A/N: Thank you again for the wonderful reviews! You guys are made of awesome. Happy belated Canada Day to all my fellow Canadian, and happy early 4th of July to my American friends!

All mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

PLEASE NOTE: This chapter contains a character death.

Chapter 10

The main gates creaked open just enough for Emroon to pass through. Above her the anxious Redwallers watched as she strode out onto the North Path, stopping some ways from Dakmus. Martin's armour fit perfectly, and his sword and shield felt comfortable in her webbed paws. Her heart thundered inside her chest, crashing against her breastbone and causing a nervous drop of sweat to trickle down her brow. Through the eye slits she made out the gigantic wolf who stared at her with a piercing glare. Hatred for him and all that he stood for boiled the very blood in her veins, and the nervousness was quickly replaced with anger. At last the chance for revenge had presented itself: she was facing her sworn enemy.

Dakmus studied his opponent. Despite the armour covering her body, he immediately knew she was female. Her rudder also gave away the fact that she was an otter, and Dakmus wondered if this was the maid from his nightmares. She even carried the same sword as the one who so often terrorized him in his sleep. An evil smile made its way across his lips as realization struck him: now was his opportunity to finally rid himself of this spectral demon.

Busy grey tail swishing from side to side, he bared his dripping fangs and snarled. "Come t'challenge me?"

Anybeast would have been intimidated by the terrifying sight of such a gigantic monster, but Emroon was too focused on her enemy to be scared. She too presented a tough front, thwacking her rudder hard upon the ground and stamping her footpaws. "Think of this as a proposition. You hand over the hostages an' we'll surrender."

Dakmus spat on the ground and laughed. "Ye think I'm a fool? I know ye lot won't surrender without a fight."

"But surely a big strong beast such as yourself can defeat us woodlanders? The first day you came to our Abbey you said you knew our weaknesses an' that you would easily defeat us."

Her voice sounded so familiar. If he could only see her face, then he would truly know if it was the maid from his dreams. With this in mind, he attempted a different tactic. "Those words still stand. I can destroy ye an' yore pathetic little friends with the back o' my paw. However, ye look like a tough warrior. Are ye still up for that challenge?"

Suddenly the tide had turned. None of the Redwallers - especially Emroon - were expecting a duel. Semser, who was now atop the Abbey wall with Abbot Torlay and the others, felt his stomach lurch. As much as he loved Emroon, he had little hope she would be able to defeat such a barbaric creature.

Emroon gripped the sword even tighter, struggling to control the rage in her voice. "An eye for an eye?"

Dakmus motioned to the captives, who were now shaking violently. "You win, the hostages are yours an' I'll leave Mossflower forever. If I'm victorious - an' I will be - yore Abbey is mine."

The brave ottermaid put a paw to her heart, but despite her best efforts she could not hide the venom that spat from her throat. "So be it…that is, if a mud-sucking coward like you has the courage!"

Stung by the insult, Dakmus screeched with rage and threw himself at the ottermaid. At the last possible second she stepped to one side and stuck her leg out, watching in amusement as the giant wolf tripped and crashed to the ground face-first. Dakmus was blinded for a split second by the rising dust, and he spat out grit as he rose to his footpaws and faced his opponent.

Emroon smirked, pleased with herself. "Try again scum!"

Tossing his head back, Dakmus unleashed a howl that sent chills down the Redwallers' spines and ran straight for the ottermaid, his blade creating dizzying circles in the air as he swung it back and forth. As he approached a strange presence completely overtook Emroon, and suddenly her eyes filled with blood. Roaring with fury, she charged at the wolf, holding Martin's sword out in front of her. She somehow dodged the humming scimitar and, using the shield, swept Dakmus from underneath his footpaws, sending him crashing to the earth a second time. Snarling, he turned himself over and kicked out with his powerful legs, connecting with the ottermaid's shield and making her nearly lose her balance. Dakmus scrambled up and immediately assaulted her with his blade, causing a gasp to arise from the onlookers. Emroon, however, was not to be outdone. Some invisible force was driving her onward, and she fought with a fierceness and determination that Dakmus had never witnessed in all his seasons. Digging his footpaws into the earth, he held his ground and eventually found himself nearly touching noses with his masked opponent. Their swords were clashed together, and each creature was trying to overpower the other by pushing them backwards. Dakmus was strong, but he was having difficulty against the more determined ottermaid.

