OoO( 3 )OoO
The vole panicked and tried to crawl backwards, but it didn't have the strength nor the speed to dodge the beasts attack. Lunging forward, the creature grabbed the vole in its teeth and tossed it along the ground, making it roll a short distance away.
"Where did you come from? I don't remember seeing you here a moment ago!" shouted the creature. The vole was unable to speak and sat on the ground paralyzed with fear. The creature, obviously of short patience, yelled, "Answer me! Now!"
"Shinrah!" shouted a voice from above. The creature looked up and a slim female squirrel jumped out of the tree and landed next to him. She stood much taller than the vole and wore a bow and quiver on her back. "Yelling won't help anything." she said. The creature snorted as the squirrel kneeled down to the vole. Smiling gently, she said, "You will have to excuse my friend. He doesn't like it when he misses something while he's tracking."
The vole, still unable to take its eyes off the white creature, said, "W-W-What is that thing?"
The beast started to growl at being called a 'thing'. The vole covered his mouth with both paws, not wanting to dig his grave any deeper. "He's a wolf. I can tell that they aren't that common in this country, so I will explain more later. But we have a few questions for you first." said the squirrel politely. The vole finally pryed his eyes away from the wolf to look at the squirrel, then nodded. "Have you seen a black lynx come this way at the head of about five hundred vermin?" she asked.
The voles face was a mask of confusion. "W-Whats a lynx?" he asked.
"Its a type of wildcat. But slightly bigger and much more dangerous." replied the wolf calmly. The vole simply shook his head. The wolf sighed in frustration. "Then we will have to search elsewhere." he said.
The squirrel stood and turned to her leader. "How could he just disappear into another country with five hundred following him? Surely someone would have seen him somewhere." she said. "Where would he go?"
The vole looked up at the squirrel urgently. "Five hundred you say?" he asked. The squirrel turned and nodded to him. "Well, I don't know where he is, but maybe I can tell you where he is going."
The wolf stepped forward eagerly, making the vole flinch in fear. "Where? Where has he gone?" asked the creature. "Please, you must tell us!"
"But...before you go, I want to know more about this army. If he has that many under his control, then he would surely find us here. I don't want to be a bother, but I want to protect my family as well." he said. The wolf glared at him.
"Alright. If you tell us where he might be going, then we will tell you about him." she said. The vole nodded. "Alright, you first. Where would he go in this stretch of land?" she asked him.
The vole pointed northwest of where they sat. "There is a place about seven days walk in that direction. It is likely that if your friend has heard of it, then he would go there."
"He isn't our friend!" shouted the wolf, making the vole cower again. But the squirrel calmed the massive creature and turned back to the frightened vole.
"What is this place called, and how would we know it?" she asked.
"Its a giant sandstone building that you can't miss. You can begin to see it after five and a half days of walking, but only barely." said the vole.
"And whats it called?" asked the wolf impatiently.
"Redwall...Redwall Abbey."
OoOoO
The sky was now covered with dark clouds as an approaching storm crawled its way across the sky like a dibbun looking for its mother. Wind blew sharply from the sea and hammered against the cliffside, making tree and shrub dance in its elegant flow.
Inside the cavern, Cloud and Zango prepared for the journey ahead of them. They gathered their belongings and packs that were made for them by the inhabitants of the cave, but were quickly set upon with many questions.
"Do you really have to leave now? Its going to rain soon." asked Juna, Truvo's wife.
The ferret wrapped his cloak around him as he looked at the pretty otter. "'Fraid so. The sooner we find who we are looking for, the better off this place is. Rain never bothered us none, so don't worry about us." he said cheerily. Juna frowned at the response, but Cloud quickly cheered her up. "Don't look so gloomy missy, you'll bring the rain inside. Don't worry, we'll visit once we finish our buisiness. I give you my word." he said.
She smiled at him. "You better, or I'll track you down and drag you back here." she said punching him jokingly.
The ferret warrior rub his arm softly and grinned. "I'd believe it..." he said. Suddenly, a paw grabbed his shoulder lightly. He turned to see Zango standing behind him. Nodding to reassure the fox, he turned back to Juna. "Sorry, but we have to go." he said. Juna nodded and Cloud turned for the entrance.
"So, where we headed first?" asked a voice behind them. Cloud turned to see Ivan and Songcrest with packs across their backs and a walking stick each.
"Sorry, but I can't bring you along." he said.
"How come?" asked Songcrest, almost outraged.
"I think you know why miss." he said sternly.
Ivan looked at his sister, then back at Cloud. "Well, we're goin' with whether you like it or not." he said. Before Cloud could respond, the otter began talking again. "Who else is goin' to lead you through this country without sinkin' you in a marsh somewhere? None of you know where your goin', so whats wrong with us takin' you there?" he asked.
