I'm afraid I didn't get to post this second installment for the Archer Scouts story on Monday, so I'll just post it on Tuesday! Next Monday I will post the third, final installment.

Segment Two: The Approaching Storm

 Sweating slightly and not just from the heat, Thomas posted four sentries on the pantry roof corner then went back and helped heave on the 2 long ropes hanging on the side of the pantry. Finally the saltshaker was up on the roof. The 30 grasshoppers on the roof had given up marbles and were cheering on very loudly as they had mini wrestling matches, wagering personal items on the result. Mathew sniffed distantly, as if he thought the guards pastime to be way below him. James nodded in agreement. Not much of a guard are they?” He whispered to his friend. Fred shook his head.

 “You guys ready back there?” Mathew hissed.

“Nearly.” Thomas grunted as he continued to heave on the ropes lifting up the peppershaker. A few minutes later Gordon wiped his brow “There, all done. What’s next?”

 “Okay.” Fred said, taking momentary command. “Roll that shaker over here and that one over there. A bit forwards, to the side, no the other side duffer. There, all’s ready.” Fred looked with a look of satisfaction on his face. The two shakers, now on their sides formed a little fort, giving protection against attack.

 “Places, all.” Thomas said, beckoning everyone in the fort. “Now to declare our existence.” Mathew said, rubbing his hands together, pleasure written all over his face. “Can I do it?” He asked eagerly.

 Being granted permission, Mathew picked up his massive longbow that towered over every member of the Scouts. Pulling back the arrow he aimed for one of the wrestlers in a gaudy blue uniform.

 Twang! The arrow flew off, and in a matter of milliseconds, the gaudy dressed wrestlers was still and in a silent and long sleep.

‘Here they come.” Bill stated calmly, with no trace of emotion. Then the silent but no less powerful House Scout war machine rolled into action. 30 Grasshoppers charged the half-meter to the improvised fort. They were met with a veritable array of flying arrows, raining down at first in one salvo, then as individual shots. So good was the shooting that only five of the grasshoppers reached ‘Fort Flavouring’ as Fred had called it. And such was the fury that met the Hoppers that none returned.

 “Look!” Fred yelled. The four other Grasshoppers had been aroused by the fighting and were hanging about, not knowing what to do. Two were flying off, while the others seemed to be considering if to charge or not. Mathew gathered his bow and shot off rapidly, nailing the Grasshoppers both times. 

 “Right.” Thomas gave the orders like a man with little time to live. “Fred, put the shakers back in place. Edward and Mike collect arrows. Henry, James, Mathew and Gordon, turn off the heater. Percy run to Sir Jimuel and gather an army, we’re going to need it. And Bill, run off to our closest hidden depot and collect as many quivers has you can. Be quick men, we’ve stirred a hornet’s nest I think. Hurry!”

Five minutes later, Bill returned puffed and exhausted but had somehow managed to sneak across open territory with no less then 10 quivers, or 300 more arrows. The fort was cleared; Edward and Mike had finished collecting all the reusable arrows (about 20) and put them in empty quivers.

“Now we wait.” Fred stated simply.

 10 minutes after the heater had been terminated, a grey s cloud that had been gathering for minutes now broke out in a all out fly for the Archer Scouts mini fort. The storm of Grasshopper armies was coming.

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