Breathing heavily, Emroon snarled from underneath the helmet. "How does it feel to be scared, wolf?"

Dakmus nearly fell over in shock. Those were the same words uttered in his dream the night before, which could only mean one thing: this was indeed the ottermaid he had seen so many times in his sleep. Matching her snarl, he grabbed her helmet and tore it off in one swift motion. "Let's see that pretty face o' yores, ottermaid!"

The duel temporarily halted as Emroon's identity was finally revealed. She stood there with a heaving chest and bloodshot eyes, staring first at the helmet that lay on the ground and then Dakmus. Semser was about to yell out when Torlay clamped a paw over his mouth.

Kicking the helmet to one side, Dakmus swung his scimitar without warning. Emroon ducked just as the blade whizzed over her head, almost decapitating her. Simultaneously she stabbed downward with Martin's sword, the tip burying itself into Dakmus's footpaw. The wolf yelped in pain and instinctively lifted his leg, hopping backwards on his uninjured limb.

Emroon wiped the swordtip on the grass and sneered at Dakmus. "What's the matter? Are ye going to let a little wound stop you from slaying me, coward?"

Ignoring the blood that oozed from the cut, Dakmus snatched up a pawful of dirt and flung it at his opponent. Emroon was caught off guard, and she staggered back whilst clawing at her eyes. Her vision grainy, the young ottermaid barely made out the wolf's gigantic stature lunging at her, teeth bared and claws ready to slash. That same unseen force once again took over her body, and she instinctively held the shield up so it was protecting her face. Blows from Dakmus were deflected by the metal object, and his jaws snapped open and shut viciously as he tried to dodge the sharp weapons and reach her throat. The sound of his wicked claws scratching the shield reverberated in her brain. Each attempt was closer than the previous one, and Emroon wondered how long she could hold this monster off.

"Redwaaaaaall!" The traditional Abbey war cry erupted from Emroon's throat, and without thinking she stamped down hard on his wounded footpaw. Dakmus grimaced from the pain, and the ottermaid whirled around and struck him across the face with her powerful rudder. Normally this would have knocked anybeast right out, but although Dakmus was temporarily stunned he was still conscious. He wobbled to and fro, fighting to regulate his swimming senses.

Emroon knew that now was her chance to finish him off, but for some reason she did not budge. Semser silently urged her to deliver the fatal blow, the fur on the back of his neck standing straight up like a flagpole and sweat covering his brow.

The young ottermaid kicked the fallen scimitar over to where Dakmus was standing, albeit a little off balance. "I will not fight an unharmed creature. Pick up your sword, scum!"

Now Dakmus was afraid. He had never seen such ferociousness in any creature, and none had certainly bested him in single combat. For the first time of his life, he had met his match. But an intelligent leader such as he always had a back-up plan in case things didn't go according to calculation. Bending down, he picked up his scimitar and they immediately clashed blades once again. Dakmus held his ground like he had before, but this time he made sure not to allow the ottermaid to turn around so her back was to the Abbey. The element of surprise was essential if his plan was going to work.

On the Abbey walltop, Torlay's neck fur suddenly bristled as his sharp eyes beheld a terrible sight: a weasel, virtually concealed by the bushes, fitting an arrow to his bow. The awful realization hit him, and he took immediate action. Grabbing a nearby bow, he simultaneously dipped the wrapped arrowhead into a bucket of oil and asked Mahdis for his torch. The badger handed it to him, and the second the soaked material touched the fire it became ablaze. Not bothering to check the wind direction, Torlay took aim and let the arrow fly. Hissing and crackling, the missile shot out over the land and narrowly missed both Dakmus and Emroon - who were too engrossed in their duel to notice - before striking the bewildered weasel square in the chest. He toppled over, screaming as his clothes and fur were scorched by the searing heat.

