Author's Note: I've decided to write the chapter about the two new characters instead of following the adventures of Tranud and his corsairs. The different stances, maneuvers and other things about swordplay that appear in this chapter and others are not mine. They are taken from the Lightsaber Techniques in the Star Wars movies. The song in this chapter is not mine either, it is taken from Brian Jaque's book The Taggerung.

Learning a Fine Art

Redwall was a place of peace and quiet in the early morning hours, especially the morning after a feast. The kitchens were quiet, no breakfast was needed as everyone was still full from last night's repast. A young male otter dressed in a forest green tunic was running across the top of the outer Abbey walls. He had been up since the break of dawn, exercising his muscles in preparation for the lesson he would receive later that day. The otter was rounding the northeast corner when he heard a whistle from below. A young male badger, a few seasons older than the otter had just exited the main Abbey building. The badger was carrying a large tray laden with food and drink.

"Rillflag! Get down from there and have some breakfast! You'll wear yourself out if you don't take a break." shouted the badger.

Rillflag smiled and ran down the stairs taking them two steps at a time. He leaped from the bottom step and landed beside the badger who stood over a head taller than him. The badger sat the tray on the grass and the two adolescents spread a large blanket out on the green lawn. Rillflag sat down with a thump and began chugging a glass beaker of strawberry cordial.

"Slow down there! If you drink any faster you'll drown yourself."

Rillflag just smiled and put the beaker down. He grabbed a scone from the tray and began munching, this time much slower. "You're starting to sound like old Abbot Reiron. Sunflash, if you get any more uptight you'll be sanding the edges off of scones."

Sunflash laughed and sat down beside his friend. Running his paw over the golden stripe that had him named after the legendary Badger Lord, Sunflash grabbed an apple. Biting into the crunchy red fruit he laid back and gazed at the clouds floating through the sky. "Don't you just love looking at clouds moving through the sky above you?" mused the badger, "Hey! That one looks like the mark on your paw!"

There was in fact a cloud in the shape of a speedwell flower that matched the pad on Rillflag's right paw. The otter gazed at the mark for a while then closed his paw on the black flower and remarked, "My mother says this mark was passed down from my father's side. My great-grandfather was the one that first had it, but his was pink."

The otter and badger conversation drifted to talk of their ancestors. Rillflag knew that he was descended from Deyna, the first otter Taggerung and Sunflash didn't know his father. The Badger Mother of Redwall, Dali has said he was a descendant of the Badger Lord Rawnblade Widestripe, and that he had many important ancestors including the one he was named after. About half an hour later the tray was bare other than for a few crumbs. Sunflash stood up and stretched his muscles. By now the creatures of Redwall had awoken and the Abbey was a hive of activity.

"Alright, you bring the tray back to the kitchen and I'll get the practice swords." said Sunflash. The badger had travelled to the mountain stronghold Salamandastron a while ago and had promised to teach Rillflag how to use a sword. Rillflag set the tray down on a counter in the kitchen then found a haversack and filled it with food for lunch. Shouldering the pack he walked to the small wicker gate and waited for his companion. Sunflash arrived a few minutes later with two wooden swords tucked under his arm and a steel battle axe strapped to his back.

"What's with the axe?" inquired Rillflag.

"There've been reports o' vermin in Mossflower. This is just in case we run into any." replied the badger as he unlocked the gate. The two youths walked into Mossflower Woods south of the Abbey. Soon enough, they found themselves in a small clearing. Rillflag dropped the haversack of food and set it at the base of an oak tree. Sunflash tossed a practice sword to him which the otter promptly caught by the blade.

"If I had thrown a real sword at you, your paw would have been cut deeply at the least. Weapons are dangerous, you must always remember that. Sword fighting is a fine art. The sword is your brush. Learn every part of it and know what it can do." Sunflash's normally joyous voice was very serious. He held his sword in his right paw and stood in an offensive stance. His feet were evenly spread and his sword was held in front of him, angled toward Rillflag's head.

The otter nodded and also took his weapon by the hilt. He assumed the same stance as Sunflash but was soon corrected. "You're going to start in a defensive position, then we'll switch. This, is the basic defensive position." said Sunflash as he moved toward his trainee. "Spread your feet evenly apart. But hold your sword to the right of your face, and straight up. Not pointed towards anyone. That is called the defensive neutral ready stance. Keep both paws on the sword till you begin your attack. Two hands gives your better leverage in defense."

Then Sunflash moved back to where he was standing and stood like he was before. "This is called the Aggressive Neutral stance. Now prepare to defend yourself." Sunflash took his left paw off of his sword and stepped forward with his right foot, swinging at Rillflag's left side as he did. The slice was blocked awkwardly by Rillflag who had turned his sword point down to parry. Sunflash automatically retracted his sword to the otter's dismay.

"What did I do wrong this time?" asked Rillflag as he looked at the ground.

