Disclaimer: Yrch.
A/N: Since I'm sick and can't go to school today, I thought I might as well update...
*
Rapieratce strode briskly up to the colonel's study, a sheaf of papers in paw. It was late in the evening, and most of the younger hares were being ushered to bed by fussy parents who were all tired to the bone after a day of chasing after the leverets around the interior. The winter season was often the time that the leverets got into the most mischief, which caused massive headaches all around for the older hares on the mountain. Rapieratce chuckled, ruffling the ears of one that pelted by him. He recognized it as Deternian, and as if on cue, Remora ran up, panting.
''Atce! Why didn't you stop him?'
Rapieratce raised an eyebrow at his friend.
'Babysitting for Emanel again?'
'And you're not making the job any easier for us! Clandestine is on the lower floors, searching her ears off.'
Rapieratce chuckled again, stopping momentarily to converse with the befuddled drill sergeant.
'Why don't you just ask the poor chap to bed?'
Remora snorted, wiping a trickle of sweat off her brow as she tried to control her breathing.
'You think all leverets are as obedient as you were? You have to be joking me, 'Atce. This lot of leverets could make even you want to strangle them.'
The captain laughed slightly.
'Really? Well, have to be off. Don't run too hard now.'
Rapieratce ducked his head as Remora tried to punch him, and laughing he went up the corridor. He came to Galde's door, only to find it slightly agape, which was strange, as the old colonel was extremely particular about his door being closed to keep out the drafts that came up from the interior. Not bothering to knock for the moment, the captain pushed the door back, and had to stifle a laugh from escaping when he saw what was inside. Young Deternian, whom Clandestine and Remora were both evidently looking for, was being chased by an exasperated Galde around the study, hefting aloft the colonel's pace stick and laughing in a most discerning way. Rapieratce leaned his form against the door frame, watching with an amused look imprinted on his features. This was certainly a change in schedule for him. The colonel growled as he pushed swiftly past Rapieratce to try and restrain the laughing Deternian.
'Stand down there looking any more aloof than you already are, Rapieratce, and I'm setting you on double guard for the next five seasons.'
Rapieratce heeded him not, choosing instead to close the door and lean full back, enjoying the scene enormously. A sudden knocking from behind caused him to move away and open the door, of which Clandestine was behind. Inviting the stunned captain in with a wry smile, Rapieratce watched as her jaw dropped at the rather disturbing scene before them. As Deternian rushed by, Clandestine reached out and grabbed the errant leveret, all while apologizing to the colonel in a rushed gush. Snatching the pace stick out of Deternian's paw, she gave it back to the colonel with a sheepish smile before turning and dragging the mischievous Deternian out of the study. When she had closed the door, Rapieratce began to laugh, chortling slightly. Galde whacked him across the head with his pace stick, muttering about how he was going to fry Rapieratce as soon as he regained his breath. This only made Rapieratce even more amused, and it took some time before he regained himself to pass the colonel the sheaf of papers in his paw. Galde ran his eyes over the document, shaking his head.
'Your first day back and you've already got the report done? I don't believe you.'
Rapieratce snorted.
'And this is coming from the hare of whom demanded I do my reports on time? You used to get in a tiff when I passed up my report on the second day instead of the first.'
'There is a difference, you realize, between a two day report and a two week report?'
'You never clarified, sah.'
'You're impossible, 'Atce, utterly impossible.'
'That's because you've trained me to be impossible.'
'Ah, so that's your reason now, is it?'
*
The officers' mess was in a complete uproar. Some leverets had decided it would be much fun to cause a food fight there, thus dragging half of the normal mess into the officers' mess, and there was practically no state of control as Consellariel had decided not to turn up. Even Galde could not stop it. Officers were running amok, trying, in vain, to get everybeast under control to no avail. Rapieratce was about to walk into the mess when half a cabbage flew past his head. The stunned captain ducked behind the door as half a pastie flew towards him. Opening the door tentatively, Rapieratce had to keep his head low to get inside without being pelted by some form of edible ammunition. Moving to Galde's side, the captain shouted over the chaos.
'Sah! What should we do?'