That single move changed everything. From beyond the woodlands came a thunderous noise, and suddenly the entire area was swarming with vermin. Knowing their orders, they started firing off arrows at the stunned Redwallers, who had to be quick to retaliate lest they got caught in the flurry of missiles. One vermin group took care of the archery whilst the other prepared for bloodshed on the ground.

A particularly eager rat was about to charge at Emroon - who was heading back inside the Abbey - with his weapon drawn when Dakmus purposely tripped him. The surprised rat didn't even have a chance to turn over before his leader started kicking him in the rump.

Dakmus's eyes blazed with anger, and he snapped his powerful jaws at the helpless rat. "Touch the maid an' I'll eat ye alive."

When he looked up, he came face-to-face with a horde of armed Redwallers who had just poured out from the gates. Dakmus was about to call out an order when a burning hot object struck his uninjured footpaw and caused him to howl in pain. A fire arrow was buried in the ground mere inches from his body, the flame on the tip having reached out and licked his fur.

Dakmus smiled tauntingly at the Redwallers. "Yore goin' to 'ave t'do better than that if'n ye want to beat me, woodlanders!"

The next arrow came so swiftly that he didn't even have time to react. It nearly ripped through an entire tree trunk that was so close to his head he could hear the crackling fire and feel the heat coming from the inflamed tip.

Glancing up at the walltop, he spotted Mahdis loading another fire arrow to his bow and pulling the string back so tight it appeared as if it would snap in two. The powerful badger snarled menacingly and shouted loud enough for Dakmus to hear. "You asked for war, wolf, so now you're gettin' it! Better start runnin' afore we catch ye. We may be peaceful creatures, but once our home is attacked you best be wishin' your graves are ready!"

Inside the Abbey gates, Emroon was being tended to by Tsella. She had retreated back inside to very quickly clean herself up before planning to returning to battle once more. Semser was right beside the haremaid, assessing Emroon and making sure she wasn't seriously wounded. Panic was evident all over his face, but he very slightly relaxed upon realizing his beloved friend was okay.

Tsella nodded to the walltop. "I'm heading back up to see if I can help. You alright to go back out there and fight?"

Emroon gripped the ancient sword tightly. "Just let me have one more shot at that scum Dakmus."

Once Tsella was out of earshot, Semser began his tirade. Placing his paws on Emroon's shoulders, he stared at her pleadingly. "What more do you have to prove to us? We all know you're brave, but that doesn't mean you have to return to the battlefield."

The young ottermaid shook her head stubbornly. "You don't understand. Dakmus is my sworn enemy; this is a good enough time as any to fulfill my revenge."

"But he nearly slew you. Please Emroon, I beg of you. It's hard enough seeing my brother and best friend in comas. I don't need to see you in one as well."

Reaching up, Emroon took his paws off her shoulders and squeezed them gently. "I'll be fine."

She placed a soft kiss on his nose before turning heel and running out of the gates, screaming the ancient Abbey warcry and wrecking havoc upon the vermin with her sword. Semser merely stood there, simultaneously touching a paw to his nose and struggling to contain the throbbing organ that pounded against his chest. As he remained frozen on the dew-soaked grass with the sounds of the battle ringing in his ears, his throat grew dry with horror.

Outside Redwall, the war was at full-force with both sides falling to arrows and sword slashes. Despite the outcome of the previous battle, the Redwallers knew they had no choice but to fight both above and on ground. Skipper and his crew lead the charge, throwing themselves into the middle of the vermin army and hacking away with their javelins. The burly male otter was a fearless warrior, and his eyes glazed over with blood as he stabbed and thrusted at the enemy. Mahdis was there too, having decided he was a much better profit to the Abbey by using his massive strength to bully over vermin and successfully rescuing the vole captives, having handed them off to Askhew who had quickly ushered them into the safety of the Abbey. This also allowed the less powerful creatures to work the fire-infused arrows from the walltop. Lead by Torlay and Tsella, dozens of arrows briefly lit up the morning sky before finding their targets in the chests, throats, and skulls of vermin. Semser, having gathered up his courage, fought bravely on the battlefield alongside his friends, all the while searching for a suddenly missing Emroon.

