Chapter 2: Peace

The last adder was slain in seconds. Borin slashed and swung with incredible speed and strength and the adder stood naught a chance. In an instant the beheaded skull of the serpent fell to the ground with a dull thud and the mighty warrior roared at the sky with great ferocity.

He turned to the brook as his Bloodwrath ceased and he washed blood from his fur. He called out to Fendrel to see if he was alright. The otter babes started to cry again at the sight of the slain snakes and were comforted by Fendrel.

The kind squirrel hushed them and asked them to lead him and the badger to their parents. After a lengthy trek through the forests of Mossflower wood. The group came to rest at a narrow stream and Borin took out a sack of food and gave it to the young ones.

"Here," said the badger "Have some food and water. We can rest for a little while before we go to your parents. "

The young otters nodded and the oldest one pointed downstream and said

"We live in this big red place, called Redwall." My dads a real proper fighting otter, they call 'im the Skipper!"

The younger one chimed in and screamed, puffing out his little chest:

"I'm gonna be a Skipper some day too!"

The squirrel and badger started to chuckle at the small otter.

Fendrel patted him on the shoulder and told him:

"You have to eat to become a big strong warrior someday like your dad." he took out several oatcakes and some jam preserve. Along with a container of dandelion cordial.

After eating and drinking heartily the group of five marched in the direction of Redwall Abbey.

They arrived at the gates before the sun set. The weather was exceptionally wonderful that evening that the Redwallers were having a feast out in the orchard, or at least they were going to, when they discovered three otter babes were missing from the Abbey. Abbess Arabella ordered a search party. Having searched throughout the Abbey, the surrounding woods and the attic several times, one of the Redwallers decided to check the exterior once more.

Friar Brey was scouring the hedges near the ditch. muttering to himself and shaking his wooden spoon.

"Little dibbuns running away like that, how dare they. When I catch them there's going to be no more extra desserts for them. Humph!"

Just then Fendrel, Borin and the trio of otter dibbuns; Brook, Creek and Pond emerged in front of him. The waning sunlight reflected of the great axe he was carrying and the silhouettes of the the rest of them, the poor Friar thought they were vermin.

"Ahhh! Vermin! Run for your lives! Everybeast!" yelled Brey. The tubby mouse ran with surprising speed to the Abbey, waving his paws and with his apron flying in the wind he made a quit a comical sight to the travelers.

But the same could not be said to the abbey gatekeepers. They rushed to slam the gates shut after the Friar. But once Borin and the rest emerged onto the road, all confusion was gone.

Fendrel scurried ahead of the rest and shouted to the mouse manning the gate.

"Ahoy, mate! We are not enemies! We bring lost young 'uns! Three liddle you lot lookin' fer the liddle rascals?"

The mouse, Geoff replied with:

"Aye, we be looking for three lost ones. Were are they mate?" Then Borin and Brook and her brothers emerged from the ditch and onto the road alongside the squirell.

"They be safe with us friend," Boomed the massive badger "But we are badly in need of rest."

Then Abbess Arabella arrived along with a large muscular otter with a bandana on his head. After ordering the gate to be open they finally got a good glimpse at their lost dibbuns

The otter was overjoyed at the sight of his children and they ran to him with tears in their eyes. The youngest one started to cry and blubbered to his father,

"Wahhh! We almost got eaten by a bunch o' disgussin' serpents!"

Then Creek picked up a stick and struck a heroic pose, swinging the "sword" about.

"Aye, but these two bravebeasts saved us. They beat those snakes and gave 'em a right good hiding." Borin and Fendrel chuckled and were invited into the Abbey for a feast.

Friar Brey, even though he was embarrassed was still determined to go through with the feast.

And he delivered an exceptional meal for everyone. The otters devoured the hotroot soup, there was an assorted array of soups , several different types of bread such as: Bernard Bread, Shrew Bread, Garlic Herb Bread and oatfarls with honey, jam and preserves.

Different types of jams and preserves. Tons of cream on top of a magnificent fruit cake covered with strawberries, goose berries, black and blue berries, apples, plums and peaches. With a healthy dollop of honey.

The drinks were well received as well. Dandelion cordial, Strawberry and Damson cordial and different wines. The main drink drunk that evening was October Ale, which the mighty badger drank generously.

And to top it all off a huge lemon and onion trout sat in the middle of the large table.

That evening the two warriors ate more than they have in seasons. And all went to sleep with full stomachs and dreamt happy dreams.

All except Borin.