Disclaimer: So many chapters and I still don't own any of this world save
my own characters!
A/N: Thanks for all the support please keep it up!
Chapter 22: Is My Greatest Ally
Sheede was roused from fitful slumber by Tyril's voice calling through the tent, "Captain! Hurry!" She quickly pulled herself up and out from the canvas door, expecting the worst.
She ran over to the fox and gripped his shoulders, "Tyril what is it?!" she cried, her eyes searching frantically to see what the problem was.
The fox took her paw, "Come with me, and stay quiet," he told her in reassuring tones. He led her over to another tent on the opposite side of the camp, several otters stood stony-faced around the tent. They all looked up expectantly when Sheede approached.
"Ye've got ta help 'im Capt'in," Pepperjack, who was the helmsbeast of her ship, said to her once she was close enough. Many of the otters nodded solemnly; Sheede looked to Tyril for guidance and he pulled her into the tent. The interior of the tent was dark and calming; the scent of healing herbs filled the air. The still silent fox led Sheede over to a cot where an aged otter seemed to be sleeping deeply.
"He collapsed like that when he got into the camp, he was asking for the Silvercat," he explained. Sheede merely nodded.
"Collapsed nothing, I'm just resting my eyes!" a voice like hardened driftwood barked at the two, and both jumped violently. The otter sat up easily and faced them with bright, observant eyes; he faced Sheede, "The Silvercat I presume?"
Sheede stood tall to hide her embarrassment at being caught off guard, "Aye I am, who are you?"
"I'm the Skipper of Otters at Redwall Abbey and I've come to tell ya of our plan to get ye in there," the Skipper told her. Instantly Sheede's eyes grew wide and the otter watched her entire demeanor change in a flash. Now she was utterly the commander she was reputed to be.
"Tyril gather the other generals and bring them here, they'll want to hear this," she spat this command with practiced ease and the Skipper how Tyril seemed almost grateful to be commanded. And he pointed this out to Sheede who nodded, "Well as ya know, there's lots of orders to go around on a sea vessel and Tyril's as skilled a sea beast as any, but he's no desire to lead. It frightens him, to be responsible for the crew and I know he's glad that I'm back in command," she explained as Lord Stonepaw, Commander Thornblower and Phillet, strode into the tent with Tyril in tow. "I'm glad you all came promptly," she began as all seated themselves, "The Skipper here tells me he has a plan to get us in to the Abbey; Skip, the floor is yours."
The otter leaned forward, "Death knows you plan to approach from the main gate because of the size of your force," he was rewarded with several knowing nods, "But there's one key thing that Death is unaware of that may just win us the day. On the west side of the Abbey there is a door that no one in that blasted wolf's horde knows is there." At this point in Skipper's speech he noticed how eager all of his audience seemed. "What we of the Abbey realized is that with patience and effort we can infiltrate a good portion of your army into the Abbey without any eyebrows being raised."
Commander Thornblower snapped his finger in understanding, "We'd be able to take the gate no worries then!" The others joined their voices in kind and gave Skipper some hardy claps on the back.
The otter glowed with pride, "I'm glad ya agree with me, now if yer'll permit an very tired, very old otter, to have his rest," the room quickly emptied and soon it was only Sheede and Skipper.
She placed a friendly paw on his shoulder as he lay down, "Well down Skipper; I'll do everything in my power to save them, you know this."
He nodded, "Aye, I do, I see a very familiar sword on yer back and that's a welcome sign indeed," and with that he slept. When the otters saw the cat exit the tent they rushed over, worry creasing their brows.
"Peace all of ya," she called out, "the Skipper'll be fine, leave him to his rest." Relief flooded their faces and once again Pepperjack stepped forward to speak for them.
"Oh mercy's above, thank ye Capt'in! We'd follow ya te death if ye asked ya know; but he's the Skipper, it's a little different," he tried to explain.
She nodded knowingly and rested her paw on his shoulder, "I know boyo, I know, I understand your concern for him and I share, it's not everyday that you learn the Skipper of Otters still lives. Now, I need all of ye to call the mates all together so I can outline the new plan!" All present ran off to do her bidding.
Several marks later the crew meeting was over and groups were assembled to travel according to Skipper's instructions for infiltrating the Abbey. Everyone sat around eagerly waiting for the Skipper's strength to return so that they may begin the trek to the new camp on the other side of Redwall.
Death looked out over his castle's walls and felt his shoulders knot together in anticipation. If nothing changed, the army of Sheede would arrive at his gate tomorrow and all he had to do would be keep them out until winter. And then they would be forced back Salamandastron and Death could return his troops to fighting strength and crush the cat as she waited for nicer weather. He smirked at this plan, it really worked out when he examined it from every angle and that was how he liked his plans. He'd keep that in the back of his mind as he gained further information. Today a guard reported that that wretch of a cat Darkness had stopped taking food, the wolf snorted; let him die if he chooses, he never should've betrayed Death Raventooth!
Beneath his ragged cloak Darkness looked back up at the bell tower where he knew Death liked to stand. The wolf had no idea what was going on beneath his nose, too many years of success affected even the cleverest of creatures. Death's confidence in his own intellect was blinding and that would prove to be his downfall. And while Darkness didn't know what the Abbey beasts were planning he did know that Death would never think of it.
Another day gone, and the world has shifted again. What does the future hold for our heroes and our villians? What great changes will another day bring? How long with Death believe the words of a traitor? How until the final battle for Redwall truly happens? Only time will tell, and she knows how to keep her secrets until the bitter end.
A/N: yeah, not only Time knows how to hold back!!! I need some new reviews people!!! Show some love!!!
