Wings of the Long White Cloud Chapter 14, a redwall fanfic

Hey, Everybeast!

So, this chapter would have been published a lot sooner, but some stupid site *glares at * decided to wipe my author's note and I didn't have time to do it again yesterday, so it had to wait. Now is the time, again.

The Grey Coincidence: For a start, thanks so much for your reviews! They seriously made my day. Your summary is interesting. While I would hope that any readers who have yet to catch up would read the actual story, it will likely be helpful and it's certainly interesting to hear what other people get from the story. I'm glad to hear my story is average and I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Mysterious Guest: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I have yet to actually find out who you are, though it's nice to know that the last guest review was from you.

Emma Lillyhawk: Thanks a bunch. I quite appreciate Flavian too. He's good fun to write. I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

CasterWay: Ah, yes. My horrendous pacing. I'll hopefully have that sorted by the time I get 'round to finishing and rewriting it. (Though I make no promises) Your usage of metaphors is fascinating and mostly accurate, though I think my story is more akin to a chariot being pulled by horses in two different directions. I'm so focused on getting those horses to behave that I miss the fact that my wheels have fallen off. I'm glad you're enjoying the accents. Here's another incredibly annoying to write one. Thanks for your review!

Sebias of Redwall: I'm glad you liked the line breaky bits. I had to put something there and it was the only thing that came to mind. *nudges Seb away from my poor characters* Away with ye, evil one! My poor, innocent characters do not deserve to be given over to your wicked vices. Eh, the words were basically made up on the spot. All five hundred of the Sea Sanctions are musical geniuses, so they had no problem coordinating their efforts. (Seriously, though, that information is classified. *taps nose wisely* You may never know) Oh, trust me, my imagination would quite happily abandon this story altogether and just chase plot bunnies to its heart's content. I could do that, if you want? I'm glad you have faith in the young ones' plan. It should work perfectly, hey? I mean, what could go wrong? Thanks for the review! I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

~Blah, blah, end of author's note, story actually starts (And about time, too!)~

Fayah glared at the searat, ignoring the trickle of blood running down her throat.

"You know full well who I am, scum!"

The searat captain's lips twisted into a sneer as he answered.

"I know who you were, before you became my prisoner. Tell me, who are you now?"

Fayah, Faraji, Albertine, Flynn, Tuemollt, Greeah and Juliet all roared their defiant answer.

"Sea Sanctions!"

Fayah continued, her head held high.

"And we always will be, no matter what you do or where you take us."

The searat dropped his cruel grin and tapped his chin with a claw, bangles rattling as he thought aloud.

"That's as may be. I suppose I can use it to my advantage. These idiots stick together and maybe I can use you to lure the rest somewhere. I'll need to get a ransom note written and I can leave it with that little boat. Otter, can you read and write?"

Fayah nodded slowly, her mind straying back to the lesson she'd had on secret messages.

"Yes, I can write, though I wouldn't do so for the likes of you."

The searat captain smiled, revealing pointed fangs.

"We'll see about that. Scarface, whip the mole."

Fayah looked alarmed, changing her mind quickly when she heard the protests of her friend.

"Actually, I think I can write a short message. Where's some parchment and a quill?"

The vermin leader grinned in satisfaction.

"Scarface, get the otter a quill and parchment. Now remember, otter, I can read so don't try to change the message."

Fayah sighed, assuming a look of badly hidden disappointment.

"I'll remember."

Scarface dipped the quill in a small bottle of ink and passed it to her, along with a dirty piece of paper.

"Right, I'll tell you what to write and you write it. Now, let's see: Dear idiots, I have four, I mean, six. Wait.' He stopped and counted the group. 'Eight of your crew members captured. I require fifty pieces of gold as ransom for each one of them. Do not attempt to take your friends back by force. My crew way outnumber yours and any sign of violence will mean instant death to your friends. I hope to see your innards spilled on the deck of my ship. Yours with hatred and loathing galore, Captain Dertbrane."

Fayah finished the message and handed it to Dertbrane, watching as the savage rat scanned the page, struggling to sound out each letter.

Eventually abandoning the effort, Dertbrane waved a dismissive claw at the captives.

