A/N; Well wasn't last chapter fun? Keyla and Tullgrew are married. Gonff gets a hedgehog quill to the rear end. Martin passes on some sword technique. Grumm's making soup again. And Martin's army has made it to the northern edges of Mossflower. Am I forgetting anything? I don't think so. Oh wait! My seemingly mystical ability to raise dead canon characters to life without using any sort of supernatural Sue or Stu powers. Let's see what other kinds of chaos I can create shall we? I hope you're having as much fun with this as I am.

12.

Flurem Woo-es

"So you have no idea where your son is now?" asked Rose.

The maid sitting across from Rose shook her head. "I haven't seen him since those horrible birds captured me and the others. Since then we've been kept here by that Lupisto"

Columbine gave Rose a nudge with her elbow. "Speaking of that one, here he comes now."

Lupisto had walked through the double doors leading to the Gardens. Casually he strolled up to where Rose and Columbine sat amongst a flowerbed with their new companions. He made an excellent leg and bowed to the maidens. "I would be most delighted if the new Flurem Woo-es should want to stroll with mine self. Thou have yet to understand thy position and it is mine honor to inform thee of thy lofty status."

Rose was about to shout something very obscene at the wolf when Columbine whispered in her ear. "Wait a tick Rose. If we ever get the chance to send a message to Martin or Gonff we can tell them about any weaknesses this one has."

Rose immediately saw the wisdom of the idea. Glancing around her she had one of her own that she whispered to Columbine. "Good idea. I've got a feeling he'll treat us the same way those birds did and do anything at all to avoid harming us. Play along with whatever he says. We might be able to catch him off guard."

The two mousemaids stood up and curtsied to the wolf. Columbine adopted a sweet smile and addressed the wolf. "Thank you very much Mr. Lupisto. Laterose and I would never dream of impugning your honor in such a fashion. Please lead on."

Rose and Columbine walked on either side of the wolf as he led them around the valley they stood in. He was constantly talking. "Mine fair ones you now reside in what has been affectionately termed as the Gardens. As thou can plainly see the Gardens are ringed on all sides by the towering walls of mine valley. None save mine Allpack know of the hidden trails leading to yon cliff tops. Though the winters here be harsh thou will never again have to worry thyselves with its cruel icy breath.
"On all sides of mine Gardens are many steaming pools. The vapors coming forth have such heat to them that all snows are melted ere they reach yon valley floor. Such warm climes also allow for all manner of flora to grow throughout all seasons. Thou may partake of such ripe fruits to thou hearts content. Such is the keeping allowed for ones so fair."

Rose and Columbine had been looking everywhere while the wolf had been speaking. He was correct in his description of the Gardens. The walls of the valley sloped upwards as if at one point in time they had met in one massive peak. Columbine thought of the descriptions of Salamandastron Bella and Gonff had talked of. How that mountain had once spewed molten fire when the world was young. She imagined the same had happened with this mountain, but instead of remaining solid to be carved out with passages like the badgers mountain the peak had collapsed in on itself leaving the bowl she now stood in. The resulting volcanic soil and hot springs had turned the crater into a veritable paradise. Everywhere she looked tall green trees provided shade from the summer sun. Flowers blossomed to add their seductive aromas to the air. Countless small hot springs dotted the landscape throwing off columns of white steam.

The Redwaller fluttered her eyelashes at Lupisto. "You indeed speak the truth. These Gardens are a beautiful sight to behold."

Lupisto gave a quick bow of his head. "Mine ears are glad to hear of thou approval milady."

Rose too put on a sweet voice. "I must admit I am much relieved to be in this wondrous place. The outside woodlands were starting to feel so harsh. Might I inquire why you thought Columbine and myself worthy to be so highly honored by being brought here?"

Lupisto smiled. The Flurem Woo-es have accepted mine hospitality, he thought. "But of course milady. Thou shall never want for anything again. Ask and it shall be yours. As to the manner of thou presence here I shall now inform thee.
"Thou may think mine Allpack yet another roving band of vermin brigands. Thou would be right to think so. Indeed mine great battalions are comprised of many such vermin. Fear not however for this is far from the truth. Mine legions shall ne'er be allowed wanton pillage of the surrounding lands. Just rule and the protection of the fair Flurem Woo-es is the sole privilege of mine host.
"The world is cruel to such as you. Thy beauty is thy curse. Thou must endure the constant stares of those who would only see thee as vessels of their vain desires. It is mine dearest with to save thee from such torment. Over the course of many seasons mine Allpack has grown in strength. At mine request many other creatures joined mine grand regiments. Thou now may rest safe in the knowledge of being spared such a cruel fate."

Columbine by now had taken hold of Lupisto's arm. Putting on the most vapid face she could manage she stared up at him. "Why sir Lupisto. How noble and selfless of you. I must admit how decidedly upsetting it had become in my previous life. Every day it was a constant struggle to hide from the droves of mice that were chasing me."

"Yes it is so courageous of you. I have never met one who would care for such poor defenseless maidens like us." Rose's voice was as sweet as honey.

