Hunters & Gatherers

"Hunters & Gatherers" is the thirteenth Beasts of Burden story.

Story
The Wise Dogs gather in a graveyard, discussing how with dangers everywhere, they can't spare anyone for Burden Hill.

Back in Burden Hill, the junior apprentices carry out a plan of their own. Rex waits in a field while Dymphna keeps watch from above. On her signal, he starts running, pursued by an invisible monster. He leads it through the woods to the Orphan, who takes over. The Orphan leads it to Ace, who leads it to a broken bridge, which collapses and sends the now-visible beast to its death below.

As the gang gathers around the beast – a Windslither – some crows come and steal its eye. The gang splits up to spread the word of the Windslither's death. As the Orphan walks with the Getaway Kid and Muggsy, they spot some new humans in town. The crows deliver the eye to the Rat King, and the rats and crows cheer for rat/crow kingdoms that will cover the Earth.

Characters

 * Lundy
 * Emrys
 * Miranda
 * Brigid(?)
 * Dempsey
 * Carver
 * Gerda and Triss?
 * Rex
 * Dymphna
 * The Orphan
 * Ace
 * Windslither
 * Pugsley
 * Jack
 * Whitey
 * crows
 * Getaway Kid
 * Muggsy
 * Red
 * Holstein
 * Digger
 * Sabina
 * Russell
 * Paul
 * sewer rats
 * Bloodletter
 * rat king

Mentioned

 * Rex's owner
 * the Swifties
 * the master