*Prologue*

In Mossflower wood, near the northeastern edge, a crude village made up of cabins and a high-walled compound was the 'domain' of a fox and his vermin horde.

A one-eared fox sat wrapped in a thick woolen cloak, staring into the fire. A platter of untouched fish lay on the table beside him. There was a quiet knock on his door, and after permission to enter, the door opened and a rat captain leading a patrol of stoats, weasels and rats came in.

The rat leading the patrol snapped to ridged attention,

"Chief, midnight patrol report'n in!"

The fox sighed tiredly, "Make your report!"

The rat cleared his throat, "Made a wide sweep 'round the border, though we didn't see anythin' 'cept a lone mouse-maid just over the border…" His voice trailed of as he saw the questioning look in look in the Chief's eyes.

"Well?"

"Err…what?" Now the rat was obviously nervous,

The fox groaned, why and I served by dimwits? "Where is the mouse-maid?" The fox gritted through his teeth. The look in his captain's eyes was answer enough, "you IDGIT!" He exploded, "why in the name of 'ell-gates didn't you grab 'er?"

"We…um… er… didn't think 'bout it." The rat explained lamely, trying edge toward the door, but backing into the rest of the vermin.

"Well now what are ya standing there fer?" The fox roared, trying to control his temper, "GO GET HER!" The patrol scrambled out as fast as they could.

As soon as the door slammed behind them, the Chief returned to staring into the fire, plotting about how to gain the red fortress of his dreams.

Elsewhere, a sleeping mouse-maid was suddenly attacked and clubbed unconscious. After a minute or two of quiet arguing, she was bound hand and foot and carried off in the opposite direction the vermin came from.

In yet another part of Mossflower, in an almost-completed abbey, a mouse slept peacefully. As a matter of fact, the whole abbey slept soundly. All of them were unaware of the danger and death in store for them.

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OK! One chapter down, like…um…20 to go! Ode To Joy!

But that was my first chapter so it wasn't very good, and it was really short!(sorry about that! )

Pretty Please w/ a cherry on top, REVIEW!