Undecided Allegiance
Chapter Three: Solitude, Requests, and Terminations
(A/N- This chapter you will find a bit strange in behavior of the characters. This is all planned out guys, that's what I mean to do so don't leave reviews saying that they acted weird, I know that. Thanks to all my reviewers, which isn't many, but hey, its better than none. Especially Psycho and Zlost because it seems that they're some of the only ones who aren't still mad about a certain incident...but anyhow, on with the show!)
Naturi often liked to sneak out of Redwall at night and walk about Mossflower. Sometimes she merely liked to be alone, but it seemed like lately that she was always trying to be alone. There was just something about her most recent "phase" that called for solitude.
Shortly after her nightmare she decided that she needed to sort things out in her head. It was strange how she had been thinking and she needed to understand what she truly wanted anymore. Redwall or vermin? Which was it that she fit in? Naturi wanted a family, badly, and she knew that in Redwall she could never have that. No one "loved" her like she wanted to be loved in Redwall and no one ever could there.
Then again, who would she fall in love with in a vermin horde? It seemed like they were all the same except for the leaders. The leaders were intelligent, but used their intellect merely for conquering and killing. Then, she was so tempted to get involved with the conquering and killing. It was so much more simple than diplomacy.
That night was, to be described in one word, beautiful. The moon was full, washing the peaks of the trees with a pale white light. It was pleasantly cool and she could hear the crickets (please excuse the weird author's note, but I take it there are crickets in Britain, right? If not, oh well I guess.) chirping adding to the solitary sound of night fall.
She paced about the forest solemnly until she reached a stream in which she stopped to let her foot paws soak in the cool, clear water. It was so relaxing just to be by herself once in a while. She loved nights like this.
Joseph Khrushchev, meanwhile, became weary from staying awake and thinking as much as he was. He just found he couldn't function normally anymore, as well as his captains. To plan an invasion in one night was just daft, he thought. He called it off and took a walk by himself. With him he took a flask of wine, which he found leisurely after a long day.
He couldn't help to appreciate such a perfect night. It was still and cool, and seclusion was what he sought. It felt so nice just to be by himself. He was tired of his captains and the rowdy ways of the horde.
After a brief period, the flask of wine was officially gone and Khrushchev could feel it playing his mind. As if that were not enough, he finished his second shortly after. It normally didn't take much alcohol to do this, just one flask was all Khrushchev needed. He felt himself becoming more clumsy and careless as he walked, but he didn't mind, even at his clumsiest state he could out do anyone in his horde.
He saw a stream glittering ahead of him and decided it would be relaxing to take a swim. It had been several days since he had really bathed and it began to bother him. His horde had just arrived in that section of Mossflower the day before and everyone was busy ever since.
He sat down next to the stream and on the other side he could see someone, but he couldn't really trust his vision in his drunken state. He tried to focus but he still couldn't comprehend what or who it was, so for then he ignored it. Probably his head playing drunken tricks on him.
He removed his belt with his weapons and proceeded into the water. He was chilled at first, but after a few moments he adjusted to it. He heard the a gasp come from the other side of the stream. Now he knew for sure that someone was there.
Naturi was shocked at what she saw. It appeared to be the one in her dream (how predictable of me was that?), and he was there, right in front of her. They locked eyes, and she noted the familiar look upon his face. It had to be the one in her dream! She didn't know what exactly to do, so she fled back to Redwall.
She settled into her bed, paws trembling as she thought of him. It was so strange, perhaps she had seen him somewhere before...
She got out her notebook and began writing. "I saw someone tonight, I don't know who he was or why he was there, but all I know is that I want to see him again. I'm so confused. I was so thrilled to see someone like me, perhaps we should have spoken, but I have a feeling I will see him again," she finished.
She set the book on the floor beside her bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning at breakfast as Naturi was eating, at the side of Skipper as usual, she heard something she found odd. She knew that he was trying to speak quietly to the Abbot, but she could hear them.
"Vermin horde's advancing," he said. "Got reports from Redscratch and Nestrum. Some kind of Khrushchev guy..."
This was said just as Naturi was sipping at some strawberry cordial, but at hearing that all too familiar name, sprayed it all over the table. Attention was shifted from the conversation to her, but she pretended to ignore it.
"Skipper, did you say Khrushchev?"
Skipper nodded. "I did...why do you ask?"
