Hey Black-Phinoex! Here is Chapter 1 of Understanding Loyalties. It took me a while to fix it up for repost but I did it. In this chapter two new characters are introduced and the snake makes an apperence.
Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Redwall. I do own Ashford, Talara, Shara and Kellos as well as the plot but that's all.
Now on to chapter 1. Enjoy.
Chapter 1: (Shara and Kellos)
Shadow awoke to a bright warm sunny day with no sign of any clouds in the sky. He looked out into the clearing the cave was located beside and saw only a few puddles on the ground. Looking around he saw the bird assistant of the old squirrel was not around.
"Talara went out to get food," Shadow turned to face the speaker only to find the old squirrel.
"How long have I been asleep for?" Shadow asked.
"As long as you needed," The healer said. "You fell asleep at about nine p.m. last night it is now 8 a.m. in the morning."
"Ashford, Ashford," Talara came swooping down at top speed clearly agitated about something. Shadow took note of the robin in front of him. She was young with the usual brown back and wings, brown beak, red underside and yellow legs. She had black eyes that yearned to learn.
"What happened Tally?" Ashford asked in a gentle but firm voice.
"Two…injured… collapsed…help…," Talara gasped out trying to catch her breath.
"Slow down and start from the beginning Talara," Ashford told her.
"While I was out looking for food I stumbled upon two stoats a young female and older male. The older of the two was just lying there on the ground withering in pain the younger one kept glance in the direction in which I assumed they had come from then back to her companion trying to get him up. I think they need help," Talara finished taking flight soon after. Ashford followed behind her accompanied by an injured but curious Shadow with the help of a tree branch he had found last night.
They followed the robin to a medium sized clearing surrounded on all sides by large leafy trees not far from the cave where the two stoats were but came to an immediate stop before entering as another creature came into the clearing from the direction one of the stoats was looking in. This new creature was a snake shadow had never seen or heard of before but he could tell the serpent was a male, very large in size with a medium green body and very dark green markings and a cream colored underside. He had yellow eyes and a deep voice and seemed to be hissing what appeared to be his name.
"Asmodeusssss," He hissed causing his intended prey to look up at his coiled body in fear as he looked down at them with hunger in his eyes.
"Get, go away," a female voice rang out causing Shadow to turn to the young stoat that had spoken. He watched her gather her courage and pick up a large branch lying on the ground and stand between her friend and the giant snake.
"She's crazy," He heard Talara whisper.
"She's trying to protect him," Ashford whispered back as the group watched the stoat swing the branch and strike the snake once, twice, three times before he retreated.
"Impressive," Ashford said causing both stoats to look up. "Not many can stand up to old Asmodeus especially like that.
"Who are you?" asked the young female. Shadow studied her carefully. She had brown eyes and light brown fur with black rings on her tail. Her paws were white and she had a cream underside.
"I am Ashford a healer this is my assistant Talara," He pointed to the robin. "And the rat is shadow, a patient. You would be?" Shadow watched her turn to her down friend, who nodded.
"I'm Shara," the female said.
"And him?" asked Ashford.
"He's Kellos," Shara answered as Shadow looked to the downed Stoat who was lying on his left side facing Shara and looking like he was about to lose consciousness any minute.
"Could you use some help?" Ashford asked Shara who gave him a look that suggested she wasn't sure they could be trusted.
"We have a cave we live in not far from here. You're welcome to stay with us as long as you need," Talara added looking towards the other stoat as he suddenly cried out in pain.
"We'll come," Shara told Ashford. "Kellos needs help," She added softly as the older squirrel assisted her in helping Kellos to his feet.
"Shadow you really should not be walking on that fractured leg yet," Ashford told the rat as he limped closer to the group to get a closer look at Kellos who watched him warily before closing his eyes.
"Curiosity," was all Shadow said as he studied Kellos a little. He had green eyes and black fur but unlike Shara he did not have a cream underside.
"Kay Talara will lead the way to the cave," Ashford said as Talara took to the sky followed by Ashford and Shara supporting a weakened Kellos. Shadow, despite being injured, suggested staying at the rear to watch for the snake they had seen. The snake was not seen the whole trip back to the healers cave but Shadow wondered if that was the last time he would see the slithery serpent. What did Ashford say his name was? Asmodeus? Yes that was it. Shadow was sure that was the snake's name.
Well there's Chapter 1. Hope you liked it. so now that the group is all together and the snake has been seen what will happen. Will Kellos live? Will Ashford be able to help him? Will Shadow ever be able to trust anyone again? and will the snake win in the end? the answers and more to come in this tale. Read and Review and let me know what you think. As always constructive critizisum is always welcome.
Black-Phinoex!