A/N; Wow everyone is saying such nice things. I'm flattered. Here I was thinking I'm just a guy who had the need to let some creativity flow and maybe right a few of my perceived wrongs about Redwall. I hope that the coming chapters live up to everyone's expectations.

28

Two Fights

"FUUURRR AND FREEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!"

The sun was beginning to set as the shout echoed off the crags and cliffs. Valley Rogues that had bedded down for the night instantly came awake. Few knew that this was the war cry they had been dreading for so long. However even if they didn't know what the shout meant, the Valley Rogues knew it was a challenge to battle. Grabbing the various weapons they wielded the assorted vermin rushed to the walls to offer combat.

The Allpack knew the cry all to well. Unlike the inept Valley Rogues, the wolves had been told the details of the battles their brethren had fought. The war cries that echoed across the plains, the cunning tactics that had allowed such a smaller force to best the Allpack, and especially the two hot eyed warrior mice that led the corps all had been discussed in detail. Unlike the Valley Rogues however, the Allpack did not rush to the walls as soon as they heard the shout. Rather they stayed behind their second defensive wall to wait for orders from Lupisto.


Others heard the shout too. For three maidens in the Gardens it was the first time they had heard the fabled battle call in a very long time. And just as it had before, shivers went down the spines of Trefoil, Gauchee, and Kastern. They had been sitting in their shelter, with Giana, by the small fireplace trying to decide on what supplies could be smuggled back to the GRAM cell when Rose and Columbine next visited. The battle cry from out on the plains was faint due to not only a fair distance it had to travel, but a solid rock face as well. But it was clear enough. As soon as it registered the three Rosehip maids they sat up in surprise and shock.

Giana also heard the noise but couldn't make out the words. "What was that?" She asked as she turned her head in the direction of the plains. "Thunder? In winter?"

"Something worse," Gauchee told the ottermaid as a grin of awe and respect grew on her face. "At least for the Allpack that is. That was the battle cry of the Fur and Freedom Fighters. Martin is here."


One other maid had also heard the war call before, but when it sounded this time all she heard was a far off rumbling noise. The stone walls of the GRAM cell where Rose and Columbine were organizing supplies muted the shouts so they couldn't be heard clearly. However, even if the words weren't audible the rumbling that came through the stone was detectable to the two maids. They perked up at once.

"What was that?" Columbine asked.

"I don't know, but it came from outside," answered Rose as she looked at the door.

Columbine followed her gaze. "Think we should find out?"

Rose drew her sword and slid over to the small access flap in the door of their cell. Drawing her sword she pried it open courtesy of new lock picking skills taught by Columbine. "Best to check the corridor first."

Peering outside Rose saw the passageway was empty. Carefully she moved the locks so she would be able to open the door. In their time in the cell Rose and Columbine had been able to manage a cunning illusion. To anybeast walking past their cell it looked for all the world that the door was still locked tight. However with a quick twist of the small sword blade the catch would release and the mountain tunnels became accessible to the maids.

Rose and Columbine had been doing things other than simply smuggling supplies into their cells. Over the past weeks they had been able to scout the maze of passages that ran through the mountains. Taking great pains not to be seen the two were now experts in the labyrinth of tunnels. Stealing quickly from their cell the Redwaller and Noonvaler crept to a high window overlooking the Gardens. Seeing the Gardens were looking normal Rose and Columbine went to a different window overlooking the Valley and surrounding plains. What they saw was the thing they had been waiting and hoping for since that fateful night in Noonvale.

"Martin," Rose whispered.

"Gonff," Columbine whispered at the same time.

"He's here," they whispered in unison.


Lupisto wasn't so awe inspired. He dashed to the outer wall to find Restro cringing at the base of the wall. "Report at once," he snapped.

"Mighty One, thou loyal Allpack company assigned to high walls have been slain."

"Slain! By whom?" Lupisto glared at his underling.

Restro was about to reply when a new shout was heard from the plains. "Your time to answer draws short! I say again, release any prisoners you keep and we shall retire. Ignore this demand and on my honor as a warrior your forces will be razed to never be rebuilt."