Naturi blinked and looked to the floor. "We went to war against Khrushchev, but he was old. I heard he was one the verge of croaking."
Skipper looked to the abbot then to Naturi, noting the fact that she used "we" instead of "they" while referring to the vermin horde she was once a part of. Skipper narrowed his eyes. "The leaders a young one. Must be a son or something."
Naturi nodded. "Must be. So...is this horde a threat to Redwall?"
Skipper shrugged. "Should always assume, though. Can't be too careful. Gonna have to post extra sentries out there. Maybe have some squirrel spies go out there and pin point a location," he said thoughtfully, seeming more to be talking to himself than Naturi.
"Can I do something?" she asked hopefully.
Skipper narrowed his eyes and frowned. He didn't exactly trust her, not with this sort of thing, anyhow. She probably sympathized for the vermin cause and would be eager to betray Redwall. He just didn't know how to say that. "Oh...no, you see, we have enough sentries and the squirrels can climb better without being seen," he explained hastily.
Skipper half expected her to get upset and storm off, but she did not. Rather, she looked to her food silently and began eating again.
After a few moments, she said something that Skipper had not expected. "You know, I understand. I am what I am, and I'm like them. I know you think I'll become a traitor, but I wouldn't, because of all the great things you've done for me. I only wish that you would give me a chance to prove myself..." she said forlornly.
Skipper and Abbot Marken looked at eachother. Marken shrugged. "I say give her a chance as a sentry. She sounds sincere."
Skipper nodded and turned back to Naturi. "You can have a shift tonight, the midnight shift if you like," he said, still unsure of this decision, but knew that the Abbot's word overruled his.
Naturi smiled. "Thank you, abbot."
She knew that those words weren't necessarily sincere, but she wouldn't dare do anything to hurt Redwall. There was nothing that the abbey beasts had done to deserve any wrong doing, the only reason that she truly wanted to be involved was perhaps a chance to slip away. Be taken prisoner, then hopefully integrate into that horde. This was not a sure decision, however. She just wanted that chance.
Joseph had a morning of disappointments. His most trusted captain, Cobain, had been caught courting with a female while the horde was at the brink of war! How could he go against Joseph's long standing policy? There was a lot more that upset the warlord than just the courting in itself, but the principal of it. Cobain had broken his set rule, and put his post second. To Joseph, that was unacceptable at times like these.
There would be a public termination of his post at noon. Joseph was tentative to fire him, but there was another big reason why he absolutely had to. If he just let his captains break the rules and get away with it, then who else would choose to break his rules? He would look soft. He was not about to look soft at times of invasion.
Noon came and Cobain was led out into the center of camp. It was cloudy and at the brink of raining when the termination took place, but Joseph chose not to cancel it.
Joseph stood in the center of camp, smiling wickedly at Cobain. When everybody from the horde had gathered and it became silent, he spoke.
"My followers, the one kneeling before you has deliberately chosen to break a very important rule. As you all know, we are planning an invasion, and I cannot tolerate rule breaking," he paused, looking around to the audience. "My once best captain has decided to go against a very important policy of mine. The 'no-love' policy." He paused again to hear snickering and whispering in the crowd. The hordebeasts just loved to gossip. This would fill them up for weeks. "Therefore, I hearby proclaim Cobain a soldier, not an authority figure anymore. As for nominations for his replacement, you will first speak to my seer about it, and then you will speak to me. And as for my other captains, let this be a lesson," he finished dramatically and retreated to his tent.
Cobain found himself embarrassed for the remainder of the day. He had been teased, harassed, and whispered about ever since Joseph's speech. He was honorable, so what if he slept with a female? His reputation in that horde had been ruined, and he wasn't going to ever live it down. He was going to do something to Joseph, he decided, something bad.
As thoughts of mutiny ran through Cobain's mind, Joseph was in conference with his other captains and his seer, Delafor. This was held mostly to speak of Cobain, his new captain, and the invasion.
Joseph sat thoughtfully, rubbing his temple. "Cobain is going to be very upset with me for some time. He'll try to pull something. Kneadon, Bluedusk, you are in charge of killing him," he ordered softly, he seemed strangely tired.
Kneadon and Bluedusk tried not to react, but failed. The picture of shock painted on their faces was rather conspicuous. Cobain was their friend, they were used to be around him and being around him all the time, and now they were ordered to kill him! It was that or die, so either way, it was a win-lose situation.
