A/N; Sorry for the bit of delay in getting a chapter posted. I've been kind of busy, and until very recently writers block was rearing its ugly, scabborous, acne ridden head at me. Well I'm happy to report that the foul beast that is writer block has received the people's elbow courtesy of a few fresh sources of inspiration and my own impatience. More on my impatience at the end of the chapter.

One other thing, I feel like being nice. I'll let you in on the secret of my last cliffhanger right off the bat, kind of. At the end of the last chapter I had seven characters come in screaming Yo Joe! Well done to Awsomewriter123 for picking up the reference to that. To everyone else Yo Joe! Is the battle cry of G.I.Joe. The first, best, original, true blue, red blooded hero, American action figure. Call them dolls and I'll create an evil character based on your user name for my new arrivals to masticate in horrible fashion. So by way of disclaimer I do not own anything related to G.I. Joe. I'm merely using their battle cry and mentality for creative purpose. Now that that's all out of the way on with "Winter's Flowers."

21

Followers of the Convocation

Martin and Gonff were woken with a start at the sound of the battle cry echoing in the nighttime forest. Both mice jumped up, grabbed their weapons, and ran in the direction the shout had come from. Their minor wounds had been dressed as they slept. As they ran Redwall and Noonvale squirrels and otters quickly followed them. Arriving at the scene the warriors beheld an awe inspiring sight.

Willic, Brome, Terick, and Scirus were faced by seven huge eagles. However these were unlike any birds any in Martin's army had ever seen before. A few torches and the moonlight lit the small woodland glade. The heads and tails of the eagles were covered in snowy white feathers while the rest of their bodies were covered in magnificent brown plumage. Torches reflected off their curved yellow bills. Large black claws curved out of the yellow talons they stood on. Never had Martin seen such majestic raptors.

The Warrior Mouse held his sword casually but ready to strike in an instant should the birds turn hostile. Cautiously he stepped forward to greet the eagles. Martin made sure to address them formally. Most eagles he had ever heard of demanded to be treated very formally lest their terrible wrath descend on the rude speaker. "Greetings to you this night. My name is Martin, Warrior of Redwall Abbey. Please forgive my friends for seeming so shocked. We are rarely visited by such fine guests." Martin flashed his sword in a warrior's salute before bowing low to the eagles.

For their part the seven eagles started looking at themselves very curiously. A large male eagle close to Martin looked at the bowing mouse. When he spoke it wasn't in the clipped and formal tones that the Fur and Freedom Fighters were used to from eagles. Rather a comforting, friendly, and relaxed tone came from the eagle's beak. "What are you bowing for Martin, Warrior or Redwall? We're not royalty or anything so fancy."

The informal reply actually surprised Martin more than the sight of the eagles. The Warrior was lost for words at the turn of events. Gonff however was not one to let his surprise overcome his interest in meeting new friends. "My apologies for Martin's formality. He's so used to being the strong silent overly formal type that it gets in the way of his better judgment at times. I've tried everything I know to get him to loosen up, but regardless of how many honeyed scones I throw at him he doesn't change."

The eagle who had spoken instantly warmed to the friendly Mousethief. "Well it looks as if there's at least one beast here who doesn't stand on ceremony all the time. What's your name?"

Gonff's grin widened at the eagles. He liked the easy going nature they were putting off. "My friends call me Gonff Prince of Mousethieves most of the time."

"And what about any other time?" asked another eagle.

"I'll get back to you on that matey, but it's never late to the dinner table," Gonff teased with a wide smile.

The good humor of the Mousethief broke the air of tension around the trees. Creatures closed mouths that had hung open at the sight of the huge birds and laughed at Gonff's joke. Even the eagles were heard to laugh at the irrepressible Gonff.

The one who had first spoken turned back to Martin. "Greetings to you too Martin. Allow me to introduce myself and my Aerie. I am Dorocol." The eagle turned and pointed a wing to his companions as he introduced them. "This is my wife Vendre and our eaglets Tankoam and Rancles. Finally we have Stobon and his wife Merdofe."

