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It was a day in Mossflower like no other. The midday sun shone brightly down upon the trees, illuminating the treetops and shining her brilliance enthusiastic down upon the sandstone Abbey of Redwall. The birds twittered merrily from the treetops, providing natures own music at its fullest. In the far reaches of the wood, lay Redwall Abbey, home to all good creatures, harbouring and sheltering those who needed it.

The inhabitants now were engaged, however. The summer Nameday was to take place in six days, but it was a joint celebration, as it was also old Abbess Vale's Jubilee feast. The bustling kitchen staff were busy with many preparations, whilst the elders had their paws full trying to deal with the over-excited Dibbuns of the Abbey.

'Friar Bellows, is that a Great Hall Cake I see you makin'?'

'It most certainly is, young Gina, now run along and fetch some hazelnuts for my muffins would you?'

'Gurr, Oi'll get 'em fur ee, Bellers.' 'Very good, very good, Fuggat! Now, Mara, can you please tell that annoying little rascal to stop eating all the candied chestnuts, I need them for my display!'

'Hurr, hurr, hurr, thoise make Oi grow oop big and strong!'

'No they will not, you little scallywag! Wait until next week, then you'll have as much as you want.'

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Not to far from Redwall, though, lay a deceitful danger to the Abbey. The horde of the Nightraiders had come! Karatinthe a young red squirrel, hopped ahead among the stately trees, spying.

'Where'd the boss go?' asked a particularly stupid ferret, named Skullbash.

'Din't yew 'ear 'im matey? She'd gone to check that big place with 'er pet squirrel!' yelled another ferret, Wetnose, 'All she'z good for is spyin' 'n' hidin'. Huh! I wish that stupid squirrel 'ad never come, takin' o'er our captaincy in the 'orde like that!'

'Nightclaw's pet too.' Another mutineer muttered.

Karatinthe decided it had gone too far. She leapt in, teeth bared, her long silver dagger drawn. She cut a fine figure, wearing nought but a green and brown flecked tunic. Her tufted ears were covered with a few small rings, and she was heavily tattooed with plant dyes. Her long bushy tail swished gently, although it was almost invisible against the woodland, having been dyed with so many greens, and browns.

She walked up to Wetnose, the accusing ringleader.

'So,' she began, an accusing knell rising in her voice, 'So.'

'So, what?' asked the insolent Wetnose cheekily.

''Tis mutiny to speak of Aranix in such a way.' Karatinthe said, keeping her voice calm, 'So, what shall your fate be?'

Wetnose seemed to finally realise his hopeless situation, and began pleading for him life, 'No! I din't mean nuthin' by it! I wuz... I wuz givin' the Mistress some praise, Kara! Please d--'

But his pleas were cut short by a small wave of Karatinthe's paw. Two guards leapt in, and dragged Wetnose to the forest floor, still crying out. All it took to end the ferret's life was a single thrust from the glittering blade.

Ignoring the twitching corpse, Karatinthe turned to the vermin. 'This is what Wetnose got for his words. Remember, I am always watching. Am I here... Or there?' She seemed to dematerialize, and appear again beside Skullbash, 'You will never know, that is, until you get caught. Then you will have a slow and painful death, unlike Wetnose here, he was spared easily, with a quick death, but one way, or another, you'll end up at the Dark Forest gate, with nothing left in you. Take heed!'

She shot off like an arrow from a bow, and vanished in the foliage, leaving the vermin to contemplate her message. She was in search of Aranix.

A/N – Kinda a cliff-hanger, I guess, but methinks you'll have to R&R if ya wanna find out more! Please, as I don't think I'll be able to carry on without support, and constructive critism! Cough hint, hint!