A/N (Major yawn) It's way early here... but my parents woke me up to say bye before they went to work, and I decided to write after they left.

Good thing I'm a morning person. Either that or I would've mumbled something in French or other and stumbled back into bed.

Here's another chapter, I hope you like it. Please review, and all that good stuff.

In the last chapter, I referred to Deyna as Tagg. Sorry!

Disclaimer: I own Redwall! (Looks at copyright shelf, which is thick with dust) Okay, maybe I don't... darn. I was really hoping too. I'll just keep on sending in those plea letters.

Dawn came early the next day, casting it's crimson light upon the single wolf upon the wall. Shadowsong had her glaive and sling at ready. Her ears perked at the sound of a beast coming up the stairs.

"Any vermin today, Shadowsong?" asked Mhera as she came to the wolf's side. "I hope not; it's been such a peaceful summer."

Shadowsong looked over the battlements, speaking. "No sign of vermin or anything since the Juskabor were slain. But I feel something is different in Mossflower. Did you notice there is no birdsong, no other beasts in the area, nothing?"

The Abbess gazed out at her Abbey orchard and pond, cherishing the moment. She answered, "Yes, I have. Perhaps a storm is coming?"

Shadowsong grimly spoke her thoughts. "A storm of searats, vermin, attackers. The birds have left, in fear of getting slain and eaten. The other beasts, too, in fear of the vermin." She turned to the shocked Abbess. "But those are my thoughts and mine alone. Mossflower may or may not be in danger."

Mhera clasped her paws together anxiously. "Oh, I hope not. Let's go back inside, Shadowsong."

Shadowsong stared out at the woodlands for a second, then joined her otter friend.

(Three hours later, after breakfast)

Deyna looked over at his wolf friend, who was brooding over on the east walltop. He went over to her. "An acorn for your thoughts?"

Shadowsong looked up and shrugged. "You needn't an acorn, just a pair of eyes and ears." She paused as she looked out into the woodlands. "Did you noticed the silence and lack of beasts other then Redwall?"

Deyna glanced at the woods. "Aye, now that I think about it. Wot makes you say that it could be bad?"

Shadowsong stared out into the forest. "A day before the Juskabor came to the Moonsky camp, I heard the same noises, saw the same beasts. No one!"

The otter shuddered mentally- this was bad. "That can't be good, mate- have you told the Abbess?"

Shadowsong nodded. "She was the first to know."

Deyna gazed out over the walltops. "We can send out a search party, just to look around Mossflower," he suggested.

Shadowsong agreed. "That might be the best thing to do, Deyna."

(Later, at the front gates)

Deyna, Nimbalo, Shadowsong and Boorab were at the front gates of Redwall, armed and ready. Deyna carried the sword of Martin, while Nimbalo a giant battle-axe, Shadowsong, her rapier, two daggers, sling and glaive, while Boorab stuck with a hooked window pole. All were swift enough to escape if needed.

Mhera looked at all them. "Find any sign of vermin and come to us with all speed, understand?"

Shadowsong nodded. "Aye, Abbess." The group disappeared into the thick woodlands.

The Abbess gave one last look before going back to her beloved Abbey of Redwall.

(In the woodlands)

Shadowsong carefully pushed her way through the dense forest, making sure at all times the rest were with her. They were going deeper into Mossflower, but they had picked up tracks and were not about to abandon them.

Boorab whipped his hooked window pole at the profuse flora, watching for vermin tracks. Then he spotted something.

"I say, chaps, look at that!"

Shadowsong ducked down to look at them. "Seems to be ferret tracks, but maybe it isn't a horde, maybe just some wandering vermin. But I can scent the reek of vermin has been here!"

Deyna nodded grimly. "Aye, I can sense it." He turned around to Nimbalo. "What do you think, mate?"

Nimbalo nodded sagely. "Me too, matey, all the way!"

The trackers went deeper into Mossflower, where they were sure they were on the tracks of vermin.

A/N Short chapter, I know, but this is a short story, so hey. Live with me here.

Please review!