Scirus didn't look impressed by the eagle's arrival. "You're not from around here. What do you want?" he called out scornfully.

"Impertinent squirrel!" Lady Amber's patience with Scirus had never been very great. "Mind your manners or I'll mind them for you!"

"Huh, I've already told you that you don't scare me you old one eared windbag," scoffed the young squirrel.

Quick as a flash the eagle Vendre pounced on Scirus. She pinned him to the forest floor underneath one huge talon. Leaning down she clacked her lethal yellow beak near Scirus' head and stared at him through an angry looking amber eye. "If there's one thing I can't stand it's a bully. Now these all seem like nice enough beasts. The Aerie heard what you were saying to the others earlier tonight young Scirus. Why do you think we have shown ourselves now?"

Brome looked confused. "So you heard that entire conversation Willic, Terick, Scirus and I had earlier tonight?"

Dorocol nodded at the Patriarch. "Indeed. We had been planning to make ourselves known tomorrow, but we couldn't stand by and let that disgraceful whelp go on with his horrendous actions."

Martin looked Brome. "Why were you and the others talking to Scirus? Has he done something wrong?"

Willic answered the Warrior. "Aye Martin he did. Rather than letting healers attend the vermin who were only wounded in our initial attack he slew them all. Then had it not been for Brome, Terick, and myself he would have disobeyed your orders again and joined you in the final charge."

"I see," said Martin with a glare at Scirus.

Dorocol spoke up again. "We of the Highflight Soar who follow the Grand Convocation of Eagles ask your leave to train this young squirrel. He has much anger in him."

"Highflight what?" Skipper was scratching his head.

"Steady on there chap. I think I know what the jolly eagle bird is talking about." Lieutenant Sandgall had made his way to where the other beasts were standing. "Comes from the old armed services lifestyle doncha know. Smart military type birds these eagles are wot."

Rancles looked down appreciatively at the hare. "Well done sir."

Now that the Fur and Freedom Fighters had gotten used to the eagle speech they could defiantly detect the slightest hint of military protocol. Rancles continued. "State your name and rank."

Sandgall snapped quickly to attention. "Lieutenant Sandgall ma'am! Commander of the 4th Summer Runners, of the Salamandastron Long Patrol!"

Dorocol looked the hare up and down. "Where are your forces then Lieutenant?"

Sandgall broke rank as a grin appeared on his face. "Long Patrol! Break cover lads and lasses! Down weapons while yore at it!"

Thirty hares popped up from their hiding places around the scene. Most of the Long Patrollers we sheathing knives or tucking slings back in belt pouches. Tankoam looked impressed. "Well done Lieutenant. However there are only thirty five here. We saw forty hares of your Patrol earlier and another forty we assumed were a different force due to the difference in uniforms. Where is the rest of your Patrol?"

"I answer for the Lieutenant wot wot." Trubbs and company with their wives had also walked in on the scene.
"Well then go on and answer for the good officah," teased Wother.
"Indeed don't keep the jolly eagles waiting," offered Ffring.

Sandgall looked affronted at the other hares. "Bad form interruptin' an officah like that. I should think serving under Lord Boar would have garnered some manners wot."

Harebell, Honeydew, and Willow gave Sandgall their sweetest smiles. "Oh don't get in a tizzy sah."
"Besides when we were all at the spiffin' fire mountain neither his Lordship Boar or Buffheart stood on ceremony as much as he does now."
"Hush, and let Trubbs answer the bloomin' eagle."

Seven sets of eagle eyes turned back to Trubbs, Wother, and Ffring.

"Well you see the other ten Long Patrol are guarding what vermin we managed to capture."
"Right he is. Doin' a bang up job of it too."
"Along with our Mossflower Patrol. Can't count those smart lads and lasses out."

