Author Note:
The Grey Coincidence: Ah, yes. I couldn't resist. I know there was a lot a speculation among Redwall fans on which species would win in a fight; a badger or a wolverine. I've always wanted to write an action scene between the two, so here we are! Lagworth is, indeed, not the most intelligent cookie in the world. I'm glad that you have such strong feeling about him (I wanted to make him a jerk, and it appears that I've succeeded. XD)
Waycaster: Agreed. Baro was one of my villains that I didn't focus on as much. I hope to write him a back story or one-shot of some sort for him one day. The first to go down, eh? We shall see… *Cackles madly* Yes! Parley scenes are awesome!
Keva Strongbow: Not one, not two, but three reviews in a row! Thank you!
I'm glad you liked the foreshadowing with Tilda, and about the reminders with Tragg's eye. I agree, being held a captive and a hostage isn't exactly a picnic…
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SALAMANDASTRON
Silence reigned over the Mess Hall as lunch was served. Normally, this would've been a time when all of the hares would be eating boisterously and chattering up a storm. However, ever since Lord Rockfur had gotten back and told them about the duel, they had been unusually solemn.
Private Eric filled up his platter with food and looked around for an empty seat. Seeing Urthblaze sitting at a table slightly away from the others, he walked over and plopped down in the bench opposite of him. Noticing the look on the young badger's face, and how he was staring moodily down at his bowl of soup, the hare tried to cheer him up.
"Mind if I take a seat? I say, wot wot, you look like somebeast who is being forced to eat his a rotting fish," Eric joked, peering into his own bowl, "Does the soup really taste that bloody bad?"
"Mm?" Urthblaze grunted and looked up, taking a second to recognize the hare. "Oh, it's you. Sure. You can sit here if you'd like."
"Why thank you." Private Eric raised an eyebrow and slowly took a bite out of a scone, his eyes not leaving Urthblaze. After a brief silence, he finally asked, "Alright. What's wrong?"
Urthblaze looked up from his food and met the hare's gaze, his eyes were red and Eric realized that the young badger must have been crying recently.
"I… It's just…" The badger hesitated, then, taking a deep breath, continued, "I already lost my grandfather and the rest of my kin. I…I don't think I could keep living if I lost Rockfur too." A tear dripped onto his plate, and Urthblaze quickly brushed a paw across his eyes. "He's almost been like a father to me."
Seeing that the young creature was trying his best to keep himself from appearing overly emotional, the hare leaned over and patted Urthblaze's paw comfortingly.
"Hey," he said in an encouraging tone, "Don't worry. His Lordship has done this kind of thing afore, don'tcha know? And you've seen how he can fight.
Urthblaze shook his head. "Oh, please! Don't act like you all haven't been thinking the same thing. As good as Rockfur is, Baro is in his prime, not only that, but I overheard some of the healers talking, and they said that Rockfur's injured paw will be a huge disadvantage."
"Wait, hold on a tic there." Eric's ears pricked up. "What's this about his jolly ol' paw? I haven't heard anything about that?"
"Well that's no surprise. I asked Rockfur about it and he laughed and said not to worry about it. I think he's trying to keep it a secret so that none of us will worry."
Eric immediately stopped eating and made as if to stand up. "We need to tell the colonel about this! Wot wot. We must cancel this duel if his lordship has an injury."
Urthblaze sighed and waved a paw dismissively. "I told Colonel Brewster. He said that he has already tried making Rockfur change his mind. It didn't work."
Eric looked lost. Finally he sat back down and leaned forward.
"I…didn't know. Who else knows about this? Wot wot."
"Well, besides the colonel and healers, just me and you, I suppose."
"Maybe we… Hmm… If we could convince – hmm." The hare shook his head slowly. "I'll try to think of something. If I can't … I suppose we'll just have to trust Lord Rockfur's fighting abilities, and pray that he can beat that wolverine once and for all."
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After he had finished poking around at his lunch, Urthblaze had got up and wandered the mountain's halls.
You can't do anything about it, a voice echoed in his head. So instead of trying to figure out how to stop him, you should be spending this time with Rockfur, in case…in case… He couldn't bear finish the thought.
I've dealt with this kind of heart-shattering grief before. He angrily shook his head as he berated himself. You're a fool, Urthblaze. You knew this would happen! Everybeast that you ever come close to always dies. You're a bad omen! Rockfur is going to fight, and there is nothing you can do can stop him. Even if you did, that would be condemning the hostages' lives. Do you really want that?
