Chapter 12

The Exile Forces' Meeting

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"Before we begin," started Wilhelm, "I would like to know if any of the chair men or women would

like to make any changes for when we make another meeting. If there are any requested changes, I will

be sure to make them happen."

"For starters," started Gendo, "how about we change the introductions a little? I'm sick of

going through having being called the first chair man of the first branch.... Why don't we create names

for each branch?"

The woman next to Wilhelm took out a note pad and clicked her pen readying to write down notes.

"That will be fine." replied Wilhelm. "Each chair man or woman may create their own names for each

branch. Lily?" he turned his head over to the woman, Lily, who was right next to him. "Please take down

the names each member creates and specify which branch it belongs to."

"Yessir." replied the woman in her stern and obeying voice.

"We shall start from order of branch numbers." said Wilhelm. "Starting with you, Gendo."

"I believe Dogma could be great for the first branch." replied Gendo.

"Dogma it is." said Wilhelm as Lily jotted down on her note pad. "Fara?"

"I think Tenshou would be good enough for me."

"Tenshou...." said Wilhelm. "Ray?"

"How about Tabris?" asked Ray.

"Tabris is fine." said Wilhelm. "Shion?"

"Vector is good with me." replied Shion.

"Gus?" asked Wilhelm.

"Seele is a good name...." replied Gus.

"It means 'soul' in German.... And what about you, Masidus?"

"I think Redwall is well enough for me."

"Redwall is fine, Masidus. Is there anymore changes that would like to be made?"

The room was silent.

"Very well," said Wilhelm. "We shall go forth with the meeting. I have just found out that

the Geist encounter rate has risen to about 45% in under a year. We have been very concerned about

this and need it to be stopped. I hand the floor to you six council members.

"But please do not disturb one another while one is talking. We will start with Ms. Star

of Tenshou."

Fara stood up from her chair and looked at the others and said, "In Garalimian country, our

citizens were forced to evacuate from towns due to the high encounters of Geist. I believe we must

do something about this before they drive us off our own borders! Soon they'll span all over the

country!"

"How can we?" asked Gendo. "The Geist are not one to deal with. Each and everyday they are

getting bigger, stronger, and even smarter! How can we hold up against these monsters?"

"The Light Weapons." replied Ray. "They are the only weapons in which can penetrate the

Geist. I have encountered and destroyed hundreds of Geist."

"I have never seen the power of a Light Weapon before." exclaimed Shion.

"That's because you people at Second Miltia are always indoors!" said Gus. "Either way, what

do you propose we do, recruit all of the Light Weilders?"

"That would be impossible!" said Masidus. "We don't even know how many Light Weapons there are!"

"All but one don't know all the weapons...." said Ray grinning.

Wilhelm smiled.

"At any rate," started Fara, "we have to form defensive forces for all countries in which each

branch belongs to. And, Captain Wilhelm, I propose we send an investigation team to all of the recent

sites in which the Geist have appeared in."

"And just who will take up to that option?" asked Gendo.

"My soldiers can't do it by themselves." said Gus. "I can't even leave my office for a few

minutes without something happenening!"

"I wish I could help," started Shion, "but we're busy with the KOS-MOS project and have enough

stress as it is."

"I am working on Project-E as it is." replied Gendo.

"I can't do it either." said Fara. "My troops are not strong enough to go up against the Geist."

"Then I'll do it." said Ray. "I have nothing to do at the moment."

Gus laughed as he heard this.

Wilhelm looked at Ray. "Ray," he started, "you are already busy with the Lightfellow Clan, you

have to govern Tabris, you are in charge of the Dark Weider's bodies, and you are already in investigation

of the disappearing of citizens in this country, Mizda. I think you are already busy enough. But,

however, if you are meaning to participate in this new investigation of finding the Geist's where abouts,

then you are free to do so."

"Thank you, sir." said Ray with a grin on his face.

"You are a strong, young man, Ray." said Fara looking at Ray from her desk. "It is good that you

don't waste that gift and instead use it."

Ray blushed as he heared this.

Then, Martin came up on Masidus' balconey and whispered in his ear. Masidus' eyes widened.

"We will have to draw this meeting to a close everyone!" exclaimed Masidus. "General Slagar has his

forces a few miles away from Redwall Abbey!"

