posted 05-20-2001 04:56 PM            

The hoard was closing in on the small, outnumbered band of soldiers who were
under armed and well pinned down by a hail of spears and arrows. Each of the soldiers
who still had weapons stayed low while others who were unarmed reached and gathered
the spears and arrows lying around.

“Alright men, stay low and wait for my orders. If you want to survive, you’ll follow my
words without hesitation.”

He wasn’t very tall, but one could tell by his many scars he was no stranger to
combat. And because of this, everyone kept quiet and listened whenever the badger
spoke. Looking around, the badger pointed into his soldiers.

“You. You there. Yes. Come here.”

From the group, a young border collie came forward.

“Yes Sir?” the young soldier asked.

The badger looked him over and thought for a moment. He walked and signaled
for the soldier to follow him. When they were out of earshot of the rest of the soldiers,
the badger placed his arm around the border collie. He whispered in his ear while
pointing.

“What is your name son?”

The border collie looked at him and answered, “Vladimer Drake, Sir.”

“Well Vlad, look out there and tell me what you see.”

Straining his eyes, the border collie looked back to his superior.

“I see the enemy Sir.”

The badger turned and pointed to a small patch of foliage.

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~Bravery is not the ability to act without fear. It is having fear, and acting anyhow.~

*He's gotta sword!*
*You IDIOT! We've all got swords!*
~Aladdin~