A lot has changed in the days since the vampire Korv, Bakula, was vanquished, and the crystal shard was returned to its proper place. Although the forests have their fair share of wild beasts, and there still may be dangers lurking at night (This is, after all, Sylvania), no longer must the villagers live in so much fear of their surroundings. Every once in a while, there's even a sunny day. The swamp even seems to be draining a bit, because a ladder has been needed to gain access to the Keep, now that the waterline is a full story below the tower door, and the outer walls and parapets have been peeking out from the mire.

The foppish fox, of course, has made it abundantly clear that Jynx is the one responsible for all of this, and so he's gotten plenty of good will from the villagers. Although, legally, all he has is a castle, his own swamp, and a deed to the land in the area (much of which happens to have other people presently living on it), and no title, he's routinely referred to as "Lord Kurai", and sometimes even "Duke Kurai".

Word has gotten out, and travelers have stopped taking a wide detour around Blackshire, resulting in renewed trade and spreading of news.

For instance, an overdue letter sent from Duchess Eve Kurai arrived. Apparently, the kitten has been very busy in Rephidim, especially since an evil "kitsune" (fox) ghost trashed her opera house and almost killed the female lead in an opera put on by a disagreeable poodle by the name of Eustace do Varr. (Eve thinks that he is condescending, and talks to her as if she's a child. The nerve!) However, a strange Exile named Envoy, the Baron of Paradys, and a stinky snake defeated the ghost, and a bunch of nice merchants covered most of the damages by holding a collection.

Now, Eve is in the process of building some sort of "Shrine to the Star" in Rephidim, at the suggestion of the Baron of Paradys. The trouble is, though construction is going along just swimmingly, some people from the Temple have been very curious about this. Apparently, there are certain rules and regulations about the construction of religious structures in Rephidim, and she may have run afoul of some of them. Eve happily notes, though, that the very helpful Temple representatives happen to become very forgetful when given lots of nice things, such as shekels. (They were even so nice as to tell her about this peculiar fact.) However, it seems that every time one Temple representative forgets, another one comes along and has to be paid to forget as well. If this keeps up, she just might not have such abundant supplies of money anymore. However, she's confident that something will work out because, well, she's lucky, and everything has always worked out for her eve

In more recent and local news, however…

The foppish fox sits on the short stone wall that hems in the pool at the base of the fountain in the center of the town square. He plays a jaunty melody, and sings…

"Everything's fine, everything's grand,"

"Now that Kurai is ruling the land,"

"Everything's perfect, nothing is wrong,"

"So drop what you're doing, and come sing along… "

Down the street comes galloping a sienna-colored Rhian, wearing a mismatched "uniform" stitched and patched together with rings, buttons and miscellaneous chitin bits sewn on the front and back of his jerkin in a poor man's version of ring-mail. His head sports a leather cap, underneath which can be seen the edge of a bandage. "The Gallisians are coming! The Gallisians are coming!" he brays as he runs.

Jynx sits at the foot of the Kurai statue, half ignoring the fox and his song (but also half listening.) He's been able to take things in a more relaxed manner recently, what with all the monsters gone and all. Just as he begins to say something to the fox, he stops, and turns towards the Rhian. "Gallisians?"

The Rhian stops, and leans against the leg of the statue of Duke Kurai as he catches his breath. "Yes … (pant) … the Gallees! The poodles! The Chevaliers and the Cuirassiers! (pant) Armored invaders from the south … pushed on (pant) past Spearhead Point … pushing north and east … pant into Tempest County."

"Tempest County? Isn't that Count Vlad's territory?" The Khatta stands up, his ears perked up to listen. "Why are they attacking?"

The Rhian says, "Invaders! They've claimed all of Sylvania for years … pant … claim that the Czar isn't strong enough to rule it … so they'll do the world a favor by doing a better job, and slaying all the vampires they claim rule the land here."

"For the longest time, the furthest north they got was Spearhead Point … but they've drained some swamps and built a highway, and moved their troops on through … and now they're continuing their sweep through Sylvania! They'll crush us all, if they aren't stopped!" whinnies the horse.

Jynx frowns, and walks to help the Rhian stand. "Have they broken through Tempest County yet? How do Vlad's forces stand thus far?"

