The remainder of the horde ran and ran until they could run no
longer. They all collapsed onto the soft forest floor, exhausted, and
slept until noon the next day. Little speckles of light decorated the
forest floor, and tiny insects could be heard buzzing through the otherwise
silent air. There was no chill breeze blowing through the forest, and the
fall chill and the shade of the trees together made it quite cold that
night. The little group of vermin lay sprawled out on the forest floor,
each in their own little spot of light.
The largest of the remainder, named Splittooth, was the first to awake. Not long after that, the rest of the group came around, each looking frightened, confused, and beaten. "I fink what we should do first is decide who'sa gonna be the boss 'round 'ere! Someone needs ta be there to make the decisions eh? Seein' that I am the strongest, I think I should lead you sorry lot!" he exclaimed with a show of tone.
The young male who had stayed behind with the female stood up. "What do you mean slobber chops? I am the son of Silverfang! I should lead!"
Splittooth growled, "You? Ha! Don't make meh laugh! Jus' cause your daddy was our leader, who's ta say that chu inherited the same power? 'Sides, you only a pitiful likkle welp."
The other smirked. "It just so happens I am twice as strong as my father...and you."
Splittooth began to draw his rapier. "You're all talk and no fight Kimba, jus' like ya old man!"
Kimba smirked cockily, in the same fashion as his father. He put his hands behind his back. "I won't need a weapon or me hands to defeat you Splittooth."
Splittooth yelled angrily, "Cocky little welp!" He charged at Kimba, who neatly stepped aside and kicked him in the back. Splittooth stumbled and fell. Kimba watched him get up with an amused expression. "Is that all ya got matey? Tsk tsk tsk...I'm surprised those rabbits didn't kill ya!" he teased. Splittooth got up and ran towards Kimba, his expression filled with hate. Kimba waited until he was within Splittooth's rapier's range, before taking a couple steps back. Splittooth smirked, and began advancing faster saying, "I got cha now you arrogant little wretch!" Kimba continued to back up until his back was against an old elm. Splittooth leaped forward, his rapier pointing straight for Kimba's stomach. Kimba neatly jumped up and kicked against the tree, flying forward and knocking Splittooth over. He stood up straight and turned with an amused expression as he watched Splittooth scramble to his feet and rush to the tree and try to get his rapier out of the tree in vain. Kimba walked over to him. He then knocked Splittooth over with a clean sweep kick, and then pulled the rapier out of the tree. Taking the sword and putting it close to Splittooth's neck, he said, "Well me heartie, who's the leader?" Splittooth pushed the rapier away and regrettably replied, "You are Kimba."
Back at the Abbey, the dibbun Reggo and her friends Webble the mouse babe and Gurley the hedgehog were planning an adventure into Mossflower woods. They giggled as they discussed the details of their trip in a small shady spot in the orchard.
"Us'n should weave afore dawm, takin' some vikkles to last us da night!" said Webble matter-o-factly.
Gurley sighed impatiently. "Iss called dawn Webbie!"
Webble frowned. "Dun' call me Webbie! Mine name is Webble! W-A-B- L!" he explained.
"Guyth! Stop you'ra fightin'!" said Reggo impatiently. "Now, afta dinner tonight, we ith gonna go to thweep weally early. We needth our thweep for tomorrer! Then, uth'n will wake up atta dawn an' meet down in da kitchen..." and Reggo explained her plan to her friends. The dibbuns giggled excitedly. They had their plan, and they could hardly wait for their adventure!
The next morning at dawn the dibbuns were all down in the kitchens, grabbing candied chestnuts, strawberries, meadow cream, pieces of cake and any other delicacies they could get their hands on.
They then left by the south wall gate, which some careless Redwaller left unlocked. They giggled with excitement as the entered Mossflower woods.
