They trekked a very far distance and got exhausted. They had to stop somewhere and rest. They gathered leaves and stick, lit them up then sit around it in groups. There were still in Greenwoods so there was nothing to be scared of.
They entered Skull-land but it was a very quiet place if not for the chirping and whistling sounds made by birds insects. It was certainly a wilderness it was very cool in there. They went deep into the bush. Bara was the one leading the troops as if he’s been treading that path front childhood. After two to three hour, when the sun began to rise, the weather becoming friendly they came to a spot Bara told them to be careful how the set their feet.
“Those days I skip training, this is what I come with my fellows to do. We set traps from place to place. This is where we started”
That was his own traps he set so that they don’t find out there’s traps there. Traps he set involves, holding heavy weights up above, thorny surfaces that can hit together with a great force if touched, digging very wide deep holes and covering it to look like a leveled ground, Hanging nets above which can be drawn down when an enemy comes in to a perfect spot. There were more. Bara showed all to them. How to notice them if they see it anywhere and how to avoid them or use them against the enemies.
“Now, the plan is this. We will send some birds here to the lion with a message deliver. They will tell him we brought for him forty to fifty animals in exchange with the one in his custody in fulfilment of the agreement we had. So he should send some of his strong and skilled hunters to come and get them as quick as possible before they realized out prank and flee. For we lured the to the boundary with the hope of coming to find treasured which we made them believe are surplus here and useless here. But they are refusing to go further because they are becoming scared. Do not quiver at his presence, do not go close or let him get closer, stay a distance away, be careful and watch the surface you perch. Do not quiver at his presence. Be bold and make him hurry his hunters. As you go, don’t forget the path you too. Mark this place so you can trace it back so we don’t make mistakes. I will be waiting to direct the rest on what to do when I see you coming with them. Then you will see what will happen”
“Wisdom!” the parrot nodded. “Surely victory is ours”
“Definitely” the elephant concurred.
“I perceived it too” the zebra said.
“Please make him show you the prince to be sure he's still alive” the gorilla pleaded.
“That’s if the plan goes well” the giraffe said to those already sensing victory.
“Why not?” asked the parrot.
“What if they refuse to show the prince or they…they..” realizing the effect saying it straight would caused to the gorilla. “What if they, like the lion did not keep his promise or refuse to send his hunters?” bringing down his voice.
“Even if he does or doesn’t we are expecting his hunters for as greedy as he is he can’t hear this and want to miss it. In fact I will lead the mission”
They were hopeful because the parrot is brave, wise and eloquent. He will surely convince him. Shortly after little arrangements, he flew into the sky taking about five different fast birds with him.
The chimpanzee went into work with the remaining ones in other to ensure a successful execution of the plans. Creating more traps at perfect spots, Looking for hid outs and climbing of high trees for distant sighting.. After about two hours or less, they saw a large number of Skull-land warriors advancing massively. They were almost half the number if those from Greenwoods. The tree animals saw them first and quickly alerted those down to get prepared. All taking a supposed position. About twenty animals were set as bait to draw their enemies to where the trap was set while the other animals hid themselves. Their hearts throb and their bloods boiled in their veins willing to act.
“What if we miss the strike and they were able to cross over successfully?” the giraffe asked the nearest animal.
“That’s not so easy. It’s only those that can leap fast that will be lucky but.. they can not go back, not alive. We will handle them.
“Ok, then I will be waiting here”
“Why?”
“Since you can handle them, no need of me”
“I mean you and I”
“You can’t involve me in a thing like this without my consent. You didn’t even ask me if I will. You are deciding for me. For what?”
“Are you scared?”
“Scared? Hmm… maybe scared to massacre them brutally”
“I will drag you out when the time comes. Watch and see”
“Is it by force?” the giraffe started to fear “Cant I decide when to fight and who to fight with? What’s your problem? Have I done wrong coming with you?” the animal with him kept quiet which made the giraffe fear the more.
“I will join you. But I will fight who I want to. Not who you want”
When the enemies got closer Bara ordered the baits to run to one direction so that the Skull-land warriors would come after them with heavy trampling. They ran few distance away, though some ran farther. They stopped only to see that almost all of them have fallen in a very deep wide hole dug by nature. It was covered with light foliage to make it look like a leveled ground.
The survivors were surrounded and threatened to fall into the pit by themselves or they will have to kill them. They refused. Some tried to run but the surrounding crowd were to many to penetrate. They killed them and threw in the pit.
“This is just half of those I saw. I will bring more. Reconstruct your traps. We need to reduce them before attacking” the parrot said. The parrot took his group and lost in the air.
“Please hurry. No time” the elephant reminded.
They were Happy the first attempt went well. It encouraged hardworking harder. They reconstructed and waited for those to come.
In less than two hours he returned with a good number of them. How he was able to convince the lion is what nobody knows. The same thing that happened to the others happened to them as well. It was a perfect plan, well executed. The hole swallowed them and still pretended it knows nothing about their disappearance. It was amazing how deep and wide it was.
As all these were happening a peregrine falcon hid in a tree somewhere watching them. None of them noticed. It suddenly flew away when it was certain that there’s no attention on his side. They laid strong woods across the gully to cross to the other side. The chimpanzee took them to a place he hid seven carts. It was different from the carts they were familiar with. Unlike the tricycle, this one was constructed purposely for battles, low to the ground with four wheels for a better balance. But almost the same size with enough space to sit or cling. They were all amazed that all these have been going on and no one knows about it.
“As we head to the palace, remember all that I have told you. Stick together. Don’t chase an enemy alone, he may lead you into danger. You rather let them go and later we will trace them. No argument. None should claim to know better. The better we cooperate the more we succeed”
“I will be in your team chimp” the giraffe said. No one knows why he wanted to be in chimpanzee’s team. “Pardon me for all my mistakes, I have sincerely repented”
“It’s okay. Let’s move. They must have gotten information about what happened and will definitely be coming for us. Hurry up everyone. On your heels”