The Rhian says, "The advance forces were scattered." He frowns severely. "I have no idea how the castle is holding against the assault. They surely won't press on until they've subdued all of Tempest County."

Villagers start to gather around, listening to the Rhian's woes, and exchanging worried whispers and mutters amongst themselves.

The black Khatta grimaces as the people gather, not liking the nervousness that the situation is causing. "Are there any already organized forces we can muster? I haven't seen any armies since I've arrived here!"

Sheriff Darken says, "Ve can defend the village at least … but I do not zhink we can handle a whole army for lonk."

The foppish fox says, "Don't worry! We have Duke Kurai at our side! He can take on a whole army by himself! Of course, that big tall silent fellow in the armor can help, too." He points over Jynx's head.

Jynx scowls at the fox; right now his ego doesn't need to be inflated. "Big silent fellow?" The cat turns around, following to where the fox points.

Barely visible behind the villagers is a conspicuous-looking armored feline. Born-in-Shame.

The cat blinks, and a small smile comes to his mouth. "Born-In-Shame!" he signs, "you've come back!" He pushes his way through the crowd towards the cheetah.

The cheetah salutes Jynx, then walks over to him. He signs, "Your sister wished me to come back and help you."

"Eve sent you?" The black Khatta looks puzzled, but shakes off the thought. "Nevertheless, I'm glad she did; you came just at the right time! The village, and all of Sylvania, is in danger from invaders. We need your military know-how. I know I disappointed you, but please help us!"

The cheetah pounds his chest in a warrior's salute, then signs, "My sword is with yours, Lord Kurai."

Jynx smiles in relief, and turns back to the Rhian and the Sheriff. "What do you recommend we do to starts? Should we go to help Count Vlad, or hold our own here?" The thought of poodle warriors still sits strange in the feline's mind; what do they do, yap their victims to death?

A shopkeeper says, "I say, let Count Vlad soften 'em up … then if they keep coming, we'll defend what's ours! No sense marching off to our doom and leaving our homes behind!"

Born-in-Shame signs, "I will go to meet the enemy. It would be cowardly to wait for them to come to us."

The foppish fox doesn't say anything at all … but dashes off in the direction of the swamp, grabbing a wooden pail on the way.

The Khatta frowns, "I'm not sure of the wisdom of leaving them all alone either, they may – Hey! Where are you going?" He calls after the fox.

The fox stops, turns around, then says, "I've got a plan!"

"Mind clueing the rest of us in?" asks Jynx.

The fox puffs out his chest, beaming proudly. "Well … I figure that the castle is an ideal place to hide from the Gallisians … but it seems to be getting kind of dry. So … I'm going to take this pail and move all the water from the edge of the swamp over to the middle of the swamp, and cover up the castle again! We can go inside, and they'll never find us!

Jynx blinks. "Uh… You do that, big guy… " Shaking his head, the cat turns back to the others, mostly regarding the Sheriff, the Rhian, and Born-In-Shame. "We may have to send some of whatever forces we have to help out the count, and stop the Gallisians as soon as we can. The rest of the village can take refuge at my castle, and we can find weapons there as well. Any thoughts?"

"Yes, the castle!" repeats one of the villagers, and the cry is echoed. A few, though, look dubious.

"Give me some help here, guys," Jynx asks the three others, "This is my first war and all… "

The fox, meanwhile, looks quite proud at being called "big guy", and rushes off to the swamp. "Anyone who wants to help, follow me!" he proclaims. The only people that do follow him … are a couple of simple-minded Rhians, and a few bored cubs.

Sheriff Darken says, "I tink tat if ve are to help Count Vlad, ve shel haff to use stealt. Our numbers are few … but ve coult help vit te element of surprise."

The Khatta nods to the Sheriff, "You're right. If we try to take them head on, we won't stand a chance." He looks around the crowd, "Who do you think will be capable of helping us? I don't know many fighters in the village."

Not too many hands go up. Sheriff Darken looks about. "I em villing to go … but you may neet me here to guart the village es vell. Oter tan tat … " He points at a large Rhian. "Gunter." The horse nods, and holds a large hammer. He's a carpenter. The messenger horse nods as well.

A Korv walks up – Farmer Poe. "Count me in, too! *Kaw!* You can use some wings and a couple of eyes in high places, I wager."

