A Redwall Halloween

By: Ethias Mouse

Matthias heard a noise coming from the courtyard, and rushed down there to find his son, Mattimeo, and Vitch going at it again. He was getting closer to stop the fight when Vitch pulled out a dagger, and was about to stab Mattimeo. Then Matthias pulled out his sword, and swung it at Vitch. Matthias pulled the body off of his son, and hugged him tightly. Although, Mattimeo wasn't hugging back, he was to busy staring at the dead carcass of Vitch. Matthias turned around, and saw Vitch as well.

"Dad. Is he dead," Mattimeo asked?

"I hope not. I didn't mean to kill him. It was just when he was about to stab you with the dagger, I pulled out my sword to protect you. I'm sorry I killed him Mattimeo."

"It's ok dad. I didn't like him, but I knew he shouldn't have died like this. It was only an accident."

Just then the Abbot and Constance came over to see what was going on. Then they gasped in shock, and looked to Vitch's body then to Matthias. Matthias got up and explained everything.

"I'm really sorry. It was an accident. I was just trying to protect my son, because Vitch was about to stab him."

Constance went over to Vitch's body, and carried him by the legs. She didn't want to carry a rat's body like she carried good creatures around. Then the Abbot stared at Matthias very sternly.

"Matthias. You have killed a defenseless creature in our abbey, and that is not acceptable. I'm sorry, but I must strip you of your warrior rank. Your sword Matthias."

Matthias slowly undid his sword, and gave it to the Abbot. Then Mattimeo grasped his father's paw, and cried on it.

"Father, why did you let him take away your sword? It was only an accident."

"Mattimeo. I killed an innocent creature in the abbey, and I know what the consequences are for that. I'm sorry Mattimeo."

Then Matthias just walked away with a stern look on his face. Suddenly out of nowhere he heard a young un sniggering evilly. He looked around, and saw nothing except Constance disposing of Vitch's body. Matthias continued home, but could still hear the sniggering of a young un. Then he recognized the voice! It was Vitch's laughter that was haunting him. He ran back to his hut, and told Cornflower what happened, and what he was hearing. Cornflower hugged him, and cried on his shoulder.

"Matthias, why did you kill young Vitch? Sure he was a nuisance, but that was no reason to kill him."

"It was an accident Cornflower. He was about to stab our Mattimeo, and I had to do something. My paw was just on the sword, and I pulled it out instantly. I'm sorry Cornflower."

"Matthias, I forgive you. It wasn't your fault. You just knew that you had to save our son from injury, or death. He was in a position where he couldn't stop it, and could have died. I know that Mattimeo thanks you for saving his life, but is also surprised at what you did."

Then they hugged and kissed each other.

That night, when Matthias was in bed, he had a very bad dream. Vitch was chasing him throughout the abbey with his sword, but Vitch wasn't in his own body, he was dead and his spirit was haunting Matthias, maybe even Mattimeo. Then Matthias ran into a dead end, and Vitch swung the sword down on him, but then Vitch was gone. Matthias looked up and saw the clouds turning black, and showing Vitch at the top of them. Then Matthias was struck by lightning, and woke up sweating. He looked around, and reassured himself that he was safe and it was only a dream. Then he fell back to sleep, and enjoyed the rest of the night.

Outside their door, Vitch was walking about searching for Matthias's sword, but couldn't find it. Vitch was a ghost, and was haunting Matthias, and Mattimeo. Then he sniggered evilly, and vanished.