Martin spoke up again. "Pardon me for intruding on this delightful banter, but Scirus is right in one thing."

"Took you long enough to finally notice!" shouted the squirrel that was still pinned under Vendre's talon.

Ignoring Scirus, Martin continued to address the eagles. "My friends and I have never seen eagles like you seven before. I would be very curious to know where you come from and what you're doing here."

"Are you the leader of this fine army then mouse?" asked Merdofe.

"I am," Martin said simply.

Dorocol took another step forward. "Outstanding, we'll deal with you then Martin. And anybeast you choose to have at your side." The eagle gestured to a nearby empty clearing.

Martin turned to the army standing behind him. "Gonff, Lieutenant Sandgall, Skipper, Brome would you please accompany me? The rest of you please follow the orders of your captains. Those not on sentry duties should get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow before we can head back to Redwall."

The assembled creatures gradually moved back to their campsites. Most left to their cots, others began walking the perimeter of the encampment to watch out for any vermin still in the area.

"What about that one?" Skipper pointed at Scirus who still had yet to be released from Vendre's talons.

Dorocol answered the otter. "He is to come with us. There is the matter of his insubordination to deal with along with a request we have concerned this one."

Martin accepted his scabbard from a helpful Redwall mole and clipped it to his belt. Sheathing his sword the Redwall Champion motioned to the eagles. "Lead on."

Vendre picked up the still irate Scirus and holding him easily in one talon flew quickly to the small clearing. She was soon joined by the other six eagles and Martin and his friends. Gonff lit a small fire in the center of the clearing.

"Please make yourselves comfortable. We have much to discuss." Dorocol waved to the soft loam in clearing.

Gonff fought off a yawn. "Not to seem rude mateys, but couldn't this wait 'till the morning?"

"Important news waits for nobeast. This is urgent," said Rancles.

Dorocol looked at the woodlanders facing him. "As I already have told you we are an Aerie of the Highflight Soar which follows the Grand Convocation of Eagles. You could think of the Grand Convocation as our home or tribe if that works for you, however to us it is something much more. All Soars are bound by honor to follow the Convocation and hold true to its ideals."

Brome spoke up. "What are the ideals of this Grand Convocation?"

"Life, freedom, the quest for contentment, and the pursuit of all who threaten it," answered the eagle. "We come from far across the sea to the west of here. Our Soar was given instructions to sail with some of our local woodlanders to act as protectors while they journeyed to broker a deal with the vermin pirates that had been plundering them.
"The meeting was to take place far out to sea. The single woodlander ship was caught in a trap of five pirate raiders. Our Soar numbered twenty at the onset of the attack. Only those you see here now escaped with our lives since we were flying high above the ship at the time. When we saw the woodlanders being attacked we immideatly dove down to offer battle to the pirates.
"A more fierce battle could hardly be imagined. Then fate stepped in. The pirate's numbers had proved too great for the Soar. We were trapped in heavy cargo nets along with the surviving woodlanders. Without warning a storm came upon us. The pirates had been too distracted by the slaughter of the others of our Soar to see it. When the storm hit the vermin fled back to their ships. Without the vermin standing over us it was short work to cut the net and avenge our fallen comrades.
"However by now the storm had blown us far off course. The woodlanders all had taken horrible injuries and soon the wounds took their toll. Within a week only the seven eagles you see here were left alive. We tried to sail the ship as best we could, but the art of the sailor is not one of our gifts. Fortunately the sea is full of many fine fish so we were not want for food. Water however was a different matter. The storm had broken the seals of many of the water barrels. We only had one barrel of water left to us.
"Two weeks after the storm left us adrift on the sea Merdofe was winging on patrol when she spotted gannets. At first the seabirds tried to attack her. However at her battle cry we came to her aid. We knew then that we were close to land. By sundown we had made it to shore and found a stream to quench our thirst.
"That was a month ago. During that time we have explored further inland. A week and a half ago we spotted the vermin army you defeated earlier tonight. It's not in our nature to allow such evil beasts to roam free. However as there are only seven of us, any attack we would have made would have proved suicidal. We winged our way into the trees and spotted your army.
"I commend you on well thought out tactics and outstanding courage. Even though you were outnumbered two to one you proved to be victorious."

