Tired, hot, and worried the search party searched doggedly through
the morning and all afternoon. It was just starting to get dark when the
Skipper of Otters heard voices coming from about thirty paces in front of
him. He motioned for the search party to stay back as he went ahead.
He carefully approached the source of the noise hope rushing through him. When he got close enough, he examined the situation. There was about one score of vermin sitting around a campfire eating Redwall cakes and candies. He saw one of the vermin, a young rat it looked like, beaten badly lying away from the campfire. He then saw the tablecloth that was pinned down by four stones, obviously holding something underneath. He could hear voices coming from under it. "Help uth! Help uth p'eeth!" Skipper recognized the lisp right away. It had to be Reggo! He silently went back to the search party. He explained the situation to them, and formulating a quick plan. Him and his otters (that brought slings) formed a circle around the camp. "NOW!" he shouted. The otters whirled their slings expertly at the vermin. The vermin screamed and covered their heads with their hands. Splittooth shouted, "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! RUN FOR IT!" He looked around, but most of the vermin had already fled. He quickly scampered off, covering his head with his hands and whimpering slightly.
As all the otters gave a loud cheer of victory as Skipper rushed over to the tablecloth and freed the dibbuns. The dibbuns leaped onto Skipper, kissing him with tear-stained faces and hugging him so hard, it almost cut of the circulation to his head. Skip smiled, relieved. "What happened?" he asked. The dibbuns quickly explained what happened, with a few extra bits and a hiccup every now and then.
"Lotsa vermin came outta nowheres with big swords and stuff!"
"Yeah! And we fighted off mosta dem wid our sticks, but there were just too many."
"Tho they cornerbed us and threw a blanket ober uth!"
As the excited dibbuns continued with their story, Skip looked over at Kimba. "Hmm what should we do with this one?" he asked.
"Phfft leave him here!" one of the searchers retorted. "That bloodthirsty mongrel.deserves nothing better than to stay here!" another exclaimed.
But young Feli thought differently. "I think we should help him," she said. All excess talk and chatter stopped, and gave they her an odd look. "Yeah," she continued, not sounding very confident "H-he obviously was betrayed by his group. We can't just l-leave him here to die, can we? That wouldn't be right. We're Redwallers aren't we."
There was an odd shuffling of the feet, and some of the search party agreed, but a couple still weren't convinced. Feli looked around, desperate to get some support. "Well.we could at least keep him 'till he is well again!" she added. "I guess she's right." Skipper agreed. "But once he is well he outta here!" Skipper said. The entire group of Redwallers still seemed unsure, but they decided not to argue with him. Feli smiled, satisfied. Skip bent down and picked up the unconscious Kimba and flung him roughly over his shoulder. "C'mon lets go mateys." With the dibbuns still rambling on about their adventure, the successful search party made their way home to Redwall Abbey.
Back at the Abbey the search party was greeted with happiness and praise, all except for the three dibbuns. Kicking and screaming, they were all roughly scrubbed and brushed until their coats shined like the lake on a sunny afternoon. After getting a long lecture from almost every single elder, wearing clean smocks and very unhappy frowns, they were sent to bed early without any supper.
The Abbey Elders were having a small conference about the searat down in the Cavern Hole. There was a cozy fire to light the room, and mint tea with scones was being served. "We have already sent him to Feli and Sister Maybell to be treated," said the Abbess. "I don't trust him one bit," exclaimed Bloro the vole. "For all we know of the situation, that rat could just be faking his wounds so he could get into Redwall! What if in the middle of the night he gets out and." Bloro made a cutting motion across his throat. There were murmurs of agreement. The current badgermum, Yona, commented, "I agree with Bloro. When he comes around he might just steal from us or," she gestures with her hands to Bloro, "Kill someone. You can never tell with these vermin types." The murmurs soon turned into obnoxiously loud discussions.
The Abbess held up her paw for silence. "I know very well of what the rat could do, but it would not be right if we just abandon him. We will keep him until he is healthy again, then he will be free to leave. In Redwall, we always help those who need it remember? And this searat is no exception." she explained in a very confident and decisive tone, very different to Feli's.
The Redwallers looked around, as if waiting for someone to say something, but none opposed.
"Then it is settled," said the Abbess. "Now, I think the best thing we can do now is just get some rest."
The Abbess stood up, followed by the rest of the Abbey elders. The each went up the stairs, said goodnight and entered their rooms. As each one got to their room though, they all locked their doors.
