Chapter 10
Walking through Mossflower Woods, Samkim took the lead, Mara, Arula were in the middle, and Pikkle covered the rear, The four were armed with hiking staffs as their weapons, since Jusato kicked them out. As the four walked through the forest, they heard whispering and rustling through the tall blades of grass, and rustling through the branches of the pine trees. Samkim readied his staff as well as the other three heroes.
"We may have company,"
Samkim said as he gripped his weapon firmly in his paws. The squirrel of Redwall scanned the treetops while Arula, Mara, and Pikkle scanned the ground. In a flash a squirrel clad in a belted sleeveless robe, golden earrings on both ears, and red face paint, with a dagger carved from bone jumped down in the middle of the four. He spoke in a posh voice.
"My, my, my, some warriors you are."
The squirrel chuckled out, to their surprise, Samkim, and company quickly turned around and pointed their staffs at the squirrel's neck, boxing him in.
"Hey now, I was only kidding, jusr having a bit fun that is all."
"Who are you and state your business?"
Samkim demanded.
"Why not you first?"
"No, I wanted an answer out of you first, squirrel."
"You gonna poke me with that twig?"
"Don't tempt me, by hell's teeth."
"Ooh, we got ourselves a brute over here."
Samkim teeth began to chatter, he was almost over the edge of whacking the smart aleck squirrel.
"Hey just tell him your name."
Mara said to the almost enraged Samkim. Samkim loosened his grip on his weapon. The Redwall Warrior took in a deep breath and spoke.
"My name is Samkim, I am the Warrior of Redwall this is Arula, Mara, and Pikkle Ffolger."
Samkim addressed.
"Now tell me your name?"
"My name is Welker, I am a Gypsy well was a Gypsy before three deranged ferrets slaughter my Chieftain and the guards along with our warriors, and took our squirrelmaids and squirrelbabes in as slaves."
"What were there names?"
Mara asked Welker.
"From what I can recall, they went by Raluska, Beirolo, and Jusato."
"Unfortunately we know of them as well, the third one Jusato and his cronies have taken over our home and have kicked us all out. We're travelling to Salamandastron to get aid from Urthwyte the Mighty, Badgerlord of the Mountain to help us rid of the scum that infests our Abbey."
"Good, I'll come along with you, you four might need a fifth paw in this."
"Hurr, arrin you lookin' fer Sallymandastron?"
Arula asked the Gypsy squirrel.
"Yes, but I got lost on the way, since you four are bound and you all know where you are headed, I thought why not tag along."
The four huddled into a squirrel whispering to each other.
"Hmmm, I say we could a fifth chappie on our quest, what do you lads think, eh?"
Pikkle said softly to the others.
"I say let him join, he seems like he could be a marvelous asset to our revolution against Jusato and his hordebeasts."
"I second that, Mara. Let's let him join our group."
"Hurr, I hopin' youse beenin' roight, this felly doesn't sit well with I, no zurr."
"If it makes you feel any better well keep a close eye on him."
Samkim suggested. The four turned around and spoke in their normal voices.
"All right, we have decided to let you join our group."
Samkim said as he clasped his paws togethers. Welker smiled delightfully.
"Splendid, just splendid."
The five travelled west to Salamandstron.
Inside the Mountain of Salamandastron, Urthwyte and his hares were having dinner. Brigadier General Hoskins and the rest had a hearty heaping of food while Urthwyte had a minuscule amount of food.
"Mmm, hmmm, ooh, not very hungry sir?"
Hoskins asked his Badgerlord.
"Hmm, not exactly, Hoskins. I get a creeping suspicion that, that ferret is bound to pull something off while we sleep tonight."
"Don't worry your whitehead, m'lord, I will have sentries posted on all sides of the mountain, you'll see."
"Thank you Hoskins."
"Eat, drink, and be merry sir, tomorrow we will see what that dastardly blighter is up to."
The Badgerlord smiled at his loyal commander and they continued eating.
At the base of the Mountain, Raluska and Beirolo sat near a campfire, watching as their soldiers were drawing schematics for their next plan of attack. The soldiers drew out a blueprint from charcoal and parchment paper.
"Anything, boys?"
Raluska called out to his hordebeasts.
"No, not yet sire, were still trying to figure out on how to get in."
"Well, think fast. Before the leaves turn red, I want that Mountain!"
"You will have it for sure, sir."
"I hope Jusato isn't in a bind like we are, sis."
Raluska said frustrated.
"Dear brother, I have a good presumption that he has succeeded in his mission along with Firesnout, he has won."
"Alright, I hope for your sake you are correct because, I would hate to gut you like a pike out of water."
Raluska threatened his sister.
"Trust me, brother, Jusato has won, I can feel it in my bones."
"I will take your word, Beirolo."
Raluska took a bite out a piece of roasted fish and happily munched on his dinner.