Adine was on a mission of her own. She tore through the ranks, hoping to locate Raptt and put an end to his evil reign. Memories of her slain friend flooded her mind: the poor squirrelmaid wrapped in a protective ball as Raptt beat her with his favourite whip, and Adine watching helplessly from the side as she bit and struggled in the grasps of her two captors. Then Raptt grabbed the squirrelmaid by the scruff of her neck and lifted her easily, sneering as he ran her through with his spear. Adine felt as if she had been impaled by the weapon, and the squirrelmaid's body went limp as Raptt nonchalantly dropped her. The recollection of that fateful day was forever etched in the mousemaid's memory, and she would not rest until her thirst for revenge was quenched.

Raptt spotted her first but instead slinked through the army and away from her position so she could not see him. In reality he was terrified of the mousemaid, and he knew she was looking for him. However, he was totally unaware that she had seen him slither away like a frightened snake. Smiling to herself, she ducked through the crowd of creatures and around to the other side of the Abbey, striking down any vermin who got in her way.

Peering around the corner of the Abbey's east wall, Raptt searched through the melee and was unable to locate the vengeful mousemaid. He leaned against the ancient sandstone and breathed a sigh of relief that quickly died upon his lips when he saw her standing right in front of him. She was panting heavily, an indication that she had ran. Raptt's breath caught in his throat.

Flecks of hatred were evident in her eyes as she pointed her javelin - which she had borrowed from the otters - menacingly at him. "I've been waiting for you, Raptt."

The shaking ferret fell to his knees, clasped his paws together, and pleaded with her. "Please don't kill me! I swear I'll leave an' never return!"

Adine took an advancing step forward, which was exactly what Raptt was hoping for. "It's too late for that, scum. Get up on your paws an' fight me; I will not duel with a begging coward."

Raptt seized his opportunity. Grabbing a pawful of dirt, he threw it right into Adine's eyes. The mousemaid instinctively dropped her javelin and staggered back, clawing at her face and struggling to get the particles out. Through her blurred vision she made out Raptt lunging at her, but it was too late to dodge. He was upon her in an instant, biting and raking as he tried to get at her throat. His grimy but sharp claws cut open her fur, and she winced as pain shot up and down her entire form. Raptt did not let down his vicious attack, and at one point his jaws snapped shut an inch from her neck. Although he was not as powerful as Dakmus, he was still creating a sufficient amount of damage on Adine's body.

The mousemaid, having regained her sight, was now able to fight back. Her own jaws snapped open and shut like a vice as she too seeked his vulnerable spots, and after a few attempts she managed to bite his arm and instantly draw blood. Raptt yelled but ignored both the blood and pain as he continued his assault. She clenched her paw and rammed it hard into his stomach, causing him to double over and retch.

Wiping his mouth with the back of a paw, Raptt snarled and grabbed his spear. "Yew little brat! I'll make sure ye suffer long an' 'ard fer that."

Simultaneously scrambling back up and taking her fallen javelin in her paws, Adine bared her teeth at the ferret. "Come an' get me then, you yellow-bellied scumbag!"

Metal clashed upon metal, and the two fought for the upper paw. Soon they were in very close quarters with one another, their noses almost touching as Raptt's eyes grew wide with horror at the snarling mousemaid who was beginning to overpower him. "'Tis not the same as torturing a helpless creature is it? This time you actually have to fight!"

He groaned as he attempted to push her backwards, but she would not give in and tried the same thing, all the while increasing the intensity of her verbal assault. "You should have listened to me when I said I'd slay you one day with that spear of yours, because that day has finally arrived."

Raptt decided to end it there. In one swift motion he struck her skull with the butt end of his spear, and the brave mousemaid took a few wobbling paces back as stars danced in her vision. A smirk playing on his lips, he watched her fall into a kneeling position. The evil ferret sauntered over and grabbed her head, forcefully pushing her neck back so her chin was raised and she had no choice but to look at him. He stabbed his spear into the earth beside them and took her javelin from her weakened grasp.

Raptt sneered at his victim. "Wot was that ye said about slayin' me? I couldn't quite 'ear ye."