Cloud opened his mouth to respond, but could think of nothing to say. Songcrest took over where her brother left off. "Precisely, how would you find your way anywhere without our help?" she asked.
"Its too dangerous." he said.
"I appreciate that your worried about us, but we can hold our own." said the ottermaid. Cloud looked at them, not having to tell them that he wasn't convinced. "Alright, how about this. We will go with you until we reach Redwall Abbey, then we will leave you to your buisiness. How does that sound?" she asked.
Cloud thought for a moment before giving his answer. Looking up, he eyed both eager otters, then sighed. "Alright, fine. You can come along until we reach this Redwall place, then you both have to stay there and leave us to our tracking." he said. They both nodded and he glanced around the cavern at the faces of the otter family. Both Ivan and Songcrest stood behind the three travellers and they all said their goodbyes. Ivan gave Truvo and his brothers one last firm paw shake while Songcrest hugged Juna and the little kits running circles around her.
"Don't worry little ones, we will come back soon." she said gently.
Cloud waited until the goodbyes were said before speaking his part. Stepping forward, he smiled at the otter family in front of him. "We thank all of you for your hospitality and kindness. You all have shown us that friends can be found in any land. And for this I thank you again. If you are ever in need of me, know that one day, when I have finished my mission at hand, I will return to your wonderful home and visit you all again."
"And we have you to thank as well. If it had not been for you comin' around here when you did, we might not all be here right now. We owe you our lives." said Truvo as he stepped forward. Holding out his paw, he looked at Cloud with a look of seriousness on his face. "And thats why me and my brothers have decided to make you our sworn brothers." he said.
Cloud was rendered speechless when he heard Truvo say this. Looking down at the otters hand, he smiled at him. Taking Truvo's hand, he shook it firmly and said, "Its an honor to be declared the brother of one such as yourself Truvo. If you ever need my spear, then you only need to ask." he said. After Zango shook Truvo's paw as well, the party left the cave and began their journey westward towards Redwall Abbey.
OoOoO
Quiet and calm lay the vermin camp of Dregg Ironclaw. Everybeast lay on the ground on makeshift beds trying to gain some sleep after that days events. Campfires burned low, leaving only glowing embers to heat the vermin all around them. But there was one that was still alight.
At the edge of the vermin camp, the greatrats sat around their cooking fire, terrified to go to sleep. They had never seen an act so ruthless before, not by anybeast. As they sat contemplating their current chances of survival, a thought came to one of them. Turning to the former second in command, one of the rats whispered, "Hey Greytooth...what you t'ink dey did wid ol' Vurhide?"
The greatrat shook his head solemnly. "I don't know mate, but I don't want to be the one to find out." he said.
A sudden shadow alerted them and interrupted their conversation. Turning around, they all saw Scorch holding a small torch over his head. "Which one of you was the second to the big rat?" he asked. All the others immediately pointed at Greytooth, thinking he was going to get punished for being an ally to their former leader.
He turned to them and glowered. "Traitors!" he shouted at them. They all just stared at him in silence.
"Lord Ironclaw wants to see you in his tent." said the weasel. "I'm to guide you there miself, incase you should get lost somewhere in the woods and never be seen again." he said.
Greytooth then glared at the weasel. "I'm no coward weasel!" he shouted.
"We'll see about that." said Scorch as he led the greatrat away from the others.
Inside the tent, Dregg Ironclaw waited for the rats arrival. When the greatrat came through the tent curtain, he stood to his feet. Walking up to the rat slowly, he licked something from his lips that Greytooth didn't get a good glimpse of before it was gone. The warlord stood only an arm length from the rat and stared at him solemnly.
"So, you are the second to the loud one?" asked the black cat.
Though a little shaken, Greytooth stood his ground. Staring back into the cats amber eyes, he said, "Yes, I was second in command."
"Good, then I have the right rat before me. Now then rat, whats your name?" he asked.
"Greytooth."
"Well Greytooth, do you know what I do to those who oppose me?" asked the warlord as if it wasn't that hard of a question. The rat shook his head, not taking his eyes from the cats. Smiling back at the rat, Dregg said, "Well, you are about to get a lesson. My name is Dregg Ironclaw, and I rule all the lands far east of here. I treat all enemies the same as I have your friend, which includes anybody from my army that thinks they should rule instead of me. What I do to my enemies is to instill fear into them until they are no longer my enemies. But occasionally, there has to be somebeast that will get the point across for the others. Like your friend over there in the corner." he said.