The air was unusually hot for a fall afternoon. Even in the shade of the forest, the dibbuns had rolled up the sleeves of their habbits. The air was really dry, and there was no comforting breeze. About noon that day the dibbuns were already tired of walking. They made somewhat of a camp that consisted mainly of their "tent," which was just an old tablecloth thrown over a low hanging branch, and a circle of stones, which was supposed to be their fire pit. They didn't know how to start a fire, so they just piled a bunch of sticks in the circle and had a pretend fire. They took the candied chestnuts and put them on the ends of their walking sticks and "roasted" them. Giggling and laughing the dibbuns stayed there all afternoon.
Back at the Abbey things weren't so calm and enjoyable. They had noticed that the dibbuns where missing. Every Abbey dweller was searching all over the Abbey grounds. Soon, they had discovered that the babes where not in the Abbey.
The Skipper of Otters, who was visiting the abbey at the time, had discovered the south gate was left open during the night. He went to the current Abbess with his discovery.
"The young 'uns probably left durin' the night marm. I will take some of my otters and go search for 'um," Skipper said. The Abbess nodded her head, a worried expression on her normally serious face. "Take some Redwallers as well Skipper," she said.
Not long after that a small search party was put together. They headed out the south wall gate into Mossflower woods. "They probably headed in a generally straight direction," said Skip, trying to sound hopeful. "They wouldn't have twisted or turned that much-"
"Look over here Skip!" exclaimed Feli. Skip hurried over and smiled. She was pointing to a trail of small footprints. Skip patted her heartily on the back, causing the unfortunate mousemaid to fall forward. "Well done matey!"
The vermin had managed to get a small fire going. They had found only a couple roots, fresh water and a long dead bird to eat. They ate silently, reflecting on what happened the day of the war and were wondering what they would do next. Splittooth was scowling bitterly and shining his rapier.
Kimba was poking the bird, wondering whether it was good to eat or not. Frowning disapprovingly he threw it into the fire. His mother, named Yaane, said to him, "Kimba, what do you plan to do now? There barely is any food 'ere and we will starve if we stay here any longer."
He thought about it for a while, and then said triumphantly, "We will scout around, looking for wandering stoats and ferrets and other vermin. Then when it gets big enough, we could take over other bands of vermin! We could make another horde, just as strong as my father's was! Then we will go and get revenge on that big stripedog and his rabbits!" Kimba was smiling confidently. "We will avenge our fallen comrades..." he stopped suddenly as if listening to something.
Splittooth smirked and said with his voice dripping sarcasm, "Whassa matter oh wondrous leader? Cat gotcha tongue?" He was silenced by glares coming from the rest of the vermin. They all could hear the sound of beasts talking. They sounded young. Kimba silently motioned for them to follow. They stealthily walked through the forest.
When they got to a clearing, Kimba motioned them to stay. He went on ahead. When he was out of hearing range, Splittooth turned to the rest of the vermin. "Do ya really wanna take orders from that young rip? Why he doesn't know the first thing about leading a hoard or vermin, he don't got no experience! Jus' cause he got lucky when he fought me doesn't mean 'e's better than all of us! He wants us to wander around looking for more vermin, but we ain't gots no vittles 'ere! He is sentencing us to death 'e is! Join up wit me and I will lead you back to the sea, where we belong!" There were murmurs of agreement, even from Yaane. "Alright me lucky laddos, heres what we do..."
Kimba peeked his head through some brush, and smiled wickedly. He saw Reggo, Webble, and Gurley. He thought of a scheme quickly, and then walked into their camp, putting up his hands to show he meant no harm. The dibbuns looked up at him, and then began pouring out questions like "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "Where did ja come from?"
He calmly answered, "I am just a mere traveler. Me and my friends were just walking around when we heard ja talking. We are powerfull' hungry! We lost all our food to some mean thieves. Do you mind sharing some of your vittles with me and my friends?" he asked, putting on a desperate and pathetic tone.
The dibbuns looked at each other, then being Redwallers shrugged and nodded. Kimba called back to his band of vermin. The vermin walked in smiling evilly. They formed a circle around the dibbuns, trapping them. Kimba picked up the old tablecloth and threw it over the scared dibbuns, then secured it down with large rocks.