'What can we do, 'Atce? Go get Consellariel, it's the best we can muster.'
Fighting his way out, getting hit by a cake on the side of his head in the process, Rapieratce struggled out of the mess and made his way to the forge room, where Consellariel was most likely to be. He looked utterly ridiculous, with cream splattered down one side of his face and half the contents of a pastie spread over his tunic. Dashing as quickly as he could, Rapieratce made it to the forge with as little delay as he could. Knocking, he heard Consellariel beckon to him to enter. Stepping sheepishly in, he gave a smart salute.
'Lady Consellariel, there is a little... problem in the officers' mess that you might want to acknowledge, marm!'
Consellariel eyed him with a raised eyebrow, standing and moving towards the door.
'Very well, move along.'
Breathing a mental sigh of relief, Rapieratce led her down to the officers' mess, opening the door. The captain promptly shut it again to avoid a cabbage splattering him on the face. A thudding noise could be heard as various types of ammunition thudded against the door. After a moment, Rapieratce mustered up the daring to open the door. A piece of cake instantly flew at him, and the captain ducked out of reflex. The cake smashed itself onto Consellariel. All activity ground to a halt as the occupants of the room realized who they had just struck down. Wearing an amused look on her face, Consellariel entered the mess. Officers waited with bated breath as the badger lady addressed all the leverets, of which their paws fell useless to their sides. Obviously thinking the situation quite funny, Consellariel walked over the Deternian, beckoning the leveret over to tell her the full story, chuckling as the young hare related the tale to her. Everybeast in company breathed a silent cry of relief that the badger lady was not furious with them. Deternian finally wrapped up the relation, and Consellariel stood up.
'Well, who am I to stop your fun?'
An utter outroar broke out in accordance to that remark, and soon food was flying everywhere once again. Groaning, all the officers gave up trying to instil control and pushed their way out of the mess. Grumbling, Galde walked next to Rapieratce.
'Well, there goes lunch, I suppose.'
The colonel was completely drenched in all forms of food and drink. Being a colonel, most of the leverets took their chances and pelted him with as much as they could. It was not often one could disgrace an officer of that rank and make out of the affair alive. Next to Galde, Rapieratce looked positively clean.
'I say sah, you looked jolly well messed up.'
'You state the bloomin obvious, 'Atce. You'll soon learn that high rank comes with its bally disadvantages.'
The officers were all in a sorry state of affairs. Consellariel laughed as she looked at them.
'You lot look as if you've been through a war.'
Scoffs from all sides broke out in return,
'You want to try going in there, marm? I'll warrant you'd last about five blinkin seconds!'
'Totally right, old chap! That place's a battlefield!'
'I'd rather be on a battlefield then there, mind you.'
Chuckling, Consellariel spoke her piece.
'Don't worry about your revenge. A certain few leverets are going to have to clean up a certain mess after this.'
*
*Back to the future*
'Consellariel actually warranted a food fight?'
'Heh, you should have seen the aftermath.'
'True, 'Moren. The leverets were mopping about with rags a good half of the next three days.'
'Yes. I clearly remember Deternian half dead.'
'I bet you only remembered because you didn't end up chasing him up half the mountain to send him to bed first, 'Mora.'
'Well, you have a point, but...'
*
Rapieratce sat sleeping in his chair, slumped over a report that he had been writing the night before. Having unknowingly fallen asleep, he never noticed his friends entering his room quietly, holding a weird and strange assortment of things. The winter season was in full swing, and something had lighted the mischief in most of his companions. The officers found it hard to stop, as some of the officers themselves were committing petty crimes of pranks and practical jokes upon each other. This time, poor Rapieratce was the target. Grinning maliciously, Glamoren quietly tugged the captain, chair and all away from his table into the centre of the room. Clandestine, Remora and Rapieratce's other close friend, Mealiney, tried to stifle their laughter at what was to come. Clandestine held two jugs of ice water, Remora a white sheet and Mealiney a few pawfuls of pungent smelling herbs from the kitchen. Glamoren himself carried a pawful of green plant dye. Ingredients for disaster. With a wink from Glamoren, they plunged into action. Remora tossed the sheet over the slumbering captain, then Clandestine sent one jug of water pouring over him. As the captain spluttered into a shocked awakening, Mealiney tossed the herbs over him, where they stuck onto the drenched sheet like strange green ornaments. Working together, Glamoren tossed the plant dye into Clandestine's remaining jug and together, the four of them emptied the by then green coloured dyed water over the captains head. Spluttering and choking on his sudden assault, Rapieratce was no less sensible, though. With a swift snatch of his paw, he grabbed the sheet and tossed it towards Glamoren, where it struck a direct hit, sending herbs and splatters of green water flying onto the others in the process. Growling, he turned to face his ambushers, dripping, cold and green.
