats at bay but…"

"It's a chokepoint. You should be able to kill far more cats. They’re not going to swim across the river. It's too fast for them. They might contract for a boat…?" Woda said.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

His bloodshot eyes looked off into the distance.

"They haven't," Sela said, "As far as I know."

Muk looked the otter over.

"Where did you say you were from?" He asked.

"I didn't."

"He is on our side," Stone said.

Muk nodded.

"This is an odd party, but I'll be the first to tell you that I welcome any help."

Freya had so many questions. She could ask him how he felt about the war, or the society events or even how he felt about a certain debutante. That last one would probably blow her cover.

"Excuse me," Sela said,"but do you think you could make these waterproof?"

The ranger held out a cusser, daintily holding the feathers on the back.

"Nithe! Where did you get that!"

River nearly smacked her ranger, then looked as if she'd hastily reconsidered.

"Private Kay has a pile over there?"

The entire group stepped away from the center slowly, as it dawned upon them that the pile of arrows were actually cussers.

The entire group, except River and Freya. The former looked on in horror, and the latter nodded absent-mindedly.

Freya stood up, ready to reveal her secret to Muk when she realized that everyone…was staring at her.

"What?" Her ears twitched, "Oh yes! I do have a pile of these. They're stable until a lot of force is applied. Hence the crossbow."

"Sweet Miru," Muk said.

It probably wasn't the best time. She’d circle back around to tell him on her own time.

"Do you know anything else about Alexa?" Crenshaw asked.

Muk paused, his whiskers tying themselves into knots.

"She's got a flair for the dramatic? Apparently she's been hobnobbing with the Furrows leadership. In a war, no less."

Freya's ears picked up.

"Is it the society season there?" She asked.

"It would be if there wasn't a war. I heard a rumor that she’s been hosting soirees at one particular badger's holdings, far on the north side of the furrows."

"In the midst of a war? That means she must be confident," Crenshaw said.

The mood sharpened around the group.

"Don't do anything stupid, cousin."

"Why Lieutenant Chin-Hwa, I would never dream of it."

"Somehow I doubt it."

"Don't worry yer cheeky lordling sir, we'll stop his worst impulses," Stone said, chuckling. His demeanor said quite the opposite.

Crenshaw looked like he was doing his best glowering stare. He kept it up for a time until a wide grin spread across his face.

"If you don't have any further questions, I would love it if you could come to our staff meeting tonight, cousin. Your counsel is most welcome. I'll be in the command tent until then."

"Aye, I'll be there," Crenshaw said.

Muk narrowed his eyes as he got up. He doffed his hat and left without another word.

The blue jays turned to each other.

"Now, your training begins in earnest, little knife," the druid said.