Kimba opened their bag and searched through it, pulling out some food. "Har har look me lucky laddos..." he was silenced by the odd looks he was getting.
The vermin looked at each other, and then smiling menacingly, drew their weapons and began advancing on Kimba.
The largest of the remainder, named Splittooth, was the first to awake. Not long after that, the rest of the group came around, each looking frightened, confused, and beaten. "I fink what we should do first is decide who'sa gonna be the boss 'round 'ere! Someone needs ta be there to make the decisions eh? Seein' that I am the strongest, I think I should lead you sorry lot!" he exclaimed with a show of tone.
The young male who had stayed behind with the female stood up. "What do you mean slobber chops? I am the son of Silverfang! I should lead!"
Splittooth growled, "You? Ha! Don't make meh laugh! Jus' cause your daddy was our leader, who's ta say that chu inherited the same power? 'Sides, you only a pitiful likkle welp."
The other smirked. "It just so happens I am twice as strong as my father...and you."
Splittooth began to draw his rapier. "You're all talk and no fight Kimba, jus' like ya old man!"
Kimba smirked cockily, in the same fashion as his father. He put his hands behind his back. "I won't need a weapon or me hands to defeat you Splittooth."
Splittooth yelled angrily, "Cocky little welp!" He charged at Kimba, who neatly stepped aside and kicked him in the back. Splittooth stumbled and fell. Kimba watched him get up with an amused expression. "Is that all ya got matey? Tsk tsk tsk...I'm surprised those rabbits didn't kill ya!" he teased. Splittooth got up and ran towards Kimba, his expression filled with hate. Kimba waited until he was within Splittooth's rapier's range, before taking a couple steps back. Splittooth smirked, and began advancing faster saying, "I got cha now you arrogant little wretch!" Kimba continued to back up until his back was against an old elm. Splittooth leaped forward, his rapier pointing straight for Kimba's stomach. Kimba neatly jumped up and kicked against the tree, flying forward and knocking Splittooth over. He stood up straight and turned with an amused expression as he watched Splittooth scramble to his feet and rush to the tree and try to get his rapier out of the tree in vain. Kimba walked over to him. He then knocked Splittooth over with a clean sweep kick, and then pulled the rapier out of the tree. Taking the sword and putting it close to Splittooth's neck, he said, "Well me heartie, who's the leader?" Splittooth pushed the rapier away and regrettably replied, "You are Kimba."
Back at the Abbey, the dibbun Reggo and her friends Webble the mouse babe and Gurley the hedgehog were planning an adventure into Mossflower woods. They giggled as they discussed the details of their trip in a small shady spot in the orchard.
"Us'n should weave afore dawm, takin' some vikkles to last us da night!" said Webble matter-o-factly.
Gurley sighed impatiently. "Iss called dawn Webbie!"
Webble frowned. "Dun' call me Webbie! Mine name is Webble! W-A-B- L!" he explained.
"Guyth! Stop you'ra fightin'!" said Reggo impatiently. "Now, afta dinner tonight, we ith gonna go to thweep weally early. We needth our thweep for tomorrer! Then, uth'n will wake up atta dawn an' meet down in da kitchen..." and Reggo explained her plan to her friends. The dibbuns giggled excitedly. They had their plan, and they could hardly wait for their adventure!
The next morning at dawn the dibbuns were all down in the kitchens, grabbing candied chestnuts, strawberries, meadow cream, pieces of cake and any other delicacies they could get their hands on.
They then left by the south wall gate, which some careless Redwaller left unlocked. They giggled with excitement as the entered Mossflower woods.
The air was unusually hot for a fall afternoon. Even in the shade of the forest, the dibbuns had rolled up the sleeves of their habbits. The air was really dry, and there was no comforting breeze. About noon that day the dibbuns were already tired of walking. They made somewhat of a camp that consisted mainly of their "tent," which was just an old tablecloth thrown over a low hanging branch, and a circle of stones, which was supposed to be their fire pit. They didn't know how to start a fire, so they just piled a bunch of sticks in the circle and had a pretend fire. They took the candied chestnuts and put them on the ends of their walking sticks and "roasted" them. Giggling and laughing the dibbuns stayed there all afternoon.