The light from the full moon descended through the infirmary window, leaving square shafts of light scattered on the floor. A lone dove could be heard cooing its haunting melody in the still night air. Kimba sat up in his bed in a cold sweat, although he instantly regretted it, and fell back down onto his bed; sharp bolts of pain running all over his body. He looked franticly around at his surroundings. He tried to get up again but felt like he had just been hit by a frying pan. He put a hand tenderly to his head, still trying to figure out where he is. "Oh, so you are finally awake!" said a friendly voice. Kimba looked around, his keen eyes searching in the darkness. Feli stepped into a shaft of moonlight. He looked at her, staring with confused, and frightened eyes. "Who.who are you? Where am I?" he snapped, his voice far from friendly. "My name is Felicity, but everyone just calls me Feli. And you are in Redwall Abbey," she answered. She smiled reassuringly, trying her best to make him feel comfortable. "We found you wounded out in the forest, so we brought you here, Redwall Abbey, to be healed." She took a couple steps toward his bed. The rat made an angry sneer at Feli. "Redwall huh? Well listen here Feli," he snarled. "I don't need any help. I woulda been just fine and.uuhhn," he fell back into his bed, energy completely drained from him. He clutched his aching head. "What the heck did ja do to me?" Feli walked over and looked him over. "You took quite a blow to your head, and even with the medicine we gave you, it will ache for quite a while." She smiled prettily, the shafts of light half illuminating her. "You best get some rest, that will help the ache to go away." She turned and walked out the door, and down the steps to her room. Kimba watched her go. He wondered why that mouse was being so nice to him, no one had ever been that nice to him all his life. 'She is pretty.' he thought to himself. He finally relaxed his tense muscles and stared up at the ceiling, smirking. Maybe he would stay here for a while.
Feli made her way carefully down the steps, trying not to make any noise. She reached her dorm finally and began to turn the lock. Suddenly she heard a sound, like metal clanging upon the floor. She whirled around and stared horrified at a dark black figure approaching her. It was a big figure, much taller than her and a lot bigger. She could almost hear her heart throbbing as the figure slowly, almost agonizingly made her way toward her. She tried to scream but no sound came out. Her fur stood on end as the figures huge hands moved closer.and closer to her. Looking around franticly she saw a fire poker lying just within her reach. Picking it up she swung it hard at the creature. The fire poker hit it with a loud thunk, like an ax hitting wood. The figure let out a deep bass yelp and toppled down a couple steps into a shaft of moonlight.
"Yowch! What'ya do that for Feli?" remarked Skipper, rubbing the sore spot on his head.
"Oh no!" said Feli. She quickly rushed to Skipper's side. "I am so sorry Skipper! I d-didn't know it was you! I-I thought you were a-a.ghost or something!" She put a hand over her heart and let out a deep sigh of relief. "You had me really scared there! I thought you were trying to attack me or.or something! Are you all right? I didn't hurt you too bad, did I! Let me see that lump." She tenderly tried to remove Skipper's hand.
Skipper rubbed his head scornfully. "Nah nah, don't fret your pretty head there marm." He took his hand of his head and laughed. "I gots a head twice as hard assa rock! My, my, you got quite a swing there matey! I think we just found our new Abbey Warrior," he smirked cheekily, despite the pain on the side of his head.
Feli blushed modestly. "My father taught me some skills.before he died. He.was the Abbey warrior at the time and he hoped he could teach me to be a warrior too." she explained, her voice shaking.
"Gee.I'm sorry ta hear that mate," he said, his voice serious and compassionate. He immediately tried to change the subject. "Say, what are ya doin' up this late anyhoo?" he asked, trying to sound cheerful.
"I was just checking on the searat," she said. "He seems unsure of what to do here.but not malicious. I don't think he will try to hurt anyone. I have faith in him."
"I dunno." said Skipper doubtfully. "You can never tell with vermin." His voice seemed to suddenly turn cold, dripping with hate. Feli had never heard Skipper speak like that, and was slightly frightened. She noticed him make a grimace, and at first she thought it was the lump on his head, but she really knew it was something deep inside. She wondered if something had happened in the past.maybe she should ask? No.that would be interfering.
"Are you alright Feli?" Skip asked. He waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Ahoy there Feli? Yoo-hoo?"
"Huh what? Oh yes I am fine.just tired. I guess I should go to bed now." She smiled. "Goodnight Skipper."