'Glamoren!'
The captain was a sight to behold. His fur had been dyed a tinge green, his white tunic completely ruined. He smelt odd due to the herbs, and his fur was stuck to him by the iced water. His paws shook slightly, whether out of anger or cold, nobeast knew. The others were no better off. Glamoren turned out equally as green and pungent, while the others had random bits of rosemary, thyme and other variations of herbs stuck all over them. The captain narrowed his eyes at the sergeant, who smiled sheepishly at his partner in return. Walking calmly up to Glamoren, the clearly furious captain took hold of the sheet and began to try and strangle his partner with it. Glamoren choked slightly as he yelled out furiously to his three fellow accomplices to help him out, but they had by then all dissolved into peals of laughter. Suddenly, Rapieratce froze mid strangle. Glamoren looked oddly at him, nearly choking himself on the sheet as he fell onto his partner at the sudden stop. Standing right in the door frame was colonel Glade. The colonel tapped the door with his pace stick, stepping in and glaring at his student. Rapieratce managed a weak, green smile before peeling his dripping form off the by then as wet Glamoren, the sheet dropping useless over Glamoren's head. Glamoren stepped deliberately on his partner's footpaw for that. Pointedly looking at the two of them, the colonel pointed to his office with his pace stick before stalking off. Rapieratce glared at his partner and hissed,
'Now look at what you've bally well got us into, wot!'
*
The colonel looked frostily from his dripping student to his dripping student's partner. They were in the colonel's office, awaiting judgement over their act. Rapieratce knew he was most definitely not in a good position. Glamoren looked as if he could not care less, having undergone the treatment many times before.
'Now, any of you two fiends care to blinkin recall what happened?'
Glamoren spoke up, much to Rapieratce's surprise.
'Sah! Played a joke on the captain, sah! Never intended to get strangled sah. Only a practical joke, sah.'
Glade sent a even icier look to the sergeant, who quirked a smile as to his "sah" joke. Glamoren was notorious for playing jokes on his superiors without giving them reason to reprimand him. Rapieratce turned his head and glared at his partner, who was clearly not helping their situation in the least. The colonel coughed slightly, causing him to return to the at attention stance. Looking fixedly at the grinning Glamoren, he tapped the sergeant on the shoulder with his pace stick.
'You are on a fizzer, double guard duty tonight. Relieve the hare on duty. Now off with you!'
Glamoren turned and left, this not being the first punishment of the sort he had received. Rapieratce felt a sudden itch to run after him and flee. He knew perfectly well what was coming next. When it came to teasing, Glade was the best when insulting Rapieratce in all forms.
'Well, 'Atce. Look at you. Green furred and soaking wet. A bally good impression you set, no?'
Rapieratce made a point not to comment. The colonel chuckled.
'Right. No colonel in training has ever done this up to date, methinks. You seem to love to attract pranks, no? What is this, the fourth time this season Glamoren has caught you at unawares.'
Rapieratce winced, knowing full well that his next comment was not going to help him ease Glade's tirade against him in the least.
'Sixth, sah.'
Glade snorted as if personally offended.
'All the worst! Now, don't let me catch you like this again, 'Atce, or you'll suffer the same fate as Glamoren there, even if it isn't your fault. Consellariel will think I've got an uncivilized, green hare under my blinkin wing. Dismiss!'
Rapieratce trotted out half heartedly, knowing that the colonel was going to keep to his word, no doubt. It was a bit frightening that that night, Glade found himself drenched in green dye and cold water with a sheet of herbs stuck on his head. What made it even scarier was that the double sentry reported Glamoren never leaving his post that night...