If there was one thing Lupisto never took kindly towards it was threats and challenges. Pushing aside Valley Rogues, some to their deaths as they fell off the wall, Lupisto mounted the wall top to face his challenger. "Who darest make such demands on mine ears!"

Looking down he saw for the first time the Warrior who challenged him. The sight made his blood run as cold as the ice and snow surrounding him. Two mice were standing in front of a large army of grim looking warriors. The first looked to have a chain mail tunic on beneath his winter cloak. Twirling two lethal daggers the pudgy mouse stood silently as the other one did all the talking. It was this mouse that every eye was focused on. The failing sun glinted off the bright plates of steel covering the Warrior. A red cape flapped in the breeze. On his left arm was a rounded shield polished to a mirror finish. In his right paw was a sword unlike anything Lupisto or any of his followers had ever seen. Colder than the icicles hanging off the battlements was the steel of the blade. A diamond of reflected sunlight glinted off the keen edge.

"You know who I am," came the reply from beneath the closed helmet of the Warrior.

Lupisto felt his pulse quicken but showed only contempt for his foe. "So thou art the one called Martin. Thou hast been given false statements and untruths. Mine host holds no prisoners. It is the great honor of mine Valley Rogues and Allpack to guard the most worthy Flurem Woo-es from Undeserving wretches such as thee. The glory of the Flurem Woo-es is too great for thou lowly eyes. I tell you true neither you, nor any of your unkempt rabble shall ever cast thou eyes on the Flurem Woo-es."

Martin's voice was as cold as the steel in his paw. "Then you shall be slain. You and every one of your followers that choose to fight us."

Once again Lupisto scoffed at the Warrior facing him. "We shalt be slain? Didst mine ears hear thee correct? The trivial force thou commands is naught but paltry band compared to the vast might that serves the Allpack. Behold, for night swiftly approaches. Mine wolves are keen of sight come darkness. Mine numbers can overwhelm thee at mine leisure." Raising to his full height the big wolf motioned for the vermin on the wall tops to prepare bow, lance, and sling. "Mine ears grow tired of parley." He turned to the vermin and they rose ready to fire on Lupisto's command. "Valley Rogues arise! Ready and fi….AAAHHHHH!"

Lupisto never got the order to fire out of his mouth. All along the wall Valley Rogues claws shot to their eyes. A blinding flash from the plains caused spots to dance in front of their vision. As he recovered Lupisto shouted at the top of his lungs. "SLAY THEM! SLAY THEM ALL!!"

The Valley Rogues turned back to the plains ready to release their deadly volleys. However as their vision cleared they were met with an unnerving sight. The plains were empty. Only scores of foot prints gave any evidence that the Fur and Freedom Fighters had ever stood before the gates of the Valley of the Gardens.

At once the rumors and speculation flew through the vermin.

"Wer dey all go?"
"They's was jus' there. I seen 'em. Clear as day I seen 'em."
"It's the one they've all been talkin' about. The one with a magic sword."
"Aye, that be the one. Didja see 'im standin' there clear as could be. Now up and vanished, quick as ye please."

Lupisto furiously beat at vermin bodies around him as he shouted out orders. "Were thou commanded to stand on yon walls? Get thyselves onto the plains and find those Undeserving scum!"

Slowly the lone gate for the outer wall creaked open. Three hundred Valley Rogues fanned out in front of the wall before slowly marching forward. That is if a shuffling, stumbling, and scared walk could be called a march. Many of the Valley Rogues were constantly tripping in snow that came up to their knees. Much slower than Lupisto would have wanted the line approached where the Fur and Freedom Fighters had disappeared. Just as the first vermin came upon the empty paw tracks the first few lines of Valley Rouges suddenly dropped down out of sight into the snows. Horrible crunches and screams came from a trench lined with hundreds of sharpened stakes. Unable to stop those behind many vermin who hadn't actually fallen into the trap were pushed in due to the press of bodies behind them. Reduced in numbers by half, the remaining Rogues turned and tried to flee for the safety of the valley. Their progress was quicker since the snow had been packed down. However after only a few running paces the ground again fell out from under the Valley Rouges to reveal another trench of sharpened stakes. Not one of the Valley Rogues sent out to sortie against the Fur and Freedom Fighters were left alive by the two cunning traps.

