Disclaimer: GWARK! I'm a mad crow-hare, you see...
A/N: Absolutely loving to write this! Ah, and the rankings for Salamandastron are different in this story than officially, due to the fact that I mixed it up from the very beginning of the story series and if I changed it now it would seriously screw up the whole thing, so...
Starting from the top:
Badger Lord/Lady
Colonel
Brigadier (Honorary Position)
Major
Captain
Sergeant
Lance Corporal
Lieutenant
Corporal
Screwed up, I know...
*
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.'
'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.
