Stones of Serg
Chapter 7
Disclaimer: I do not own the concept of Redwall, nor any characters created by Brain Jacques. I created all off the characters featured in this chapter, minus the people, titles, or places of Redwall.
AN: Thank you Acoustical Ferret for your review of last chapter and thank you October Dragon for your reviews. It's always nice to get reviews for my writing. It's nice to be appreciated. So, thanks and enjoy this chapter!
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The log boats flowed up the stream as the Log-a-log questioned a sullen looking shrew once more.
"Are you sure you can't remember anything more, Heclu? Any information would be very helpful at the moment."
Heclu shook his head vigorously, then clutched his swollen head in pain. "I told you already, all I remember is that Yenno and the vole ganged up on me and pulled me into the woods, where they knocked me out. I don't know where or why they left, they just did."
Log-a-log Zann sighed. "Alright Heclu, I believe you. Now, try and get some rest, okay? I'll wake you when we get to the water vole village."
Heclu rolled over, grumbling. "Don't bother. I've had enough of voles to last me the rest of my life."
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Nerum turned over in his sleep, mumbling quietly to himself about delicious tarts and pasties that he and the rest of the Long Patrol would soon be munching on. Once they reached Redwall, that is. The hare's stomach growled with hunger, impatient for a good hearty breakfast. Unfortunately, Nerum was aware that all they currently had to look forward to were a couple measly looking (and tasting) carrots, a few lettuce leaves, and a canteen of water. Hardly a feast in any hare's mind.
On a branch in a fir tree, just one of many in that grove of vegetation, sat a swarm of crows, whose idea of a feast differed greatly from those of the hare. They greatly desired to munch on anything, even shriveled carrots and lettuce, though the hares themselves would have made an excellent meal as well.
One crow flew boldly down among the sleeping hares, careful to remain in the shadows and out of eyesight of the two lookouts. Making his way quietly towards one of the sacks, he almost managed to open it up when one of the lookouts got up and walked in his direction. The crow froze, hoping that his black wings would keep him hidden among the shadows. The hare kept walking closer and closer until he was just mere inches away from the crow. The bird was sure he had been caught, and was just getting ready to surrender when the long eared mammal bent down and woke up the hare sleeping at his feet.
"Nerum! Hey, Nerum! It's yours and Promet's turn to keep lookout. Wake up!"
Nerum's eyes fluttered open and he frowned up at the other hare. "Alright, alright! I'm getting up Botte. You wake up Promet, okay?"
Botte nodded in assent. "Alright then, I'll wake him up. You go over to Jett to get your weapons, okay? And make sure you don't eat any food while you're at it!"
Nerum walked away, muttering under his breath. "'Don't eat any of the food!' I say, that's not jolly well fair! Accusing a poor chap such as myself of pilfering vittles! Uncalled for, wot wot!"
Botte waded through the other hares and woke Promet up. Then he and Jett settled down to go to sleep. Soon, everything was back to normal. All was quiet but for Nerum's constant chatter. "Just an hour on the jolly lookout, and then back to sleep! I say, I can't wait to get back to sleep. Botte woke me from a very pleasant dream, you know."
Promet made a face. "Let me guess. It was about tarts and pasties and oven baked pies and meadow cream puddings! Do you ever think about anything other than your stomach, Nerum?"
Nerum looked away from his friend in mock hurt. "As a matter of fact, I do think of things other than food, thank you very much!"
Promet laughed. "Like what?"
Nerum sniffed with disdain. "They are very complicated thoughts that one of your caliber would not even begin to fathom."
"You mean Lefaera?" Promet asked teasingly.
Nerum turned to face his friend in surprise. "How did you..." Nerum trailed off as he spotted the crow behind his friend. "Eulaliaaa! Intruder! Eulaliaa! Blood 'n salt 'n vinegar!"
The crow leaped up in fright from Nerum's battle cry. Promet turned around to see what his friend was shouting at as all the other hares around them woke up to the din. Nerum, grabbing his sword along the way, charged the lone crow, who got over his initial shock and took to the sky, calling the other crows to back him up.