Lupisto stared at the plains in shock. He roared to the replacements that had come up on the walls. "SHOOT! ARROWS! LANCES! SPEARS! SHOOT!"

As volley after volley of lethal shot fell on the empty snow Lupisto stared to review what had just taken place. His enemy had simply appeared without warning, slain forty valuable Allpack wolves, delivered their demands, vanished without a trace, and then had been able to slay three hundred Valley Rogues. What was worse was that the opposing force hadn't taken even a single casualty. Never before had a battle at the gates of the Valley of the Gardens been so one sided. However Lupisto knew that there would be something worse than losing the first skirmish. Countless new rumors would spread and there was nothing he could do to stop them. To many other Valley Rogues and Allpack wolves had seen the events from the battlements.


Rose and Columbine made their way as quick as they could back to the GRAM cell. Both maids felt excitement growing as they made their way along the stone corridors. They tried to make as little noise as possible. However as they came around a corner they ran into an Allpack wolf heading up to an upper level archer post.

The wolf was shocked to see the two maids to say the least. "What art thou Flurem Woo…gahh!"

Rose didn't waste any time. As soon as she realized the danger she drew her sword and dispatched the wolf with a quick thrust to the chest. She wiped the blood off the sword on the wolf's tunic and continued down the corridor waving for Columbine. "Hurry! Somebeast might have heard that!"

Columbine however was stooped over the body of the wolf. Rose looked back and hissed at her. "Columbine! What are you doing? We need to get back to the cell!"

"Be right there," Columbine replied. She stood back up and walked quickly to where Rose stood. She adjusted the quiver of arrows on her back that she had taken from the wolf. In her left paw she held the bow the wolf had also been carrying. "I figured one more set of weapons wouldn't hurt."

Rose was peering around another corner. She looked back to Columbine and saw the archery equipment. "You're right, but we can't stay out here for long. We need to get back to the cell to get the supplies ready to move to the Gardens."

Only when they were back in the safety of their cell and out of sight of any other wolf eyes did they speak again.

"They're here! Finally!" Rose was moving to the stored supplies of javelins.

Columbine was gathering bed sheet slings and stone pouches into another pile. "That they are Rose, but we're not going to be able to help Martin or Gonff if our weapons are here in the cell."

"We're not going to be able to carry all of this in one trip." Rose was looking at the piles of supplies they had been able to sneak into the cell. "Maybe we can take some of it now, and then return with some helpers later."

"It might be hard to avoid any wolves with more creatures going in and out of here," Columbine pointed out.

"True, but if we get enough helpers we would only have to make one trip."

"And from then on let Lupisto know we've escaped the cell?"

"Why not? It would be just one more concern for him to worry about. But we need to move fast." Rose bent back to the javelins and began tying them into bundles. "If I were Lupisto I'd send a wolf to this cell to bring you and me out to the walls to show Martin and Gonff."

"Parade us like hostages?" Columbine looked quizzical. "From all that we've seen it seems like that would be the last thing the Allpack would do with their precious Flurem Woo-es."

"Normally I'd agree with you," Rose said. "But lately it seems Lupisto's been a bit off his rocker. I would rather stand with our friends in the Gardens and try to hold them off than wait here for them to grab us."

"Good point. So what are we waiting for? Grab those javelins; these slings are ready to go."

Columbine hefted her load making sure that she would be able to drop the supplies in an instant if she needed to use her new bow. Rose approached the door and with a well practiced twist unlocked it. Making sure her sword was tucked securely in her waist sash; she shouldered her load and together with Columbine started creeping towards the Gardens.