*Back to the future*
'You didn't seriously do that, did you, 'Atce...?'
'Who, me, Dale?
*
Rapieratce lay sleeping in his dorm, having completely forgotten the supplementary archery lessons he was supposed to be taking with Galde that winter season, reason being that Rapieratce was utterly horrible at the use of a longbow, which infuriated Glade, since the colonel had been a gifted and respected archer in his day. The night before had been a tiring one, having been that Galde had decided that five tonnes of paperwork was not much for him, thus making him stay up later than usual. Much later. And since Consellariel would not mind due to the winter season breach on early sleeping, Glade had made full use of Rapieratce. The captain had collapsed half dead into bed at the end of it all, his paws still inky blue black and his tunic left unchanged on his back. That was a rare occurrence for the captain who was rather particular about neatness, and when Glade walked into the dorm to check on why his student was late, he was fairly amused, but still slightly peeved at Rapieratce's tardiness on that day, rare though it was. The colonel padded softly out of the room, not awakening Rapieratce, then appeared back not long later. The colonel had decided to take a leaf out of Glamoren's book, taking a jug of ice water up with him... Rapieratce spluttered madly as he woke up to Glade's face, on which was imprinted an evil smile.
'Morning, 'Atce.'
*
A season or so later...
*
Rapieratce was on diplomatic duty. Or that would be what Galde would have him say it. Rapieratce sighed. Galde would have him do the most ridiculous things simply for exposure and experience for solo tracks and patrols that lasted longer than normal. Then, he had sent Rapieratce to Redwall. Why? Consellariel wished to further develop their ties, thus send Rapieratce over for a few days. Rapieratce felt like sighing. Why him? Could they not pick on Glamoren for a change? A voice at the back of his head stubbornly reminded him that he was a colonel in training and thus needed this. Rapieratce felt an urge to kick himself. Sighing, he walked up to the gates of Redwall, and began his "diplomatic training". Galde could get on his nerves sometimes.
After being introduced to all in the Abbey, Rapieratce felt quite at home. After a bit of asking around for the current affairs of that part of Mossflower, the captain had been informed that a young hare had just left the Abbey, heading for Salamandastron. His interest peaked at the mention of his home, Rapieratce poked around further to get more information. Evidently a young female hare, orphaned, had been lost in Mossflower until then, and was making her way to Salamandastron to join the Long Patrol. She had left a week prior to Rapieratce's visit. The hare's name was Daleria. Digesting the information slowly, Rapieratce shrugged. It was not rare for stray hares to join the Long Patrol. The captain knew that he would arrive much later that the aforementioned hare, so did not even bother thinking about catching up with her. He would find out more when he got to Salamandastron.
*
*Back to the future*
'You were actually in Redwall when I had left?!'
'I suppose. Which was why you never met me until much later. A pity.'
'Such modesty on your part, 'Atce. I suppose. Glamoren?'
'Glamoren was following me on the trip, actually, though the most he did was scoff his whiskers off.'
'Hey, I resent that 'Atce!'
'Serves you right, 'Moren.'
*
*Flashback*
Rapieratce made his way to Galde's study, his report on Redwall all ready for presentation to the colonel. He had returned a day ago, late at night, and doubted that the colonel knew that he was back yet. He knocked quietly on the study door. A gruff enter met his ears in response. The colonel was obviously not in a good mood that day, the captain knew him well enough for that. Rapieratce knew it had to be bad news or something in that manner or another. Slipping silently into the study and shutting the door behind him as he went, Rapieratce set the report down of Glade's table. The colonel seemed too engrossed in reading a piece of parchment to care whether Rapieratce had set a report or a living toad onto his table. Rapieratce decided to inform Galde that he was alive.
'Sah, it's the report on Redwall.'
'Whatever, 'Atce. Leave it on my table. There's more important business for us to settle than that of a blinkin report of sorts.'
'Sah?'