He stopped his pacing and watched two young leveret babes as they ran past him. The pair whooped as they planned their game of tag. How long he stood there, staring at them, he didn't know. Even when they ran off somewhere else, he gazed forward unfocussed.
And then it hit him. He felt like such an idiot for not thinking of it sooner. He knew how to keep Rockfur from fighting the duel!
His heavy footfalls echoed throughout the hall as he ran out. He needed to find Eric!
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"No." Rockfur's deep voice rumbled, "It's absolutely out of the question, Urthblaze,"
Once Rockfur had gotten back, he had immediately gone to the Forge Room. Partly to select his armor and weapons for the upcoming fight, and partly to avoid the many hares who had come and tried to persuade him to find an alternative way to win the hostages' freedom.
He had been in the middle of pulling a helm off the rack to try it on when Urthblaze knocked. Rockfur wouldn't've let him in if he had known what the lad was going to ask him.
"But why not?" Urthblaze asked, seeming unfazed by the Badger Lord's utter refusal. "Just let me try? Please! I can do this. I want to face him myself."
The old creature shook his head. "This isn't your responsibility, Urthblaze. It's my sacrifice to make. They're my hares. I'm sworn to safeguard them at all costs. What kind of a leader would I be if I couldn't defend my own beasts? Now," he went on, trying to change the subject, "why don't you help me pick out my weapons, eh? I'd like to go out there and know that my equipment is in top shape."
As Urthblaze opened his mouth to retort, Rockfur held up a paw.
"And I don't want to hear any more of this nonsense about how overmatched I am. Really, you and Colonel Brewster are absolutely the worst at pep talks."
Urthblaze closed his mouth with a quiet clomp. After a brief moment he looked up and sighed. "Alright, I see why you must do this. That doesn't mean I'll have to like your decision though."
"Of course not!" Rockfur grinned, sliding on a pair of gauntlets. "Why, if you started agreeing with me in everything, I'd be concerned that you had bumped your head. Hmm…" He gazed at his weapon rack. "Which do you think I should choose?" he asked, reaching for a mace and feeling its balance.
"Uh… Let's see." Urthblaze had a thoughtful expression on his face. "That depends on how you intend to fight him, I guess."
"Ah, you are most correct, my lad. Hmm… I think I'll go with a shield." He said, picking one up and checking its weight. "Wolverines are big creatures. I won't want to go claw to claw with him. And chances are he'll have a heavy weapon of some sort as well." Rockfur picked up a thick one-sided sword. The curved tip shone in the light. "This should do, I think."
He noted the gloomy look on Urthblaze's face, and he clapped him on the shoulder with a massive paw.
"Now, now… Cheer up! I've lived a long and content life. If this is to be my end then I couldn't have asked for a better one. Which, contrary to popular belief, I just might surprise you all and actually win – If only to prove you all wrong." He flashed him a grin.
Rockfur could see the deep concern in the young badger's eyes, as Urthblaze spoke, "Promise me that you'll be careful."
The Badger Lord gave Urthblaze's shoulder a firm squeeze. "I promise."
"I should probably go." Urthblaze blinked back threatening tears. "I probably won't see you until the after the duel, so I guess this is goodbye." He wrapped the Badger Lord in a big bear-like hug. "I wish you luck. May Fate protect you and guide your paws."
"Thank you," Rockfur said as he returned the younger badger's embrace. "It means a lot."
Right after the young badger left, Rockfur closed the door and walked over to his window. He gazed out toward the vermin camped on his shore. What if I do lose? What would happen to the hostages? What would happen to the mountain without me here to protect it? He mentally shook himself. "Ahem," he mumbled aloud, "All these worrywarts have got me doing it now."
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VERMIN CAMP
"Well that went very well, surprisingly," Blue-Eyes remarked aloud, sipping from his cup of wine.
They had just gotten back from the parley, and Baro had left to his own tent. The wolverine had said that he needed to prepare himself for the duel. Blue-Eyes and Hookarm had nothing else to do, so the weasel had ordered some wine and food to be brought out to them while they waited in the cool of Blue-Eyes' tent.
Hookarm's fangs ripped out a bite from his cooked seagull. Spitting out a piece of a bone, he wiped his mouth with one paw then leaned back on his chair. "Ye know Baro must 'ave a lot of faith in his fightin' skills. If I was 'im, I would've made sure that I 'ad a champion to fight fer me before challenging the ruler Salamandastron t' a duel t' th' death."