Trefoil, Giana, Gauchee, and Kastern were moving amongst the other maids in the Gardens. Once the Rosehip maids had heard the Fighter's shout they set out to inform the GRAM members that Martin and Gonff had at long last arrived. The news was greeted by much cheering. They had been told many stories of the two warriors. Now that the news of their arrival was no longer rumor it galvanized them into action. Near one of the larger hot springs the maids began to assemble.

Giana was starting to take charge of the situation. "Right then! Let's have everybeast quiet down, quick like ya hear?" The ottermaid then began to wave the GRAM into separate groups. "Slingers over here to my left! Those who trained with javelins to the right!"

Her commands were interrupted as Rose and Columbine came up behind the otter. "Excellent! Thank for starting to get organized." Rose dropped the bundle of javelins she had been carrying. She then addressed the GRAM. "Columbine and I need some help getting the rest of the supplies we stored in the cell here. If we could have ten willing sets of paws to help us we should be able to make it in one trip."

Instantly Rose was flooded by a press of willing helpers. As she started her selections Columbine went to find Giana and the Rosehip maids. When she did the Redwaller dropped off her own supplies of slinging materials. "Here pass these out as best you can."

As Gauchee and Kastern set off to distribute the weapons Trefoil turned to the mousemaid. "While you, Rose, and your helpers get the rest of the supplies what can the rest of us do?"

"As you know the reason we hid the supplies in the cave was that we didn't want the wolves to know what we were up to. Now that Martin and Gonff are here we don't have to hide anymore. What we need are some easily defended positions. You remember how we planned to find a good place to fight from? The shelters we've been staying in are in a rough circle around that large pond. Take a crew and drag out beds, any loose planks, wardrobes, tables, and the like. See if you can set them up in a circle from shelter to shelter."

Trefoil lit up at the idea. "You want me to be in charge of making our own little fort?"

"That's the idea," Columbine confirmed. "Rose and I think that once we start openly fighting against the Allpack, Lupisto isn't going to be so lenient on his whole 'don't harm maidens,' idea."

"What about if we dig a ditch like a moat around the outside? We could line it with stakes to make it hard for any vermin to get at us."

Columbine saw Rose start to move off with her ten helpers. "Great idea Trefoil, but first get the defenses set up. We don't know how long it'll be until we may need to use them." With a wave Columbine ran off. Behind her Trefoil started recruiting others on the new project.

Columbine drew an arrow from her quiver and nocked it to the bowstring as she ran to catch up with Rose and the others. She quickly made her way to the front of the group while next to her Rose was calling out directions. "Now remember, it's crucial to make as little noise as possible. We're all going to have to carry a lot so please no griping about having to carry a large load. If we meet any wolves or vermin Columbine and I will try and hold them off. You lot just run back for the Gardens and try to let the rest of the GRAM know what's coming."

Columbine led the way ready to draw and fire at the first sign of an enemy. They were lucky. They reached the cell without being seen. Columbine kept lookout while Rose unlocked the door and led her helpers into the cell. Quickly she began to deal out assignments. Using ropes and some wooden poles they had taken with them, the GRAM maids began to pack the supplies into bundles that would make it easier to haul back to the Gardens.

It took much longer than Rose hoped for everything to be packed. With each passing moment she feared that they would be discovered by a passing sentry. Finally she looked around and saw they were ready to return back to the Gardens. Silently she motioned the maids to leave the cell. Once they were in the corridor she carefully re-locked the door. In a whisper she issued orders. "Columbine rear guard, I'll lead, the rest of you stay quiet and try not to crash into anything."

Slowly the small column began to make its way back to the relative safety of the Gardens. Rose was constantly on alert. With every step or scrape against the stone floor she feared they would be discovered. The passage came to a T intersection. In order to get to the Gardens the group needed to take the right passage. It was the most dangerous spot on the journey. To the left the passage turned sharply to the right just after the intersection. Just beyond that was the mess hall for the Allpack. In the silence the maids could hear that many of the wolves were inside devouring the raw meat they feasted on.