Galde went on to explain the telling of the coming of Daleria up to current, the whole Vaxial fiasco, and the plan to head off to war and the situation in general. It was pretty serious, taking most of the force off the mountain, especially at such sudden and short notice. It was not regular for this kind of thing to happen. Galde was quick to assign orders to Rapieratce. It seemed that he wanted Rapieratce to co-command the main force with him, while Galde himself would probably hang around with Consellariel more. It was a pretty big responsibility, but somehow, Rapieratce did not feel overly intimidated. All his seasons with Galde had taught him to ignore intimidation.
*
Consellariel was off in Redwall. Galde and himself were then left with the main part of the hare army. Galde was in a high bad mood, not being used to being shunned off by the badger lady in times of trouble as such. Rapieratce knew better than to try and lighten his mood. He sat, sharpening his rapier on a stone that he had specially brought along from Salamandastron. Galde grew annoyed at the constant grinding of blade against stone.
'Oh for Mossflower, 'Atce, you sharpen you blade any more than you have and you'll be left with a piece of metal that's as thin as a blinkin flippin leaf!'
Rapieratce huffed at him.
'Well, sah, it isn't my bally fault that Consellariel didn't want you to tag along, wot.'
Galde sent him an evil glare. Rapieratce only grinned back at the colonel.
*
Rapieratce stared at the carnage about him. It was not unfamiliar to him, but it was certainly at a much harsher extent than he was used to by far. He fixed his train of sight on a limp form, impaled by a spear in his side. The captain paled to a deathly shade momentarily before dashed over to the site of the body, throwing himself down.
'Colonel!'
The colonel smiled weakly up at the grieving captain. The colonel knew that he did not have long to live, the spear had done its damage to the point where repair was not an option. Removing it would mean sure death. The pain seemed dull as the world began to get dimmer. The colonel grasped Rapieratce's paw.
'Atce. It's over for me, and you know it, laddie buck. Twas nice knowing you.'
'Col-colonel...'
Rapieratce was desperately choking back the sobs in his voice. The colonel clucked his tongue slightly.
'Now, don't you go emotional on me, wot. It comes down to you, y'know. You're young, but you can do it, 'Atce, I'm sure you can.'
Rapieratce stared at Galde, his paws numb in disbelief. The captain shook his head vehemently and croaked hoarsely,
'Sah, don't, I can't!'
The colonel interrupted him before he could go any further.
'My time is short, captain, so please, don't bore me with your talk. I have confidence you can do it. I wasn't spending the last couple of bally seasons on you for nothing, y'know. I have to leave you, and there's nothing you or I can do to stop that. You have a long time ahead of you, boy. Being a colonel isn't as cracked up as it seems to be. Keep what I have taught you in mind, and do what it takes to deliver justice out to those who deserve it. Follow Consellariel, for nobeast else will be able to guide you anymore. I will be there for you, waiting in the Dark Forest, but besides my memory and spirit, there will be no more of me, d'you hear? I've taught you the best I could, and it's all up to you now. Nobeast else can take my place, and young and as under experienced as you may be, 'Atce, you're by far the most competent of the lot. You have to be, there's no turning back now, 'Atce. What I give down to you now needs no promotion letter or official seal. You take on the responsibilities of a colonel, and from that, you can never turn away from. Now leave me. Don't let the others see you like this. Let an old hare give otherbeast what advice they need now. I have told you all that I can, and that is the last gift I give to you now. Leave, 'Atce, and let me tell what I may to others around me that grieve before I sleep.'
And thus, Rapieratce left Galde, weeping, and turned away to face life as a colonel.
*Back to the future*
Rapieratce leaned back in his chair, eyes closed for a moment as he revelled in his past memories. A few seconds later, he opened up his eyes again, never being one to drift away from the task at hand for overly long.
'Well, that's all I've got to say. Now, Dale, if you'd be as courteous as not to push the responsibilities onto the rest of us, your turn has come.'
Daleria sighed, putting up her paws in defeat in the face of Rapieratce's pressings and the look on his face.
'Fine, fine, I suppose you have cornered me.'
Settling back for a bit, Daleria let herself recall as much as she could out of her shady memory of times gone past. They were not exactly pleasant ones, but still, they were memories all the same. Rapieratce perked up considerably- he for one did not know much about Daleria's past.