"G'night," Skip said. He continued up the steps and Feli went into her room, the lone dove still singing its melody. She however, did not lock her door.
He carefully approached the source of the noise hope rushing through him. When he got close enough, he examined the situation. There was about one score of vermin sitting around a campfire eating Redwall cakes and candies. He saw one of the vermin, a young rat it looked like, beaten badly lying away from the campfire. He then saw the tablecloth that was pinned down by four stones, obviously holding something underneath. He could hear voices coming from under it. "Help uth! Help uth p'eeth!" Skipper recognized the lisp right away. It had to be Reggo! He silently went back to the search party. He explained the situation to them, and formulating a quick plan. Him and his otters (that brought slings) formed a circle around the camp. "NOW!" he shouted. The otters whirled their slings expertly at the vermin. The vermin screamed and covered their heads with their hands. Splittooth shouted, "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! RUN FOR IT!" He looked around, but most of the vermin had already fled. He quickly scampered off, covering his head with his hands and whimpering slightly.
As all the otters gave a loud cheer of victory as Skipper rushed over to the tablecloth and freed the dibbuns. The dibbuns leaped onto Skipper, kissing him with tear-stained faces and hugging him so hard, it almost cut of the circulation to his head. Skip smiled, relieved. "What happened?" he asked. The dibbuns quickly explained what happened, with a few extra bits and a hiccup every now and then.
"Lotsa vermin came outta nowheres with big swords and stuff!"
"Yeah! And we fighted off mosta dem wid our sticks, but there were just too many."
"Tho they cornerbed us and threw a blanket ober uth!"
As the excited dibbuns continued with their story, Skip looked over at Kimba. "Hmm what should we do with this one?" he asked.
"Phfft leave him here!" one of the searchers retorted. "That bloodthirsty mongrel.deserves nothing better than to stay here!" another exclaimed.
But young Feli thought differently. "I think we should help him," she said. All excess talk and chatter stopped, and gave they her an odd look. "Yeah," she continued, not sounding very confident "H-he obviously was betrayed by his group. We can't just l-leave him here to die, can we? That wouldn't be right. We're Redwallers aren't we."
There was an odd shuffling of the feet, and some of the search party agreed, but a couple still weren't convinced. Feli looked around, desperate to get some support. "Well.we could at least keep him 'till he is well again!" she added. "I guess she's right." Skipper agreed. "But once he is well he outta here!" Skipper said. The entire group of Redwallers still seemed unsure, but they decided not to argue with him. Feli smiled, satisfied. Skip bent down and picked up the unconscious Kimba and flung him roughly over his shoulder. "C'mon lets go mateys." With the dibbuns still rambling on about their adventure, the successful search party made their way home to Redwall Abbey.
Back at the Abbey the search party was greeted with happiness and praise, all except for the three dibbuns. Kicking and screaming, they were all roughly scrubbed and brushed until their coats shined like the lake on a sunny afternoon. After getting a long lecture from almost every single elder, wearing clean smocks and very unhappy frowns, they were sent to bed early without any supper.
The Abbey Elders were having a small conference about the searat down in the Cavern Hole. There was a cozy fire to light the room, and mint tea with scones was being served. "We have already sent him to Feli and Sister Maybell to be treated," said the Abbess. "I don't trust him one bit," exclaimed Bloro the vole. "For all we know of the situation, that rat could just be faking his wounds so he could get into Redwall! What if in the middle of the night he gets out and." Bloro made a cutting motion across his throat. There were murmurs of agreement. The current badgermum, Yona, commented, "I agree with Bloro. When he comes around he might just steal from us or," she gestures with her hands to Bloro, "Kill someone. You can never tell with these vermin types." The murmurs soon turned into obnoxiously loud discussions.
The Abbess held up her paw for silence. "I know very well of what the rat could do, but it would not be right if we just abandon him. We will keep him until he is healthy again, then he will be free to leave. In Redwall, we always help those who need it remember? And this searat is no exception." she explained in a very confident and decisive tone, very different to Feli's.
The Redwallers looked around, as if waiting for someone to say something, but none opposed.
"Then it is settled," said the Abbess. "Now, I think the best thing we can do now is just get some rest."
The Abbess stood up, followed by the rest of the Abbey elders. The each went up the stairs, said goodnight and entered their rooms. As each one got to their room though, they all locked their doors.