"Thank you for telling us your story Dorocol," Martin told the eagle. "My sympathies go to you and the others of your Soar and Aerie at the loss of your comrades. I know what it is like to lose good friends in battle.

"Earlier you mentioned training Scirus there." Martin pointed at the squirrel. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Vendre responded instead of Dorocol. "Where we come from the woodlanders send their young ones to us to learn the ways of the Convocation. While certain elements are a secret we share only with our own kind, the virtues we adhere to can be taught to any good beast."

"What virtues are those marm?" asked Skipper.

"Dorocol has already told you of our ideals. Our virtues are similar but more specific. Truthfulness, loyalty, assistance, friendship, civility, obedience, and bravery form the Seven Virtues. It is the code by which we are sworn to live and the values we teach to the young creatures of our homelands. When we had heard that this insolent squirrel had not only violated his rightful orders in time of war, but then treated his peers as he did we knew that we couldn't allow him to continue in his ways."

"You were spying on us?" Brome looked a bit shocked.

"We're new to this land master Brome is it?" Stobon replied. "It's always a smart tactic to reconnoiter a new area instead of charging in blindly."

"If you're such honest and honorable eagles why have you pinned me down, and held me against my will! Let me loose this instant you overgrown featherbrains!" Scirus' screams echoed off the surrounding trees.

The eagles ignored the angry squirrel's shouts. Dorocol was again talking to Martin. "However it will not require all seven of us to train the squirrel. At most three of us should prove enough to deal with this Scirus."

"Then what else do you ask of us?" asked the Warrior.

"To join with you to defeat of the vermin you fight." said Vendre.

Martin was overwhelmed by the offer. "But you hardly know us, or the reasons for our campaign! We don't even know how long this struggle will last!"

Dorocol seemed to stand even taller as he answered the Defender of Redwall. "It doesn't take long to see that there is a quality about you Martin the Warrior. Something rare and powerful. It would be an honor to stand with you and your valiant friends. You fight against the forces of tyranny and evil. We are also sworn to the same."

Brome, Skipper, and Gonff all turned as one to look at Martin. The Warrior Mouse rose to his feet and also found himself standing straighter just as the eagle had. Unsheathing his sword Martin flashed it in the Warrior's Salute to the eagle. "The honor is ours Dorocol to meet and accept such fine allies."

The full moon had passed three weeks ago and still the Green Corn Moon Allpack forces had yet to return to their valley home. The plan to spread rumors about Martin was going well. Subtly and discreetly the Flurem Woo-es had been sowing the seeds of doubt in the hearts of the Allpack and Valley Rouges. While the vermin made a fine show of false bravado in front of the Flurem Woo-es, the captured maidens could see the effects of worry and fear in the vermin and canine faces.

Many looked like they had not been resting or eating well. Troop formations and drills that had once been crisp and clean were starting to turn sloppy. Tales were told of Valley Rouges that refused to leave their tents or increasingly insubordinate Allpack wolves.

A new concern in the weeks following the full moon was the appearance of several large shadows high in the sky above the valley. The shadows seemed to circle the mountain stronghold every two days. It was obvious that the shadows were great hunting birds. As such Lupisto had ordered additional Allpack wolves to the top of the Garden crater to provide security to the Flurem Woo-es. However the raptors never made a threatening move against either Flurem Woo-es, Allpack wolf, or Valley Rouge Vermin.