All the other hares, startled into alertness, sized up the situation at hand and quickly grabbed their various weapons, preparing for an attack from the birds. All assembled, they numbered at least three to one against the crows, and with Sergeant Mushat at the head of the Patrol, they were a formidable sight. The Sergeant marched up to the birds and spoke. "What is it that you want here birds? Speak up, I say, wot wot!"
The lead crow flew down to face Mushat. "Ah am Macanan, head o' th' Nohthen Crows. We have yew surrounded! Give us yon vittles and we shall leave in peace! Th' king has spoken!"
Sergeant Mushat shook his head in laughter. 'Us? Surrounded? Ha! I don't flippin' think so, wot! Begone, Oh Majesty of the Mischievous! You'll get no vittles from us! Go, or I'll have my archers make pincushions of you!" The hare gestured to his right, where a group of leverets were standing with arrows ready on their bows.
Macanan glanced from Mushat to the archers, then back again to the Sergeant. "Move out, ah say! We can' fight 'em!"
The crows sullenly retreated, but not without the last word. "We'll get you hares one day! Mark mah words, wabbits! The brethren of Macanan will avenge this lost meal in the neeh futuah!"
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When the Guosim arrived at the water vole village, they found it in utter chaos. Voles were running in every direction, shouting instructions and other such things throughout the village. Log-a-log Zann, with a few other shrews cautiously entered the village and approached the very first vole they encountered. They shrew leader couldn't help but notice the circles under the vole's eyes and the worried expression on his face as he said, "Excuse me, but what is going on here? What are all you water voles doing?"
The vole sighed deeply. "Well, you see stranger, two of our younguns have gone missing."
"Is one of them a Quienta Watervole?"
The vole turned sharply at the mention of the volemaid, grabbing Log-a-log's shoulders roughly. "How did you know it was Quienta?"
"We, my crew and I, met her yesterday by the riverside down south of here."
The vole looked around searchingly. "Where is she now?"
Log-a-log looked shamefacedly down to the ground. "She and my son ran away last night."
The vole dropped his hands from Zann's shoulders, as he looked downcast once more. Then, as if realizing for the first time that Log-a-log was there, he turned around again and stuck his paw out. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name's Keno Watervole. That over there," he said, pointing somewhere towards town square, "is my wife Pella. Our children Quienta and Sever are the ones missing."
Log-a-log looked up in shock. "Both your children have gone missing?"
Keno nodded his head sadly. "Yes. They both ran away on the same night. Were they together?"
Log-a-log shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid not, Keno. Quienta was alone when we met her. She and Yenno, my older son, took off in the middle of the night. I believe they might of headed south."
"South. South! Maybe… to Redwall? My Quienta always wanted to go there. Do you think that they might have gone there, Mr.…?"
"Oh, how stupid of me! I'm Log-a-log Zann, head of the Guosim. Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower," he explained when Keno had given him a questioning look. "Redwall. That makes sense. My son has heard about the wonderful and unquestioning creatures of that Abbey. My crew and I shall go there and see."
"Pleasure to meet you Log-a-log Zann. Do you…do you suppose my village and I might travel with your crew? After all, if your son went there, perhaps Quienta went there as well. Oh, but I wish I knew where Sever went to as well!"
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Sever Watervole was, at that moment strolling through Mossflower. A knapsack on his shoulder and a flute in his hand, he was the very image of a traveling minstrel searching for a place to stay. He came upon a clearing and plopped down on the ground. "Ah, time for something to eat! I'm famished!"
He was about to reach into his sack and take some food out when a voice above him spoke. "Ah! What do we have here? Hmm, mmm. Lunch!"
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So…how was that? I decided that we hadn't heard from Nerum and Long Patrol in a while, so they made an appearance. Also, we had to know what was going on with Log-a-log and crew, right? Don't worry, next chapter's Rowan, Quienta, Yenno, and the Redwall cast. Maybe a bit more of Nerum, I'm not exactly sure though. Nice little ending though, right? *Cackles * Yes, if you're wondering, I'm evil! Anyway, review! Who was it that is planning on eating Sever? You'll find out soon, maybe next chapter, but maybe not. Depends on how many reviews I get!
Thanks!
Rowan and Sakura
