This is the second to last Redwall Scene in Book I, The Empire Arrives!

The Gatehouse

"Gru the Powerful, a stoat lord bent on taking over the highlands, stopped by Haway the Braw. His son, Cru, escaped and fled south," called Erzvin.

"Cru the Powerful, first ruler of the Isle of Irgash..." read Uggo.

"Temveer the Bright was head of Mossflower University..." shouted Posy.

"Mossflower University was transformed into a foreboding castle, under tyrannical rule of Temveer the Cruel..." exclaimed Mervo.

"Dorro the Mighty took residence in the Northern Mountains!" Zeela read.

Studying throughout the night, the weary researchers were beginning to get somewhere.

"Brif the Mighty and Tera the Brave began a cat empire!"

"King Mortspear, distant descendant of the great emperor Brif the Mighty, took over the the highlands!"

"Brif Felis took his empire to sea after a defeat at the hands of Rordan the Fighter!"

"Hurr... Briffer Feelis, Riggoo Feelis, 'e took over that oiland!"

"You're right! And Mortspear, I remember mention of him in Russano's Brocktree!"

"We could find a descendant! Gingivere survived!"

"You're right. We could!"

"Crumdor IV, Lord of Irgash, was killed and taken over by Razzid Wearat. He was descended from the first lord of Irgash, Cru. His son, Crumdun, is an incompetent flop."

"Hold on, I've heard the name Crumdun before! He was in my time!"

"So've I! He survived, didn't he?"

"Aye! His son or grandson probably lives here in Mossflower!"

Erzvin set the scroll on the desk. "Aaaargh! I wish this darn badger was a bit clearer in his words! We know too little!"

"You're right, but we're getting somewhere. A descendant of Gingivere or Mortspear, and a descendant of this stoat called Crumdun," said Zeela soothingly.

"You're right," replied Erzvin.

Brother Ruford sighed. "But how do we get all of them? And we still need to find out what Codíra is."

Mervo nodded, but before he could add to the mouse's observance, a squirrel came bursting into the gatehouse. "The vermin are back!"

ooooooooooooooo

Foremole's homely face poked out of a hole in the Earth. "Burr aye, us'n's 'ave made a tunnel!"

Mervo sighed and leaned against a barrel of wine. Why was he here, in the dark cellar with wailing dibbuns, elders, or others who couldn't fight? Maybe he couldn't lift a sword, but he could help with strategy! No, he had to stay in the cellars where it's safe, and the moles have an escape tunnel ready. Nobody ever asks him about things. He was young and undersized, but asides from his parents and the Wiltuds, he was a dumb as a Dibbun. If somebody asked him, he would have a great defense strategy ready!

He would base his idea off the abbeybeasts defense against the sable's horde, but instead of putting earth against the outside of the walls, he would place it against the inside, so the vermin couldn't crawl up! Yes it would be a bit inconvenient to them, the loam blocking activity, but all's well that ends well.

He looked into the escape tunnel, but Foremole held up a paw. "Burr, No goin' in until 'mergensee. Underground cavern, we found. Dangers may lurk, burr aye."

Mervo nodded and walked back to the barrel, and was approached by a squirrel infant called Ruggle, younger brother of Holly, followed by some others. The squirrel held some strawberry cordial in front of Mervo's face.

"'Ere Merro. 'Ave some corjul!"

Mervo sighed. "I'm not thirsty."

"Have some!" squeaked Ruggle, shoving the cordial to Mervo's snout.

Sighing, the young fox swiped the cordial and took a sip. Then he felt something wriggling in his mouth and spit the cordial, spraying it everywhere. A few worms burrowed away into the earth.

The dibbuns rolled on the floor laughing. "Heehee! Nerdo Mervo drinko wormo!"

Eyes flaring, Mervo bared his fangs at the dibbuns growling. "You impertinent little rip! Why you-"

The dibbuns screamed and ran to the other ones in the cellars. The mice and squirrels and others comforted the young ones. Going to sulk in the corner, Mervo heard Holly comforting her younger brother.

"It's okay. The mean vermin can't hurt you. You're safe with me." The impertinent squirrel looked over the crying Ruggle's shoulder, glaring at the young fox.

Mervo growled. He would show these fools. He would show them he was better than all of them!

ooooooooooooooooooo

Darkblood was backed by the massive wolverine Griv Beastcrusher, and the proud Fyron, who was puffing his chest to show off his new general's badge

Griv growled. "Why must we go through all these petty things? We could crush these woodlanders with your new invention."

Darkblood shook his head. "We must give them a chance. Remember, we wish for slaves. And we still have... my invention."

Griv yawned. "Give them blood and vinegar! I'll kill the lot of them!"

Darkblood rolled his eyes. "Anyway, we're doing it, now, no questions."

Griv frowned and mumbled something unintelligible. Pretending he didn't notice, the rat called out to the abbey. "Who is your leader?"

A female mouse walked up. Darkblood smiled as he saw two old hedgehogs shooting glares at the mouse. This was better; they did not trust their leader. "I am Abbess Fern! What do you want, vermin?"

Darkblood chuckled. "I will not hide my motives! I wish to take over your abbey and keep you as slaves! But I doubt you'll take my offer!"

Fern raised an eye brow and shook her head. "No, of course we won't."

"I agree with you. I would not give myself into slavery in your position."

Fern sensed she was being led into a trap, but didn't know another way to answer. "Aye! I'd die protecting the abbey!"

Darkblood nodded. "I'd die for my master! Even if I had children, my master'd come first."

So here was the trap. The abbeybeasts were her children, the abbey was her master. The mouse bit her lip, trying to reply. She was thankful when Skipper interrupted.

"Hah! I see what game you're playing, rat! Know that Redwall will prevail, and you will be defeated! Go off, we've survived worse lots than you! Or you will all die by my hands!"

Darkblood felt his temper rising. "You fools! You will all die!"

Friar Durglo was a fat dormouse. The jolly fellow was watching the seen with pleasure, laughing as he saw the rat getting angrier. Taking out an old tomato from his apron, he ran up to the top of the wall and heaved it at Darkblood. His aim was off, but he found a more enjoyable and larger target. The wolverine's burst with anger as the fruit splatted against his arm, and he ran at the wall, hammering it with his fist and jumping, trying to reach the top. Friar Durglo rolled on the ground with mirth.

Furious, Darkblood shouted, "You have until tomorrow morning to surrender! If you do not, I will activate my invention..."

A recently built trebuchet was pushed forward by vermin, and Durglo's laughter stopped. The projectiles were lined up, hollow wooden spheres.

Darkblood smirked as he walked to a projectile. "Allow me to explain. My invention will launch these at your abbey. Inside them there are two compartments, that will merge when the projectile breaks against the wall. One holds water. The other holds a kind of metal my master discovered, that's reaction to water is quite... explosive. So, you surrender tomorrow, or I'll test out my clever invention. Oh yes, if it helps..."

Fyron wagged his paw, and four vermin walked forward, with their blades against the necks of Tench and the young dormice.

Darkblood took his turn to laugh, though his was much more malicious. "We'll camp here. If you change your mind, tell me."

The abbey went silent with fear.

Author's Note:
I'm pretty sure I made some mistakes! If you notice any, please leave a review!