Until one day one of the circling shapes suddenly dove straight for a group of Flurem Woo-es. The Allpack wolves on the crater rim tried shooting at the speeding bird, but couldn't get a clean shot. The large bird was simply diving to fast. A scream went up from several of the Flurem Woo-es. All they saw was a huge brown and white feathered shape diving unbelievably fast directly at them. What was even more terrifying was the war cry echoing off the cliff walls.

"YOOOOOOOOO JOOOOOOOEEEEE!"

At seemingly the last second the eagle pulled out of its dive. As it did so it released a small package it had been holding in its talons. Using the momentum of its dive the eagle quickly found a thermal current and soared well beyond the range of any Allpack arrow. The eagle pealed off and along with its companion swiftly flew out of sight.

Gauchee was the first to approach the small package the eagle had dropped. It was a small cloth bundle tied tight with string. Secured tightly to the string were two flowers; a columbine and a rose. Gauchee immediately knew who the package was meant for and grabbing it ran swiftly to where the two other maids were.

Rose and Columbine were sitting in their shelter trying to create even more fanciful rumors to spread about Martin and Gonff. They had created some truly magnificent tall tales that included Martin fighting a real Mirdop monster and Gonff pilfering the uniforms off of Kotir soldiers while they still wore them. They looked from their work as the eagle cry echoed through the Gardens.

"What was that?" asked a surprised Columbine.

"I don't know," answered Rose. "Here comes Gauchee and the others. Maybe they know something."

Gauchee had been joined by Kastern, Trefoil, and Giana as she had been running to the shelter. They all arrived out of breath. "Eagle…huff huff…dove on us…huff huff…dropped this," panted Gauchee.

Rose kindly admonished the other mouse. "Calm down please." She reached over and poured Gauchee a cup of water. "Here drink this, you'll feel better."

The former actress drank gratefully. She set the cup aside and took a few deep breaths to relax. Rose smiled at her friend. "Good, now what's this about an eagle?"

Gauchee held up the package. "It happened just now. A few of us were sitting out by the pond when we heard saw one of those shadows suddenly dive on us. Turns out they're great eagles, but unlike any I've ever seen before."

"She's right," added Trefoil. "During our player days Kastern, Gauchee, and I came across quite a few eagles in our ramblings. This one didn't look like any eagle we've ever seen. It had a white head and tail with brown body feathers. And it dropped that and just flew off."

"It's got to be for you," said Gauchee pointing at the two flowers stuck in the package.

Columbine took the cloth bundle and pulled the flower that was her namesake from the string attaching it to the cotton. She looked at Rose with hope shining in her eyes. "Do you think this is a message from Gonff and Martin?"

Rose had also pulled the flower bearing her name from the package and placed in behind her ear. She was glad that whoever had placed it there had been kind enough to remove any thorns from the stem. She was untying the string as she answered Columbine. "It's possible, but let's not get our hopes up. We still have to see what's inside this cloth."

As she finished removing the string the package reveled itself. The brown cloth that the flowers had been tied to was only a protective outer covering. A short linen bag concealed within a scroll was inside.

Rose took the linen bag out of the scroll and set it aside. She opened the scroll and began to read the words written on it aloud to her friends. As she did a smile appeared on her face and only grew as she continued.

"Allies true, allies new,
Forming fast to come to you.
Above your heads do cast your eye,
For the sovereign of the sky.

By home and sea set your sight,
For the one of star given might.
Faded Flowers cause hearts to ache,
For want to share a borrowed cake.

To the one of noble wing,
Messages from the Slayer should sing.
Those keen of ear and keen of sight,
Provide a link to Flowers plight.

A gift we give to conceal,
Uphold my vow, "Let none take this steel."
By sun and stars and moon above,
To Faded Flowers we send our love.

MtW, GPoMT "

Rose looked up at Columbine. The two maids had joyful tears in their eyes. The Rosehip maids were also very glad to hear the words of the poem. Only Giana looked confused.

"Well that was certainly a pretty poem, but what does it all mean?" asked the ottermaid.

