A/N: Wow, I'm so, SO sorry for not updating sooner. Feel free to break out the torches and pitchforks, if you so wish. After all, it's all I deserve after leaving you folks in the dark for almost a month.
d1996: I was hoping to add a little something to Astrid's character with that chapter. She's just seemed kind of bland so far, I wanted to mix it up a bit. And I just chose the scimitar because...well, I actually don't have a good reason. First thing that popped into my head, I guess?
A Fallen Tree: I'm so sorry I haven't really gotten back to you. Thanks for reading this one and following, as well as DoF. And don't worry yourself, I can understand.
While I have your attention, a little notice: I'm having an optical surgery to do some "touch-up" work as my doctor so eloquently described it, to fix some scar tissue done by a previous one. What this means is that I'll be out of action for at least a week after the 21st of June, if not a little longer. But at least it'll give me the chance to brew up some new ideas.
But, enough of that. On to the story!
The fire sputtered as another branch, wet with morning dew, was thrown onto the coals. Steam and smoke rose out of the glowing embers as it slowly caught alight. Jonas made sure it wouldn't go out before sitting down, crossing his legs. Dawn was still an hour or so away, but he had insisted on getting them up and ready to go before first light came. The firelight was their only source of illumination, as the early morning twilight was still black and dotted with stars.
Stifling a yawn, William accepted the fish from the otter, whom had spit it on a branch along with the other trout. The three sat around the miniscule flames trying to stay awake. Astrid broke the fatigued silence first. "This is the last of the fish?"
Jonas nodded. "Aye," he murmured, sighing. "At least until we reach the shallows. The river gets wider up ahead 'afore we reach Mossflow'r. There's still a bit o' ship's biscuit left, but t'aint much."
"Then food has to be our first goal," she said, drumming her fingers pensively. "We won't get far marching on empty stomachs. Are you sure this Redwall place is willing to resupply us?"
Jonas managed a grin, besides his tired features. "Sure as the sunrise. 's all me shipmates could talk about fer weeks on end. And the grub they brought back..." he whistled lowly, smiling at the memory. "Better'n anythin' they've got in Elamor. O' course, most everything's a step up from that slop they give ye in that 'orrible excuse fer a town, but don't you fret. We'll be jus' fine."
William looked up briefly. "So what's the plan after that?"
The otter shrugged. "'s yore quest, lad. Yer in charge."
He turned to Astrid, who nodded. "He's right. This quest is for more than just ourselves, but you were the one who set out first. It's your decision."
He was silent for a few moments, the weight of their situation beginning to set in. This was the first time he had been placed in such a position, where the lives of other creatures were in his paws. His decisions in the next few days could not only determine whether they succeeded in their mission, but whether they lived or died.
"Redwall has to be our first goal," he said after a while. "We need to get food and clothing for the winter. After that, we need to find a suitable destination. We don't have a map with us, so that's something else we'll need to get at the abbey. Jonas, what are the western coasts like during the winter?"
The otter shook his head. "No good, lad. Creatures tend t' head fer the sea when the cold sets in, both vermin and woodlanders. We'd be sure t' find some sort o' trouble."
William sighed. "That's what I was afraid of. If we had been able to go around through the ocean, it wouldn't take near as long. But no use trying if it's just going to get us killed. Astrid, do you know any routes that could get us through the mountains?"
She nodded, but her eyes were dark. "Oh, there are plenty of ways to do it. It's just a matter of not freezing to death, avoiding the vermin tribes settling in for the snow, trying not to get killed in an avalanche, just that sort of thing."
William rubbed his chin, racking his brain for an answer. "Unfortunately," he said quietly. "That seems to be our only way. Unless we want to wait for spring, in which case the Verkora could have moved to...well, anywhere, really. We need to reach them before it's too late."
Jonas forced a grin. "Ye only live once, lad. Might as well make it interestin'."
He couldn't stop himself from smiling. "That's one way to put it, I guess." He looked back to the fire. "Astrid, answer me honestly. Is it even possible to cross the mountains during the winter? If it isn't, tell us now."
She sighed. "The cold is worse than anything you've seen, and the vermin tribes living there...well, they do anything, anything at all to survive. And there's always the risk of rockslides or avalanches. Giant waves of stone and ice big enough to wipe out entire towns."
"Astrid, yes or no. Can we do it?"
She spoke quietly. "I don't want to see anybeast die, William."
"Neither do I. Now, answer me, please." William's eyes were like stone as he spoke.
"...Yes."
Her words hung over the group as the fire snapped and hissed. Finally, William nodded slowly. "Then that's our plan. After we get to Redwall and do what's needed, we make for the mountain passes." He paused for a moment. "Listen, if either of you don't want to come with, I won't hold anything against you. After all, this is my journey. There's no need for either of you to endanger yourselves for my benefit."
Jonas punched him on the shoulder jokingly. "Ah, shut yer gab. Ye know we're comin', and that's that. After all, I never did get t' see the mountains in me ol' soldierin' days. Bet they're pretty in the wintertime, eh?"
Astrid couldn't resist a small grin. "Yes, pretty. In a kill-you-slowly-and-painfully kind of way."
William, still rubbing his shoulder, stood up. "We'd better finish breakfast. It's important that we make good time. Jonas, how much longer until we have to set out on foot?"