"Well, I helped him come up with some of the idea," the weasel replied, politely wiping his mouth with a napkin. "But that was after Emperor Baro had revealed some startling information to me."
Hookarm stifled a burp and raised his eyebrow. "Oh? Do go on."
"A crow messenger came this morning. The Rogue Crew and all of the other otter clans have been marshalling a large force and are marching in our direction. They'll most likely be here tomorrow evening at the latest."
"What?!" The rat captain eyes widened. Then he paused as he digested the new information. "Interesting… So that's why Baro wants to 'ave this duel. Though, what are we going t' do with th' newcomers? Ambush 'em afore they get 'ere?"
"We might do that. Though, if we did, that would mean that we'd have to spilt our forces in two for a long period of time, and Baro doesn't wish do that. And I can see why. Splitting the army would only make the defenders wonder where they've gone, and we can't have them finding out that they have help arriving. They would be a lot less cooperative."
"Ah. I see."
There was a brief silence, finally broken when Hookarm stood up and stretched his sore arms. "Aaaah," he sighed, "That feels good. Anyway, I'd better inspect th' troops an' make sure that none of 'em 'ave cracked open a cask of grog or anythin' like that."
Blue-Eyes dipped his head in a polite bow. After the rat captain had gone, the weasel poured himself another cup of wine. He smirked to himself as he remembered one of King Bloodfur's favorite sayings: There's no sense doing something important without a nice glass of something strong first.
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This should prove to be a promising evening, Emperor Baro Steelclaws thought as he slid his armor on. He had everything prepared before he had even left to parley with Lord Rockfur, so all he had to do was to go into his tent and put them on. He had ordered his guards to bring him his massive mirror. Then he ordered them to leave him in peace. Pulling on his gauntlets, he turned and inspected himself, looking at his reflection.
He looked like a true vermin conqueror, from his savage fangs, to his massive claws. His armor was jet black, just like his thick fur. Yes, he looked like a true wolverine emperor.
"I proved you wrong, Father," he mumbled aloud in a low, smooth tone, a smug grin on his face. "I'm twice the ruler you ever were. I alone conquered the wolf tribes of the North. I alone carved out a mighty kingdom, spreading our borders to even the warm lands of the south. I alone did this, even when you couldn't. I wish you were alive just so that you could see me now, and that I could spit in your face."
He looked again at the mirror. His jaw line tightened as a memory came unwanted to him.
He had barely been eight seasons old when it had happened. He and his cousin – a big, hulking creature called Thrangor – had been practicing their fighting skills with a pair of thick wooden swords, when Thrangor had easily smashed through Baro's defense and landed a stinging blow on the smaller beast's out-stretched arm.
"My arm! You did that on purpose, you mean oaf! Father, look what he did!" The small wolverine clutched his bruised limb as he stumbled toward his father – the infamous Emperor Ragvor.
"Quit your whining," Ragvor growled, pushing his son away. He had been on his way to a meeting with his generals and he had been pre-thinking what to say to them. Now his son had broken his train of thought, leaving him in a very foul mood. "Didn't you hear me? I said to shut up!" he yelled, swatting his son on the head with a heavy paw. "A true emperor never cries. Honestly, I can't believe that Fate gave you to me a son! You'll never be fit for anything unless you toughen up!"
"B-b-but it hurts!" Baro whimpered, pointing an accusing claw at the beast responsible for his pain. "Thrangor did it! He should be punished, Da! He –"
Ragvor's paw swung out and smacked Baro on the cheek. The child recoiled with pain and terror, backing away a few steps. Ragvor then ordered his son to go to his room and to stay there until he was prepared to act like a true son of an emperor.
"You never suspected a thing," Baro scoffed, shaking his head slowly as the memory faded. "You never thought that I, a weak whelp who you thought wasn't worthy to be called your son, could kill you. Well I did. I'll always remember the stupid look on your face when you fell over dead, after drinking that poisoned wine I had the servants bring you."
He broke off as the entrance to his tent moved and a figure came in. "It's almost time for the duel to start," the vermin soldier announced, "You said to remind you when it was time."
Baro grunted and nodded his head approvingly. "Good. Tell Gutslay to pick out some escorts. I'll be out soon."
The vermin bowed then left.
Walking over to a wooden chest, Baro lifted the lid and pulled out his weapon: a massive mace and chain. He smiled as he rubbed its handle fondly. "Ah, my dear friend, you and I have a badger to kill."
