It was calm out on the sea. It was dawn, and seabirds flew above the big ship as it smoothly sailed across the seas, heading east toward the land of Mossflower.
The slaves of the Bloodbug didn't know nor care what time it was. They had been paddling all through the night. Those who collapsed from exhaustion and lack of food were chained to one of the giant ship's masts.
The searats and corsairs of the ship were known as the Destroyers of the Sea. They were feared far and wide for their cunning, fighting skill and cruelness. They lounged around the ship, eating, sleeping, fighting and gambling.
The sun looked down on the pathetic looking slaves, on the cruel searats and corsairs, on the whole ship as it made steady progress, sailing towards the east and the peaceful country of Mossflower.
"All right, you swabs, lets go, Cap'n wants yews to start pulling on them oars again." Bigear the slavedriver, named so because of his large ears, dragged the slaves back down below deck where they were chained to their oars and given bowls of dirty water and a bit of fish to eat. They began rowing.
"Laaaaaaand Ho!"
The deck became alive with searats and corsairs, the scum of the earth, all shouting and laughing, glad to be close to land after a hard journey at sea.
The door to the captain's cabin burst open and out came Tidon Poisonclaw. Everybeast went quiet. Though the crew feared him, they could not help but to admire him. He was a large pine marten that was in his prime. Sturdily built, he stood almost a head taller than most martens. He had two large teeth coming out of his mouth, one on either side. He wore a kilt and a red silk vest. He had a cutlass thrust into his sash, and was also very skilled with a bow and arrow, carrying with him at all times a quiver of black-flighted arrows. On his arms were wristbands. Long, skinny iron spikes stuck out from them, going over his fingers, though there were loops attached to the bottom of each spike so that he could stick his fingers through and move them as though they were his fingers. Each one was tipped with a lethal poison, giving him his name, Poisonclaw. He was stronger, quicker, and smarter than any other corsair on the seas. Tidon was a fair captain, but he could be mercilessly cruel. He was feared and respected by his crew.
His sinewy muscles stood out as he walked to the rail. "Haharr, there she is, me buckos. Mossflower! Redpaw, keep 'er on a steady course toward land. There should be a river up here somewheres. When ye spot it, gimme a shout."
Then he made a high screeching noise. A gannet swooped down and landed beside him. The vermin on deck all ran and hid from it. "Get back out here, you cowards." He then turned to the gannet. "I want you to scout ahead and find the place called Redwall. When you find it come back here and tell me the exact location." He strode back into his cabin and slammed the door. All became quiet as the vermin went back to whatever they were doing.
Redpaw the steersrat called to Bigear. "Hoi, Bigear, get those slaves a-rowin' faster. The faster we get there the sooner we can get some vittles!"
Bigear went down to the galleys where the slaves were rowing exhausted, starved and beaten. "C'mon, row faster, there's land in sight!" He flailed about with his whip. However, he strayed too close to a young black-furred squirrel. The squirrel pounced onto Bigear's unprotected back!
I hope you liked the first chapter. Please review, this is my first story and i'd take and advice, praise or criticism