"Mine fair Flurem Woo-es. After thou hysterics upon thy arrival it was mine fear thou would not accept the high position thou now are welcome to. It is mine great honor to have thee here under the protection of mine Allpack." By now the trio had come back to the wooden doors that were the only ground level entrance to the Garden. A braided cloth rope hung near the doors. It trailed down from a window high above the heads of those present. Lupisto gestured to it.

"Alas fair ones that I beg my leave of you so soon. As commander of the mighty Allpack there are many duties, which require mine presence. Should thou require anything pull on yon cord and it shall be attended to at once." He turned to face Rose and Columbine and gave one final bow. "Until we meet again o fair Flurem Woo-es."

Rose gave an elaborate curtsy. "Until then o brave one."

Only when the doors were firmly closed behind the wolf did Rose and Columbine drop their vacant expressions. Rose wiped at her arms as if there was a dreadful and foul stink upon them. "That was by far the most repugnant thing I have ever had to do."

Columbine picked a few stray wolf hairs off the sleeves of her dress. "Aye. But it proved something. All we have to do is pretend to be exactly as he expects us and we'll be able to get quite a bit of information."

Rose gave her dress one last shake before she looked at Columbine. "I just wish I didn't have to behave like some silly twit to do it. I think I might have lost a piece of my intellect acting like that."

"I think I agree with you." Columbine took another look around. "Now lets go back and talk with your friends some more. I'm sure they've got so many more wonderful stories."


Lupisto walked quickly in the direction of his private chambers. Before he reached them another large male wolf joined him. He was nearly as large as Lupisto and covered from ears to footpaws in flat black fur. The only hint of color was the gold of his eyes. He was dressed in the livery of the Allpack. A chain mail hauberk covered his chest. Overtop of the mail was a black tunic that was embroidered with the sigil of the Allpack. A sliver wolf head bayed at a full moon sewn in white thread. A curved saber hung at his side while a full quiver and bow rested on his back.

Making sure to keep a step behind Lupisto the other wolf walked in silence. Speaking without permission in the presence of the Lupisto was an offense punishable by brutal Chastisement.

"Pray tell what concerns thee Restro." Lupisto kept on his walk along the stone tunnel.

"Mighty One these new Flurem Woo-es are the most fair to ever enter thy great protection. Your Allpack shall defend keep their honor as our own."

"Thou art mine greatest Restro. Do not be feared to hold back thy tongue. Thou needs fear no Chastisement."

Restro bowed deeper in respect to his Lupisto. "Mine lord honors me. Have thou forgotten the prophecy Alantra bespoke? Yon new Flurem Woo-es bear the titles of the loveliest of flowers. Might we not send out greater reconnaissance lest the terms of said prophecy come to fulfillment?"

By now the two wolves had reached the entrance to Lupisto's chambers. The two wolves on guard outside the doors came smartly to attention at the sight of Lupisto and his lieutenant. Lupisto turned to face Restro. The other wolf immediately dropped his gaze to the floor in submission.

"Nay Restro. We shall not. Harken to the duties thou have been entrusted too. The time of the Green Corn Moon arrives in a fortnight. Thou shall lead the force of Allpack whom shall command the battalion of Valley Rouges on their monthly excursion. Thou hast much to prepare. Tarry here no longer and attend to such duties."

Restro bowed even lower. "Milord," he said as Lupisto entered his chambers.


Meanwhile Rose and Columbine had reached the same group of maids they had been conversing with before their talk with Lupisto. Columbine had never met the other maids before. Rose had but only briefly. Still it was immensely comforting to see a familiar face once again.

Rose greeted them fondly. "Gauchee, Kastern I'm so sorry Columbine and I had to leave like that." She then turned to the one who had leapt into her arms when she had first arrived in the Gardens. "Now Trefoil tell me more about your son."

A/N; But wait a minute, in "A Mask and A Song," I said that all of the Rambling Rosehip Players had died of a sickness. The plot thickens. Or maybe it's just that I liked those characters and didn't have the heart to keep them dead. After all I've brought characters that in canon are actually dead. Why not characters I've killed off too? By the way I'm having great fun reading your guesses as to where the plot is headed. If your right, you'll just have to wait until I finally reveal the rest of my plot. If your wrong well I hope you enjoy what I've written instead. Please keep them coming along with any other plot suggestions. If they're not out of canon or where my plot is headed I'll try and use them. I can't promise I'll use all suggestions. If I don't I'll give you my reasons via review reply or PM.

By the way my inspiration for how Rose and Columbine acted around Lupisto came from several truly horrendous Mary Sue fics I've read in this and other fandoms. And who said Mary Sue's were good for nothing?

One more quick note. I decided on a theme song for this story. "All For Love" by Bryan Adams, Rod Steward, and Sting. Check it out on YouTube and tell me I'm not wrong. I thought it was basically perfect for the kind of tale I'm spinning. I basically wrote this chapter with that song on repeat on my CD player.