A couple notes:
1. Yes, the title and book names are based on computer games.
2. RFFers may remember me talking about "The Hunted", which featured Redwallers up against alien hunters. This is a renamed version of "The Hunted". So let's see how the bow and arrow compares to the laser chaingun...
Warning: PG-13 for mildly gory violence, course language, and some suggestive content.
Prologue
A calm fall night had set over Salamandstron. Dim starlight revealed the frost forming on the ground, and there were signs of fog coming, but for know the sky was clear.
Of course, it was also so cold that no sane creature would want to be outside right now. Unfortunately, some didn't have as much choice in the matter as they would like.
A pair of crystal blue eyes and a set of stripes were all the could be seen of Lady Alyssa Markiert, the current badger Lady of Salamandastron. The rest was buried beneath a clock thick enough to stop an arrow.
Her thoughts again drifted to why she was out here at the top of Salamandastron, in freezing cold. Because some damn voice said something important was going to happen tonight, and I wanted to be out here to see it. Of course, if General Carville hears that excuse...
"Milady?"
Right on schedule.
General Carville had been one of the top hares in her father's time as ruler, competant in both close combat and commanding from far. He was still good at the second, but not as good at the first as he still pretended to be.
"Milady?"
"Yes, General?"
"I was just wondering what you were doing up here."
"Night watch."
"We have several sentries around here. Ever since those bloody searats were spotted, there's been enough volunteers within our forces to fill a otter holt. Most of them are doing it for the bragging right, though."
"Yes, but I need to watch for something specific."
"Is it something with which I could help, Milady?"
"No, General, it is not."
"What are you even watching for?"
Markiert was starting to get just a bit peeved at Carville. The General was good, but she always thought he was looking over her shoulder ever time she did something. She knew she was inexperienced at her recently gained position, but was she really that bad?
"It's really none of your business."
A silence. Markiert looked up just in time to see a strange sort of halo of light shoot across the night sky. Heading due North.
"General, do you think you could take a patrol North tomorrow?"
"Certainly milady. But may I ask why?"
"Because I have a gut feeling about this."
It sounded stupid. But suprisingly, Carville took it.
"Yes, milady."
Markiert grinned.
"No questions?"
"Your father often used the same excuse, and his missions turned out well enough."
"Okay, General, but you'd better get some sleep."
"Goodnight, milady."
Markiert looked up again and thought for a minute. Ever since she had taken over from her father as leader of Salamandastron, Carville had been looking over her shoulder. He was good, certainly, but he seemed to think anyone who hadn't slain a hundred sea rats shouldn't be in command, and she had yet to prove herself even once. She suspected that all the searat captains were sizing her up, but as of yet she had to wait. It was starting to wear on here.
Suddenly getting the impression she had seen what she came for, she turned to go in. Little did she know that inside of 48 hours she would have the chance to prove herself - and would never want a chance to prove herself again.
Her gut feelings told her something bad was about to happen. Her gut feelings were right. Dead right.
1. Yes, the title and book names are based on computer games.
2. RFFers may remember me talking about "The Hunted", which featured Redwallers up against alien hunters. This is a renamed version of "The Hunted". So let's see how the bow and arrow compares to the laser chaingun...
Warning: PG-13 for mildly gory violence, course language, and some suggestive content.
Prologue
A calm fall night had set over Salamandstron. Dim starlight revealed the frost forming on the ground, and there were signs of fog coming, but for know the sky was clear.
Of course, it was also so cold that no sane creature would want to be outside right now. Unfortunately, some didn't have as much choice in the matter as they would like.
A pair of crystal blue eyes and a set of stripes were all the could be seen of Lady Alyssa Markiert, the current badger Lady of Salamandastron. The rest was buried beneath a clock thick enough to stop an arrow.
Her thoughts again drifted to why she was out here at the top of Salamandastron, in freezing cold. Because some damn voice said something important was going to happen tonight, and I wanted to be out here to see it. Of course, if General Carville hears that excuse...
"Milady?"
Right on schedule.
General Carville had been one of the top hares in her father's time as ruler, competant in both close combat and commanding from far. He was still good at the second, but not as good at the first as he still pretended to be.
"Milady?"
"Yes, General?"
"I was just wondering what you were doing up here."
"Night watch."
"We have several sentries around here. Ever since those bloody searats were spotted, there's been enough volunteers within our forces to fill a otter holt. Most of them are doing it for the bragging right, though."
"Yes, but I need to watch for something specific."
"Is it something with which I could help, Milady?"
"No, General, it is not."
"What are you even watching for?"
Markiert was starting to get just a bit peeved at Carville. The General was good, but she always thought he was looking over her shoulder ever time she did something. She knew she was inexperienced at her recently gained position, but was she really that bad?
"It's really none of your business."
A silence. Markiert looked up just in time to see a strange sort of halo of light shoot across the night sky. Heading due North.
"General, do you think you could take a patrol North tomorrow?"
"Certainly milady. But may I ask why?"
"Because I have a gut feeling about this."
It sounded stupid. But suprisingly, Carville took it.
"Yes, milady."
Markiert grinned.
"No questions?"
"Your father often used the same excuse, and his missions turned out well enough."
"Okay, General, but you'd better get some sleep."
"Goodnight, milady."
Markiert looked up again and thought for a minute. Ever since she had taken over from her father as leader of Salamandastron, Carville had been looking over her shoulder. He was good, certainly, but he seemed to think anyone who hadn't slain a hundred sea rats shouldn't be in command, and she had yet to prove herself even once. She suspected that all the searat captains were sizing her up, but as of yet she had to wait. It was starting to wear on here.
Suddenly getting the impression she had seen what she came for, she turned to go in. Little did she know that inside of 48 hours she would have the chance to prove herself - and would never want a chance to prove herself again.
Her gut feelings told her something bad was about to happen. Her gut feelings were right. Dead right.