Author's Note: I really am spoiling you, two chapters in one day (sort of). I'm going to be at the Guide Dog Gala day tomorrow, and so won't be able to write, so I am making up for it my posting a chapter now instead. For those of you who are confused about Rose, don't worry, all will be explained next chapter (hopefully)

And yes, the rating has gone up, because Tehera goes on a killing spree! Whoo.

Disclaimer: Don't own a stone of Redwall yadda yadda yadda, you should know this by now.

Introductions and escapees

Yowls and yells emanated from the Great Hall. The wolf inside was beating a fox captain half to death. And enjoying it.

Crimson blood flew up around the two vermin. The fox was still conscious, despite having half his flesh flayed off him and was breathing in deep, ragged gasps, his eyes rolling into his head and emitting small whimpers between breaths.

Tehera was covered in spots of blood. She was breathing heavily and had stopped a few moments ago, when the whip had finally broken. She flung it away contemptuously and pulled the fox close to her. Her fetid breath hit him as she spoke and he tried not to gag.

"That's what any guards of willmine get, when a prisoner escapes. Spread the words to my captains and get you out into the woodlands with a group of scouts. I want that creature back by next sunrise. Do you hear me?"

The fox, Rammat, managed a small whisper "T-to hear is to o-obey, my mistress."

She shoved him away, sending him sprawling on the stained flagstones. "Get you gone!" she roared at him "And don't think of returning unless it is with my slave!"

He scampered away and she sat heavily in the Abbot's chair, glaring at the other beasts who were in the Hall with her. "Well, what are you staring at addlebrains? Someone clear this mess up and get me a flagon of ale and some of those little breads that they have. Move!"

Two slavesshot offto fulfil Tehera's wishes on her preferred food, whilst another, a young molemaid, knelt to wash the flagstones clear of blood.

The wolf watched her through half-closed eyes.

"Do ye know why they call me the Redeyes, maid?"

The molemaid trembled and shook her velvety head "N-n-no, m-marm, oi do not."

The wolf leant down and tipped the molemaid's chin, so that she was looking directly into her eyes. "Then I will show ye."

The maid trembled and tried not to blink as she stared into her ruler's eyes. She suddenly inexplicably sleepy and the only thing she could hear was the fox's voice. Her head nodded, her eyes closed, her body slumped…

When the two slaves returned bearing Tehera's food, they were confronted with a terrible sight. On the wet, red floor, was the body of the molemaid, a kitchen knife sticking out of her back. Tehera was looking at her innocently, as if she had nothing to do with it. She turned to face the slaves, her blood-red eyes wide and pleading.

"I had nothing to do with this, she just took the knife and stabbed herself! There was nothin' I could do!"

The slaves stood, horrified, transfixed, by the body on the floor. Tehera turned to the vermin assembled there, appealing to them. "You saw her mates! There was nothing to be done! She just picked up the knife and stabbed herself!"

The guards nodded earnestly "Aye, Queen, you did nothin' to her."

"Picked up the knife herself, she did…"

"…plunged it in her back, nothin' we could do…"

Tehera suddenly let out a bark of maniacal laughter and grabbed the tray from their hands. She took a gulp of the ale and bit into one of the scones that she had taken a particular liking to. She waved at the two slaves. "Clear that mess up and git that body from out of my sight!"

They hurried to comply with her order, not wanting to end up like the molemaid. Beasts could not be account to for their actions, when they gazed into Tehera's red eyes.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Ade was terrified. There had been no sounds of pursuit or vermin, but he still did not let his guard down. For all he knew, they could be hiding in the bushes behind him.

He whipped around as that thought occurred to him and breathed a silent sigh of relief as he reassured himself that there was nothing there.

The escape had been easy. He had been working on his manacles for days and he had always been very agile. The guard had not been paying attention, snoozing as he was in the midday sun. No, the hard part was remaining unseen and finding the Corim.

Corim, he snorted. Who had thought of that name anyway? He knew it stood for Council of Resistance in Mossflower, but it was still very strange.

A sound in the treetops above his head made him duck under a huge lilac bush. Looking up, he saw nothing, but his senses had been greatly dulled by his captivity…

Oh Martin! The Abbeybeasts! Hejumped upright and shot off through Mossflower, berating himself. How could he stay still when Redwallers were suffering? The same Redwallers who had taken him in when he was only a young otter, cared for him, provided him a home…

There it was again! He peered around for the source of the noise, but again saw nothing. He resumed his journey, becoming increasingly aware that somebeast was following him. He was just about to call out, when he felt a piercing pain in his right arm. Looking down, he saw the green feathered shaft of an arrow sticking out of it.

His legs suddenly felt weak and he collapsed, his head swimming. Darkness began to creep in from the edges of his vision. He was dimly aware of a beast bending over him, tying him up, gagging him…

Martin save me, were his last thoughts, before the darkness carried him away.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It was hard to say who was more surprised; Rose or Skipper.

Rose won, by a whisker's breadth. She stared at the old hedgehog (as well as she could, considering that he was standing with the light shining from behind him. All very dramatic, but she still couldn't see very well) and wondered whether, at last, she had gone mad.

All was explained, however, when she leant forwards to take a closer look at the book he held out to her.

A picture, surrounded by neat writing. A picture of a mousemaid, pretty, young…a picture of her.

She blinked and shook her head, trying to take all of this in. Suddenly, the hedgehog's words registered with her.

Laterose of Noonvale, daughter of Urran Voh and Aryah. She was sure that she had heard those words somewhere else before. Laterose of Noonvale…Suddenly, her dream came back to her, the strange visions, the mouse…Martin, he had been called, his message to her…She broke off a sharp gasp and shook her head wildly. Luckily, nobeasts had noticed her odd behaviour. The Badger was talking to Skipper and the mouse.

"Arren, Skipp, untie them. They have no secret purpose of being here, other than wanting to cross Mossflower woodlands. I have a feeling that they have a story to tell us."

As they massaged the life back into their paws, Rose and Ayila thanked the Badger.

"Thank you, Lady."

"Aye, thank you, any longer and I think my arms would have forgotten that they were attached to my paws."

The Badger nodded to them both. "I apologise for your treatment. We thought you were the wolf's spies. My name is Mother Tamlin and this" she said, indicating the mouse "is Arren. He was–is, our Abbey warrior. And these," she said, indicating the rest of the bests with her "are Log-a-log Wurren, Foremole Deeper, Skipper of Otters and Tygann, our Abbey recorder."

Rose and Ayila nodded to them. All except Skipper returned their greeting.

Mother Tamlin raised her eyebrows and then made for the door. "We shall talk at supper, shall we?"

Review I tell you! Pwease? You know it makes me feel happy...