This is my second Redwall fic, but my first one isn't posted because it stunk. Please be kind, R&R. Oh, yeah. I DO NOT OWN REDWALL OR ANYTHING ELSE LIKE THAT but I think you knew that. Bailey Silverfur is just a borrowed friend from Neema Tallgrove Colorfur. Zekka Speedmask is my own, ALL MINE!!!!! So is Gerogo the Ferret, and all the ferrets in her ferret band. Abbot Fuzz is mine, and Infirmary Sister Di is mine, and Brother Mike is mine, and Cellerhog Ed is mine, am I forgetting anyone? If you don't recognize the name, it's probably mine.

Stranger

Zekka's arrival

The fox was half starved as he dragged himself along the path. For the fastest fox in Mossflower, he wasn't going very fast. The color of his fur, a dark blue-grey, made it nearly impossible for him to be seen. The black mask around his muzzle camouflaged his dull, lifeless eyes. All he could concentrate on was getting to the great, purplish stone building down the path. Then, he collapsed with exhaustion.

"Will he be all right?" Infirmary Sister Di asked Abbot Fuzz the next morning.

"I can't tell right now, poor guy was wounded pretty badly. I wonder what happened?" The old grey mouse stroked his chin as the young brown mouse next to him sighed sadly.

"I guess we'll have to wait 'til he wakes up now shall we," said a strong, deep voice. Sister Di turned.

"Oh, hello, Smiker." Smiker was a squirrel, and the Redwall Champion. A tall, grey squirrel, he made all the Abbey dwellers feel safe. At that moment, the foxe's eyes opened, but no one noticed against his black mask.

"After he gets better, are we going to let him stay here?"

"Of course Smiker!" replied the Abbot, "why not?"

"It's just I don't trust foxes," was his answer.

"Why not?" asked a weak, but sly voice. Smiker jumped.

"Who said that?"

"I did," said the fox, sitting up. He grunted with pain and laid back down.

"Don't move," Sister Di scolded, "you got very injured, and you'll only make things worse."

"Sorry," the fox said obediently. The Abbot turned to look at the fox.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Zekka. Zekka Speedmask. When I feel like it, I can be the fastest or the stealthiest beast in Mossflower."

"Well," Smiker teased cruelly, "you can't be that fast or that stealty if you got hurt so bad."

"I said when I feel like it," was the cold reply. Smiker smirked. Smiker was the Champion of Redwall and the Champion of Smirks. The Abbot gave Smiker a dirty look. The smirk was instantly wiped off of Smiker's face.

"Is that anyway to speak to an injured guest, a fox or not?" the Abbot asked. Smiker looked down guiltily.

"No," he replied quietly.

"Good. Now I must go. I suspect that Friar Onie needs help for the feast." At the mention of food, Zekka perked up.

"Feast?" he asked.

"Yes," answered Di, "the summer feast will take place in a few days. I'm sure you'll be well enough to hobble downstairs for some food." Di winked at the Abbot. "But what you need right now is rest." The Abbot and Di walked downstairs. Smiker realized that he and Zekka were the only two in the room. All the other beds were empty.

"I don't trust you fox," he said coldly, "I'll be watching you." With that, he left. Zekka was completely stunned, but soon fell into a restless sleep.