"Nothing at all," replied Sunflash, "When I first handled a sword I wasn't even fast enough to parry. I really have ought to taught you this first, but now is better than never." The badger dropped his sword and pointed at different section's of the otter's body. "Your head, is called Zone 1. An attack to the head in called Attack 1 and you use Parry 1 to block it." Then Sunflash showed him what Attack 1 and Parry 1 were.

"Now I'm going to attack your head and you have to block." said Sunflash. Then the two took up their starting positions. Sunflash stepped forward again, this time raising his sword to slice down at his friend's head. It was quickly blocked by Rillflag who held his sword with two hands horizontally above his head. Acting on instinct, Rillflag pushed up with his sword forcing Sunflash back.

"Very good." complimented Sunflash, "Now your right arm, side and the right side of your neck is Zone 2. This is a bit more complicated so if you don't get it feel free to ask me to repeat. Attack 2 is a left to right slash at your opponents right side. Parry 2 is blocking your right side, but you have to remember the block is on the right, the attack on the left. Got that?"

"Yea, I think so. Can you show me what they look like before we practice them?" said Rillflag eagerly. Sunflash showed him the attack and parry a couple times and then they practiced. This time, instead of flipping his blade, the otter just moved it over to parry the blow. Then Sunflash combined Attack 1 and 2. He sliced down and Rillflag promptly blocked and pushed the sword away then dropped his sword to parry the next attack. In this way they went through every body zone and the attacks and parries for them. It was well past noon by the time they finished.

"Alright," said Sunflash panting, "That's enough for today." The badger wiped sweat from his forehead and sat down with his back against a large elm tree. He dug into the haversack and grabbed a canteen of Dandelion fizz and took a long draught. Then he found another canteen which he threw to Rillflag. The otter sat down beside him and began unpacking the food. There was bread, cheese, two small vegetable flans and some fruit.

"So, you learned all that during a week in Salamandastron?" asked Rillflag.

"Yup. The Long Patrol taught me all the basic sword work, but I learned all my axe skills from Lord Steelstripe himself."

"What's the Long Patrol?"

"The Long Patrol is the army of hares at Salamandatron. The older ones are kinda strict but the new recruits are really funny."

"I'd like to meet a hare sometime."

"Yes, just don't let them in the kitchen. It's impossible to fill a hares stomach. Those guys eat more than I do!"

"Really? I'd love to see what Friar Gleary would do with an army of hares in the Abbey."

Both friends laughed at Rillflag's remark.

"We ought to get back to the Abbey." said the otter. Both creatures stood with a groan. Sunflash gathered the wooden swords and Rillflag shouldered the empty haversack and they began their trek back to Redwall. The grass beneath their paws was long and green and there was plenty of new leaves on the trees. Very little sunlight got through the thick green canopy and the light that did was tinted green. There were plenty of flowers and bushes dotted about the forest. The forest was silent, there were no birds chirping and it caused the companions to be quite uncomfortable. To break the deafening silence Rillflag began singing the song that his mother had sung to him as a child;

Ho if I was a stream I'd chance to go,
A racin' to the sea,
Yonder way fresh waters flow,
An' that's the way for me.

Leapin' and boundin',
Splashin' and soundin',
Rudder round rock an' log,
With pike an' trout,
I'd frisk about,
A good ole riverdog.

Through the leafy glades the waters call,
Across the open meadow,
An' when I sight a waterfall,
Why down will go me head oh!

By the time Rillflag finished they were back at the Abbey. Sunflash pushed on the gate but it only went in a bit before stopping. "Someone's locked the gate while we were gone!" exclaimed Sunflash.

"What's the big deal? We'll just go around to the front and bang on the gate." replied Rillflag nonchalantly.

"It's tea time Rillflag! No one's going to be by the gate. They'll all be by the pond or in the orchard on the other side of the Abbey!"

After considering what Sunflash had said Rillflag thought of a solution. "Follow me," he said as he walked to the east wall of the Abbey." He unraveled his sling and found a medium sized rock on the ground. Fitting the rock in the pouch of the sling he began spinning the weapon.

"What are you doing?" questioned Sunflash.

"I'm going to launch this rock over the wall."

"And how will that help? It'll just make everyone think they're under attack."

"Exactly." Rillflag released the rock and it rose high in the air before dropping on the other side of the wall.

"OUCH!" shrieked someone on the other side of the wall.

"We're under attack! To the east wall!" shouted another. From his voice the friends could tell it was Skipper. A few minutes later the wall was lined with otter, some gripping javelins others twirling slings.

"Hey Skip!" said Rillflag, "The gate we left out of was locked. And you wouldn't have heard us if we banged on the gate. This is the only way to get someone up on the wall."

At this all the otters burst out laughing at Rillflag's way of thinking. Soon enough Abbot Reiron appeared on the wall top, curious as to why the otters were all laughing. When Rillflag explained it to the Abbot the reaction he received was quite different.

