Author's note: You know, some people have commented on my chapters that Mariel and my other characters don't seem right, but there have been worse fanfictions than mine! Some that I've read don't even stick to Brian Jacque's style and write about the most horrible, inappropriate, un-Redwallish stories.
Peacefully tranquil, golden skies sang crimson as the velvety pads of dusk's paws caressed the horizon, emanating a gradient blush. The sun lowered into its cradle of slumber as its hypnotic light ruled over dry, terracotta plains.
A young Redwall Warrior dozed casually against the aged trunk of a beech elm, her thick framed eyes squinting in the rays of eventide's light. Strewn over her regally clad shoulder, hung a simple but ominous weapon; the mousemaid's beloved Gullwhacker. She wore a golden cape of silk that fitted ceremoniously upon her body, an oversized hood trailing behind her caput. Thus the familiar appearance of the young warrior; anybeast knew the swift eyed maid was Mariel of Redwall.
The clumsy sound of paw against twigs resounded by the edge of an oasis. The young maid swung around; noise had suddenly pricked Mariel's awareness. She needed no fancy scimitar or rapier to deal the offender a sharp blow on the skull, and she was rewarded with an agonised shriek. Rubbing sweat from her brow and bending towards to the ground, she narrowed her eyes down at the limp form before her feet. A helpless croak was uttered unbidden from the mouse's throat.
"Oh I beg ye, spare me, ole gel, I bring news from the Wall that's Red!"
Mariel scratched her ear and probed the messenger for information. "Redwall, what comes from there?"
He winced as his head fell against the grass helplessly. "All h'Abbess Gerden wants from ye is to come back. She says if'n ye don't, then she'll 'ave to send some friends with ye, marm!"
Mariel gave a snort of doggedness. She wanted to do this alone! But before she could drink any more answers from the messenger, he fell limp and lay still. Her Gullwhacker had done the job.
Setting the limp body in a tunnelled out crevasse of dirt and under growth that grew by the oasis, she set to continue her journey. Accompanied by companions or not, she was going to free her friends and slay the great Nyphus!