Chapter 3
Jenna was perfectly content as she strolled through Mossflower Woods. She had been sent to gather herbs and a few other things that grew outside the walls of Redwall Abbey. The sky was clear, the weather mild, and a nice warm breeze from the south. Jenna couldn't ask for more. She strolled through the sun-dappled paths, toward a beautiful spot that she knew about from her previous forays into Mossflower. She began to hum happily, but after a short time, frowned and stopped humming. Her humming stopped, but the music still rang through the air, sweet and pure. It also came from the direction of her planned picnic spot. She continued down the path, then hid in the bushes as she got close and stealthed it the rest of the way to the spot. She pulled the bushes aside to see into the clearing.
It really was a beautiful spot. There was a creek that was clear enough to see all the way to the bottom, and you could see anything in it. Its water was pure, and its taste was unrivaled. It was surrounded on both banks by weeping willows. Interspersed among them were cherry trees, which made the spot a one-of-a-kind place every season, with the obvious exception of winter. But what got her attention was the armored figure standing in the middle of the clearing, playing a violin.
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5 minutes earlier
"Patrik, you should take a break."
"I don't need a bloody break, I need to find out where the hell I am. The last sources of intel got themselves a nasty case of the arrows, and the only place that I know about that's inhabited is that big red place."
"True, but you don't need to kill yourself doing it."
"I'm a Spartan. I don't need to rest."
"After walking a full 24 hours straight they do."
"No."
"YES."
"Oh fine. I suppose I could use a break. Though it would have been worth continuing the argument just to see what weird logic you would have used this time."
"Like the fact that this is a great spot for a break?"
Patrik looked around and had to agree with Sheila. This was a beautiful place. A wave of nostalgia overcame him, as the area reminded him of several of his training spots. He closed his eyes and listened, hearing the sounds of the world around him. After absorbing them, he marshaled them into a cohesive whole in his mind, and unpacked his violin. He set his bow to the violin, and began to play the music he had created in his mind. He started slow, a look of intense concentration on his face. Then, after few seconds, his face lit up with a look of sheer passion and joy that seemed to light up the world around him, as the music smoothly transitioned into an upbeat, lively style. He began to sway to the music, then suddenly began to dance to it, not missing a beat, nor was his sound affected.
Sheila listened to her Spartan play music with a sense of pride. Patrik rarely played nowadays. The constant fighting had been grinding away at the love of life Patrik had for the world, which allowed him to play such beautiful and compelling music. She chuckled to herself as she recalled a memorable occasion when he was playing and the Covenant tried a sneak attack. Tried being the key word. They had been as entranced by the music as everyone else had, and had actually retreated after Patrik had finished playing. No one knew that they were there until someone had stumbled across it while they were reviewing the security system recordings. Tapes were promptly distributed, and the Covenant became the laughing stock of the UNSC overnight, as some of the alien warriors had actually danced to the music, and it cracked up anyone who saw it. The video had gone viral, and it reigned supreme over any other video on the internet. It also generated some rather, shall we say, colorful and creative insults.
Sheila listened for a short while, then called up the music program she had written for these occasions, and began to provide an orchestral backing for Patrik. They were so focused on their music that they didn't notice their audience of one.
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Jenna was amazed. She had never heard anything as beautiful as this before, but she was startled when she heard other instruments providing a background. She didn't really care, though, as she was entranced by the music. It seemed to go on forever, and when it stopped, the little mouse was overcome by a great sense of loss. She began clapping for the mysterious figure.
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Patrik was startled when he heard clapping after he put his violin away. On pure reflex, he pulled his side arm and aimed at the origin of the clapping, but checked himself before he pulled the trigger. He called out, "Who's there? Show yourself, before I drag you out."
A timid voice responded, "Alright, I'm coming out."
Patrik was surprised when a mouse came out of the bushes. She had light brown fur, had eyes the color of the sky, and was clad in a green habit. She was also rather short, about 4'5'' tall. She also looked like she was scared out of her mind.
Sheila chose that moment to chime in with a comment, "Patrik, play nice. She might know something about our goal."
