Chapter 3

Nikos and Illyn looked over to see a group of moles digging a grave for their beloved Abbot. Nikos smirked and looked over to the other Abbey creatures looking upon them.

"Guess it was his time."

Nikos then tugged on the rope that binded Mattimeo.

"Now, Matti, lead us inside. The creatures watching Nikos and his Deathbringers stroll into the Abbey were Tim, Rollo, Tess, Martin II, Auma, Constance, and the dibbuns. Two weasels threw the doors open that lead into Cavern Hole. The woodlanders sitting at the tables were Jess, Basil, Cheek, Sandra, and Winifred. Jess was no longer in her belted vest and instead clad in a white gown with emerald green cloak. Basil was clad in a fine belted jerkin. Cheek, Sandra, and Winifred still wore the same attire. Nikos walked in and admired the interior of his new home.

"Very nice, superb indeed."

Mattimeo lead him upstairs to Great Hall. Nikos laid his eyes upon the Tapestry of Martin the Warrior. Nikos then started to touch the silky cloth that hung from the sandstone walls. He then looked over to his henchbeasts.

"Tear it down."

Two rats saluted with their pikes and started ripping the lovely tapestry off from the wall. Mattimeo was infuriated, he witnessed the fox defile one of the Founder's memories. But alas, Mattimeo knew he couldn't say a word, for he would be beaten senseless.

"New ruler, new tapestry. I want one of me, standing over every Redwaller, and they are all in shackles."

Janos smiled at her mate.

"We shall get it done, my liege."

"Splendid, Janos, just wonderful."

Nikos then tugged on Matti's bind to take him to the infirmary, kitchen, and dormitories. Nikos then turned to the Deathbringers following him and Mattimeo.

"Alright, Janos and I will sleep in the gatehouse cottage we saw right before the tour. Illyn you and my league of assassins will pick which beds you want to sleep in, my highest ranking Captains, the same. Rest of you, pitch your tents in the Abbey courtyard or near the outer perimeter of this place. Finally, I will have my revenge."

A skinny stoat stepped in.

"Urm, 'scuse me, sire. But, where are the slaves s'posed to sleep?"

Nikos smiled at his thin vermin.

"We build them a compound. When I mean we, I mean them. They've got moles, otters, and squirrels. They can cut down a few trees, turn them into a shelter, and sleep."

"O' course sire."

Nikos then dismissed the stoat, the fox dismisses his horde that followed him through Redwall. The Deathbringers kicked everybeast out of his or her bed, every bed in the dormitories, infirmary, and individual rooms were all occupied by the Deathbringers. Mattimeo was forced to escort the fox couple to their dormitory. Nikos looked in awe of his new sleeping quarters.

"Fireplace, long table, large bed. I think we're gonna love it here, isn't that right Mattimeo?"

Nikos said in mocking tone, but Mattimeo said nothing. This angered Nikos a little bit, he kneeled down and slapped Mattimeo across the face.

"Speak when you are spoken to!"

"Y-yes it is."

Mattimeo whispered. Nikos smiled and patted the mouse on the back.

"Good, good. Well we better get started on the compound, don't want our beautiful slaves to catch a cold, eh?"

The fox said in a joking manor. No beast smiled, not even Janos. Nikos then sighed in disappointment.

"Right, Janos, get Illyn, let him know we need to start building the compound."

Janos bowed to her husband and rushed off to Cavern Hole where Illyn and the higher ranking hordebeasts were. In the orchard, a small group of water rats were picking the berries off of the bushes and trees, and feasting upon them. A hungry dibbun, that off a baby mole waddled up to them.

"Gurr, I's gertly 'ungry, may I have some?"

The rats looked at each other then back to the dibbun. They dropped one berry each and they watched in amusement as the tiny molebabe scooped each morsel up.

"Thank'ee kinely."

The baby mole said to his oppressors.

Mattimeo sat in the corner of the gatehouse cottage, as he did he listened to Nikos.

"You know, Matti. I think this is the start to a very good relationship, you do as your told, nobeast needs to die, right."

Mattimeo didn't want to humor the fox, but he didn't have much of a choice.

"Absolutely, my master."

"There you go, were gonna be the best of friends."

Though Mattimeo didn't show it, he was incredibly angry at his oppressor. He fantasized him taking back his sword and carving the fox up. Unfortunately that wouldn't be the case, for Mattimeo was weakened and bounded. Nikos then turned to his personal slave.

"Let's see how you're friends are doing, hmm?"

Nikos propped Mattimeo up and he untied the mouse, Mattimeo eyed the two weapons Nikos occupied: the curved dirk and the Sword of Martin. However, Mattimeo needed to wait for the right time, he walked out of the cottage and saw that these ravagers were turning Redwall, a safe haven for beasts, into a vermin fortress with slaves. Mattimeo saw Foremole, Cheek, and Sam lined up to help make the compound. Luckily there were more beasts like them lined up as well.

"Alright, you mangy lot. You're gonna build your sleeping quarters, you each be given an axe to cut down the trees, we'd advise you that you all make a cart to push and pull your trees, now march!"

Shouted Illyn. A weasel thought it would be funny to prod a young mole in the bottom with his spear point, the tiny creature shot up in the air, hopping around, and clenching his bottom with both digging claws. Illyn saw the mole get out of line, he picked the mole up by the scruff of his neck, and threw him back in. Mattimeo felt so useless, he allowed these vile creatures to take his home, all because he didn't want any of the comrades of Redwall to die.