"Good thing you didn't try to insert any hidden message, otter. I would have found it. Take them away, Scarface."

Fayah smiled to herself as she and her friends were dragged away. Good thing I didn't insert a hidden message indeed.

~Blah, blah. Line breaky bit.~

Asher squeezed his eyes shut in relief when he heard his brother's shouted report.

"Teal Rose sighted straight ahead. No sign of vermin ship."

Raising his voice to be heard over the constant creaking of ropes and lapping of waves, Asher relayed the message to the ships behind.

"Teal Rose has been sighted, no searats."

The news spread quickly from ship to ship and crewmember to crewmember, everybeast feeling as though a great weight had been lifted when they heard the message.

As they drew closer, Asher found he could see the small boat himself, bobbing in the water like a resting seabird.

The mouse frowned, passing the tiller to Torlin, his first mate, and moving forward to get a better look.

His eyes widened as the realisation hit him.

"She's empty!"

Without further conversation, Asher dived into the ocean, slipping through the water with practiced ease, quickly reaching the boat and dragging himself onto it, Sornah close behind him.

Both brothers' eyes were immediately drawn to the yellowed note stuck into a crack on the door of the cabin, Asher reaching it first and gently pulling it free.

"DEAR IDIOTS. I HAVE FOUR, I MEAN, SIX-wAIT… eIGHT OF YOUR CREW MEMBERS CaPTUrED. I ReQUIRE fIFTY PiECES OF GOLD AS RAnSOM FOR EACH ONE OF THEM. DO NOT TO TAKE YOUR FRIENDS BACK BY FORCE. MY CREW* FAR OUTNUMBER YOURS AND ANY SIGN OF VIOLENCE WILL MEAN INSTANT dEATH FoR YOUR FRIEnDS. I HoPE tO SEE YOUR INNARDS SPIlLED ON THE DECK OF MY SHiP. YOURs WItH HATReD AnD LOAtHING GALoRE, CAPTAIN DIRTBRAIN. *120."

Asher chuckled grimly.

"Don't worry, Fay. We weren't planning to."

Sornah reached for the note, taking it from Asher's unresisting paws and skimming over the contents.

"So she was paying attention, after all. Now, let's get the Teal Rose back with the rest of her fleet and then we can continue chasing after these blasted corsairs."

Asher passed his brother the halyards and took the helm himself and the two wordlessly guided the boat between Iris and Snowdrop to join the rest of the Roses.

~Time passes, different perspective~

Fayah turned in the direction she knew her friends were in, speaking softly so no beast could overhear their conversation.

"What's the plan, crew? We've successfully infiltrated the vermin ship. How do we free the oar slaves?"

Greeah chuckled, shaking her head.

"I like the way you put it. Successfully infiltrated the vermin ship, eh? I think the only way we can free the oar slaves is to go undercover as an oar slave. The question is how to achieve our disguises."

Tuemollt shrugged casually.

"That's simple. All we have to do is annoy the sea scum so much that they decide to punish us. As Captain Dirtbrain noted, we're valuable hostages so they wouldn't throw us overboard or anything. A couple of hours hard rowing would drag most beasts into submission."

Fayah chuckled.

"That shouldn't be too hard. After all, we do have you with us."

Tuemollt shrugged.

"I would protest that accusation but it's true. Let's get some rest first though. We've been sailing all night and I've heard rowing can be tiring."

Albertine nodded agreement, yawning.

"Good idea, Tuemollt. We should set a watch though. We wouldn't want the searats to catch us napping. I can go first, if you want."

Fayah shook her head, smiling at her friend.

"No, I'll take first watch. You need your sleep."

Albertine yawned again, shuffling into a more comfortable position.

"You need your sleep too."

Fayah smiled as she spread her jacket over the hedgehog.

"I was the one who got us into this mess; I don't deserve my sleep. Not until you guys are well rested, anyway."

~Blah, blah, time passes~

The door opened, momentarily sending a shaft of light into the dim room as a creature was tossed in and the door was shut again.

Fayah waited until she heard the departing pawsteps of the searat before approaching the skinny form on the ground.

Feeling her presence, the creature shuffled away from her before speaking in a high pitched voice.