Rose shuddered at the gruesome thought and after making sure the way was clear she motioned for her group to follow her to the right. Just ahead of Columbine was a small mousemaid who was starting to tire from her heavy load. As she rounded the corner the weight of the supplies she was carrying became too much. She fell forward. As she did so the tips of the javelins across her back knocked a glass and tin lantern off the its wall hook. The lantern crashed to the floor with a smash of broken glass and dented metal. The sound caused each maid to freeze in shock. Columbine turned to help the shaken maid to her feet while motioning with a paw to keep silent.

Columbine felt her heart pounding in her chest. After the longest moment she ever knew, she felt it was safe to signal Rose to carry on. Tightening her grip on her bow Columbine walked backwards while keeping her senses alert for any sign the wolves might have heard the crash.

Then her fears were realized. Just as the few maids were approaching a bend in the passage that would have hid them from sight Columbine heard the mess hall door open and the sounds of two wolf voices.

"A pup is most likely to blame for the crash. We shalt have to discipline him for not admitting his error when first committed."

"That we shall…hold! Mine eyes deceive me or that is one of the Flurem Woo-es the Mighty One decree…"

But the wolf was unable to finish his sentence. Columbine had drawn back and let her arrow fly. It hit the wolf in his eye slaying him instantly. "RUN!" she screamed to the others as she quickly drew another arrow and shot at the other wolf. They needed to second bidding and began a mad dash down the corridor.

Unfortunately Columbine's second snap shot was off the mark. The arrow glanced off the stone wall to ricochet towards the wolf. The shaft grazed his arm. The pain caused the wolf to snap out of his shock at seeing the escaping maids. He ran back to the mess hall shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Escape! Yon Flurem Woo-es the Mighty One placed in security have escaped and slain our brother wolf! Escape!"


Trefoil's crew was just finishing moving the last bed into place when she heard a shout from the entrance to the Gardens. Rose, her helpers, and Columbine were running as fast as they could to towards them. The squirrelmaid saw they needed help and turned to her own helpers. "Quick, it looks like Rose and Columbine's group is in trouble! Let's get out there and help them!"

Trefoil leapt over the barricade and ran towards the group. Seeing that one of the maids was staggering under the weight of her burden Trefoil took it from her and lent a paw to assist the tired creature back to the fortified shelters. Other maids soon caught up and helped to ensure every maid made it behind the barricades.

Giana, Kastern, and Gauchee came running up. "What happened?" Kastern asked.

"We were spotted," Columbine was gasping for breath as she told her what had happened. "Two wolves saw us just as we were passing their mess hall. I shot one, but missed the other. He shouted the alarm as we ran off."

Giana began taking charge again. "Enough Columbine. You and Rose get some water and rest. It's going to take those wolves a moment or two to realize what's happened and probably longer to inform Lupisto."

She turned to the other maids who were clustering around. "All of you listen up! The wolves could be here any time. Grab what weapons you know how to use and keep an eye on those gates." Giana pointed to the Gardens entrance. "If anybeast comes through them don't shoot right away. You'll probably only waste the shot and we don't have many to spare. Just shout out if you see anything."

Quickly the GRAM maids began to prepare for battle. While some took up arms and went to the slits built into the barricades other went into the shelters to find any more supplies. On the side of the shelters facing away from the Gardens entrances other maids were out searching for weapon making supplies or were foraging for food. They were watched by other maids who stood ready to use javelins and slings to cover their friends should the need for a quick run back to the shelters be needed.

The moon was just beginning to appear over the crater rim when movement was spotted. Ten wolves came out of the entrance tunnel and started to look around. Within their barricaded shelters a hush fell over the maidens. Holding slings and javelins tightly they all kept their eyes on the forms of the wolves that were walking slowly through the Gardens.

A squirrelmaid standing next to Giana whispered to the otter. "Should we shoot?"

Giana heard the fear in the maids' voice clearly. "No, hold your fire." she whispered back. "They're well out of range anyway. Do nothing stay still! It's hard for them to see us in the dark and shadows. If we're lucky they won't notice anything unusual."

