Jerry left the group with the Grayfur Rat Priest's letter and traveled through the Mountain Forest, where the Rat Swarm had yet to wreak havoc.
But as he pressed on, the trees, shrubs, and grass vanished. The sky turned gray, the land grew barren, and crows and vultures circled above dead trees. Ratfolk roamed this Plague Land.
Jerry's Champion Rat guise kept the wandering Ratfolk at bay, but as he neared the Hive City Cavern, disguised Ratfolk Assassins crawled out of hiding.
"Stuen... shouldn't... be here..." the Ratfolk Assassins said haltingly. They wore tattered cloaks, stood short and round as balls of flesh, and gripped daggers.
Jerry raised his head haughtily. "I'm the Champion Rat Captain. Where's your Executor?"
"You want... our lord... for what...?"
"I'm here on the Grayfur Rat Priest's orders. The Hive City is to send someone to fetch Lord Greyfur Rat."
One Ratfolk Assassin rolled into the cavern. Soon afterward, two Champion Rats emerged, flanking a Grayfur Rat Priest carrying a Bone Staff.
Jerry could no longer maintain his haughty air. He lowered his head. "Lord Grayfur Rat."
The McKennan Clan's Grayfur Rat Priest bore the clan's unmistakable features, including a goatee that held not a trace of beauty. The priest could not compare to Lady Philos.
The priest's dark-red eyes fixed on Jerry. "Are you one of the rats routed at the front?"
Jerry puffed out his chest. "I escorted a Grayfur Rat Priest back. Here is her letter."
One of the Champion Rats, shorter but just as strong, took the letter and handed it to the Grayfur Rat Priest.
The Grayfur Rat Priest opened the parchment. A few seconds later, the priest looked up. "Seize him."
The two Champion Rats lunged at Jerry. Caught off guard, he was sent tumbling several yards. Just as