Chapter 15

Outside the gatehouse, things were not near as humdrum as expected with the absence of the Abbey lessons. The Furgins had come for a visit to see their friends Gringle and Gardil, as the two hedgehog families had gotten on well since the feast. As Ragga got into mischief with the molebabe Dribber, Tera Vole and Hinkle, Stikle took to roaming the Abbey walls with his friends Leslie and Lingen, occasionally joined by the moles Grubo and Siltburr. They did not mind the chilly weather and enjoyed being slightly bundled up. It was also less busy outside with most beasts preferring the warmth of the Abbey building.

"So how are things with the new patrol?" Leslie asked the young hedgehog.

"Better than expected. We've got nearly twoscore already at Treestone, an' more are comin'. It seems the idea of a united woodland force is becomin' more and more popular."

"I say," Lingen observed. "It looks like we're in for quite a storm tonight." He pointed to the clouds in the western horizon.

"Yes," agreed Leslie. "Looks like there's trouble brewing in the west." An odd look came over her face, which she quickly shook away. "Aye, yes. A storm."

.

In the far northwestern reaches of Mossflower Wood stood a dead cedar tree. Carved into it was the home of a lone woodland hedgehog. He was not a hermit by any means, but much preferred the solitude of the trees to the chaos of crowded living. This particular afternoon he sat outside his doorway, whittling away after a hard day's work gathering food and fishing in the nearby stream. He was a slinger, and was well renowned for it in his part of the Wood. It was useful for dispelling unwanted guests.

A rustling in the trees announced the arrival of his neighbor, Shik, who lived by the stream. The hedgehog hardly raised his head to say, "Shik, for a squirrel, you sure are loud when y'sneak."

Shik bounded into view. "I wasn't sneakin', Grud, honest. I was comin' t'see you, I was."

"Right," muttered Grud. "Glad you're here anyhow, I could use some 'elp with m'new slings. Git on it."

"Righto," the squirrel said as he headed to the treeshack. He paused in midstride. "No wait, there was somethin' I came 'ere for. Wot was it..."

"Obviously. There's always somethin' y'want, Shik."

Shik clapped his paws together. "Oh, oh, I remember now Grud. I had somethin' t'tell ya. 'Twas important, it was."

"Go on, out wit' it then. Can't whittle all day y'know. I'm a busy hedgehog." Grud grinned rustically.

Shik didn't seem to notice. "Yes, yes, I know. Y'remember that young rip, Lingen something?"

"Lingen Reguba th' squirrel. 'E were here jus' th' other day."

"Aye, well I saw 'im today out at th' stream."

"Th' stream, eh? What brought him this far north?"

" 'E was goin' all over th' Wood, 'im an' other young rips; anyhow, he tol' me they're spreadin' word 'bout some goodbeast army bein' formed in th' South Wood. Quite odd, eh Grud?"

"Aye," Grud nodded, resuming his whittling. "Can't wait t'hear about it. Maybe word'll spread thisaways."

Shik stomped his footpaw. "But Gruuud, I jus' told you! Are y'just goin' t'whittle that stick 'til 'tis a pile o' sawdust?"

Grud laughed. He enjoyed giving his friend the runaround. " 'Tis alright, don't tie yer tail in a knot. Anyhow, did the Reguba say where this little army thing is at?"

"Tree something... Some glade. Treestone, I think. 'Tis off the Wood Moss path, north o' th' River. I dunno Grud, but m'curiousity 'as me wonderin' jus' wot it's all a-who. Wanna go give it a looksee?"

"Treestone, eh," Grud muttered to himself. "Near th' river, I got folks there. Alright, jus' t'see wot's goin' on. A once-over. But I'm comin' back first thing second mornin', if'n ye wants a travelin' pal th'way back. Ain't stayin' no longer."

"Aye, alright Grud. If ye says so. Ain't been down that way for a while anyhow, I ain't. Do some good t'these ol' muscles." Shik flexed his tail for effect. "YooooOOWW!"

"Sorry mate," Grud laughed. "Jus' tryin' out m'new sling, guess yer tail got in th' way. Works fine, I think I'll bring it with me for th' trip."

"I don't like that sling, Grud," Shik frowned, stroking his tail. "It hit me on assident."