'I can't remember as much as I would like, and the past is something I will never understand, but I will try my best to recall what I can. There are no scenes that stand out in my memory save for fleeting figures clouded in shadow and running forms, besides that all I remember are sounds and some images forever imprinted in my mind. I remember the Western Plains, where my... old home was. 'Twas a green place, flowers out in the front and all. We lived in a relatively large house in the hillsides of the Plains, going more underground than above seeing as the hills were more like large mounds. I remember vividly the training room my father so loved, seeing as I staked out there nearly everyday. I developed my love of sharp blades from him, I suppose, and he began training me at a young age. I'm not sure as to whether he believed I could do it or simply to shut me up from all the complaining I did.'
There Daleria frowned slightly.
'I remember the house being the closest area to Mossflower. Vermin and vagabonds regularly passed by, making it absolutely necessary for us as a family to be trained in the arts of the blade. Father was very strict about that. Mother was usually furious with him, fact being that she was fed up with his collection of blades. Of which he put all over the house. Days back then passed in more or less in a blur for me, until that... night.'
Daleria winced as she tried to recall the night when everything changed.
'I was fortunate, I suppose. Father had been lecturing me for leaving my sabre on the dining table that night. I was made to polish all his blades and had to eventually stay up late. The vermin drugged them, but not me, but they found me anyway, though I managed to slay some before they got too close, but the Corrin Flower was far too strong. Fortunately... Vaxial was rushed. I wasn't completely drugged as compared to the rest of my family.'
The captain sighed as she leaned further back into her seat.
'I rather wish they did, to be truthful. It was... horrible. All I remember is struggling and sobbing and trying to break free after they dragged me away from my family, and hearing screams and shouts in the background. I remember something about my bonds coming loose, stabbing my guard and running. Running is all I remember doing for a good period of time, running straight into Mossflower to try and throw the vermin off my track. Nearly starving and not knowing where I was, I just, by chance, turned up at the Abbey... And here I am now.'
There was a silence, broken only by the soft sniffling of some of the more emotional Abbey elders. Rapieratce placed a sympathetic paw on her shoulder. Daleria smiled despite herself. After a while, Jemerian smiled.
'Well, things have turned out for the better, and I suppose that that is all that matters at this point in time. I say we all go and rest now, for the hour is later.'
Indeed the hour was so later that the Dibbuns did not even protest, a rare prospect indeed. Daleria yawned, standing and stretching with everybeast else as they exited the hall. She had something, though, in mind that she knew that she was going to half to do sooner or later. If she was going to accept the past, she was going to first face the present.
*
Rapieratce cursed silently under his breath as he stalked through the many long halls of the Abbey. She was not to be found, not in the Dormitories, nor the Kitchens, Cavern Hole, the Great Hall, not even in the orchards. Where Daleria could have possibly disappeared to in such a short manner of time was incredible. Even Remora, Longrunn and Glamoren could not find the elusive captain anywhere. Abbess Jemerian was starting to worry.
'Where could she have gone? The Abbey might be a safe haven, but Mossflower can still be a dangerous place outside our walls.
Rapieratce snorted at the irony of the sentence, waving a paw and dismissing the prospect.
'It is not so much Dale's well being that I am worried about. The captain can fend for herself almost as well as a one hare army gone mad. I was thinking more along the lines of when she will turn up.'
Glamoren looked shrewdly at his partner. Behind the calm exterior, the major knew that he was worried. Glamoren grinned to himself.
Ha. 'Atce's going soft.
Remora slumped into the chair beside her in Cavern Hall where they were gathered, tired after searching through the Abbey with a fine toothed comb almost since dawn that day. Pouring herself a cup of elderberry tea, she sighed.
'Where could Dale have just popped off to? There are only that many places that she could possibly run to in Redwall.'
Longrunn muttered darkly under his breath, knowing perfectly well that when it came to Daleria that there were more places than one where she could disappear to for an infinite period of time and never be found. Glamoren raised an eyebrow and supported his paw on the table, leaning down and speaking in a dry tone.
'Great. We have one missing Captain
Daleria, one huge Abbey and an even bigger wood of Mossflower. Perfect.'