Neera and Iris where running out of sheets for Inka to sew. She had done
over a score of ripped sheets and was almost done the next one. They
admired Inka's sewing greatly. She had great skill. Not one stitch was out
of place.
"Inka? Do you think you could use a rest? It is almost time for dinner" said Neera.
Inka put aside the sheet, stood up, stretched and said "I guess your right. My paws are starting to become stiff anyway. What is for dinner anyway?"
"I don't know. But the sooner we wash up the sooner we will be eating"
Inka followed them to the pond. "I hope the food Gother gave me before is as good as the food we eat tonight"
Neera giggled "That food you got before is a mere sample of what you are going to eat tonight"
*
Mascry the vixen followed the path. The badgers had gone this way, and she knew it. Her vermin horde was growing tired and impatient. She heard every whispered compliant. She listened for acts of treason. She needed a victim. She needed a reason. She needed to remind them of her power. That is when she heard it. A rat, called Bladeblood, whispered to his neighbour "Why are we following this vixen. She promised treasure and I don't see any. We should have never joined her. I would do a better job of leading than her. She is going to lead us to our deaths I know it. This is Mossflower country, and Redwall is not far from here"
This was all she needed to hear. Quick as a flash her spear was at his throat. She could have killed him on the spot but she knew better. Her voice filled with rage she said, "What was that you said Bladeblood"
As fierce his name was, Bladeblood started to tremble. Stuttering he replied "N-nothing m' Lady"
Mascry took a step forward forcing him on his back. "Lair" she spat "You said that I promised you treasure, that I am leading you to Redwall, that I am leading you to your death. That's what you said didn't you? Didn't you?"
Cowering he replied "Yes, that's what I said. Those are the words I used"
Half the vermin horde held their breaths. They waited to see what she would do. They were all surprised when she pulled her spear from his throat and patted his head.
"Let me explain something to you my small minded friend. We are chasing badgers. Do you know why? 'Cause all badgers have badger treasure. Don't worry they won't hurt you. They aren't even full grown. Now I'm not stupid. I know this is Mossflower and Redwall is somewhere up this path but if we hurry we may catch up with them before they get there. They seem to be in no hurry so they don't know we are following them. We are gaining on them and if we don't have any more distractions we will get them before they get to Redwall"
Then she turned to continue up the path. She stopped suddenly and said with her back still turned "Oh, Bladeblood, by the way". Then she turned and threw the deadly weapon leaving it in Bloodblade's ribs. She walked over and casually pulled the spear free and said "You also said I wasn't a fit leader. Never whisper treason about me"
"Inka? Do you think you could use a rest? It is almost time for dinner" said Neera.
Inka put aside the sheet, stood up, stretched and said "I guess your right. My paws are starting to become stiff anyway. What is for dinner anyway?"
"I don't know. But the sooner we wash up the sooner we will be eating"
Inka followed them to the pond. "I hope the food Gother gave me before is as good as the food we eat tonight"
Neera giggled "That food you got before is a mere sample of what you are going to eat tonight"
*
Mascry the vixen followed the path. The badgers had gone this way, and she knew it. Her vermin horde was growing tired and impatient. She heard every whispered compliant. She listened for acts of treason. She needed a victim. She needed a reason. She needed to remind them of her power. That is when she heard it. A rat, called Bladeblood, whispered to his neighbour "Why are we following this vixen. She promised treasure and I don't see any. We should have never joined her. I would do a better job of leading than her. She is going to lead us to our deaths I know it. This is Mossflower country, and Redwall is not far from here"
This was all she needed to hear. Quick as a flash her spear was at his throat. She could have killed him on the spot but she knew better. Her voice filled with rage she said, "What was that you said Bladeblood"
As fierce his name was, Bladeblood started to tremble. Stuttering he replied "N-nothing m' Lady"
Mascry took a step forward forcing him on his back. "Lair" she spat "You said that I promised you treasure, that I am leading you to Redwall, that I am leading you to your death. That's what you said didn't you? Didn't you?"
Cowering he replied "Yes, that's what I said. Those are the words I used"
Half the vermin horde held their breaths. They waited to see what she would do. They were all surprised when she pulled her spear from his throat and patted his head.
"Let me explain something to you my small minded friend. We are chasing badgers. Do you know why? 'Cause all badgers have badger treasure. Don't worry they won't hurt you. They aren't even full grown. Now I'm not stupid. I know this is Mossflower and Redwall is somewhere up this path but if we hurry we may catch up with them before they get there. They seem to be in no hurry so they don't know we are following them. We are gaining on them and if we don't have any more distractions we will get them before they get to Redwall"
Then she turned to continue up the path. She stopped suddenly and said with her back still turned "Oh, Bladeblood, by the way". Then she turned and threw the deadly weapon leaving it in Bloodblade's ribs. She walked over and casually pulled the spear free and said "You also said I wasn't a fit leader. Never whisper treason about me"