They nodded obediently.
Joseph smiled. "Good. I don't care how you do it, all I ask is that you do not tell a soul about this, until he's dead. Otherwise the whole plan with fail."
The two nodded again.
"Now, leave," he ordered gently, but even though his tone was civil, the two captains knew better than to take advantage of it. They exited the tent quickly, leaving Joseph and Delafor alone.
"You're weary, you stayed out last night, didn't you?" Delafor inquired.
Joseph nodded. "Does it really take a seer to tell that? Yeah, I was out. Yes, I drank. So what? I can do as I please..." he said as he laid on his back, looking to the ceiling of the tent.
Delafor scooted closer to him. "Sir...I had a dream last night."
Joseph smirked. "Congratulations."
Delafor became frustrated with him, but did not show it. "Sir, I think it's important," she said, her voice slightly whiney.
"Well..." Joseph said. "Let's hear it."
Delafor fidgeted nervously and closed her eyes. "It all took place at that red stone building we plan to invade. I saw an otter...with a magnificent sword. I also saw someone, insignificant looking. A ferret, but she's holding a bow, and the arrow, it's pointed towards you. When she shoots it, I cannot see where it ends up, sir." She opened her eyes. "Because it took place at the abbey, I believe there is some importance."
Joseph began as a small snicker, but he soon began laughing hardily. "You're something else, seer," he paused, his hilarity fading. "You may think your dreams are important, but I don't. In fact, I don't think you're very important to me anymore. You and your daft, psychic hokey crap. I don't want to hear it anymore," he said irritably and sat up. "In fact, I think you should leave," he demanded crudely.
Delafor was near tears at this point. She ran out of the tent, and Joseph could tell she was crying.
His thoughts wandered from Delafor to the night before. He had tried, during the day, to locate that female he had seen the night before. He couldn't say that he really knew what she looked like, in the scarce light and being intoxicated, he was not exactly credible at the time.
"Why do I even care?" he thought to himself.
He chuckled. He found it funny how small things seem to stick with him.
(A/N- Took me forever to write that chapter! A lot of stuff happened. I hope you found it interesting.)
Chapter Three: Solitude, Requests, and Terminations
(A/N- This chapter you will find a bit strange in behavior of the characters. This is all planned out guys, that's what I mean to do so don't leave reviews saying that they acted weird, I know that. Thanks to all my reviewers, which isn't many, but hey, its better than none. Especially Psycho and Zlost because it seems that they're some of the only ones who aren't still mad about a certain incident...but anyhow, on with the show!)
Naturi often liked to sneak out of Redwall at night and walk about Mossflower. Sometimes she merely liked to be alone, but it seemed like lately that she was always trying to be alone. There was just something about her most recent "phase" that called for solitude.
Shortly after her nightmare she decided that she needed to sort things out in her head. It was strange how she had been thinking and she needed to understand what she truly wanted anymore. Redwall or vermin? Which was it that she fit in? Naturi wanted a family, badly, and she knew that in Redwall she could never have that. No one "loved" her like she wanted to be loved in Redwall and no one ever could there.
Then again, who would she fall in love with in a vermin horde? It seemed like they were all the same except for the leaders. The leaders were intelligent, but used their intellect merely for conquering and killing. Then, she was so tempted to get involved with the conquering and killing. It was so much more simple than diplomacy.
That night was, to be described in one word, beautiful. The moon was full, washing the peaks of the trees with a pale white light. It was pleasantly cool and she could hear the crickets (please excuse the weird author's note, but I take it there are crickets in Britain, right? If not, oh well I guess.) chirping adding to the solitary sound of night fall.
She paced about the forest solemnly until she reached a stream in which she stopped to let her foot paws soak in the cool, clear water. It was so relaxing just to be by herself once in a while. She loved nights like this.
Joseph Khrushchev, meanwhile, became weary from staying awake and thinking as much as he was. He just found he couldn't function normally anymore, as well as his captains. To plan an invasion in one night was just daft, he thought. He called it off and took a walk by himself. With him he took a flask of wine, which he found leisurely after a long day.
He couldn't help to appreciate such a perfect night. It was still and cool, and seclusion was what he sought. It felt so nice just to be by himself. He was tired of his captains and the rowdy ways of the horde.