"Gew rewst yeour head, sea ret."

Fayah sat down where she stood, shrugging casually.

"I'm not a searat but I'd be willing to pass your message on when I next see one, possibly accompanied by a few other choice insults."

The creature sat up, both surprised and relieved to find a beast on his side. Or, at least, not on his enemy's side.

"Hellew, whets yeour neeme? Oi'm Gezsee. Yes oi em."

Fayah smiled as she shook the beast's paw, recognising it now as a squirrel.

"Pleased to meet you, Gezsee. I'm Fayah Sornahsdatter, a member of the Sea Sanctions. We've come to release the oar slaves but, so far, we've only accomplished the first part of our plan."

"Neew, net Gezsee, Gezsee!"

Fayah frowned as she tried to figure out the squirrel's name.

"Guzsi?"

"Neew, Gezsee. Loik, thee treseer bearee…"

Fayah pursed her lips, then nodded understanding.

"Oh, treasure bearer. That would mean… Gazsi?"

"Yeeeeh, Gezsee. Whet wes thee ferst peet ef yeour plen?"

Fayah smiled, glad that she'd been able to figure out the name of the squirrel.

"The first step was to infiltrate the corsair ship, which we managed with great efficiency. The next part is to persuade the searats to make us oar slaves."

Gazsi looked bewildered.

"Whoi wed yew weent tew becem ooh sleeves? Oi dewnt recemend et. New oi dewnt."

Fayah grinned in reply.

"Don't worry, we'll never actually become oar slaves. We just need a suitable disguise."

A tired moan came from the back of the dark room, followed by Albertine's voice.

"Fayah, what's happening? Please tell me it's not one of the vermin you just told our plans to."

Fayah smiled sheepishly.

"No, it's not a searat. Sorry for waking you. Go back to sleep."

The young hogmaid emerged from the shadows, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she shook her spiked head.

"No. What's going on?"

Fayah sighed, rolling her eyes at her own failed attempt.

"I should have known that wouldn't work. This is Gazsi."

Gazsi smiled, shaking the hedgehog's paw in greeting.

"Hellew, oi'm pleased tew meet yew. Yes oi em!"

Albertine frowned in concentration for a few seconds before replying in kind.

"Pleased tew meet yew tew, Gezsee. Oi'm Eelbeteen. Yes oi em."

Fayah let out a mock groan, resting her head in her paws.

"Not you too, Albertine."

Albertine chuckled.

"I'll take watch now. You get some sleep."

Fayah raised her paws in protest but Albertine stopped her, speaking in a warning growl.

"I have spikes and I'm not afraid to use them, Fayah Sornahsdatter. When I tell you to do something, I expect instant obedience."

Fayah backed away, muttering hurried submission.

"Yes, Miss Albertine. I wouldn't dare defy you."

Albertine snorted, taking up her position to keep watch.

"Good. Go to sleep."

Fayah closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of Albertine and Gazsi talking in their strange accent until she departed silently from the world of the awake.

~Blah, blah, line breaky bit~

Fayah walked along a weather beaten shore, the soft sand caressing her bare footpaws as she looked around the small shore. It was strange to be able to see the end of the beach. All her life, Fayah had looked along the tideline until it had disappeared in the horizon, a never-ending road of golden sand. This was different. The beach stretched for a kilometer or so, then ended abruptly in a huge cliff face, its jagged rock walls framing a small cave.

Unconsciously, Fayah moved forward and traced lines on the rock wall with her paws, seeing words written on the rough stone surface but being unable to read them.

A white mist descended suddenly on the small bay, blocking everything from sight so that the young otter couldn't even see her paw in front of her face. Knowing the dangers of such thick fog, Fayah sat down where she was, her mind wandering over various different thoughts and events, some of which she'd never even come across before.

She saw the silhouette of a ship being chased by a smaller boat, both running before the wind until the larger vessel spun round and grappled the smaller craft, holding her fast as searats poured over the bows and boarded the boat, quickly overpowering her crew.

That scene was familiar. While both craft were only shapes on the horizon, they resembled Teal Rose and The Evil Tide, with the activities that went on reinforcing the acquaintance of what had gone on.