The light from the full moon descended through the infirmary window, leaving square shafts of light scattered on the floor. A lone dove could be heard cooing its haunting melody in the still night air. Kimba sat up in his bed in a cold sweat, although he instantly regretted it, and fell back down onto his bed; sharp bolts of pain running all over his body. He looked franticly around at his surroundings. He tried to get up again but felt like he had just been hit by a frying pan. He put a hand tenderly to his head, still trying to figure out where he is. "Oh, so you are finally awake!" said a friendly voice. Kimba looked around, his keen eyes searching in the darkness. Feli stepped into a shaft of moonlight. He looked at her, staring with confused, and frightened eyes. "Who.who are you? Where am I?" he snapped, his voice far from friendly. "My name is Felicity, but everyone just calls me Feli. And you are in Redwall Abbey," she answered. She smiled reassuringly, trying her best to make him feel comfortable. "We found you wounded out in the forest, so we brought you here, Redwall Abbey, to be healed." She took a couple steps toward his bed. The rat made an angry sneer at Feli. "Redwall huh? Well listen here Feli," he snarled. "I don't need any help. I woulda been just fine and.uuhhn," he fell back into his bed, energy completely drained from him. He clutched his aching head. "What the heck did ja do to me?" Feli walked over and looked him over. "You took quite a blow to your head, and even with the medicine we gave you, it will ache for quite a while." She smiled prettily, the shafts of light half illuminating her. "You best get some rest, that will help the ache to go away." She turned and walked out the door, and down the steps to her room. Kimba watched her go. He wondered why that mouse was being so nice to him, no one had ever been that nice to him all his life. 'She is pretty.' he thought to himself. He finally relaxed his tense muscles and stared up at the ceiling, smirking. Maybe he would stay here for a while.
Feli made her way carefully down the steps, trying not to make any noise. She reached her dorm finally and began to turn the lock. Suddenly she heard a sound, like metal clanging upon the floor. She whirled around and stared horrified at a dark black figure approaching her. It was a big figure, much taller than her and a lot bigger. She could almost hear her heart throbbing as the figure slowly, almost agonizingly made her way toward her. She tried to scream but no sound came out. Her fur stood on end as the figures huge hands moved closer.and closer to her. Looking around franticly she saw a fire poker lying just within her reach. Picking it up she swung it hard at the creature. The fire poker hit it with a loud thunk, like an ax hitting wood. The figure let out a deep bass yelp and toppled down a couple steps into a shaft of moonlight.
"Yowch! What'ya do that for Feli?" remarked Skipper, rubbing the sore spot on his head.
"Oh no!" said Feli. She quickly rushed to Skipper's side. "I am so sorry Skipper! I d-didn't know it was you! I-I thought you were a-a.ghost or something!" She put a hand over her heart and let out a deep sigh of relief. "You had me really scared there! I thought you were trying to attack me or.or something! Are you all right? I didn't hurt you too bad, did I! Let me see that lump." She tenderly tried to remove Skipper's hand.
Skipper rubbed his head scornfully. "Nah nah, don't fret your pretty head there marm." He took his hand of his head and laughed. "I gots a head twice as hard assa rock! My, my, you got quite a swing there matey! I think we just found our new Abbey Warrior," he smirked cheekily, despite the pain on the side of his head.
Feli blushed modestly. "My father taught me some skills.before he died. He.was the Abbey warrior at the time and he hoped he could teach me to be a warrior too." she explained, her voice shaking.
"Gee.I'm sorry ta hear that mate," he said, his voice serious and compassionate. He immediately tried to change the subject. "Say, what are ya doin' up this late anyhoo?" he asked, trying to sound cheerful.
"I was just checking on the searat," she said. "He seems unsure of what to do here.but not malicious. I don't think he will try to hurt anyone. I have faith in him."
"I dunno." said Skipper doubtfully. "You can never tell with vermin." His voice seemed to suddenly turn cold, dripping with hate. Feli had never heard Skipper speak like that, and was slightly frightened. She noticed him make a grimace, and at first she thought it was the lump on his head, but she really knew it was something deep inside. She wondered if something had happened in the past.maybe she should ask? No.that would be interfering.
"Are you alright Feli?" Skip asked. He waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Ahoy there Feli? Yoo-hoo?"
"Huh what? Oh yes I am fine.just tired. I guess I should go to bed now." She smiled. "Goodnight Skipper."
"G'night," Skip said. He continued up the steps and Feli went into her room, the lone dove still singing its melody. She however, did not lock her door.