The Seeker's Path

PREFACE

Ok, I started this novel in the fall of 2004 and worked on it in my free time with only the criticisms and comments of my friend (who moved to Arizona) to keep me going. Every time I finished a chapter I sent it to him by email. A lot of times I have almost given up on this story, and have not worked on it for months. But now that I've finally gotten an account at this site (I actually first discovered it in 2003-surprising isn't it) I've decided to get to work on this story again and post it up. There's only a little problem. When I originally wrote this it was with human characters (though it was in the Medieval Ages with the same technology as Redwall). So now I need to "Redwallize" the story, which normally wouldn't be that hard since, I would just have to choose species for my humans. However, I will also have to introduce the geography, like Mossflower, Salamandastron, Redwall, etc.

Well with that explanation, you can tell that revising each chapter will take a lot of time, sine I will keep little of my original work (what I will keep will mostly be some description of the landscape and some dialogue). Also, I have just moved into a new house. I moved on the May 15th and I have not been able to access the computer till about two weeks later. And the time between my updates may be lengthy, since "Redwallizing" the chapters will be almost as hard as it was writing them in the first place.

Some things you should be aware of: I basically suck at accents and most of my characters will have terrible accents. I can't seem to piece together a pattern of missing or added letters in a character's speech. For example: one character might be missing a 't' in one word and then have and added 'g' in another word with a 't' that isn't missing (maybe I've lost you). I will also usually centsor a few letters in my swearwords, because that's just me. Also this has been rated "T" because of some sensuality, sequences of marathon violence, and some crude dialogue.

Well about the title. I went through a lot of titles, because I basically suck at titles. In fact, you'll only discover why this novel is called "The Seeker's Path" in the eight, ninth, or tenth chapter (I know I'm just sad). Also I was planning this to be the first story in a trilogy, but I'll have to finish this novel before I think about. Also a few other notes: the prologue takes place a few seasons before the actual story. And this novel might take up a lot of chapters since I usually have trouble makings ends meet in the ending. Lastly, before I give a summary, I would like to tell you that I will be using titles for every chapter and roman numerals for each chapter.

Synopsis: A group of survivors from a catastrophe band together to stop an evil female mink and her ferret warlord consort from bringing the land into chaos. Meanwhile two mighty armies wrest at each other's throat to control the entire realm of goodbeasts and vermin alike, but love sprouts between two squirrels from different sides and tragedies arise.

Well that's all for the preface. I know it was boring but I had to get some things straight. And for a side note, in my opinion, the prologue is one of my worst chapters. Anyways, adios until next time.

PROLOGUE

Inclement weather was the daily forecast at the series of rising snow-covered slopes in the wintry lands. A frigid wind clouded the west and trees quailed against the winter's wrath. Branches rattled as the blizzard fought on. Cream-hued snowflakes splattered against the barren landscape, leaving smudges that would soon dissipate. A lonely figure crept over the once rich land now dispersed under inches of snow. The figure was hunched up on all fours, cruel winds torturing his frostbitten limbs and specks of ice stabbing at his body. He gave a gasp of satisfaction that soon turned into a pout of steam mingling with the natural coldness, upon reaching his destination.

A cowl that was loosely draped around the figure's shoulders was blown off by an exceptionally strong gust, revealing the seasoned body of a hoary ferret. The face features were determined and set in a grim line, as the ferret reached a set of frost-covered boulders that formed a circle around a band of robed beasts.

Malik stumbled and fell, but then stood up again. Around the circle of stones trees creaked in harmony with the wind as branchescapsized downwardswith icicles. The din they were making was enough to disguise the sound of snow crunching under Malik's boot to the members of the camp laid out before him. Malik rubbed circulation back in his paining legs cursing at the sight of the beats that had ruined his life permanently.

The cloaked marten with the albino fur and dense, curling lockets that hung from his skeletal body stepped into view, his veil flourishing in a draft behind him. He might have once been attractive but the seasons had taken their toll upon him, and the golden-rimmed turquoise orbs that served as his eyes would freak just about anybody out of their fur. The name he went by was Naze Arron and he was the crop of Malik's long quest, the whoreson who had murdered Malik's family. Malik raptly fingered his godendag ( a weapon with a relatively short axe blade with a spear point at the top and a back spike), his eyes burning with an intensified odium. It also blazed a path of hatred to Arron's crime partner-Henrick a revoltingly obese stoat with disgusting hives and tick bites. The two criminals that had destroyed Malik's family-killed his parents and raped his sister.

Malik gave the call of a raven and he got the shriek of an eagle in response. His friend, Devnam, who had accompanied him on his quest, was ready to start the attack on the vermin band below. Time to hit the road, thought Malik grimly. Taking out some tinder, flint, and some rotting wood, he quickly had a fire going, which he placed on top of the rocks. Ducking underneath the rocks he went into a noiseless run and leaped upon a large hill covered in snow. The fire distracted those idiots below like he had predicted. He clambered upon the peak of the mini mountain piling up snow in a heap. Was it really too much hope to not be noticed? He would soon find out.

Indeed he would.

xxx

Devnam sat against the colossal tree trunk sharpening his scimitar. He guessed it was now about as sharp as a diamond. He must have stayed ages here rubbing away at the curved weapon with a circular, disk-like chip of obsidian stone.

He knew he had the jitters before a battle. He'd been in a scrape or two when he had been a barkeeper's assistant and Malik's quest had thrown them into perilous skirmishes. So why was he very, very nervous to the point he was jumping at his shadow and pulling his sword out at the crackling of leaves under his boots?

Because this was the most important battle of it all. The highlight of his life. But that wasn't saying much as-

Peering through he branches of the gargantuan oak, he sighted the flickering, scarlet flames. Devnam smiled grimly. Time to get things heating. In a minute or three Naze Arron and his minions would be heading this way.

He left his footprints uncovered on purpose. It would confuse Arron and the others while he could make his assault go properly. He scurried into the trees like a squirrel. He laid his weapons on a sturdy limb and took a deep breath. He could hold in until Malik arrived. He could. He had to. For his sake.

Things were, indeed heating up.

xxx

Malik cursed foully. What the #$ was wrong? The plan was falling around his ears. Instead of causing an avalanche that was supposed to bury most of the villains under its mass, he was making misshaped snowballs fall down his sides! If not for his seasoned self-control he would have burst out crying in frustration!

While he had been beating himself up in frustration the idiots below were moving away, no longer distracted by the "bonfire". They were moving towards the grove of trees in which Devnam was hidden. Malik listened, frozen as Devnam's surprised shriek sounded from the direction. Malik shook himself out of the trance. Because he had ruined the plan didn't mean Devnam had to die… He took a running leap and slid down the slope on his belly.

xxx

Devman knew he should have been warned by the avalanche sound. But there was no avalanche and there was no sound. So something was wrong. But what? Unfortunately he didn't have time to figure it out. The fruit of his quest had arrived. But he would have to see if he could harvest it.

xxx

Malik felt the wind whistle around his clothes as he did a somersault and was catapulted into a snow heap. Lovely. Hurriedly he picked himself up and ran raggedly across the trampled snow. Cold breath misted his face. He entered the grove where he would face his destiny.