Snake Slayer

A story inspired by the Redwall series

I assume no ownership over any Redwall characters...

The Ferret plunged to the ground, his back hitting the dirt with a thud and a crack. An adder's head followed swiftly behind. The ferret rolled nimbly to the left. He kicked out his legs and brought himself upright on his feet in a battle stance. He drew his twin scimitars from his belt, while a smile of battle came across his features. He loved the thrill of a good challenge. This adder had been fighting him for nearly 20 minutes, but he never tired of it. He lived for the rush of battle.

The adder struck again but the ferret was still too fast for him. He began to do many backhand springs to escape. The stopped on the fifth one, his feet skidding to a stop on the gravel and dirt. He had to wait for an opening, wait for the adder to make a mistake. Then he would make his move. The adder lashed out with its fangs and again failed. The ferret had cart wheeled out of the way. The ferret saw that the snake was dazed. Now was his chance. He had to act quickly or his window of opportunity would close. He jumped into the air, flipping and twisting his body so that the twin swords were aimed directly at the adder's spade head. The swords came into contact with the snake's skull with a sickening crunch. He had finished the job.

Unknown to him, a small mouse maid had been watching from the nearby bushes. She had seen his skill and was sure that he was the one that she was looking for. She summoned up some courage and ventured out into the clearing.

"Um, hello?" she questioned.

A disinterested grunt was the ferret's only reply. After all he was trying to collect proof of his kill. He was starting to go about decapitating the adder's head when the mouse interrupted again.

"Um, I was told that you could help me with something...you see I-"

The mouse maid was cutoff by an answer from the ferret.

"Listen, luv, I'd love to chat but I'm afraid that there is business I have to attend to." He spoke in a low voice. Looking up from his kill, he saw the mouse maid directly. She was wearing a green skirt and shirt and carrying a walking staff. She seemed to have a look of worry on her face. Noticing this, the ferret adopted the look of understanding.

"Listen, if you need to talk to me, see me at the bar in Blaygan village. I'll be the ferret sitting at the table towards the back. That o.k. with you?"

The mouse maid wondered to herself. She had not heard many good things about the village of Blaygan. It was a place of vermin and thus not the place that mice such as here would think of going. However, she desperately needed to talk with him. And he seemed like the kind to trust. Besides, he obviously knew that she was a potential client at would make sure that she would be safe. How would he collect pay otherwise?

She nodded and said that she would meet him there. The ferret felt a bit worried. The mouse maid seemed to look very grave and the situation must have been bad for here to ask on of his kind for help. He sighed to himself as he strapped the adder head to his back and bent down to get his strange, black glasses. It seemed as though he would not be able to take that much desired vacation from his profession...

So, what did you think? Be sure to review this 'cause I'm going to need feedback for this one.