A/N: Thanks for all the support please keep it up!
Chapter 22: Is My Greatest Ally
Sheede was roused from fitful slumber by Tyril's voice calling through the tent, "Captain! Hurry!" She quickly pulled herself up and out from the canvas door, expecting the worst.
She ran over to the fox and gripped his shoulders, "Tyril what is it?!" she cried, her eyes searching frantically to see what the problem was.
The fox took her paw, "Come with me, and stay quiet," he told her in reassuring tones. He led her over to another tent on the opposite side of the camp, several otters stood stony-faced around the tent. They all looked up expectantly when Sheede approached.
"Ye've got ta help 'im Capt'in," Pepperjack, who was the helmsbeast of her ship, said to her once she was close enough. Many of the otters nodded solemnly; Sheede looked to Tyril for guidance and he pulled her into the tent. The interior of the tent was dark and calming; the scent of healing herbs filled the air. The still silent fox led Sheede over to a cot where an aged otter seemed to be sleeping deeply.
"He collapsed like that when he got into the camp, he was asking for the Silvercat," he explained. Sheede merely nodded.
"Collapsed nothing, I'm just resting my eyes!" a voice like hardened driftwood barked at the two, and both jumped violently. The otter sat up easily and faced them with bright, observant eyes; he faced Sheede, "The Silvercat I presume?"
Sheede stood tall to hide her embarrassment at being caught off guard, "Aye I am, who are you?"
"I'm the Skipper of Otters at Redwall Abbey and I've come to tell ya of our plan to get ye in there," the Skipper told her. Instantly Sheede's eyes grew wide and the otter watched her entire demeanor change in a flash. Now she was utterly the commander she was reputed to be.
"Tyril gather the other generals and bring them here, they'll want to hear this," she spat this command with practiced ease and the Skipper how Tyril seemed almost grateful to be commanded. And he pointed this out to Sheede who nodded, "Well as ya know, there's lots of orders to go around on a sea vessel and Tyril's as skilled a sea beast as any, but he's no desire to lead. It frightens him, to be responsible for the crew and I know he's glad that I'm back in command," she explained as Lord Stonepaw, Commander Thornblower and Phillet, strode into the tent with Tyril in tow. "I'm glad you all came promptly," she began as all seated themselves, "The Skipper here tells me he has a plan to get us in to the Abbey; Skip, the floor is yours."
The otter leaned forward, "Death knows you plan to approach from the main gate because of the size of your force," he was rewarded with several knowing nods, "But there's one key thing that Death is unaware of that may just win us the day. On the west side of the Abbey there is a door that no one in that blasted wolf's horde knows is there." At this point in Skipper's speech he noticed how eager all of his audience seemed. "What we of the Abbey realized is that with patience and effort we can infiltrate a good portion of your army into the Abbey without any eyebrows being raised."
Commander Thornblower snapped his finger in understanding, "We'd be able to take the gate no worries then!" The others joined their voices in kind and gave Skipper some hardy claps on the back.
The otter glowed with pride, "I'm glad ya agree with me, now if yer'll permit an very tired, very old otter, to have his rest," the room quickly emptied and soon it was only Sheede and Skipper.
She placed a friendly paw on his shoulder as he lay down, "Well down Skipper; I'll do everything in my power to save them, you know this."
He nodded, "Aye, I do, I see a very familiar sword on yer back and that's a welcome sign indeed," and with that he slept. When the otters saw the cat exit the tent they rushed over, worry creasing their brows.
"Peace all of ya," she called out, "the Skipper'll be fine, leave him to his rest." Relief flooded their faces and once again Pepperjack stepped forward to speak for them.
"Oh mercy's above, thank ye Capt'in! We'd follow ya te death if ye asked ya know; but he's the Skipper, it's a little different," he tried to explain.
She nodded knowingly and rested her paw on his shoulder, "I know boyo, I know, I understand your concern for him and I share, it's not everyday that you learn the Skipper of Otters still lives. Now, I need all of ye to call the mates all together so I can outline the new plan!" All present ran off to do her bidding.
Several marks later the crew meeting was over and groups were assembled to travel according to Skipper's instructions for infiltrating the Abbey. Everyone sat around eagerly waiting for the Skipper's strength to return so that they may begin the trek to the new camp on the other side of Redwall.
Death looked out over his castle's walls and felt his shoulders knot together in anticipation. If nothing changed, the army of Sheede would arrive at his gate tomorrow and all he had to do would be keep them out until winter. And then they would be forced back Salamandastron and Death could return his troops to fighting strength and crush the cat as she waited for nicer weather. He smirked at this plan, it really worked out when he examined it from every angle and that was how he liked his plans. He'd keep that in the back of his mind as he gained further information. Today a guard reported that that wretch of a cat Darkness had stopped taking food, the wolf snorted; let him die if he chooses, he never should've betrayed Death Raventooth!
Beneath his ragged cloak Darkness looked back up at the bell tower where he knew Death liked to stand. The wolf had no idea what was going on beneath his nose, too many years of success affected even the cleverest of creatures. Death's confidence in his own intellect was blinding and that would prove to be his downfall. And while Darkness didn't know what the Abbey beasts were planning he did know that Death would never think of it.
Another day gone, and the world has shifted again. What does the future hold for our heroes and our villians? What great changes will another day bring? How long with Death believe the words of a traitor? How until the final battle for Redwall truly happens? Only time will tell, and she knows how to keep her secrets until the bitter end.
A/N: yeah, not only Time knows how to hold back!!! I need some new reviews people!!! Show some love!!!