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Colonel Brewster scowled up at the sun. The weather was going to remain hot, he could tell. The added warmth didn't help his already-dry mouth.
The hare colonel, along with three score of the best Long Patrollers that Brewster could find, were standing at a grim attention on the desert plain. Facing them was an equally large escort of vermin. A ring had been briefly made in the flat sand for the fight to take place in.
The hare glanced over to where Baro Steelclaws sat patiently. He had scorned a helmet due to the heat, and had his guards throw up a makeshift tent to protect him from the evening sun.
What the Gates is taking Lord Rockfur so long? Brewster wondered. He was feeling uncomfortable with all this. His son's very life was hanging in the balance. If things went wrong…
"I should be the one who fights Baro. Wot wot." Brewster shook his head slowly as he remarked to Major Phillip, "Charlie is my bally son after all! I wouldn't hesitate to take any means to win if it was up to me to kill that cocky wolverine! Besides," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "Lord Rockfur is getting on in his bally seasons. He shouldn't jolly-well have to do this. He deserves to retire in peace. Wot wot."
"Um, hate to break it to ya, Colonel," Major Phillip said, scratching his chin with one paw, "You're not exactly a young leveret either. I'm afraid that our hope shall rest on Lord Rockfur's experience an' hope that he knows what he's bloomin' doing. Wot wot."
"I say, chaps! Here comes Lord Rockfur!" a voice rang out from behind them, and the two hares turned and looked back toward the mountain.
The Badger Lord looked majestic. He was completely clad in his fine badger-crafted armor. His helm was clanked shut, making him appear to the vermin and woodlanders alike as a massive warrior made entirely of steel. Any doubt that was left in their mind of Rockfur's decision were instantly dispelled. He would be the one to represent the mountain. He would be the one that they would place all of their hope in, as they had done for so many times in the past.
He was accompanied by Private Eric. The hare wore his finest dress uniform, and carried a flag bearing the mountain's colors.
As they passed through the ordered ranks of Long Patrollers, Private Eric beckoned Colonel Brewster over, then handed him a scroll of paper.
"Here, sah," he explained, "His Lordship wants you to read out the blooming terms."
Nodding to Eric, the old hare ran up to the figure of Lord Rockfur and tapped him on the arm.
"M'lord, I…" Brewster paused as he felt a wave of emotion sweep through him. "I wish you luck, old friend. Wot wot."
The badger seemed to smile from behind his helmet as he clasped Brewster's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Thank you. I'll do my best." His voice was gruffer then normal – though Brewster assumed that was due to emotional strain.
Then, the Badger Lord turned and made his way to the edge of the ring. Baro Steelclaws rose from his seat and casually walked over to his own starting position, his eyes assessing his opponent.
"Don't worry, badger," Baro called out, his massive fangs pulled into a grin. "I'll take it easy on you."
Rockfur, however, remained stoic and refused to be baited.
Colonel Brewster walked out into the middle of the flat ring, holding a red cloth in his one paw, and the scroll in the other. He squared his shoulders as he read the terms of the fight aloud.
"Ahem. So, it goes without saying that there shall be no foul play on either side. This bally-well includes, having beasts interfere, or uses unconventional weapons – such as poisoned or long-ranged. The winner shall decide the fate of the hostages. And while we're on that subject…" The hare shot a questioning glance at Baro. "Where are the hostages? I don't see them."
"They are being held in my camp." The wolverine gently swung the end of his mace and chain idly. "Don't worry, if Lord Rockfur wins, I've given my commanders orders that they shall be released immediately. Besides, if it comforts at all, I would've killed them a long time ago if I had wished them dead."
"Oh yes, very comforting," Brewster mumbled under his breath. Then, scanning the paper to see where he had left off, he continued. "The fight shall commence on my bloomin' signal." He gestured to the red cloth in his left paw. "Are there any questions?"
He paused a few seconds to see if there were any objections or comments about the terms. He heard none. "Then may the best beast win! Wot wot! On my count! Ten… Nine… Eight…"
Hefting their weapons, the two gigantic creatures stared steadily at each other as they waited. The watching creatures fell silent as the dry wind stilled. It was as if Nature itself held its breath. The only thing that could be heard was Brewster counting down.
"…Four… Three… Two… One!"
And then, there was a flash of red as Brewster swung the cloth.
The duel had begun.