Columbine had taken the parchment from Rose and was reading it herself as she answered. "It's a message from my Gonff and Martin!" she exclaimed.

Rose still had a wide smile on her face as she explained everything to Giana. "It's written in partial code. I'm sure Martin and Gonff would have written like that in case it fell into vermin hands. And there is a lot we now know."
She lowered the volume of her voice to ensure that only the five other maids in the shelter could hear her. "In the first line it appears that Martin is forming an army. Hopefully soon he'll be able to march here in force against those Allpack scum. The first verse I think also bids us to keep an eye out for those eagles."

Columbine had handed the parchment off to the Rosehip maids so they could look at it too. "I can tell you this too. It wasn't just Martin who wrote that. My Gonff had a paw in it, I'm sure of it."

"How do you figure?" asked Giana. The otter was still trying to grasp the meaning of the poem.

Columbine could hardly talk through the wide grin on her face. "Simple, the talk of the borrowed cake. That's how Gonff usually tries to worm his way out of punishment when he steals one of my cakes from the windowsill back at Redwall. However there are a few things that confuse me. The previous lines for example, By home and sea set your sight, For the one of star given might.

"Obviously the one of star given might refers to Martin. His sword was made from the metal of a fallen star. But to set our sight to home and the sea? That's confusing."

Rose had taken the parchment back from the Rosehip maids and was looking at the poem again. "I think I know what Martin or Gonff is saying." She looked up at Columbine. "Where are our homes?"

"North of here," answered the Redwaller. The solution then dawned on her. "And the sea is west of this place. So they must be coming from the northwest!"

"Exactly," said Rose. "And I also think there is a clue here to how we can send our own messages to Martin and Gonff."

Columbine got even more exited than she already was. "Really! How do we do that?"

Rose pointed at a few lines in the poem. "It's this part here in the third verse. The noble wings, and singing, and the Slayer."

"Slayer?" Giana again wore a confused expression. "There aren't any slayers here that I know."

Rose looked at her friends with a smug grin. "Yes there is."

"Who?" asked the otter.

"Me," Rose said proudly.

Giana laughed at her. "Rose the Slayer! Now there's a sight I'd like to see."

"I tell you that I was once known far and wide as Rose the Slayer. The warrioress who fought with her voice rather than steel or sling." Rose's eyes burned with pride.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Giana was still skeptical.

"I earned the nickname back when Martin, Grumm, Pallum and I were traveling to Noonvale." Rose went onto explain about the Mirdop rabbits stuffed monster and the part she had played in the comical adventure. "Anyway it's also another part of how Martin and I first met. Brome communicated the depth of the prison pit by singing out directions. I think that Martin is saying if we have any messages to do the same when we see those eagles. Most eagles have very sharp hearing and eyesight. If I can code my messages well enough in a song the eagles should hear it and relay it to Martin and Gonff."

Giana had wound up laughing so hard at the Mirdop story she fell to the ground holding her sides. Rose turned back to the poem. "What I'm curious is this gift Martin says he has given us."

Trefoil had picked up the linen bag that had been hidden within the scroll. "Mayhaps whatever is in this will shed some light on that subject."

Rose took the bag and undid the drawstring. Looking inside she saw something that was almost a precious to her as the golden bracelet on her paw. Grasping the sturdy leather bound hilt she drew forth the small shrew sword Martin had claimed from Queen Amballa so many seasons ago.

A/N; Yes I know I skipped about a month between with the scene break there. I've felt the need to get the timeline moving along considering this story is called "Winter's Flowers" and we were only just getting into autumn. So I might have a few summary type passages to describe events that have happened instead of the day by day writing I've been doing lately.

And I was also sick and tired of Martin, Gonff, Rose, and Columbine not having any form of communication. I just didn't have the heart to keep them incommunicado any longer. That and considering both the canon poetic skills of both Martin and Gonff I felt another mystery type poem would be appropriate. I hope you liked it.