Jonas cocked his head to one side, thinking. "Not more'n a day, halfa one sounds about right. If'n my ol' thinker isn't gettin' on in years like the rest o' me is; we could be reachin' Redwall by the end of today, if we get a good pace goin'."
He couldn't resist a short jibe as they finished packing their gear. "Oh, Astrid and I will do just fine. I'm not so sure about you, though. Big old fogey of an otter, that's what you are!"
William managed to dodge the rock Jonas tossed at him, but the chunk of burnt fish found its mark behind his left ear.
An hour later, the Helvetten was coasting smoothly over the river waters. William had removed the maille vest for the first time in days, so he could clean it. Without realizing it, his body had already grown accustomed to the weight. After taking it off, he almost felt like he would float away.
As he wiped the metal rings down with an oiled rag, he allowed his mind to wander. He wondered what this Mossflower place might be like, and more specifically, what Redwall meant for them. If it was anything like what Jonas had described, then it could make their journey infinitely easier. But what if it didn't offer to help, or even worse, wasn't even there? Even from his limited knowledge, William knew that settlements came and went like the river's ebb. For all they knew, this abbey could be just an empty dwelling long since abandoned, or a heap of rubble in the forest.
He shivered, praying silently that this wasn't the case. If they couldn't get supplies and a map, the whole journey was impossible. He knew Astrid, and she didn't exaggerate often. If the passage was as hard as she made it out to be, they would be in for a dangerous, painful journey. Like she had said, the bitter cold could kill just as easily as a sword or spear.
William jumped as something clattered to the deck nearby. He looked up to see Jonas, a wooden sword in one paw and the other in front of William's paws. "If'n ye want to survive in th' future," he said, "Then ye'll do more'n a day's worth of trainin'."
He watched as William picked up the sword after re-donning his vest, backing away a few paces. William thought he could see the shadow of a grin on the otter's face, but chose to ignore it as they began to circle, both tucking the swords close to their bodies.
Jonas, as usual, made the first move. William caught the swing aimed at his legs and used his momentum to keep going, bringing his own weapon to bear against his adversary's shoulder. Jonas blocked this attack easily, following the mouse's blade and rapping him lightly on the side of the neck. "Kill," he said, now smiling openly.
William felt his blood start to boil as they resumed their previous positions. He knocked away a stabbing thrust and spun, trying to catch the back of Jonas' leg. Once again, it was a futile attempt. He flinched as the wooden sword blade touched his chest. "Kill."
They repeated this exercise for at least two hours, William growing more and more irritated with each faux-death. He was drenched with sweat, arms and shoulders sore from the constant battering. The sound of clattering wooden blades and the scuffing of paws on the ship's deck was ringing in his ears. And the whole time, all he could see was Jonas' grinning, amused face and flashing blade. The otter moved as though it was a game, hardly exerting himself to defy every ferocious attack William rained down upon him.
"Kill," he said for the umpteenth time as William, panting and shaking with fatigue, backed off. He beckoned with a raised paw. "Come on, lad. One more try."
William had had enough. Jonas had just barely gotten into a fighting position when the mouse flew at him, roaring at the top of his lungs. Jonas flinched as their swords met just above his shoulder. He was forced to make a haphazard defense as more blows came screeching in, seemingly from nowhere. William's sword was no more than a blur as he pressed the attack. Jonas actually took a few steps back, gripping the weapon's handle with both paws.
His blade was nearly thrown from his paws as another strike came down, knocking the sword against the deck. The otter grimaced as the shock ran up his arms, straightening himself to look at his opponent before freezing in place, looking at the wooden sword tip touching the base of his throat and William's adrenaline-taut face. The mouse allowed one corner of his mouth to twitch into a grin. "Kill," he puffed, sucking in breath.
He watched as Jonas blinked in surprise, actually poking the blade at his throat as if to assure himself that it was really there. Then he shifted his gaze to William's, a myriad of feelings playing across his features. There was astonishment, for sure, and even a hint of anger, or so William thought.
He blinked as the otter roared laughter, bending down and slapping his knee with a paw. William could only stare in confusion as the otter guffawed, having to sit down in order to regain his breath. When he finally spoke, his eyes were twinkling with tears of mirth. "That...was what I've been waitin'...to see!" He used the sword to stand, clapping William on the shoulder. "Ye finally got it, lad! By the fur, I been hopin' ye'd get it, and ye did! Harr harr harr, I knew ye would!"
William was still confused. "Get what? What are you talking about, you crazed lump of an otter?"
Jonas smiled, gesturing to his sword. "Ye just learned the most impor'nt rule of sword fightin'!" He leaned closer. "Never, ever let yer enemy make the first move. Get 'em 'afore they have a chance t' move on ye, make 'em work t' stay alive."
"Why couldn't you just tell me that in the first place?" William said, starting to get irritated.
"Ye'd never learn if'n I jus' told ye, lad," He tapped the side of his nose. "Believe me. I coulda pounded that into yer head for weeks on end, and ye still wouldn't 'ave got it. But if'n ye learn by example..."
"You just liked hitting me with a wooden sword, didn't you?"
Jonas wrapped an arm around the mouse's shoulders. "Added bonus. Now, let's get some grub."
