The two otters and beavers sat as the last druid wrapped up the ceremony. Chip felt both tired and wired, and he could tell that Sam was about the same.

Ortho had gone to find food, and Sam had told him where to find “Mr. Steal your pearl”, the shack that Chip's uncle, Brit ran.

Chip couldn’t stop grinning as the ranger himself walked up with a small cart loaded with fish.

“Uncle Brit!” Sam said, jumping up as if she wasn’t in full-body denial of her pain.

“I know, I know, you spent all that time trying to get a blast furnace so that we can have an easier go of it, and I keep the cart,” Brit sighed.

“The signage is good, and the cart is worn, even if it still works,” Sam said.

“This food,” Brit said, passing out fish on a stick to the four, “Will pick you up and I’ve prepared some salted ones for the journey. Spring said that she would be taking all of you personally because they’ve got so many this year. If you ask me, I think she needs a vacation between all of these people asking her for things, is all.”

The flavors popped with salty umami, and even the two beavers perked up.

“Say, this isn’t half bad,” Bonsai said, and Sam noticed that his flower was tucked back behind one ear. Ortho had knocked it off with a breath.\

“Well, thank you kindly,” Brit said, “You know, Chip here is an excellent chef.”

“You don’t say,” Oak said, “That’s why you had all them points and could choose early, gov was it?”

“That’s about right,” Chip blushed.

“Don’t be embarrassed, gov,” Oak said, slapping the ground with his tail, “You brought honor to the Riverfolk, and plus I heard them druids like to eat, a lot, I’ve heard.”

Sam could see Ortho returning with a group of about ten creatures behind them, mostly mice and rabbits although there was one bird and one fox.

“No moles this year,” Ortho said, “Or they left a lot earlier. Every year after the life ceremony, most of the druids leave, excepting of course the Riverfolk. This is the rest of the ranger initiates that decided to join up from Yellowrock today. Don’t worry, the trip isn’t long but it is through a burrow.”

Ortho padded his chest.

“Brit, I’m going to take good care of your son and daughter-in-law,” he said.

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“And those beavers?” Brit said, gesturing.

“I’m going to beat them until they get into shape,” Ortho said, “and the rest of you lot.”

Oak and Bonsai whimpered. The rest of the ranger candidates sighed. Ortho handed our cloaks to the rest of the group.

Without a ranger bond to make them strong, the two beavers had to deal with the training as regular creatures. Until a druid decided to offer them the chance, that is. The rest of the rangers had the same limitation but hadn’t tasted Orthos' specific brand of love yet.

“At least you know someone who can make a bond for you,” Ortho said, “The druid that holds Chip and Sams's bond… she might do it if you’re nice to her. Otherwise, well that ability isn’t too common,” Ortho straightened, looking at the rest of the ranger candidates, “Alright you lot, Sam here is your squad leader for this next mission. Sam raise your hand. Now I’ll be right behind her advising her actions, but she needs you to do what she says when she says it. You’ve all got your weapons, and a tiny bit of training. What you see on the other side, may shock you, but stick with a buddy and you will make it through,”

Ortho went down the line assigning partners. After some grumbling, the group almost resembled a line at a food cart, if not a restaurant. They still had nothing like military bearing, and Sam was getting a bit worried.

“Chip here is her second. These two already have a bond to a druid so you’ll be able to see the difference if we make contact, but I should truly hope that you lot don’t see it,” Ortho said,” Sam, anything to say?”

Sam shook her head.

“Anyway, here’s our charges.”

The cluster of druid initiates and a handful of druids arrived. Altogether the entire group numbered around forty, with the Ranger candidates and Druid initiates.

Ortho met the gaze of Spring, and the two nodded.

“If all are ready to depart, then we will go. If any creature can give cause to say that they shouldn’t be here, this is it,” The mouse turned around looking to a sea of faces as they gaggled around her.

Ortho grabbed his sheath at the waist.

“Rangers stand ready to serve, Druid,” he said.

Spring completed her circuit and her whiskers drooped. Closing her eyes, she formed something in the center of the group.

“Squad leader, you’re up first, then direct the march. The druid will tell you the direction, you tell the rangers how to encircle, or cover our flanks. May I suggest a nice front and rearguard?”

Sam cracked a smile. He was going to let her lead. Sam took a second to see if any of her charges looked like they’d ever used a sword before. Perhaps the fox had?

“Fan out and guard the other side once you make it. I’ll take the middle once we’re through,” she said, addressing the rangers,” Chip you’re upfront, with that fox, yes you and your partner. Oak and Bonsai, you two are on rearguard. Everyone else fan out in the equal distance from the front to the back alternating side around the druids.”

Ortho almost looked pleased for a second. Almost.

Before she knew it, she had her sword out, moving through the gate to the other side. Trying to slow her breathing, she gasped as they made it through to the other side. Chip almost ran into her as she stopped short, looking up into the low covered sky.

Light shone through the fog that ended right above their heads and she could see no more through it. Very small plants around her feet made her realize that she was standing on solid dirt.

Snapping out of it, she moved forwards, trying to form a perimeter around the gate, as she directed one after another.