Adine was about to answer when he ran her through with her own weapon. A choked gasp rose from her throat, and she was unable to look away as Raptt threw back his head and laughed wickedly. With her last vestige of strength she snatched up the spear beside her and repeated his action. Raptt's laughter suddenly stopped, and he stared dumbly at the spear that was jutting out from his middle. His eyes quickly clouding over, he crumbled to his knees and glared at the dying mousemaid.

Adine uttered her final words. "I said I would kill you with your own weapon."

That was the last thing Raptt heard before he toppled over dead beside her. Not wanting to die with a javelin impaling her body, Adine grasped the shaft with both paws and pulled hard despite her weakened muscles. The javelin came free, and her clenched paws suddenly loosened as she felt her spirit enter the gates of Dark Forest. The weapon lay forgotten as Adine shuddered once and died alongside her mortal enemy, a slight smile frozen on her lips as the last thing that passed over her mind was the face of her beloved friend.

Dakmus knew the battle was lost. Despite his hordes' best efforts, they were not able to penetrate the Abbey defenses. On top of that, they were getting slaughtered with fire arrows. No matter how many woodlanders the vermin took down with their own missiles - which also included rocks fired from slings with deadly accuracy - his army was felled by the numerous archers on the walltop who continued to launch the wicked arrows. All around him vermin screamed as they were burned alive by the scorching heat of the fire that engulfed the cloth-wrapped blade. Even though the actual arrowhead was small, the flame greedily drank the oil that soaked the material and caused it to increase in size. He constantly called out for Raptt, but the ferret Captain was nowhere to be seen.

He hated saying the word, but he had no choice. Inhaling deeply, he yelled out over the din of battle, "Retreat! Back to the camp!"

The vermin hastily followed their orders, sulking away from the battlefield as the Redwallers sent up a rousing cheer. However, Dakmus was determined to have the last word, and he made sure the victors heard his final message before being forced back into the woodlands. "Ye may 'ave won the first two battles, but I will continue my assault on yore pathetic Abbey. One night you'll all be sleepin' peacefully an' I'll be there t'wake ye with my blade!"

Skipper reached down and picked up a fallen vermin's spear. He easily snapped it in two and threw the pieces at the retreating wolf. "Go an' boil yore 'ead, scum!"

Dakmus pointed a menacing claw at the otter leader. "Best be sleepin' with one eye open from now on, riverdog!"

Flicking his cloak to one side, Dakmus the Blade vanished into the thickness of Mossflower Woods.

"Emroon!"

Unaware of certain events, Semser pushed his way through the crowding Redwallers as he frantically searched for the young ottermaid. He had not seen her since the battle started, and now his heart was beginning to suffocate with horror. His eyes shot back and forth, his head rolled around on his neck, but there was no sight of her. The entire population of Redwall was either out on the lawn or extinguishing the fires resulting from their arrows, which had created quite a few smoke pummels. The combination of the thick grey matter clogging both his eyes and nostrils and the immense number of creatures present made it difficult for him to locate her. He stumbled across the North Path, the smoke clinging to his lungs and making him cough hoarsely.

"Emroon! Where are you?"

She made him out through the smoke, his watery eyes scanning over every square inch in a desperate plea to find her.

"Semser!"

There.

He practically flew over to where she was laying on the ground. Grabbing her arms, he helped her up onto her footpaws, his eyes washing over her to make sure she was unharmed.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

The reply had barely escaped her lips when he pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her back and pressing her forehead against his jaw line. Emroon could feel his hot breath on her neck, his muscular arms holding her to his chest. He pulled her back to get another good look at her, then pressed her to his body once more as he gazed skyward and uttered three words she was unable to make out. She could, however, hear his heart thudding against his chest, his breathing laboured as he struggled to calm his lungs. In that moment, Emroon let her guard down. In that moment, the walls she had built around herself crumbled at her footpaws. Closing her eyes, she clutched his tunic in her paws, buried her head in his neck, and allowed herself to melt into his protective embrace. For the first time in seasons she truly felt safe.

In that moment, the world ceased to exist.