The Samurai of Redwall

Author notes: Thanks for the reviews. As far as typos, I will try to correct them and replace the original chapter with a revised copy. I will do this as soon s I can. Next, I believe that the anon. reviews blocker has been turned off but I will also check that as well. Thirdly, the main reason there is a constant use of pronouns is that it felt awkward to continually write, "Collin did this...Collin did that". However, I will try to fix that problem. As for the fact of Collin's hobby of watching a lot of martial arts movies, this piece of information is vital to other parts of the story that the part involving Collin's first conflict. He is not a person who has learned by the way of the sword, nor did he have a master to teach him combat. But through watching the movies and performing the stunts on his own, Collin has found a way to make himself formidable in a fight. It would be a boring story if he couldn't fight properly wouldn't it? Anyway, enough with the technical stuff and on with the story...

Chapter 12:

The Chosen Challenges the Champion

It had happened almost as suddenly as the idea for it had popped into Collin's head. The light that drifted in through the windows of the dirigible glinted off the metal on Matthias's sword as he faced Collin. Both were in their battle poses, ready to strike. Even now as the duel began Collin couldn't help but let his mind drift to how this started which he technically was not supposed to do according to one of the rules of being a warrior. "A true warrior is always focused on the task at hand" Blane had said to Collin once as they were going through short exercises of concentration. But even with Blane's words humming in Collin's mind, he remembered back to this morning...

Collin had just awoken as the sun had risen. He glanced around the cabin at the other sleeping figures. All of the dirigible's passengers were unconscious except for Blane, who always seemed to be at the helm. Blane diverted his gave from the horizon for a moment to take out a small flask from his pocket. He took a sip of it, looked revived, then turned back to the helm. Collin had reasoned that Blane had some kind of mixture that would help keep him up without much sleep.

Collin rummaged around in his backpack, finally finding what he wanted. He pulled out a small leather sack, unsealed it by untying the string around it, and dumped the contents out onto the carpeted floor. A sharpening stone, carving knife, can of metal polish, and a roll of thick black string spilled out onto the floor. Collin snatched up the sharpening stone and began to sharpen the edge of his sword, though it already seemed sharp enough. After honing his blade for a few minutes, he then removed the lid from the can of polish, took out an old rag that was still in the leather sack, scooped up a glob of the polish with the rag, and began to polish his blade. It was during this moment that Collin remembered another or Blane's wise words. "A warrior must not only keep his blade sharpened, but must also keep his skill and mind sharpened as well". Reflecting on Blane's advice he though of a perfect way to "keep his skill sharpened".

It would be in the simple form of a contest. A duel but one in which none of the combatants would be harmed. Since Collin had already battled Blane, he had it set in his mind to challenge the only other swordsman onboard...Matthias. They had often practiced their craft together by showing each other sword moves, but this would generate far more experience for the both of them. The main goal of the contest would be to force the opponent to the ground without slicing him or killing him with their blades. By this method, they would be able to practice somewhat safely, provided neither of them missed blocking a sword move.

As soon as Matthias arose that morning, Collin brought up his idea to him. Collin expected Matthias to be skeptical on the matter, but surprisingly Matthias was almost fully wiling to participate.

"But suppose you or I miss blocking a sword swing?" queried Collin

"Nonsense! I have seen your skill Collin, and I believe that almost none could equal your defensive skill. As for myself, a seasoned warrior the likes of me would be able to block almost any move you made. Besides, we would both take care not to swing in such a damaging way, knowing that it might harm the other. Am I correct in assuming this?" responded Matthias.

Collin shook his head. Even though he was the one who had made the challenge, he felt fear rise within him. The fear of either of them getting hurt. After all, who could ever be certain of the outcome of a battle...?

And so the challenge was carried out. The two warriors stood poised for battle, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Matthias would twitch with his left arm and Collin would make ad if to block a blow to his right. Neither one of them wanted to make the first move.

After about twenty seconds of waiting, Collin made his move. He charged with his sword overhead at Matthias. The mouse warrior swung upward deflecting the blow and knocking his opponent off balance. Matthias then made a parallel to the ground swipe to the left, which was blocked by Collin's blade. It was now Collin's turn to counter. He swung upwards while twisting his body around to his left. Matthias moved to his left, dodging the swing. Collin finished his complete 180-degree twirl with his sword in a raised position, and brought the katana town in a diagonal arc to his lower left. Matthias again dodged this and hit Collin's sword aside with Martin the Warrior's famed blade. Matthias began to use stabs to Collin's chest, much like a fencer. Collin spun out of the way of the first five of these then locked blades with Matthias on the sixth stab. Collin slid his sword down the length of his opponent's blade. Matthias, quickly recognizing the move, brought the sword's crosstree spinning to the place the blade would end up. Collin moved his katana down so that his sword's handle would touch Matthias's. Collin then brought his sword up, knocking Matthias's sword out of his hands.

The sword point had buried itself in the carpeted floor of the cabin. Their was utter silence in the room as Kylie, Orson and Blane (taking a break from flying) watched the duel. Collin motioned for Matthias to retrieve his blade. After doing so, the two resumed combat. Both Collin and Matthias swung their blades fiercely against each other. The result was highly unexpected.

Both blades began to emanate a low hum. Then the weapons began to glow white until their light was at a blinding volume. The swords repelled each other and swung to opposite sides or the cabin, shooting gigantic sparks as they flew. After a few moments of separation, the swords were once again silent.

"What the heck was that!" were the first words out of Kylie's mouth upon witnessing these events.

"I believe that we now know a property of Soulite." replied Blane. "It appears that when to blades or weapons created of Soulite are brought together with great force, the end result is a reaction that repels the two weapons from each other. I must record this."

"Well then, I guess it'll be easier to locate the weapon masters now." said Collin

"I do not think so. You see, in order to achieve the same results, you would have to make that identical sword move while you were fighting your opponent. This only makes our journey harder, as we now know that you will now have to have the other weapon masters in combat." said Blane as he searched for his notebook.

"I'd say we have a hard journey ahead of us. A hard journey indeed." added Orson, grimly.