Greytooth turned and looked in the corner, but instantly wished he hadn't. His horrified gaze locked onto the skeleton of his former leader, supported by a cross shaped stand. Its bones seemed to be screaming still, even after death. The skeleton stood, clean of any meat and insides; still red from the blood that had been flowing all around it mearly hours ago. Its hollow eyes stared back at Greytooth as if asking for help. The greatrat quickly turned his head away from the sight and covered his mouth, keeping himself from losing the meal he had eaten earlier.
"Now that you have seen what all my enemies look like, I give you a choice. You can choose to be loyal to your friend over there, and get yourself a spot next to him. Or you can become one of my captains and teach me all about this country of yours. What will it be...Greytooth?" asked the wildcat as he stared at Greytooth intently.
The greatrat waited a moment to clear the image of his dead leader out of his head before answering. "I...I will become one of your captains." he said quickly. The black cat smiled slightly.
"Very well. You now have control of one hundred and a score of soldiers from my army. But, before you go to your command, you must complete one task."
"Anything you ask." said Greytooth.
"You must take your friend over there and place him on the highest ground within a days walk from here. All creatures in this country will soon know and fear the name of Dregg Ironclaw."
Greytooth nodded and turned to the skeleton. Grabbing the stand that held it, he lifted it over one shoulder and carried it slowly out of the tent as if it were an overweight spear. As he crossed the camp, one of his comrades saw him in the dark. Getting up, the rat stepped over rats, stoats, and ferrets to get to the greatrat walking away from the camp.
"'Oy! Greytooth! What you got there mate?" asked the rat in a hushed voice. Greytooth said nothing, but turned and looked at the rat. The greatrat stopped when he had approached the new captain. "So, what did ol' Tinpaw have to say to ya?" he asked, still unable to make out the item that Greytooth was carrying in the dark.
Greytooth stood still holding the stand over his shoulder with both paws. Suddenly, a flash of lightning from overhead illuminated the object he was holding. The rat looked at the skeleton and his eyes widened. Stumbling backwards, he turned and ran away from Greytooth in horror, immediately recognizing the accessories the skeleton was wearing as their former leaders. Greytooth mearly sighed as large drops of rain started to fall from the sky and clean the bones of the hollow soulless skeleton.
OoOoO
Stormy skies had reached Redwall much sooner than the east. Lightning flashed and thunder clapped as heavy winds blew all the trees in Mossflower back and forth. The events for the day had to be canceled due to the rain, much to the dismay of the dibbuns. Abbess Belle stood in the doorway of the abbey building as Skipper and Mel brought the last table inside and out of the rain.
Both creatures ran inside with the oak table above their heads, shielding them from the pounding rain. They skidded to a halt as they entered the Cavern Hole and set the table down gently on the floor. A mousemaid walked up to them and handed them both towels.
"Here you are Skipper." she said as she placed a soft towel from the infirmary over his shoulder.
The large otter smiled at the pretty mouse and grabbed the towel. "What would we do without you Sister Mary?" he asked. The mousemaid smiled and threw another towel at him, this time hitting him in the head and completely blinding him.
"Oh stop it you old charmer." she said and continued her rounds around the Cavern Hole. When she came to Mel, she smiled at him and handed him a towel as well. "Thank you for helping with the tables Mel, you were very helpful." she said. Mel smiled back at her.
"Oh, it was no trouble at all...really." he said nervously. Suddenly, another mouse ran up behind Mel and jumped onto his back.
Wrapping his arms around Mel's head, the mouse said, "What took you so long Mel? I had my table in here before you even found yours!"
Mel reached up and grabbed him around the neck, then flipped the attacker onto the floor. "Knock it off Parlo!" he said roughly.
The mouse raised his hands in defense. "Wow, sorry I interrupted your chat."
Mel looked up and noticed that Mary had already gone to get more towels. He raised a clenched fist and slammed it down on the table he had just brought in, sending a loud bang across the Cavern Hole. Every creature within earshot jumped in fright as the sound echoed across the hall. Mel turned and walked away from the scene with his ears almost fuming.
Skipper turned to Parlo and glared at him. "Why did you have to go and do that when he was talkin' to Mary?" asked the burly otter.
The young mouse shrugged, much to the annoyance of Skipper. "Hey, cummon Skip'...I was just having a little fun."
Skipper shook his head and sighed. He knew why Parlo had done what he did, and didn't approve at all. But, he mearly turned and walked away.
OoOoO
RiverFox237: Kinda. It may not be as long as a normal Redwall novel, but I will try to make it last as long as possible.
Shadow's Forge: How complex would you like me to get?
Willowisp: Bwaha! You finally came! I'm glad to see you, and I'm glad you like the story. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
And the same goes for the rest of you. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and the rest o the story for that matter. Work has been exhausting me lately, but I'm still writing as much as I can! So, read and enjoy! And also, send plenty of reviews! Arigato!