Back at the Abbey things weren't so calm and enjoyable. They had noticed that the dibbuns where missing. Every Abbey dweller was searching all over the Abbey grounds. Soon, they had discovered that the babes where not in the Abbey.
The Skipper of Otters, who was visiting the abbey at the time, had discovered the south gate was left open during the night. He went to the current Abbess with his discovery.
"The young 'uns probably left durin' the night marm. I will take some of my otters and go search for 'um," Skipper said. The Abbess nodded her head, a worried expression on her normally serious face. "Take some Redwallers as well Skipper," she said.
Not long after that a small search party was put together. They headed out the south wall gate into Mossflower woods. "They probably headed in a generally straight direction," said Skip, trying to sound hopeful. "They wouldn't have twisted or turned that much-"
"Look over here Skip!" exclaimed Feli. Skip hurried over and smiled. She was pointing to a trail of small footprints. Skip patted her heartily on the back, causing the unfortunate mousemaid to fall forward. "Well done matey!"
The vermin had managed to get a small fire going. They had found only a couple roots, fresh water and a long dead bird to eat. They ate silently, reflecting on what happened the day of the war and were wondering what they would do next. Splittooth was scowling bitterly and shining his rapier.
Kimba was poking the bird, wondering whether it was good to eat or not. Frowning disapprovingly he threw it into the fire. His mother, named Yaane, said to him, "Kimba, what do you plan to do now? There barely is any food 'ere and we will starve if we stay here any longer."
He thought about it for a while, and then said triumphantly, "We will scout around, looking for wandering stoats and ferrets and other vermin. Then when it gets big enough, we could take over other bands of vermin! We could make another horde, just as strong as my father's was! Then we will go and get revenge on that big stripedog and his rabbits!" Kimba was smiling confidently. "We will avenge our fallen comrades..." he stopped suddenly as if listening to something.
Splittooth smirked and said with his voice dripping sarcasm, "Whassa matter oh wondrous leader? Cat gotcha tongue?" He was silenced by glares coming from the rest of the vermin. They all could hear the sound of beasts talking. They sounded young. Kimba silently motioned for them to follow. They stealthily walked through the forest.
When they got to a clearing, Kimba motioned them to stay. He went on ahead. When he was out of hearing range, Splittooth turned to the rest of the vermin. "Do ya really wanna take orders from that young rip? Why he doesn't know the first thing about leading a hoard or vermin, he don't got no experience! Jus' cause he got lucky when he fought me doesn't mean 'e's better than all of us! He wants us to wander around looking for more vermin, but we ain't gots no vittles 'ere! He is sentencing us to death 'e is! Join up wit me and I will lead you back to the sea, where we belong!" There were murmurs of agreement, even from Yaane. "Alright me lucky laddos, heres what we do..."
Kimba peeked his head through some brush, and smiled wickedly. He saw Reggo, Webble, and Gurley. He thought of a scheme quickly, and then walked into their camp, putting up his hands to show he meant no harm. The dibbuns looked up at him, and then began pouring out questions like "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "Where did ja come from?"
He calmly answered, "I am just a mere traveler. Me and my friends were just walking around when we heard ja talking. We are powerfull' hungry! We lost all our food to some mean thieves. Do you mind sharing some of your vittles with me and my friends?" he asked, putting on a desperate and pathetic tone.
The dibbuns looked at each other, then being Redwallers shrugged and nodded. Kimba called back to his band of vermin. The vermin walked in smiling evilly. They formed a circle around the dibbuns, trapping them. Kimba picked up the old tablecloth and threw it over the scared dibbuns, then secured it down with large rocks.
Kimba opened their bag and searched through it, pulling out some food. "Har har look me lucky laddos..." he was silenced by the odd looks he was getting.
The vermin looked at each other, and then smiling menacingly, drew their weapons and began advancing on Kimba.