The sheriff nods, then looks about, frowning. "I tink tat is all who are villing to go for now."

Jynx frowns at the lack of enthusiasm, but wipes it from his face as the few volunteers step forward, nodding to the sheriff. "Well, I'm glad to have you two with us." He looks around the crowd, "Anyone else? If not, then we need to move quickly. Get what provisions you may need and meet us back here, then everyone head for the castle. We need to prepare and get the place fortified."

The call for provisions earns a few more volunteers, as the farmers and townsfolk get organized and put together some stocks and supplies for the journey. It takes the next several hours to get everything together, and to get a map scratched together from what everyone can remember of the best road-ways to take to Tempest County … but it looks like Jynx and his very small "army" should be about ready to go. About this time, the foppish fox comes back, panting. "It's not working!" he exclaims.

"Maybe you just weren't trying hard enough!" comments Jynx with a small roll of his eyes. "Anyway, you need to decide? Are you coming with us, or going to the castle?" While waiting for the fox's answer, he turns back to the crowd. "Good work everyone. Now, back to the castle. We need to get some weapons and get the rest of the people secured, and hurry! Time is probably short!"

A while later, Gunter, the messenger horse, Farmer Poe, Sheriff Darken, Jynx, Born-in-Shame and the foppish fox pole their way back to the castle. Or, that is, they pole their way to the outer wall of the castle, which has risen far enough from the murk that it's not possible any longer to push a barge over it. From there, they climb up and over the wall, and get onto a second barge – Ysnor's old barge – to take the rest of the way to the tower. A climb up a ladder is required to actually get inside … and then a journey down the stairs takes them to the armory.

The armory has a number of interesting weapons hanging about. Thankfully, the old Sword of the Necromancer King is no longer among them. The "surf sword" still hangs in its place, and there are several pieces of armor of antiquity.

Jynx selects as many daggers as he can find, since its his weapon of choice. "Take your pick, and make sure its something you know how to use. Anything here is at your disposal, but if you don't know how to use a certain weapon, it won't be of much use to you."

Farmer Poe looks about, but doesn't seem to find anything to suit Korvite needs. Besides, his role will likely just be as a scout anyway, and his wings should provide him with ample opportunity to flee from poodles.

The foppish fox finds a rapier with an ornate wrought wire hand-guard. There's no telling if he's handled a sword in his life … no, second thought, it looks like he hasn't … but it's evident that he's picking it for the fashion statement more than anything else.

Born-in-Shame seems content to use his own weapons and armor … while Gunter takes an interest in the collosal "surf sword". Sheriff Darken picks up the crossbow that Jynx left behind during his adventure to Cemetery Hill, and finds a pack to hold some bolts. The messenger horse picks a plainbut functional sword to replace his broken one.

The Khatta eyes the fox warily, but decides that its better that he has some kind of protection, as opposed to no armament at all. Pulling out the crude map, he looks it over. "We need to take the route that will give us enough time to surprise them, but also one that's quick. Which one is that?"

Sheriff Darken spells out a path along one of the main roads to Tempest County … but which takes a short detour just before reaching the location of Vlad's castle. "Tis vould be our best course … t'ough if ve find Gallisians comink tis vay already … ve shel haff to make new plans as te need arises."

Jynx nods, "I'm not too keen on staying out in the open for that long, but if it's quick and you suggest it, then that's the route we'll take." He stands, rolls up the map, and stashes it away. "Darken, you may need to stay with the people in the castle, since you're the biggest authority here."

Darken nods. "If you vish."

The foppish fox claps Darken on the back. "No problem! We can handle this problem, can't we?"

Darken frowns at the fox. "Of course," he agrees with a solemn nod.

"Unless of course, you think you'd do best to come with us?" Jynx asks. "Nevertheless, we need to hurry, and set out as soon as possible. Hopefully, Vlad has kept the yappers at bay, and we can get there in time to help,"

Darken says, "I doubt tat I vill make much difference. You heff Farmer Poe as a flyink scout. I vill keep te village calm – ant ready."

Jynx nods to the Sheriff. "Well then, we'd better get on our way. Everyone get you things ready, and we'll start off." The Khatta starts to make his way up the stairs towards the docks, saying a silent prayer to the Star. Please let us get through this…