"Rillflag! That was not what you should have done! Once you get inside I want to see you in my private chambers immediately!" yelled the Abbot before he left the wall.

Skipper told Sunflash and Rillflag that he would open the gate for them. So the otter and badger went around to the west wall and were let in by Skipper and his daughter Azura. Skipper took Rillflag up to the Abbot's quarters while Sunflash stayed with Azura.

"Hopefully the Abbot won't be too hard on him." remarked Azura as the two walked towards the Abbey pond.

"Don't worry Rillflag can take whatever the Abbot dishes out." replied Sunflash.

"I hope so." Out of all the creatures in Redwall Abbey, Sunflash and Azura were Rillflag's best friends. The sociable otter was on good terms with most of the Abbey beasts but Sunflash and Azura were special to them.

When Azura and Sunflash reached the pond they were surrounded by Dibbuns asking to play in the water. Azura happily agreed but Sunflash went off on his own. The young otter dipped her paws in the water as the Dibbuns played and splashed around her.

Rillflag was led up the stone steps of the Abbey to the second floor. The Abbot's chambers were on the east side, over looking the orchards. Skipper led him to a wooden door with the Abbot's name painted on it. Skipper knocked loudly on the door and was answered by the Abbot's strong yet gentle voice, "Send in Rillflag. You may leave, Skipper."

The older otter patted Rillflag on the back and murmured, "Good luck, kid." Then he headed down the corridors leaving Rillflag alone in the hall.

Rillflag pushed the door open and entered the room. It was brightly lit and everything was neat and in order. In the center of the room was an oak desk which had a large padded chair behind it. In front of the desk were two padded chairs. Bookshelves were built into every wall, the only place there wasn't was to the left of the Abbot's desk where there was an oak door. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, giving the room its' light. Behind the Abbot was a large window, covered in dark purple drapes. The old mouse Abbot was sitting behind his desk, glass spectacles perched upon his nose.

"Rillflag, please sit." said the Abbot gesturing with a gray furred paw to one of the padded chairs. Reiron's small paw was almost completely covered by his voluminous brown habit sleeve. Rillflag made his way across the pine flooring and sat down on the chair farthest from the door.

"When you came up with the idea of launching a rock over the Abbey wall, what were you thinking of?" asked Reiron calmly.

"I thought that you would think the Abbey was under attack or someone would just go up on the wall to see who it was. Either way someone would have been on the wall and me and Sunflash would get inside the Abbey." answered Rillflag cooly, "And that is exactly what happened."

"Sunflash and I," corrected the Abbot, "No matter. But did you think that some of the Abbey creatures would be frightened if they thought the Abbey was under attack?"

Then Rillflag saw why the Abbot had been so mad. "No, Abbotl Reiron. I didn't think anyone would be scared." he replied shamefully.

"That's not all, Rillflag. That stone hit Francis the vole's paw. She's in the infirmary, Sister May has to make sure nothing is broken. If that stone had hit someone on the head, they would have been knocked out or worse."

Now Rillflag felt guilty about what he had done. He hung his head and said, "I'm sorry, Abbot. I didn't realize that just throwing a rock could cause so much harm. I won't ever do it again in the future."

The Abbot patted the young otter on the shoulder and said gently, "I'm glad you understand now. But it isn't me you should be apologizing to, it's Francis. For doing this you will receive a punishment." The Abbot saw the hurt and shame on the teen's face. He decided to be lenient since the otter was so ashamed, "As a punishment I am assigning you to work with Skipper's crew when they go to check the woods for vermin."

At this Rillflag brightened considerably. Working with Skip's crew was a dream of all the young otters in Redwall. Unintentionally the Abbot had given him a gift not a punishment. He thanked the Abbot before leaving to apologize to Francis before reporting to Skipper. He went up the stairs to the third floor where the infirmary and dormitories were located. The infirmary was full of neatly made beds and cupboards of herbs. Francis was sitting in a orange dress on the edge of a bed in the back of the infirmary. The crybaby vole's eyes were red and she was sniffling more than normal. Rillflag's apology was sincere and it seemed to make the vole feel much better.

After apologizing Rillflag went back out to the Abbey grounds and found Skipper swimming in the pond with Azura and some Dibbuns. He explained to Skipper that he was to help on the next scouting party only to be told there wouldn't be one for a while. Still, the prospect of going with the others when the time came made Rillflag quite ecstatic. Rillflag sought out Sunflash to tell him the news. The golden striped badger was sitting up on the west wall gazing out across the plains.

"Guess what?" asked Rillflag excitedly, "Never mind, I'll just tell you." Then he explained that he got to go on the next vermin scouting.

"Well you better learn to use a sword by then. If you do run into any vermin, that sling of yours won't do much. Vermin are usually tougher than Francis the vole." teased Sunflash. Both of the friends laughed at the thought of Francis being a vermin warrior and the notion that she could be Rillflag in a fight.