"Slagar?" asked Gus nervously. "One of Dram's Great Generals? What are they up to?"

"We signed a treaty a long time ago!" exclaimed Shion. "Why would they attack?"

"Martin," called Wilhelm. "How much time do we have until Slagar's army arrives?"

"Only a few hours now, sir." replied Martin.

"I see," said Wilhelm. "Very well. This meeting is done. If want to, you may help Masidus and

his forces in the fight, if there is one. Now I shall bless luck upon you all with my Light Halberd."

Wilhelm stood up and had his right hand stretched out. His had his palm faced up and a glint of

light appeared. Then, his hand was occupied by a halberd with a gold hilt and blue edge. The axe on

the hilt was in a crescent shape and was plain gold. "Now for the Benediction of Light," said Wilhelm.

As he waved the halberd in the air, light luminated from the blade and axe and filled the room

up with gold. After a few minutes, the weapon disappeared and Wilhelm said, "You may go with hope."

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Cloud led Fox, Wolf, and Bill through the halls of the underground tunnels of the meeting hall.

"Where are we going?" asked Bill.

"To see Ray." replied Cloud. "Let's hurry up now."

Cloud led them through the hallways making sharp turns and stopping once and awhile. After what

seemed to be several minutes, they finally reached a large room with several tables set up. The audience

from before were talking in the room while seated at the tables. As Fox looked around, he saw Ray

seated at one of the tables by himself with a drink in his hand. Cloud and the others walked to the

table and gave him their greetings.

"You okay?" asked Cloud.

Ray looked up at them. "I'm well, thanks." he said. "Just a little rusty, that's all. Also,

you might have heard, guys," said Ray looking and Fox and Bill, "we're going to have to have a side

mission while exploring the world. Sorry about this."

"That's okay." said Fox smiling. "Hey, have you seen Falco?"

Ray looked around and back at Fox. "No, I was just about to ask you that one." replied Ray.

"Falco's been acting very weird lately," noted Wolf.

"Now, I bet you kids have plenty of questions to ask, don't you?" asked Ray.

Both Fox and Bill nodded. "Well, I'll answer them," answered Ray. "But I can only answer a few.

Shoot."

"What exactely is the Exile Forces?" asked Bill.

"An easy one." said Ray. "The Exile Forces is baisically the government of this part of the

continent. The continent is divided into four different governments. This country is govern by the

Exile Forces and is divided up into six different borders. Each chair man or woman run each border and

thrive to protect it."

"Who or what is the Lightfellow Clan?" asked Fox.

"Well," started Ray. "They are like a seventh branch of the Exile Forces. But they are in another

country. So they are not another part of the Forces. They are another government in another country

whom we joined forces with.

"I am to go with them due to the fact of my people disappearing. I have no idea what of my people

now, but I am going to find out this sudden depletion in population."

"What's Dram?" asked Bill.

"Dram is just another government." replied Ray. "But they are of great mystery. The people who

govern Dram, the Partisans of Dram, have never been seen by anyone on Oarth. It's odd. I think they may

be up to something...."

"Now what do we do, Ray?" asked Cloud.

"We are to find out what Dram's general, Slagar, wants from Redwall." replied Ray. "I don't think

it will be good, though."

"You can say that again," said the deep voice of Gus.

Gus came up to the table with two soldiers wearing the same colored uniform as he is. "So, Ray,"

he started, "we meet after two years. You've grown."

Ray looked up at him with a grin. "Have you even used that dagger of yours yet?" asked Ray.

"I wish I could trade it with another weilder." replied Gus. "But the Light Dagger chose me and

I'm gonna have to accept it."

"Are you gonna help us see what Slagar wants?"

"Might as well. It'll take me a long time 'til I get back to Fildera Base."

Gus turned and faced Fox, Bill, and Wolf. "And I see Wolf has some friends!" Gus said smiling.

"That's Fox," said Ray pointing at Fox, "and next to him is Bill. Guys, this is another friend.

Captain Gus Ryder of the Fildera mercenaries and soldiers."

"Just call me Gus, guys." said Gus. "How have you been, Wolf?"

"I've been better." replied Wolf looking up at him with a smile.