Soon the waxing moon had cleared the crater rim. Even though the full moon was still a few days off the moonlight reflecting off the walls of the Gardens lit up the scene well. It became clear that all ten of the wolves were armed with bows and arrows as well as curious sickle swords. The ten wolves were walking slowly in the direction of the shelters. They were taking their time to check around each bush and tree they came across. It was plain they were searching for something.

Giana looked down the lines of the GRAM and saw fear and nervousness set in more and more as the wolves drew closer. Some maids began twirling their slings while other drew back with javelins to throw them. Giana wasn't the only one to notice. Rose and Columbine were already busy trying to tell the maids to not fire.

Their efforts were in vain. Out of pure fear first one maid then another cast their weapons. As one fired the maids next to her thought the order to shoot had been given and so they fired as well. The result was a mess of inaccurate and sporadic fire rather than one concentrated volley. Most of the missiles fell well short of their targets. The few shots that did make it all the way to the wolves didn't have the force to do anything to wound them.

Seeing the hope of a concentrated volley was lost Giana nodded to Columbine and the others who knew how to shoot accurately. Columbine's bow, Giana and Rose's slings, and javelins from the Rosehip maids all shot with the accuracy and force the others had lacked. However the wolves had begun to retreat as soon as they detected the missiles. Only thee wolves were actually slain with three more being injured before they were out of range of the darts and stones. They fell back into the mountain passages and shut the doors leading to the Gardens.

As soon as she saw the wolves had gone Giana rounded on the other maids. "Fools!" she screamed. "We had a golden chance to strike a harsh blow against the wolves and you all ruined it by not following orders."

Many of the GRAM maids hung their heads in shame. Trefoil narrowed her eyes and came to their defense. "Shame on you Giana for yelling at our friends like that! Very few of us have actually been in a battle before."

Rose came up to the feuding creatures. "Hush both of you. We won't accomplish anything by yelling at each other like that."

Giana knew the other two were right. "Of course." She turned to the maids surrounding her. "I apologize. I had no cause to yell at you like that. We'll just have to be more ready in the future."

Columbine led a party to recover the bows, arrows, and other weapons from the bodies of the fallen wolves. Rose and Kastern set about organizing the maids into separate sentry and cooking details. They made sure that there was always several lookouts on guard now that the Allpack knew the GRAM intended to fight from inside the Valley of the Gardens while the Fur and Freedom Fighters fought from without.


On the outer wall of the Valley Lupisto was screaming at the Valley Rogues to shoot more and more volleys out to where the Fur and Freedom Fighters had disappeared. Each time he had sent patrols out to find them they had been caught in cunning traps. Nets lined with fire hardened sticks just below the snow impaled vermin footpaws. Trenches filled with freezing water and covered in snow and ice caused many vermin to freeze before they could make it back to the Valley. Hidden trip wires caused arrows to shoot out from snow banks into the masses of vermin searching vainly for their foe.

When Restro was told the news of the escaped prisoners and the fight in the Gardens he dreaded having to be the one to tell Lupisto. Squaring his shoulders the black wolf mounted the wall stairs and approached the big grey wolf.

"Master," Restro murmured as he bowed low to Lupisto.

Lupisto looked down on the other wolf. "Speak!" he barked.

Restro kept his eyes on the wall top as he spoke. "The Flurem Woo-es known as Laterose and Columbine have been spotted outside yon protective chamber thou placed them in. Thou loyal Allpack reports a number of Flurem Woo-es have sought to bear arms against those who would protect and defend their most worthy selves. Sadly four wolves have been cut down by the ungrateful acts of yon Flurem Woo-es."

Lupisto felt his blood boil. Somehow he was now engaged in a two front battle. "Restro mine loyal servant, thou art to remain at this post. Conduct mine Valley Rogues to Chastise any beast that would dare to stand against thee." Pushing Restro aside he leapt down the wall top stairs and ran off in the direction of the Gardens.

A/N: I love writing action chapters so much more than narrative filler chapters. So much easier to write fun cliffhangers. Like the big one hanging here. Where did the Fighters go and how could they set so many traps without being seen? I'll let you know later, for now I'll enjoy grinning evilly while you try to figure it out.