Leatho Shellhound

Gender: male

Species: otter

Appears In: High Rhulain




Leatho is a resident of Green Isle and the last living member of the Shellhound clan. He is physically strong, very agile, wields a club and sling, incredibly brave, and looked at as a leader of the clans. He is both hated and feared by Felis's army as he is considered to be a fearsome fighter who refuses to surrender. After saving a wounded Brantalis he gathers some otters to rescue Chab and Whulky's families from underneath the pier, creating a successful diversion so that Banya and Lorgo can rescue them. The clans celebrate their victory but Leatho warns them that Felis will seek revenge and they must continue to fight until the High Queen Rhulain arrives to liberate them as well as free the remaining slaves. He works with Banya and Kolun to conceive some plans while Felis leads his army to find them, however as he tries to distract Fleng and his guards into heading inland Felis takes his group along the coast towards the otter families. Leatho swiftly realizes the horrible truth and orders his band to run back home, but he is relieved to see that Deedero and Zillo already have moved as they had a hunch that Felis would be sneaky. Zillo tells him about Holt Summerdell and he agrees to relocate the clans there. The first night he dreams of Martin who tells him about the slaves still being held at the fortress, and the next day he takes Banya and Kolun to the place. Upon arriving he goes to the compound and tells Runka (who has been posing as a slave to spy on the cats) to have the otters prepared to be freed in four nights, but as soon as he lets go of the wall he drops right into Felis's trap and he is quickly knocked unconsciously by the butt of the wildcat's axe. He is then tied into a wooden cage suspended high above the fortress, and Felis warns that if the otters do not surrender they will see their leader slowly perish under the burning sun; when they hear this news, the clans decide to fight back. Leatho dreams again of Martin who tells him to not give up hope but is interrupted when a mentally insane Kaltag attempts to kill him with a spear as she thinks he is responsible for Jeefra's death, and in her frenzy she unknowingly cuts through one of his ropes. He is saved when Pandion tears open the cage ceiling, but as he cannot escape he instead locks himself in the room and throws insults at the guards on the other side of the door. Kaltag lights the place ablaze in a final attempt to slay him, and Tiria - who has arrived on the island with the Long Patrol - orders Brantalis and Pandion to retrieve him. The ottermaid defeats Felis moments later, the fortress is left abandoned and gutted, and the clans celebrate with a feast. During this time Tiria learns of Brinty's untimely death and wanders off, with Leatho following her not long after. He gives her a small wooden figure of an otter whose rudder has been shaved down to resemble a mouse's tail, and after tying some flowers to it they throw it into the lake while he recites an ancient Green Isle poem. They become close friends (it is unknown whether they stay this way or are mates), he participates in the Battle on Deeplough's Rim, and upon returning to Holt Summerdell he founds the Green Clan Regiment with the other leaders with his responsibility being to protect the island shores from tyranny.