"That's good." said Gus.

Suddenly, Masidus came running in the hall with Martin following behind him. Masidus stopped

in front of Ray taking in deep breathes. "Father Abbot?" asked Ray standing up from chair.

"Slagar is approaching the abbey." said Masidus. "He has over a thousand men with him!"

"What is that fool doing?" asked Gus. "Starting a war?"

"He can't," said Ray. "We signed a truce with all the governments. What is going on?"

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Everyone came back up to the surface and went to the abbey walls and peered through the distant

hills. They saw a long, dark line stretch across the plains as it moved closer and closer. Ray cursed

and said, "Okay, we're gonna have to send soldiers out there and see what's going on. Is this alright,

Masidus?"

Masidus nodded with his hands in his large sleeves. "Do what you must." he replied.

Ray grinned at him and noticed he was still in his uniform. "I'll have to fight wearing this than."

he said. "Okay, let's move out! Get as many soldiers out there as you must!"

"Wait!" yelled Fox. "I wanna fight too!"

"Same here, Ray!" replied Wolf.

"No," said Ray. "You are too young. Go out there and you'll be finished!"

"That's not fair!" whined Fox. "C'mon, Ray!"

Ray paused as he looked at them both. "Damn...." he cursed. "Martin will take you along with

him. Bill, are you going?"

Bill nodded with a grin on his face.

"Fine." Ray said. "But don't leave Martin's sight! Got that?"

The boys nodded.

Martin walked up to Ray and approved that they could accompany them. "I don't mind watching them."

said Martin.

"You always did like kids," said Ray.

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Thousands of men and anthros were sorted into several large groups and stationed a few yards

in front of Redwall Abbey ready for combat. Ray stood at the front of it all and gazed out as he saw

Slagar and his forces draw nearer and nearer. 'If it's a fight they want,' thought Ray, 'then I'll

have to think of a good strategy.'

He turned around at Masidus who was behind him. "Ask the magicians to line up at the middle, archers

by the abbey, and the warriors in front." he issued. "But, leave Martins group in the middle with the

magicians."

"I'll see to it," said Masidus sternly as he ran back to the abbey.

Ray faced Slagar's army as it drew nearer and nearer.

By now, Ray could see Slagar in front of the large army. Slagar was a fox, wearing a purple

cloth mask covering his face, a purple tunic, and a red cape dancing in the wind. Within his hand was

a mace-like weapon but only with three large metal orbs with a spike or two within them. He kept walking

forward with his army following behind him until he reached a mile away from Ray. Slagar stepped forward

with his left hand raised and said, "Are you the abbot of this abbey?"

Ray shook his head. "I am not the man you are looking for." he said. "What is your purpose for

coming here with these men?"

Slagar gazed at Ray and said, "I am only here to claim what is Dram's and Dram's alone!"

Ray was taken aback. 'What the hell's he talking about?' he thought. 'What's going on?'

Slagar stood there and made an evil grin through his mask. "Give it up!" he yelled. "There's

nothing you can do now!"

Ray looked back up at Slagar. "Well, your efforts for coming here were meaningless." he exclaimed.

"Now leave! I don't wish to shed blood on Mossflower country!"

Slagar's eyes flamed with anger as he heard this. "Then blood you shall have you fool!"he said

raising his hand in the air. "You have one chance! Give Redwall to us, or die now! Choose wisely!"

Ray snapped his fingers and his right hand flammed white as he spun it in the air forming the

symbols. He stuck his other hand in the center and pulled out the Light Double Sword and readied himself.

"This is our land and no one else's!" answered Ray.

"So be it!" said Slagar as he swung his hand down making the soldiers behind him rowdy. He turned

and vanished within the soldiers.

Ray backed into the frontline of soldiers and said, "Be prepared! Don't stop until their numbers

get larger than it already appears! Magicians! Ready cure and defensive spells! Archers, fire when they

reach the walls!

"DON'T LET THE ABBEY FALL!"

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Author's Notes: I won't be making another Character Biography. I'd rather sum up the character's within

the story. Keep looking for updates. I am also trying to create a Destiny Calls website so you guys

can look there for a reference about the story. Please keep reading and enjoy! Until the next update, see

ya!