The following events seemed blurred, passing quickly:

Darkness, the bottom slave deck, a huge storm and the calm, placid waters afterwards. More beaches, a driftwood fortress, a huge, scaly creature that breathed fire, lots of birds, the Sea Sanction fleet, more fire.

The mist cleared just as suddenly as it had come and Fayah stood up, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Strange pictures; probably just part of her imagination.

The sun was beating down hard now, the sand hot on her paws as she walked along the cliff to the cave, eager for some shelter from the scorching heat.

The cave provided a welcome relief from the warmth and Fayah went deeper inside, then sat down and pressed her back against the cool stone, relaxing as the chill spread through her.

A voice sounded in the dark and Fayah immediately reached for her dagger, peering through the shadows but unable to see what had made the noise.

"Come out into the open!" The young otter commanded confidently.

The voice chuckled. It wasn't an unpleasant sound but rather a sound of genuine amusement.

"I could do that but it wouldn't provide any benefit to you. Even in the middle of the cave, it's too dark to see me. Karore, I'll stay where I am. Tell me, what are you and why have you come here?"

Fayah drew her dagger but kept it hidden.

"I'm a member of the Sea Sanctions. Why I'm here is my own business."

"Mm, maybe so. I'll offer you a word of warning though."

Fayah's eyes narrowed and she prepared for any sudden movement, her grip on the hilt of her dagger not lessening any. The beast who laid that sort of trap always talked beforepaw.

The… whatever it was didn't wait for a response, though, but continued, voice flowing smoothly despite the depth that demanded it be gravelly and halting, somehow reassuring in its threat.

"For all good beasts,

quiet or loud,

the way is open

to the Long White Cloud.

But for beasts of bad

or evil intent

your days are numbered;

your life; spent."

Fayah nodded, not returning her dagger to its scabbard but loosening her hold on it slightly..

"I don't have any bad intentions but I'll remember, nonetheless. Thank you."

The voice made a sound of approval.

"Good. Tell the captain."

Fayah sensed the conversation was over and left, mulling over the strange warning. What was the Long White Cloud?

~Blah, blah, blah~

The captains' meeting that night was a serious affair, all of the Sea Sanction leaders personally impacted by the missing crew members.

Asher, Moses, Sarina, Sornah and Ruth were all heartbroken over Fayah's disappearance, while Pershing was desperate to get his son and niece back. Scavatore, though not personally related to young Faraji, had felt responsible for his care since the day he'd been captured and chained to him as an oar partner. Torfah, having come from the same settlement as the only just mature squirrel, was sensible to the loss of Flynn and they were all sorry to lose Greeah and Juliet.

The day had gone slowly, none of the captains feeling hungry or in the mood for music as they quietly mourned their loss. The mood transferred itself to the crews and it had been a very silent afternoon as beasts went about their tasks with minimum chatter.

Ruth heaved a sigh.

"I suppose I had better report. Amaranth is doing well."

The other captains also gave their reports, each one positive but with a complete lack of enthusiasm.

A knock sounded at the door and, not waiting for it to be answered, Clementine entered, putting down a pot of soup and some bowls.

"I say, what's with all those bloomin' long faces? You beasts are acting as if you've jolly well given up already, wot wot! Chins up, chaps! Sea Sanctions aren't beaten that easily, no sah! Come on, it's not like they've died or anything. Now, there's a great whopper of a bally storm comin' this way so be prepared. It might be a good idea to begin emergency procedure, wot!"

Ruth stood up, giving the haremaid a tight smile.

"You're right. We haven't given up and we're not planning to. Now, prepare for the storm. Smaller boats need to be brought aboard the larger ones, everything needs to be tied down and everybeast off duty needs to get into shelter. Clementine, how far off is the storm?"

"About an hour, marm. Is there something I can do to help?"

Asher nodded quickly.

"Yes, spread the word around to everybeast. They all know what to do and how to do it. Be ready to help the young ones aboard and look after them once they're here."

Clemetine saluted.

"Yes, Cap'n, right away."

~Line break~

Well rested and ready for whatever fate threw at them, the seven captives began their next step, chanting the Sea Sanction rowing song over and over again at the top of their voices.