"Copy that."
Patrik then said out loud to the mouse, "Who are you?"
She replied timidly, "My name's Jenna."
"Where did you come from?"
"I come from Redwall Abbey."
Jenna's response made several connections in Patrik's mind. He had no doubt that the place Jenna just talked about was where he was heading to. Jenna was also from this place, and would be vital to getting inside. He asked, "Can you take me there? It's very important to me that I get there."
She replied, surprised, "Of course I can take you there. All are welcome at Redwall Abbey, so long as they aren't evil. But, first I need to gather the herbs I was sent to get."
Patrik sighed resignedly, knowing that he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. After ten minutes, they had all of the herbs they needed, and set out for Redwall Abbey.
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Patrik was getting impatient. They had been walking down a dusty road all afternoon, and he was getting tired of constantly wiping off the dust from his visor. He thought viciously, "Dust-proof coating, my ass."
He asked Jenna, "How much longer?"
She replied, "Not long. We're nearly there."
Jenna was unnerved by this stranger. He was so intense and focused, it seemed like a bad idea to fool around with him like she normally did with others. She had never seen armor like his before. It looked heavy, but he moved as though he wasn't hampered by it at all. She glanced at his helmet again. It puzzled her to no end. It fully encompassed his head, leaving no way to see. The only way that she could possibly consider a way to see was that thin piece of blue, mirrored glass, but if he did see through it, she didn't know how. They rounded a bend in the path, and the gates of Redwall came into view.
Patrik wasn't impressed by what he saw. The Forerunner architecture he had seen put this to shame. He couldn't deny that it was beautiful, though. He noticed that Sheila had yet to comment. He disabled his suit's external speakers and asked her, "What, have you been shocked speechless for the first time in your life?"
Sheila replied, annoyed, "No, I'm just using the sensors to get some data on that structure."
"Oh, okay."
Patrik re-enabled the speakers as they reached the gates and Jenna knocked and shouted something. The gates creaked open, revealing an otter. Patrik noticed the horrified look on Jenna's face as she noticed the otter, who said, "Hi there, Jenna. I owe you for that prank you pulled on me earlier. You escaped me earlier, but now, there's nowhere to run!" Jenna took off running, but didn't get far, as the otter grabbed and proceeded to give her a massive noogie. Patrik collapsed laughing at the comical scene before him. The otter looked at the newcomer and asked, "Who's this?"
Jenna replied, "This is... I don't know, actually. I never caught his name."
Patrik replied, "I am Spartan-059."
The otter replied, "Okay,..Spartan..., I am Winifred. Welcome to Redwall Abbey. We are about to have supper. Would you care to join us?"
"Sure. I would also appreciate it if you could supply me with a room."
"Jenna will show you to your room."
Patrik thanked her and proceeded through the gate and into the grounds of Redwall, Jenna close behind him. Winifred wondered about the mysterious warrior that Jenna had brought home with her. Winifred shuddered as she thought about how she had gotten a number when she asked for a name.
The grounds were empty, as everyone had gone inside to prepare for supper. Patrik took in the well-cared for grounds and pond, then went inside. Jenna took the lead and led him on a route that would avoid the main thoroughfares for the inhabitants of Redwall. They reached his room, and Jenna gave him some privacy. Patrik Shed his armor, and reassembled it so that it stood whole, but empty. He removed Sheila's chip and attached it to his dog tags. He put on his uniform, then put on all of the decorations he had earned over his long career. He then took his combat knives from his armor and placed them where they would normally be on his armor. After activating his armor's security systems, he exited his room.
Jenna turned when she heard the door opening, and her mouth dropped open. The Spartan had removed his armor, with the exception of his right arm. He wore a uniform covered in medals and campaign ribbons, and she could see some very big knives and daggers sheathed all over him.
"Are the weapons necessary?"
"The one time I won't have my combat knives is the day I die, Jenna."
"Well, we better hurry if we want some dinner."
"Lead on Jenna."
I hope the longer chapter makes up somewhat for the wait. I should have the next one out in a few days if I feel up to it. Peace out!