After a brief period, the flask of wine was officially gone and Khrushchev could feel it playing his mind. As if that were not enough, he finished his second shortly after. It normally didn't take much alcohol to do this, just one flask was all Khrushchev needed. He felt himself becoming more clumsy and careless as he walked, but he didn't mind, even at his clumsiest state he could out do anyone in his horde.
He saw a stream glittering ahead of him and decided it would be relaxing to take a swim. It had been several days since he had really bathed and it began to bother him. His horde had just arrived in that section of Mossflower the day before and everyone was busy ever since.
He sat down next to the stream and on the other side he could see someone, but he couldn't really trust his vision in his drunken state. He tried to focus but he still couldn't comprehend what or who it was, so for then he ignored it. Probably his head playing drunken tricks on him.
He removed his belt with his weapons and proceeded into the water. He was chilled at first, but after a few moments he adjusted to it. He heard the a gasp come from the other side of the stream. Now he knew for sure that someone was there.
Naturi was shocked at what she saw. It appeared to be the one in her dream (how predictable of me was that?), and he was there, right in front of her. They locked eyes, and she noted the familiar look upon his face. It had to be the one in her dream! She didn't know what exactly to do, so she fled back to Redwall.
She settled into her bed, paws trembling as she thought of him. It was so strange, perhaps she had seen him somewhere before...
She got out her notebook and began writing. "I saw someone tonight, I don't know who he was or why he was there, but all I know is that I want to see him again. I'm so confused. I was so thrilled to see someone like me, perhaps we should have spoken, but I have a feeling I will see him again," she finished.
She set the book on the floor beside her bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning at breakfast as Naturi was eating, at the side of Skipper as usual, she heard something she found odd. She knew that he was trying to speak quietly to the Abbot, but she could hear them.
"Vermin horde's advancing," he said. "Got reports from Redscratch and Nestrum. Some kind of Khrushchev guy..."
This was said just as Naturi was sipping at some strawberry cordial, but at hearing that all too familiar name, sprayed it all over the table. Attention was shifted from the conversation to her, but she pretended to ignore it.
"Skipper, did you say Khrushchev?"
Skipper nodded. "I did...why do you ask?"
Naturi blinked and looked to the floor. "We went to war against Khrushchev, but he was old. I heard he was one the verge of croaking."
Skipper looked to the abbot then to Naturi, noting the fact that she used "we" instead of "they" while referring to the vermin horde she was once a part of. Skipper narrowed his eyes. "The leaders a young one. Must be a son or something."
Naturi nodded. "Must be. So...is this horde a threat to Redwall?"
Skipper shrugged. "Should always assume, though. Can't be too careful. Gonna have to post extra sentries out there. Maybe have some squirrel spies go out there and pin point a location," he said thoughtfully, seeming more to be talking to himself than Naturi.
"Can I do something?" she asked hopefully.
Skipper narrowed his eyes and frowned. He didn't exactly trust her, not with this sort of thing, anyhow. She probably sympathized for the vermin cause and would be eager to betray Redwall. He just didn't know how to say that. "Oh...no, you see, we have enough sentries and the squirrels can climb better without being seen," he explained hastily.
Skipper half expected her to get upset and storm off, but she did not. Rather, she looked to her food silently and began eating again.
After a few moments, she said something that Skipper had not expected. "You know, I understand. I am what I am, and I'm like them. I know you think I'll become a traitor, but I wouldn't, because of all the great things you've done for me. I only wish that you would give me a chance to prove myself..." she said forlornly.
Skipper and Abbot Marken looked at eachother. Marken shrugged. "I say give her a chance as a sentry. She sounds sincere."
Skipper nodded and turned back to Naturi. "You can have a shift tonight, the midnight shift if you like," he said, still unsure of this decision, but knew that the Abbot's word overruled his.
Naturi smiled. "Thank you, abbot."
She knew that those words weren't necessarily sincere, but she wouldn't dare do anything to hurt Redwall. There was nothing that the abbey beasts had done to deserve any wrong doing, the only reason that she truly wanted to be involved was perhaps a chance to slip away. Be taken prisoner, then hopefully integrate into that horde. This was not a sure decision, however. She just wanted that chance.
Joseph had a morning of disappointments. His most trusted captain, Cobain, had been caught courting with a female while the horde was at the brink of war! How could he go against Joseph's long standing policy? There was a lot more that upset the warlord than just the courting in itself, but the principal of it. Cobain had broken his set rule, and put his post second. To Joseph, that was unacceptable at times like these.
There would be a public termination of his post at noon. Joseph was tentative to fire him, but there was another big reason why he absolutely had to. If he just let his captains break the rules and get away with it, then who else would choose to break his rules? He would look soft. He was not about to look soft at times of invasion.
Noon came and Cobain was led out into the center of camp. It was cloudy and at the brink of raining when the termination took place, but Joseph chose not to cancel it.
Joseph stood in the center of camp, smiling wickedly at Cobain. When everybody from the horde had gathered and it became silent, he spoke.
"My followers, the one kneeling before you has deliberately chosen to break a very important rule. As you all know, we are planning an invasion, and I cannot tolerate rule breaking," he paused, looking around to the audience. "My once best captain has decided to go against a very important policy of mine. The 'no-love' policy." He paused again to hear snickering and whispering in the crowd. The hordebeasts just loved to gossip. This would fill them up for weeks. "Therefore, I hearby proclaim Cobain a soldier, not an authority figure anymore. As for nominations for his replacement, you will first speak to my seer about it, and then you will speak to me. And as for my other captains, let this be a lesson," he finished dramatically and retreated to his tent.
Cobain found himself embarrassed for the remainder of the day. He had been teased, harassed, and whispered about ever since Joseph's speech. He was honorable, so what if he slept with a female? His reputation in that horde had been ruined, and he wasn't going to ever live it down. He was going to do something to Joseph, he decided, something bad.
As thoughts of mutiny ran through Cobain's mind, Joseph was in conference with his other captains and his seer, Delafor. This was held mostly to speak of Cobain, his new captain, and the invasion.
Joseph sat thoughtfully, rubbing his temple. "Cobain is going to be very upset with me for some time. He'll try to pull something. Kneadon, Bluedusk, you are in charge of killing him," he ordered softly, he seemed strangely tired.
Kneadon and Bluedusk tried not to react, but failed. The picture of shock painted on their faces was rather conspicuous. Cobain was their friend, they were used to be around him and being around him all the time, and now they were ordered to kill him! It was that or die, so either way, it was a win-lose situation.
They nodded obediently.
Joseph smiled. "Good. I don't care how you do it, all I ask is that you do not tell a soul about this, until he's dead. Otherwise the whole plan with fail."
The two nodded again.
"Now, leave," he ordered gently, but even though his tone was civil, the two captains knew better than to take advantage of it. They exited the tent quickly, leaving Joseph and Delafor alone.
"You're weary, you stayed out last night, didn't you?" Delafor inquired.
Joseph nodded. "Does it really take a seer to tell that? Yeah, I was out. Yes, I drank. So what? I can do as I please..." he said as he laid on his back, looking to the ceiling of the tent.
Delafor scooted closer to him. "Sir...I had a dream last night."
Joseph smirked. "Congratulations."
Delafor became frustrated with him, but did not show it. "Sir, I think it's important," she said, her voice slightly whiney.
"Well..." Joseph said. "Let's hear it."
Delafor fidgeted nervously and closed her eyes. "It all took place at that red stone building we plan to invade. I saw an otter...with a magnificent sword. I also saw someone, insignificant looking. A ferret, but she's holding a bow, and the arrow, it's pointed towards you. When she shoots it, I cannot see where it ends up, sir." She opened her eyes. "Because it took place at the abbey, I believe there is some importance."
Joseph began as a small snicker, but he soon began laughing hardily. "You're something else, seer," he paused, his hilarity fading. "You may think your dreams are important, but I don't. In fact, I don't think you're very important to me anymore. You and your daft, psychic hokey crap. I don't want to hear it anymore," he said irritably and sat up. "In fact, I think you should leave," he demanded crudely.
Delafor was near tears at this point. She ran out of the tent, and Joseph could tell she was crying.
His thoughts wandered from Delafor to the night before. He had tried, during the day, to locate that female he had seen the night before. He couldn't say that he really knew what she looked like, in the scarce light and being intoxicated, he was not exactly credible at the time.
"Why do I even care?" he thought to himself.
He chuckled. He found it funny how small things seem to stick with him.
(A/N- Took me forever to write that chapter! A lot of stuff happened. I hope you found it interesting.)